Atlanta Progressive News

(APN) ATLANTA — Three candidates for Atlanta’s District 6 City Council seat–Bahareh Azizi, Steve Brodie, and Liz Coyle–have responded to a questionnaire from Atlanta Progressive News, addressing issues of concern to working families with a special focus on District 6. This District includes Midtown, Virginia Highlands, Morningside, Lenox Park, and Cheshire Bridge.

APN sent the questionnaire to all six candidates. Those candidates who did not respond include Tad Christian, Miguel Gallegos, and Alex Wan.

The District 6 seat is open because incumbent, Anne Fauver, is retiring.

Overall, political newcomer Bahareh Azizi offered the boldest progressive responses, in terms of Atlanta Progressive News’s editorial priorities. Brodie and Coyle’s responses, by contrast, were more politically moderate.

Below are excerpts from the responses of all three candidates, which will be presented by alphabetical order of the candidates’ last names, respective to each question.

What experience do you have in politics, community organizing, and/or progressive activism?

AZIZI: “My primary experience in politics was conceived and born in the University system. Nobel laureate Dr. Henry Kissinger once stated that academic politics are so vicious and cut throat precisely because the stakes are so low. In my experiences as an undergraduate and graduate student and later as a faculty member involved in decision making, I experienced the reality of low budgets, high demands, and petty bickering. This problem, these issues, is exactly what we face in the 6th District. We may not be determining foreign policy but we are making decisions that are very important to our constituents. We have a lot to do and not enough funds to do it.”

“In the Atlanta community, I have served as the Chairperson of a national community effort called Kids in the Kitchen, a program dedicated to fighting childhood obesity. To support this program, we have developed workshops at Metro Atlanta Area Boys and Girls Clubs, teaching kids and their parents about eating healthy and staying active.”

BRODIE: “My 2005 run for City Council clearly demonstrated strong public support for my qualifications and issues when I won 49.85% of the votes; 5 votes less than the incumbent.”

“My public service in Atlanta began with my election as Chair of the Atlanta Human Relations Commission, where I fought to uphold Atlanta’s equal benefits mandate. I was subsequently elected to neighborhood board positions and served on several committees including NPU-E, Midtown Neighbors Association, and Beltline Subarea 6 Steering Committee and public safety, historic preservation, sidewalks, traffic and transportation committees.”

COYLE: “I have been a grassroots neighborhood advocate in District 6 for more than 10 years, working to improve local public schools and address issues of concern to the community. In 2005, I helped organize neighborhood opposition to proposed high rise towers next to Piedmont Park, which threatened the character of the existing neighborhood. In 2009, I helped organize citywide support for upholding the BeltLine vision of a light rail, trail and park system when it was threatened by a heavy, high speed rail proposal from GDOT and AMTRAK.”

What would you do to increase affordable housing in Atlanta, particularly in District 6? What is your definition or concept of affordable housing?

AZIZI: (Inclusionary zoning.) “My definition of affordable housing… is that a household does not pay more than 30% of its annual income for housing. Today many households are burdened with paying around 50% or more of their incomes for their homes.”

“The development of an inclusionary zoning law is one possible solution to increasing affordable housing in Atlanta. This is a concept that has been implemented in several cities in the United States. The ordinance of inclusionary zoning varies between cities. For example, in Washington D.C., residential developments of 10 units or more set aside 8-10% of new housing affordable for middle to lower income family households. Inclusionary zoning would allow for constituents, such as police officers, fire fighters, teachers, and other moderate to lower income residents the ability to live within the various districts and the city of Atlanta.

“The formation of an inclusionary zoning housing regulation allows several advantages, such as reducing traffic congestion by decreasing the number of commuters, increasing the presence and benefits of safety officers by offering them housing incentives within the community, and ultimately, reducing the number of empty housing developments in the city of Atlanta. Once the economy recovers, inclusionary zoning will provide an invaluable tool for increasing the diversity within our districts and the city of Atlanta as a whole.

