Sandy Springs Planning Commission Meeting: July 22, 2026

The Sandy Springs Planning Commission held its regular meeting on July 22, 2026. The agenda included a work session on “The Next Chapter” comprehensive plan updates and a single case for Development Code edits (TA-26-2). Chair Reed Haggard presided. Commissioners present included Vice Chair Andy Porter, Sherwin Clemons, Steve Leeds, and Jay O’Meara (who arrived during the work session). Commissioners Robin Conklin and Karen Trylovich were absent.

Opening & Consent Calendar

• The meeting was called to order and the roll was called.
• The Board unanimously approved the meeting agenda.
• The Board unanimously approved the minutes from the April 22, 2026 meeting.

Work Session: The Next Chapter Updates

• Sukirti Ghosh (RHI) and Alison Senior (TSW) presented a progress update on the comprehensive plan, “The Next Chapter”, now in month four of a 12-to-16-month process.
• Current community engagement metrics include:
  • 90+ attendees at the first public meeting.
  • 400+ people engaged at pop-up events.
  • 12 stakeholder meetings.
  • 1,700 unique visitors and over 3,200 comments on the engagement hub.
• Preliminary community priorities emerging include: housing affordability, walkability, tree canopy protection, balancing growth, neighborhood character preservation, revitalization (especially the north end), improved Roswell Road appearance, expanded trail/park networks, and addressing stormwater.
• Commissioner Conklin inquired whether feedback was organic or guided. Alison Senior confirmed activities used open-ended prompts to avoid leading participants.
• Commissioner Clemons asked about demographic and geographic differences in feedback, noting initial meetings skewed older. Staff noted pop-ups and targeted outreach to harder-to-reach communities via nonprofits.
• Commissioner Leeds asked about communication strategies. Staff detailed media releases, social media, advisory committee outreach, and a dynamic online engagement hub.
• Next steps include release of conjoint and parks surveys, and Public Meeting #2 scheduled for August 17 (south end) and August 20 (north end).

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Huang (Third and Urban): Representing a property owner impacted by the proposed flex space amendment. Mr. Huang expressed support for the flex space text amendment but requested minor clarifications on terms such as “enclosed loading”, “high truck traffic”, and “noxious substances” to prevent ambiguity. Community Development Director Ginger Sottile agreed to refine the language, including changing “off the flex use site” to “property boundaries.”

Discussion Items: TA-26-2 (Development Code Edits)

• Garage Entry (Section 652B2): Proposed removing the word “doors” to base the measurement on the entire garage structure. Commissioner Clemons suggested eliminating RT (townhouse) from this section. Staff agreed.
• Place of Assembly: Added basic use standards and separation distances for consistency.
• Flex Space (TX District): Created a new use in the TX district to allow warehouse and light manufacturing uses. The change was initiated based on a request from a property owner on Dunwoody Club Road to protect grandfathered uses. Discussion centered on ensuring the rules were written broadly for flex space generally, not for a single property.
• Fence Material Variance (Section 11.6.2.B.4): Proposed language to allow property owners to seek a variance from the Board of Appeals for prohibited fence materials (e.g., vinyl).
  • Commissioner Clemons expressed opposition to this section, arguing it could open the floodgates to variance requests, and noted that self-imposed hardships (building the wrong fence) should not qualify for relief.
  • Ginger Sottile confirmed staff would not support a self-imposed hardship application but noted the Board of Appeals could override.
  • Commissioner Leeds initially motioned to approve the entire code edit package except this section. The motion failed for lack of a second.
• Technical Manual: Minor changes including removing “Draft” and standardizing terminology (“points” to “credits”).

Key Outcomes

• TA-26-2 Approved: The motion to approve the Development Code edits passed 3 to 1 with the following amendments to be finalized by staff:
  1. The fence material variance language will have “building materials” separated into its own distinct section to avoid confusion.
  2. The “RT” (townhouse) classification will be removed from the garage entry rule.
  3. Language in the flex space section will be clarified (e.g., “property boundaries”).
• Staff was directed to present the finalized code language to the Mayor and Council.
• The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for August, where a conditional use permit for the St. Jude’s master redevelopment plan is expected.