As Dunwoody residents look towards the future, their collective vision for the city's growth and development takes center stage at the upcoming Comprehensive Plan Public Workshop. Scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the N. Shallowford Annex, community members have been encouraged to participate and share their feedback on the developmental policies shaping their neighborhoods.
According to a recent announcement by the City of Dunwoody, the Comp Plan is broken down by 12 character areas, aiming to maintain the individual feel of each defined region within the city. "We invite the public to review the character areas identified in the draft Comp Plan and help refine policies for each one," Dunwoody Community Development Director Richard McLeod stated, underlining the importance of public opinion on development scale and intensity. Some featured character areas include the Perimeter, Dunwoody Village, and Peachtree Boulevard, among several others.
The initiative stems from last August's "Direction Dunwoody," a project marking the collective efforts of more than 1,000 survey respondents, multifaceted workshops, and direct community engagement through local event pop-ups. This collaborative approach has brought to light resident concerns over a range of issues including the need for diverse housing options, the revitalization of local centers, and the challenge of traffic congestion.
Key themes identified include residents’ desire for an increase in housing, particularly for first-time buyers and seniors. The community also expressed a vested interest in the success of favorite local hubs like Dunwoody Village, juxtaposed with worries over empty retail and office spaces potentially stifling economic vitality. Traffic issues also remain front and center as citizens yearn for better connectivity and transportation alternatives, amid a resounding plea to protect the neighborhood's green spaces and unique character.
The ultimate goal of this workshop and subsequent plan is to lay the foundation for the upcoming Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) rewrite, a crucial second phase in "Direction Dunwoody." This rewrite intends to align the city’s development-related regulations such as zoning, with the ground-level vision carved out by its residents — ensuring the growth of Dunwoody mirrors the voice of its people.
