This Saturday at 10 a.m.

at the First African Baptist Church and Global Refuge on Memorial Drive and the New Life Church Center in South DeCab.

These donations will ensure that we reach areas that have the highest need based upon our demographics.

We're also exploring opportunities to support DeKay residents facing food insecurities by providing year-round access to nutritious food.

We want to be clear.

We understand for many individuals, food and security isn't a one-day event.

It is unfortunately a way of life.

So by supporting local food pantries alongside community organizations and leaders.

And we remain committed to supporting residents who are affected by federal shifts.

Before I close, I'd like to invite Alan Mitchell, our director of community development, to share an update on how we are tackling housing insecurity through home, ARP, which is our American Rescue Plan Program.

So Mr.

Mitchell, at this time.

Thank you, Madam CEO.

I'm glad to be here.

As the CEO mentioned, DeCamp County launched a $7.8 million home ARP program to address instabilities across the community.

This program is funded by HUD, our partner that provides a lot of funding to the county.

This initiative expands the access to safe, stable housing and supportive services to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk for homeless.

That's very important.

In addition, survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking human trafficking, and other vulnerable populations facing housing instability.

Through this program, eligible residents can receive tenant-based rental assistance.

To apply, I encourage individuals to recognize that they must live in the CAP County and complete a screening process by calling the CAB's coordinated entry hotline, which is 404-687-3500 between the hours of 9 and 5 o'clock.

We have roughly eight to 10 individuals ready to answer phones to engage with our population.

Together, we're building a stronger and more stable and more compassionate DeCAP County, where every resident has access to housing and the resources they need to thrive.

It was announced in December and through July, the county uh with through my department, community development, expended 13 million dollars using ICCI, which covered uh back rent, back utilities, homeless assistance, and helping with other instability issues with it.

We got the families of the 13 million, 10.2 million of that was appropriated to back rent and utilities.

So there are a number of programs that the county has in place.

We're very serious about ensuring our citizens are stable and we appropriate funds where need be to help them with their instabilities.

So with those comments, uh I thank you for allowing me to speak, and I'll turn it back over to Madam CEO.

And at this time, I will turn over uh the podium to our chief communications officer, Deana, uh, so that she can field all questions, and we'll be more than happy to answer them.

Thank you, madam CEO.

Thank you, Director Mitchell.

So at this time, we will open for questions.

Um, these questions specifically from the press.

I asked that before you ask your question if you can state your name and the outlet before again proceeding with your question.

Um also please keep all questions limited to the topics we discussed today.

Um, as we mentioned, we do have some of our partners here with us.

So if you have specific questions about housing or about how we are partnering with the schools, et cetera, uh, feel free to ask those questions as well.

So I'll pause now to see if we have any questions from the press.

Yes, Zoe.

Hi, sir.

I have a couple questions.

Uh, one for the county and then one for the schools.

Um the first one I don't know if it's for CEO and maybe Treasurer Jerry.

Um, can you guys expand a little bit more on the farm fresh program and just kind of like or the market and like what that is?

Yeah.

We will take this jointly, Zoe.

Uh, back in 2019, uh, when we began to really hone in on food deserts and food insecurities, back then we partnered with the cooperative extension, and we had a program called Fresh on Deck.

It is my understanding last year while I was transitioning, uh, Fresh on Deck was unable to meet the needs of the community.

So from here, I'll now turn the page and allow Commissioner Terry to tell you uh about our new mobile efforts.

Yes, thank you, Madam CEO, and um Madam CEO is exactly right.

We had um some logistical issues this year uh bringing back online the Fresh on Deck program, which was part of the public health department and the cooperative extension running that program, and thankfully, because of the CEO working to uh kind of revive that program towards the end of the year, we're able to bring in uh Rataza, and so they are covering mobile uh food markets, uh, three stops on Monday, three stops on Fridays uh across the county between now and the end of the year, and then tomorrow we'll be voting on agenda item to add in additional uh subsidies for uh minimum ten dollar credits for every customer.

So the first ten dollars basically is paid for, um, and then hopefully we'll get some more turkeys as well that we'll announce tomorrow uh to add into that um overall food distribution effort.

So is it like kind of like a oh sorry oh we have a mic?

Um I guess is that just kind of like a van or truck or something that comes that has like the fresh food available and people can just come and get what they need?

Absolutely.

And uh all of the food is sourced from local growers because of course uh we're very excited to support our local growers.

Uh and we focus on communities where there are food deserts and a lack of easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Thanks.

Thanks, guys.

You're welcome.

And then I had one question for the school district.

Um, and just as we're thinking about food insecurity and supporting our residents, what are you guys doing to help like students and families kind of during this maybe uncertain time?

It's a great question.

Thank you for that question.

Again, my name is Norman Soss, very proudly serving the Cap County School District as interim superintendent.

Um, some may know that we have safe centers that we've established uh at a number of our high schools.

Um, for example, Stevenson High School, McNair High School, Cross Keys High School, Dr.

Martin Luther King Junior High School, Redan High School, among others, uh, Stone Mountain High School as well.

Uh, and our safe centers um work in close partnership with Atlanta Food Bank.

Uh, and we have you know grocery stores, if you will, although not charging anyone, of course.

And we have um distribution days that are established.

There's a different day set up at each of the safe centers depending on the month.

Um so on our district website, um, the the map of where our safe centers are and the dates of the food distribution are on the website.

Uh and so uh once a month at each of those locations, uh, we give away a significant amount of food, you know, thanks to our partnership with Atlanta Food Bank and others.

Thank you for the question.

And I would just like to add uh this morning, I actually started my day at Snapfinger Elementary.

And to my amazement, as I walked in, there was an entire barrel of food.

So I want to urge those who are watching who have the capacity and the ability to drop by a local school and leave non-perishable goods.

Um, these items are extremely critical during this time.

And I want to say that it feels good to stand here today alongside our DeCab County um Board of Education as well as our housing authority and the various departments that are truly on the front line of dealing with the needs of people.

Uh, our human services department uh works extensively with our senior community, and oftentimes they can be most heavily hit by vulnerabilities that are associated with food.

Uh, also um with housing and working alongside um Mr.

Alan Mitchell in community development.

We are trying to meet people where they are.

We do not want to see anyone in DeCab County displaced as a result of a lack of resources.

So I'm very proud to say that today what you see is a conglomerate effort by departments and agencies across DeCal County to come together to meet the needs of those who are vulnerable.

Thank you.

Do we have any other questions from the press?

Going once, going twice.

All right, thank you very much.

Thank you for everyone.

Um here.

Thank you all for joining us.

We will have a press release that we will um distribute later today, which will have links and additional information about many of the things that we talked about, as well as a link to our resource guide, which again will be online and in print, in print and specifically, we will have them in senior centers and other places where folks may not go online as much to look for resources.

So please be on the lookout for that.

And if you have any additional questions, please follow up with communications department.

Thank you, and I'll have a great day.

And once again, DeCab County's youngest artists are telling those stories.

For the 21st year, watershed management invited elementary students to dive into creativity through its art calendar contest.

And when we're able to expose them to the operations, the vehicles, the plants, all the things behind what makes watershed management be able to deliver water for the Cab County.

It's just simply amazing to them.

And ultimately, they're all future.

This year's theme, the deep blue, what lives in our streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans, asks students to explore the underwater worlds that swim, crawl, glide, and grow all around us.

The arts, it gives our students a voice.

Um, it gives them an opportunity to really show things outside of just writing, math reading, and uh social studies.

Arts matter.

It's a connection to the real world uh situations, real world conversations, real world experiences that our students will face every day.

This year, 279 students from 13 elementary schools and one home school proved when it comes to creativity.

Each artwork tells a story about the importance of healthy protected water.

The critical thinking aspect is so important.

So they can sit down and they think of these, you know, solutions.

How would you solve this problem?

And that's what we need in the future.

These are truly our future, and they are going to be our builders.

They are going to be our architects, they are going to be our problem solvers.

After careful review, 12 outstanding student artists were selected as official calendar winners.

Each of these students has their artwork featured in the 2026 art calendar, turning their creativity into a year-long celebration of water and life.

This year's calendar cover artist is Isabella from Chestnut Elementary.

Her artwork, The Whale Shark, celebrates one of the ocean's gentle giants and the clean water it depends on.

With this year's talent pool, deeper than ever, watershed management added a new honorable mentions category.

60 works will be featured on social media all year with four student artworks each week.

Follow, like, and share.

These young artists deserve a spotlight as bright as their ideas.

The art calendar is distributed to county offices, libraries, and community spaces, sharing these messages of conservation, creativity, and wonder across our community.

Congratulations to all the winners, honorable mentions, teachers, families, and schools for making waves with art, imagination, and a love for our planet.

Aviva Hoffman DC TV.

One, two, three.

Today I'm very excited because uh this is a manifestation of a groundbreaking facility.

Transportation and logistics is one of the largest emerging fields.

What we've done here with the Transportation Center and training logistics facility.

We have created the largest such facility in the Southeast region.

This transportation center represents workforce development in our entire region.

Here we're gonna train CDL workers, electrical line workers, logistics professionals.

The entire industry is what we're trying to serve to make sure that they have a trained workforce.

At Georgia Power Company, we certainly believe in being a part of Growing Georgia.

We know that there are large workforce needs, particularly in the transportation and industry sectors.

So we are proud to be a partner and supportive with Georgia Pete Mont to grow some career opportunities and strengthen career pathways.

All of our partners are coming together today to celebrate what has been eight years in the making, and we're so excited about it because it's gonna change lives.

I represent the Cab County.

This facility is a game changer for the state of Georgia.

Uh, it shows our commitment to technical education, and I'm very excited because it's also a game changer for our economic development.

We realize that there is a deficit of education within this.

I often sometimes call it education desert, and it is so exciting to be able to provide this opportunity for this region and the people in this community.

It's very important for us to invest in programs like this one here at Georgia Piedmont Technical College because it creates a strong foundation for our families, creating a pipeline where families or where students can go directly from being educated into well-payed careers.

It's really the key to open doors that people did not know exist.

And when you have that opportunity and that resource, it allows you to become or sit at the table with others who have had those resources and opportunities before.

Georgia Piemont Technical College is a great community leader, and at the end of the day, we will see the investment within our community based on the outcome of students who go through this program.

This is a project that we have to continue to support so that we can train young people so that they can power the jobs for tomorrow.

You can't call the cops on me.

Or your TV.

I'm invited.

Look at that.

My mom's early Alzheimer's diagnosis gave us more time to seek out support as a family.

Good evening.

I would like to begin this peace gathering by offering a short prayer to the Buddha.

If there are any Buddhist in this group, please join me in that offer.

Okay.

Nam Tasha Bhagavato Arahato Sam Buddhas Namo Tasabhavato Arahato Sam Buddhasa Nam Tasabato Arahato Sama Buddhas.

These sacred verses mean I pay homage to the wordy one to the enlightened one respected venerable Buddhist monks.

Georgia State Representative Rua Roman the Kalb County CEO Lorraine Coach Johnson Mayor Patty Garrett all distinguished guests leaders of different communities.

More than two hours in this cold for Venerable Because to arrive here.

Thank you so much for being here.

Today marks the day sixty-six of Walk for Peace.

And I usually say we have completed this many miles, but I think from now on we should start counting down.

So I'm gonna say we have little more than one thousand miles left.

So and you know the venerable monks have walked through small cities and larger cities all across America so far we have traveled five steps.

Relidon.

Race and politics.

Because their message is peace.

A speaker shall complete a speaker card and present it when approaching the podium.

If a speaker has any documents for the commissioners, the speaker shall provide 10 copies when approaching the podium.

Seven copies are for the commissioners and the remaining copies are for the planning director, the county attorney, and the clerk.

