By Roger Bakeman
Just over two years ago, the Atlanta City Council adopted the Candler Park Master Plan. How, you may wonder, did the plan come about? Why do we even need one? And now, more than two years later, what has it gotten us?
The how is detailed on our web site (http://candlerpark.org/master-plan): In April 2013, CPNO engaged Market + Main, a professional Atlanta planning firm, to steer us through the process and prepare the formal plan. The process involved neighborhood-wide meetings, less formal “focus” sessions, input from dozens of individuals, and consultations with elected officials, representatives of various state and local agencies, and others.
After discussion at regular CPNO monthly meetings, a final round of edits, and an almost unanimous vote of approval, we had a plan we could submit to city council. To see the result—and get a sense of the time, effort, and careful thinking that went into the master plan—visit http://candlerpark.org/master-plan and download the 98-page PDF file. And for a detailed summary of accomplishments to date see the Master Plan Coordinating Committee Report in this issue.
Why have a master plan? Primarily a master plan gives a neighborhood credibility. Without one, we may miss out on opportunities for improvements. When the city has money to spend, it looks for projects that have been vetted, that have neighborhood support, which is what a master plan provides. In fact, a strong motivation for beginning the process was our realization that neighborhoods around us had master plans and we didn’t. A master plan gives us not just credibility, but voice.
But just as drawing plans for a house doesn’t get the house built, so drawing up a master plan doesn’t get the work done. Much of the ensuing work is political, not so much time-consuming—although it can be that—as simply slow. Some projects—e.g., changes to DeKalb Avenue and Moreland Avenue—are inherently complex and involve many players. Others, like a stop light replacing a traffic light at Oakdale and McLendon (Recommendation 4.6), were quickly accomplished and largely applauded.
Within the past year, the Candler Park Conservancy and the Candler Park–Lake Claire Patrol have been established. The conservancy was Recommendation 1 of the master plan and the patrol was Recommendation 9.6. Both exemplify how elements of the master plan can come to fruition when motivated neighbors decide to organize, own an issue and act.
One issue that has long been of concern to CPNO, and one that is addressed at length in the master plan, is zoning. As Seth Eisenberg, the CPNO Zoning Officer, pointed out recently in a lengthy Nexdoor.com thread, the city’s proposed rewrite of the zoning code provides an opportunity to see master plan recommendations implemented that protect our neighborhood’s unique character. This is not glamorous work; it requires being informed, attending not-always-exciting meetings, and exercising some political acumen and patience. Any volunteers?
Funding the master plan was the largest single expenditure CPNO ever made. Was it worth it? In my view, yes. We have the plans. Now we need the builders. If you want to get involved, contact Zaid Duwayri (president@candlerpark.org), Seth Esienberg (zoning@candlerpark.org), Randy Pimsler (masterplanchair@candlerpark.org), or come to the monthly CPNO meetings on the third Monday of every month.