Z-17-067 for 156 Lakewood way SW

​DATE:                 October 5, 2017

The applicant seeks to rezone property located at 156 Lakewood Way from MR-2 (Multifamily Residential) to MR-3 (Multifamily Residential).
FINDINGS OF FACT:
The subject properties front approximately 265 feet on the south side of
Lakewood Way beginning 325 feet from the northeast comer of Lakewood Way and Hilltop Drive. The property area is located in the Lakewood Heights neighborhood, in Land Lot 71 of the 14th District in NPU Y, Council District 12, Fulton County, Georgia.
     Property size and physical features: The properties consist of approximately 65,917 square feet (1.51 acres) of net lot area (85,382 square feet/l .96 acres gross lot area). The lot is cun•ently undeveloped. The topography of the lot is extremely steep, ascending approximately 35 feet from the northern portion of the parcel that fronts Lakewood Way to the southwestern rear of lot. No vehicular access to the property is currently available. The lot is overgrown with vegetation and large mature trees and shrubs can be found on the property.
     CDP land use map designation: The Future Land Use designation for this property is Medium Density Residential (MDR). An amendment to the Comprehensive Development Plan will not be needed to accommodate the proposed development.
Staff is not aware of any previous uses.
     Surrounding zoning/land uses: Land use and zoning designations in the immediate area varies. The subject property is surrounded by R-4 (Single-Family Residential) with Single Family Residential land use to the east, west, and south. The parcels parallel to the subject lot along
Lakewood Way are vacant single-family lots. Parcels designated with I-I-C (Light Industrial

Z.                        Lakewood way
October 5.2017 Puge 2 of 4
Conditional) zoning can be found to the north with an Open Space land use designation. These parcels consist of the John C. Burdine Community Center, Lakewood Fairgrounds & Amphitheater. and EUE Screen Gems Film Studios. Further to the southeast of the property, parcels are zoned C-l (Community Business) and C-2 (Commercial Service) with a LowDensity Commercial land use designation.
 Transportation: Lakewood Way is classified as a local road. Lakewood Avenue to the south is classified as a principal arterial road. Currently, MARTA's #155 and #42 bus lines service this area along Lakewood Way. The Connect Atlanta Plan designates Lakewood Way as a secondary connection and there are plans for the Southtowne Trail to be built along this corridor.
PROPOSAL:
The applicant seeks the rezoning of a 1.51-acre lot from MR-2 (Multi-Family Residential) to MR-3 (Multi-Family Residential) to construct a 70 unit 7-story multi-family building, four (4) townhomes, and 4.000 square feet of commercial/retail. Access to the property will be via a single curb cut on Lakewood Way. Per the zoning code, sec. 16-35.010 (a)(iii), maximum permitted floor area for properties zoned MR-3 (Multifamily Residential) are calculated at .696 of the gross lot area.
Project Specifications:
Gross Lot Area:          85.382 sq. ft. Maximum F.A.R. (allowed of gross area):

MR-3:
Commercial:
Proposed F.A.R.:
Residential: Commercial: TOTAL:
Number of units:
Units:
Residential:
Commercial: Townhomes:
Parking Provided:
Commercial:
Residential:
12' x 35' Loading:
0.696 x 85,382 sq. ft. = 59.245 sq. ft.
0.05 x 85,382 sp. ft. -4.269 sq. ft.
55.129 sq. ft.
4.000 sq. ft.
59.129 sq. ft.
70 units
2 units
4 units
7 (required) / 7 (provided)
99 (required) / 99 (provided)
2 (required) / I (proposed)

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October 5. 2017
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CONCLUSIONS:

1. Compatibility with comprehensive development plan (CDP): timing of development: The Comprehensivc Development Plan (CDP) designates the property as Medium Density Residential. The proposed rezoning to the MR-3 (Multifamily Residential) District is consistent with the existing land use, thus a land use amendment will not be required to accommodate the proposed development. The land use is compatible with Lakewood Livable Centers Initiative (2013) development plan that proposed a medium density residential land use designation for this parcel. The plan also proposed a mix of multi-family structures and townhomes for this corridor. It also supports the study's policy recommendations to ensure appropriate transitions between existing residences and more intense uses and encourage a mix of land uses.
2. Availability of and effect on public facilities and services: referrals to other agencies: The location of the site and current use of surrounding properties indicates there are public facilities and services available to the subject property. There has been no indication from review agencies and/or departments that there would not be adequate public facilities and services at the subject location. When proposed development plans are submitted to other agencies for permit review, compliance with all applicable City codes will be required.
3. Availability of other appropriate land zoned for proposed use: effect on balance of land uses with regard to the public need: The applicant has not presented any evidence that they own other land in the area that is suitable for this development. The proposed rezoning would not have an adverse effect on the environment or create an imbalance of land uses. In fact, this project would contribute to the redevelopment of the neighborhood.
4. Effect on character of the neighborhood: The development would have a positive effect on the surrounding neighborhood by redeveloping the vacant lot. The proposed townhomes and 7story mixed-use flats will allow for an appropriate transition to the current single-family homes to the south from the large commercial film studio and amphitheater to the north.
5. Suitability of proposed land use: The proposed use reflects the desired mix of land uses that the community and City have designated for future redevelopment. The proposed MR-3 (Multifamily Residential) zoning on Lakewood Way would transition to and support the singlefamily residential parcels to its immediate west and south.
6.  The adjacent properties located to the west along Lakewood Way are vacant parcels zoned R-4 (Single-Family Residential). The MR-3 (Multifamily Residential) zoning designation would be an appropriate complement to the low-density commercial parcels located along Lakewood Avenue to the southeast and Pryor Road to the northwest as the area continues to redevelop.
7. Economic use of current zoning: While the current zoning conditions allow for some economic use of the land, a change in zoning to a higher intense use for dense residential and some commercial would allow a more effective economic use of the subject property.
8. Compatibility with policies related to tree preservation: Redevelopment of the property must comply with the City of Atlanta Tree Ordinance at time of permitting.

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STAFF RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL conditioned upon the following:
l . Conceptually, the site shall be developed in accordance with the site plan titled "Lakewood Residences" dated July 26, 2017 and received and stamped by the Office of Zoning and Development August l, 2017.