Part 16, Chapter 18P — SPI-16 Midtown Special Public Interest District Regulations
Scope of provisions.
Sec. 16-18P.001. Scope of provisions.
*Editor’s note—Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), approved Oct. 2, 2017, amended ch. 16-18P in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former ch. 16-18P, §§ 16-18P.001— 16-18P.022, pertained to similar subject mater, and derived from Ord. No. 2001-84, § 1, 11-13-01; Ord. No. 2004-53, § 24A, 24B, 8-20-04; Ord. No. 2005-21, §§ 1, 2, 3-25-05; Ord. No. 2005-41(06-O-0381), § 37, 38, 7-12-05; Ord. No. 200862(06-O-0038), § 4M, 6O, 7-7-08; Ord. No. 2008-67(08-O0196), § 7, 8, 7-21-08; Ord. No. 2008-62(06-O-0038), § 5N, 7-7-08; Ord. No. 2009-24(08-O-1251), § 2S, 6-9-09; Ord. No. 2009-24(08-O-1251), § 2S(2), (3), 6-9-09; Ord. No. 2011-39(10O-1773), § 3X, 9-15-11; Ord. No. 2014-22(14-O-1092), § 2-CC, 6-11-14; Ord. No. 2014-53(14-O-1278), § 2(Attach. B), 12-1014. The SPI-16 Midtown Special Public Interest District Regulations set forth on the attached Exhibit "1" include the The regulations set forth in this chapter or set forth elsewhere in this part when referred to in this chapter, are the regulations for the SPI-16 Midtown Special Public Interest (SPI) District. These regulations shall supplant existing districts or portions of existing districts as shown on the attached map referenced in section 16-18P.003, except as provided herein.
All attachments referenced in these regulations are attached to the ordinance adopting these regulations. Said ordinance, including all exhibits and attachments, is a public record available for public inspection in the office of the Atlanta Municipal Clerk. The ordinance is also available for public inspection on "final action legislation" link on the city council's website.
All existing categories of historic protection designated pursuant to Chapter 20 of part 16 shall continue in full force and effect and said existing historic protection regulations shall be overlaid upon, and shall be imposed in addition to, the regulations set forth in this chapter. Whenever the following regulations are at variance with said existing historic protection regulations, the historic protection regulations shall apply. Whenever the following regulations conflict with provisions of part 16 other than historic protection regulations, the more stringent regulation shall apply. (Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), 10-217; Ord. No. 2024-22(23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Statement of intent.
Sec. 16-18P.002. Statement of intent.
The intent of the council in establishing and updating the SPI-16 Midtown Special Public Interest District is as follows:
following attachments: A: "SPI-1 6 Zoning Boundaries" B: "Conventional Streets and Pedestrian Ways"; C: "Street Typology"; and D: "Midtown Bonus Incentives". These attachments are incorporated herein by reference and are available for public inspection in city offices.
Boundaries of district established.
Sec. 16-18P.003. Boundaries of district established.
The boundaries of the SPI-16 Midtown Special Public Interest District are shown on Attachment A SPI-16 Boundaries Map which by this reference is incorporated into and made a part of this chapter. The Midtown Special Public Interest District is divided into three (3) subareas as shown on said Attachment A SPI-16 Boundaries Map. The subareas are described as follows:
Subarea 1: Midtown Mixed Use.
Subarea 2: Midtown Residential.
Subarea 3: Juniper East. (Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), 10-217; Ord. No. 2024-22 (23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Application procedures.
Sec. 16-18P.004. Application procedures.
Permitted principal uses and structures.
Sec. 16-18P.005. Permitted principal uses and structures.
Location Size requiring Special Use Permit (SUP)
East side of Peachtree 10,000 or more square St.
feet Both fronting along the west side of Juniper St. & south of 10th St.
5,000 or more square feet Location Both east of Juniper St. & north of 10th St. Both east of Juniper St. & south of 10th St.