Applicants, so citizens speaking in favor of an item shall speak first.

And applicants in zoning ordinance cases shall have the right to reserve time for rebuttal.

Opponents of the zoning ordinance item shall have no right of rebuttal.

Once the citizens have finished speaking, staff shall make a recommendation for action to the commission.

At this point, citizens are no longer allowed to speak unless call to the podium by an individual commissioner to answer questions or provide information.

Speakers should always talk directly into the microphone and begin by stating their name, address, and the name of any organization they represent.

Abusive, profane or derogatory language will not be permitted.

Holding up signs, clapping, yelling, standing, or laying in the aisles to show support for uh opposition to a speaker will not be permitted.

But a show of hands, so quietly standing in place will be permitted to show support for or opposition to a speaker's position.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Um, we're gonna start with new cases.

This is in one item 2026-0138, Commission District 5, Super District 7, application of sunlight leaf LLC, care of battle law PC to rezone property from R 75 to R60 to allow a cottage home development at 1437 and 1453 South Indian Creek Drive.

Good afternoon.

Good evening.

There we go.

Uh my name's Andrea Fulgray.

I'm a senior planner with the current planning team.

Um I'm going to walk you through the South Indian Creek cottage home development requests, which um is the rezoning from R75 to R60.

The community council voted to approve the item.

Planning commission voted for a two-cycle deferral, and the staff recommendation is approval with conditions.

One second, if we can get the presentation on our screens, please.

Thank you.

It's located in R75.

It's the two parcels that you can see highlighted here in black, one to the north and one slightly to the south.

We are the applicant is requesting to rezone to R60.

Um R60 is also a single family detached zoning district.

It's a way that we can add low density residential with um residential that's already existing, and it will be consistent with the development pattern that's already there.

It's also located in a suburban character area.

Um cottage court developments are a great way to add well-designed small-scale infill.

They add housing choice, income diversity, and um are again still able to maintain the limited density.

Um here's the aerial shot.

There is a flood blind plane to the south of the subject sites.

Um the applicant was able to design a site plan that does stay out of the floodplain.

Here is the final proposed site plan.

They did go through a few iterations and worked with staff to um come up with a concept that uh would support the suburban character area and also meet all of the cottage court development standards.

Primarily, um staff felt this was still a little vehicular circulated rather than more focus around the central open space.

However, we did offer 14 conditions total to help refine some of the site plan aspects that will uh make it better aligned with the cottage court development requirements.

Um so staff is recommending a approval with 14 conditions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

At this time, is the applicant present to speak on this item.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Good evening, board members.

Can you hear me okay?

Is the light green?

It is green.

How about now?

Oh, yeah, that's working.

Uh good evening, board members.

My name is Josh Mahoney.

I'm a uh attorney at Battle Law PC 356 to Howish Emmanuel in Tucker, Georgia.

Great to be seeing you all again.

I think this is the first time this year I've been able to see you all, so happy to be here with you.

On this one, we are proposing a what is now a 29 unit cottage development uh off of South Indian Creek Drive.

Um from R75 to R60 is what we're looking for, and um Miss Pogarate did a great job covering the the highlights.

So what I'd really like to focus in on is the uh design.

This was an early iteration that we actually turned into the planning staff.

This is where we started, and as you can see, we had our central green space split up with some alleyways, um, and it terminated the central kind of spine alleyway terminated into a dead end.

Um this design, while attractive did give us some issues, especially from the fire department, who said they would be unable to reach that unit down there in the southwest corner.

And so what we did was we worked with the staff, we worked with fire to redesign our plan.

So now we've got a circular uh kind of a loop road.

So we've got two points of ingress and egress.

Um this allows access to that unit down there that the fire department was concerned about.

Uh what's actually happening under the ground is that we have a much better layout for uh stormwater management.

So we've got underwater stormwater, excuse me, underground stormwater management uh that's working in a much better way than it was on our last plan.

We did drop a unit going from our first plan to this plan, um, but it allowed us to better centralize our green space, allowing access for the folks who are um fronting it there, and sidewalk access for the folks who are on the west side of the property.

They'll be able to walk right across the street and directly into uh that green space.

Uh this was an early uh rendering that we used.

Uh we'll be fully complying with the um with the county's requirements per our um conditions.

So I think it's condition seven there asks us to stick to figure one.

My client has told me that she is totally okay with that condition and the rest of the conditions, and so I'm asking this evening that you all vote to approve this application subject to those conditions.

And that's all I've got.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is anyone here to speak in favor of this application?

I'll do a one more call.

Is anyone else here to speak in favor of this application?

Okay, seeing no one is anyone here to speak in opposition of this application.

Please come to the mic.

State your name and address, sir.

Hi, my clear with you.

Hi, my name is Gerald Boyer.

Um, my address is 4198 Kimley Cove.

I'm directly behind the um the proposed property.

Um we did do any calls with the um sunleaf development, and we had a concern of um two things, and I was hoping I couldn't read it on the board to find out if they um made arrangements for those.

Um it was gonna be a 10-foot buffer, and we had talked about a privacy fence.

I didn't know if that was addressed, and then also the um the addition of the um development for the um future erosion uh to the creek bed that's on the side.

So I see they moved the one property off, but it was an assurance from them as far as the erosion of the land wouldn't be um um expedited even faster uh with the development there.

So we were just looking for reassurance of the privacy fence and the erosion of the land, and I didn't see anything in the 14 conditions that is said that and we did meet with them on per to zooms uh to talk about those items.

Thank you, sir.

Anyone else here to speak in opposition?

One more call.

Anyone else here to speak in opposition?

See no one else.

Would the applicant like to come back and address thank you, commissioners?

Um, so yeah, on our site plan, our latest site plan, we're showing a 10 foot.

Okay, can you speak up?

I'm sorry, can you speak up?

I couldn't she couldn't hear you.

Try and can you hear me now?

Okay, great.

So on our latest site plan, we are showing a 10-foot setback that's going to serve as a separation from uh of our units from the rear property line of those to the west of us.

And as for a privacy fence, no, it's not listed in the conditions, but my client did agree to do that on the zoom call with the community, so we're ready to do that.

You can just add it in if you want to.

You may not add it.

Anything else, sir?

You may not.

No, that's it.

Okay.

Staff, you would like to come back and give your recommendation.

The staff recommendations approval.

Thank you.

Is there a motion?

Um yeah, I make a motion to approve with conditions.

I mean, uh with conditions, then I have a question.

Second.

If we can get the machines back, thank you.

And if you can hit the request to speak, Commissioner Douglas Johnson.

Oh, well, okay.

So now can the fence be included in the conditions?

Yes.

Well, let's include the fence in the conditions.

And also um the 10-foot buffer is that in the conditions.

No, that's a requirement of the cottage.

That's the requirement.

So that's addressed.

And I think he uh said something about erosion.

What did he say about that?

Can can he can you speak on that once more?

Well, the young man that spoke.

You want the gentleman who was in opposition.

Sir, if you could come back up to the mic and explain the erosion aspect you were.

And of course, I said young man.

She said gentlemen.

So whichever you prefer.

Okay.

Yeah, the erosion of the property, um, since I've been living there because of the creek bed um from our present development um houses there has been eroding away.

So we were concerned with the new development that's coming that it would contribute to a faster erosion.

Our property is disappearing.

Um, and with this being addition, we did bring it up to them, showing them the fence line way over the creek where it used to be the fence there, but the creek is a road away to land.

But now that when the new development comes in, we will be concerned.

We just wanted an assurance that hey, they will help try to um alleviate any addition problems uh with the erosion.

Um yeah, that's what the concern was with the um erosion of the property.

Okay, all right.

But the other thing with the fence, they did I appreciate you making sure that they do include it because that was one of the things that we did bring up to them to make sure the 10-foot buffer was there, which they can just touch right over into my house.

So we will hope and to make sure of a reassurance that a fence does go up that would you know provide us some kind of uh privacy.

Okay, okay, thanks.

Well, thank you.

Now do you want to speak on the erosion?

Thank you, Commissioner.

Um, yes, so this did come up in our meetings with the community.

Uh I spoke to the engineer about this, and it's our understanding that the uh the place that the gentleman is is talking about where it's eroding, it's actually inside of that floodplain.

So we're not able to do anything directly to any kind of construction or anything like that, but what we can do is follow the county's guidelines when it comes to stormwater management and ensure that we're not making it worse than it is now.

In fact, we we may be able to make it better by installing the stormwater management system and redirecting the water.

Okay.

Well, thank you.

Of course.

I yield back.

You yield.

Commissioner Bolton.

I had a similar question about the land erosion, and just wanted to hear from planning staff if that was discussed with you guys as well.

Uh and if those reassurances were communicated to you.

Yes.

So when we were reviewing the site plan, um, and we went through a few iterations of it.

We were concerned about the floodplain.

Um, and they did rotate the units so that there wasn't a chance of, you know, once going to LDP and things shift around, and you're actually doing ground underwork, um, that those would either have to be lost um just to stay out of that buffer.

So I think the applicant and staff had a few conversations about just the realistic ability for that many units.

Um, so they did drop a unit and um kind of reoriented the the drive so that um fire could access and that they could fit in the underground detentions better, which is preferred by staff to do underground detentions.

So and to confirm it went from 30 to 29, is that correct?

Yes.

Okay.

And it's the 30 is in the distance.

And 29 is in the plan.

Yes.

Okay.

The other question I just wanted to make sure was clear.

What is the distance between the property line of the units closest to the floodplain and the onset of the floodplain?

So I think I can't actually see that far.

Is it uh unit 29 there?

The south western or yeah, southwestern corner.

That one appears to be the closest to the floodplain.

Um so that's one where come LDP time and they would have to, you know, start really looking at ground underwork, that would be a unit that they may or may not lose.

Okay, they maybe.

But I'm not exactly sure how far it is.

And I I just wanted to add what you're seeing on there is actually the stream buffer, the 75 foot stream buffer.

It's not necessarily the same as the floodplain.

Okay.

So it does not look like the floodplain is shown on that.

Yes.

So the stream buffer is um between the uh lot line and the uh floodplain.

So yeah, the the so there's a 75 foot buffer on each side of can we get that back on our machines?

I'm sorry.

Rested vegetation of the stream.

Um, and it correlates with the floodplain, but they're not it's not a one-to-one.

So it's the soldier.

Right.

So the site plan doesn't necessarily show the extent of the floodplain, but that will have to be shown um when they actually do their engineering drawings for permitting.

And again, no disturbances can be made either into the 75 foot um stream buffer without a variance or into the floodplain almost at all.

Sorry.

Okay.

Okay, that makes sense now because I saw a 30 on there, and I know we confirmed 29.

So yes, um, the old plan had the 30, and then they removed it to 29 in the latest plan.

Okay.

Yes, I think I saw I yield that.

And this does show the 100 year flood limits is close to the 25 year state stream buffer.

Commissioner Bolton.

You still have the floor.

Yes, I'm sorry.

Can you restate what you just said?

So if you look on there, there's a different kind of shade of blue line that's close to the 25-foot state buffer.

And that's called out as a hundred-year flood limits.

Oh, I see.

So that's within the buffers, though.

Okay.

Um that's reasonable, but I did want to still ask in the event um once construction begins, if the communities does see an escalation of erosion, is there uh a plan to remediate or help to get the community back up to par where it was before the development started?

Yeah, I'm not sure.

Sure.

Um, so as part of their land disturbance permitting package, they have to provide erosion control measures and there are constant inspections to ensure that they have best practices on site and that there's not runoff or other adverse impacts.

They also have to provide a plan that improves the stormwater runoff from the pre-construction conditions.

So whatever they have now, the post-construction will have will have to show an improvement in those runoff conditions.

Okay, thank you.

I yield back.

Thank you.

