Norcross City Council Policy Work Session Summary – November 17, 2025

The Mayor and City Council of Norcross held a Policy Work Session on Monday, November 17, 2025, beginning at 6:30 PM in the 2nd Floor Conference Room at 65 Lawrenceville Street. Mayor Craig Newton, Mayor Pro Tem Marshall Cheek, and Councilmembers Andrew Hixson, Josh Bare, Matt Myers, and Bruce Gaynor were present. The meeting included citizen input, staff presentations on land-use, public safety, finance, and communications items, and a lengthy discussion of a proposed process for voting on select items at future Policy Work Sessions. Most agenda items were referred to the December 1, 2025 Regular Council Meeting; the purchasing amendment was postponed to December 15; brick paver repair and city manager follow-up were referred to staff. The Council unanimously adjourned to Executive Session at 10:50 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charlotte Osborn (Item 6) expressed concern about increased stormwater runoff and creek erosion near Johnson Dean Forest Preserve from nearby development, and requested an engineering and stormwater review plus adherence to the previously discussed shared, permeable driveway design.
• Ian Lecroy, speaking for Stan Howington (Item 6), stated that the Architectural Review Board's approval of a private driveway was consistent with standards and supported by staff.
• Terry Sutton (Item 6) requested close evaluation of a shared driveway's feasibility during the land-disturbance permitting process.
• Tixie Fowler (Items 6 and 7) raised concerns about grading accuracy, structure size, and slope conditions and requested review by the City Engineer and arborist.
• Stan Howington (Item 6) stated that a shared driveway had been evaluated but was not feasible, and that he had coordinated with staff, the City Engineer, and the City Arborist.
• John Manseur (Item 4) requested that Council vote against Conditions 1 and 2 on the Buford Highway rezoning item.
• Edith Riehm (Item 6) expressed concern about runoff, removal of a detention wall, and impacts on the surrounding neighborhood and natural areas.
• Jim Eyre (various items) supported the Buford Highway Safe Streets project, supported rezoning changes including removal of Conditions 1 and 2, supported tabling certain UDO amendments, commented on brick pavers, encouraged clear notice of potential votes during Policy Work Sessions, and supported the reappointment of Lauren Summers to the Downtown Development Authority.

General Updates

• A planned Solid Waste Recycling update by Steve Edwards was postponed.
• Elizabeth Simpson (NPAC) presented artwork proposals for utility box wraps celebrating parks and places; discussion included translations and rotating displays.
• City Manager Eric Johnson provided financial and project updates, noted that the railroad crossing had reopened, and requested deferral of the purchasing provisions item.

