DLBP - London and Atlanta

DLBP’s Senior Planner, Devynn Glanz, attended an in-person the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners public hearing in observation for potential projects in Gwinnett County.  Attending the meeting was very informative in learning what applications the Commissioners will support and which their values align.  This is just a portion of the extensive due diligence DLBP Atlanta conducts to ensure a thorough and detailed rezoning application for our clients.  If this is of interest to you, please reach out to our Senior Planner, Devynn Glanz, at devynnglanz@dlbp.us, for any zoning, permitting, and site entitlement needs.  

On behalf of our client Grace of Georgia Developments LLC, DLBP is delighted to share that Devynn Glanz and Carter Jackson, MBA, attended the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues event with the White County Chamber of Commerce. The event had an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers, including, among many others, Governor Brian Kemp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Senator Sonya Halpern, and Attorney General Chris Carr. From economic development to workforce initiatives and tort reform, conversations highlighted the importance of collaboration in shaping Georgia’s future and ensuring Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business. Tort reform involves changes aimed at limiting plaintiffs' ability to sue for damages. Georgia has become a hotspot for injury attorneys capitalizing on accidents, driving commercial insurance costs significantly higher than those in neighboring states. DLBP and Grace of Georgia Developments would like to thank the White County and Georgia Chamber of Commerce for this opportunity, and we look forward to what the future holds for Georgia.

DLBP Atlanta is pleased to introduce an additional section of our website, 'Know How,' designed to provide valuable insights into the rezoning process across various jurisdictions. This resource aims to educate and guide stakeholders through the intricacies of rezoning. If you are interested in learning about the process for Gwinnett County, please visit the link below. We will continue to expand this resource with comprehensive guidelines for rezoning and annexation in additional Georgia jurisdictions. Other posts will cover topics such as the City of Cleveland's annexation and zoning process, as well as Hall County, Cobb County, and more. Please note that this document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legally binding agreement or guarantee. The advice and guidance provided herein are subject to change based on evolving circumstances, legal interpretations, or regulatory updates.

The Atlanta housing market has been one of the most dynamic in the U.S., fueled by rapid population growth, job opportunities, and the city's role as a major business hub in the Southeast. We have explored the influential factors that Atlanta has been facing, including notable fluctuations in home prices, inventory levels, and buyer demand, reflecting both local and national economic forces. While prices may stabilize or slow in growth as economic pressures mount, Atlanta’s status as a growing and vibrant metropolitan area ensures its housing market will remain a focal point of attention for investors, developers, and homebuyers in the years to come.

We at DLBP are delighted to share that DLBP Atlanta’s Senior Planner, Devynn Glanz, interviewed with the Cleveland, Georgia local radio station, WRWH, regarding the Atlanta office’s ongoing multiple-use planning project in Cleveland, Georgia. The interview discussed the background of the project and the positive impacts this proposal will have on the community – providing job opportunities, economic vitality, and needed medical, care, and hospitality services that address Cleveland’s growing population and growing eco- and agritourism. We at DLBP are very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to engage with the City of Cleveland and White County and the community.

Recently our Atlanta office’s Senior Planner, Devynn Glanz, had the wonderful opportunity to visit three Hamberley Care Homes that DLBP’s London office secured permissions for, which include: - Alston House Care Home – secured permissions in April 2022 and has been open since February 2023 - Templeton Place Care Home – secured permission in September 2020 and reached practical completion in September 2024; and  - Charrington Manor – secured permissions in February 2019 and has been open since June 2022. Visiting these senior living care homes has provided excellent and thought-provoking insight to understand more about how design can provide high-quality living environments both through comfortable accommodations for residents and high-quality buildings that staff find easy to use and manage.  In the UK, the term Care Home equates to Assisted Living and Memory Care in the US, and so all three of the homes provide very helpful precedent considerations for upcoming senior and assisted living projects within the Atlanta office and Atlanta Metropolitan Area.  DLBP thanks Hamberley for the opportunity to tour the senior living care homes and looks forward to future projects with them.  

Among the many interesting and helpful changes to the new Framework, some jump out as being immediately helpful for proposals for supporting new housing, particularly those in urban areas and on brownfield land.

DLBP secures planning permission for change of use to a restaurant DLBP is delighted to have attained planning permission on behalf of its client for the change of use of an existing building to a restaurant, with supporting extension and air conditioning equipment. Due to the site's location within a conservation area and proximity to residential premises, the scheme faced some local scrutiny which triggered the application to be assessed before Waltham Forest's Planning Committee. When given the opportunity to represent the application at Committee, DLBP were pleased to have been able to respond to all concerns raised by public representatives and explain to the councillors why the scheme was acceptable, such that the application was approved. DLBP are thrilled that this permission will support the effective function of its client’s new restaurant, and create a more welcoming and pleasant environment that will contribute to the viability and vitality of the local area.

The Government has laid secondary legislation creating a new temporary Permitted Development right allowing high street commercial premises to temporarily change use under 'Class DB’.  This right will allow Councils to auction off leases to vacant commercial premises which will help attract new tenants in high street properties and is due to come into effect on 2 December 2024.

The DLBP London team had a wonderful evening at last night’s LaingBuisson Awards 2024, where we were honoured to be a finalist for the Planning Consultant of the Year Award. As sponsors of the Property Developer of the Year category, we were thrilled to present this esteemed award to our long-standing client, Hamberley Development, celebrating their well-deserved recognition. Congratulations also to Belong Villages who it was lovely to be sat with at our table, and who won the Excellence in Retirement Housing award. All winners and nominees should be extremely proud of their exceptional contributions to the UK health and care sectors!