ARC’s Community Choices Program to Help Five Communities Implement Visions

ARC Press Release

(ATLANTA, May 7, 2013) — The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) will provide planning and technical assistance to five communities around the region, helping them reach their respective quality-growth visions. Each year, through the Community Choices program, ARC provides cities and counties with the tools, resources and strategies needed to implement the unique plans they have for their communities.

ARC Community Choices communities and projects selected for 2013 are:

Clayton County – The Community Choices team will assist with a strategic review of county redevelopment needs and planning documents with a specific focus on Tara Boulevard.

City of Fayetteville – The Community Choices team will perform an audit of the City’s current zoning as it relates to results from a recent charrette on an area slated for the development of a film studio. The final deliverable will be a report detailing any conflicts and recommended actions to resolve them.

City of Lithonia – The Community Choices team will work with the agency’s Research & Analytics Division to develop a mobile tool to conduct a detailed housing inventory. As part of this project, citizen volunteers will be trained to assist with the inventory. The final deliverable will be a report detailing the results of the inventory, along with the relevant files so that the City may keep the data current.

Rockdale County – The Community Choices team will carry out an audit of the County’s zoning ordinance as it relates to results from community meetings on its Urban Redevelopment Plan. The final deliverable will be an in-depth report sharing inconsistencies between the zoning ordinance and planning documents, along with detailed recommendations for action.

City of Stockbridge – The Community Choices team will provide assistance with rewriting the City’s sign ordinance. A local stakeholder committee will be formed to help guide the development of the ordinance. The final deliverable will be a new, updated ordinance.

“Our assistance with this exceptional list of projects represents ARC’s commitment to help local governments implement their plans in efficient ways,” said Jane Hayse, Director of ARC’s Center for Livable Communities. “And it doesn’t stop here. The lessons we learn through the Community Choices program will also be passed on to other communities in the future.”

The Community Choices program provides a broad range of tools, resources and technical assistance to help communities shape more vibrant futures.  The goal is to assist local governments with making appropriate, long-term decisions about where, when and how they should grow in order to achieve their community’s unique vision.

For more information on the Community Choices program, visit www.atlantaregional.com/communitychoices.

Deadline to Apply to 2013 ARC Regional Leadership Institute: This Friday, 4/12

The application period for the 2013 class of ARC’s Regional Leadership Institute (RLI) will end at the close of business this Friday, April 12.

RLI is a comprehensive leadership program designed to better prepare a diverse group of community, government, business and nonprofit leaders to work collaboratively on addressing regional issues.

For more information and to apply, see this previous Land Matters post as well as the the RLI webpage.

GPA Planners Lunch Set for April 24 in Cartersville

The Georgia Planning Association will be hosting the spring Planners Lunch on Wednesday, April 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Cartersville. The program will focus on Law and Ethics for Planning and Zoning Officials, and AICP CM credits will be offered.

A full program description and other information is available below and online at http://georgiaplanning.org/event/gpa-planners-lunch-cm-3-0.

David Kirk, FAICP, and Harold Buckley, AICP, will lead the sessions. Mr. Kirk and Mr. Buckley are two of only a few professionals in Georgia who hold both JD degrees and AICP certification. The event has been approved by APA for a total of 3 CM credits (1.5 CM law, 1.5 CM ethics).

The cost to attendees is $20 per person. The lunch will include options for both meat lovers and vegetarians. After the event, attendees will have the opportunity to view the galleries of this 100,000 sq. ft. Smithsonian-affiliated museum, featuring a Presidential exhibit, Civil War section, Cowboy art, and Western movie posters. In addition, Downtown Development Authority Director Tara Currier will lead an optional walking tour of downtown Cartersville.

Event Contact: Richard Osborne at 770-387-5614 or rosborne@cityofcartersville.org

Date & Time: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: Booth Western Art Museum

• Phone: (770) 387-1300
• Address: 501 Museum Drive, Cartersville, GA, 30120

Schedule:

• 9:45  |  Drinks (tea, lemonade, water) available
• 10:10  |  Welcome by Mayor Matt Santini
• 10:15-11:45  |  Speaker(s) will give a continuing education session on Ethics for Planning & Zoning Officials
• 11:45  |  Buffet-style lunch from local restaurant & caterer Louie’s Café (salad, assorted sandwiches, side, brownies & cookies)
• 12:15-1:45  |  Speaker(s) will give a continuing education session on Legal Issues Related to Planning & Zoning Officials
• 1:45  |  Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Tara Currier will lead an optional walking tour of downtown Cartersville (weather permitting)

ICSC and GEDA Set to Host TOD/Retail Forum on April 18

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), in partnership with the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA), will host an upcoming Atlanta Alliance Program on Thursday, April 18 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.

