Updates

November 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

1. As we wrap up the 50th anniversary of the Neighborhood Planning Unit system with all of you, the Department of City Planning wants to express our sincere gratitude for everyone’s partnership and participation. Your engagement has been invaluable in making this a truly memorable year! We’ll be sharing some of the special moments we captured on our social media in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to stay connected and follow us on social media @NPUAtlanta.

2. The 2025 Community Impact Grant Information Session will be held on Wednesday, December 11^th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Attendance to this session is required for NPU chairs or project managers applying for funding to complete impactful community projects in 2025. More information on the Community Impact Grant page.

3. The Department of City Planning is continuing to update Plan A: Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. The plan sets forth the vision, goals, policies, and actions for growth and development in Atlanta. We’ll continue hosting public meetings and pop-ups across the city through February. We’ll post schedule updates and information at AtlantaForAll.com

4. The work we’re doing to rewrite our zoning code is equally important. We released the new ATL Zoning 2.0 Ordinance Module I “Discussion Draft” for public review in May. This module includes draft standards for Form & Frontage Districts and Use Districts. Revisions based on comments received are posted on our website. Module II - Development Standards will be released on December 4^th. You may continue to submit comments on all modules through March 31^st at ATLzoning.com

5. The Atlanta City Studio Book Club will meet on Thursday, November 21^st to discuss Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities. The book is described as “A Vision for Change and a New Era of Transportation Planning.” We will also discuss the Vision Zero Action Plan, the Plan A Transportation Chapter, and the upcoming Comprehensive Transportation Plan with ATLDOT representatives.

   
   
   
6. Please follow this link to a brief survey in the chat so you can tell us about your experience with your NPU. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, which will help us identify opportunities to strengthen the NPU system. 

October 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

1. As the NPU’s 50^th anniversary celebration continues, September marks the beginning of our final phase: Planning Atlanta Together. Join us on a bike ride to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the NPU system! We’ll pedal around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, ending at Morehouse College, Maynard Jackson’s alma mater. Meet us on Saturday, October 5^th at 9:30 AM at the College Park MARTA Station to join the ride.
   
   Join us on Saturday, November 9^th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM for the Love Thy Neighbor(hood) Festival at Historic Fourth Ward Park. This vibrant celebration of Atlanta’s neighborhoods is our final event of the year -- honoring the 50^th anniversary of the NPU system!

2. These next two are especially important, and in fact, they’re the reason NPUs meet every month. The Department of City Planning is continuing to update Plan A: Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. The plan sets forth the vision, goals, policies, and actions for growth and development in Atlanta. We'll be hosting public meetings and pop-ups across the city between October and February. We’ll post schedule updates and information at AtlantaForAll.com

3. Of equal importance is the work we are doing to rewrite our zoning code. We released the new ATL Zoning 2.0 Ordinance Module I “Discussion Draft” for public review in May. This module includes draft standards for Form & Frontage Districts and Use Districts. Revisions based on comments received will be posted on our website in October. Module II - Development Standards will be released on December 4^th. Comments on ATL Zoning 2.0 will be received on all modules through March 31^st at ATLzoning.com

4. Join the Atlanta City Studio Book Club on Tuesday, October 29^th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM to discuss Keeping the Chattahoochee: Reviving and Defending a Great Southern River.
   
   
   

5. As a reminder, NPU University courses are free to all Atlanta residents. Upcoming courses are:

   • Understanding Workforce Housing and Affordability, and
   • Urban Plan Academy


6. Please follow this link to a brief survey in the chat so you can tell us about your experience with your NPU. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, which will help us identify opportunities to strengthen the NPU system. 

September 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• As the NPU’s 50th anniversary celebration continues, September marks the beginning of our final phase: Planning Atlanta Together. In this phase, we will begin discussing the future of our NPU system and how we can empower neighborhoods to strengthen the NPUs. Last month, nearly 100 Sylvan Hills residents joined us for our first Love Thy Neighbor Block Party, and we are looking forward to hosting the next one in Adamsville in NPU-H on September 14^th. For more info about this and other events, text NPUATL to 24251.

• These next two are especially important, and in fact, it’s the reason NPUs meet every month. The Department of City Planning is continuing to update Plan A: Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. The plan sets forth the vision, goals, policies, and actions for growth and development in Atlanta. We will be hosting public meetings and pop-ups across the city between October and February. We’ll post schedule updates and information on how to participate at AtlantaForAll.com.

