Cobb Commissioners unanimously approved new design codes for the Mableton area Tuesday night that are designed to guide development and revitalization efforts in the community.
County officials hired a Miami-based firm to create the code with input from community residents last year. On Tuesday, a majority of speakers at a public and audience members supported the design changes for its intentions of turning the area into a mixed-use, walkable community. Opponents said the code would lead to development decisions made in private, and takes away residents’ input into future development.
The Mableton design standards were approved along with a package of multiple amendments to the county’s code amendment.
As part of those amendments, the commission eliminated a requirement long on the county’s books for the clerk to keep a record of the county manager’s activities. For years the county had not abided by the law, that officials said was antiquated and too time consuming, an investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found.
Commissioners Bob Ott and Woody Thompson voted against the amendments that included the county manager minutes. Ott recommended the county abide by the intent of law and possibly implement a less time-restrictive alternative. Ott’s suggestion was shot down by Commission Chairman Tim Lee who called for a vote on the amendment package with the minutes requirement removed. The amendments were approved 3 to 2.
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