The program will focus on the relationship between transit-oriented development (TOD) and retail.

“Transit-Oriented Development: What’s Retail Got to Do With It?”

As communities across metro Atlanta work to capitalize on transit-oriented development (TOD) opportunities, it is important to consider the role of retail. Developing mixed-use projects around transit stations, in particular, is a popular notion, but it is often difficult to bring to life. Come hear from experts who have real life stories to share about their experiences with TOD retail, and take lessons learned back to your communities so that we can create successful projects in this new economy.

Moderator: Barbra Coffee, CEcD, EDFP, Economic Development Director, City of College Park

Panelists:

• Allison Gilder, Cassidy Turley
• Jared Lombard, Atlanta Regional Commission
• Art Lomenick, The Integral Group
• Shannon Powell, Midtown Alliance

Date & Time: Thursday, April 18, 2013 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.

• 4:00-4:30 p.m. Registration
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. Panel Discussion
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. Networking Reception

Location: W Atlanta Buckhead, 3377 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326

Registration: http://www.icsc.org/events-and-programs/details/atlanta-alliance-program-reception

Event Contact: Jaymie Conte at Phone 646-728-3598 or Email jconte@icsc.org

The Alliance Program is an ICSC forum for the public and private sectors to network, share ideas and discuss development issues and mutually desired retail projects. Positive relationship building is paramount for successful development. ICSC Alliance meetings are both time and cost effective opportunities for public officials, developers, retailers and other industry leaders to grow their relationships and learn from one another.

Founded in 1957, ICSC is the global trade and professional association of the retail real estate industry. ICSC’s more than 55,000 members throughout the world include shopping center owners, developers, managers, marketing specialists, investors, lenders, retailers and other professionals, as well as academics and public officials.

Union City LCI Public Workshop Set for April 15

The City of Union City is set to host a public meeting on April 15 at 7:00 p.m. to present and discuss a preliminary redevelopment concept for the vacant Union Station Mall/Shannon Mall site.

City staff and their consultant team will:

• Present a summary of input received at a February 13 public workshop
• Review guiding urban design principles for redevelopment
• Present a preliminary preferred concept plan for the vacant mall site
• Discuss implementation strategies for redevelopment

The public workshop is part of a study that will establish practical strategies for the mall’s redevelopment and will address real estate market projections, land uses, traffic circulation patterns, and commuter parking. The study is made possible by a Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and is an update to the 2003 Union City Town Center LCI Study.

When: Monday April 15, 2013, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Etris Center, 5285 Lakeside Dr., Union City, GA

If you cannot attend, feel free to direct any comments to:

Union City Town Center LCI
c/o PEQ
4405 Mall Boulevard, Suite 500
Union City, GA 30291
Fax: 770-306-7754
E-mail: contact@peqatl.com

For more information, see the attached flyer.

Register Now for Brownfields 2013 Conference: May 15-17 in Atlanta

The National Brownfields Conference, co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), is the largest training and networking event in the nation focusing on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment.

The conference will bring together stakeholders in government, business, nonprofits, and academia who promote positive change in their community.

Now in its 15th year, the event attracts over 5,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors for two and a half days of educational sessions, training workshops, volunteer activities, mobile workshops, film screenings and much more.

This is the place to be, where all topics related to brownfields cleanup — ranging from community engagement to public health — will take center stage in Atlanta’s renowned Georgia World Congress Center on May 15-17, 2013.

Find out more online at http://www.brownfieldsconference.org

Registration is now open online at http://www.brownfieldsconference.org/en/register

Lodging options are available online at https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=9902712

Why Attend?

It is estimated that there are over 450,000 brownfields properties nationwide, negatively affecting communities. Brownfields are economic sinks that are generally located in prime real estate, having high potential to flourish as a business or become an open space.

