Norcross City Council Regular Meeting — July 6, 2026

The Norcross City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, July 6, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (called to order at 6:33 p.m.) in the Council Chambers at 65 Lawrenceville Street, Norcross, GA. Mayor Craig Newton presided; Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Gaynor participated remotely, and Councilmembers Andrew Hixson, Josh Bare, and Matt Myers were present. The council conducted three public hearings, approved a consent agenda, reappointed three members to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and acted on several items moved to discussion. All votes were unanimous (4–0). The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:16 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• 2026-238 — Previous Meeting Minutes: Approved minutes of the June 1 special-called and regular council meetings, the June 15 policy work session, and executive session minutes (motion by Hixson, second by Bare; 4–0).
• 2026-217 — Budget Amendment: Approved transferring $100,000 from the Motor Vehicle Fund to the Capital Improvement Projects Fund for a portion of Public Safety Building construction costs.
• 2026-219 — Change Order: Approved a $1,000 budget increase for Economic Development video production services.
• 2026-210 — Contract Award: Approved awarding the 2026 Road Resurfacing contract to DCBC LLC.
• Agenda setting: The agenda was accepted with two consent items moved to discussion (Banking Services RFP and SS4A nominee), one item added from the floor (DDA sale of 29 Jones Street), and the Beutell Street right-of-way item moved to the public hearing portion of the meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anne Hall promoted the 4th Annual Photo Contest with the theme “Celebration,” sponsored by the City of Gwinnett, encouraging residents to submit photos of celebrations in Norcross (details at norcrossgalleryandstudios.org).
• Kathleen Ellen thanked the city for the July 4th fireworks honoring America’s 250th birthday and expressed gratitude for the late Councilmember Marshall Cheek’s service, praising his honesty, thoughtful questions, and active listening; she said she will miss him.
• Mary Dowdy, speaking for the Historic Norcross Business Association (HNBA) and as a resident, expressed concern about the impact of the proposed 115% increase in business license fees and about the future discussion of gross receipts, and asked for opportunities for business owners to meet with the city. She also praised the Park Place flower boxes but said she was disappointed townhomes are no longer being considered for the Magnolia development. (Note: the staff presentation characterized the proposal as a 150% revenue increase; see Public Hearing below.)
• Anna Balkan, a jewelry store owner in Historic Norcross and a 21-year industry veteran, said many brick-and-mortar businesses have closed since COVID, that local stores compete with online retailers such as Amazon, and that advertising and social media expenses are not reflected in gross receipts; she asked the council to consider the impact on small businesses.
• Chris Casey (61 College Street) thanked staff for the July 3rd Red, White and Boom celebration and cleanup and for addressing her concerns about the blue railing and safety bars. She requested more timely and complete board minutes (specifically the DDA), livestreaming for all meetings, and better notification for residents who sign up for updates.
• Faye McFarland expressed appreciation for the Police Department, noting officers stopped loud music within about 15 minutes of her complaint, and asked for continued code enforcement attention to noise and abandoned vehicles.

Public Hearing: Certificate of Appropriateness COA 2026-005 (503 North Peachtree St.)

• Staff reported the Architectural Review Board (ARB) recommended approval of a request to demolish a 1925 home on a 1.02-acre lot and construct a new two-story residence; the ARB found the existing structure non-contributing and not feasibly rehabilitatable.
• The applicant said the new home will significantly improve the area and the street view into Norcross. Residents David Grayson (273 North Peachtree St.) and John Tunnel (297 North Peachtree St.) spoke in favor, citing the enhanced gateway character and successful similar rebuilds; another nearby resident spoke in favor, describing the current building as an environmental hazard due to secondhand smoke odor. No one spoke in opposition.
• Councilmembers said the city needs a formal definition of “historic” and preservation incentives (“carrots”) rather than only demolition penalties; Councilmember Gaynor confirmed a policy work session item has been opened to develop that definition. Councilmember Bare said each property should be treated individually, asked staff whether more demolition permits are pending, and said he wanted to explore a possible moratorium at the next meeting until standards are in place.

