November 2026 DRC Recap: OAC Updates Pitch for New Driveway and Private Outdoor Courtyard
11/11/2026
The Midtown Development Review Committee (DRC) took a second look at One Atlantic Center’s (OAC) proposal. The plan includes a new driveway accessible from West Peachtree Street that leads to an auto court with a porte-cochère and outdoor amenity patio. The work would replace nearly one-third of the existing 1.3-acre green space, which has been in place since the late 1980s.
The DRC understood the functional benefits of the proposed motor vehicle facilities and appreciated the overall design, including how it addressed previous DRC requests to coordinate vehicle access with the West Peachtree Street protected bike lane, improve pedestrian connectivity, and increase bike parking. Concerns expressed by the DRC remain about safety, including wall heights of the outdoor amenity area, and coordination with MARTA.
1201 West Peachtree Street NE (One Atlantic Center)
OAC proposes a new curb cut and driveway on West Peachtree Street to provide access to an auto court with a porte-cochère north of the existing building. East of the auto court, the proposal includes an outdoor amenity patio for tenant use, enclosed by a combination of walls and landscaping. No changes are proposed for the building’s other three sides. The DRC offered the following comments:
- Improve safety in the outdoor area. The DRC does not support a variation to allow walls greater than 6’ feet in height per City code because it would set an undesirable precedent in Midtown. Instead, modify the design whereas the exterior face of any wall is no greater than 6’ feet. This height adequately allows for privacy by blocking direct sightlines, requires less reinforcements and footings, allows more light and air, and feels less imposing. Elsewhere on the site, limb up various trees to at least 8’ feet above grade to increase visibly and safety across the existing greenspace.
- Confirm MARTA approval and specifications. Verify that construction activities and completed improvements are acceptable to MARTA, the greenspace property owner. Within the approximate 80’ feet wide linear MARTA easement area (overlapping the outdoor amenity area) assure compliance with the 600-pound-per-square-foot (PSF) limit.
Next Steps
The committee expects careful review by city staff as part of the SAP review process.