Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Planning and Sustainability
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All Districts
Acceptance of the Livable Centers Initiative Grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission in the Total Amount of $200,000.00 for the Kensington LCI Full Update, with a Local Match of $50,000.00 Required.
Body
Information Contact: Juliana Njoku
Phone Number: 404-687-7154
PURPOSE:
To consider accepting $200,000 from the Livable Centers Initiative from the Atlanta Regional Commission for the grant period through October 31, 2027, for the Kensington LCI full update - including the hiring of a consultant to conduct an overall study - and to authorize the CEO or her designee to execute all necessary documents.
NEED/IMPACT:
The goal of the Kensington LCI update is to reevaluate and update the LCI work program for the Study Area considering the significant growth and development that has taken place over the last decade, to strategize and develop catalytic opportunities, and to further promote the creation of transit-oriented development. DeKalb County conducted an LCI study for the Kensington MARTA Station and its surrounding area starting in 2002, with a supplemental update completed in 2012. Recently, DeKalb County also incorporated MARTA's 2023 Kensington Station Transit-Oriented Development Master Plan into the 2012 “Supplemental” Kensington LCI Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) plan as an amendment to the county's comprehensive plan. DeKalb County seeks a consultant to develop the Kensington LCI Master Plan for the approximately 870-acre Kensington LCI area in Decatur, Georgia beyond the TOD area. The plan update will consider the area’s growth and change over the last decade, with a focus on potential redevelopment opportunities for a large catalytic site owned by the county just a short distance from the MARTA station. With the community’s input and updated policies, the county seeks to refine and enhance recommendations from previous studies, creating a community-driven concept for land use and connectivity within the larger LCI area.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The County is required to commit a local match of 20% of the total project cost. The total project cost is estimated at $250,000 so the local match is estimated as $50,000.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the resolution and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents to accept $200,000 from the Livable Centers Initiative grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission for the grant period through October 31, 2027 for the Kensington LCI full update and to authorize the CEO or her designee to execute all necessary documents.