Fresh Loaf

Think of the Urban Explorer’s Handbook as the ultimate guide for vacationing in your own city. Can’t afford the South of France? (Um, who can?) Bummed about missing out on skiing the Rockies, sunning in SoCal, vineyard-hopping in Napa? Screw it. You can spend a sunny afternoon in Decatur for a gazillionth of the cost! Venturing along Buford Highway is almost as good as traipsing through Vietnam (or Thailand or Peru or Mexico)! Cabbagetown is Atlanta’s own little slice of Bohemia!

Crack open this year’s issue to find six-hour itineraries for each of your favorite neighborhoods highlighting brand new hot spots, quirky, off-the-beaten-track treasures, and “Don’t Miss” destinations and events. Since there’s only so much we can squeeze into print, the Urban Explorer website features even more neighborhoods jam-packed with a plethora of listings to help you plan a mini vacation in your own back yard. The best restaurants? Check. Eclectic shopping destinations? You got it. Galleries to get your art fix? Of course!

Grab your travel buddy, fill your canteens and dust off that vintage Polaroid. It’s time to explore Atlanta.

Behold: The 2009 Urban Explorer’s Handbook

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After two hours of contention and confusion, Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit F voted last night to approve a rezoning designation that proponents say would preserve Virginia-Highland’s charm.

Scrunched in the jampacked meeting room of a psychiatric hospital off Monroe Drive, nearly 200 residents ultimately stamped the organization’s seal of approval on a  two-year effort meant to preserve the neighborhood before developers capitalize on its antiquated zoning codes.

(more…)

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As Virginia-Highland attracts more residents, barflies, and Sunday afternoon pedestrians, it’ll also — for better or worse — catch the eye of developers who want to capitalize on that appeal. And for residents and property owners who want a voice in how their bustling neighborhood evolves, tonight’s their chance.

Members of Neighborhood Planning Unit F, whose boundaries include Virginia-Highland will vote tonight whether its members want Virginia-Highland rezoned as “Neighborhood Commercial.” The designation focuses on three busy “nodes” along North Highland Avenue where it intersects Briarcliff Place, Virginia Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue. The designation could potentially affect The Mix at 841 (above right) — an ambitious mixed-use development proposed across the street from the long strip of bars that includes Blind Willie’s and Diesel — that’s irked some residents for its size and scope.

According to the Virginia-Highland Civic Association, current zoning allows commercial buildings as high as 11 stories in some areas. If ultimately approved by the Atlanta City Council, the rezoning would limit the height of buildings to three stories and encourage such smart-growth concepts as mixed-use design and shared parking. It would prohibit “suburban-style” buildings such as the CVS Pharmacy and encourage developers to take the neighborhood’s architecture into account.  (For the association’s documents related to the rezoning proposal, click here.)

The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. tonight at the Hillside facility between Courtenay Dr and Monroe Dr. According to the NPU-F website, “access is available from 1301 Monroe Dr., opposite the CSO facility on Monroe. Parking is available at the rear of the building off Monroe Drive.” The public is welcome, but keep in mind that you have to live or own commercial property in the district if you want to vote.

UPDATE: Christa at Pecanne Log is none-too-pleased with The Mix.

(Apologies for the screenshot. The Mix website appears to be incomplete.)

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Berkeley Park’s neighborhood slogan, “Putting the ‘Unity’ Back Into Community,” was proven true at yesterday’s first Chili Cook-Off. It was a pleasant afternoon in the northwest Atlanta neighborhood with a good-old Fourth-of-July feeling — hamburgers, hot dogs, children playing and lots of people enjoying each other’s company. Live music was provided by Drivin’ Possum, the Biggie Rats, and Kimberly Morgan and Brad Morgan of the Drive-By Truckers.

In addition, there was a raffle drawing with a great selection of door prizes including gift certificates to the new Six Feet Under on Northside Drive, Rising Roll Sandwich Company, Little Azio Pizza and Pasta and several other local businesses.

All proceeds of the Chili Cook-Off went to Berkeley Park’s park fund to build a neighborhood playground. The event helped raise about $1,600 for the playground fund. After attending such a successful event in my own neighborhood, I can definitely say I am proud to be a neighbor in the Berkeley Park community.

Photos by Tammy Vinson

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