Johns Creek City Council Meeting – January 12, 2026: Oaths, Zoning Remand, and Appointments
Johns Creek City Council Meeting – January 12, 2026
The Johns Creek City Council held its regular meeting on January 12, 2026, at 7:05 PM. The meeting began with the oath of office for newly elected councilmembers Dilip Tunki (Post 1), Bob Erramilli (Post 3), Larry DiBiase (Post 5), and Mayor John Bradberry. The council approved a consent agenda covering stormwater code updates, a service delivery strategy resolution, a Google Fiber franchise agreement, renewal of the Parks Without Borders agreement with Alpharetta, and right-of-way abandonment on McGinnis Ferry Road. A major public hearing and vote took place on a remand zoning case for a drive-through restaurant at 5805 State Bridge Road, which was approved despite public opposition. The council also elected Councilmember Aaron Elwood as Mayor Pro Tem and reappointed Donald Schaefer as Chief Judge and Jenny Nguyen as Associate Judge of the Municipal Court. Public comments addressed e-bike regulations and the zoning case.
Consent Calendar
- O2026-01-01: Ordinance to amend the Stormwater Utility Code – approved.
- R2026-01-01: Resolution related to Service Delivery Strategy – approved.
- Franchise Agreement with Google Fiber – approved.
- Parks Without Borders Agreement Renewal with Alpharetta – approved.
- Abandonment and Disposition of Right-of-Way on McGinnis Ferry Road to the Development Authority of Fulton County – approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- First Session (Agenda Item J): Gloria Broadus (5480 Royce Drive) expressed support for a city recreation center and urged the city to consider designated bike lanes with barriers for e-bike safety. She stated she rides an e-bike for transportation but avoids street bike lanes due to driver inattention.
- Public Hearing on Old Business (Agenda Item M.1):
- Opposition: Joan Compton (5355 Lake Bank Lane) argued the proposed drive-through restaurant contradicts the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and 2024 Revitalization Plan, which envision a walkable village-like setting at Medlock Corners. She noted low public turnout was due to inadequate notice (legal ads placed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, no signage at the site). She requested denial.
- Opposition: Dale Huff (110 Ginger Gate Court) echoed disappointment over the loss of a historic tree and urged council to seek alternative development that aligns with community vision.
- Opposition: Jean Vieneman (Seven Oaks neighborhood) asked the council to defer the vote to allow more public input, citing insufficient notice.
- Second Session (Agenda Item P): Gloria Broadus returned to continue her comments on e-bikes, advocating that the city regulate reckless rider behavior without removing sidewalk riding privileges for responsible adults.
Discussion Items
- Old Business: Remand Zoning Case (O2026-01-02) – Director Song presented the case: a remand from Fulton County Superior Court for a 4,720 sq ft drive-through restaurant on a 0.72-acre outparcel at 5805 State Bridge Road, with variances to reduce parking (from 355 to 299) and eliminate interior landscape strips. Staff recommended approval with 12 conditions limiting uses to fast-casual restaurants (e.g., Chipotle, Panera) and prohibiting QSR (fast food). The applicant (Tyler Morris, Willow Capital Partners) agreed to the conditions and noted no current tenant, but Shake Shack had previously been considered. Council members expressed concerns about traffic congestion, especially at the nearby Medlock Corners intersection, and the poor condition of the adjacent driveway (owned separately but tied by reciprocal easement). The applicant committed to working with the adjacent owner to improve traffic flow. After public hearing, the council voted to approve. Councilmember Elwood noted the unique legal posture allowed negotiation of additional conditions that might not have been possible otherwise.
- Election of Mayor Pro Tem (Agenda Item N.1) – Councilmember Coughlin nominated Councilmember Aaron Elwood, citing her experience, legal background, and composure. Councilmember Tunki seconded. No other nominations. Councilmember Elwood accepted and promised to serve diligently. The council voted unanimously to elect her for the term January 2026 – December 2027.
- Reappointment of Chief Judge (R2026-01-02) – Councilmember Skinner motioned to reappoint Donald Schaefer. Multiple council members praised his fair and efficient handling of municipal court. The motion passed unanimously.
- Reappointment of Associate Judge (R2026-01-03) – Councilmember Coughlin motioned to reappoint Jenny Nguyen. Council members cited her performance and fairness. Motion approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: All five items approved unanimously.
- Zoning Remand (O2026-01-02): Approved with conditions. The ordinance amends the zoning map to allow a fast-casual restaurant with drive-through and variances for parking and landscaping. The vote was unanimous (7-0).
- Mayor Pro Tem: Councilmember Aaron Elwood elected by unanimous voice vote.
- Judicial Reappointments: Judge Donald Schaefer (Chief) and Judge Jenny Nguyen (Associate) reappointed unanimously.
- Executive Session: Council voted to adjourn to executive session to discuss land, legal, or personnel matters.
No other old or new business was brought forward.
Meeting Transcript
Meeting of the Johns Creek City Council for 2026 on this January 12th. And it is 7.05 p.m. Thank you. At this time I'll call Rawl. Please. Councilmember Chunky? Here. Councilmember Skinner. Here. Councilmember Aramelli. Present. Councilmember Coughlin. Present. Councilmember D.B. Here. Councilmember Elwood? Here. Thank you, Mayor. We do have a quorum. Fantastic. I would like to invite our scout from Troop 629. Right here. Come forward and leave us in the pledge of allegiance. If everyone please stand while he's making his way up here. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and just as for all. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. The next item on the agenda is a special evening. It's our oath of office. We have Judge Schaefer here to issue those oaths, and the first member to be sworn in is Councilmember Tunkey for post one. I don't know if you all want to come down or just that might be better. Yeah, no problem. Very good, very good. Do you want anyone else up here or you can do yourself? You know they want to come. They want to come. Thank you, Judge. Are you welcome? Just put your left hand, whichever hand you want to put on. There you go. Right hand up. There you go. I'm going to read the oath, and then you can swear or affirm to it. Do you, Dilip Tungi, solemnly swear that you will faithfully execute the office of council member for the City of Johns Creek? And will you, to the best of your ability, support and defend the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Georgia, and the Charter, ordinances and regulations of the City of Johns Creek. Do you further swear or affirm that you will not the holder of any unaccounted for public money? Do this state or any political subdivision or authority thereof. You're not the holder of any office of trust under the government of the United States, any other state or any foreign state which you by the laws of the State of Georgia am prohibited from holding.
openpublica.com