Letters from Neighbors

James Strack (link to come)

Thanks for BNC, BeltLine coverage
"Letter to the Editor," by Liz Coyle, The Story, AUGUST 18, 2005

To the Editor,

On behalf of the BeltLine Neighbors Coalition (BNC), I wanted to thank you for your words of encouragement for our organization, as well as for your paper's thorough coverage of the BeltLine. The BNC was formed to give citizens more opportunity to influence the development of responsible plans along the entire 22-mile BeltLine corridor. The proposed 38 and 39 story towers in Piedmont Park did galvanize folks in the northeast, but our focus has always been citywide. We hope to increase involvement by BeltLine neighbors in every quadrant and are working on a plan to expand our outreach.

We will continue to reach out to City decision makers, including the Atlanta Development Authority, the BeltLine Partnership (including Friends of the BeltLine), city council members and the mayor's office to encourage planning that is good for the city, its neighborhoods and all of its citizens. The mission of the BNC is to protect and connect all neighborhoods along the BeltLine. It is best summarized in our petition, now posted online. We will be launching our web site soon.

Petition for Responsible BeltLine Planning

To support the development of plans that are true to the BeltLine vision of an open transit greenway that stimulates transit-oriented development on adjacent, underutilized property, we, the undersigned, urge Atlanta officials, consultants and developers of the BeltLine and related projects to adhere to the following principles:

  • Uphold land use designations in the 2004-2019 Comprehensive Development Plan, including maintaining open space along the BeltLine as it runs through Piedmont Park;
  • Concurrent with economic development, create an effective, cost-efficient, fully integrated transit system along the entire BeltLine corridor that provides an open space inclusive of Right-of-Way for public transit, pedestrian and bicycle trails and green space;
  • Encourage commercial and residential development that is compatible with adjacent, existing neighborhoods, following City of Atlanta planning department guidelines for transition from higher to lower densities;
  • Identify and protect historic properties and preserve the historic character of neighborhoods along BeltLine, and
  • Involve citizens throughout the BeltLine corridor in a meaningful, ongoing planning process to ensure appropriate, responsible development citywide.

We appreciate your continued coverage of the BeltLine and the BNC.

Liz Coyle, stakeholder liaison
BeltLine Neighbors Coalition

Article, Just Do It! Put the brakes on irresponsible urban development. Sign the BNC Petition now! Article, Maintaining Greenway. BNC carefully monitors current proposals by consultants. Article, Retain and Enhance Existing Parks. Preserving Atlanta's “Emerald Necklace”. Article, Preserve Historic Neighborhoods. Respect “step-down” scale of development. Article, A “TAD” too many. Appropriate funding mechanism needed. Article, Traffic Management Addressed. BNC proposes phased approach. Link, Subscribe here to be on the BNC Action Alert List! LEARN MORE. Other related articles.
Subscribe to Action Alert List Read about the BNC petition, then add your signature. Retaining Atlanta's Emerald Necklace Preserve Historic Neighborhoods Traffic Management Addressed Appropriate funding; another TAD? Maintaining Greenway Map of the BeltLine