[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6174113,"mediaKeyId","5373603-6989a2313348903b5b9f267e5230b096","parentId",5373603,"title","Commission approves downtown parking requirement changes and UDC cleanups","audioSeconds",915,"startMs",2863000,"endMs",3778000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5373603-6989a2313348903b5b9f267e5230b096&start=2863&end=3778","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5373603-6989a2313348903b5b9f267e5230b096/thumbnail_2863000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174113/Alpharetta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-downtown-parking-requirement-changes-and-UDC-cleanups","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174113-ede7697a3f3a8ee454dfa59af94d16f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090726&Signature=Rgwtic4~6wbdXMqtEhO3CNCzi2-VccmIw6mYLzeO8b9GvZKtwr7Oq9LEUS4mEGWNrA7vTsRvkDrjA7RNzJxDYYeJ5MyzI-Cx4ASjm9MhZAWMNjtQAt4uZB4NZMfshCWQf78vPotahQ9G~UdR1u5U86PzbEahLlxB0fmYou-ftGmKNhTvGEfUgDm7sWKVnmk7Mv5EuDqADoxmYzzGdgzpA80uh1-~fA2G8VqLfxuWep50seqcRMN5UNFlMA9gruN4htBTWFARFBmKc4-OWV5E-7HS91yk1oRuDww-9vpasHCDHOUwfzqXBEq8dEE2cfADja1JokNPP24opgAgT9m3Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-11T12:39:37Z","article","The Alpharetta Planning Commission approved two sets of Unified Development Code (UDC) text amendments: a parking amendment (PH-25-07) that raises minimum parking requirements for portions of the downtown overlay, and a cleanup amendment (PH-25-03) that standardizes master-plan terminology and corrects density labels across zoning categories.

Kathy Cook, a city staff member presenting the parking research, said the staff analysis used industry guidance (National Parking Association) and a 300–600 foot walk-distance bubble from public parking to identify areas of the downtown overlay where on-site parking should match citywide requirements. Under staff’s recommendation, commercial properties north of Mayfield and south of Old Milton Parkway would follow citywide parking standards rather than the lower downtown overlay ratios. Cook said that will increase required spaces for new development in those parts of downtown.

Examples cited in the staff presentation: within the downtown overlay a restaurant currently requires 1 space per 500 square feet, while the citywide standard is 1 space per 100 square feet; retail downtown requires 1 per 500 square feet vs. 1 per 200 square feet citywide. Staff noted the change applies to new development only; existing properties and permitted projects are not retroactively affected.

The parking amendment also raises the minimum parking assumption for new private elementary and middle schools: staff recommended increasing the requirement from the current 1 parking space per classroom plus five visitor spaces to a minimum of 2 spaces per classroom and administrative office, with the separate \"+5 visitor\" language removed. Staff said their recommendation was based on counts at existing local schools (Manning Oaks Elementary, Hopewell Middle School) and typical observed needs.

On the cleanup amendment, staff described a series of non-substantive edits to correct cross-references, standardize the term \"master plan\" across zoning tables, and realign future land-use density labels (for example, adjusting R‑4A/R‑4D/R‑8A labels to match the future land-use map). Staff said the edits reflect current practice and do not change permitted uses.