You want to you okay, Commissioner Kerry?

Okay.

Yeah, I can't see the cloud.

Can I see the cut?

Oops, this image.

Okay.

And where is the parking?

I see that is a certain amount of car ports.

Yes.

Um, the parking is located along the northern portion of the site where it says private drive.

You can see some of the parking spaces.

Um, and there's seven carport units.

And that's in the back of the cottages.

Um it will be in front of the units that are kind of that light orange color, and with cottage home developments, the parking isn't supposed to be centralized.

It just has to be within 200 feet of each unit.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

I yield back.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Terry.

Thank you.

Um just a couple quick questions.

The so for no condition number two, it looks like it still says 30 detached.

Is that is that gonna be an issue if the plan says 29 or should it say 29 or does that matter?

So it allows up to 30.

So they just can't go over 30.

If they want to reconfigure the plan with in limits of condition, I think we noted that they have to have it approved by the planning director in writing.

Um we didn't really have an issue with the 30 units, we just want to make sure that the planned is still going to like be pedestrian-oriented and meet all of the requirements.

Okay, so it's possible they could add another unit, but it just depends if it fits.

Yeah.

Okay.

And we'd have to have a written approval for it.

Okay, that's fair.

Um, can you go back to the site plan?

Because um the erosion thing was a good question, because I was curious about um the sort of the green area above the buffer.

Is that already wooded, or would that be part of the land disturbance?

Will they clear cut all of that green?

Or would they just stay right at the private drive?

I believe they would have to stay right at the private drive.

Does it look like there was trees along the lake, I think, or the little pond area?

So that would be just my main question.

Okay.

Josh, so just the the questions about erosion is was a great one because um if there it looks like some trees will be taken out, and so I'm just wondering about if there's any landscape plan to plant trees on that southern part of the private drive, um, that you know would help uh keep the erosion from that point on a little bit more in check.

Yeah, that's a great question.

Uh we've heard a couple of of uh good ideas for what we could do with that space.

Um but I like that one.

So we're talking about if we could go uh to the site plan, please.

Or actually, I I have it, don't I?

This kind of triangular shaped area just north of the of the buffer there.

Yeah, I mean, really, just honestly, wherever you're gonna have impervious surface and any disturbance of trees to you know replant it basically.

Yeah, yeah, I think we could do that.

I think that's reasonable.

Okay, all right.

Hopefully that would just you know help.

And I imagine the private drive will still slope north in terms of drain runoff into the storm water uh vault.

But just in case polars over, there's some extra trees there.

Um and then um Andrea, did the what did the school system uh score this as in terms of how many seats would be needed or the whatever the student capacity ratio is?

I don't believe it exceeded any of the capacities, but I can double check that quick in the packet.

Okay.

Um I think it would be just because this has been a big topic um right now and probably will be for in the future.

If we could like preemptively just get in the packet, sort of here's what the school system estimates, how many um you know seats would be needed.

I think they're generally like these size homes, if I remember correctly, Rachel.

I know y'all are working on that sort of formula, but I think it's like 0.5 or something seats per cottage.

Yeah.

Um so just understanding kind of how these would impact you know, an issue we're dealing with with 20,000 empty seats across the Cab County schools.

I think it would help create the context of um when we improve housing, certain types have different uh student ratios.

Yeah, they supply us the estimates for the packet, so we do include them.

I just can't remember it off the top.

I know it's like buried though.

Yeah.

So just there's a lot of information.

Add it to your one of the things that you staff report that you just automatically report on.

Yeah, just so we're all aware up front.

Yeah.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Yield back.

Thank you.

Any other questions?

Yes, I would think that the schools you marita, you turned it on.

I would think that the schools are informed when new development come in.

Yes, they supply us.

Um existing population can be.

Yeah, because they would have to also be on top of their student population as it grows with new um with new development within the county.

So the I I would think that the schools would stay on top of 18.

On top of that as well.

I would think it's I would think it would be their responsibility as a school district to know when there's new development and make an anticipation of how that would affect their school system.

Yeah, we we do coordinate with them and request interdepartmental comments.

So here it is.

Um they told us that this would be expected to generate 18 students, three at Roland Elementary, one at Bethune Middle School, three at Towers High School, and six at other um DuCab County schools, and five at private school.

It says that additional homes are not expected to have a significant impact on the neighborhood schools.

Commissioner Terry.

Yeah.

Um thank you, uh Commissioner David Shawnsaw.

I think that was a that that was a good point, and thank you, Rachel, for sharing that.

Um so one of the things, and we when we had um Miss Sarita Smith from the school system here uh last month, Madam Presiding Officer uh, you know, she shared that across almost all the I think all the clusters um there are seat uh deficits um or overcapacity, and that that is prompting you know potentially 20 plus school closures and consolidations.

And so um what we had requested the planning department do, and they have been actually done doing some preliminary work, so hopefully we can share it with everyone, you know, the next maybe week or two.

Um but the goal basically is to ask the school system.

Well, if X number of housing units were built in a school cluster, would that change your forecast of a school closure?

And their answer was absolutely because they're just they're basically running the numbers and they're saying, you know, we have a certain you know, housing stock, here's what we're getting out of it, and then when new development comes in, they have to plan for that.

And so I think the goal is to run the exercise of for cedar growth is a good example.

They're about 1,500 and 12-ish seats um sort of gaps over capacity, and I think the initial um long-range planning team estimated about 3300 housing units would be needed new over the next several years that would prompt the school system to say, actually, we're gonna leave open these schools and maybe even expand them.

Yeah, um, and but they they need to like have those like when we approve these developments, and I think when it goes to LDP, then they really begin to take it into account.

And so it is a medium-term, you know, plan, but I think um helping us understand how this missing middle housing and a little bit more dense housing can help get us to those unit goals, which then could actually help grow the school, you know, maintain and even grow the school system.

Yeah, yeah, we'll start including those in the reports.

Thank you so much.

See, no further requests to speak.

If we could please open the machines for the vote and that was to approve with the condition with the 15 condition being the eight-foot privacy fence to the rear.

One of the conditions that were added was the fence.

Okay, so let's make sure the screen was just saying defer.

So I think that planning that would be erosion, and they stated that.

Yes, that yes, it would do um.

So commissioners, if you would redo that motion, and the motion would be approval with 15 conditions, including a new condition for an eight-foot privacy fence.

Right.

Okay.

So you that is your motion.

Yeah, we've already hit it.

Don't hit it again.

Oh, and that's to defer.

No, see, she had already done that, so when you hit it again, the school it says defects.

But above that it says approved with with adoption with conditions.

Selection to adopt uh she hit it twice.

It's gonna it's gonna be a six-foot privacy fence.

Six foot privacy fence, okay.

I was not saying it's fine as long as they say that's the motion.

Okay, we're good to vote, but thank you.

Right now it's looking like it's a motion to defer because she hit her button again.

Well, I can just withdraw my yeah, okay.

So let's move forward to the vote.

Yeah, see, that's approved.

Should I hit the button?

I see it up there.

Should I hit it?

Oh she's doing it.

We need new technology.

Yeah, we're good.

There we go.

That motion to approve with the conditions carries.

We are now on item in two, top of page three item 2026-0139, commission district one, super district seven, application of urban view, apartments, care about a law, PC to rezone property from OI zoning district to MR2 zoning district to allow a townhome community at 3,003 Shambley Tucker Road and 2936 Mercer University Drive.

Welcome back.

All right.

Um, so as stated, this was a request for rezoning from OI to MR2 for a townhome community.

Um this may sound a little bit familiar.

The address about a year ago, they had applied for the same applicant applied for a SLUP to do multifamily housing at this address.

They were going to rehab the existing office building on site.

Because of market conditions, the plan has changed and they are going forward with the rezoning.

Community council voted for approval with conditions.

Planning commission was a two-cycle deferral, and staff is also recommending a two-cycle deferral.

The applicant has notified staff that they're in support of the two-cycle deferral.

They've requested it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is the applicant present on this item?

Welcome back to the podium, sir.

Good evening, Commissioners.

Josh Mahoney, uh Battle Law PC 3562, Havership in North Lake Tucker, Georgia.

Uh, we did go ahead and submit the deferral request for this one for two cycles so that we could continue working on the site plan with the staff as well as with the community.

Attorney Battle met with the community last night, so we're looking forward to continuing that dialogue.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Is anyone here to speak in favor of this item?

Is there anyone here to speak in favor of this item?

Seeing no one, is there anyone here to speak in opposition of this item?

One more time.

Anyone else?

Anyone here to speak in opposition of this item?

All right, thank you, Miss Andrew.

If you'd come back.

Yes, the staff recommendation is a two-cycle deferral.

Thank you.

Is there a motion?

Okay.

Uh yes, uh motion for a two-cycle.

Jeez, the my district two.

I'm district one.

This is district one.

Oh, okay.

It's okay.

We're still friends.

Um motion to defer for two cycles as uh recommended by staff.

Second.

I see no request to speak.

Please open the machines for the look.

That motion to defer for two full cycles carries.

The next three items are in district four, so I will be passing Gavel to my Madam Deputy Presiding Officer.

Thank you, ma'am.

And I just want to confirm that I can read the three of these together, but then we take the vote section.

Staff is recommending uh they do be heard concurrently.

All right, in three two zero two six zero one four zero.

Commission districts four and super district six, application of sculpt builders LLC, care of battle law, PC to rezone property from NS, neighborhood shopping to C1, local commercial to allow a convenience store with fuel pumps, a drive-thru facility for a pharmacy and retail at 3820 and 3828 North Decatur Road.

N4 2026 0141.

Also Commission Districts 4 and Super District 6.

Application of Scope Builders LLC care of battle law PC for a special land use permit to allow fuel pumps in an activity center or town center character area in the C1 local commercial zoning district at 3820 and 3828 North Decatur Road in 52026 0142 Commission Districts 4 and Super District 6 application of scope builders LLC care of battle law PC for a special land use permit to allow a drive-through facility for a pharmacy in conjunction with a convenience store and retail in an activity center character area in the C1 zoning district at 3820 and 3828 North Decatur Road.

Uh good evening, Commissioners Adam Chapel, Senior Planner.

Umject properties uh were um most recently home to approximately 10,000 square foot building, a CVS with an accessory drive-through uh facility.

Uh subject properties are located at the edge of a town center character area, um which does encourage um or which discourages automobile oriented development and encourages more pedestrian level um development, such as um mixed use um office um and retail again as part of a mixed use development.

The current drive the drive-thru that is there predates the current requirement for special land use permit and the operators would be changing.

So a special land use permit would be triggered for the drive-through.

In addition, fuel pumps in an activity center would also require special land use permit, and the the rezoning is part of the package here that you see today.

Again, town center character area promotes the concentration of uh higher density residential commercial uses.

Um the proposal you see in front of you, staff believes is not necessarily meet the intents and goals of this character area.

It adds to the uses that would be automobile oriented, it adds on several additional spaces here.

Um the properties are also located within an area that was subject to the Memorial Drive Revitalization Corridor Small Area Plan that did mention that this particular area has an overabundance of retail that is underutilized.

Um there are concerns with uh maneuverability access egress.

You can see the location of the proposed fuel pumps would be in the middle of what was a large portion of the parking area for for the building.

Staff is typically supportive of adaptive reuses of existing structures when other items such as streetscape improvements for pedestrians are being made.

The proposed improvements that we have seen with these side plans and and renderings are minimal.

Um again, the proposals as a as a package deal do not appear to meet the intent of that town center character area and drive revitalization plan, and as a result, staff respectfully requests uh denial of all three items.

And that's it, madam presiding officer.

Thank you.

Um, and do we have the applicant to speak to this item?

Or these three items.

Good evening, commissioners.

