The Memorial Drive Corridor contains several large parcels as well as two transit stations (Kensington & Indian Creek) that are believed to be ripe for redevelopment.
The intent of the Overlay District is to regulate land use and design to ensure that the corridor is redeveloped in a pattern that remains viable long term.
The intent of the Overlay District is to regulate land use and design to ensure that the corridor is redeveloped in a pattern that remains viable long term.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Zoning?
The purpose of zoning is to guide and regulate the orderly growth, development, redevelopment and preservation of DeKalb County in accordance with a well-considered comprehensive plan and with long-term objectives, principles and standards that will benefit the interest and welfare of County citizens. In DeKalb County the zoning ordinance is the comprehensive set of regulations that control the type and intensity of uses of private property. It also regulates the size, location, and height of buildings. The zoning code is the most important of the many tools the County uses to regulate land use and development. Development must comply with all applicable ordinances.
What is a zoning district?
A city or county can be legally divided into areas or zones. These zoning districts can specify the uses and dimensional requirements allowable for the property in these areas.
What is an Overlay District?
An Overlay District is a planning implementation tool that provides flexibility to the existing underlying zoning designations. It also regulates prohibited uses, permitted uses, and urban design guidelines to enhance the aesthetics of structures.
What Is the Goal of the Memorial Drive Overlay District?
The goal of the Memorial Drive Overlay District is to enhance the long-term economic viability of the Memorial Drive Corridor by encouraging additional investment and creating employment opportunities. It will be a zoning tool used for the implementation of visioning studies.
How does adding more restrictions with zoning encourage economic development in this area?
The Overlay District adds flexibility as well as restrictions, and provides a vision for consistency and direction.
What areas will be included in the Memorial Drive Overlay District? How were they selected?
The Memorial Drive Overlay District includes areas along Memorial Drive extending from Covington Highway east to Hambrick Road. The Overlay District includes the following six areas or “Tiers”:
• Tier 1: Covington Gateway
• Tier 2: DeKalb Business & Lifestyle Center
• Tier 3: Indian Creek Wellness Community
• Tier 4: Memorial Gateway
• Tier 5: Cultural & Educational Center
• Tier 6: Hambrick Film & Entertainment Area
When observed from east to west, the six Tiers create one Overlay District as shown in the following map.
The Memorial Drive corridor has been the subject of many plans and studies such as the Covington Highway Master Active Living Plan, the Indian Creek Master Active Living Plan, the Kensington Livable Centers Initiative, the DeKalb County Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the DeKalb County Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Each plan included citizen involvement and resulted in individual visions and goals. These previous plans and visioning projects serve as the foundation for the Memorial Drive Corridor Overlay District and were the basis for the current area selected.
Where can I find more information about the previous studies and plans that have contributed to the proposed Overlay District?
There are links to studies and plans that have influenced this project on the project website here: http://memorialcorridoroverlay.weebly.com/supplemental-info.html
Will Other Areas such as Belvedere and Stone Mountain be included in the future?
The intent was to make the current area as concise as possible to be most effective. Additional areas along Memorial Drive to the east and to the west of the current limits will be analyzed and included during a future phase anticipated for 2017.
What happens to the existing land uses?
The existing uses remain until there is some interest in redevelopment. The overlay is for future consistent and quality development to take place.
How Can I be involved in this process?
The Memorial Drive Overlay District will only be successful if it creates opportunity while meeting the needs of the community. You can participate and provide input by attending and participating in a public meeting. You may also be added to the project email list by sending your contact info to Sylvia Smith (contact information below). The public may also provide input online via the project website at: http://memorialcorridoroverlay.weebly.com/contact.
What happens after this process concludes?
After this process concludes, County staff will incorporate public input, knowledge from best practices and their professional expertise into a Draft Overlay which will include permitted uses, prohibited uses and design guidelines. The Draft Overlay will be subject to a rigorous public approval process which will include input from the Community Council, Planning Commission, and Board of County Commissioners.
Who should I contact for more information?
