Johns Creek City Council Meeting - December 8, 2025

The Johns Creek City Council met on December 8, 2025, at 7:03 PM at 11360 Lakefield Drive. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by students from Lake Windward and recognition of Scout Troop 226. The council approved the consent agenda, heard public comments about dumping on city property, received the manager's annual report, and conducted a public hearing and vote on a rezoning request for a wellness and recovery center at 12050 Findley Road.

Consent Calendar

• O2025-12-32: Ordinance to amend the FY 25 budget for the E911 Fund.
• O2025-12-33: Ordinance to establish a 2026 meeting calendar.
• ACTION ITEM: Agreement with Autrey Mill. All three items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robert Krubers (first public comment): Expressed urgent concern about dumping and trespassing on his property (6080 Standard View Drive) along Old Medlock Bridge Road. He stated that dumping has occurred for 27 years, endangering his family and neighbors. He requested the city address this safety issue. The city manager agreed to follow up.
• Public Hearing for RZ-25-0003 (opposition speakers within 10-minute limit):
  • Robert Krebell (6080 Standard View Drive): Raised concerns about safety, property values (citing 8–10% decrease), burglaries, and crime. He noted prior experience with drug dealers outside rehab facilities.
  • Betsy Anoop (110 Pro Terrace): Stated she moved to Johns Creek for safety and worried about her autistic child’s safety and the effect on the community.
  • Kathy Mannon (Pro Terrace): Questioned whether the facility would undermine Johns Creek's status as the safest place to live.
  • Dan Marion (Standard View): Opposed due to poor site planning, limited outdoor space, and a prior incident of a patient from the hospital wandering into his neighbor’s yard.
  • Otis McDaniel (130 Pro Terrace): Expressed concern about the 8-foot fence, proximity to his home and Finley Oaks Elementary, and the impact on his children’s sense of safety.
• Second Public Comment (after the vote):
  • Lori Yarborough (11680 Standard Court): Criticized the public hearing process, stating that only 10 minutes were allotted for opposition speakers and that Standard View residents were not notified, while Standard Club was. She felt the decision was predetermined and the process ignored citizen voices.
  • Naga Dobler (resident five years): Argued the facility’s security measures (fence, cameras) indicate risk and noted proximity to an elementary school. He questioned why such a facility should be located near families.

Discussion Items

• Manager’s Monthly Report and Year-in-Review: City Manager Greer presented the monthly report and two handouts summarizing council and staff accomplishments for 2025, including arts and culture events, public safety initiatives (probation division, crime suppression unit, Fire Station 63), park openings (Cauley Creek Park, boardwalk at Town Center), trail connectivity, and economic development (Mizuno, The Foundry, Boston Scientific, Boehringer Ingelheim, Medley). A video highlighted achievements over the past four years. Council members expressed appreciation.
• Macedonia Cemetery Update: The city will proceed with ground-penetrating radar (GPR) over the entire two-acre site, contracting with Bigman Geophysical (experienced with Oakland Cemetery). This follows work session discussion and council direction.
• RZ-25-0003 – Wellness and Recovery Center (Public Hearing and Rezoning):
  • Staff Presentation (Director Song): The subject property is 7.69 acres at 12050 Findley Road, currently zoned O-I Conditional (memory care facility). The applicant (Emory Johns Creek Hospital and TRT Recovery LLC) seeks to rezone to O-I to operate a wellness and recovery center. The existing 35,361 sq. ft. building (constructed 2016–17) would remain unchanged. Key points:
    • No exterior modifications; new 8-foot non-climbable perimeter fence with gate.
    • Existing 96 authorized beds would be reduced (operator indicated 35–50 patients).
    • Trip generation: daily trips decrease from 278 to 209 (net reduction of 69); AM peak 31 trips, PM peak 36 trips.
    • Fulton County confirmed adequate water/sewer capacity.
    • Staff recommended approval with conditions, including increased landscaping condition (condition 10) and fence modification (condition 4).
  • Applicant Presentation:
    • Chuck Palmer (attorney for Emory): Stated Emory will purchase the property; the facility will be a quiet, passive use. Agreed to all conditions.
    • Heather Rederick (COO, Emory Johns Creek Hospital): Supported the facility as a continuum of care for patients after acute hospitalization.
    • Todd Stumbo (owner/operator, TRT Recovery): Described the facility as a voluntary, structured residential treatment program for adults (18+). Average patient age 37; typical stay 28 days. Patients are professionals (doctors, lawyers, executives) with primary mental health diagnoses (major depressive disorder, anxiety, PTSD) and substance use (82% alcohol use disorder). Admissions process includes pre-screening, insurance verification (private pay/insurance, no Medicare/Medicaid), and on-site assessment. Facility features 24/7 staffing, locked doors, surveillance cameras, and 8-foot non-climbable fence. Stumbo noted their other facilities (Cartersville, Dunwoody, East Cobb) operate without incident. He stated the facility would be high-end with costs ~$30,000/month.
  • Council Questions and Deliberation:
    • Council members questioned security protocols, patient demographics, and potential for elopement. Stumbo confirmed staff de-escalation training, no court-ordered patients, and no history of incidents at current facilities.
    • Council discussed conditions: adding non-climbable fence language, landscape screening, and installation of Flock Safety license plate readers on the subject property (approved by Johns Creek Police).
    • Councilmember Bradbury asked about signage; applicant stated minimal signage for privacy.
  • Motion and Vote: Councilmember DiBiassi moved to approve the rezoning with planning commission conditions plus installation of Flock cameras on the property. Councilmember Elwood seconded. The motion passed 6–0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda (3 items): Unanimous.
• Approved RZ-25-0003 Rezoning: 6–0. Conditions include:
  • 8-foot non-climbable perimeter fence (black aluminum ornamental).
  • Landscape screening in sparsely vegetated areas along the fence.
  • Installation of Flock Safety license plate readers on the subject property, linked to Johns Creek Police.
• Macedonia Cemetery: Proceeding with ground-penetrating radar contract with Bigman Geophysical.
• Executive Session: Held for legal, land, and personnel matters; no actions reported.
• Next Meeting: No further meetings scheduled for 2025; 2026 calendar established.