Josh Mahoney, Battle L PC 3562 Haversham at North Lake in Tucker, Georgia.

Uh Commissioners, this has been a this has been a tough case.

Uh we've been working with staff as well as the community to try to find something that will work for everybody.

Um we have for you this evening is what we've what my clients have been able to uh make peace with.

Uh so that's really all I can do is present it to you.

I know staff's recommendation, but what we've got really is an abandoned building of the CVS uh here at the corner of North Decatur Road and North Indian Creek Drive and Rockbridge Road.

Um the property is zoned NS, and we would be changing it over to C1, like the property across the street there.

Um this photo, this is just from Google Maps from 2024.

This is if you were standing there at the uh at the corner looking at the CVS, you could see that it is operating.

They've got a uh nice privacy fence lighting, everything's operating and going well.

Uh, if you turn around, this was the quick trip.

Uh QT was that C1 parcel, that kind of strain-shaped C1 parcel across the street.

Also taken uh from 2024.

Um they're operating and doing well.

But just two years later, this image from January 2026 this year, you see that the CVS has since shut down.

Uh this it's it's hard to say what caused this, whether this business wasn't doing well or if it's part of CBS's effort to close down stores across the country.

Um, but nevertheless, it has since uh shut down.

The same goes for a quick trip.

I'm sure you're all aware that Quick Trip moved down the street and they have since vacated this building, and they're in the process of removing the tanks.

But all I have to say, there was once a pharmacy at this corner, there was once a gas station at this corner.

Both have since left.

So my client saw the opportunity to uh adaptively reuse the CVS property for both, bring both of those uses back to serve the community in this area, uh, but do so in a way that introduced some additional retail to the building because the CVS buildings are quite large.

We don't need all of it for a convenience store, all of it for a pharmacy, but you know, we thought we could try to sneak in a little retail uh to to service the community.

And so uh in working with the um planning staff, we landed on this final plan.

Um we have our fuel pumps there in the front, just three islands.

Um for a total of six pumps, we would have EV charging here in the parking where the old CVS uh drive-thru was, we would convert that into EV EV charging, as well as taking advantage of that um drive-through by positioning the pharmacy on that side of the building.

And then, of course, on the right side of the building would be the retail.

The great thing about this is that the uh layout of the property generally wouldn't really change.

We're trying to use as much of it as we can.

So you see the layout is pretty identical to what CVS had, say for the fuel pumps there in the front.

These are some early renderings that uh my client provided just to kind of give you a sense of uh how the uh new uses would fit on the site.

Uh and then early on, we heard some concern from the community about lighting, and so my client provided us with this lighting example to show how we would be adding lighting to the building to light it up and make sure we're not um kind of blasting light behind the building into folks' backyard.

With that uh, that's all I have for you this evening.

I'm here if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

And at this time, do we have anyone to speak in favor of these items?

In favor.

Last call.

Do we have anyone to speak in favor of these agenda items?

Okay, at this time, do we have anyone to speak in opposition to these agenda items?

You can go ahead and move toward the microphone.

Yes, ma'am.

Good evening.

Good evening, commissioners.

Uh, thank you for giving us this time.

My name is Holly Beasley.

I live at 3550 Cloudland Drive in Stone Mountain, 30083.

I'm here as the co-president of the Dow Heights Civic Association Board, representing my neighborhood, which is directly behind this development.

And we just have a lot of environmental concerns about potential fuel pumps, um, additional traffic, um, that corner, you know, it's very busy, and we literally have homes that back right up to behind this uh location.

Um, you know, we we sent out a survey to our online survey to our neighbors, and they were overwhelmingly against the idea of a fuel station or some sort of drive-through or uh 24-hour pharmacy.

Uh no one was for in our community.

We had a lot of great suggestions from our neighbors of businesses that would be uh a benefit to the community.

We had a sidebar uh conversation, a meeting with uh Josh, and we shared these results, which he presented to his clients.

So we have definitely done our due diligence to work with the developers to come up with a great because we uh you know we don't want a vacant building there either.

Memorial drive, especially our side of Memorial Drive, is full of vacant buildings, and the last thing we want is blight, and we understand that you know business, you know, from a financial standpoint, something needs to go there that is you know good for the developer.

Um, and we understand that, but we also want to make sure that our neighborhood is protected, and that our we have a stream that runs through our our neighborhood, and it's already been polluted and uh damaged by other developments in the area, and the last thing we want is more um potential to our watershed uh detriment.

So we would definitely be against having something like the fuel station, gas station, or anything that runs late into the evening to be near our subdivision because we want to protect our way of life, protect our residents, and you know, keep our property values as high as possible.

We're very active in the community, we're very present, and we just want to make sure that our neighborhood continues to be the great place that it has been since about 1959.

That's how far back we go.

So thank you.

That's all I have.

Thank you for your comments.

Do we have anyone else to speak in opposition to this item?

You can join us at the podium.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioners.

Um, I'm Fran Moore for 36 Green Ridge Circle, Stone Mountain, Georgia, and a member and previous board president of Dial Heights.

I really appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today.

In addition to the many points that our current president, co-president Holly Beasley spoke, I want to add some additional and maybe some repetition since some of my points have already been brought up.

We would like to see the desires and considerations that we have for the property.

We would like to see the old CDS property occupied, but to be used for something that would maintain and support the diverse neighborhood and the community.

We also want the property usage to be in sync with the Memorial Drive revitalization plan to cater to surrounding neighborhoods and the nearby college students.

The space could be service providing, an office space, providing jobs, or a community destination, such as a coffee shop or fresh food market.

The possibilities are many.

Well, including small restaurants, clothing stores, just a multitude.

But something different that would serve the community would be welcomed.

This is a high pedestrian trafficked area and is very close to the MARDA stops, so it has convenient access.

The property does not need to be rezoned as C1, a local commercial zoning, as there are plenty of options within a neighborhood shopping zone that would meet the community's needs.

The area definitely does not need another filling station, gas station, as we already have four within a five just about mile radius of this property.

One on the QT that moved onto Memorial Drive, the Valera on Memorial Drive, the Texaco North Decatur, and the Sitco on Northern Avenue, which is the farthest one, and it's only a mile away.

The other ones are within a mile.

Our concerns about the property in the current proposal is the property is located at a dangerous and busy intersection of North Decatur Road and North Indian Creek Drive.

The two ingress and egress points in and from the property are challenging as they feed into and from this dangerous and busy intersection.

The property is very small in our consideration with limited and tight parking.

It was very challenging to drive through that parking lot, even when it was a CVS, and it definitely does not need any obstructions to the limited parking area with fuel pumps.

The property is adjacent, as Holly said, and above the backyards of many of our Dial Heights residents and the streams that flow into North Indian Creek that runs through Dial Heights and ultimately into the South River, which is a major waterway for DeCab County.

We do not need or want any businesses that would impact the environment or the water of DeCab County, such as more buried fuel tanks.

We already have that contaminated issue across the street at the QT, the where the former site of the QT was.

Also, because the property is adjacent to residential homes, as Josh Josh said, we asked, asked that not there not be late-night or 24-hour components to the development, nor that it be a business that encourages law loitering.

We have school children from the neighborhood in the many nearby schools and colleges down the street on North Indian Creek.

Business such as businesses such as liquor stores, vape stores, sex stores again would not be welcome.

We appreciate Scope Builders insistence that all lighting be low impact and directed away from the neighborhood.

Again, we want the former CVS property to be utilized, but we want something that will enhance the area, support the Memorial Drive corridor in line with the revitalization plan, and a business that would support the community.

A neighborhood shopping district has plenty of options to meet those requests without rezoning or adding fuel pumps.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am, for your comments.

Do we have anyone else to speak in opposition to these items?

Last call, anyone else to speak in opposition to these three items.

Okay.

Would the applicant like to return back to the podium and address anything?

Nope.

I'm getting up from not no.

Staff, can you return to the podium and give your recommendation, please?

Uh yes.

Staff is recommending denial of items in three and four and in five.

Okay.

And um can you return the screens back to the voter machine at this time?

Do we have a motion for item 2026 0140?

Yes, madam DPO.

I moved to deny item ending in 0140.

And I do have a comment.

Do we have a second?

Okay.

Motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Terry.

I see that Commissioner Terry has requested to speak.

Oh, I think you were first.

Okay.

Okay.

He's yielding to Commissioner Johnson.

Go ahead.

And this is just a quick question.

Um, Miss Harley Beasley, when you get the opportunity, if you could share with my office the outcome of that survey, specifically what the neighborhood would like to see.

I think that would be very helpful as we move forward.

We're trying to get this parcel and this corner redeveloped.

Um we definitely do want this area redeveloped, but clearly the community is against this specific project.

Thank you.

I yield.

Okay, thank you, Commissioner Johnson.

Commissioner Terry.

Thank you, um, Madam Chair.

Um, can you put the uh map back up on the screen?

And while you're doing that, um uh director Bragg, I wanted to ask about the the proposal for the low lighting.

Is that was that sort of in like the dark skylighting sort of uh framework?

So I don't think we had any dark sky lighting conversations with the applicant.

Okay.

Um, I think that that was just they provided that example of what lighting exterior lighting could look like.

Okay.

And y'all have um, but you have supported dark skylighting sort of plans on some previous applications.

Yeah, yes, we've made it a condition of approval um on numerous applications.

Okay.

Do you think um and this is a good example because this is a these are the sort of the edges of neighborhoods where the lighting is like even more sensitive than if it was just a block over on Memorial Drive.

Sure.

Um, but is this something that that y'all are looking at in like the zoning or other code updates of just sort of having that if you're within a certain buffer or area of a single family neighborhood or even just residential in general that you have to do the dark skylighting?

So um our our current um outdoor lighting ordinance is actually pretty strict and prohibitive.

The problem has always been enforcement.

So um currently um it doesn't allow you're not allowed to shine any light that reflects on any other property other than your own.

Um, and so in that way, it's although not you know dark sky, um it it is pretty restrictive.

Um, but yes, we're also looking at updating that as part of our zoning code update.

Okay, and I guess um I guess the goal really by updating it is it standardizes all new development, would in essence install lighting that is already prefabricated, right?

So I think it seems like the issue in DeCab is that we've updated our lighting ordinance pretty well, but you know, could be kind of updated a little bit more.

Yeah, but basically um all these buildings were built years ago, and so you have to go in and be like you have to invert your lighting now, and then that becomes a cost, and so yes, enforcement becomes difficult because someone's gotta say something, and then they gotta go and get a contractor to put the shield over the light.

Exactly.

And with new developments, we require actually a lighting plan.

So we're able to review it at the time of permitting, but um, unless you're um redeveloping to such an extent that it triggers full compliance with the code, we we don't require that updates.

Okay, thank you for that, Director Bragg.

Um Holly and Fran, thank you all so much for being here.

It's good to see y'all.

Appreciate my dial heights uh friends and neighbors.

Um thank you.

I also I and thank you, Commissioner Um Shakira Johnson for mentioning the survey.

Um, would love to get the information on that.

I think um, you know, this area being in the memorial drive revitalization sort of small area plan.

Uh this this was an area that I was most excited about because it talked about creating more like neighborhood commercial.

I think this was like the global mall kind of area, and so I think there's a real opportunity here, and I wanted to put the map up just so we could like very clearly see that there's actually a lot of opportunity to do something that would make it less auto-oriented and more pedestrian walkable.

And the one thing I wanted to ask our our dial heist friends to do is to reach out to the school board members because the school system owns all that property to the west.

It'll be good if we could just sort of kind of fold in the future use of their property, let's figure out what they want to do with it, and then maybe that would support some of these other goals that we're trying to do with more walkability, more office, uh small office, coffee shops, markets, things like that.

Um, you know, that's in you know, pedestrian friendly, those are all the words and you things you used.

