Public Hearing: YES ☒ NO ☐ Department: Planning & Sustainability
SUBJECT:
Title
COMMISSION DISTRICT(S): Commission District 04 Super District 06
Application of the Director of Planning & Sustainability for a partial update to the Kensington Supplemental LCI Plan and adoption of the MARTA-Kensington Master Plan Study.
Body
PETITION NO: N6-2024-0890 TA-24-1247128 (from September agenda)
PROPOSED USE: Partial update to the Kensington Supplemental LCI Plan & adoption of MARTA-Kensington Master Plan Study.
LOCATION: Commission Districts 4 & 6
PARCEL NO. : N/A
INFO. CONTACT: Aprell L. King, Planner
PHONE NUMBER: 404-371-2155
PURPOSE:
Application of the Director of Planning & Sustainability for a partial update to the Kensington Supplemental LCI Plan and adoption of the MARTA-Kensington Master Plan Study.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
COMMUNITY COUNCIL: (August 2024) Approval.
PLANNING COMMISSION: (September 12, 2024) Approval.
PLANNING STAFF: Approval.
STAFF ANALYSIS: The applicant is seeking to incorporate MARTA’s Kensington Station Master Plan: Transit-Oriented Development document’s general vision, policies, and goals as guidance for future development of the planned area. Adoption of the MARTA's Kensington Station Master Plan: Transit-Oriented Development document will also partially update the Kensington Supplemental LCI Plan, which was adopted in 2012. At the direction of the Board and Planning Commission, MARTA completed a robust community engagement effort and Master Plan Study which enabled the latest 2023 rezoning approval (re-zoned a majority R-75 to MU-5) of the Kensington TOD development. The approved MU-5 district is consistent with the goals of the 2003 and 2012 Kensington Livable Centers Initiative studies to encourage “transit-oriented development” as “a high-density, mixed-use development offering all elements of a complete live/work/play environment.” On June 22, 2022, MARTA and DeKalb County kicked off the master planning process with the launch of an interactive website. Numerous meetings have been held with the community and DeKalb County Commissioners for input on the master plan. Per robust community engagement, MARTA has a clear direction and framework to advance TOD development at the Kensington MARTA station. In addition to showcasing community engagement efforts, MARTA’s Kensington Station Master Plan: Transit-Oriented Development document highlights a current market study summary highlighting an updated demographic, residential, retail, office, and hotel demand profile of the area. It also includes an updated mobility, walkability, and parking analysis of the immediate 35-acre planning area, the expansion of bus services, as well as an action plan for implementing priority placemaking, policy, public space, and transit and mobility projects. The adoption of this “partial update” is a requirement of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers Program and will allow DeKalb County’s Planning & Sustainability Department - Long Range Division - to progress towards the end goal of applying for a “full update” through ARC in January of 2025. Staff recommends “Approval” of this text amendment.
PLANNING COMMISSION VOTE: (September 12, 2024) Approval 9-0-0. Jon West moved, LaSonya Osler seconded for approval per staff recommendation.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOTE/RECOMMENDATION: (August 2024) CC-4: Approval 8-0-0.