Size requiring Special Use Permit (SUP)
5,000 or more square feet 2,000 or more square feet
| Use | Subarea 1: Midtown Commercial | Subarea 2: Midtown Residential | Subarea 3: Juniper East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banks/Financial Institutions | P | X | X |
| Barber Shops and Beauty Shops | P | P | P |
| Broadcast Telecommunication Towers | P | P | P |
| Business/Commercial Schools | P | X | P |
| Childcare Centers | P | P | P |
| Places of Worship | P | SUP | P |
| Clubs/Lodges — 5,000 s.f. or less | P | SUP | P |
| Clubs/Lodges — greater than 5,000 s.f. | P | X | P |
| Commercial Recreation | P | P | P |
| Data centers, except where any part of the property is within 2,640 feet of a high-capacity transit stop, as referenced in City Code Section 16-28.014(14). | P | X | X |
| Dormitories/Fraternities/Sororities | P | X | X |
| Eating and Drinking Establishments (per size limitations in Sec. 16-18P.005(3.a)) other than Nightclub or Lounge | P/SUP | P/SUP | P/SUP |
| Defined as a Nightclub or Lounge in Chapter 10 (Alcoholic Beverages) (6,000 s.f. limit) | SUP | SUP | SUP |
| Exterior drive-through and drive-in facilities | X | X | X |
| Farmers Markets | P | P | P |
| Fuel service stations (certain locations only) | P/X | X | X |
| Helicopter Landing Facilities | SUP | SUP | SUP |
| Hotels & Motels Lodging (*SA-3 less than 100 rooms) | P | X | P* |
| Institutions of Higher Learning | P | X | X |
| Laboratories and research facilities, including, but not limited to, wet labs and dry labs for scientific purposes, where the character of operations and emissions byproducts does not create adverse effects beyond the boundaries of the facility | P | SUP | SUP |
| Laundry/Dry Cleaning (*2,500 s.f. limit) | P* | P* | P* |
| Market Gardens | P | P | P |
| Museums/Galleries/Libraries | P | SUP | SUP |
| Nursing Homes/ Personal Care Homes / Assisted Living Facilities/ Rehabilitation Centers | SUP | SUP | SUP |
| Offices (other than Medical/Dental Office) | P | P | P |
| Medical/Dental Office | P | P | P |
| Outdoor amusement enterprises, entertainment, music venues, meetings, or sales areas — 90 days duration or less | SAP | SAP | SAP |
| Outdoor amusement enterprises, entertainment, music venues, meetings, or sales areas — 90 days duration or more | SUP | SUP | SUP |
| Park-for-hire surface parking lots | X | X | X |
| Park-for hire parking structures | SUP | SUP | SUP |
| Printing | P | P | P |
| Residential dwelling(s) | P | P | P |
| Retail Establishments | P | P | P |
| Professional/Personal Services | P | P | P |
| Public and Private Schools | P | X | P |
| Sales and Repair Establishments | P | P | P |
| Service Stations- including fuel (certain locations only) | P/X | X | P/X |
| Shelters | SUP | X | X |
| Structures/Uses for MARTA | P | P | P |
| Supportive Housing | P | P | P |
| Telecommunication Switchboards/Etc. Data centers are excluded from this use in this district. | P | X | X |
| Urban Gardens | P | P | P |
| Veterinary (per criteria in Sec. 16-18P.005(6.c)) | P | P | P |
Permitted accessory uses and structures.
Sec. 16-18P.006. Permitted accessory uses and structures.
Accessory uses and structures permitted within this district shall include those customarily accessory and clearly incidental to permitted principal uses and structures and specifically include clubhouses, pools (and other recreation amenities) pet amenities, bike parking and repair, auto parking to serve authorized uses, outdoor dining, exhibits and displays (without commercial sales transactions) and electric vehicle charging stations equipped with Level 1, Level 2, and/or DC Fast Charge EVSE. (Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), 10-217; Ord. No. 2024-22 (23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Subdivision including zero-lot-line development.