Uh, no more gas stations, no more vape shops, things like that.

So just more kind of neighborhood commercial that serves the community.

So I think this is a real opportunity, so let's just keep working on it and you know, to the applicant or you know, whoever wants to work with us, let's keep kind of going in the direction where we're hearing um our stakeholders um in Dow Heights in the surrounding area that want to see.

Thank you.

All right, can we return the uh thank you so much so we can see if there was any other requests to speak?

Not at this time.

Um, if there are no other requests to speak from commissioners, we have a first from Commissioner Johnson, a second from Commissioner Terry to deny this item.

Can we open the machines for a vote?

Motion carries item two zero two six zero one four zero was denied.

Do we have a motion for item two zero two six zero one four one?

Yes, ma'am.

I move to deny this item as well.

Do we have a second?

First by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Terry.

No request to speak at this time.

Can you open the machines for a vote?

Motion to deny carries.

Do we have a motion for item 2026 0142?

Yes, ma'am.

I moved to deny this item.

Do we have a second?

A first by or motion by Commissioner Johnson, second by Commissioner Terry.

No request to speak.

Can we go ahead and open the machines for a vote?

Motion carries to deny item 0142.

And I yield the gavel back to Madam Presiding Officer.

Thank you, madam deputy presiding officer.

At this time, we are actually going to shift a little bit.

Um item in six is a district three item.

She had a family um engagement and will be joining us later, so we're gonna move that towards the end of the agenda.

So we'll now move on to item in seven.

Item 2026-0144, Commission District 5, super district seven, application of Aisha Bajinad and Nadia not probably butchering that.

I do apologize to rezone property from R85 zoning district to RSM zoning district to allow a senior housing development at 2111 Popular Falls Road.

Welcome back to the podium.

Good evening.

As stated, this is a rezoning request from R85 to RSM to allow for a senior housing development.

Um I do apologize.

Did you call them both out at the same time?

Do I need to in seven and in eight?

Okay.

I didn't notice that.

Thank you.

So item N8 is item 2026, Dash 0145, Commission District 5, Super District 7, application of Aisha Vajinad.

I know I'm butchering that, I'm sorry.

And Nadia Navivi for special land use permit to allow a senior housing development in the RSM zoning district at 2111 Popular Falls Road.

Thank you.

Sorry about that.

Um so as stated, the first application is for a rezoning from R85 to RSM to allow for senior housing development.

The second application is a special land use permit to allow for the senior housing development in the RSM zoning district.

Community council voted for a deferral.

Planning commission had voted for denial, and the staff recommendation is withdrawal without prejudice for both applications.

Um while the site is large enough to accommodate something maybe outside of a single family detached house, um, given the infrastructure that's along Popular Road at this time and the lack of um services to support the senior housing facility.

Kind of reiterated all of that feedback, and the applicant has also chose to withdraw without prejudice for both applications.

Thank you, ma'am.

Is the applicant here to speak?

See, do not see the applicant.

Is anyone here to speak in favor of this item?

Oops.

Is there anyone here to speak in favor of these items?

Seeing no one, is there anyone here to speak in opposition of these items?

One more call.

Anyone here to speak in opposition of these items?

All right, seeing nobody.

Ms.

Andrea, if you restate staff's position.

I'm sorry.

Yes, staff's position is um withdrawal without prejudice for both N7 and N8.

Thank you, ma'am.

Is there a motion?

I make a uh motion to uh withdraw this item, these items without residents.

Second.

In clarification, do can the motion be do we need to take two separate motions?

Okay, so this is for withdrawal for 0144.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you.

Second stand.

Second stands.

I see no request to speak.

Please open the machine for the vote.

I mean, she had to separate them.

Hit the button again.

Thank you.

This was on N7.

We do N6.

Yeah, we should be on N7.

We jumped over.

I'm sorry, we did jump over N6.

We're current.

Yes, this is for N7.

Yes, go ahead.

Commissioner Terry, you're gonna vote.

Thank you.

That motion to withdraw carries.

And now item in eight in item 2026-0145.

Is there a motion?

Motion to withdraw the second second for that motion to withdraw 0145 without prejudice.

Thank you.

I see no requests to speak.

If we open the machine for the vote, and that motion to withdraw without prejudice carries.

Thank you.

Commissioner Masaya has joined us, so if we can go back to item in six.

This is item 2026-0143.

Commission district three, super district six, application of TK Investments LLC care of battle law PC to rezone property from R75 zoning district or MR2 zoning district to allow a multifamily development consisting of up to 39 dwelling units at 2674, 2682, and 2690 Gresham Road.

Welcome back to the podium.

All right, good evening once again.

Subject properties that are zoned R75 and are located at the edge of a town center uh character area.

Um per our 2050 Unified Plan, the Town Center character area does mention that developments along the edge of that character area should be sensitive to uh surrounding development densities, notably to the south, east and and west.

Um there are a number of established residential single-family detached subdivisions.

Should be noted to the immediate north, not at 2658, but at 2652 Gresham Road and above.

Um, those properties are part of the I-20 overlay district, which can allow for densities of up to I want to say between 20 to 60 uh units per acre.

Um the town center character area also encourages um higher density uh developments.

Um the proposal that we received from the applicant originally um would serve potentially as a transition from lower single family detached uh dwellings to what could be done much higher density by right.

Um staff is ultimately supportive of this type of transition and density.

Um but we are we do have concerns with the site plan, namely as it currently stands, it is a bit suburban oriented.

Um we would uh prefer the orientation of some dwelling units towards Gresham Road, the diversification of housing stock, potentially uh additional types of housing than just what was originally being proposed.

Um staff does support um the original site plans uh connection to what is currently a public right of way.

Um to the south, there is a subdivision that um go back.

You can see where that um public right of way actually um borders the uh 2690 Gresham Road.

There have been some community concerns about having a connection there, but from a planning perspective, we do support increased interconnectivity providing options for pedestrians and for um vehicles that could potentially reduce traffic.

Um that being said, um the applicant has submitted a an updated site plan within the last week.

Um they have requested a deferral of this case in order to uh have further discussions with community staff and um members of the board.

Staff recommends a two-cycle deferral of this case to give us uh sufficient time to go over and potentially um improve some of these plans.

Thank you, sir.

Is the applicant here to speak on this item?

Welcome back to the podium.

Good evening, board members, Josh Mahoney, attorney of out of LPC 562, Haver Sherman North Lake and Tucker, Georgia.

Commissioners, we have gone ahead and submitted the uh request for a two-cycle deferral in accordance with staff recommendation.

Um truthfully, we asked for it way back at uh community council, so we need to go back and have those meetings anyways.

Um so we're just here this evening to ask that you all grant that that deferral.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone here to speak in favor of this item?

Anyone to speak in favor of this item?

Seeing no one, is there anyone here to speak in opposition of this item?

Good evening, sir.

Good evening, commissioners.

My name is Tommy Travis, advocate for the community with the South the Cab coalition.

Uh we were at the committee meeting, I mean community community meetings for this project, and we are vehemently deferred to opposed to having those numbers of apartments on Gresham Road.

As you can see by the uh site plan, it is surrounded by uh residential homes to the north and residential homes to the south, and it's directly across from a um historic um private school Johnson Learner Center.

Now we're not opposed to individual townhomes, we're opposed to the apartments that 51 individual units uh because we think that we need a traffic study and all the other things to go because Gresham Road is is choked with traffic as it is.

It's a two-lane road that may be slated to grow into a connector street at some point in the future, but right now it's still a two-lane road.

So we are we're not opposed to the deferral, we want to talk to them, but it was I just want to uh note our objection for the record.

Thank you, sir.

Is there anyone else here to speak in opposition of this item?

Okay, seeing no one else to speak in opposition.

Uh Adam, if you'd like to give your recommendation again.

And if we can switch the machines, thank you.

And once again, we recommend a two-cycle deferral.

Is there a motion?

Motion for a two-cycle deferral.

Second, second with Commissioner Terry.

Commissioner Terry has requested a speaker of the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um, thank you, uh Josh, for um requesting the deferral so we can keep working on the site plan.

Um thing I wanted to note is this lot is a very sort of typical lot, commissioners of areas of the county that are either underdeveloped or have sort of that suburban character area, but are kind of odd-shaped and sort of have like stream buffers and are in transition zones.

And the one we approved earlier with the cottage site plan, it sort of mirrors the first step is let's they they try to do something suburban and then look at the cottage sort of court model where you put the the street on the outside.

So this is a good example, Josh, of you know, taking that cottage court design and you know, allowing the fire truck to come in and turn around, but use the rest of the land for that community green space, the single family cottages that can be fee simple so we can promote home ownership.

Um I do support seeing more for port for purchase for sale, and so it it seems like this lot's perfect um to consider sort of that missing middle transition from the neighborhood into that town center, you know, higher density.

Um so just something to think about as we move forward.

Um, but appreciate the um opportunity to work with you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Masaya.

Thank you so much, Madam Pio.

Um I appreciate staff's um efforts, Josh.

Thank you so much.

Um Deputy Bragg, Andrea, thank you so much.

We've had a number of conversations related to this and not just uh this parcel, but some in a surrounding, just trying to think long term and think ahead.

Um, and so thank you for all of your efforts, all of your work.

I appreciate everyone's um looking into this so that we can make sure that we're making the miss use the best use of it, and we're doing the best that we can with that.

Um again, I support staff's recommendation for a two-cycle deferral and appreciate Commissioner Terry's second on that.

Thank you so much.

Seeing no further requests to speak, please open the machine for the vote.

That two cycle deferral carries.

We are now at the bottom of page four item and nine um item 2026-0146, Commission District 5, super district seven application of SAWA Partners, LLC care of total medien.

Okay, y'all are killing me with these names today.

Yeah, for a special land use permit to allow recycling plant in the M zoning district at 1313 and 1303 Lithonia Industrial Boulevard.

Hello, John Reed, current planning team.

Good to see you, John.

Thank you.

Uh the properties are 1313 and 1303 Lithonia Industrial Boulevard.

It's a request for a special interest permit for a concrete recycling plant in the light industrial zoning district.

It's in districts five and seven.

The community council recommended approval.

The planning commission actually recommended a two-cycle deferral.

They wanted to see it come back through the process when the plan was more complete.

And the staff recommendation is a full cycle deferral.

Um the industrial use isn't an industrial uh character area in the comprehensive plan along both sides of Lithonia Industrial Boulevard.

Uh it's also an industrial zoned area.

And there's industrial uses in the vicinity, truck parking, landfill, and some vacant land.

Uh we just received this uh concept updated concept plan a couple days ago showing the uh where the concrete materials would be stored and the internal circulation for the site when the trucks come in off Lythony Industrial.

Uh the app can also send us this information that when the trucks are leaving the site, they have to drive over this uh yellow matting material that will allow the the mud and debris to come off of the tires before going out on the road.

And then here's some site photos uh showing there is a sidewalk along Lythonia and some tree street trees.

Um go back.

Um so staff overall staff supports the land use and initially we were concerned about the uh whether they met all the development requirements and city of Stonecrest also abutted this property, so out of courtesy we sent the application to them for comment.

And they had some of the same comments.

You know, we did initially, you know, uh does it need an air quality permit?

Are they gonna comply with the stormwater requirements?

What about the noise ordinance?

Are they gonna save any of the trees?

Um the applicant has provided information and answers to those.

Uh and as of a couple days ago, um staff feels like we have some information to where we can do a final review and start, you know, looking at some possible zoning conditions.

However, the planning commission, like I said, they did recommend two cycle deferral to the July cycle because they wanted to see this application come back when it was more complete.

But the staff recommendation is a full cycle deferral to the May because we feel like we have enough information at this point to review.

Um we are also open to other deferral options.

So thank you, sir.