Commission members asked questions about impervious area, how increased parking might affect site design, and whether shared parking agreements and variances would still be available; staff said shared-parking arrangements would still be encouraged and that council-approved exceptions can override code minimums. The commission approved the parking amendment and then approved the cleanup amendments; both motions carried by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alpharetta Planning Commission Meeting - July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved text amendments to the Alpharetta Unified Development Code: new parking minimums for parts of the downtown overlay north of Mayfield and south of Old Milton Parkway, an increase in private school parking standards for new elementary and middle schools, and language cleanups to align master-plan terminology across the code.","taxTitle","Alpharetta, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",3991,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6174119,"Planning commission backs Wooten Tract townhomes with reworded Georgia 400 buffer condition",2571,256000,2827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5373603-6989a2313348903b5b9f267e5230b096&start=256&end=2827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5373603-6989a2313348903b5b9f267e5230b096/thumbnail_256000.jpg","/articles/6174119/Alpharetta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-backs-Wooten-Tract-townhomes-with-reworded-Georgia-400-buffer-condition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174119-6057d87e61011ebdf0dfff24562e311a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771090726&Signature=N06LLSBdTwAnw0EadsAkP5LZpMVNtSrnRT0mYUa3CO-wj8CDYTZtb~M-wBhWVVvCZx-lxGUUKjOggHw8Z-LlUkgVWCNQp23v4jIGgi4ETIXUBUM0OPHLSaEVMBCpY0eLJJ6sKXRxfY4PQ~R6~Wb2OtqwaSLAAuok~dv1mY~jNYTS9PqvZxx4V2tjnLnmGLPeniTdvitc6pz5eFOYnyNXTqXPIkMgBCDXU4S7UJ7xEObT9orep0f8ZmDC-6KzQgBbihzw3qCrWV~Bfks9FCfjxZZ7k8B0Z1Gp2CpYpoya8hQ7MpQ~8Bm4yrDvpU3ov5SUCYTAjCbSrb6QeQu6zhL55A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpharetta Planning Commission voted to forward a rezoning and site-plan recommendation for the Wooten Tract Townhomes to city council, approving staff-recommended conditions with a reworded Condition 14 that addresses buffering and possible sound-wall installation along Georgia 400.

The project, proposed by David Weekley Homes for an approximately 10-acre parcel at the Beaver Creek/Georgia 400/Mansell area, would build townhomes with rear-loaded garages, shared amenity spaces and bioretention stormwater features. Steven Jones, attorney for the applicant, said the applicant consents to the 19 staff conditions and urged the commission to recommend approval to council.

The commission focused substantial discussion on two corridor issues: the widening of Georgia 400 and an existing on-site billboard. Commissioners and staff said the plan accounts for the planned Georgia 400 right-of-way and includes a 60-foot replanting buffer from that right-of-way; the applicant agreed to a 25-foot buffer around the billboard to separate residences from the sign. At the hearing, the applicant’s representative explained the billboard is under a separate, existing lease and that the parcel owner was unwilling to sell the billboard easement to the buyer.

Billy Stockard, representing David Weekley Homes, said the developer initially attempted to purchase the small parcel under the billboard but the owner had an extant lease with Lamar Advertising and declined to sell. \"He gets a mailbox check every month,\" Stockard said, explaining why the owner kept the easement.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on noise barriers and how screening would be delivered if Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) does not build a sound wall as part of the highway expansion. Staff said GDOT has secured right-of-way and that the site plan accommodates the expansion; staff and the applicant said they will continue to try to coordinate with GDOT but cannot commit to GDOT actions. The commission’s amended Condition 14 makes that contingency explicit: if GDOT does not construct a noise barrier along the property as part of its expansion, the developer would be required to take measures to install a sound wall on its property between the billboard and screening landscaping, subject to staff approval.

The applicant explained landscaping plans for the Georgia 400 buffer would rely on faster-growing evergreen species—examples cited during the hearing included Cryptomeria and Arborvitae Green Giants—to create screening sooner. The site plan also includes a bioretention stormwater area outside the mapped floodplain and extensions of a public greenway along Big Creek; staff said the city’s stormwater engineer reviewed the plan and did not flag improvements proposed in the floodplain.

Commissioners asked whether private streets or dedications would affect storm-drain maintenance; staff said storm drains would remain the city’s purview and easements would be in favor of the city. Applicant materials shown at the hearing noted two-car garages for the townhomes, additional driveway space, and approximately 18 overflow parking spaces; the applicant said the project is \"over parked\" relative to minimums.

After discussion the commission member made a motion to recommend approval of the rezoning and site plan (file listed in the record as CLUP-25-03/Z-25-05/V-25-18) with staff conditions and a reworded Condition 14 addressing the Georgia 400 buffer and sound wall; the motion was seconded and the commission approved the recommendation. The commission chair said city council will consider the application at its next docket (noted as \"the 28th\" in the meeting).","The Alpharetta Planning Commission voted to recommend the Wooten Tract Townhomes rezoning and site plan to city council, approving staff conditions and adding a revised wording for Condition 14 that would require the developer to install a sound wall on its property if GDOT does not provide one as part of its Georgia 400 expansion.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission approves downtown parking requirement changes and UDC cleanups

Planning commission backs Wooten Tract townhomes with reworded Georgia 400 buffer condition