BRODIE: (Police officer set-asides.) “The majority of new construction in the district 6 area is condominiums. Even if affordable units are available, the association fees would prohibitive. As chair of the Midtown Land Use committee I did consider (and accept) agreements to exchange variances for affordable units to be given to the police and fire unions for their members.”

COYLE: (Inclusionary zoning.) “I support mandatory inclusionary zoning and as City Councilperson, would work with the Administration to get this legislation passed, including working with the state legislature to remove any constitutional barriers. In the interim, I would make voluntary inclusionary zoning a priority for all new multi-family development in the City, including in District 6. Defining affordable housing based on Area Median Income (whether it is at 30% AMI, 80% AMI or somewhere in between) leaves out too many at the lowest income levels who truly need housing assistance. Sustainable communities provide mixed-income housing for all people, including the working poor.”

What is your position on the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless? Would you support restoring City funding (which Franklin cut) or recommending federal funding (which Franklin stood in the way of) for the shelter?

(NOTE: CORRECTION — An earlier version of this article accidentally transposed Coyle’s answer with part of Brodie’s answer.)

AZIZI: (Yes.) “I absolutely support funding sources for the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the homeless. Homelessness in Atlanta is an issue that needs effective long-term solutions. The issue of homelessness needs to be addressed on two levels. The first is to increase funding for resources and tools in shelters and centers for the homeless community. These centers and shelters must be able to provide the basic necessities, as well as providing employment, educational and therapeutic resources to address the needs and concerns of the homeless community. By providing these resources and opportunities, we will be able to address the second level of concern, which is the retention rate. We must make sure that the shelters and centers are temporary housing, and not considered by the homeless community as a permanent form of housing. We must make sure that we provide resources to help people rebuild their lives and sustain financial independence and permanent employment. These efforts should be supported by the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, and through federal funding initiatives as well. On a local level, the support of the community for these shelters and community centers are essential to the success of ending homelessness in the City of Atlanta.”

BRODIE: (No.) “Homelessness is a pervasive and acute problem for the City. Money alone will not solve the issue. We as a City must take the necessary steps to reduce the homeless rate. In the meantime, facilities such as the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless shelter at Peachtree/Pine streets only exacerbate the problem. Herding the homeless to one section of the city does not solve the problem.”

“The District 6 area has the largest proportion of institutional housing in the City. Large shelters create anger among their neighbors, who resent the perceived increased crime rate and negative impact on quality of life associated with large groups of homeless people. As a resident of Midtown, I hear this frustration on a daily basis.”

COYLE: (No.) “I support efforts of the Gateway Center to eliminate chronic homelessness in our community, including providing services to help homeless persons move out of dependency. I believe the Gateway Center better meets the needs of homeless individuals than the shelter at Peachtree and Pine operated by the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, and would not restore funding to it.”

What would you do, if anything, to prevent further gentrification in Midtown and to prevent working-class people from being priced out of Midtown due to the Beltline?

AZIZI: (Inclusionary zoning will mitigate gentrification.) “By implementing an inclusionary zoning that provides housing for moderate and lower income families, public transportation systems should also be affordable, efficient, and convenient, such that people use them. Keeping the costs of public transportation reasonable will allow residents of varying income levels the ability to live, work and play comfortably in city neighborhoods.”

BRODIE: (Oppose rezoning Midtown from single family homes to mixed use.) “I am the only District 6 candidate who has worked with the small business owners in the Piedmont/10th St. area. I am committed to Midtown retaining its current character and diversity.”

“As a member of the Subarea 6 Planning Committee, I have been an outspoken critic of changing the planning from single-family homes to mixed use. The existing single-family homes in the areas that are proposed for future rezoning are modest in comparison to the average home price in Virginia Highland. The proposal from Atlanta Beltline Inc incorporates luxury condominiums. Indeed, developers can include some units at “affordable” prices, but the issue becomes can a unit buyer afford the condo fees and taxes? Affordable housing needs to equally balance between purchase and rental.”

