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Box 5, Folder 17, Document 19
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MINUTE
HOUSING RESOURCES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 31, 1967
Members of the Housing Resources Committee Executive Group met
on Wednesday, May 31, 1967, at 10:00 a.m., in Committee Room #1,
City Hall. The ;following members were present;
Mr. Cecil A. Alexander, Chairman
Dr. Sanford S. Atwood, Co-Chairman
Mr. Lee Burge, Chairman, Finance & Non-Profit Funds Panel
Mr. John C. Wilson, Finance &.Non-Profit Funds Panel
Mr. Dale Clark, Public Information Panel
Dr. Vivian Henderson, Land Acquisition Panel
Mr. Roland Maxwell, Representing Mr. Virgil Milton, Business
Participation Panel
Mr. Norman Underwood, Representing Mr. Charles L. Welitner,
Legal Panel
Mr. Robert Winn, Representing Dr. Harrison, Construction and
Design Panel
Mr. Malcolm D. Jones, Director
Mr. W. W. Gates, Consultant
The Public Housing Panel and the Social Problems Panel were not
represented at the meeting.
Mr. Cecil A. Alexander, Chairman, presided. Mr. Alexander read
the Housing Resources Committee's "White Paper" (copy attached)
and explained the different divisions of this report. He then
explained the other documents which were attached. He also
stated that there were several difficulties in locating rental
housing sites, partially because of the racial problems in Atlanta,
and gave his interpretation of the May 5, 1967 letter from HUD,
pertaining to HUD's reluctence to approve Public Housing sites
in racially concentrated areas.
Dr. Vivian Henderson, Land Acquisition Panel, stated that this did
not necessarily hold true in all cases; that he did not think the
announced HUD policy was intendéd to apply to racially integrated
projects in previously all whites neighborhoods, Dr. Henderson also ~
asked about his Panel's previous request for a list of possible sites
Tor locating low-cost housing.
Mr, Jones explained that this has been requested from the Planning
Department, but not yet prepared; however, that he has been
provided with a group of Land Lot sheets showing vacant property
(with current zoning) in the eastern half of the city; and these
locations were being looled into.
Page Two
Dr. Henderson suggested that the need for such a list of available
sites be reported to the Board éf Aldermen.
ay
considered available for use or’ that could be re-zonéd. He also
stated that the developers had already looked into these properties
but that only four tracts had been approved so far.
Mr. Jones stated that he knew of only two, or possibly three, of
these that had been actually approved by HUD.
Mr. Alexander stated that one of the main problems was that the
land developers could not always use the sites because of locations,
costs, and building codes.
Mr. John C. Wilson inance and Non-Profit Funds Panel, suggested
that the Committee accept all the land possible, because to provide
all the housing required, all available land would be needed.
Mr. Alexander stated that this Committee should take action one way
or another to get these problems corrected before any further
substantial developments can be made.
Mr. Jones stated that it was this Committee's policy to consider
any suitable location that was submitted or proposed and to try to
get action based on merits of individual tracts,
Mr. Lee Burge, Finance and Non-Profit Funds Panel, asked if this
Committee was over-playing the housing problems, or if this was
just the normal type of thing which resulted from trying to get
through zoning changes, Housing Authority and/or. FHA approval
of a housing development.
Mr. Alexander explained that there is a greater low-rental need in
the city than apparently some members of the FHA underwriting staff
feel justified.
Mr. Jones said that the problems were not being over-played
because there were many problems in trying to locate low-cost
housing sites. He explained that this was the purpose of this
meeting; to try to work out some of these problems.
Dr. Henderson stated that many of the present problems appeured
to be with the Planning Department, and they were not very good
reasons.
Mr. Alexander stated that the City is striving to get a workable
Land Use plan which people feel that they can rely on.
Me, Dale Clark, Public Information Panel, asked if the Planning
Department is represented on this Committee.
Page Three
Mr, gones stated that it is not, but that we aré working in
close contact with each other,
Mr. Alexander stated that the general feeling is that in some
residential areas the zoning from single family houses to
apartments will be a necessity. He asked the press not to
mention any specific areas where this may be possible, because
there are no definite plans to this effect as yet.
Me. Burge asked if it would not be neapful to create a link
between the Housing Resources Committee and the Planning
Department?
Mr, Alexander stated that it would also be a good idea to create
such a relationship with the Board of Aldermen.
Mr, Burge said, in relation to item (d) under "Disucussion" in
the "White Pa per", that he would like to know how the zoning
people felt about this.
Dr, Henderson said that it was easy to discuss this problem
but bhat it would not always work out in practice, and that the
real issue is the difficulty of locating in an area that does
mot want housing developments,
Mr, Burge asked the reason given by FHA for its action in
connection with the sites near Magnolia Cemetary, Etheridge
Drive, and Gun Club Road,
Mr, Alexander referred the question to Mr. Gates for answer.
