Neighbors,

Most of you are probably aware of the Toll Brothers 20-story apartment development project at 250 14th Street.  The building is planned to be 250 feet high and is 150 feet away from several Ansley Park homes’ back yards.  Subsequent to receiving permits to develop the initial project in 2019, the developer has decided to significantly expand the size and density of the building by increasing the number of units by 45%.   In order to achieve this, they are requesting a special use permit to transfer development rights purchased from the Atlanta Historical Society’s property at 979 Crescent Avenue and 990 Peachtree Street.

It’s important to note that the approved design had already exceeded customary density guidelines through an arrangement whereby the existing low-rise apartment buildings on the site immediately contiguous to the Ansley Park properties were placed into an agreement permitting Toll Brothers to retain land title and apply the excess allowable density of that parcel to the proposed tower.  

Additionally, they are requesting a variance to allow a 65’ parking garage façade adjacent to residentially zoned property; without the variance only a 35’ façade is allowed adjacent to residentially zoned property.  At this height, the garage will tower over the neighboring structures and will be an eyesore from several vantage points within Ansley.  

We are very concerned about the changes to the design from Toll Brothers.  They are manipulating the zoning laws to greatly exceed limitations that were put in place to ensure a graceful transition from Peachtree Street to Piedmont Park and to preserve the integrity of the Ansley neighborhood aesthetic that we all love. 

As a neighborhood, we are passionate about issues like historic designation and preserving the tree canopy. This is every bit the threat to our neighborhood’s character and could set a precedent for similar encroachments in the future. 

We have expressed our concerns to Toll Brothers and asked them to reconsider their applications; however, they were unwilling to do so. We are lucky to live in such a special place and to be a part of the amazing transformation that is taking place in Midtown.  We believe that the original permitted building design took care to honor the zoning laws, even if on the margin.  The changes they are requesting are excessive and should not be permitted. 

We would love to add your name to the list of neighbors who oppose the Toll Brothers applications.  Please sign this petition if you are willing and forward to anyone else who might be affected.  We will present this to the Atlanta City Council, Board of Zoning Adjustment and the Zoning Review Board.  It’s important that we build a coalition in advance of their meeting to review the applications on January 5th.

Feel free to reach out if you have anything to add or if we can provide any additional information.  

Thank you,

Michele and Jimmy Etheredge,

Laura and Scott Harrison