Thanks.

Is the applicant present to speak on this item?

Good evening, sir.

Good evening, commissioners.

Um we are a team here representing Sawa, and uh we are requesting a special land use permit.

26-1247 two one to allow concrete recycling.

Uh this business will take place on the M and Zone M industrial zoning district.

So I was founded in 2014 and has a diverse business model and is looking to expand into the concrete recycling.

At this time, I'm gonna bring up uh Reginald Creighton, who is our engineer.

Good evening.

Uh good evening, commissioners.

Uh again, like it's my name is Resina Creighton.

I'm with South Region Resources in Latonville, Georgia.

Um what I just passed to her was uh an updated site plan uh or sketch concept plan that we have uh for the project uh it's two uh so I'll wait until you guys have you can pause this time for a minute, please.

Thank you.

Yeah, I think there's a lot of things.

Thank you.

Yeah, they want to come out.

All right, if we can start the clocking, go ahead, sir.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you.

So if you look at the um with the first layout for the site layout, um the road to the north is uh Latonia Industrial Boulevard.

Um it does have two existing entrances and exodus.

The one to the west, uh, we're proposing to block that off completely because it has no deceleration or acceleration.

Can you talk a little closer to the mic, sir?

Oh, I'm I'm sorry.

We're planning to block the western uh exit off entrance and exit off completely because there are no deceleration or acceleration lanes there existing right now.

If you look to the east, there is an exit with an existing deceleration and acceleration lane so the trucks can enter and leave um safely, and there's also a curb cut in the median on Latonia Industrial Boulevard existing.

As you enter into the site, um the dunk trucks will make a right as shown.

Um and they will go in a loop pattern.

The trucks will go in a loop pattern around the site.

Um if you see the first one number eight, that is where the trucks will dump and unload the material, which is be concrete as they can that you continue on.

Number nine, that was the conveyor that will crush the concrete.

As you continue number 10, that's where the material will be, or the revised material would be.

Also, dust will be controlled on the site with watering trucks.

The conveyor belt will also be equipped with watering equipment to keep down the dust on the site.

Also, as stated, the properties that he has is probably roughly 34 acres.

Uh, most of this site, or what you see right here is the cleared portion.

Um, if you look to the south of it, there is an existing creek, and this area is heavily wooded.

So there will protect everything else.

That will be a natural noise barrier, as you might say, uh, on both sides.

Um again, this area is basically all industrial.

So there won't be any residences or complaining about the noise or anything.

All right, thank you, sir.

Thank you.

And you have about five minutes, 40 seconds left of your time if you need to rebut or if the gentleman needs to come back up.

Okay.

Is anyone else here to speak in favor of this item?

Good morning.

Good morning.

Jesus been a long day.

Good evening, sir.

How you all doing?

I'm Frank Redding.

I'm at 2527 Belleville Avenue.

I'm here to speak uh in favor of this.

Uh, just go over a couple of things you heard earlier.

Uh, one of the best things that we talk about here in this site of the 38 acres we'll be using, probably less than uh somewhere between six and nine acres of it.

The rest of it is old growth forest, which will will remain that.

I think the closest residence to this property, I think it's about two miles or certainly is in excess of a mile.

Uh we will use this.

It's the economic development here, it's a little hard to see, but it exists because we will be hiring people from around the existing area, and we will be using uh some local businesses even to do some of the transporting of it.

Uh we have uh recently uh uh gone through a tremendous amount of uh remediation on the property just to make sure that we were uh clear of the uh of any of any uh buffers that we needed to the uh to the water.

So we're hoping that you will give us a and we're requesting a two-week deferral until your next zoning meeting, because we believe that from the outset we and our conversations with the staff, uh they have been very uh friendly to us and they've been very, very helpful to us, and we think we are almost at a meeting of the mine, so we can come back with a uh with a record some staff recommendation that will include some conditions that uh we think we can easily be.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Anyone else in favor of this item?

See no one, anyone in opposition of this item.

Good evening.

Good evening, Gina Mangum, East Decab Community Coalition.

Umly opposed to this development, and one thing that the uh planning department and the applicant are not talking about is you all just approved a 331 home housing project across the street.

Now, granted, it's a big street, and so it may not be within the 500 feet that has to, where people have to be notified, but I'd like to point out that I was the only one at the community meeting, the pre-application community meeting.

It was held in December on a Friday night, which is probably the absolute worst time to get people out.

I also looked at the addresses.

There were no addresses on the list, they were email addresses, so we really don't even know if they met the requirements of contacting people that are required by the code.

We don't need this kind of economic development.

However, if you look at the area, it is industrial.

But Stonecrest is committed over the last nine years or eight years not to put anything heavy industrial in this space.

For years we fought an asphalt plant, a biomass plant, we got the landfill closed.

It was one thing after another.

And now we come back.

I actually thought this was part of Stone Crest, but apparently there's still a portion that is unincorporated lithonia or unincorporated decav.

But they've really done a nice job.

The auto parts place is well landscaped.

They've uh made requirements.

Stonecrest has made requirements for tree buffers and other things to keep this area more in line with what's happening in the in the development part.

And so I would just say, number one, I don't think the people across the street even have any idea of what's coming their way, but I would say that development is not even built out.

And in order to take care of your constituents, I really think it would be disingenuous for them to buy these homes, come in, and then find out that there's going to be a cement recycling or concrete recycling plant.

Not to talk about the environmental risks, the dust that's that's created.

There's just a lot of reasons not to put this there.

Finally, um, in terms of just what's going on in the area, Lithonia, as you've heard many times before, is already inundated with pollution.

We just do not need another dust emitting plant near neighborhoods or anywhere in Lithonia.

So I would really like to uh a legal opinion on whether or not this violates the prohibition against material waste that was put in place just for this reason several years ago.

So I think that's something we need to look at.

I've also looked up SAWA Partners, LLC.

I don't know how much experience they have in this business, but when you talk about environmental concerns, I think we need to make sure that they have some experience in what they're doing and aren't just putting forth plans that are nice to have.

So I don't know who they contacted in Stonecrest.

Uh they said there was a letter sent, but I do know that when Metro Green, which was a similar development, uh was proposed, it actually there was a lawsuit behind that.

So I can't believe that the residents of Stonecrest would be supporting this type of project.

So for all those reasons, we would ask for a denial.

And I might point out the reason why the vote was 500.

Well, first of all, I don't even know if that's a quorum for the community council, but the reason why the vote was probably 500 is there was nobody from the community there.

Um no one knew about it.

I couldn't make the meeting, and so nobody was there to represent the community.

So if nothing else, it should at least come back where folks have to have some input into what's going on in this community.

And we just ask you, please, please, please, stop putting industrial development in black communities.

I hear folks, you know, talking about they don't want a gas station in their neighborhood.

We're not even talking about a gas station.

We're talking about a polluting, dust-emitting concrete facility.

And we just don't need it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else in opposition?

Good evening, ma'am.

Renee Cale, Citizens for Healthy and Safe Environment.

Thank you for giving us a chance to speak.

I'm looking at this picture.

It looks like pollution, uh, the dust from cement plants is very dangerous.

The cement industry, a foundation of global infrastructure development, significantly, significantly contributes to environmental pollution.

Key sources of pollution include dust emissions, greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, and the release of toxic substances such as heavy metals and particulate matter.

These pollutants contribute to air, water, soil degradation, and are linked to severe health conditions in nearby populations, including respiratory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and increased mortality rates.

Noise pollution is also a significant issue inducing auditory diseases that affect even the workers in cement plants and disturbing the population living in the neighborhoods.

We have explored pollution paths and the multifaceted impacts of cement production on the environment.

It also highlights the social challenges faced by communities, particularly black and brown communities and rural communities.

I don't know why they keep putting them in our neighborhoods.

It underscores the urgent need for stricter environmental policies and the adoption of greener technologies to mitigate the adverse effects of cement cement production on both the environment and human health.

Cement recycling centers in Georgia, particularly in areas like Stone Crest face opposition opposition, Stonecrest and Lithonia due to significant negative impacts.

It creates heavy traffic and raises environmental justice concerns affecting the nearby residential neighborhoods.

Particulate matter reduces air quality, and the process can also result in runoff that contributes to soil erosion and water pollution.

Residents often complain about noise pollution and the proximity of industrial activity to neighborhoods, as seen in the Metro Green case in DeCap County.

Safety hazards, unprotected construction debris, and rubble from improperly managed sites can clog, spill, and threaten local areas.

Leaching risk.

Recycled concrete aggregate can lead to the leaching of heavy metals into the soil or groundwater.

Polluting industries in and around Lithonia include metal processing, shredding, granite quarrying, nearby logistics related traffic emissions the area has experienced or is adjacent to concerns regarding a metal shelter, shredded wire, chop line on Chapman Road, and risk associated with heavy traffic, which contributes to areas, elevated particulate matter, and poor quality index.

Diesel exhaust is a toxic mix mixture of gases and fine particulates known to cause short-term lung health issues, respiratory, cardiovascular, and asthma.

And I'll let uh my colleagues speak.

Thank you, ma'am.

Good evening, ma'am.

Good evening, Nia Harper, Citizens for Health and Safe Environment.

DeCab County has a major risk from air quality.

Um I don't know if you guys are looking at this picture, but the first thing I thought about was air.

Um it looks gray, it looks like it's cloudy.

Um, and as the as the former man said, he you guys are creating that it's a dump.

It sounds like a recycling facility, but it's a it's a concrete dump.

Um Cab County has a major risk.

The number of poor air quality days, air quality index over 100 in DeCab County will be higher in 30 days and 30 years.

Based on the number of poor air quality days, DeCab County has worse air quality than 94 percent of counties in Georgia.

Environmental factors like industrial power generation and transportation emissions can contribute to local particulate matter, but this particular um industrial business is contributes even more.

Risk factor assumes these levels will remain constant into the future to isolate the impact for climate change.

Other EPA, this is from EPA criteria pollutants, including nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide um leak can also contribute to air quality levels.

So my concern for the neighborhood for the 300 home buyers that will be coming to the neighborhood is air quality.

Um right up the street from Latonia Industrial is where they're doing all the I 20 construction.

So it's already gray in that area.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Um, I believe the applicant had a few minutes left if he wanted to re-butt anything.

All right, seeing no movement from the applicant.

If the staff would come back and give their recommendation staff recommends full cycle deferral.

Thank you, full cycle deferral.

I just double checking on the applicant.

Okay, thank you, sir.

Is there a motion?

Yes.

Yes.

Yeah.

Hold on.

Yeah, the applicant was is coming back up.

We're a little out of order, but we'll allow this.

Oh, thank you.

Um I just wanted to address some of the um things that you wanted.

Um if you can address us, sir, and not the audience.

Yes, I'm sorry.

Yes.

So as as for the uh bad air or again, he will have dust trucks on site.

Also, the conveyor itself will be equipped with watering equipment to keep the dust down.

And as we stated, his total property is probably 38 acres, and the majority of it is trees.

Um it's a portion of the property is transversed by a creek, an existing creek.

So a lot of this is up front and is already been removed.

A lot was going to be removed is removed.

And right now we're they aren't planning to remove any more trees for this part of the construction.

Um, so that will be a noise barrier there.

They we do have things in place to keep the dust down.

Also, we will be doing um erosion control on site to prevent erosion and things of such nature.

And so that's that's all I wanted to say.

Thank you, sir.

Um you can continue with your motion, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Yeah, I'd like to um defer this item for one um cycle, and of course, that'll go back to planning and community council.

And I have a comment.

All right, second.

I have a motion and a second you have the floor, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Yeah, now the neighborhood, I think that is being spoken of was uh in the city of Stone Crest.

So we did not approve that neighborhood.

And so I just wanted to clarify that.