Discussion Items

• 2025-317 – Buford Highway Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan: The City of Doraville applied for the FHWA SS4A grant in September 2022 and developed a Safety Action Plan for a 13-mile stretch of Buford Highway (State Route 13) from Brookhaven to Norcross, partnering with Norcross, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Gwinnett County, the Chamblee Doraville Community Improvement District, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and GDOT. Adoption would make Norcross eligible for FHWA demonstration and implementation grants and complement Norcross's own citywide Safety Action Plan. Staff recommended adopting the Doraville-created plan. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-320 – Adult Daycare Special Use Permit (SUP2025-005): Staff and the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of a special use permit for an adult day care center at 2211 Beaver Ruin Road, Suite 190, in the M1 Light Industry District, subject to five conditions including hours of operation (8:30 AM to 1:30 PM Monday through Friday; administrative office 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), state and health department compliance, no peddlers or parking lot sales, and graffiti repair within 72 hours. The 10.8-acre property has 520 parking spaces, with 148 allocated to the day care; projected membership is about 200 seniors, most arriving by non-emergency transportation. Council members noted the facility appears to be operating already and asked about parking and prior police issues. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-321 – Rezoning to M1 Light Industry (RZ2025-005): Staff and the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of rezoning a 5.24-acre property to M1, subject to conditions including a 10-foot landscape strip, a 40-foot buffer adjacent to residential properties, a 20-foot buffer adjacent to OI properties, and no auto-oriented commercial use. The property currently hosts a landscaping business; the owner is searching for a new tenant with possible equipment rental, fleet parking, landscaping, and building material uses. Council discussed buffer adequacy, stream protection, and future uses. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-322 – Rezoning to BH Buford Highway District (RZ2025-004): Staff recommended approval of rezoning a 0.34-acre lot to BH with six conditions; the Planning and Zoning Board recommended removing Conditions 1 and 2. The property contains an approximately 1,983-square-foot structure and a 640-square-foot accessory garage, with no modifications proposed. Staff also identified a variance for the existing accessory garage on a lot without a rear yard. Several Council members questioned the need to rezone without a proposed change in use or development plan. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-324 – Historic Demolition and New Home (COA2025-027): The applicant proposed demolishing a 1920 historic home and building a two-story, approximately 3,800-square-foot, five-bedroom, two-garage residence on a 0.30-acre lot. The Architectural Review Board found the building a contributing structure that could not be feasibly rehabilitated and recommended approval with conditions. Several Council members expressed concern about demolition and suggested preserving or incorporating the historic structure. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-325 – Appeal of ARB Approval for 60 Barton Street (COA2025-037): The Council reviewed an appeal filed by Brady Rhinehart of the Architectural Review Board's approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Council acts as an intermediate appellate body and will conduct a de novo public hearing on December 1, 2025, with a decision required within 30 days of that hearing. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-330 – Unified Development Ordinance Amendments: Staff and the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of numerous UDO changes, including extending variance notification from 15 to 30 days, adding accessory dwelling unit standards, administrative variance clarity, sign regulation updates, and nonconforming setback language. Council discussion focused on ADU owner-occupancy and short-term rental rules, temporary and real estate signs, and telecommunications tower regulations; several items are proposed to be tabled. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-328 – Motorola 911 Radio Equipment Agreement: The Police Chief requested approval of an agreement with Motorola to move, upgrade, or add 911 radio equipment in the new public safety building, subject to legal review. The cost is $257,703.24, slightly below the $265,000 furniture, fixtures, and equipment budget, and Gwinnett County E911 has approved reimbursement of the full amount. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-281 – GEMA Cybersecurity Grant: The City was previously awarded a FY22 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant of $417,000 through GEMA/HS. The grant operates on a 90/10 reimbursement basis; the City would fund $417,000 upfront and be reimbursed $375,300, leaving a net city cost of $41,700. Council discussed eligible expenses and the value of accepting the grant. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-326 – Residential Decorative Streetlighting: Staff recommended continuing current practice: replacing decorative streetlights with like LED fixtures and installing light shields on new residential LED decorative streetlights to reduce glare. There are about 360 decorative streetlights on city-maintained roads; an 8-fixture pilot with shields was completed on Dogwood Walk Lane. Council discussed broader standardization and private street lighting. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-319 – Norfolk Southern Grant: Staff recommended accepting and appropriating $30,000 from Norfolk Southern for two Historic Downtown Enhancement projects: $20,000 for Skin Alley Improvements and $10,000 for Cultural Arts Center Improvements. Skin Alley work would include an automated crossing arm with a decorative stone or brick base, landscaping, benches, and pavers. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-327 – Purchasing Provisions Amendment: The City Manager requested that this item be deferred to the next Policy Work Session to provide additional backup on changes to purchasing policy and code. Postponed to the December 15, 2025 Policy Work Session.
• 2025-318 – Brick Paver Repair on Jones St. and South Peachtree St.: Public Works estimated the full three-phase brick paver reset project at $110,000 and identified priority uneven and sinking areas totaling $10,000 to $12,000. Public Works recommended the smaller repair using the Sidewalk Maintenance Budget; Council supported addressing immediate concerns and discussed a possible stamping pilot and funding for full restoration in FY2026. Referred to staff.
• 25-7453 – Ability to Vote on Select Items at Policy Work Sessions: Mayor Pro Tem Cheek proposed directing the City Manager and City Attorney to draft ordinance changes allowing Council votes on routine or non-controversial items at Policy Work Sessions. Council discussed consent agenda mechanics, the need for public notice, one-member objections, and what would happen if a vote failed. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-323 – Policy on Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Councilmember Bare recommended directing the City Manager and City Attorney to develop an employee AI policy, beginning with a direction that employees not use free AI tools for city business. Council discussed data privacy, public records, paid and offline AI products, and coordination with state partners. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 2025-329 – RoughDraft Publication for City News and Newsletters: Councilmember Gaynor proposed replacing the city's monthly newsletter with mailed and online materials distributed by RoughDraft. RoughDraft serves multiple metro Atlanta cities with total circulation of 63,000; the initial Norcross proposal anticipated about 4,000 households by carrier route plus 500 copies to retailers, with a half-page ad costing about $2,700 per month and additional insert or translation costs. Council gave general consensus for the City Manager to work out detailed costs and bring a final financial proposal back for a vote. Referred to the December 1 Regular Council Meeting.
• 25-7365 – City Manager Follow-Up and Prioritization: City Manager Eric Johnson reviewed outstanding Mayor and Council requests, including Councilmember Myers's request to change business license fee calculations, and discussed monthly reporting timing. Council requested that the monthly report be distributed earlier. Referred to the City Manager.

Key Outcomes

• No agenda item was approved or denied during the work session; each discussion item was referred, postponed, or sent to staff for follow-up.
• Referred to the December 1, 2025 Regular Council Meeting: Items 2025-317, 2025-320, 2025-321, 2025-322, 2025-324, 2025-325, 2025-330, 2025-328, 2025-281, 2025-326, 2025-319, 25-7453, 2025-323, and 2025-329.
• Postponed to the December 15, 2025 Policy Work Session: Item 2025-327, the amendment to purchasing provisions within the Norcross Code of Ordinances and Financial Policy.
• Referred to staff or the City Manager: Item 2025-318 (Brick Paver Repair) and Item 25-7365 (City Manager Follow-Up).
• Council gave direction for the City Manager to continue working with RoughDraft on the newsletter proposal and to return with detailed cost and distribution information; no contract was approved.
• The Council unanimously voted to adjourn to Executive Session for personnel and real estate matters at 10:50 PM following a motion by Councilmember Myers and a second by Councilmember Hixson. The agenda had listed legal, personnel, and real estate; the minutes recorded personnel and real estate.
• Board appointments to the Downtown Development Authority, Norcross Housing Authority, and Norcross Public Arts Commission were discussed in Executive Session; no public votes were reported.