“As Chair of the Land Use Committee for Midtown, I have personally negotiated with developers the benefit of incorporating affordable housing for public safety personnel, teachers, and employees of non-profits located in the neighborhood. My efforts, which were supported by the MNA Board and the BZA, were successful in requiring 45 units in one approved development. In another instance, 13 units with fixed rents (not condos) were approved by the MNA, rejected by NPU-E, supported by the BZA and then tabled by Zoning Committee of City Council at the direct request of the City Council Representative for District 6. This filing of the request was taken on the same day the Committee accepted a duplicate rezoning within the same SPI zoning area. It is obvious that affordable housing is based on political influence and not necessarily the desires of the community.”

COYLE: (Beltline already includes affordable housing trust fund; also supports community land trusts.) “I support the vision of the BeltLine to connect Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods; revitalize communities; promote healthy growth and incentivize affordable housing as part of complete, mixed-income, mixed-use compact developments around the 22-mile light rail transit system. Through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the BeltLine TAD provides the largest source of funding for affordable housing ever available in the City. Through innovative strategies, including Community Land Trusts being leveraged by the BeltLine Partnership, people of all income levels will benefit from this transformative project.”

Editorial note: APN reported a few weeks ago about how the recommendations of the Beltline Affordable Housing Advisory Board to target 10% of Beltline housing units to be for the least advantaged, were opposed by the Beltline and Atlanta Development Authority.

APN raised several concerns about the AHA demolition of public housing, including apparent fraudulent claims by AHA about the condition of some of the buildings; lack of consultation with residents, City Council and the public; and the lack of availability of voucher leasing opportunities for displaced residents. What is your opinion about the demolitions? Do you have concerns and what is your response to the concerns raised by APN?

AZIZI: (Critical of public housing demolitions.) “I do not support displacing residents or constituents based on their income level. I do not support displacing people’s homes without finding means of fixing building conditions, providing resources for sustaining the buildings, and finding funding initiatives for increasing repair and services to the communities. I believe that through adequate research and creative solutions, Atlanta can and should become a city where people of various incomes are neighbors, and that through city, state and federal support, we should have a city government that provides for all of its constituents.”

“One of my main concerns is that there is a lack of accountability and transparency in City Council and in the institutions that work closely with City Council and the Mayor of Atlanta. The fact that fraudulent documents were presented to HUD in regards to the demolition of public housing structures in Atlanta is a major concern. We must start making our city government credible and we should not make decisions without researching the facts and data.”

BRODIE: (Supportive of demolitions.) “See answer to #3.” Question #3 in the survey was about the Task Force for the Homeless. Brodie apparently lumps public housing communities and the homeless shelter in the same category, and is opposed to both.

COYLE: (Supportive of demolitions, but believe displaced residents should be given plenty of information.) “Generally, I support the Atlanta Housing Authority policy of replacing public housing projects that had become concentrations of poverty, crime and hopelessness with mixed-income communities. I believe it is more equitable and better for all when people of every income live, work and play in one complete community. All residents of Atlanta public housing facing demolition should be given vouchers to continue to meet their housing needs within the City. Also, it is important for residents to be given adequate information well in advance of demolition to make an informed housing choice.”

In 2008, Felicia Moore (District 9) sought to have City Council oversight of the AHA demolitions when APN revealed the Mayor was signing off on the demolition applications to HUD without Council input. The Mayor argued it was her legal purview and she didn’t need Council; an Emory law professor and some Council members argued it wasn’t. Would you have supported Moore’s proposed ordinance to require Council approval of AHA demolitions?

AZIZI: (Yes.) “Yes. There is a reason for having a City Council with members that represent the different districts in the City. The Council members represent the vision for the districts and Atlanta as a whole. Council members are the voice of the wants and needs of the residents in their districts and any major decisions directly or indirectly affecting their communities must be conveyed to them. In the same respect, since the divisions between the various districts are hardly noticeable, a change that occurs in one district will indirectly impact surrounding districts and the city of Atlanta as a whole. Thus, a question of demolition and changes in housing in any part of the City of Atlanta, must be discussed, investigated and approved by the City Council. Overall, the City Council and the Mayor must work TOGETHER towards reaching a vision for the City, by making unanimous changes for the betterment of Atlanta and reaching her true potential.”

