In Gwinnett County, Georgia (suburban Atlanta), a

In Gwinnett County, Georgia (suburban Atlanta), a new smart growth overlay ordinance targets a landscape of aging malls and big-box stores for redevelopment as mixed-use neighborhoods. Eligible developments—at least 10 acres and built on already-paved sites — will get a waiver on the current maximum density of 13 housing units per acre, to densities of up to 32 units per acre. In addition, they will be accorded fast-lane privileges in running the approval gauntlet. If the ordinance proves successful, it may eventually be extended to greenfield sites.