Brownfields redevelopment is a challenging industry that is constantly changing with the development of new technologies, incentives and best practices. Learn about all topics related to brownfields while vastly expanding your network. You won’t want to miss out on the opportunities at Brownfields 2013, including:

• Over 100 interactive educational sessions in an assortment of formats
• More than 200 solution-oriented product and service providers in the Exhibit Hall
• Real-world projects showcased in mobile workshops and walking tours
• The Economic Redevelopment Forum to match property buyers and sellers
• Film screenings to underscore the more pertinent issues in the industry
• Inspirational plenary speakers
• Special events such as an Environmental Justice Caucus, Design Charrette and Poster Gallery

Who Attends?

The National Brownfields Conference attracts a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Local, State and Federal government leaders
• Real estate developers and investors
• Financials and insurance providers and risk management practitioners
• Economic development officials and community development organizations
• Federal and state contractors
• Construction and building firms
• Environmental and civil engineers, planners, and public work officials
• Information technology professionals
• Academic administrators and students
• Attorneys

Deal Making at Brownfields 2013

The Economic Redevelopment Forum (ERF) is a chance to make a deal. The ERF provides property owners, redevelopment agencies, and communities the opportunity to market their contaminated properties directly to the real estate development industry. Properties and funding opportunities will be clustered by state where property owners can market their sites alongside representatives of state and local agencies. If you are a developer, investor, consultant or brownfields property owner, you don’t want to miss the Economic Redevelopment Forum at the National Brownfields Conference. Read more here.

Follow Brownfields 2013 on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

Deadline for ARC Community Choices Applications Extended to March 29

The application period for ARC’s Community Choices program has been extended to March 29.

For more information and to apply, visit http://www.atlantaregional.com/communitychoices. You may also refer also to our earlier Land Matters post for further details.

Application Period Open for 2013 ARC Regional Leadership Institute

 

The Regional Leadership Institute (RLI) is a comprehensive leadership development program designed to better prepare a diverse group of community, government and business leaders to work collaboratively on regional issues.

RLI is designed to provide a unique learning experience for existing and emerging leaders through an intensive one-week program that trains, empowers and supports leaders so they can effect positive community change in the region. The spirit of cooperation fostered by the RLI experience is fundamental to the future of our regional community.

RLI is a program of the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). ARC is the regional planning agency for the ten-county Atlanta region, including the counties of Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale, and the City of Atlanta. RLI will be held September 29 – October 4, 2013 at the Westin Savannah Harbor.

Visit www.atlantaregional.com/rli for a list of alumni, program details and registration information.

If applying, please complete the online RLI application no later than April 12, 2013.

If you need additional information, please contact Rob LeBeau at 404-463-3212 or Katrina DeBerry at 404-463-3211.

2013 Park Pride Conference Set for March 25

Registration is open for Park Pride’s 2013 Parks and Greenspace Conference, set for March 25 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

On tap is a host of excellent speakers who will share case studies of park and greenspace solutions that specifically address Park Pride’s mission and the conference theme, “Activating Parks for Healthy Communities.”

This conference promises to offer a unique educational experience through presentations and tours that explore how parks are essential to a community’s physical, mental, emotional and economic health. Following are the five key focus areas:
1. Healthy Benefits of Play
2. Health through Community Engagement in Parks
3. Health and the Natural Environment
4. Parks are Good Medicine
5. Health through Park Design

For more information and to register, visit http://www.parkpride.org/conference.

Registration Still Open for Greenprints on March 13-14

Registration remains open for the 16th annual Greenprints Conference on March 13-14 at the Georgia Tech Research Institute in Midtown Atlanta.

Greenprints is the premier networking and professional education conference for sustainability professionals in the Southeast. Leaders in sustainable design, construction and communities will attend the event.

The conference will include presentations from noted thought leaders like Bill Reed, Martin Holladay, John Tooley, Chris Nelson, and keynote speaker Rob Watson, the “Founding Father of LEED.” These will supplement a diverse curriculum of other learning opportunities, including a Tactical Urbanism Charrette and a Building Science “Pecha Kucha.”

For more information and to register, visit http://www.greenprints.org.