BRODIE: (Supports more Council oversight in general.) “Atlanta has a strong mayor/weak council organization. Given that, the mayor’s powers are not unchecked. For 4 years, I have watched Council roll over and play dead. As the District 6 Councilman, I will forcefully object to any actions that I feel go beyond the mayor’s reach.”

COYLE: (Implied no.) “I support City Council and the Administration working together on matters of importance to the City and communities. A healthy working relationship between the two branches is not something that can always be legislated.”

AHA is likely to go after the Juniper and 10th senior high-rise for demolition, as developers are surely salivating over that spot. (Numerous senior high-rises also including one on Cheshire Bridge also face possible demolition.) If the senior residents there did not want to move would you support them?

AZIZI: (Yes.) “Yes I would. The diversity in our neighborhoods, district and city of Atlanta comes from the various types of people that live within our communities. Diversity stems not only from cultural and religious differences, but from the people of various races and sexual orientations. We must also realize that our diversity comes from people with different professional backgrounds and of all ages. The senior residents add to the character of our district and we must embrace our neighbors that need help, coming together as a community to support their presence and growth in Atlanta. I will make sure to protect their rights and their homes.”

BRODIE: (Is supportive of Juniper and 10th. Will negotiate compromise between all sides.) “When I ran for Council in 2005 and addressed the parking deck and in my work as a neighborhood representative, I have been able to successfully bring all parties to the table and to negotiate compromises that meet the needs of all parties. If this becomes an issue, I will attempt to do the same.”

“I have spent a significant amount of time at this location. I feel it is an excellent model of affordable public housing. It is well integrated into the community and considered an important element of the fabric of the neighborhood. If anything, this property should be used as a model to extend public housing for the elderly and disabled further into the neighborhoods throughout the City. The size and number of units seems to be a very effective balance. Any discussion of the sale or demolition of this property is inappropriate and not a benefit to the neighborhood. Rather than discussion of removal, the discussion should be how to replicate. This is one of the few excellent examples of successful affordable housing in Atlanta.”

COYLE: (Seniors should be able to make their case, and if displaced, should be given plenty of information.) “This is hypothetical and I would need more detailed information if AHA were to propose this. I know AHA has kept some senior housing and smaller housing projects (including one on Piedmont in Ansley) in place. In all cases, residents should be treated respectfully and should receive adequate information in a timely manner and should be given the opportunity for making the case if they want to stay in the existing building.”

Editorial note: It is true that several senior highrises were not included in the AHA’s recent two rounds of demolition applications to HUD under the so-called “Quality of Life Initiative.” However, in their 2008 Move to Work Annual Plan presentation, they stated all of their properties were being considered for future demolitions.

What is your solution to increase public transportation in Atlanta?

AZIZI: “There are several solutions towards increasing public transportation in Atlanta. First, we must ensure that MARTA is running as efficiently, reliably, and safely such that residents and commuters are able to use MARTA bus and rail to fit their transportation needs. Second, we must fix our sidewalks and increase our bike lanes across the city so that people feel comfortable riding their bikes to work or simply walking on clean, safe sidewalks. By providing these essentials for public transportation, we can encourage employers to give incentives to their employers for taking public transportation. With projects like the Beltline, additional options for public transportation will be provided. Again, on a much larger scale, we need to ensure that public transportation is supported by the State of Georgia, and one of the major goals of the new City Council and Mayor of Atlanta should be forming an open dialog with the State of Georgia about state support for fundamental issues in the City of Atlanta, like public transportation.”

BRODIE: “Unfortunately, City Council has no authority over transit… I have proposed another component to the BeltLine: Increasing mass transit on an expedited, cost effective schedule. Atlanta has laid out a long-term plan with the BeltLine and the discussions of the Streetcar. There is an alternate option to provide mass transit more quickly and at a lower cost than ‘traditional’ transit.”

“The basic framework for this model is a public-private partnership that would create multiple networks within the City for a protected territory for the system. The City can expedite a Request for Proposal for a public-private partnership to provide an alternative energy, wheeled streetcar system similar in design to the Georgia Tech system that connects the main campus with off-site facilities in Midtown.”

