Vinings Neighborhood

POLICIES FOR PROTECTING AND ENHANCING NEIGHBORHOODS

Suburban Neighborhoods

Policies for Protecting and Enhancing Suburban Neighborhoods

More than half of all Americans now live in suburban communities. In some cities more than ¾ of the Region’s population prefer the friendly communities found in most suburban neighborhoods. We need policies that support and promote stable, sustainable, compatible suburban land uses. These policies should be drafted in collaboration with people who support suburban lifestyles.

Suburban Policies should include the following concepts.

1. Higher-density and mixed-use developments should be encouraged only in designated corridors, while protecting and not infringing upon the desirable low-density single-family neighborhoods that most suburbanites prefer.

2. Corridors to be designated for high-density mixed-use development should be near transit stations, in employment centers, or along major roads with the infrastructure to support more intense development – and where such development will not destabilize land uses in nearby neighborhoods, and where “accessibility” allows such intense land uses to succeed. In more remote locations, high-density mixed-use development would be strangled by inadequate infrastructure and inaccessibility, and would also strangle other nearby lower density communities in the process. The intensity of future development must not exceed the capacity of the infrastructure to support that development.

3. The term "smart growth" should not mean "higher density everywhere". "Smart growth" should mean higher density and mixed use – in appropriate designated areas, especially in employment centers and existing commuter transportation corridors – and implemented in ways that will not adversely impact existing stable single-family neighborhoods.

4. New multi-family development proposals must adequately address impact on traffic, schools, and other infrastructure. Higher density multi-family development may be appropriate near employment centers, major commuter transportation corridors, and within close proximity to transit stations.

5. Seek solutions that protect the character and integrity of existing neighborhoods, while also meeting the needs of the community. Suburban transit solutions must be designed to meet the needs of suburban commuters and suburban communities.

6. Regulation does not hinder good development. Inadequate regulation enables bad development.

7. Quality development does not equal urban development. Suburban development is desirable to most suburbanites. Policies must provide for opportunities for urban development only in appropriate locations, while protecting suburban communities.

8. Stable suburban communities are founded on homeownership and excellent public schools. Stable suburban communities are also family-focussed, rather than activities-focussed. That doesn’t mean that stable communities elsewhere can’t be founded on other things, or the same things. But stable suburban communities are founded on families, homeownership, and excellent public schools. As long as the homes are owner-occupied and schools remain strong, even older suburban neighborhoods will remain vibrant and healthy. Policies must support these objectives at all income levels. (The term “activities” refers to commercial land uses, and is not intended to discourage parks, trails and open space.)