We see it all the time on game day — an office building parking lot gets new life in the evening or on weekends, selling spots to fans. In Cobb County, it’s called accessory special event parking.
The county’s new ordinance governing the licensing process has raised some controversy and apparently confusion. The ordinance is clear on how businesses more than a half mile away from the Braves new SunTrust Park can apply for a permit. But some businesses closer to the stadium believe they are being shut out. Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee says absolutely not. He says the ordinance is being misinterpreted and that both the county and the Braves welcome these gypsy lots to help meet the parking needs.
So here’s the confusion: the ordinance defines the half mile around the stadium or special event as a limited access zone which “means the streets described in this division where accessory special event parking licenses shall not be issued.”
Later the ordinance seems to reinforce that idea by stating, “an accessory special event parking license will not be issued if primary access to the accessory special even parking area is from public right-of-way within the limited access zone.”
Attorney and property owner Fred Beloin says his building on Heritage Court sits off a public right-of-way and is within a half mile of the stadium. In fact, it’s right across the street from a parking lot for the stadium complex. He has considered renting some of his 102 parking spots on game days, but believes the ordinance as written excludes him from doing so.“It’s an outrage. I don’t think it was well considered. I don’t think it was fair. I don’t think it was smart.”
Chairman Tim Lee says property owners can let anyone park in their lot as long as they don’t charge a fee. If they do collect money, they need to get a permit. Lee says even businesses within a half mile radius will be able to get one.
“What we’re stating is if you live within a half mile radius we want to be sure to blend you into our parking and pedestrian plan and be sure to ensure public safety,” said Lee.
Lee says commissioners will clarify the ordinance if necessary, but he believes it already accurately expresses the county’s intent if read in context.
“Our goal here is simply to ensure our community they are safe and can have a safe environment to walk, drive and play in when they go to a special event,” said Lee.*
Cobb Code Ordinance Braves
Click HERE to view WXIA’s report on the parking permit battle. You can also click HERE to see WSB’s report.
This week, Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott issued a statement regarding the parking ordinance:
“I want to reiterate that the county needs to look at the Special Event Parking ordinance and the longer-term effects that it will have, as currently written, on private property owners in this “limited access zone.“ I do not believe that there needs to be a rush to make the corrections that are needed because people are not going to be parking until Opening Day 2017. This is not a political gain issue, this is an ordinance that I believe has serious unintended consequences and should be fully vetted by the county and those who will be impacted by it. An ordinance of this magnitude cannot be written within the next few weeks and presented to the BOC at the night meeting on July 26, 2016. I will strongly urge the Chairman to place a moratorium on the code or to rescind the code and start at the beginning posing the question “what was the code attempting to accomplish?” I also believe that it is essential to have knowledge of the Braves’ parking plan. Reviewing the parking plan will give the commissioners the opportunity to really address pedestrian and vehicular safety in and around the venue. The moratorium will also give me the opportunity to meet with more businesses in the area to obtain their input which I believe is crucial for me to move forward.”
*Portions of this post are reprinted from 11alive.com, June 30th report.
