Sandy Springs Residents Lose Battle in Building Height for Mega-Development

Residents of the Mount Vernon Plantation community urged City Council to stop a developer from increasing the height on the 18-story Northpark office building at 1150 Mount Vernon Highway, near Abernathy and Ga. 400. On sunny afternoons, the taller building would create a shadow over their community, they said.

Mayor Eva Galambos cast the deciding vote to approve a use permit for developer Hines, saying neighbors will be better off.

Hines plans to increase the height of the building to 26 stories. Nearly 485,000 square feet of the 625,000 square foot building will be utilized, with a parking deck beneath the building. Retail stores and restaurants are also planned. The site area is less than four acres. [A previous version of this story said the site area was 14 acres.]

Neighbors said they moved into their homes understanding the effects of living beside an 18-story office building but a 26 –story building is a different matter.

“The building will be looming over our property,” said Carolyn Nichols, who moved in 11 years ago.

Chris Dutoit said the city could be opening the door for increased height over and over again. “Where do you draw the line,” he asked Council members before the vote. “Sandy Springs should be known for the zoning ordinances that are in place; that these zoning regulations are not merely suggestive; that they do actually mean something. And that they do protect those who have chosen to make Sandy Springs their home.”

The mixed-use development was recommended by the Planning Commission, but residents and Council members were concerned that the Commission was given mixed information.

“At the Planning Commission this was presented originally as live, work, regional; and later as high office density,” said Councilman Gabriel Sterling. “Zoning is in place for 18 stories. I think 26 stories is far and away out of what the intent of this was.”

John Heagy, of Hines, told City Council that the properties firm is responding to the needs of the corporate marketplace expressed by employers considering the Perimeter area. “The fact that this new building is located approximate to the Sandy Springs MARTA station is extremely important to modern employers,” he said.

He added, “The building will be the latest in construction technology. We are very proud of the design.”

Councilmembers Dianne Fries, John Paulson and Chip Collins approved the use permit to increase the height of the office building. Sterling, Tibby DeJulio and Karen Meinzen McEnerny voted against it.

Collins says the sleek building planned is better than the current 1980s-style structure there now. “I’m sympathetic to your plight,” he told residents. “If I were you, I’d rather look at a blue sky than a building. But you’re going to get a building one way or another there. So to me it comes down to what’s better for the city.”