Questions about the Memorial Drive Corridor Overlay District should be directed to the DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Project Manager:
Sylvia Smith
Transportation Planning Engineering Manager
DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability
Long Range Planning Division
Phone: (404) 371-2299
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning
What is Zoning?
The purpose of zoning is to guide and regulate the orderly growth, development, redevelopment and preservation of DeKalb County in accordance with a well-considered comprehensive plan and with long-term objectives, principles and standards that will benefit the interest and welfare of County citizens. In DeKalb County the zoning ordinance is the comprehensive set of regulations that control the type and intensity of uses of private property. It also regulates the size, location, and height of buildings. The zoning code is the most important of the many tools the County uses to regulate land use and development. Development must comply with all applicable ordinances.
What is a zoning district?
A city or county can be legally divided into areas or zones. These zoning districts can specify the uses and dimensional requirements allowable for the property in these areas.
What is an Overlay District?
An Overlay District is a planning implementation tool that provides flexibility to the existing underlying zoning designations. It also regulates prohibited uses, permitted uses, and urban design guidelines to enhance the aesthetics of structures.
What Is the Goal of the Memorial Drive Overlay District?
The goal of the Memorial Drive Overlay District is to enhance the long-term economic viability of the Memorial Drive Corridor by encouraging additional investment and creating employment opportunities. It will be a zoning tool used for the implementation of visioning studies.
How does adding more restrictions with zoning encourage economic development in this area?
The Overlay District adds flexibility as well as restrictions, and provides a vision for consistency and direction.
What areas will be included in the Memorial Drive Overlay District? How were they selected?
The Memorial Drive Overlay District includes areas along Memorial Drive extending from Covington Highway east to Hambrick Road. The Overlay District includes the following six areas or “Tiers”:
• Tier 1: Covington Gateway
• Tier 2: DeKalb Business & Lifestyle Center
• Tier 3: Indian Creek Wellness Community
• Tier 4: Memorial Gateway
• Tier 5: Cultural & Educational Center
• Tier 6: Hambrick Film & Entertainment Area
When observed from east to west, the six Tiers create one Overlay District as shown in the following map.
The Memorial Drive corridor has been the subject of many plans and studies such as the Covington Highway Master Active Living Plan, the Indian Creek Master Active Living Plan, the Kensington Livable Centers Initiative, the DeKalb County Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the DeKalb County Comprehensive Transportation Plan. Each plan included citizen involvement and resulted in individual visions and goals. These previous plans and visioning projects serve as the foundation for the Memorial Drive Corridor Overlay District and were the basis for the current area selected.
Where can I find more information about the previous studies and plans that have contributed to the proposed Overlay District?
There are links to studies and plans that have influenced this project on the project website here: http://memorialcorridoroverlay.weebly.com/supplemental-info.html
Will Other Areas such as Belvedere and Stone Mountain be included in the future?
The intent was to make the current area as concise as possible to be most effective. Additional areas along Memorial Drive to the east and to the west of the current limits will be analyzed and included during a future phase anticipated for 2017.
What happens to the existing land uses?
The existing uses remain until there is some interest in redevelopment. The overlay is for future consistent and quality development to take place.
How Can I be involved in this process?
The Memorial Drive Overlay District will only be successful if it creates opportunity while meeting the needs of the community. You can participate and provide input by attending and participating in a public meeting. You may also be added to the project email list by sending your contact info to Sylvia Smith (contact information below). The public may also provide input online via the project website at: http://memorialcorridoroverlay.weebly.com/contact.
What happens after this process concludes?
After this process concludes, County staff will incorporate public input, knowledge from best practices and their professional expertise into a Draft Overlay which will include permitted uses, prohibited uses and design guidelines. The Draft Overlay will be subject to a rigorous public approval process which will include input from the Community Council, Planning Commission, and Board of County Commissioners.
Who should I contact for more information?
Questions about the Memorial Drive Corridor Overlay District should be directed to the DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability Project Manager:
Sylvia Smith
Transportation Planning Engineering Manager
DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability
Long Range Planning Division
Phone: (404) 371-2299
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning