PHNA Meeting, Wednesday, May 20, 7 p.m, via ZOOM
Hello Neighbors, we'll have our May 2020 PHNA general meeting via Zoom.
Why: Due to CDC guidelines and other gathering restrictions, PHNA will be conducting its May 2020 general meeting virtually.
How: We will use Zoom to conduct our meeting. Laura Coates, Secretary of the PHNA, will moderate. The moderator will review the rules at the beginning of the meeting and manage participation. The meeting will follow the PHNA agenda as usual. The meeting may be recorded.
To Join: Use the link below to register for the PHNA May 2020 general meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMuf-qhrDIoH9ckkztsjqVUdM1SWRdmaMoV If you are new to Zoom, you will need to download and open a free web app to join the meeting. Please go to the Zoom website and set up your free account in advance of the start time of the meeting. Zoom provides clear steps here if you find you need help.
Just like when you sign in to an in-person PHNA meeting, we need you to sign in for this one by "registering." Once you register, Zoom will send you an automated email with the meeting link.
Chat: Chat is available for you to share questions and comments during the meeting on agenda items. Chat will be managed by the moderator. The moderator will close chat if communication becomes inappropriate.
Note: The Zoom poll function for any items up for vote - Each person registered for the Zoom meeting will get one vote. Households who want to cast separate votes will need to log in through an additional device.
While we all look forward to an eventual return to normalcy and seeing each other in person, we wanted to give you an update on May PHNA and NPU-N meetings and the status of the proposed Poncey-Highland Historic District (PHHD), including a revised timeline that incorporates changes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
KEY UPCOMING DATES
Note: City of Atlanta dates are tentative and based on City of Atlanta operations. Please go to the Department of City Planning’s official website for the most current information on its operational responses to COVID-19.
Week of May 11 (only potential – based on city operations): Notification of an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan Land Use Map as a part of the proposed historic district rezoning. Affected property owners will receive notification by mail. See more information below.
May 20: PHNA general meeting, 7 p.m. Since the CDC still recommends avoiding large gatherings and crowds, like other neighborhoods, we’re planning to hold a virtual PHNA general meeting. Watch your inbox or check the PHNA website for details.
May 28: NPU-N board meeting, 7 p.m. NPU-N will hold its May meeting via Zoom. Check the NPU-N website for details.
June date TBA (only potential – based on city operations): Zoning Review Board (ZRB) hearing on the proposed PHHD, 6 p.m. See more information below.
WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE MARCH
On March 18, Poncey-Highland residents voted 74.64% in favor of Z-20-15 Poncey-Highland Historic District at the PHNA general meeting, which was held via Zoom and in the parking lot at Java Vino in response to CDC social distancing guideline at the time and due to precautions taken as Atlanta began to shut down at the start of Covid-19 pandemic. Most of the 358 votes were cast by absentee ballot.
On March 26, NPU-N, our neighborhood planning unit, held its March board meeting remotely via Zoom (with over 40 people in attendance!) and voted to support the proposed historic district.
Adjacent NPU’s (those within 300 feet are E, F, and M) receive and can comment on zoning applications. While adjacent NPU’s are not required to vote on matters for review and comment, they can if they want to. NPU-E (Midtown) voted in support; NPU-F (Virginia Highland, Druid Hills) voted in support; and NPU-M (O4W) submitted comments in support of the proposed PHHD.
On May 4, our District 2 City Council member, Amir Farokhi, sponsored legislation to extend our interim controls so that the rezoning process can be completed when City of Atlanta boards and commissions, which have not been meeting due to the Covid-19 pandemic, begin meeting again. Thanks, CM Farokhi! The interim controls have been extended through July 22 or when the process is complete, whichever comes first.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON KEY UPCOMING DATES
Dates below are only potential / tentative and subject to change based on City of Atlanta operations. Please go to the Department of City Planning’s official website for the most current information on its operational responses to COVID-19.
CDP-20-020: Comprehensive Development Plan Land Use Map Amendments
Administrative land use map amendments need to be made so that the City can implement the PHHD. Amendments to the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) Land Use Map will support the subareas, land uses, densities, and building types included in the proposed Poncey-Highland Historic District zoning so that the land use map and zoning align into a comprehensive development pattern for the neighborhood.
Week of May 11th (only potential – based on city operations): Some existing neighborhood land use categories already match the PHHD pattern and others don’t. Property owners in areas that will be amended will receive a public notice letter containing information about the land use map amendments and announcing opportunities for public comment at NPU-N and the City of Atlanta Community Development/Human Services Committee’s public hearing (CD/HS). This land use map amendment will make its way through the regular process from PHNA to NPU-N to the CD/HS Committee parallel to the historic district rezoning process. Only properties in the areas that will be amended will receive notice and no action is needed by the property owner. City of Atlanta notice of public hearing and map illustrating areas that will be amended along with a list of properties is posted on the PHNA website here.
Opportunities for public comment:
May 20, PHNA general meeting, 7 p.m., via remote conference
May 28 NPU-N board meeting, 7 p.m., via remote conference
June 22 CD/HS Committee public hearing, 6 p.m., City Hall (more detail to be provided in June)
Zoning Review Board (ZRB) Public Hearing
Next up, Z-20-15 Poncey-Highland Historic District makes its way to the Zoning Review Board (ZRB), then on to the City Council, following the regular rezoning process, which is described in more detail here.
June (only potential – based on City operations): At least 15 days before the Zoning Review Board public hearing, City workers will post around 150 light green zoning signs throughout the neighborhood alerting folks to the proposed Poncey-Highland Historic District zoning change and announcing the upcoming Zoning Review Board (ZRB) hearing date. All property owners will also receive a postcard in the mail giving notice of the Zoning Review Board public hearing at least 15 days before it happens.
Opportunity for public comment:
June (only potential – based on City operations): Zoning Review Board public hearing on the proposed Poncey-Highland Historic District, 6 p.m., City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave. SW. This public hearing is part of the regular rezoning process, which you can read more about here. Note: The Zoning Review Board and other City of Atlanta boards and commissions must be held in person rather than virtually. While the Atlanta City Council and its committees have been meeting as part of the City’s Covid-19 response, the ZRB has not. Information will be sent by email and posted on the PHNA website and other social media as soon as we have it.