COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County Commissioners presented revisions to a parking ordinance that affects the area around of some of the county’s largest venues.
The revisions and their eventual adoption could open up more areas to park around big attractions, like KSU stadium and the new SunTrust Park.
While adequate parking is the responsibility of the Atlanta Braves organization, the county’s parking ordinance, passed in February, caused an outcry by some citizens who were hoping to take advantage of the economic opportunity of selling parking space on their land. However, the language did not seem to meet the county’s intent, and citizens picked up on it.
”We agreed. If they were reading it one way and that wasn't our intent, we needed to make sure it was right,” said Commission Chairman Tim Lee.
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He added that he is hopeful the revisions made this time around will reflect the county’s intent of allowing private property owners a chance to properly profit on their land.
“If they intend to sell that for parking, we're all for it and we support it," he said.
In a brief Tuesday afternoon work session, commissioners heard how other local municipality ordinances were analyzed and how its first version was simplified. %
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There’s an application process, requests are granted or denied within 15 days and now, there is no distance restriction from the venue. For local businesses, this adds another avenue of economic opportunity.
“We want to make sure we're with private business to make sure they can take full advantage of the property they own,” Lee said.
An opportunity for public to comment is Tuesday at 7 p.m., and again on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., with approval of the amendment coming up to 45 days later.
Lee said it’s more about helping people get approval than road-blocking people’s operations.