• Of equal importance is the work we are doing to rewrite our zoning code. We released the new ATL Zoning 2.0 Ordinance Module I “Discussion Draft” for public review on May 20^th. This module includes draft standards for Form & Frontage Districts and Use Districts. Revisions based on comments received will be posted on our website in October. Module II - Development Standards will be released on December 4^th. Comments on ATL Zoning 2.0 will be received on all modules through March 31^st at ATLzoning.com.

• The Atlanta City Studio is celebrating its official reopening on Monday, September 30^th. This time, in South Downtown on Historic Hotel Row! Please drop by anytime between 12 noon and 6:30 PM at 235 Mitchell Street SW, Suite 103.

• Do you know how city design and cemetery history are related? Have you heard of the Atlanta Cemetery Network? Join the Atlanta City Studio Book Club on September 24^th to discuss Over My Dead Body: Unearthing the Hidden History of America’s Cemeteries and learn how city design is related to and developed around cemetery history and the Atlanta Cemetery Network’s efforts to preserve cemetery sites in the city.
  

• DCP is partnering with the Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission to invite you to Trash Bash ATL, a citywide initiative in support of World Cleanup Day. To participate, just visit the website and schedule a clean-up event for your community on September 20^th or 21^st. This friendly competition among NPUs is a fantastic opportunity to show your community spirit and contribute to a cleaner, more beautiful Atlanta.

• As a reminder, NPU University courses are free to all Atlanta residents. Upcoming courses are:

  • Code Enforcement Academy
  • Parliamentary Procedures II
  • Atlanta Community Engagement Playbook
  • Density Matters and Neighborhood Revitalization
  • Intro to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and
  • Understanding Workforce Housing and Affordability

   

August 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• We are in the final month of our “Love Thy Neighbor” phase of the NPUs’ 50th anniversary. This phase celebrated good neighbors and promoted neighborhood pride. To conclude this phase, the Department of City Planning is hosting Neighborhood Spirit Week (August 12-17), a week-long celebration of the heart and soul of Atlanta - its amazing neighborhoods! Join us for a week of fun activities and events as we mark the 50th anniversary of the NPUs. For more info about this and other events, text NPUATL to 24251.

• The Department of City Planning is continuing to update Plan_A, Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. We encourage you to visit atlantaforall.com to stay involved in the planning process. 

• As you know, the City is working to rewrite our zoning code. On May 20^th, the Department of City Planning released the new ATL Zoning 2.0 Ordinance Module I “Discussion Draft” for public review. This module includes draft standards for Form & Frontage Districts and Use Districts. You can review and comment on the draft at atlzoning.com.

   

• Upcoming NPU University courses are:

  • Elections Integrity Clinic,
  • Navigating Mortgage & Renter Challenges
  • Code Enforcement Academy
  • Parliamentary Procedures III
  • Atlanta Community Engagement Playbook
  •  Density Matters and Neighborhood Revitalization
  • Intro to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    
    

• The next meeting of the Atlanta City Studio Book Club will be on Tuesday, August 27^th at 6:30pm.

July 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• We are halfway through our “Love Thy Neighbor” phase of the NPUs’ 50th anniversary. For the next couple of months, we’re celebrating good neighbors and promoting neighborhood pride. Coming up in August, the Department of City Planning is hosting Neighborhood Spirit Week, a week-long celebration of the heart and soul of Atlanta - its amazing neighborhoods! Join us for a week of fun activities and events as we mark the 50th anniversary of the NPUs. For more info about this and other events, text NPUATL to 24251.

• The Department of City Planning is continuing to update Plan_A, Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. We encourage you to attend the workshop in your NPU or an adjacent NPU and visit atlantaforall.com to stay involved in the planning process.

• As you know, the City is working to rewrite our zoning code. On May 20^th, the Department of City Planning released the new ATL 2.0 Zoning Ordinance Module I “Discussion Draft” for public review. This module includes draft standards for Form & Frontage Districts and Use Districts. You can review and comment on the draft at atlzoning.com.

• NPU University courses coming up are:
  “Atlanta Community Engagement Playbook” on July 27^th,
  “Bylaws Clinic” on July 31^st,
  “Election Integrity Clinic” on August 8^th, and
  “Navigating Mortgage & renter Challenges” on August 29^th.

• The next meeting of the Atlanta City Studio Book Club will be on Tuesday, July 30^th at 6:30pm.
  