Sec. 16-18P.007. Subdivision including zero-lot-line development.
In addition to the requirements of section 16-28.007, zero-lot-line subdivision is permitted for residential uses provided a minimum of 1,000 square feet in lot area is provided. Other subdivisions shall be allowed but shall not modify the determination of the primary sidewalk-level building façade(s) in section 16-18P.014. (Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), 10-217; Ord. No. 2024-22 (23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Redevelopment requirements.
Sec. 16-18P.008. Redevelopment requirements.
Property shall be redeveloped in accordance with the requirements of this chapter when 60 percent or greater of the principal building on the property is removed or destroyed by any means. This shall be construed as follows:
Transitional height planes, yards, fences and walls.
Sec. 16-18P.009. Transitional height planes, yards, fences and walls.
Development controls.
Sec. 16-18P.010. Development controls.
Development shall comply with Table 2A entitled "SPI-16 Development Controls Table" and with subsections 1 through 7. Development shall be eligible for incentive(s) upon meeting the corresponding criteria set forth in Table 2B entitled "Bonus Incentives."
| Dimension | Midtown Mixed Use (SA 1) — FAR (by right) | Midtown Mixed Use (SA 1) — Max FAR Bonus(es) | Midtown Mixed Use (SA 1) — Max FAR with Bonus(es) | Midtown Residential (SA 2), Juniper St. Transition Area — FAR (by right) | Midtown Residential (SA 2), Juniper St. Transition Area — Max FAR (with Bonus) | Midtown Residential (SA 2), Non-Juniper St. Transition Area — FAR (by right) | Midtown Residential (SA 2), Non-Juniper St. Transition Area — Max FAR (with Bonus) | Juniper East (SA 3) — FAR (by right) | Juniper East (SA 3) — Max FAR Bonus | Juniper East (SA 3) — Max. FAR (with Bonus) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Residential FAR (times gross lot area) | 5.0 | 5.2 | 10.2 | On street level & street frontage | On street level & street frontage | On street level & street frontage 2,500 sf, max 5% residential floor area | On street level & street frontage 2,500 sf, max 5% residential floor area | 2.0 | 0 | 2.0 |
| Residential FAR (times gross lot area) | 3.2 | 7.0 | 10.2 | 6.4 | 9.4 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 7.0 |
| Max FAR | 8.2 | 10.2 | 6.4 | 9.4 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 5.2 | 7.0 | ||
| Minimum Façade Height | 24' | 24' | 24' | 24' | 24' | 24' | 24' | 24' | 24' | 24' |
| Maximum Height | None, except for transitional height plane² adjacent to R districts, PH-D or SPI 17-SA 4 | None, except for transitional height plane² adjacent to R districts, PH-D or SPI 17-SA 4 | None, except for transitional height plane² adjacent to R districts, PH-D or SPI 17-SA 4 | 400' | 400' | 250' | 250' | 100' (60' East of Piedmont Ave.) | 100' (60' East of Piedmont Ave.) | 100' (60' East of Piedmont Ave.) |
| Side Yard Setback (Alleys permitted to 10' wide) | None³, except min. 10' for on-site residential uses with windows facing the side yard. | None³, except min. 10' for on-site residential uses with windows facing the side yard. | None³, except min. 10' for on-site residential uses with windows facing the side yard. | 15' (of which 5' shall be landscaped) | 15' (of which 5' shall be landscaped) | 15' (of which 5' shall be landscaped) | 15' (of which 5' shall be landscaped) | None², except 20' with windows adj. to residential | None², except 20' with windows adj. to residential | None², except 20' with windows adj. to residential |
| Rear Yard Setback (Alleys permitted to 10' wide) | None³, except min. 10' for on-site residential uses with windows facing the rear yard | None³, except min. 10' for on-site residential uses with windows facing the rear yard | None³, except min. 10' for on-site residential uses with windows facing the rear yard | 15' | 15' | 15' | 15' | 20' | 20' | 20' |
1 The only exception to the Max FAR is via the provision of certain bonuses described below for either: 'Affordable Housing'; 'Buried Parking'; or 'Public Park'; or via a special use permit for the transfer of development rights per section 16-18P.005(3.b).
