News

News for the week of Jan. 30-Feb 5,

Panel frowns on 'McMansions' ban
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/02/06

A proposed temporary building ban on big houses in four desirable Atlanta neighborhoods got a "thumbs down" from an Atlanta City Council committee Wednesday, but it's still on track for a vote Feb. 6 by the full City Council.

The 120-day moratorium failed by a 3-4 vote, in part because it did not cover enough of the city.

(Click here for the full story)

$125 Million Trump Estate Tops List of Country's Most Expensive Homes for Sale

RISMEDIA, Jan. 31 — A Palm Beach, Florida home priced at $125 million and owned by Donald Trump tops the list of the 1,000 most expensive homes currently on the market in the U.S., according to the just-released Unique Homes magazine's special issue, Ultimate Homes, 2006. (Click Here)

Melba Franklin Named 2006 President of the Atlanta Board of REALTORS®

RISMEDIA, Jan. 31 — The Atlanta Board of REALTORS®, the largest real estate board in Georgia and one of the most successful and progressive REALTOR® boards in the country, has elected a new president for 2006.

(Click Here)

BB&T announces eminent domain policy (Click Here)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – BB&T Corporation today said it will not lend to commercial developers that plan to build condominiums, shopping malls and other private projects on land taken from private citizens by government entities using eminent domain.

Levitt plans third metro Atlanta development (Click Here)

Biz chronicle

Why We Need Suburbia, Planetizn.com

Suburban growth has kept our cities liveable while they expand, and attempts to limit suburban growth ignore important historical trends, writes Joel Kotkin. (Click Here)

www.smallbutsmart.org

An architectural design competition for the purpose of developing a catalogue of design templates for infill lots in the City of Los Angeles. (Click here)

-This is pretty interesting, I think this would be great for Atlanta.

Landmark Midtown office tower up for sale & Weekly RE Notes

Last Friday Biz Chronicle Print edition (Click Here)

Gwinnett County Postpones $25 million Shelter Project Vote

(Click Here) -Globe Street RE news

Think Nimby-ism is tough today? Just wait. Community leaders are getting smarter--and crustier--about unwanted development, say the authors of a recent study. Developers will have to take to the grassroots in response. (Click Here)
By John Salustri

Marietta OKs $80M Clay Homes Redevelopment
MARIETTA, GA-After months of deliberations, the city council votes 7 to 0 to sell a Downtown 11-acre parcel to Winter Properties for a mixed-use venture comprising 315 townhomes and condominiums, 46,000 sf of office and 31,600 sf of retail. The project will rise one block from the city’s historic Marietta Square. ...

(Click Here)

Development Groups Seek Head Start on Proposed Beltline Projects
By Alex Finkelstein
ATLANTA-While city officials are still studying a master plan for the entire 22-mile Beltline redevelopment project, two development teams submit early rezoning requests for their own projects. ... (Click Here)

Brokers Plan Multimillion-Dollar Urban Village
HAPEVILLE, GA-Main Street Investments principals Neal Golden and Robert Moot buy a 36-acre tract and anticipate breaking ground this year on the first phase of the development. The project will include 1,000 condos, townhomes, single-family residences and retail-restaurant space in this suburban Atlanta city. ...

(Click Here)

Existing-Home Sales Down in December, but 2005 Sets a Record

RISMEDIA, Jan. 27 — Existing-home sales declined in December but easily set an annual record, according to the National Association of Realtors®. (Click here) Jan. 27th

Land Development Forecast for 2006, LandDevelopmentToday.com

(Click Here) Great site...Great article!- Giles