§ 16-27.004. Matters to be considered by bureau of planning.

The bureau of planning shall consider each proposal for amendment and as a basis for its recommendations shall report on the following matters, among others, as appropriate to the circumstances of the case:

(1)

Compatibility with comprehensive development plans; timing of development: The bureau shall examine the proposal to determine whether it is in accord with comprehensive development plans in their 15-year, 5-year, and 1-year forms. In its findings in this regard, it may report that the proposal is compatible or incompatible with all such plans, or that while the change is in accord with those of longer range it would be premature in the light of the 1-year or 5-year comprehensive development plans. The bureau shall not recommend any change not in accord with adopted comprehensive development plans but may, where it sees fit, recommend changes in such plans, following which, if such changes in plans are officially adopted, the zoning change may be reconsidered without prejudice and without a new application if an application is involved.

(2)

Availability of and effect on public facilities and services; referrals to other agencies: The bureau shall consider and report on the availability of public facilities and services and the effect the proposed change would have on demands for public facilities and services in the area in which the change is proposed or generally. Such facilities and services include but are not limited to water supply, sewerage, drainage, transportation, schools, fire and police protection, and solid waste collection and disposal.

(3)

Availability of other land suitable for proposed use; effect on balance of land uses: The bureau may consider the availability of other appropriate land already zoned for the proposed use, generally and in the area of the proposed change. The bureau may also consider whether generally, or in the area of the proposed change, the change would have adverse environmental effects on the balance of land uses by removing land from a category for which it is suited and for which there is a greater public need to a category for which the public need is lesser.

(4)

Effect on character of the neighborhood: The bureau shall consider the effect of uses permitted under the proposed change on the surrounding neighborhood and shall report any substantial probably adverse influences on desirable living conditions or sustained stability, or any tendencies toward blight and depreciation likely to result from the change.

(5)

Suitability of proposed use: The bureau shall consider whether the zoning proposal will permit a use that is suitable in view of the use and development of adjacent and nearby property.

(6)

Effect on adjacent property: The bureau shall consider whether the zoning proposal will adversely affect the existing use or usability of adjacent or nearby property.

(7)

Economic use of current zoning: The bureau shall consider whether the property to be affected by the zoning proposal has a reasonable economic use as currently zoned.

(8)

The bureau shall consider and report on whether the proposal is in accord with the City of Atlanta's policies related to tree preservation as adopted in section 10-2033, Policy, purpose and intent of the City of Atlanta Tree Ordinance.

A copy of each application for amendment shall be forwarded to the city arborist for review and comment and said comments shall be made available to the bureau of planning and the zoning review board for their consideration.

(9)

Other conditions: The bureau shall consider whether there are other existing or changing conditions affecting the use and development of the property which give supporting grounds for either approval or disapproval of the zoning proposal.

(Code 1977, § 16-27.004; Ord. No. 1999-79, § 1, 11-9-99)