2 Transitional height plane begins 35' above the buildable area boundary and extends at a 45-degree angle away. See section 16-18P.009(1).
3 Subject to building code requirements.
Type Retail Affordable Housing Buried Parking Transit Station Area Public Parking Reduced Parking Green Building Table 2B: Bonus Incentives Bonus 2.0 FAR Residential: 3.0 FAR 3.0 FAR 3.2 FAR 2.0 FAR
Criteria -New street-fronting, sidewalk level retail or eating and drinking establishment(s) with a minimum cumulative 2000 sq. ft. fronting on a type A street for a min. of 50% length of said façade. See Sec. 16-18P.010(3.b) below. This is the only Bonus Incentive applicable in Subarea 2. - All on-site parking is located completely below sidewalk level(s) grade on all type A and B streets. - When located within a transit station area as identified on Attachment D Midtown Bonus Map, which by this reference is incorporated into and made a part of this chapter. -New parking structures with 400 or more spaces that are not used to satisfy the parking requirements for any on-site or off-site uses. -Limited to one (1) such location for each eligible area on Attachment D Midtown Bonus Map. -Meets the active use requirements of Section 16-18P.014(3). -Provides standard signage indicating public parking. -Shall be located a minimum distance of 1,000 feet from any other site utilizing this bonus. -On-site parking provided less than 50% of the maximum parking allowed. -May only be applied to parking spaces provided for on-site uses and may not be allowed to be applied to park-for-hire parking spaces. -Professional documentation that all existing and new buildings in the project would achieve a minimum level of LEED Gold or equivalent. -Utilizes non-potable water sources for 100% of outdoor water use. -Demonstrates a 10% reduction of energy use in comparison to the City Energy Code requirements.
Type Connectivity Building Reuse Public Park Bonus Criteria
1 s.f. reused = 2 s.f. bonus; -Eligible for either City Landmark, Historic or National and Reused building does Register of Historic Places designation.
not count toward floor area 1 s.f. public park = 8 s.f. bonus to a maximum 2.0 FAR -Min. area of 20,000 square feet. -Limited to one (1) such location for each eligible area on Attachment D Midtown Bonus Map. -Meeting the design criteria in Sec. 16-18P.010(3.d). -Shall be located a minimum distance of 1,000 feet from any other site utilizing this bonus.
bonus set forth in Table 2B for its respective subarea, provided that either:
In addition to the above each of the following criteria shall be met, where applicable:
Open space requirements.
Sec. 16-18P.011. Open space requirements.
Table 3: SPI-16 Open Space Table Residential & Lodging Uses Non-Residential Uses (Commercial & Retail Uses) Non-Residential Uses (All Other Uses)
Subarea 1: Midtown Commercial 20% 15% Subarea 2: Midtown Residential 25% 20% Subarea 3: Juniper East 25% 20% 10% 15% 15%
Sidewalks.
Sec. 16-18P.012. Sidewalks.
Public sidewalks shall consist of two zones: a street furniture zone and a clear zone. Each zone shall be located along all public streets as set forth in Table 4: SPI-16 Sidewalk Table and is subject to the following:
Table 4: SPI-16 Sidewalk Table Min. Street Furniture Zone Width - Street Tree Planting Standards - Street Lighting Min. Clear Zone Width Min. Setback (from street curbing)
Min. Supplemental Zone width Max Street Facing Setback (from curb) - except for public parks and public art areas per Sec. 1618P.011(3).
Peachtree Street 5' 40' on-center 40' on-center 15' 50' north of 14th St. 25' south of 14th St. 30' north of 14th St./ 5' south of 14th St. 70' north of 14th St./ 50' south of 14th St.
