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1 minute read
Tiny Steps
City zoning change is crucial step in tiny house movement
By Jemille Williams
Proponents of the tiny house movement are celebrating a vote by the Atlanta City Council they say is a crucial step in allowing smaller living spaces in the city.
On May 1, an amendment to city zoning laws sponsored by District 2 Councilmember Kwanza Hall restored the legality of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on properties already zoned R-5, where duplexes are permitted.
This is welcome news to area architects, real estate agents and most of all to founder and CEO of Tiny House Atlanta, Will Johnston. “This is an encouraging start towards recognizing other solutions in innovative housing and micro-living,” said Johnston.
Real estate agent Lynn Lamousin with Red Robin Realtors said, “With Atlanta’s film and television industry growing each year, short-term rentals, especially with Airbnb, are getting really big. When production companies put up crew for the duration of the project, hotels are expensive, and not very homey, so it’s nice to have a fully furnished place with a kitchen. Stand-alone cottages command the highest rates.”
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Kronberg Wall Architects, who have won awards for affordable housing, are in the process of forming a spinoff design/build joint venture called Atlanta ADU Co. that will initially offer one- and two-bedroom prototypes. “We’re offering the simplicity of paying one company which handles everything from concept through permitting to final delivery of the product,” partner Adam Wall said.
Having a carriage house with living quarters was extremely common back in the day in neighborhoods like Candler Park, Grant Park and Inman Parks. Many of those structures still remain and are ripe for being transformed into small dwellings.
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