And secondly, you know you cannot come to the microphone unless you're asked to come to the microphone.

Thank you.

And um, secondly, um please have a seat ma'am, thank you.

And secondly, um I'd just like to say that uh you all mentioned Metro Green, Metro Green was approved by Stone Crest, and of course I led the charge to get that, try to get that reversed by uh showing that the cab attempting to show that the cab had the exclusive authority for recycling throughout the county, and of course, um we contacted our neighbors in district five, although it was in the city of Stone Crest.

So I'm very familiar about pollution, the environment, and the effect that these particular industrial recycling plants have on our neighborhoods.

So I intend to speak with the appropriate departments about this, and in addition to sending it back for secure uh community council, I'm sure that you all will inform the communities that are involved and the people that are involved so that they will be at the uh community council meeting and the planning commission when it comes back up, and I will have additional knowledge on it when it comes back up.

So with that, um I yield back.

Thank you.

See no further request to speak, please open the machine for the vote.

The motion to defer for a full cycle carries.

We're now on the top of page five, item in 10 2026-0147, Commission District 5, Super District 7, application of Gregory Scott to rezone property from R 100 to RSM zoning district to the development of a triplex at 6136 Shadow Rock Lane.

Good evening, sir.

Good evening.

I am Lucas Planner with Planning and Sustainability.

And I'll keep this short.

We are recommending withdrawal without prejudice.

This was requested by the applicant.

Here's the email as proof.

Uh recommended at the scene as well, and community council had a recommend denial.

And that was all I have to say.

Love short and brief.

Thank you, sir.

So is the applicant here tonight?

Not seeing the applicant.

Is there anyone here to speak in favor of this item?

Anyone in favor?

Okay.

Is anyone in opposition of this item wishing to speak?

Anyone wishing to speak in opposition?

Seeing no one, Mr.

Lucas, if you can come back and give staff recommendation.

Our recommendation is withdrawal without prejudice.

Thank you, sir.

Is there a motion?

I'll make a motion to withdraw this item.

0147.

I make a motion to withdraw 260147 without precedence.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

I see no request to speak.

Please open the machine for the vote.

Excuse me, that motion to withdraw without prejudice carries.

Um the next the rest of the agenda includes um district three, and she has requested that we Commissioner Messiah, thank you.

Um it has been a long day.

We've been here since nine o'clock this morning.

She has requested that we hear N15 next and then continue with the printed agenda.

So now that is item 2026-0152, Commission District 3, Super District 7, application of Sandra Queen on behalf of the National Association of Minority Contractors of Great Atlanta, Arthur J.

Queen Institute, and EGM Atlanta to request a street name change to change the street designated as East Side Drive to Arthur J.

Queen Drive.

The property is located within the C1 zoning district in tier three of the I-20 overlay district.

Good evening, Deputy Director Bragg.

Good evening.

Um, could you flip to the last slide?

And no, it's not working.

Okay.

Um so the staff recommendation uh for this item is for approval, and the planning commission also recommended approval.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is the applicant here?

Good evening, ma'am.

Good evening.

Good evening.

My name is Kelsey Queen Robinson, and I am representing my mother, Sandra Queen, who's in the audience.

Arthur Queen was a dedicated entrepreneur and a cherished member of the DeCab County community for over 40 years.

His extensive contributions to the field, particularly in construction, and his active involvement with the National Association of Minority Contractors at both the local and national levels have left a lasting impact that deserves recognition.

Arthur Queen's leadership in the industry and community helped shape the economic and social landscape of DeCab County.

As a trailblazer in the construction industry, he broke barriers and opened doors for others to follow in his footsteps.

His efforts were recognized with numerous awards.

Yet we believe this public acknowledgement through the renaming of East Side Drive is a fitting tribute to such a remarkable individual.

His service on numerous boards within the community includes the National Association of Minority Contractors, the DeCab Chamber, the Atlanta Business League, the 100 Black Men of DeCab, the Metro CID, and the Deacon and Chairman of the Board of Heloved Church, Love Life Christian Fellowship, which is also located in DeCab County.

Because of his contributions and belief in the building of community and providing second chances, an institute has been established in his honor to provide a training program for residents in DeCav and teach them a lifelong career of installing windows.

And we have numerous success success stories from the program of men and women who've changed the trajectory of their lives.

Arthur J.

Queen didn't just build structures, he built foundations for others to stand on.

In an era when urban development can often be overlooked and undervalued by the very people living in the city's heart.

Mr.

Queen operated with a different philosophy.

He understood that a building's true value was measured by jobs being created and the pride it instilled in the local neighborhood.

His business acumen was matched only by his mentorship.

He was known for opening doors that had long been bolted short for contractors and young entrepreneurs, ensuring that the Queen legacy was synonymous with economic empowerment.

Let us honor Arthur Queen's memory by ensuring that his contributions and values are forever enshrined in the name of a street that many people traverse every day.

This renaming will not only acknowledge his personal legacy, but also highlight the importance of community leaders who have dedicated their lives to making a positive impact in our neighborhoods.

A dedicated husband, a beloved father, and an admired grandfather.

Arthur J's Queen's life was a narrative of construction of buildings through windows, of character, and of a better future for his community.

Dedicating a street in his honor is the county's way of saying that while the man is passed, the path he paved is still one we should follow.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Is there anyone else here to speak in favor of this application?

Good evening, sir.

Good evening, Commissioners.

My name is Tommy Travis, advocate for the community with the South DeCab Coalition.

I won't belabor the time by speaking what we've already heard about Mr.

Queen as a pillar of the community and a hidden figure in South DeCab.

I think that renaming the street is truly appropriate.

And uh DeCab would be uh honored to have the street named after him in accordance with the new fire station is coming to memorialize Mr.

Queen that way a man who's dedicated his life to others.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone else wishing to speak?

Anyone else from this family wishing to speak?

Yes.

Any of the sons, come on.

They don't have to, they don't want to.

Well, I just like to say that uh this would be a wonderful honor for my dad.

Um he was an upstanding upright man, and he led by action.

And um, I followed him through the business since the inception of the business, and uh it truly changed my life, and it gave me something to stand on for the rest of my life, and it would be an honor just to see his name as you turn off of Wesley Chapel.

That's it.

Thank you.

All right, seeing anyone else wishing to speak.

Good evening, ma'am.

Good evening, commissioners.

It's an honor to be here, and I thank you even for the consideration and opportunity.

As you've heard, Arthur was a wonderful man, not because he was my husband, and it would be befitting.

Arthur would always say when he was applying for LSBE and other contracts and other organizations.

He would always say, I live in the cab, I work in the cab, I am the cab.

And I think that local street would just be so befitting to name Arthur J.

Queen Drive, Mr.

DeCab.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Anyone else wishing to speak in favor?

Okay.

I see no one else coming forward.

Anyone wishing to speak in opposition of this item?

Anyone wishing to speak in opposition of this item?

Okay, seeing none, Deputy Director Bragg.

The staff recommendation is for approval.

Thank you.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion and a second.

Commissioner Masaya has requested a speaker.

You have the floor, ma'am.

This just warns my heart.

Um, you know, I wish we could have gotten this done uh a couple of weeks ago when we had the honor to be able to provide a proclamation on behalf of your husband, your father.

Um, but I appreciate you guys uh taking the trip to come back down better late than never.

And uh, you know, wanted to make sure that it didn't drag on too long.

We didn't have you here at 10 o'clock at night.

But this is just an opportunity to celebrate an amazing man, a pillar to our community, um, a stable to de Cab County, and I am honored and sincerely have the pleasure to support and encourage, put this forward to make sure that a befitting man actually has his due recognition here in DeCab County by having a street named by him.

So just thank you so much for all that you allowed him to lend to DeCab County and the efforts, all of his sacrifice, because I know that it was him and it was all of you that supported him along the way.

With that, I yield back to you, Madam P.

Thank you, Commissioner Messiah.

Commissioner Davis Johnson.

I tell you, it's so very deserving.

And of course, you all know that he touched my heart.

He was a incredible human being, very humbled, and he touched so many different lives that they many would not know.

So this is a very deserving honor.

This means his legacy will live on.

And it's also it also comes in women's history mud because he instilled in his daughter Kelsey how to run that business.

When I first met him, and I first met Kelsey, she was right by his side.

And so Miss Queen and Kelsey, you are a caring for his legacy.

And I know that he's looking down in appreciation and love for his whole family because he loved his family.

And so my heart is full tonight for you.

Because I know this is something that you want.

I look forward to being there when that street that I always cut through will be named.

I can always, I can't never remember that street that I cut through.

But I'll always know now.

Somebody asked me, what's that street you cut through?

I'll proudly say Artha Queen Street.

So thank you, and I yield back.

Thank you, Commissioner Davis Johnson.

Commissioner Bolton.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer.

And I'm gonna be extremely brief, but I wanted to share with the family, just as proud as you are.

We're even more honored that you allowed us to do this because we've attended over the past year a couple of street renamings, whether it was for the state or cities or different things, but when we get an amazing community member who has left a legacy in the space where they live, work, worship, and raise their family.

It's an honor for us to be able to name the streets after those people.

And I was sharing with my husband the other day that the reason a lot of men are great or have great legacies is because of the women in their lives.

If you think about MLK, we the reason we have a legacy for Martin Luther King or his birthday as a holiday is because of Coretta.

Or if you think about Tupac, for instance, it was because of his mother and so many others.

It's the women who create legacies for the men who did amazing things for their communities.

So thank you for allowing us to share in those legacies.

And I can't wait to join Commissioner Messiah and the Queen family when we do the ribbon cutting and the actual celebration.

It's gonna be an amazing time.

So thank you for allowing us to do this for you.

I yield back.

And I'll just say I think we all want to be at the ribbon cutting, so I hope we all get that invitation.

We do.

Thank you.

Don't leave us all out.

Okay.

I know they want to hold it.

It's seven and three, but we want to be there.

We're all gonna be there.

We're all excited to celebrate.

See, no further request to speak.

Please open the shame for the vote.

That is approved.

Congratulations.

Isn't that the extra large sign?

Yes.

And maybe an extra one for the family to take home with them.

No, it's not.

Item N11 2026-0148, Commission District 3, Super District 7.

Application of Greater Stanton Grove, MBC Caribon Reeves for a special land use permit to allow a place of worship in the R 100 zoning district at 4031 Rainbow Drive.

Good evening, Lucas.

Greetings again.

Here's for the zoning map.

We see it's R 100 in the area.

So we do have residential to the east, west, and north.

But to the south, we do have an elementary school bordering this property, which we see as like a proper transitional use.

You can see a U shape created by the trees, creating a nice barrier and buffer uh between them and the surrounding buildings.

So we see this as an appropriate use.

And that is all I have to say, and I do believe my applicant has a presentation.

Thank you, sir.

And applicant is present this evening.

Good evening, ma'am.

My name is Sony Jackson.

I am representing Greater Standing Grove Missionary Baptist Church for 031 Rainbow Drive.

Good evening, and thank you for this opportunity to present today.

Greater Standing Grove Missionary Baptist Church is a small community focused congregation.

They currently have an average of average attendance of about 20 individuals on Sunday on Sundays.

Our operations are limited primarily primarily to Saturdays and Sundays, 10 to 5, with only occasional evening services.

Sorry.

This includes worship services, ministries, preparations, and meetings, youth programming, small group fellowship and Bible studies, and community outreach activities.

We, as we look ahead, we have a few improvement plans for the property.

This includes landscaping enhancements and also installing a digital sign in the future, which will you which we will use to communicate church information and community announcements.

As a part of the SLUP process, SLERP process, we hosted a community meeting December 1st, 2025 at the property's location.

We had about 27 attendees during that meeting.

Given our small congregation, traffic generated by a church is minimal.