  

June 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• We are in the second month of our “Love Thy Neighbor” phase of the NPUs’ 50^th anniversary. For the next few months, we are celebrating good neighbors and promoting neighborhood pride. The Department of City Planning is hosting three block parties around the city as part of our “Love Thy Neighbor” Block Party series. We’ll be kicking things off in Sylvan Hills on Saturday, June 22^nd. For more info about this and other events, text NPUATL to 24251.

• The Department of City Planning is continuing to update Plan_A, Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. DCP is hosting workshops through mid-June. We encourage you to attend the workshop in your NPU or an adjacent NPU and visit atlantaforall.com to stay involved in the planning process.

• As you know, the City is working to rewrite our zoning code. On May 20^th, the Department of City Planning released the new ATL 2.0 Zoning Ordinance Module I “Discussion Draft” for public review. This module includes draft standards for Form & Frontage Districts and Use Districts. You can review and comment on the draft at atlzoning.com. Please join us on Tuesday, July 9^th via Zoom to discuss Module I and answer any questions!

• NPU University courses coming up are:

  • “ATLDOT Vision Zero – Building Community Champions for Safe Streets” on June 13^th,
  • “Neighborhood Empowerment Workshop” on June 15^th,
  • “Urban Plan Academy” on June 22^nd,
  • “Atlanta Community Engagement Playbook” on July 27^th, and
  • “Understanding Public Financing” on July 29^th.

• The Atlanta City Studio Book Club Meeting in June

  Who: The Office of Design in the Department of City Planning is reading books to explore what lies behind the creation of Atlanta’s physical design and the City’s official plans. Join us to discuss how ideas and examples related to historic preservation, planning, and public space influence the city’s physical design through the lens of Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Community. Our focus and the topics change monthly and in person on the last Tuesday of every month at City Hall unless otherwise noted.

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  When: Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 6:30 PM

  Where: Committee Room 2 - City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303

  Why: Have you considered what COVID-related norms have permanently impacted the urban environment? Do our forms of socialization post-pandemic reflect those changes? The June ACS Book Club selection is Edward Glaeser and David Cutler's Survival of the City: The Future of Urban Life in an Age of Isolation. The book’s authors believe that “nothing can replace what cities offer.” Join the Atlanta City Studio Book Club for a conversation about what Glaeser and Cutler have recently observed about the real evolution of cities and how that could inform Atlanta’s future.



NEED MORE INFORMATION?

For details on the Atlanta City Studio Book Club, visit www.atlcitystudio.org/acs-book-club. If you need something else ACS Book Club related, please email Liza Mueller, the organizer, at emueller@atlantaga.gov and put the ACS Book Club Question in the subject line.

May 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• May marks the beginning of the “Love Thy Neighbor” phase of the NPU system’s 50^th anniversary. This spring and summer, we will celebrate Atlanta’s neighborhoods and neighbors. To kick off Phase 2, the Department of City Planning is collaborating with the Atlanta Cycling Festival and ATLDOT to co-host a bike ride on Friday, May 17. For more info about this and other events, text NPUATL to 24251 or visitNPUAtlanta.org.

• Please join us on Monday, May 20^th, 6:30pm at Habitat for Humanity | 824 Memorial Drive - for the first of several meetings to review and discuss the Zoning 2.0 update.

• The Department of City Planning is continuing to update Plan_A, Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. DCP is hosting workshops from mid-May through mid-June. We invite you to attend the workshop in your NPU or an adjacent NPU.

• NPU University courses coming up in June are:
  “ATLDOT Vision Zero – Building Community Champions for Safe Streets” on Thursday, June 13^th,
  “Neighborhood Empowerment Workshop” on Saturday, June 15^th, and
  “Urban Plan Academy” on Saturday, June 22^nd.
  
  Register at NPUAtlanta.org!

• The Office of Design in the Department of City Planning is reading books to explore what lies behind the creation of Atlanta’s physical design and the City’s official plans. Join us to discuss how ideas and examples related to historic preservation, planning, and public space influence the city’s physical design through the lens of Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Community. Our focus and the topics change monthly and in person on the last Tuesday of every month at City Hall unless otherwise noted.

  

  • What: May 2024 Atlanta City Studio Book Club Meeting

  • When: Wednesday, May 22^nd, 2024, at 6:30 PM

  • Where: Committee Room 2 - City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303

  • Why: The history of segregation in state and city park design is still visible in the South today. In recognition of Preservation Month, when events occur to "promote historical places, instill national and community pride, promote heritage tourism, and show the social and economic benefits of historic preservation” across the country, the Atlanta City Studio Book Club will explore LANDSCAPES OF EXCLUSION: State Parks and Jim Crow in the American South by William E. O’Brien. Members of the Historic Preservation Studio will provide local context; they will show how Atlanta fits in the broader history, referencing the Future Places Project 2019 Survey of City of Atlanta Parks and their resources, called Every Park Tells a Story: City of Atlanta Parks Historic Resource Survey.
    