COYLE: “The City should continue to advance transportation projects identified in the Connect Atlanta Plan, working with MARTA, ARC, GRTA, private partners and other entities necessary for project implementation. Ultimately, we need state support for public transportation. MARTA is the only system in the country that does not receive any state funding. City leaders must continue to push for the State legislature to approve a regional transportation funding bill.”

Would you support extending bar and club hours past 2:30am last call?

AZIZI: (Yes.) “It is ludicrous, under Georgia law, that we allow other communities to have different hours so we lose our citizens spending their money in other jurisdictions. As long as the safety and zoning issues are addressed, I would support extended hours only if we ensure maximum and efficient safety units are in place, and that crime does not increase due to the extra hour that the bars will be open. If there is an increase in crime in that extra hour, as well as an increase in DUIs or increase in complaints, this issue should be readdressed.”

BRODIE: (Implied no, but would consider multiple entertainment districts.) “As a part of my proposal that the City Council form a new committee dedicated to economic growth and job creation, I will consider establishing ‘entertainment districts’ with longer club hours and a tax structure to support added security and special zoning ordinances. I envision ‘entertainment districts’ in close proximity to downtown and outside residential areas. There are properties sitting dormant as investments for future development that can be occupied for a number of years that currently generate little if any revenue, and with minimal investment be transformed into points of destination to encourage increased convention business and dramatically increase the tax revenue…”

“Key to the success of this concept is the inclusion of a mini-police precinct in the district, adequate patrolled parking, assignment of police officers and a specified number of security personnel for each establishment. A critical element is the installation and monitoring of security cameras at the mini-precinct with coordination of communication with APD and private security.”

“The costs for the District will be paid for by a ‘special district tax’ and/or increased liquor taxes within the District, and increased fees for licenses. New or existing establishments should not be affected by the increased costs. It is critical that a thorough cost analysis be conducted prior to introduction of any legislation and processes be legislated to audit and monitor costs to the City. The legislation needs to be worded to include increases on as needed basis to assure no additional costs are incurred by the City. This concept must be a revenue generator for the City, not a revenue loss.”

“Atlanta has learned from Buckhead and the recent struggle in Midtown for the zoning and license application of a large club. These lessons learned are valuable experiences to create legislation that will protect the citizens, while creating an opportunity to increase business; therefore tax revenue. Since Atlanta revenue structure is based primarily on sales tax and fee revenue, the City must take an active role in finding means to build upon its existing financial model. Considering this approach can help rebuild the appeal of Atlanta as a convention destination and revitalize underutilized, dormant blocks of the City.”

COYLE: (No, but would consider late night bar district.) “Generally, I support the 2:30am last call City ordinance. I would consider legislation to create a late night bar district if it could be managed from a public safety standpoint without negatively impacting the surrounding community.”

What is your opinion of the panhandling ordinance that was passed in 2005?

AZIZI: (Yes.) “I support it. However, I also support finding creative means to collect and raise funds for the shelters and centers supporting our homeless population, so that these centers and shelters are equipped with the essential resources.”

BRODIE: (Yes, wants extended to all City.) “The panhandling ordinance affects primarily Downtown. It has not been effective there. To the degree that it has had an impact, it has only moved the practice to Midtown and East Atlanta. As with homelessness, shifting the problem is not an effective solution. I do support the ordinance and propose that it be extended to the entire city with the caveat that the ordinance be evaluated as to its effectiveness and impact. Working with homeless advocates, impacted communities & businesses, along with APD, I feel a viable ordinance can be crafted to address the needs of those affected.”

COYLE: (Implied yes, with concerns about implementation.) “I believe it is not fairly applied or enforced.”

Editorial note: APN’s Board of Directors does not support the panhandling ordinance due to First Amendment constitutionality concerns.

CORRECTION: This article updated on the answer to the question regarding the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, where part of Brodie’s answer was transposed with Coyle’s answer. APN regrets the error.

About the author:

Matthew Cardinale is the News Editor for Atlanta Progressive News and is reachable at matthew@atlantaprogressivenews.com.

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