City of Norcross Regular Council Meeting - January 5, 2026

The Norcross City Council convened on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 6:30 PM for a Regular Council Meeting. The meeting began with the swearing-in of Mayor Craig Newton and Councilmembers Matt Myers and Bruce Gaynor for new terms by Chief Magistrate Judge Kenneth Wickham. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to extensive public comment and a public hearing on proposed amendments to the City's 2045 Comprehensive Plan, which sparked broad debate regarding housing density, traffic congestion, and preserving community character. The Council ultimately voted to submit the plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and approved a temporary moratorium on multifamily housing. Other major actions included approvals related to the Norcross Greenway project, the City's purchasing policy, and the financing of a Downtown Development Authority property acquisition.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the December 1 Regular Council Meeting and the December 15 Policy Work Session and Executive Session were approved unanimously.
• Set Agenda: The meeting agenda was accepted and the consent agenda was approved unanimously, with several items moved to the discussion agenda.
• Expanded Downtown Parking: Approved the updated planning and design progress for the Expanded Downtown Parking Project to complete 60% design.
• Paint Love Mural: Approved a $2,000 budget amendment from the Mayor and Council Contingency Fund for the Norcross Elementary School Paint Love mural project.
• Lillian Webb Park Railing: Approved the award of a $103,840 contract to CGS LLC for park railing, funded by SPLOST-Recreation.
• Wingo Street IGA: Approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Downtown Development Authority regarding the allocation of net proceeds and subdivision of properties at 80 and 94 Wingo Street.

Public Comments & Testimony

Fifteen members of the public addressed the Council, expressing a wide range of views primarily focused on development and traffic.

• Opposition to High-Density Development: Multiple speakers, including Michelle Crofton, Evelyn Smith, Carrie Tolbert, Mary Hagenstadt, and Michael Gross, strongly criticized the direction of the Comprehensive Plan amendments and past apartment approvals. They argued these changes erode Norcross's small-town feel, overwhelm infrastructure, increase crime, and shift the balance from homeownership to renting. Jeff Allen presented data showing nearly 2,000 apartment units have been built since 2020 and expressed concern that the comp plan changes would shift zoning power from written policy to five individuals.
• Calls for Managed Growth and Transparency: Tiffany Means acknowledged growth is inevitable but stressed it must be managed with upfront infrastructure investment. Heather Julian, Brandy Hogan, and Sabrina Cochin called for greater transparency, better community notification, and a clear rationale from the Council for adding more density.
• Traffic and Safety Concerns: Lawrence Ertley urgently requested the Council address dangerous traffic conditions at the intersections of Holcomb Bridge Road/Parktown Drive and West Peachtree Street/Jimmy Carter Boulevard. Heather Julian and Brandy Hogan also highlighted severe congestion on Holcomb Bridge Road and Sunset Drive.
• Project Specific Comments: Edith Rehm raised concerns about the size and mass of the proposed home at 60 Barton Street and requested that hydrology reports be made public. Ian Lacroix, attorney for the 60 Barton Street applicant, urged the Council to focus on the Architectural and Design Guidelines at this stage, noting the design met ARB standards.
• General Appreciation: Jim Eyre thanked the Council for recent actions on downtown parking, an art grant, an intergovernmental agreement, and the financing of 9 South Peachtree Street.

Public Hearings

1. Amendment to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan The Council held a public hearing on proposed text amendments to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Staff from the Community Development Department and consultant Kimley Horn presented changes to character area maps and narrative additions regarding senior housing and transitions between higher and lower density areas.

• Vote on transmitting the Comprehensive Plan to ARC and DCA: Approved 4-1. (Ayes: Cheek, Hixson, Myers, Gaynor; Nay: Bare).
• Motion for a moratorium on multifamily housing until pending UDO updates are approved: Approved 4-1. (Ayes: Bare, Hixson, Myers, Gaynor; Nay: Cheek).

2. Norcross Greenway – Parcel Acquisitions The Council authorized the use of eminent domain to acquire remaining parcels for the Norcross Greenway project.

• Parcel 4 (484 Mitchell Road): Approved the exercise of eminent domain for a temporary construction easement and right-of-way in the amount of $4,200. (Approved Unanimously)
• Parcel 62 (405 Pinnacle Court): Approved the exercise of eminent domain for a temporary construction easement and right-of-way in the amount of $51,900. Staff noted the price was negotiated with the owner, but the owner was subsequently unreachable. (Approved Unanimously)

3. Abandonment of City Right of Way on Lawrenceville Street The Council authorized the abandonment of an undeveloped alleyway adjacent to 372 Lawrenceville Street to facilitate redevelopment. The resolution included conditions prohibiting development of the parcel for multifamily use. (Approved Unanimously)

Discussion Items

1. City Council Appeal of ARB Approval – COA2025-037 (60 Barton Street) The Council considered an appeal regarding the Architectural Review Board's (ARB) approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for a new single-family home. The appellant's attorney, Ian Lacroix, reiterated that the design met ARB standards. The Council approved the certificate with conditions, including a maximum impervious coverage limit of 35% and stormwater plan requirements.

• Vote: Approved 4-1. (Ayes: Cheek, Bare, Myers, Gaynor; Nay: Hixson).

2. Amendments to Purchasing Provisions The Council approved major updates to the City's purchasing policy and related code sections, the first significant overhaul in approximately 27 years. Changes included increased purchasing thresholds, a local preference policy (5 points for Norcross businesses, 2.5 for Gwinnett County businesses), and alignment with the City's ethics ordinance.

• Vote on Policy: Approved Unanimously.
• Vote on Ordinance Amendment: Approved Unanimously.

3. City Financing of DDA Acquisition of 9 South Peachtree Street The Council approved financing for the Downtown Development Authority's (DDA) acquisition of 9 South Peachtree Street. The City will loan the DDA up to $1,400,000 via a 15-year note at a 5.0% annual interest rate, funded from the City's Fund Balance. (Approved Unanimously)

4. Election and Appointment

• Election of Mayor Pro Tempore for 2026: Councilmember Bruce Gaynor was elected to the position. (Approved Unanimously)
• Appointment of Hearing Officer for Alcohol Licensing Appeals: Judge Kenneth Wickham was appointed as the hearing officer for appeals under Chapter 4 of the City Code, with Associate Judges in a supporting role, effective through July 1, 2026. (Approved Unanimously)

Key Outcomes

• The 2045 Comprehensive Plan text amendment was approved for submission to the ARC and DCA (4-1).
• A temporary moratorium on multifamily housing was enacted, pending updates to the Unified Development Ordinance (4-1).
• The City Council upheld the ARB's approval for the 60 Barton Street project with added conditions related to impervious surfaces and stormwater (4-1).
• Two parcels of land were approved for condemnation via eminent domain for the Norcross Greenway project (Unanimous).
• A City Right of Way on Lawrenceville Street was abandoned to allow property redevelopment (Unanimous).
• Major updates to the City of Norcross purchasing policies and code were approved (Unanimous).
• City financing of $1,400,000 was approved for the DDA's acquisition of 9 South Peachtree Street (Unanimous).
• Bruce Gaynor was appointed Mayor Pro Tempore for 2026 (Unanimous).
• Judge Kenneth Wickham was appointed as the Alcohol Licensing Appeals Hearing Officer (Unanimous).

The meeting adjourned to Executive Session for legal, personnel, and real estate matters at 9:57 PM.