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Brookhaven council defers zoning change for Buford Highway; resident urges protections for affordable housing
Summary
Council voted to defer a zoning text amendment to allow vehicle sales on Buford Highway for 60 days at staff request; a resident urged the city to protect existing affordable apartments as the area is redeveloped.
The Brookhaven City Council on Jan. 27 voted to defer TA 25-07, a proposed text amendment to Chapter 27 that would have allowed vehicle sales and service within the Buford Highway character area, after staff asked for more time to evaluate the application.
"TA 25-07 ... we're asking for a 60 day deferral on this request," said Linda, a city staff member presenting the item, explaining the Planning Commission had approved the request but staff wanted additional time for assessment. Council moved, seconded and approved the 60-day deferral by voice vote.
The council later reopened public comment and heard from Eric Haldensman of Murphy Candler Brawley Circle, who urged officials to protect existing affordable housing in the Buford Highway redevelopment plan. "Buford Highway is a lot of, apartment complexes that provide housing for the labor force," Haldensman said, adding that the area supports workers in restaurants, hotels and landscaping and warning redevelopment should not displace that workforce.
Haldensman said he understands the redevelopment ties to a tax allocation district (TAD) and urged the council to "take our time" on what he described as a 30-year plan. His remarks were made during the reopened public comment period; there were no other public-comment cards submitted earlier for the item.
What happens next: The deferral gives staff and council up to 60 days to gather further analyses and possible amendments before the council takes a final vote on TA 25-07. The record shows the Planning Commission had approved the text amendment; the council did not make a substantive decision on the zoning change tonight.
