Alcohol License and Zoning Public Hearings Special Meeting - February 10, 2026

The City of South Fulton City Council met for an Alcohol License and Zoning Public Hearings Special Meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 5:07 PM. The meeting included public hearings on an alcohol license application, two rezoning cases, and a zoning modification request. The Council approved a withdrawal, reconsidered a deferral, heard public testimony, and recessed into executive session before adjourning at 7:19 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the withdrawal of Z25-032/CDP25-011, a rezoning application from Rockhaven Homes for 78 townhouse dwellings at 0 Valley Green Road (District 2).
• An initial unanimous consent approval to defer Z25-034/CDP25-013 (RS Group Inc.) was immediately reconsidered by a successful motion (7-0) from Councilmember Williams-Brown, allowing the public hearing to proceed that evening.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Applebee’s Change of Ownership (IV-A): Lieutenant Blaylock of the South Fulton Police Department confirmed the application for a change of ownership at 3690 Cascade Road SW met all legal requirements. Doug Webb (Area Director of Operations) and Tavarus Brown (General Manager) spoke in favor. No opposition was registered.
• Z25-035/CDP25-014 – Southern Impression Developments (IV-C):
  • Applicant Position: Attorney Hakim Hilliard, representing Southern Impression Developments, requested a downzoning of a 1.19-acre corner lot at 0 Pinscher Street from M-2 (Heavy Industrial) to C-2 (General Commercial) to allow for a specialty food store. He argued the heavy industrial designation is out of place with the surrounding residential uses (Oakley Townhomes, luxury apartments) and stated that his team held a productive community meeting to discuss compatible uses.
  • Opposition: Michael Venable expressed discouragement, stating the city is “continually” violating its land use policies by considering rezoning during a comprehensive land use plan update, calling the proposal “spot zoning”. Alvin Reynolds also opposed the land use amendment during the comp plan rewrite, requesting restrictions be placed on the C-2 zoning to prevent incompatible uses without a special use permit.
• Z25-034/CDP25-013 – RS Group Inc. (III-A):
  • Applicant Position: Joy Mebane of RS Group Inc. presented a revised site plan for 12 single-family homes at 4960 & 4980 Campbellton Road SW. She presented four different architectural style options (modern and traditional farmhouse elevations) and interior finish options, addressing the Planning Commission’s request for more variety to prevent a uniform design. Prices were projected to start in the mid $400s.
• M26-001 – Modification Request (IV-D):
  • Applicant Position: Benny Bryant, applicant for Omar Cooper at 8373 Le Jardin Blvd, requested a modification to zoning condition 3a of case 2005Z-0010 to remove the 20-foot rear yard setback. He explained a storage shed was built inside a natural drainage easement on two abutting properties, intruding 5 to 7 feet into the setback. No opposition was registered.

Discussion Items

• Z25-035 (Pinscher Street) Deliberation:
  • Councilmember Pritchett (Dist. 7) stated she lives in the area and supported the rezoning based on community input, specifically requesting no gas station as a condition. Councilmember Willis advised against limiting uses, arguing modern mixed-use gas stations exist in affluent areas and the Council should remain open to all possibilities. Councilmember Rowell suggested waiting to adopt the future land use plan for compatibility, but Councilmembers Sebastian and Willis argued the strong community support justified proceeding. Councilmember Williams-Brown confirmed with the applicant that community meetings were held and residents agreed with the rezoning.
• Z25-034 (Campbellton Road) Deliberation:
  • Councilmember Rowell (Dist. 1) clarified the Planning Commission’s main concern was the lack of diverse home elevations, which the applicant addressed. Councilmember Sebastian requested the applicant consider incorporating staggered setbacks into the site plan.
• M26-001 (Le Jardin Blvd) Deliberation:
  • Councilmember Sebastian (Dist. 4) questioned the request, noting the drainage easement issue. Staff clarified that a modification cannot eliminate a drainage easement. The item is set for a vote on February 24.
• Procedural Matters:
  • The Council discussed the procedural status of Z25-034, which had been deferred by the Planning Commission. City staff clarified that because the Planning Commission had already held a public hearing before deferring, the Council could proceed with its own public hearing. A 7-0 vote to reconsider the earlier deferral allowed the hearing to move forward.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Withdrawal: The Rockhaven Homes application (Z25-032/CDP25-011) was formally withdrawn.
• Reconsideration Vote: The Council voted 7-0 to reconsider the deferral of Z25-034/CDP25-013, allowing the item to have a public hearing that evening.
• Executive Session: The Council recessed into an Executive Session for Real Estate, Personnel, Litigation, and Cybersecurity at 5:57 PM and reconvened at 7:18 PM. No action requiring a public vote was taken in the session.
• Next Steps / Pending Votes: The Applebee's alcohol license application (IV-A), Z25-034 (RS Group Inc.), Z25-035 (Southern Impression Developments), and M26-001 (Le Jardin modification) are scheduled for a formal vote on February 24, 2026.