Dunwoody councilmembers said they’re close to striking a deal with residents worried about a rezoning effort in the heart of the city.
Dozens of residents have voiced their opposition to a city staff-backed plan to rezone two parcels within the 160-acre Dunwoody Village. The rezoning would allow commercial property owners to shrink the portion of undisturbed land that separates residents’ homes from retail shops.
The city has been trying to rezone the properties for more than a year, but a lawsuit from the parcel owners and resident outcries delayed the process. The City Council briefly discussed the rezoning at its Monday meeting, but they deferred it two weeks, since they said they’re close to reaching a compromise with everyone involved.
“We feel strongly that in two weeks we can finally put our new village plan to rest,” Councilwoman Stacey Harris said during the meeting.
She along with Councilmembers Tom Lambert and Ardy Bastien met with neighbors who live near the Shops at Dunwoody last week, and she said the discussion lasted roughly two hours. She said attorneys Den Webb, who represents the commercial property owners, and Brian Daughdrill, who represents the Dunwoody Homeowners Association, have also been included in the conversations.
More than 1,700 people have signed a petition asking Dunwoody to preserve an undisturbed 150-foot tree buffer between neighbors and retail businesses. City staff’s previous agreement with the parcel owners would change that to a 35-foot undisturbed buffer. The other 115 feet would still be protected from buildings, but the property owners could chop down trees for greenspace.
Webb said the city’s prior agreement would end his clients’ lawsuit. Residents who live nearby said that deal would jeopardize their privacy
Credit: City of Dunwoody
Credit: City of Dunwoody
During Monday’s meeting, the only new information discussed was whether homeowners would be able to see the retail district over the tree canopy. The rezoning would allow for commercial buildings to up to 80-feet tall, but city staff said it would likely be impossible to see those buildings from residential homes. Only a few homeowners near Dunwoody Village would have a chance of seeing commercial buildings if they stand on their roofs, according to the city’s calculations.
The deferral means the rezoning will appear on the agenda for the council’s Sept. 27 meeting.
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