We're on we have significant parking, which has about 60 parking spaces.

We have parking in the back and some in the front.

We are deeply committed to being a positive and active part of this community.

We prior to prioritize opening open communication and being responsive to the needs of our neighbors.

Some of the community services that we have provided have been back to school drives, community yard sales, and a holiday food basket giveaways.

In closing, Greater Standing Grove Missionary Baptist Church is we're we just want to thank you for your time, your consideration, and the opportunity to serve this community.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Anyone else here to speak in favor of this item?

Good evening, sir.

Good evening.

Ummy Travis, advocate for the community in the South the CAP coalition.

I come before you because this House of Worship is a simple community church house of worship, and they want to they've been operating in the community for a number a while now.

They just want to uh officially do it by having a permit so they can put up a sign.

They um are not a detriment to the community.

Um they and the sign would add value to the community.

I would defer obviously to the planning commission for their rules and regulations over the sign, but they need to have permission to install the sign first, but that's what the slope process is for.

So we asked for your approval.

Um, I think they came out here to Pastor and a few other members are here um asking for your pure approval, and uh we we do not oppose it.

Thank you.

Is anyone else in favor of this item?

All right, seeing no one else coming forward to speak in favor.

Is anyone in opposition of this item?

Anyone in opposition?

All right, seeing the one.

Lucas, if you will tell us staff recommendation one more time.

Our recommendation is for approval.

All right, is there a motion?

Motion to uh approve with the uh adopted conditions.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Is there I see no request to speak?

Please open machines for the vote.

That carries approval carries.

Thank you.

On to end 12 item 2026-0149, Commission District 3, Super District 6, application of wind transitional home care of Cartisha Cox and to Tamaria Weaver for special land use permit renewal to allow a child care institution in the R75 zoning district for up to six clients at 1890 Weakirk Road.

Hi Lucas.

Greetings again.

If I had to use one word to describe this application, I would use undercooked.

Um and that is why we're recommending withdrawal without prejudice.

As you see, we originally had two cycle deferral because they simply weren't that deep into construction with their project.

Um so we're recommending withdrawal without prejudice, so they have time to go back, finish more of their project, propos make a proper proposal, and be able to come back with a proper application.

Uh regarding a two-year-cycle deferral, that would put them under a development pressure uh to get their project done within a certain amount of time.

Um otherwise, that's all I have to present.

Thank you, sir.

I like that term undercooked.

Is the applicant present?

Not seeing the applicant.

Is anyone here to speak in favor?

There's hardly anyone left in the crowd.

Anyone here in opposition?

All right, Mr.

Lucas, if you will come back and give staff recommendation.

Our recommendations withdraw without prejudice.

Is there a motion?

Motion to withdraw without prejudice.

We have a motion and a second.

Oh, Commissioner Patrick.

Hey, he started the dad jokes.

He did start with the dad jokes.

PWI, sir, is where we maintain those good quality jokes.

We don't zoning is too serious for that.

But um that's it.

That was your comment.

That was my phone.

See no other request to speak.

Please open machine for a vote.

This is what happens when we're at like our 12, wherever we're at.

That motion carries.

Thank you.

We're not, we're we're we're getting there.

Got two more.

We are at N 13, item 2026-0150.

Commission District 3, Super District 6, application of Eisenhower Services Incorporated Care of Tracy Swerrington Senior to amend the chart character area for light industrial to suburban character area to allow a single family residential development at 1680 and 1700 Henrico Road.

Good evening, John.

And there's also a companion rezone case on the next one.

Oh, we're excited.

I don't know.

Lucas was getting up there with that dad joke of being my favorite tonight, but you may have topped it.

Okay.

Got it from yes.

In 14, item 2026-0151, Commission District 3, Super District 6, application of Eisenhower Services Incorporated Care of Tracy Tracy Swearington Senior to rezone property from Tier 4A of the Boulder Crest Overlay District within the Soapstone Historic District with the underlying M industrial zoning district to two tier 5 of the Bouldercrest Overlay District within the Soapstone Historic District with the underlying R100 zoning district to allow for a single family residential development at 1680, 1690, and 1700 Henrico Road.

Good evening, John.

Thank you.

Um so yeah, this the subject properties are 1680, 1690, and 1700 Henrico Road.

Um the uh subject properties are shown here.

It's uh two of the properties are light industrial character area currently, and there's also uh the one on the north side there is currently in suburban uh character area.

Uh this is the zoning map, as we mentioned, it's in the boulder crest overlay, and the subject properties uh currently fall in an industrial tier in that blue hatched area.

Um, and then we have the single family tier five that's abutting it in purple to the east.

Um the site plan proposes 31 lots currently at a pretty low density of eight tenths of unit per acre.

Um these are the conceptual elevations they're proposing.

This is one that's been that staff's gone back and forth with and struggled with because we could see it going both ways.

We could see it staying industrial like it is, or we could see it going single family.

Uh you know, the arguments for industrial is it's on a state trucking route along Enrico Road.

It has frontage along two interstates, and it's also the argument that keeping the industrial, we wouldn't lose any industrial tax base.

However, there's reasons for single family.

You know, the overarching goal of the of the DeCab County plan is to provide new and affordable housing wherever possible.

Um also it abuts single family, and that single family actually is in pretty good condition on that side.

It was built in 2005-2006 primarily.

Uh additionally, while the properties do have frontage on the interstates, they don't have any direct access.

Um what we're uh while we support the housing goals, you know, we won't we don't support it how it currently is applied for with these three properties.

Um we would only support a residential application if the board of commissioners was willing to rezone the the two industrial parties that would remain if this went to residential.

Uh and the reason for that is we we don't want to have land use conflicts between industrial and residential.

If you look to the south, uh some of the commissioners here may be aware there's been a lot of land use conflicts over the years.

You'll see the to the left of that vertical black line is the Cockrace Court truck parking, and there's been a lot of you know uh conflicts and regarding uh things that were happening with that property and uh and then a bedding residential, and we don't want that really happening on this side at north of Henrico Road.

So uh we are recommending a two-cycle deferral for two reasons.

One to allow the board of commissioners to determine if they would like to uh include these other two part industrial parcels as part of the residential application, and secondly, to allow the applicant to we have uh some staff comments regarding the site plan and how it needs to comply with uh the uh boulder crest overlay requirements.

So that's our recommendation is two cycle deferral.

Thank you, John.

And the applicant is present.

Good evening, sir.

Thank you very much.

Good afternoon, everyone.

My name is Tracy Swearingen.

Uh, the applicant, we're requesting uh, and thank you, John.

That was a great overlay into the presentation, but we're requesting the board approved this evening uh our request for both uh item number 13 and 14.

Um yes, 13 and 14.

We're not dead last.

Uh and we're asking that uh also there were some comments within the staff's recommendation that we are in line actually with the overall goal of the CAP and what the commission and the community have said they want as far as more residential development.

In addition to that, since there was last a uh land use looked at in the area, which was best of my knowledge, 2013.

That plan that came out of that.

There's been no development on this same land, which was already previously in uh zoned as industrial, and with the overlay, the viable uses for it, uh, if memory serves me correct, there's actually only one, which would be for a store that would provide glass, paint, or wallpaper, uh, which you were talking almost 36 acres of land or a little over 36 acres.

Uh with the proposal for 31 homes that was our draft proposal for it.

Uh, if we're approved, we would of course be in compliance with the CAP County's uh zoning as well as with the soapstone overlay uh with how we did move forward with the design application for residences, of course.

Uh in addition to that, public works uh has already made a recommendation that there was no traffic concerns that they identified, as well as there's no negative impact to education, and we think that uh the addition of the single family homes there.

The owner is also in possession of about another roughly 40 acres over on west side that uh we're already in the process of moving forward with that to make that residential, so we think it would be of a benefit to the overall look of the existing community to add some more uh density to the cap.

So we think it would be of a benefit to the overall look of the existing community to add some more uh density to the cap and for whatever it may do as far as taking away any industrial usage, I think it would more than make up for it in the residential application.

Uh I'll reserve any remaining time uh if that's possible.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else here to speak in favor of this item?

Anyone to speak in favor?

Seeing no one, is anyone here to speak in opposition?

Good evening, sir.

Good evening.

Monica.

No.

Thank you.

Good evening, madam presiding officer.

Members of the commission.

Um, I am here speaking on behalf of the Metro South Community Improvement District Board of Directors.

Um I am Larry Kaiser, executive director of the CID.

We are vehemently opposed to this rezoning.

I could not say that in any stronger words.

I provided a letter dated February the 9th regarding our concerns.

I will not go through the entire list, but I did want to mention a few.

Number one, this piece of property is industrial and a story.

The reason no development has occurred is something that we are working on right now with plan and sustainability with some modifications to the overlay district.

This property is not the only one that has not been developed in the CID because of issues with the overlay district.

So I wanted to get that out of the way.

Number two, we have had multiple problems with trucks and vehicles, cars intercepting with each other, conflicting with each other.

We have and several of the commission members are very aware of this.

What we don't need as another residential community button up against industrial properties.

That is just a problem waiting to happen once again.

Number three, we don't want to lose any industrial footprint at all.

That has been one of the goals in the CID since 2016.

No loss of industrial properties, period.

None.

I could not be any more stronger in terms of our feelings toward that at all.

And so with all that said, I would ask that the board, the commission, deny this application, including number 13 and number 14 on this project.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else here to speak in opposition of this item?

See no one else in opposition.

Um Mr.

Swearing Swerrington, you do have some retire left to rebut if you would so choose.

Yes, ma'am.

I'll it will be uh very brief, madam chair.

Uh again, I think one of the biggest things that uh Mr.

Kaiser hit on was what he sees as traffic issues.

Again, the Cab County's traffic department did take a look at it, and they put in the their report to staff that there was no traffic concerns that they were concerned with with the area.

Thank you very all very much, and uh hopefully you will see it our way.

Thank you, sir.

Um John, if you'd like to come forward with the staff recommendation.

And if we can get the voting back on our screens, thank you.

Staff recommendation is for a two-cycle deferral.

Thank you.

Is there a motion for item 2026-0150?

Motion for a two-cycle deferral.

Is there a second?

We have a motion and a second.

Uh Commissioner McSay has requested a speaker of the floor, ma'am.

Thank you so much.

Just noting that um one out of the community council, there was no recommendation very much, but like an opportunity to have further conversations both with the applicant and Metro South CID.

Um, that applicant did reach out.

I haven't heard anything back from I haven't heard anything from Metro South CID in terms of um any specifics related to their concerns.

So I would like to be able to have that conversation and better understand.

Also noting that um I do know the appetite for the community have shared that they do want uh single family residential.

So and um in consideration of what staff's recommendation is and to allow for an opportunity to all of for all of that to take place.

My motion stands as a two-cycle deferral.

Thank you.

Seeing no other request to speak, please open the machine for the vote.

That two cycle deferral carries.

Is there a motion for item 2026-0151?

Which is N14.

Yes.

Again, um, seeing as those are uh accompanying um items.

My motion is for a two-cycle deferral.

Thank you.

Is there a second?

Motion and a second.

Seeing no further requests to speed.

So we'll put those together for the vote.

Oh, I thought we had to do them separate.

We clarified, so that you only have to do them separately if they're different motions, for example, an approval with conditions versus just approval.

So I I can get my most important motion of the evening in.

And we're so ready for it.

Motion to adjourn.

Second.

All in favor, everybody.

Aye.

Your second stands, Commissioner Terry.

Oh, well, we can leave it like that.

Yeah.

I meant my motion.

My motion to um is to adjourn.

And I I second that emotion.

You see me, I second that emotion.

Okay.

What is law here?

All favor.

All in favor.

Wait, well, she's pulling it.

She's pulling it.

Too late.

Okay.

Okay.

Right now.

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