The Atlanta City Council recognized the importance of public participation when creating Atlanta BeltLine Inc. (ABI), the entity tasked with implementing the Atlanta BeltLine. The Council legislatively mandated a “Framework for Citizen Participation” (Ordinance 06-R-1576). Now called the Community Engagement Framework, it forms the foundation of all community interaction taking place to implement the project. This document includes the original framework and expanded outreach through the years.

In 2006, the Atlanta City Council adopted legislation approving the outline for the BeltLine Citizen Participation Framework (later renamed the Community Engagement Framework). The legislation establishes the five required components, to include: a Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee and Affordable Housing Advisory Board; a community representative on the ABI Board of Directors; a community engagement advocate on staff; formal community reporting; and the creation of a structure or framework in which to engage the community in the Atlanta BeltLine planning area.The legislation also provides more specific descriptions for each component.

Successfully creating a vibrant sense of place requires that the newly created environment positively benefits the people living there, including both existing and new residents. The BeltLine Equitable Development Plan seeks to ensure geographic balance through equitable investment in all communities along the corridor, preserve single family neighborhoods, as well as cultural and historic qualities, minimize involuntary economic displacement through tax policies and affordble housing initiatives, and create long-term employment and small business opportunities.

In 2007, the Atlanta BetLine Overlay District was created to establish a zoning district superimposed on the existing underlying zoning district, but having validity in governing the use of the property. The regulations establish a set of criteria relating to certain characteristics for development opportunities in the Atlanta Beltline planning area. The regulations address site limitations, streetscapes, relationship of building to street, loading areas, lighting, fencings, vehicular and bike parking, etc.

The Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) Guiding Principles are a broad set of rules developed to encourage, influence, and support the provision of community benefits. They were developed with input from the study group community and refined by a community-led working group, our TAD Advisory Committee, and a developer focus group. The CBA ensures that development on the Atlanta BeltLine is equitable and benefits all members of the community, contributes to a stronger local economy, and promotes increased public participation in the planning process. Adopted by ABI’s Board of Directors on September 8, 2010.

In 2015, ABI completed an Integrated Action Plan to determine how to best achieve the 2005 Redevelopment Plan’s ambitious economic development and housing goals. The approach of the IAP is practical and action-oriented. It concentrates on fiscal years 2016 to 2020 while establishing a longer-term general framework through 2030.

Adopted in 2005, the Atlanta BeltLine Redevelopment Plan and creation of the BeltLine Tax Allocation District (BeltLine TAD) was deemed necessary to “assure that the City of Atlanta maintains its historical position as the commercial center of the region and provides an alternative to the continued sprawling patterns of development in the region.” The BeltLine TAD will continue through 2030, and will help improve economic and social conditions in the Atlanta BeltLine corridor, benefit underutilized and economically and socially depressed urban areas, and promote development and transit opportunities in the corridor.

The Atlanta BeltLine is one of those rare projects that has the extraordinary potential to transform the City of Atlanta. By creating and enhancing greenspace, trails, transit, and new development along 22 miles of historic rail segments, this revived industrial landscape can become the solution to our scattered pattern of growth, and the framework for a truly sustainable Atlanta.

Similar to the 2005 Atlanta BeltLine Redevelopment Plan and the original Plan of Work for 2006-2010 Budget (Five Year Work Plan), the Atlanta BeltLine’s 2030 Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) presents a framework to complete the short- and long-term elements of the Atlanta BeltLine program. Adopted in 2013, this document lays out a flexible strategy that will continue to be updated over the life of the program, bringing the full Atlanta BeltLine vision to fruition.

The Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee (TADAC) was approved by the Atlanta City Council in 2004. A subsequent vote in 2006 established the framework for the TADAC, and in 2007, TADAC Bylaws were adopted to establish the structure, purpose, and requirements for the organization.

The Atlanta City Council voted in 2004 to create the Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District (TAD) to help fund the Atlanta BeltLine. The substitute legislation in 2006 outlines the requirements for TADAC membership and representation, and establishes the rules for structure, governance, reporting, and auditing.

Map outlining the Tax Allocation District.

TADAC Annual Report, year ending 2022.

TADAC Annual report, year ending 2020/2021.

TADAC Annual report, year ending 2019.

TADAC Annual report, year ending 2018 including Strategic Implementation Plan Period 1 Performance Report. Presented May 2, 2019.

TADAC annual report, year ending 2017. Presented April 17, 2018.

TADAC annual report, year ending 2016. Presented April 4, 2017.

TADAC annual report, year ending 2015. Presented March 22, 2016. Highlights include: TADAC performance dashboard, creation of a template to improve community outreach, updated numbers on economic development and affordable housing.

TADAC annual report, year ending 2014. Highlights include: TADAC Achievements, challenges, performance assessments.

2013 annual report, year ending 2013. Presented April 29, 2014 at the Villages at Carver Family YMCA. Highlights include: Training Task Force, TADAC in transition, Equitable Development Assessment.

2012 annual report, year ending 2012. Presented April 23, 2013 at the Georgia Hill Community Center. Highlights include: Equitable Development Plan, Independent review of the five-year plan, Art on the Atlanta BeltLine.