Builder/renovator packet: useful information for builders and renovators

ARB Administrative procedures How does the ARB work?

General Provisions of Pine Lake Zoning Code (definitions, administration, permits, rules, etc)

Commercial (Uptown) code

Residential

Amendments to Residential passed in January 12 2009

     page 1, page 2, page 3

Market analysis  

Study of the market area for Pine Lake businesses, and the kinds of businesses which might have long-term success in this market.

How did we get this code?

By 2007, a number of people were unhappy about the type of construction allowed by our old codes.  The Mayor and Council formed an architectural review board to improve our existing code and ordinances, which had been developed piecemeal over the years.  The ARB got a grant from DeKalb County that allowed us to hire an experienced consultant, Alycen Whidden.  Alycen had worked with other cities who also wanted to make their codes more responsive to contemporary views and issues.

During 2007 and the spring and summer of 2008, the ARB and Ms. Whidden held numerous meetings in Pine Lake.  The ARB's Cutting the Edge series brought in speakers on subjects like smart growth, green building, visitable home standards, and storm water.  The code was discussed at a couple town hall meetings, and Ms. Whidden held two public participation meetings that included a visual preference survey which helped her understand the kind of look that people wanted in this community.  She also conducted a walking tour of Pine Lake to point out some features of original Pine Lake home construction and the how new meets old.

Pine Lake "Uptown District"