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Councilperson Natayln Archibong Explains Beltline Vote
On November 7, 2005, I was one of 3 council members who voted against the creation of the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD). I reached my decision ONLY after careful consideration of relevant documents and reports. Itemized below is a summary of the major reasons for my vote. From: Natalyn Archibong <NArchibong@AtlantaGa.Gov>
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 2:40 PM
Subject: Archibong Explains Beltline Vote
On November 7, 2005, I was one of 3 council members who voted against the creation of the Beltline Tax Allocation District (TAD). I reached my decision ONLY after careful consideration of relevant documents and reports. Itemized below is a summary of the major reasons that I did not support the creation of the Beltline TAD in 2005. Please note that this vote reflects concerns and reservations about the TAD and NOT opposition to Atlanta's Beltline.
The City of Atlanta does not have a comprehensive traffic or transit plan. How do we know that this particular plan is the best way to capture our need to establish transportation oriented development? Will the proposed Beltline reduce congestion, improve air quality, or decrease the use of single occupancy vehicles? Is the beltline the only alternative? Note that the likelihood of receiving federal funding is traditionally tied to being able to resolve these types of issues.
MARTA has not reached a decision regarding its Inner Core Transit Feasibility Study, of which the Beltline Concept is only one possible option. If MARTA does not select the Beltline Concept as its locally preferred alternative federal funds will be unlikely for the Beltline. MARTA anticipates reaching its decision on the locally preferred alternative in June of 2006.
Federal Funding for this project, if granted, will require a 50% local match estimated to be $500 million to 605 million dollars. Will the TAD generate sufficient funds to meet Atlanta's local match requirement AND fund land acquisition AND pay for Beltline construction?
Funding for maintenance and operating costs have not been quantified nor have funding sources been identified.
The proposed transit component, excluding bike trails and walking paths, is not scheduled to occur for ten or more years. Why the rush to approve the TAD now?
State law authorizes the creation of a TAD to redevelop areas that “have not been subject to growth and development through private enterprise and would not reasonably be anticipated to be developed without the approval of the redevelopment plan.” Large segments of the proposed Beltline TAD do not fit this description. Many projects along the Beltline are already under development, have obtained preliminary sewer capacity reviews (a major step in the development process), or are already in the construction phase....without TAD financing.
The City of Atlanta will be required to provide full city services to residents of the Beltline TAD, but TAD residents will pay less than their share of the cost for providing these services. For example, none of the taxes paid by a resident in the TAD will go into the City’s general fund. However, these residents have every right to expect that City services will be delivered to them. By contrast the Atlanta Board of Education grants their support for TAD's only after it is assured a share of the TAD proceeds to offset the expenses of delivery of school services within the TAD. Why doesn’t the City of Atlanta reserve a percentage of TAD proceeds for this same purpose?
Research conducted by Georgia State University projected that there will be a tax shortfall of $267 million dollars as the result of the Beltline TAD. If this prediction is correct, taxpayers living outside of the TAD, including District 5 and Kirkwood, will face certain tax increases.
The Atlanta Development Authority and the Friends of the Beltline engaged in a well executed marketing campaign emphasizing greenspace and bike and walking paths while paying substantially less attention to details such as the feasibility and appropriateness of the proposed Beltline transit system, the impact of the TAD on the City’s general fund, and whether there will be Federal funds to support the transit component of the Beltline. In addition, they did not articulate a clear and convincing rationale for hasty creation of the TAD in 2005.
I have spent many hours conducting research regarding the myriad issues related to the creation of this TAD.
I attended most of the Council work sessions and I had several meetings with Ryan Gravel. I am generally in support of Ryan’s vision. As a city we must embrace transportation oriented development. I support efforts which encourage smart growth and which encourage the utilization of public transportation. I support the creation of an “emerald necklace” surrounding the inner core of the City of Atlanta.
However, in light of the concerns articulated above, I could not support the re-direction of approximately $547 million dollars in City taxes based largely upon the unsubstantiated fear that if we don’t do it now, we never will. If this vision is worth supporting, it should be worth supporting in 2006 after thorough deliberation rather than with haste in 2005.
In fact, the Trust for Public Land, in advance of the creation of the TAD, expressed its commitment to provide $300 million dollars for greenspace acquisition along the Beltline. In addition, the city council overwhelmingly voted to support the establishment of the Parks Opportunity Bond program at the November 7, 2005 meeting. This bond project will provide $105 million dollars for parks capital improvements and Beltline related land acquisition. In other words, well over $325 million dollars in funds would be immediately available, without creating a TAD, to acquire Beltline related greenspace.
In 2006, we would have the benefit of knowing which option Marta selected for its locally preferred alternative, we would have a better understanding of the ramifications of the widespread assessment errors discovered during a recent audit of the Fulton County Tax Assessor’s Office, and we could complete a comprehensive transportation plan for the City.
Now that the Beltline TAD has been approved I will do everything within my power to make this TAD and especially the Beltline a success. My vote reflected my reservations about the TAD, and NOT a rejection of the Beltline concept.
Please share with your e-mail groups and constituents. Thanks.
Natalyn Mosby Archibong
Written By: hostDate Posted: 11/23/2005Number of Views: 1124
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