Public Hearing: Business and Occupational License Tax (FY27 Schedule of Fees)

• Staff proposed amending the FY27 business occupation tax fee schedule under Section 16-133 of the Norcross Code of Ordinances, increasing revenue by 150% over FY26 (an additional $637,000). Staff noted Norcross currently derives 2.1% of general fund revenue from this tax versus an 8% average among 14 peer jurisdictions; increases would range from about 125% for the smallest businesses to about 170% for larger ones; and 81% of Norcross businesses have fewer than 10 employees. A hypothetical restaurant with 20 employees and $2 million in annual gross receipts currently pays $341 per year; staff noted that under a future gross-receipts model it would pay $852 per year.
• Business owners asked the council to delay action until the full multi-year revenue picture, including any future gross-receipts model, is presented and to make the announced business town hall well publicized throughout Norcross. Councilmembers clarified that a gross-receipts-based system is a separate future discussion and was not part of this vote.
• The fee schedule changes were approved 4–0 (motion by Myers, second by Bare).

Public Hearing: Abandonment of Right-of-Way along a Portion of Beutell Street

• Staff recommended authorizing the city’s abandonment of a 160-foot-long, 30-foot-wide undeveloped right-of-way between Beutell Street and the Norfolk Southern right-of-way, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 32-7-1 et seq. The right-of-way was dedicated in anticipation of development that has not occurred and no longer serves any addresses.
• The property owners’ representative said one of the two owners, Don Whitaker, passed away about three months ago and his family is represented, and that a preliminary plat for the development will be presented at a future hearing. Resident Jimmy (5920 Running Lane) spoke in favor of selling and developing the property so it can generate tax revenue. No one spoke in opposition.
• The abandonment was approved 4–0 (motion by Hixson, second by Myers). Staff noted the city would explore conveying the right-of-way to the joint property owners in accordance with state law.

Board Appointments

• The council unanimously approved Zoning Board of Appeals reappointments for Michael Walsh, Taylor Walker, and Eleanor Gilchrist, each with terms running through June 1, 2030.

Discussion Items

• 2026-216 — Banking Services RFP: Councilmember Hixson requested removal of Section 4(a), which required bidders to have a local presence within Norcross city limits, to avoid limiting competition; staff clarified the local preference would remain in the grading criteria. Discussion also covered software/API integration specifications and earnings-credit rates; staff noted the city may change its current financial software. The council approved releasing the RFP as amended and authorizing staff to advertise the solicitation to qualified financial institutions (4–0).
• 2026-211 — SS4A Steering Committee: Staff described the Safe Streets for All study, a roughly year-long comprehensive assessment of all roads in Norcross regardless of ownership, funded primarily by federal grant funds. The council approved nominating Councilmember Bruce Gaynor to serve on the SS4A Quarterly Steering Committee (4–0).
• 2026-239 — DDA Sale of 29 Jones Street (added from the floor): Staff reported the Downtown Development Authority’s sale of the building parcel at 29 Jones Street results in a shortfall of approximately $60,000–$67,000 on the DDA loan, which per the intergovernmental agreement is offset by the DDA transferring parking property to the city. The council approved the sale, release of the security deed, cancellation of the note, acceptance of the Quitclaim Deed, and associated closing documents (4–0).

Key Outcomes

• COA 2026-005 approved (4–0) subject to conditions including: demolition approved for the existing structure; front door to match the drawing (not the color rendering); roof to be weathered wood architectural shingles; applicant to recycle bricks, doors, and windows and provide receipts documenting recycling; tree density units and landscaping per the Arborist and design standards; any changes require ARB approval; and an architectural inspection prior to certificate of completion or occupancy.
• FY27 Business Occupation Tax schedule of fees approved (4–0).
• Beutell Street right-of-way abandonment authorized (4–0).
• Banking Services RFP approved as amended (4–0); staff authorized to advertise to qualified financial institutions.
• SS4A Steering Committee nomination approved (4–0).
• DDA 29 Jones Street transaction approved (4–0).
• Mayor Newton announced that the city will hold a town hall with its approximately 1,300 businesses to explain the tax proposals and that the July policy work session is moved from July 20 to July 27, 2026. He also noted the median age of people moving to Norcross is now 34 per DCA data. The July calendar of events was read into the record, including Day of Play (July 7), World Cup Watch Party (July 15), Summer Concert Series (July 17 and 31), Coffee With Council (July 18), Piedmont Pathway Open House (July 23), Jazz in the Alley at Betty Mauldin Park (July 25), and Movie Mondays (July 13 and 27).
• Councilmembers expressed condolences for the late Councilmember Marshall Cheek and said he will be honored at the August meeting.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.; the agenda indicated the council would move to executive session for legal, personnel, and real estate matters.