Cypress Street, Peachtree Walk Varies (5'—20')
Varies Varies Varies (10'—15')
20' 5'/0' 1 40' All Other Streets in SA-1 & 3 5' 30' on-center 60' on-center 10' 15' All Other Streets in SA-2 5' 30' oncenter 60' oncenter 10' 15' 5'/0' 1 5' 30' 30' 1 5' min. supplemental zones for either 1) streets classified as an 'A' street in Attachment C Street Typology, which by this reference is incorporated into and made a part of this chapter; or having street fronting, sidewalk level residential units; otherwise no supplemental zone is required.
Supplemental zone.
Sec. 16-18P.013. Supplemental zone.
For purposes of these regulations, the area between a sidewalk and in line with any building façade, or parking lot when no intervening building exists, shall be defined as the supplemental zone. Supplemental zones shall meet the widths as specified in the Table 4: SPI-16 Sidewalk Table above and the following requirements:
Relationship of building to street.
Sec. 16-18P.014. Relationship of building to street.
Street Typology A1 Street A2 Street Table 5: SPI-16 Street Activation Table Location Permitted Active Uses (as further Min. Fenestration regulated in Table 1: SPI-16 Table (as % of street of Uses) level façade)
Peachtree St from 5th St to 15th St Places of worship, Eating & Drinking Establishments, Hotels & Motels1, Multi-family/ Duplexes/ Single-Family Dwellings1, Museums/Galleries/Libraries, Offices1, Medical/Dental Office1, Retail Establishments 75% for all uses North Ave, 5th St, 10th St, 12th St All uses allowed on type A1 from Williams St to Juniper St, Streets, Banks/Financial Institu-14th St from Williams St to tions, Barber Shops & Beauty Juniper St, 17th St, Spring St from Shops, Business/Commercial North Ave to 17th St, West Schools, Childcare Centers, Clubs/ Peachtree St from North Ave to Lodges, Commercial Recreation, 17th St, Crescent Ave, Peachtree St Institutions of Higher Learning, from North Avenue to 5th St, Laboratories and Research Facili-Peachtree St from 15th St to I-85 ties, Laundry/Dry Cleaning, Profes-sional/ Personal Services, Public & Private Schools, Sales & Repair Establishments, Veterinary 65% of all uses Street Typology B1 Street B2 Street C Street Permitted Active Uses (as further Min. Fenestration regulated in Table 1: SPI-16 Table (as % of street Location of Uses) level façade)
Juniper St from 13th St to 14th St and Juniper St from North Ave to 10th St All uses allowed on type A Streets, Dormitories/Fraternities/Sororities, Nightclub/Lounge, Fuel Service Stations, Mortuary/Funeral Homes, Nursing Homes/ Personal Care Homes/Assisted Living Facilities/ Rehabilitation Centers, Printing, Service Stations, Shelters, Sup-portive Housing 50% for nonresidential uses, 30% for residential uses Ponce De Leon Ave, 3rd St, Biltmore Pl, 6th St, 7th St, Peachtree Pl, 12th St from Juniper St to Piedmont Ave, 14th St from Juniper to Piedmont Ave, 15th St from Spring St to Peachtree Cir, Spring St from 17th to Peachtree St, West Peachtree St from 17th St to Peachtree St, Beverly Rd to Inwood Cir, Peachtree Walk from 10th St to 13th St, Cypress St from 3rd St to Peachtree Pl, Piedmont Ave from Ponce de Leon Ave to 3rd St Other existing streets not listed Active Uses not required 30% for all 1 Limited 40 feet of street frontage for each use, provided that the sum of all such uses shall not exceed 50 percent of the overall street fronting façade length along a type A1 street. (Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), 10-2-17; Ord. No. 2018-17(18-O-1070), § 5, 6-13-18; Ord. No. 2022-25(22-O-1496), § 2, 8-24-22; Ord. No. 2024-22 (23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Signage.