Mr. Gates stated that proximity.‘to Rockdale Urban Renewal Project,
in which about 1,500 units are to be constructed during the next
four years, would be taken into consideration in determining
the probable market absorption in the general area. Both the
City of Atlanta and the Federal Government have considerable
investment in Rockdale,
3
Mr, Alexander asked Mr, Jones to sive a report on possible
locations for pre-fabricated houses in Atlanta.
Mr. Jones stated that there is some effort to build this type
of house in Atlanta, Sut that there is difficulty because of
the Atlanta Building Code. This code states that the plumbing,
electrical, and heating fixtures be installed on site in
Atlanta, and that the pre-fabricated houses come with thes
fixtures and electrical civeutes already installed. emevee
there are plans being matic now for some sites on which pre-
fabricated houses could be Located by desiginating special areas
Page Four
where this type of housing could be installed. He also stated that
the amount of land required to build a house on was too great
economically in Atlanta for this type of house, and that there -
are also plans under way to correct this by permitting them to
be built on a 50! x 100! lot, or 60 x 83.33! (5,000 sq. feet instead
of 7,500 sq. feet, which is now required,
Mr. Alexander stated that’ he thought that organizations such
as Tech sould organize studies of the housing situation in
Atlanta, which would be made available to this Committee. He
asked Mr, Winn if the Construction and Design Panel were looking
into this now?
Me. Robert Winn, Construction and Design Panel, stated that
there will be armeeting of his panel a week from next Tuesday to
discuss this.
Mr. Jones inquired if the present meeting time and date for
this Committee was satisfactory, and the reply was affirmative.
He also stated that he had appeared before the Zoning Committee
on several occasions and feit that it would carry more influence
with them if this Committee could take definite action on some
areas before he re-appeared. He stated that there were three sites
in particular coming up for re-zoning hearings soon on which he.
would like for the Committee as a group to indorse and support, ie
1. Fairburn Road
2. vsonesboro Road
3. North of Baker's Ferry Road
Mr, Alexander stated that he felt that it was too sooy to take any
definite action on these sites as yet.
Mr. Burge moved that this Committee accept the present “White
Paper" as a guide for further action,
The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:35
QeM.
Respectfully submitted,
Drabedirgg Woe
Malcolm D, Fantoe
Supervisor ofInspection Services
Enel: "White Paper" (without attachments)
HOUSING RESOURCES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 31, 1967
Members of the Housing Resources Committee Executive Group met
on Wednesday, May 31, 1967, at 10:00 a.m., in Committee Room #1,
City Hall. The ;following members were present;
Mr. Cecil A. Alexander, Chairman
Dr. Sanford S. Atwood, Co-Chairman
Mr. Lee Burge, Chairman, Finance & Non-Profit Funds Panel
Mr. John C. Wilson, Finance &.Non-Profit Funds Panel
Mr. Dale Clark, Public Information Panel
Dr. Vivian Henderson, Land Acquisition Panel
Mr. Roland Maxwell, Representing Mr. Virgil Milton, Business
Participation Panel
Mr. Norman Underwood, Representing Mr. Charles L. Welitner,
Legal Panel
Mr. Robert Winn, Representing Dr. Harrison, Construction and
Design Panel
Mr. Malcolm D. Jones, Director
Mr. W. W. Gates, Consultant
The Public Housing Panel and the Social Problems Panel were not
represented at the meeting.
Mr. Cecil A. Alexander, Chairman, presided. Mr. Alexander read
the Housing Resources Committee's "White Paper" (copy attached)
and explained the different divisions of this report. He then
explained the other documents which were attached. He also
stated that there were several difficulties in locating rental
housing sites, partially because of the racial problems in Atlanta,
and gave his interpretation of the May 5, 1967 letter from HUD,
pertaining to HUD's reluctence to approve Public Housing sites
in racially concentrated areas.
Dr. Vivian Henderson, Land Acquisition Panel, stated that this did
not necessarily hold true in all cases; that he did not think the
announced HUD policy was intendéd to apply to racially integrated
projects in previously all whites neighborhoods, Dr. Henderson also ~
asked about his Panel's previous request for a list of possible sites
Tor locating low-cost housing.
Mr, Jones explained that this has been requested from the Planning
Department, but not yet prepared; however, that he has been
provided with a group of Land Lot sheets showing vacant property
(with current zoning) in the eastern half of the city; and these
locations were being looled into.
Page Two
Dr. Henderson suggested that the need for such a list of available
sites be reported to the Board éf Aldermen.
ay
considered available for use or’ that could be re-zonéd. He also
stated that the developers had already looked into these properties
but that only four tracts had been approved so far.
Mr. Jones stated that he knew of only two, or possibly three, of
these that had been actually approved by HUD.