    For details on the Atlanta City Studio Book Club, visit our website. If you need something else ACS Book Club related, please email Liza Mueller, the organizer, at emueller@atlantaga.gov.

• The Atlanta Urban Design Commission’s annual Design Awards will be held on May 31^st at 6:00 pm in the City Hall Atrium. The event is free to the public.

April 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for a fantastic Legacy Week honoring the late Mayor Maynard H. Jackson, Jr.! To stay informed about this and upcoming “Love Thy Neighbor” events, text NPUATL to 24251 or visit NPUAtlanta.org.

• Please join us on Monday, May 20^th at Habitat for Humanity | 824 Memorial Drive - for the first of several meetings to review and discuss the Zoning 2.0 update.

• As part of the update to Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan, Plan_A Open Houses are continuing through mid-April. We invite you to attend one close to you or to visit a pop-up and help us Plan Atlanta together!
  
  Visit AtlantaforAll.com to see the dates and locations and to learn more about Plan A.

• NPU University courses coming up are:
  • “City Built for the Future: Climate Action in Atlanta” on Wednesday, April 3^rd; 
  • “NPU 101: How does the NPU system Work” on Thursday, April 11^th and 
  • “Introduction to Invest Atlanta” on Tuesday, April 30^th.
    
    
  Register at NPUAtlanta.org!
  
  

• The Office of Design in the Department of City Planning is reading books to explore what lies behind the creation of Atlanta’s physical design and the City’s official plans. Join us to discuss how ideas and examples related to historic preservation, planning, and public space influence the city’s physical design through the lens of Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Community. Our focus and the topics change monthly and in person on the last Tuesday of every month at City Hall unless otherwise noted.

  

  • What: Atlanta City Studio Book Club Meeting in April

  • When: Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at **Time Change** 7:00PM

  • Where: Committee Room 2 - City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303

  • Why: As Atlanta prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Atlanta City Studio Book Club looks back at the 1996 Summer Olympics 30 years before.

    The April ACS Book Club selection is Atlanta’s Olympic Resurgence: How the 1996 Games Revive a Struggling City. Its authors are three Atlanta urban planners; two were City of Atlanta Commissioners of Planning and Development before and after the 1996 Games, and the third was the Corporation for Olympic Development’s Director of Planning and Design. Learn about the collaboration and the entities—the City of Atlanta, ACOG, CODA, and MAOGA—behind the preparations. Explore how they realized Mayor Maynard Jackson’s mandate that Atlanta realize measurable benefits from hosting the 1996 Olympics.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

For more about the Atlanta City Studio Book Club, please email Liza Mueller, the organizer, at emueller@atlantaga.gov and put the ACS Book Club Question in the subject line.

March 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• This year, the City of Atlanta is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Neighborhood Planning Units and the 50th Anniversary of the inauguration of Atlanta's first African-American mayor, Maynard Jackson. In honor of Mayor Jackson's birthday, the Department of City Planning is commemorating his legacy of love with "Legacy Week" - a week of empowering and educational events geared toward civic engagement. Join us at one of our events to celebrate with us and learn more about how your voice can be heard on matters concerning your neighborhood.

• Thanks to all who attended our Plan_A kickoff, the beginning of our 18-month process to update Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. Next up are the Community Open Houses in March and April. We invite you to attend the one closest to you and help us Plan Atlanta Together!

• Nominations are open for the Community Design Awards! You can submit a nomination individually or as an NPU body. Submissions for the “Award of Excellence” are due by March 14^th!

• The Capital Improvements Element (CIE) of the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) is accepting project ideas for your neighborhood in the online submission portal now through March 8^th.

• The Office of Design in the Department of City Planning is exploring what is behind the planning and creation of Atlanta’s physical designs and city plans. Our focus and the topics change monthly. Join us to discuss how ideas and examples related to historic preservation, planning, and public space influence the city’s physical design through the lens of Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Community.

  • WHAT: March meeting of the Atlanta City Studio Book Club
  • WHEN: Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 6:30 PM
  • WHERE: Committee Room 2 - City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW
  • WHY: 

    Are you curious about the unnoticed architecture and design that shape a city? Have you ever stopped to consider why new buildings do not have metal fire escapes? Do you know what the squiggly sidewalk graffiti marks mean?

