East Point staff seeks withdrawal of MXCI rezoning and files new CL rezoning for 2418 Millard/Milledge Street

The East Point Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 12 discussed a pair of city-initiated rezoning steps for a small parcel listed in meeting materials as 2418 Millard Street (also shown later in the record as 2418 Milledge Street). Director Smith told the commission the city has withdrawn the earlier application to rezone the site to MXCI (mixed-use industrial) and has submitted a new rezoning application, P2026RZ-001-01, seeking Commercial Limited (CL) zoning for the same property. The staff said public notices were reposted and legal posting requirements were met.

Why it matters: the zoning classification determines what uses are permitted and what conditions can be attached. Director Smith said the parcel currently lacks an assigned zoning classification and staff’s job is to designate a district that fits the comprehensive plan, surrounding uses and community input.

Staff presented the site in map and street-view photos, describing the lot as roughly one acre, bounded by Freedom Parkway and Millard/Milledge Street and abutting light industrial, residential (R-1A urban residential) and heavy industrial/railroad property. Commissioners and staff agreed the lot’s slope and the bridge crossing its edge reduce practical developable area.

On permitted uses, staff recited three narrowly framed permitted uses proposed as conditions (art galleries; office/business with a carve‑out prohibiting lease/rental or equipment sales in one subcategory; and professional office). Commissioners debated whether to keep the limited list or assign the full CL district without the three-use restriction. One commissioner recommended keeping the standard CL allowances but restricting specific uses the community opposes, such as nightclubs or hotels. Commissioner questions focused on how the CL ordinance reads, what uses the community might find incompatible, and whether physical constraints mean many CL uses would be impractical.

During the work session, Mister Lee Kelly observed that a public hearing would be held and recommended the commission handle the item at next week’s regular meeting rather than taking any vote at the work session. Chair and staff confirmed that withdrawal of the MXCI filing and consideration of the new CL application are scheduled for the regular meeting next Thursday. No formal motion or vote was taken during the Feb. 12 work session.

Quotations from the record include Lee Kelly’s procedural intervention: “Everything that Director Smith is accurate about the approach to this property,” and Director Smith’s characterization of the issue: “the property does not have a zoning classification attached to it.”

Next steps: the commission will consider a formal withdrawal of P2025RZ-002-10 and take up P2026RZ-001-01 at next week’s regular meeting, when public hearing testimony and any motion or vote will be recorded.