Introduction
The Panel conducts technical reviews relating to the City’s riparian buffers and determines whether to grant authorized encroachments into the riparian buffer in accordance with the Atlanta City Code, Chapter 74 Article VII.. The Technical Panel is appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management and the current Panel members are:

• Aaron Wright
• Anthony Distephano
• David Zaparanick
• Hunter Howell
• Joseph Rigdon
• John Ahern
• Rose Connolly
• Stephen Brooks
• Tshaka Warren

This Panel conducts technical reviews for encroachments into the City’s 75-foot buffer buffer (or 150-foot buffer, where applicable).
Action by this Panel does not relieve the applicant of also applying to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (“EPD”) for any proposed encroachment into the State’s 25-foot buffer. That process requires the City to send to the EPD a letter in accordance with Ga Comp. R. & Regs. 391-3-7-.05. Please click here for Georgia Environmental Protection Division contact information.

Obtaining an authorized encroachment is a pre-condition for obtaining a land disturbance permit or building permit for construction work within the riparian buffer.

Publications:

• Georgia Community Affairs – Water Resources Publications – Backyard Buffer Brochure
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division – Publications- Field Guide for Determining the Presence of State Waters that require a Buffer Brochure
• City of Atlanta Buffer Revegetation Guide for Mitigation
• DWM Stormwater Guidelines (this is included for general information only)
• Stream Crossing Handbook 2021.pdf
• Life at the Water’s Edge – A Guide to Stream Care in Georgia
• North Carolina Stream Determination Method
• Georgia EPA Minor Land-Disturbing Guidance revised 4-5-17

Forms

To lodge an application for an authorized encroachment, please click here.

Certification of Public Notice form, please click here.

Certification of Public Notice example, click here

Notice of Approval of Riparian Buffer Encroachment form, please click here.

Procedural rules
The Panel operates according to the Atlanta City Code and its adopted Procedural Rules. Please click here for a copy of the Rules.

Meeting schedule
Meeting Schedule

Agendas
Click here for hearing agendas

Meeting summaries
Click here for meeting summaries

Reports
Click here for meeting reports

Hearing minutes
Click here for meeting minutes

Public Notice File Review
Public Notice File Review Instructions

Meeting information
Meetings generally occur 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and are now being held in-house at:

City of Atlanta
55 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
2nd Floor, Committee Room 2

Appeals
Within 30 days of the date of issuance of a determination by the Panel, aggrieved or adversely affected parties may file an appeal with the Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management.

To lodge an appeal please click here.
Appeal applications must include a copy of the Panel’s determination and the Panel must also be notified of the appeal. The Panel’s determinations can be found above under “Reports.”

Consultation Meetings
For Stormwater Consultation meetings, call Site Development (404-330-6249) or email preside@atlantaga.gov to request a meeting with a reviewer.

Contact details
Department of Watershed Management, Office of Site Development
City of Atlanta
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 3400
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(404) 330-6249
TechnicalPanel@atlantaga.gov