South Fulton Alcohol License and Zoning Public Hearings - January 13, 2026

The City of South Fulton City Council convened for an Alcohol License and Zoning Public Hearings Special Meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM but was called to order at 6:10 PM. The council addressed four rezoning deferrals, held public hearings on an alcohol license application, a special use permit for a group residence, and a zoning modification, and concluded with an executive session to approve a retirement separation agreement.

Consent Calendar & Deferrals

The council unanimously (7-0) approved the deferral of four rezoning cases, with a substitute motion successfully separating one case for an earlier return date.

• Cases Z25-034/CDP25-012 (RS Group Inc., Campbellton Rd), Z25-032/CDP25-011 (Rockhaven Homes, Valley Green Dr), and Z25-035/CDP25-014 (Southern Impression Developments, Pinscher St) were deferred to the February 10, 2026 meeting.
• Case Z25-036/CDP25-015 (BTR Group, Southwood Rd) was deferred to the January 27, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

Alcohol License – Big A Shell Food Mart

• Applicant (Kazi Sirajul): Expressed support for the change of ownership license, stating the station has operated for over 30 years.
• Public (In Favor/Opposed): No speaker cards were submitted for or against the application.

Special Use Permit (Case U25-013) – Group Residence

• Applicant (Earlie Rockette): Advocated for the permit to house 6-9 parenting/maternity youth, describing it as a structured second-chance home that would maintain the integrity of the neighborhood and provide needed housing for youth in the foster system.
• Applicant Supporter (Mr. Rockette): Supported the application, citing his experience running two successful group homes in Columbus, Georgia.
• Opposition (8 Residents / Pine Tree Meadows HOA): Marcia Clemendor (HOA President) presented a petition of nearly 100 signatures, arguing the facility is an institutional use incompatible with single-family zoning. Other residents (Michael Venable, Johnola Asberry, Janet Perry, Renee Rodgers) raised concerns about traffic on a tight cul-de-sac, safety risks, negative impacts on property values, and the adequacy of the 2,300 square foot home.

Zoning Modification (Case M25-003) – Setback Reduction

• Applicant (Shaun Slaughter / Highland Park Homes): Requested the reduction from 50 to 20 feet, stating the buffer was undisclosed during purchase and would otherwise make the lot unbuildable.
• Opposition (Paul Bergenthal): Strongly opposed, detailing a history of failed development, severe pre-existing erosion from a past excavation by America Homes for Rent that created a nearly vertical 15-foot drop, and the loss of a previously established undisturbed buffer.

Discussion Items

Alcohol License: Councilmembers questioned the applicant about the relationship between the new operators and the prior owner. The applicant clarified it is a full change of ownership and management. The public hearing was closed, and a vote on the license was scheduled for the January 27th meeting.

Special Use Permit (U25-013): Councilwoman Williams-Brown noted the city code permits operating with less than six residents without a special use permit. Councilwoman Willis voiced strong caution, citing a past city fatality in an unpermitted group home, and requested a review of the property's certificate of occupancy and building permits. The public hearing was closed, and the vote was scheduled for January 27th.

Zoning Modification (M25-003): Councilwoman Willis and Councilman Sebastian raised serious safety concerns regarding the severe erosion and lot stability issues. The planning director acknowledged these engineering aspects are reviewed later in the Land Development Permit process. Council insisted on specific conditions. The item was deferred to the January 27th meeting so city engineers could inspect the site and propose explicit conditions.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Deferrals (7-0): Three zoning cases deferred to February 10, 2026; one case deferred to January 27, 2026.
• Executive Session – Chief's Retirement (5-2): Council entered executive session at 7:33 PM and reconvened at 8:37 PM. A motion to approve a retirement separation agreement for Police Chief Keith Meadows was approved. Councilmembers Natasha Williams-Brown and Linda B. Pritchett voted against the motion.
• Future Votes (January 27, 2026): The alcohol license for Big A Shell Food Mart, the special use permit (U25-013), and the zoning modification (M25-003) will be subject to a public vote.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 PM.