    The Atlanta City Studio Book Club is reading a beautifully designed guidebook to the unnoticed yet essential elements of our cities. Join us in March for the exploration of Architecture, Geography, and Urbanism in Chapters 4-6 of The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design from the creators of the podcast 99% Invisible, Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt. Bring photos of your favorite “unsung marvels” of the city with you.

    NEED MORE INFO?

    For more about the Atlanta City Studio Book Club, please contact the organizer, Liza Mueller, at this email address emueller@atlantaga.gov and put ACS Book Club Question in your subject line.

• There’s a lot happening in DCP this year! Text NPUATL to 24251 to get updates on Plan_A and the 50^th anniversary of the NPUs – or to make sure you don’t miss anything!

February 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• The NPUs 50^th anniversary “Legacy of Love” phase kicked off January 22, 2024 with an amazing reception and proclamation presentation at City Hall during City Council’s full council meeting. We look forward to continuing our celebration throughout the year and hope that you will connect with us and get involved. Please visit npuatlanta.org to register and learn more about our year-long celebration and activities.

• Exciting news from NPU University! Check out our upcoming courses and register at npuatlanta.org.

  • History of Neighborhood Planning Units
    When: Thursday, February 8^th
    What: The course will examine the evolution of NPUs since 1974.

  • Zoning Fundamentals I
    When: Tuesday, February 13^th
    What: This course is designed to make zoning terms and concepts easier for ordinary residents to understand.

  Don't miss out on these valuable learning opportunities!

• Atlanta City Studio Book Club Relaunch

  What: The Office of Design in the Department of City Planning is bringing back the Atlanta City Studio Book Club
  When:  The monthly meetings will officially relaunch on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 6:30 PM
  Where: In Committee Room 2 at City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303.
  Why: Join us to explore and examine the professions planning and creating Atlanta’s physical designs and plans. The focus and topics change monthly. We will discuss how ideas and examples related to historic preservation, planning, and public space influence the physical design of Atlanta’s public realm through the lens of Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Community.

  • The Atlanta City Studio Book Club returns with The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt.
  • On February 27, 2024, the group will discuss the first part - Chapters 1-3, and
  • On March 26, 2024, we will cover the second part - Chapters 4-6.
    
    

  The quotation below is taken from the publisher’s website:

  The 99% Invisible City is “A beautifully designed guidebook to the unnoticed yet essential elements of our cities, from the creators of the wildly popular 99% Invisible podcast. With deeply researched entries and beautiful line drawings throughout, The 99% Invisible City will captivate devoted fans of the show and anyone curious about design, urban environments, and the unsung marvels of the world around them.”

  The Atlanta City Studio Book Club will meet in person on the last Tuesday of every month at City Hall in Committee Room 2 at 6:30 p.m.

  For more information about the Atlanta City Studio Book Club, please visit Atlanta City Studio - atlcitystudio.org.

• Design Awards 2024 – Open Nominations for Community Design Awards
  Nominations are now open for the 2024 Community Design Awards! Nominations can be submitted from the public as well as from the NPU body. The deadline for submission is 4:00 pm, Thursday, February 29, 2024. Visit this page for additional details.

• The Capital Improvements Element (CIE) of the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) is accepting project ideas for your neighborhood in the online submission portal now through March 8th.

January 2024

Please see links below for more information about the items your planner reported at the NPU meeting.

• Exciting news from NPU University! We have upcoming courses for January, and we encourage you to register at npuatlanta.org.

  • Elected Officers’ Orientation
    When: Monday, January 29, 2024 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Zoom
    What: Recommended for all elected officers, this course provides an overview of the relationship between the City of Atlanta and each NPU.

  • Introduction to Comprehensive Development Planning
    When: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Zoom
    What: Dive into comprehensive development planning, its role in growth, and its connections to Atlanta City Design and other citywide, neighborhood, and small-area plans.

  Don't miss out on these valuable learning opportunities!

• On November 20, 2023, the Atlanta Urban Design Commission officially nominated the Old Stone Church located at 470 Candler Park Dr. for designation as a Landmark Building/Site. This designation has been sent to the City Council for their consideration and approval.  For more information on this proposal, and historic preservation in the City of Atlanta, please contact the Office of Design’s Historic Preservation Studio at historicpreservation@atlantaga.gov. 

• The monthly Atlanta City Studio Book Club is returning! The meetings will officially relaunch on Tuesday, February 27^th. Join us at 6:30 in Committee Room 2 at City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave.