Atlanta Puts a Moratorium on 'McMansions' in Historic Neighborhoods

To arrest the trend of historic tear-downs with incompatable 'mega-mansions' built in their place, the City of Atlanta has placed a temporary halt to the practice.

1 minute read

January 23, 2006, 10:00 AM PST

By David Gest

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has issued a "moratorium on the construction of new, massive homes on lots where older, smaller houses once stood...Franklin's moratorium halts construction permits for infill housing in five of the hottest real estate markets in the city...The moratorium will prevent real estate investors from tearing down older homes and building new, big ones while the City Council considers restricting the scale of houses in Atlanta's neighborhoods. The infill-teardown trend has blazed across Atlanta and close-in suburbs during the 'back to the city' craze of the past five years."

"Emotions ran high in Atlanta as news of the moratorium spread through e-mails among neighborhood protection groups and the residential construction industry."

Thanks to Alex Pearlstein

FULL STORY: Moratorium on McMansions

Friday, January 20, 2006 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Land Use Georgia

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.