Box 5, Folder 2, Document 21

Box 5, Folder 2, Document 21

February 11 > 1969 CITY HALL ATLANTA, GA. 30303
Tel. 522-4463 Area Code 404

IVAN ALLEN, JR., MAYOR

CECIL A. ALEXANDER, Chairman
Housing Resources Committee

MALCOLM D. JONES
MEMORANDUM Housing Coordinator

TO: Mr. Dan E. Sweat, Jr. ;
Director of Governmental Liaison

Action on rezoning petitions recently, such as Sewell Road,
Kimberly Road, Brownlee Road and Brownstown Road (still pending)
for low-income housing projects has been most discouraging, but
is understandable,

This has convinced me that we are not going to get needed
Sites approved in the forseeable future unless we resort to
different procedures,

Also, I am convinced that it is not good for the City to
repeatedly create such extensive hostility in substantial
residential neighborhoods by continuing to attempt rezoning
of areas for apartments when the cards are clearly stacked to
loose. There must be more practical methods that could be
employed, I suggest:

1. Utilization of existing slum areas, through
NDP, for new developments of low-income
housing, particularly Public Housing. This
would create little or no opposition from
residential neighborhoods, or otherwise, except
perhaps the Planners, who consistently oppose
legalizing housing in many such areas thru
changes in actual or planned zoning. I refer
specifically to portions of Lightning, Huff
Road, a substantial area off old Marietta
Road in the vicinity of Spring Avenue,
Plunkettown and others. We must be practical
and adjust some previous theortical concepts
to meet the exigencies of the actual situations
in which we currently find ourselves,
Mr. Dan E. Sweat, Jr.
February 7, 1969

Page 2

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Utilization of certain City-owned properties,
not now being profitably utilized, such as
portions of Lakewood Park property, Federal
Prison Farm and certain other smaller, but
suitable tracts within the City, There are
several not now being profitably utilized.

Adoption of an all out campaign to encourage
and pursuade County Commissioners in adjoining
unincorporated areas to agree to construction
and support of Public Housing and or other
low-income housing projects within their
respective jurisdictions, close to Atlanta.

Obtain authentic statistical data as to

(a) How long occupants of Public Housing have
resided within the City Limits of Atlanta;
(b) Where they came from to Atlanta; (c) Why
did they come to Atlanta; (d) How long have
they been in Public Housing?

Selection by the Planning Department of ample
areas for Public Housing and provide for
appropriate zoning thereof, in connection

with a City-wide re-analysis of Zoning. Since

we have 9 classifications of Residential

zoning, which definitely stratify construction
economically; and 5 classifications of Commercial,
I can see no logical reason why we should not
further stratify Apartment Zoning and perhaps
have a special category for Public Housing.

As I see it, the above steps areasential to successful
pursuit of the low-income housing program in Atlanta. I would

welcome your opinion on the above and or other ideas for practical
solution of the dilemma,

MDJ/me

Sincerely,

Fa ples

Malcolm D. Jones
Housing Coordinator

cc: Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr.
Mr, Cecil A. Alexander