In my last article, I introduced the idea of “gentle zoning”, especially when surrounded by single-family homes. This is a more thoughtful, incremental approach to development that allows our communities to evolve without being disrupted.
But here in Atlanta, we have something unique that makes this conversation even more important:
The Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) system.
This body can be a good voice of input in our city’s “group project,” the NPU system was designed to ensure that growth doesn’t happen to communities, but with them.
And that principle matters now more than ever.
What Makes Atlanta Different
Atlanta is one of the few cities in the country with a formal structure that gives residents a consistent voice in planning and zoning decisions. Founded in 1974 by Mayor Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) system was created to give residents a direct voice in shaping the city’s growth. Today, the 25 NPUs serve as citizen advisory councils that provide input on zoning, land use, and development while keeping communities informed and engaged in local decision-making.
At its best, the NPU system:
- Creates a space for community input
- Encourages transparency
- Builds accountability between developers, residents, and city leadership
It reflects something deeply cultural about Atlanta:
We believe community voices should shape community outcomes.
That’s a strength worth protecting.
Where Tension Is Showing Up
At the same time, Atlanta is growing rapidly and the pressure to produce housing is real.
We are being called to deliver:
- Affordable housing
- Workforce housing
- Missing middle housing
And often, those developments require zoning changes.
This is where tension begins to surface:
- Communities may feel blindsided or unheard
- Developers may feel the process is unpredictable or difficult to navigate
- Advocates may feel urgency that doesn’t always align with the pace of community processes
And when those tensions collide, the NPU process can start to feel less like collaboration and more like conflict.
The Risk: Losing the Spirit of the Process
When any part of the process is bypassed, rushed, or minimized, we risk something bigger than a single project approval:
We risk losing the trust that the system was built to create.
If communities feel decisions are being made without them, the NPU system loses credibility.
If developers feel there is no clear or fair pathway, participation becomes transactional instead of collaborative.
Either way, the “group project” breaks down.
A Better Path Forward: Aligning Process with Purpose
The goal isn’t to choose between:
- Community input or housing production
We have to do both.
But doing both well requires intention and concessions from all stakeholders.
1. Engage Earlier and often, Not Later
Too often, communities are introduced to projects when they are already fully formed and large funding amounts have been invested.
What if we:
- Brought ideas to NPUs earlier in the process
- Invited feedback before plans are finalized
- Be open to adjustments to model changes
- Treated community insight as part of the design phase, not a hurdle to clear
Early engagement builds ownership, not opposition.
2. Design with Context in Mind
This is where “gentle zoning” becomes real.
Projects that are more likely to gain support:
- Respect existing scale and character
- Create transitions instead of contrasts
- Consider traffic, infrastructure, and lived experience. Not just for the existing community, but for the future residents as well.
Good design is relational.
3. Connect Projects to a Bigger Vision
One of the biggest challenges with perceived “spot zoning” is that it feels isolated.
But when communities can see:
- How a project fits into a broader plan
- How it contributes to housing goals
- How it aligns with long-term neighborhood vision
…it shifts the conversation from “Why here?” to “How does this fit?” and “What can fit?”.
4. Strengthen Trust Through Transparency
Clarity matters for everyone.
That means:
- Clear expectations for developers
- Clear communication with communities
- Consistency in how decisions are made
Trust is built when the process feels fair, even when outcomes aren’t unanimous.
Refreshing the Role of NPUs
NPUs were never meant to stop growth. They were designed to shape it.
And perhaps this is the moment to reaffirm that role, not weaken it.
Because in a time of rapid change, what Atlanta has is rare: A built-in structure for dialogue.
The question is not whether the NPU system is still relevant.
The question is:
How do we use it more effectively to meet the moment we’re in?
Protect the Process, Evolve the Approach
Atlanta doesn’t have to choose between:
- Preserving its neighborhoods
- And producing the housing its residents need
We can do both, if we are willing to:
- Collaborate earlier
- Design more thoughtfully
- And honor the spirit of the “group project”
Because when development is done right, it doesn’t divide communities. It strengthens them.
A Call to Lean In
This is an invitation for all of us.
For developers, it’s an opportunity to lead with listening and design with intention.
For community members, it’s a chance to engage early and help shape what growth looks like.
For advocates and policymakers, it’s a moment to bridge urgency with process.
Because the future of Atlanta won’t be determined by any one project.
It will be shaped by how willing we are to sit at the table together, ask better questions, and co-create solutions that reflect both need and neighborhood.
And if we do that well, Atlanta won’t just grow. It will grow together.