Clayton County Board of Commissioners Regular Business Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners held its regular business meeting on February 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation, public comments, approval of the consent agenda, several board appointments, and multiple zoning decisions. Key actions included approving a mixed-use development with 345 apartment units, establishing a 180-day moratorium on gas stations and vape shops, and initiating a zoning text amendment for certain business uses. Several items were tabled to future meetings.

Presentations & Proclamations

• The Board proclaimed February 20, 2026 as Government Communicators Day, recognizing the Office of Communications and Print Services for their award-winning work.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Casey Lazaro (Executive Director, Arts Clayton Gallery) expressed gratitude for county support and highlighted student art displays and a photographer exhibition.
• Dr. Henry Anderson praised District 4 Commissioner DeMont Davis for his consistent monthly constituent meetings, transparency, and the production of a budget-to-actual report.
• Cornell Madison requested a forensic audit of the sheriff's office, alleging improper spending (e.g., $35,000 and $13,175 checks paid to a luxury dealership for an employee appreciation event).
• Sean Sutton (CEO, Helping Hands Now) asked the county to promote his organization's job placement events on its website, without requesting funding.
• Chastity Row (Gerald Matthews Community Garden) opposed the removal of the community garden, noting that 90% of members are seniors, many have crops in the ground, and they had invested $200–$400 per plot. She requested a delay until May/June or a replacement site. A youth speaker shared personal benefits of the garden.
• David Hamrick noted upcoming NASCAR events, traffic concerns, and provided an update on housing developments (564 units coming online).
• Tyna McLean criticized the county's community engagement, stating that meetings are held during work hours with no room for public input, and urged the board to hold roundtables instead of panels.
• Olga Rodriguez expressed disappointment with the District Attorney's communication with grieving families, calling for transparency and respect.
• Christopher Gallagher raised privacy concerns about license plate reader (Flock) cameras and urged safeguards if adopted.
• Judith Cotton questioned the placement of duplicate signs for Commissioner Davis's town hall meetings, suggesting misuse of taxpayer funds.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously. Items included: approval of February 3, 2026 meeting minutes; monthly purchasing report; contract for healthcare navigation services with Marsh McLennan Agency ($0 cost to county); ratification of emergency change order #4 for Lakeview Events Center Amphitheater ($54,841.32); contract amendment for overhead door repair; award for District 4 Pocket Park ($1,398,767.86); rescission and correction of copier lease contract; purchase of library shelving via state contract ($190,966.25); Georgia Power lighting service agreement ($1,938.30/month); purchase of mobile LED trailer ($165,144.00); two budget amendments ($5,000 for emergency food supplies and $350,000 for wellness funds); permit refund ($470); Lakefield Forest Street Light District modification; and multiple resolutions (MOA with Atlanta Fire Rescue Training Academy, gas service contract, library summer reading grant, accountability court grant, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition program, removal of Jayvon Kearney from Public Facilities Authority, sales tax election results, community garden grant, and election polling place resolution).

Discussion Items

• Budget Amendment 2-29 ($5,000 for emergency food supplies): Approved after discussion. Funded from insurance premium taxes; the county will increase the FY2027 budget for this purpose.
• Board Appointments:
  • Board of Appeals: Tabled to March 17.
  • Board of Health: Dr. Henry Anderson appointed (6-year term). Commissioner Reaves abstained due to family relation.
  • Behavioral Health Board: Tracy Burney reappointed (3-year term).
  • Behavioral Health Board (second seat): Tabled to March 17.
  • License Review Board: Tabled to March 17.
  • Public Facilities Authority (removal of Jayvon Kearney): Tabled to March 3.
  • Veterans Advisory Board: Herbert Ward reappointed.
• Item 31 (Dunn Road abandonment): Tabled to March 17.
• Resolution 2026-37 (NPHC 5K fee waiver): Denied. The county has a fee policy for facility use; the organization had initially agreed to pay. The Board voted to not waive the fees.
• Resolution 2026-44 (Zoning text amendment initiation): Approved. Will study whether coin-operated laundromats, CBD/vape shops, beverage stores, and personal services should require a conditional use permit rather than being permitted by right.
• Resolution 2026-48 (Moratorium on gas stations and vape shops): Approved. Establishes a 180-day pause on accepting applications for these uses while the county evaluates density and proliferation.
• Resolution 2026-50 (Support for technology fee for Superior Court Clerk): Approved as an emergency addition. The county will support state legislation on a technology fee.
• Zoning Item 35 (Rezone 5850 Riverdale Rd from GB to MX): Approved. The request by Battle Law, P.C. for a mixed-use development with 345 apartment units (reduced from 370) and retail. Conditions include minimum sidewalk widths, apartment size minimums, no salons/barbershops/vape shops, and compliance with submitted renderings. Commissioner Reaves voted no, citing parking minimums contributing to the housing crisis.
• Zoning Item 36 (Conditional Use Permit for 345 apartments at same location): Approved with same conditions, plus a condition requiring trash pickup at least twice a week.
• Zoning Item 37 (Cell tower conditional use permit at 586 Northbridge Rd): Tabled to March 17. Staff recommended denial due to four existing towers within 3 miles and failure to meet setback requirements. The applicant argued a coverage gap exists for T-Mobile and offered to allow county emergency equipment on the tower.
• Zoning Item 38 (Setback variance for same cell tower): Tabled to March 17. Same context.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Budget Amendment 2-29: Approved.
• Board Appointments: Henry Anderson (Board of Health) and Tracy Burney (Behavioral Health) and Herbert Ward (Veterans Advisory Board) appointed; others tabled.
• Fee Waiver: Denied for NPHC 5K; organization will pay fees.
• Zoning Text Amendment Initiation: Approved.
• Moratorium on Gas Stations and Vape Shops: Approved (180 days).
• Technology Fee Resolution: Approved.
• Rezoning and CUP at 5850 Riverdale Rd: Both approved with conditions. (Commissioner Reaves voted no on rezoning.)
• Cell Tower and Variance: Tabled to March 17, 2026.
• Executive Session Actions: Approved a $50,000 settlement payment to the county (auto accident) and approved double-filling an assistant position for up to 5 months at a cost of $30,852.
• Next Meeting: March 3, 2026 (for certain appointments) and March 17, 2026 (for tabled items).