Atlanta BeltLine plans to sell 1.5 acres at Piedmont Park for mixed use development

By David Pendered

The Atlanta BeltLine plans to sell a 1.5-acre, tree-covered parcel next to Piedmont Park to a developer who’s to build a mix of shops and residences, most likely apartments. Proposals are due Friday.

The 1.5 acres is a linear tract that begins at Park Tavern and stretches about 500 feet along the northeast side of the railroad tracks. The tract ends at Cresthill Avenue.

Park Tavern is adjacent to Piedmont Park, at the intersection of 10^th Street and Monroe Drive.

The BeltLine issued a request for proposals on April 15 and conducted a pre-proposal meeting on April 27. The sale is slated to close on or before Dec. 1.

The RFP does not suggest a number of residences or shops that are to be created. The master plan for this section of the BeltLine was adopted Dec. 5, 2011. This is one statement from the master plan concerning this specific area:

• “The land on the east side of the ROW [BeltLine right of way], near Monroe Drive, is currently zoned low-density commercial. The recommendations would maintain this existing condition while creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment with more public space.”

The BeltLine has established a vision statement with seven components that touch on affordable housing, sustainability, and quality design. If a developer doesn’t provide affordable housing at this project, an agreement is to be reached for the developer to make a “donation” that will enable the BeltLine to provide affordable units elsewhere.

Seven goals for the project include:

• “Successful integration of access to the Atlanta Beltline trails and transit within the proposed development project.

“Generate the best economic value to Invest Atlanta considering the cash price in combination with other priorities.

“Increase residential density, diversity, and design quality.

“Increase the supply and availability of affordable workforce housing.

“Increase retail/commercial units along the Monroe Drive Corridor.

“Maximize Atlanta BeltLine TAD [property tax] revenue generated by this Property.

“Add jobs in the Atlanta BeltLine Plan Area.”

The BeltLine created a vision statement with seven components. This is the entire statement:

• “A project design that is appropriate in, consistent with and an enhancement to Piedmont Park and nearby existing neighborhoods, along with being a beautiful addition to the Eastside trail.
• “A pedestrian-friendly urban design that relates well to the street, the Atlanta BeltLine Corridor, Piedmont Park, planned transit, adjacent developments, and other public improvements, with setbacks which increase as building height increases.
• “A project that will be “Best in Class”.

“For projects which include multi-family rental housing elements, a minimum of 20 percent of units affordable to individuals and families earning up to 60 percent of Area Median Income (“AMI”) adjusted by family size, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a minimum affordability period of 30 years, and for projects with owner-occupied housing elements, a minimum of 20 percent of for sale units affordable to individuals or families earning up to 80 percent of AMI (for one or two person households) and up to 115 percent of AMI (for households with three or more persons). The affordable, for sale housing units must also meet the HUD 203(B) purchase price limits. All affordable units will be comparable in size and quality to the market rate units.

“If affordable housing is not a part of this development, an agreement will be reached for a donation enabling ABI [Atlanta BeltLine Inc.] to build affordable housing in this market subarea.

“A project which is developed so as to comply with requisite noise and vibration easements needed to facilitate the planned transit improvements. The property will be conveyed subject to a noise and vibration easement utilized by ABI which shall run with the title to the land. ABI may require additional temporary & permanent easements for construction of the transit/trail corridor.

“A project that will include a number of environmentally sensitive design features that follow Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard and/or Earthcraft or National Green Building Standard.