Board approves zoning change for Southeast Altanta retail site

The Atlanta Zoning Review Board voted Thursday to approve legislation that will change the zoning classification for the site of a hotly-contested retail development near the Glenwood Park and Grant Park neighborhoods.

A demolition permit has already been obtained for the 19-acre site on Glenwood Avenue, which connects to the Atlanta Beltline. Fuqua Development, an Atlanta company, has unveiled plans for the site which include space for a large-scale retailer. Community members are concerned the developer might have secured Wal-Mart as a future tenant.

The approved legislation changes the areas zoning classification from heavy industrial to high-density residential with some commercial, which supporters said is closer to the intended plans for Beltline development. It will likely only apply to future developments, and will not change current plans for the retail center.

More than 600 Southeast Atlanta residents attended the hearing at City Hall in support of zoning change.

“This decision is a victory for us, for our neighborhood,” said Chris Kazakos, a Grant Park resident. “We’ve won the battle, but the war is far from over.”

Area neighborhoods will continue to gain support in the event of future litigation, Kazakos said.