Roswell residents could soon see a transformation of the Hill Street corridor into a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood after City Council approved the first reading of a new overlay district.
🏙️ Why It Matters: The Hill Street Overlay District would reshape a key area of Roswell by allowing more diverse housing options and pedestrian-friendly development, potentially addressing housing needs while changing the character of an established neighborhood.
🏗️ The Vision: The proposed amendment to Roswell’s Unified Development Code aims to create a vibrant corridor with:
• Mixed-use buildings combining residential and commercial spaces
• Townhomes and multi-family housing options
• New public infrastructure including trails and open spaces
🔍 Between the Lines: While Mayor Kurt Wilson called the overlay “a strategic step forward,” the plan represents a significant shift toward denser development in Roswell, aligning with the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan but potentially raising concerns about growth and traffic.
📅 What’s Next: The ordinance faces its final hurdle at the July 28 City Council meeting, where residents will have another opportunity to voice their opinions before a final vote.
🌆 The Big Picture: As metro Atlanta suburbs continue growing, many are reimagining traditional single-family neighborhoods into more urban-style districts that can accommodate diverse housing needs and create walkable communities—a trend that often sparks debate between development advocates and preservation-minded residents.
How to Read and Understand the News
Truth doesn’t bend because we dislike it.
Facts don’t vanish when they make us uncomfortable.
Events happen whether we accept them or not.
Good reporting challenges us. The press isn’t choosing sides — it’s relaying what official, verified sources say. Blaming reporters for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Americans have a history of misunderstanding simple things. In the 1980s, A&W rolled out a 1/3-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It failed because too many people thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If we can botch basic math, we can certainly misread the news.
Before dismissing a story, ask yourself:
- What evidence backs this?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I just shooting the messenger?
And one more: Am I assuming bias just because I don’t like the story?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not comfort.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
