Sandy Springs Planning Commission Regular Meeting – February 18, 2026

The Sandy Springs Planning Commission met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in the Studio Theatre at Sandy Springs City Hall. The commission approved the meeting agenda and the October 22, 2025 meeting minutes, reviewed proposed Development Code amendments under Case 2026-001 TA-26-1, and re-elected its Chair and Vice Chair. No public comment cards were submitted.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting agenda was approved unanimously.
• The October 22, 2025 Planning Commission meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
• Roll call attendance: Chair Reed Haggard, Vice Chair Andy Porter, and Commissioners Karen Trylovich, Sherwin Clemons, and Steve Leeds were present; Commissioners Robin Conklin and Elizabeth Kelly were absent. The clerk initially misspoke the year as 2025 before correcting to 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment cards were received. The public hearing for the Development Code edits was opened and closed without testimony.

Discussion Items

• Development Code Edits (Case 2026-001 TA-26-1): Senior Planner Matthew Anspach presented an ordinance to amend the Development Code. The proposed changes included:
  • Article 6 – Building Placement: Allow up to 10 feet of administrative discretion for certain mechanical equipment (such as HVAC or pool equipment, but not generators) to be placed within a setback, provided at least 5 feet remains between the equipment and the property line. Staff contrasted this with the current 10% limit, which usually results in about 2.5 feet or less.
  • Article 7 – Use Table: Correct an apparent omission in the ON district by changing government facilities/civic uses from “not allowed” to “permitted.”
  • Section 731 – Multi-unit Development: Reorganize the multi-unit commercial requirement language from subsection G3D to G2B as an ordering change, not a material change.
  • Article 8 – Signs: Revise neon/“open” sign language to allow “exposed neon or similar LED open sign” instead of only a “window sign stating open,” in order to avoid limiting signs to that specific English wording. The edit also clarifies tube or LED lighting allowances and that neon signs must be behind a face.
• During discussion, a commissioner asked whether the “open” sign could be in a different language. Staff responded that the revised language was intended not to limit speech, so a sign such as “abierto” could be acceptable.
• Ongoing Business: Staff announced upcoming dates: March 17, 2026 – Mayor and City Council consideration of TA-26-1; March 18, 2026 – next Planning Commission meeting; March 19, 2026 – design guidelines public open house; and March 20, 2026 – an event transcribed as “BOA and piece treat,” likely a Board of Appeals and Planning Commission retreat. The Chair also thanked outgoing Commissioner Andrea Settles for her service.
• Election of Chair and Vice Chair: The commission voted to re-elect Reed Haggard as Chair and Andy Porter as Vice Chair.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Development Code Edits (Case 2026-001 TA-26-1) unanimously, forwarding the recommended amendment to the Mayor and City Council for consideration in March 2026.
• Re-elected Reed Haggard as Chair and Andy Porter as Vice Chair unanimously.
• Set the next regular Planning Commission meeting for March 18, 2026.