Tom Reed, Mayor, City of Chattahoochee Hills

Reflecting on the past year, what have been the most significant milestones or achievements for Chattahoochee Hills?

Much of our focus this year has been on completing long-term projects that strengthen the foundation of our city. One of the biggest milestones was the expansion of Campbellton Park, an 88-acre addition to what was originally an 18-acre park, made possible by the Trust for Public Land through a Georgia DNR grant. This brings the total parkland within Chattahoochee Hills to more than 1,250 acres. Soon, residents and visitors will be able to launch a canoe on one side of town and paddle down the Chattahoochee River to another park on the opposite side, a rare opportunity in Metro Atlanta.

Our efforts remain centered on balancing preservation and thoughtful development to create long-term quality of life. Chattahoochee Hills is still in the early stages of implementing our unique zoning model, which permanently preserves 70% of our 40,000 acres as open space while allowing compact, walkable mixed-use development on the remaining 30%. Serenbe, our first and most recognized example, demonstrates how that model works in practice, and several additional communities zoned under these same guidelines are preparing to begin construction.

At full buildout, we hope to have approximately 10,000 acres of buffered, walkable mixed-use neighborhoods, 10,000 acres of farmland, 10,000 acres of preserved forests and rural areas, and about 10,000 acres of public parks and open space. Together, these areas create a structure where conservation and community reinforce each other. Our goal is to have beautiful, complete neighborhoods with every modern amenity just minutes from unspoiled countryside and real country living, something most cities can’t hope for, but our zoning ensures.

What major shifts have you observed in the challenges and opportunities for the city in improving quality of life for residents as it relates to your zoning initiatives?

One of our greatest challenges remains financial sustainability. We’re a large city by land area but have a small tax base now, so maintaining roads and essential infrastructure requires creativity and discipline. The encouraging news is that our zoning has proven to be a value multiplier — developers understand that land here commands a premium because it offers something rare: lasting access to nature and community in the same place. As our neighborhoods build out, which has very positive fiscal implications for the city.

That said, it’s not always easy. Our zoning standards are more demanding than conventional suburban models, which makes financing development more complex. It takes partners who are patient and aligned with our long-term vision. Another ongoing challenge is keeping the community engaged with that 100-year vision. It’s natural for people to move here and want to “close the gate” behind them, but our purpose is to demonstrate that we can grow without losing what makes this place special. The task is to preserve our balance, growth that serves people and protects the land, generation after generation.

Can you share recent examples of successful partnerships or initiatives that have helped foster inclusivity and business growth in the region?

We’ve been fortunate to partner with organizations and landowners who share our long-term vision for conservation and community. One example is our collaboration with the Conservation Fund, which recently acquired about 450 acres of farmland in Chattahoochee Hills. They’re implementing an innovative program that helps young farmers build equity and ultimately own protected farmland, ensuring it remains agricultural land in perpetuity. That kind of partnership reflects our dual commitment — to protect the rural character of our city while keeping it economically viable for future generations.

We’re also seeing increased interest from developers who appreciate our approach to conservation-based zoning. A leading conservation-oriented development team that has built communities in the western U.S. is now pursuing its first East Coast project here in Chattahoochee Hills. They chose this city specifically because our zoning model makes land preservation a central part of the process. These partnerships reinforce our belief that development and preservation don’t have to be opposed — they can be designed to strengthen one another.

What progress has been made in fostering business growth in the area, and what barriers still exist?

Business growth follows people, and as our population grows, so does local demand. Serenbe, the first development growing under our zoning model, now has roughly 1,200 residents, and that density is beginning to support a vibrant local economy. In just the past year, we’ve seen new medical offices, dental practices, restaurants, and small local businesses open to meet residents’ needs. Today, I can walk from my home to the doctor, dentist, school, grocery store, or any of six different restaurants — all without getting in a car. And I have dozens of miles of nature trails at my doorstep. That’s exactly the kind of walkable, mixed-use environment people want to live in, and that our zoning was designed to create.

We have yet to attract a large corporate headquarters or major employer, but that will come as our communities continue to mature. Our focus isn’t on growth for its own sake, it’s about cultivating the right kind of growth that enhances quality of life and funds preservation. When people can live, work, shop, and engage with nature within a walkable area, it dramatically reduces traffic and environmental impact. That, in turn, makes our city a model for sustainable living in the Atlanta region.

Looking ahead, what are the top priorities for Chattahoochee Hills, and what is your near-term vision for the city?

Our top priority is to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with our growth while remaining true to our preservation goals. We’re actively working with Fulton County and regional partners to align transportation, water, and public services with where new communities will emerge. Within the next year, we expect key pieces of that infrastructure to be in place to support several new developments coming online.

Our zoning model is designed so that new communities help fund the preservation of open space — making the 70/30 system self-sustaining over time. As more development occurs under our model, each project contributes to protecting both internal and surrounding land, creating a cycle where conservation finances itself, and non-developing landowners can benefit financially via our Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) process. It’s a powerful example of how good planning can produce both economic and environmental benefits.

Regionally, we’re also challenging outdated assumptions about the south side of Atlanta. Historically, investment and high-value development have concentrated north of the city, while the south side has seen less opportunity and more industrial uses like landfills and warehouses. Chattahoochee Hills is proving that the south side can be a center for quality, high-value development rooted in preservation and design excellence. Our lot prices now rival, and often exceed, those in the northern suburbs because people recognize the value of the quality of life our zoning creates.

We’re demonstrating that growth and conservation aren’t always at odds; they can be mutually reinforcing. By holding the line on quality and staying true to our zoning vision, we’re building a community that will stand as a national model for how to grow beautifully, equitably, and sustainably.