East Point planning staff to kick off zoning-ordinance rewrite; commission elections next week

Planning staff told the commission on Feb. 12 that the city has retained a vendor to begin rewriting the zoning ordinance and that the rewrite will include a steering committee drawn from an interest list staff posted online. Director Smith said the city received roughly "30 to 40 members" on the interest list and that the vendor will present a timeline at an initial kickoff meeting. Staff estimated a roughly 12- to 18-month turnaround for the full rewrite.

Staff also announced that the Planning & Zoning Commission will hold elections for chair and vice chair at its regular meeting next week. Director Smith described the commission’s ongoing role in the ordinance rewrite: commissioners will see draft elements as they are developed, provide comment, and forward recommendations to the City Council.

Why it matters: a zoning-ordinance rewrite can change permitted uses, development standards and procedures that shape future projects across the city. Commissioners and staff said they expect public engagement and multiple presentations to the commission during the rewrite process.

Next steps: vendor kickoff meeting and steering-committee formation; the commission will vote for chair and vice chair at next week’s meeting.