JULY 7 - 20, 2017 • VOL. 11— NO. 14
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Sandy Springs Reporter
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SPECIAL SECTION | P12-21
Patriotic playtime
Experts: City’s affordable housing policy should cover lower incomes BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net
Ki’Anna Robinson, 10, gets a spin from grandfather Joey Messer at the city’s fifth annual Stars and Stripes fireworks celebration, held July 2 at the Concourse Center. The Sandy Springs residents were among hundreds who attended the Independence Day event, where entertainment included music by the band Shiloh.
DINING OUT Halal Guys gyros come to Buford Highway Page 4
My daughter breaks the mold. She cooks and cleans without being asked. Plus, she’s kind to animals and small children. But all this goodness comes at a price: She doesn’t like to shop.
See Robin’s Nest, Page 9
OUT & ABOUT Fido rules at Blue Heron’s ‘Doggie Daze’ Page 6
PHIL MOSIER
Sandy Springs may mandate affordable housing in large multifamily developments, a major policy change proposed in its latest draft zoning code. But two experts in housing policy say the proposed affordability categories must go lower to help the low-income residents who need it the most. It would be the city’s first-ever affordable housing mandate, and is under consideration as skyrocketing rents and house prices displace residents and price public safety workers out of the local housing market. The policy is what is widely called “inclusionary zoning,” though Lee Einsweiler, the consultant drafting the new zoning code, said the city does not want to use that term, instead preferring “mixed-income floor area.” See EXPERTS on page 10
Residents, developers debate draft zoning code BY JOHN RUCH johnruch@reporternewspapers.net
Major developers and local residents are debating ways the latest draft zoning code handles such issues as building height and density. Dozens of people showed up for a June 21 city Planning Commission meeting at City Hall to comment on the draft “Development Code.” City staff aim to have a final draft ready by July 10 and to put it before the City Council for adoption Aug. 1. In an age-old tension, most developers See RESIDENTS on page 11