South Fulton City Council Meeting Highlights: October 28, 2025

The South Fulton City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The agenda included zoning ordinance votes, a pivotal rezoning denial for a large light-industrial project on Spence Road, and the adoption of a significant change to public comment rules. Mayor Khalid kamau and all seven council members were present. The meeting adjourned at 10:35 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda (7-0), which included spreading several proclamations on the minutes, resolutions of support for federal voting rights legislation (sponsored by Councilmember Rowell), and authorization to apply for the 2025 Food Well Alliance/Atlanta Regional Commission Local Food System Planning Process.
• Proclamations Spread on the Minutes: Recognitions for 40 All Foundation, Inc., Ben Harry Appreciation Day, Minister Betty J. Darnell, Dr. Kevin Wesley Earley, Kelvin "Kelz" Turner, Indigenous Peoples' Month, and Lee's Pharmacy.

Proclamation Presentations

• Langston Hughes High School Track Team: The Council recognized the team's third consecutive GHSA 5A State Championship, highlighting historic achievements including a sub-40 second relay (39.96 seconds) and a national record in the 100-meter dash by Maurice Gleaton (9.9 seconds).
• William K. Boddie, Jr.: Recognized for receiving the 2025 R. E. Thomas Jr. Civil Rights Award from the Gate City Bar Association for his distinguished legal career and service as a former Georgia state representative.
• Ronald J. Freeman, Sr.: Honored for his induction into the 2025 Gate City Foundation Hall of Fame for his work as a judge, attorney, and community leader.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comments were taken later in the evening after the ordinance to expand public comment was passed.

• Drew DeMan (District 7): Thanked the Council for restoring free speech, recounting a past successful effort to oppose a warehouse in his neighborhood. He emphasized the importance of public voice in democracy.
• Jane Williams (District 7): Thanked the Council for allowing public comment again, but suggested placing it earlier on the agenda to avoid late-night sessions.
• Mel Keaton (District 4): Expressed strong support for the return of unrestricted public comment, framing it as a right not a privilege. He noted that residents should not be blamed for long meetings.
• Jewel Johnson (District 1): Expressed gratitude for the Council's action, calling it a "first step to moving the negativity from the city."
• Mike Johnson (District 4): Stated that public comment is a right for taxpayers. He criticized the Council for inconsistent decisions, referencing the warehouse vote in District 7 versus a prior similar development on Roosevelt Highway.
• Mario Malcolm (District 5): Stated that District 5 residents do not want warehouses. He offered a procedural solution for public comments: implementing a time limit per topic, as done in College Park.
• Connie Robinson (District 2): Thanked Council for listening to the people. She questioned the financial implications of the on-call civil engineering contracts ($3 million cap per firm) given the city's growing budget.
• Councilwoman Emeritus Rosie Jackson (District 5): Urged the Council to consider resident opinions as the deciding factor, warning of negative impacts from poorly planned warehouses in her district.

Discussion Items

Zoning & Development Debates

• HB 155 Compliance (TA25-003): An ordinance to update the zoning code to comply with state law changes was approved 7-0.
• Case Z25-005 (Selah Prop, Old National Highway): The Council approved a rezoning for townhomes and commercial space on an 11.66-acre site. Significant Procedural Note: The final agenda listed staff and planning commission recommendations as "Denial," but the Council voted 7-0 to approve based on an updated site plan that reportedly met CDRA conditions. Councilmembers debated the transparency of keeping a "Denial" recommendation on record after substantive changes were made.
• Case Z24-026/CV24-010 (KMT Partners, Spence Road): A highly contentious item to rezone agricultural land to light industrial for a 1.54 million square foot warehouse development. A motion to defer failed (2-4-1). A motion to deny the rezoning passed (4-2-1). Councilmember Willis cited resident opposition, environmental concerns, and developer threats against her as reasons for the denial. Councilmember Pritchett argued the developer followed process and the project would bring jobs, calling the treatment of the developer "wrong."
• Case Z25-011/CDP-25-006 (Walk-On, Old National Highway Townhomes): Added to the agenda as a walk-on item, this project for 107 townhomes was deferred to the December 9, 2025, Regular Meeting (7-0). Ordinances & Resolutions
• Public Comment Expansion (Sec 1-3002): The Council unanimously approved an ordinance allowing unrestricted public comment, reversing previous restrictions. The ordinance excludes comments on zoning cases, personnel matters, and litigation.
• Delivery-Based Commercial Kitchens (Title 12): An ordinance to license and regulate delivery-based commercial kitchens, sponsored by Councilmember Gumbs, was approved 7-0. First Read Items & Waivers
• Z25-027 (Butner Road): Waived first reading and approved rezoning to R-4A for three homes (7-0).
• Z25-030 (Campbell Drive): Waived first reading and approved rezoning to M-1 for a warehouse (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Agenda as amended approved (7-0).
  • HB 155 Text Amendment approved (7-0).
  • Selah Prop Townhomes (Z25-005) approved with updated site plan (7-0).
  • KMT Partners Industrial Park (Z24-026) Denied (4-2-1).
  • Ordinance to Restore Unrestricted Public Comment approved (7-0).
  • RFP 25-11 On-Call Engineering Contracts, Mendal Court Paving Change Order ($315,835.25), and Airport West CID Expansion approved (7-0).
  • Delivery-Based Commercial Kitchens Ordinance approved (7-0).
  • Butner Road Homes (Z25-027) approved (7-0).
  • Campbell Drive Warehouse (Z25-030) approved (7-0).
  • Old National Highway Townhomes (Z25-011) Deferred to December 9, 2025 (7-0).
  • Council Meeting Minutes approved (7-0).
• Directives & Next Steps:
  • The City Manager and City Attorney are to develop a formal policy for amending staff recommendations on site plans that are updated after initial review but before the council vote, to improve transparency and the "business-friendly" process.
  • A parliamentary training session was announced for the council to clarify procedural rules, particularly regarding substitute motions.
  • Council is working on a resolution regarding the potential restoration of SNAP benefits for residents.