Walmart at Lindbergh? (Atlanta: appointed, land, snake)

[tikigod311]

Great posts cwkimbro! That really puts in to perspective what is at stake.

This is not just some average suburban shopping center that we are talking about. This is a the chance to protect what should be a sizable and important city district. To add that huge parking lot would change the development path of the area for a long time to come.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

Here is how a urban wal-mart can change the area:

cw, I appreciate your thoughts as always.

But this is simply the wrong place for a free standing big box, be it Walmart or anybody else. For one thing, there is tons of major retail there already -- nearly 800,000 sf of existing big box. Secondly, there is tons of built but vacant retail space all over the area. Thirdly, there is tons of vacant or grossly underutilized space in that is already zone for commercial. Consider the one just across the street, which has been available for development for the last ten years (up to 65,000 sf). There is also the former Gold Club site, the former Home Depot site, the abandoned PGA superstore site on Garson, and many others. You could build on those without any land use or zoning change whatsoever. Just pull a permit and go to town.

However, the Morosgo site was set aside by law for high density residential back in 2001. The folks who actually own the property bought it in 2009 with that express purpose in mind and they have never squawked nor have they joined in the request to change the zoning.

When the SPI was created, this particular tract (out of many others) was set aside for high density residential. That's because high density residential is essential to TOD. Many other areas in the SPI were designated for commercial, office or mixed use, but you've got to have a concentration of high density residential to make it happen. Everybody agreed to that and it was put into law. It has been reaffirmed every year in the CDP, including 2012.

So what conceivable reason is there to ditch these longstanding plans? High density residential has been underway in the designated area and was going like gangbusters until the recession hit. There's clearly a demand for it, as the apartments in the area are at 95.8% occupancy.

Bear in mind that SPI-15 allows ground floor accessory retail in the residential buildings. So you can have grocery stores, banks, salons, cafes, etc. There's simply no reason to consider a big box.

There's an identical issue brewing at Glenwood, where this same developer has just proposed another suburban-style big box on property set aside for TOD by the Beltline. The first picture shows what HDR should look like in a transit oriented district, and the second one shows what the shopping center developer wants to put there.

[arjay57]

Atlanta councilman remains opposed to Buckhead Walmart as vote approaches | www.ajc.com

I guess if the city approves Lindbergh it will also be a green light for the developer to blast ahead at Glenwood.

So much for the Beltline and plans to urbanize the ATL!

Hopefully the Council won't cave. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

[Iconographer]

I actually wouldn't have a problem with the PGA Superstore location. Its tucked away on Garson and doesn't interfere with the neighborhoods plans for town center style development.

[arjay57]

I wouldn't either. Garson is designated for commercial and a Walmart anchored center could be just the ticket.

[arjay57]

Well, good for the city council. Looks like they refused to be run over.

Let's hope they hold the line at Glenwood too.

Council votes down Buckhead Walmart | 11alive.com

[tonygeorgia]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Well, good for the city council. Looks like they refused to be run over.

Let's hope they hold the line at Glenwood too.

Council votes down Buckhead Walmart | 11alive.com

Finally Atlanta is getting it together lol

[arjay57]

You gotta love it when good planning wins.

[Adric]

Thank you city council!

I'm glad they had the foresight to see long term benefits over the short term buck.

[tikigod311]

This is very exciting news. Damn shame it was so close... 7-6?

We need to find out who was for this and strongly consider voting them out next time around.


Nice to finally have something go the right way. Sometimes I get the impression that the powers that be will always get their way. Nice to see it didn't happen here.