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SEPTEMBER 2000

a 10 story, 100 unit residential condominium right across the street from Post Stratford. The rezoning, in itself, is unremarkable in that it is exactly what is called for in the Comprehensive Development Plan and meets all of the intent and criteria of the zoning regulations. Its significance lies in the fact that the Dougherty property offers the last chance to realize connectivity from the Buckhead Marta Station through to Phipps Plaza either on foot or by any of the shuttle proposals that are now being considered.

Mr. Dougherty realizes this significance and has offered several solutions including a donation of some of his land as right-of-way, a donation that is not required. But his property is only a small link in the overall scheme. The only entity with the necessary authority to effect a comprehensive solution is the City of Atlanta. But alas, this has also been on the Planning Department's radar

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Your Zoning and Land Use Committee is composed of seven volunteers - all residents of our neighborhood. Harold Cunliffe serves as Chair with Lamar Miller serving as Vice-Chair. Kay Beynart, Bob Young, Jay Lask, Andrew Bleke and Tom Hicks round out the Committee, each being responsible for a different aspect of its operation. Routinely, we deal with Zoning, Variances, Subdivision Approval, Code Revisions, alterations to the Comprehensive Development Plan as well as numerous other issues that affect our neighborhood.

Although all cases are carefully considered and acted upon, one case in this cycle is worthy of comment. Development within the Buckhead Loop has been on our radar screen for a number of years. We have consistently held that that this area provides an opportunity for "smart growth". The elements present are a freeway, arterial streets, and light and heavy rail public transport. To this are added the components of office and retail land uses, multifamily rental properties and high-density fee ownership. With this mix, we Atlantans should be able to realize the much-sought after "Work - Live - Play" community within the Loop.

But in order to have all these pieces fall into place, the most important element is "connectivity." Obviously if you live in a condo within the Loop and have to drive out onto Peachtree Street to get to your nearby place of employment or if you cannot walk to get coffee on Saturday morning, then we have fallen backwards and are perpetuating "dumb growth."

This brings us to Z - 00 - 44, a rezoning application filed by Mr. R. L. Dougherty to construct