§ 3.5.3. Statement of purpose and intent.

The purpose and intent of the board of commissioners in establishing the Stonecrest Area Compatible Use Zone Overlay District is as follows:

A.

To preserve, protect and enhance existing and proposed open space networks that are adjacent to or within the Stonecrest Area;

B.

To enhance the long term economic viability of this portion of DeKalb County by encouraging new commercial and residential developments that increase the tax base and provide jobs to the citizens of DeKalb County;

C.

To implement the policies and objectives of the DeKalb County Comprehensive Plan 1985—2015 and the policies and objectives of the design guidelines for the Stonecrest Overlay District;

D.

To establish and maintain a balanced relationship between industrial, commercial, and residential growth to ensure a stable and healthy tax base in DeKalb County;

E.

To provide a balanced distribution of regional and community commercial and mixed-use office centers;

F.

To support high density housing in office and mixed-use centers which have the appropriate location, access, and infrastructure to accommodate it;

G.

To encourage mixed-use developments that meet the goals and objectives of the Atlanta regional commission's smart growth and livable centers initiatives;

H.

To allow flexibility in development standards in order to encourage the design of innovative development projects that set high standards for landscaping, greenspace, urban design, and public amenities;

I.

To encourage an efficient land use and development plan by forming a live-work-play environment that offers employees and residents the opportunity to fulfill their daily activities with minimal use of single-occupant automobiles;

J.

To allow and encourage development densities and land use intensities that are capable of making productive use of alternative transportation modes such as bus transit, rail transit, ridesharing, bicycling and walking;

K.

To focus and encourage formation of a well-designed, pedestrian-friendly activity center with high-density commercial and residential development that increases vitality and choices in living environments for the citizens of DeKalb County;

L.

To protect established residential areas from encroachment of uses which are either incompatible or unduly cause adverse impacts on such communities, and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of DeKalb County;

M.

To promote uniform and visually aesthetic architectural features which serve to unify the distinctive visual quality of the Stonecrest Area.

( Ord. No. 15-06 , 8-25-2015)