Sec. 16-18P.015. Signage.
Refer to section 16-28A: Sign Ordinance. (Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), 10-217; Ord. No. 2018-17(18-O-1070), § 5, 6-13-18; Ord. No. 2024-22 (23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Lighting and storefront illumination.
Sec. 16-18P.016. Lighting and storefront illumination.
Off-street loading requirements.
Sec. 16-18P.017. Off-street loading requirements.
The off-street loading requirements for this district are as shown in the table of loading requirements, section 16-28.015, off-street loading requirements. See section 16-18P.018 below for screening requirements. (Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), 10-217; Ord. No. 2019-09(18-O-1581), § 4.E, 1-31-19; Ord. No. 2024-22 (23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Dumpster and loading areas, loading dock entrances and building mechanical and accessory features.
Sec. 16-18P.018. Dumpster and loading areas, loading dock entrances and building mechanical and accessory features.
Curb cuts and parking structures.
Sec. 16-18P.019. Curb cuts and parking structures.
Vehicular off-street parking requirements.
Sec. 16-18P.020. Vehicular off-street parking requirements.
In addition to the provisions of section 16-28.008(7), sections 16-28.013 and 16-28.014), the vehicular parking requirements set forth in Table 7: SPI-16 Off Street Parking Requirements shall apply and are further subject to subsections 1 through 5 below:
Table 7: SPI-16 Vehicular Off-Street Parking Requirements Use Banks, business colleges, clubs & lodges, printing. Dorms, fraternities, sororities Eating & Drinking Establishments -Indoor and Outdoor (east of Juniper) Hotels & Motel Lodging Medical Office Nursing homes, convalescent homes, and similar care facilities Office Minimum Spaces None None 1 / 300 s.f.
None None None None Maximum Spaces 6.5 / 1,000 s.f.
1.0 per each 2 bedrooms 8.0 / 1,000 s.f.
1.0 per lodging unit 3.5 / 1,000 s.f.
1.0 per each 4 bedrooms 2.0 / 1,000 s.f. (may be shared with other uses)
Use Residential Retail (east of Juniper) Shelter Other non-residential uses except as specified in part 4 below. All non-residential greater than 25,000 sf Minimum Spaces None 1 / 300 s.f. 1 per each on-duty staff member, plus 1.0 / 2,000 s.f.
None Maximum Spaces 1.1 per 1 bedroom and 2.1 per 2+ bedrooms 6.5 / 1,000 s.f. 1 each for first 2 bedrooms, plus 0.5 for each of 3 or more bedrooms plus 1/3 for each dwelling unit 3.5 / 1,000 s.f.
Must provide a transportation management plan (TMP) including commitment of TMA support.
Note: All car share or carpool/vanpool (or similar) spaces shall not count toward the above parking criteria.
*Unbundling: Parking for all residential dwelling units may be leased or sold separately from the rental or purchase price for the life of the unit such that the renter or purchaser has an option to have the unit priced lower than if the price of the unit and parking space were combined.
18; Ord. No. 2020-33(20-O-1381), § 31, 6-23-20; Ord. No. 2022-44(22-O-1535), § 3, 12-14-22; Ord. No. 2024-22 (23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Minimum bike parking.
Sec. 16-18P.021. Minimum bike parking.
See section 16-28.014(6), Bicycle parking requirements. (Ord. No. 2017-56(17-O-1401), § 1(Exh. 1), 10-217; Ord. No. 2018-17(18-O-1070), § 10, 6-13-18; Ord. No. 2019-09(18-O-1581), § 12, 1-31-19; Ord. No. 2024-22 (23-O-1709), § 1, 6-26-24)
Office uses additional requirements.
Sec. 16-18P.022. Office uses additional requirements.
CHAPTER 16-18Q. SPI-17 PIEDMONT AVENUE SPECIAL PUBLIC INTEREST DISTRICT REGULATIONS*