Mr. Alexander stated that one of the main problems was that the
land developers could not always use the sites because of locations,
costs, and building codes.
Mr. John C. Wilson inance and Non-Profit Funds Panel, suggested
that the Committee accept all the land possible, because to provide
all the housing required, all available land would be needed.
Mr. Alexander stated that this Committee should take action one way
or another to get these problems corrected before any further
substantial developments can be made.
Mr. Jones stated that it was this Committee's policy to consider
any suitable location that was submitted or proposed and to try to
get action based on merits of individual tracts,
Mr. Lee Burge, Finance and Non-Profit Funds Panel, asked if this
Committee was over-playing the housing problems, or if this was
just the normal type of thing which resulted from trying to get
through zoning changes, Housing Authority and/or. FHA approval
of a housing development.
Mr. Alexander explained that there is a greater low-rental need in
the city than apparently some members of the FHA underwriting staff
feel justified.
Mr. Jones said that the problems were not being over-played
because there were many problems in trying to locate low-cost
housing sites. He explained that this was the purpose of this
meeting; to try to work out some of these problems.
Dr. Henderson stated that many of the present problems appeured
to be with the Planning Department, and they were not very good
reasons.
Mr. Alexander stated that the City is striving to get a workable
Land Use plan which people feel that they can rely on.
Me, Dale Clark, Public Information Panel, asked if the Planning
Department is represented on this Committee.
Page Three
Mr, gones stated that it is not, but that we aré working in
close contact with each other,
Mr. Alexander stated that the general feeling is that in some
residential areas the zoning from single family houses to
apartments will be a necessity. He asked the press not to
mention any specific areas where this may be possible, because
there are no definite plans to this effect as yet.
Me. Burge asked if it would not be neapful to create a link
between the Housing Resources Committee and the Planning
Department?
Mr, Alexander stated that it would also be a good idea to create
such a relationship with the Board of Aldermen.
Mr, Burge said, in relation to item (d) under "Disucussion" in
the "White Pa per", that he would like to know how the zoning
people felt about this.
Dr, Henderson said that it was easy to discuss this problem
but bhat it would not always work out in practice, and that the
real issue is the difficulty of locating in an area that does
mot want housing developments,
Mr, Burge asked the reason given by FHA for its action in
connection with the sites near Magnolia Cemetary, Etheridge
Drive, and Gun Club Road,
Mr, Alexander referred the question to Mr. Gates for answer.
Mr. Gates stated that proximity.‘to Rockdale Urban Renewal Project,
in which about 1,500 units are to be constructed during the next
four years, would be taken into consideration in determining
the probable market absorption in the general area. Both the
City of Atlanta and the Federal Government have considerable
investment in Rockdale,
3
Mr, Alexander asked Mr, Jones to sive a report on possible
locations for pre-fabricated houses in Atlanta.
Mr. Jones stated that there is some effort to build this type
of house in Atlanta, Sut that there is difficulty because of
the Atlanta Building Code. This code states that the plumbing,
electrical, and heating fixtures be installed on site in
Atlanta, and that the pre-fabricated houses come with thes
fixtures and electrical civeutes already installed. emevee
there are plans being matic now for some sites on which pre-
fabricated houses could be Located by desiginating special areas
Page Four
where this type of housing could be installed. He also stated that
the amount of land required to build a house on was too great
economically in Atlanta for this type of house, and that there -
are also plans under way to correct this by permitting them to
be built on a 50! x 100! lot, or 60 x 83.33! (5,000 sq. feet instead
of 7,500 sq. feet, which is now required,
Mr. Alexander stated that’ he thought that organizations such
as Tech sould organize studies of the housing situation in
Atlanta, which would be made available to this Committee. He
asked Mr, Winn if the Construction and Design Panel were looking
into this now?
Me. Robert Winn, Construction and Design Panel, stated that
there will be armeeting of his panel a week from next Tuesday to
discuss this.
Mr. Jones inquired if the present meeting time and date for
this Committee was satisfactory, and the reply was affirmative.
He also stated that he had appeared before the Zoning Committee
on several occasions and feit that it would carry more influence
with them if this Committee could take definite action on some
areas before he re-appeared. He stated that there were three sites
in particular coming up for re-zoning hearings soon on which he.
would like for the Committee as a group to indorse and support, ie
1. Fairburn Road
2. vsonesboro Road
3. North of Baker's Ferry Road
Mr, Alexander stated that he felt that it was too sooy to take any
definite action on these sites as yet.
Mr. Burge moved that this Committee accept the present “White
Paper" as a guide for further action,
The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:35
QeM.
Respectfully submitted,
Drabedirgg Woe
Malcolm D, Fantoe
Supervisor ofInspection Services
Enel: "White Paper" (without attachments)
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