Rockdale Citizen

Photo by Howard Reed

CONYERS -- The public is invited to learn more about a proposed zoning ordinance that will allow mixed-use development in the 424-tract identified as Central Conyers.

The Conyers Community Development Committee is holding a public meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the City Council chambers located at 1194 Scott St. The meeting is to discuss a mixed-used development ordinance.

Councilman Gerald Hinesley serves as co-chairman of the committee with Councilman Marty Jones.

Hinesley explained Monday that the zoning change was an effort to address future development. He pointed to surrounding cities that have loft living with retail space underneath, for example. Hinesley said the ordinance is not so much changing the image of Conyers "as it is trying to revitalize the area."

"You want to start moving your community in a direction that you want to see it grow," Hinesley said.

According to the most recent draft ordinance, the proposal said the purpose of the ordinance was to "establish a framework for the creation of healthy, human-scaled, mixed-use neighborhoods."

The ordinance, which would allow for residential and commercial development, included specific standards for land use and building architecture and design. According to the draft, the maximum density for residential buildings and lots was set at 10 units per acre. For commercial, density was set at 30,000 gross square feet per net acre. Mixed-use was 10 dwelling units per net acre for multi-family dwelling units and 30,000 gross square feet per net acre for commercial uses of land.

Hinesley said once the ordinance is finalized in committee, it will go before the entire council.

The City Council formed an Urban Redevelopment Authority in June. In its Urban Redevelopment Plan, Central Conyers was identified as land between West Avenue and Green Street and the Ga. highways 20 and 138 corridor. The new authority largely was formed to address poverty, inadequate housing and deteriorated residential and commercial structures within that area.