South Fulton City Council Regular Meeting - April 28, 2026

Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs called the regular meeting of the City Council of South Fulton, Georgia, to order at 7:04 PM on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM. Councilmembers from Districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were present; District 3 remains vacant. The council addressed a comprehensive plan update, zoning and alcohol license cases, new ordinances for cigar lounges and wine tasting rooms, and multiple community agreements.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda unanimously. Proclamations were spread on the minutes honoring Nancy Metayer Bowen, Rev. Canon Jordan Francis Casson, Christian Missionary Baptist Church, Clyde King, Sr., National Infertility Awareness Week, the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., and Judith May Grooms.
• Youth athletic program agreements were renewed with the Old National Youth Athletic Association (baseball, football, cheerleading) and Choose Champions Football Academy FC (soccer).
• A partnership with Next Generation Alliance LLC was approved to expand the Leaders In Training (LIT) workforce program for youth ages 14–17.
• A summer camp use agreement at Creel Park was renewed with Future Seekers.
• A seven-week workforce development program entitled Raising Georgia’s Roof, provided by The Roof Museum, was approved.
• The final plat for 4450 Ridge Road (a 3.14-acre parcel split into 3 lots) was confirmed as approved by the City Engineer.
• A donation of a Traeger Grille valued at $500 from ID Logistics for the Fire Rescue Department was accepted.
• Mr. Curtis Forrest was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board by Councilmember Johnson.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nine members of the public registered to speak (two in person, seven online). Comments on zoning cases were not permitted.
• Glenda Collins (In Person) expressed appreciation for the council's engagement with CSX to reduce train track blockages and requested ongoing attention to the item.
• Mike Johnson (In Person, District 4) criticized the expense of the Mayor's police security detail, describing it as an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds for a part-time position. He also stated he possessed documentation regarding a $5,000 contribution from the Fulton County Inmate Fund by District Attorney Fani Willis and questioned the propriety of the expenditure.

Discussion & Voting Items

• Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update (VIII A): The council approved the resolution for the City of South Fulton Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update in a 6-0 vote.
• Ordinance on Home-Based Businesses – Case T26-002 (VIII B): The council approved the second read of the zoning amendment (6-0). Councilwoman Pritchett asked the planning director to clarify conditions recommended by the Planning Commission. Staff stated the conditions were clarifications related to commercial vehicles and sound ordinances, and the council affirmed approval per staff recommendation without formal conditions.
• Special Use Permit – Case U26-004 (VIII C): The council approved (6-0) a special use permit for Hai T Nguyen c/o John Dang to change ownership of an existing nail salon at 3220 Butner Road, Suite 136, in the Cliftondale Overlay District.
• Rezoning Denial – Case Z26-005 / CDP26-002 (VIII D): The council voted unanimously (6-0) to deny an application by Delores A. & Robert A. West to rezone 13.83 acres at 3665 & 0 Jonesboro Road from AG-1 to CUP to develop a 41-home single-family residential community. The vote to deny followed the staff and planning commission recommendations.
• Second Read Ordinances (XI A): The council approved four ordinances on second read by unanimous consent:
  • Establishing eligibility requirements for boards, commissions, and employees, requiring vacation of office upon qualifying as a candidate for elected office.
  • Creating Chapter 10 (Wine and Tasting Rooms) of the Alcoholic Beverages code.
  • Repealing and replacing regulations on city purchasing and credit cards to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Authorizing and regulating cigar lounges, establishing a limit of five licenses, special use permits, and operational and safety requirements.
• First Read Ordinance – Case Z26-007 (XI B): The first read was presented for an application by Dorothy Crowley to rezone 13.82 acres at 2210 & 0 Wallace Road Rear from R-3 with conditions to R-3 to develop 18 single-family units in the Sandtown Overlay District. No vote was taken.
• Walk-On Items (XII): The council approved by unanimous consent a Prescription Drug Take Back event (April 30 at Burdett Park), donations for a women's history month event (totaling $3,750), a resolution authorizing participation in an amicus brief in Chang v. City of Milton, and a resolution appointing special counsel to assist with a Service Delivery Strategy (SDS) Agreement.

Councilmember Updates

Councilmembers reported on district activities. Updates included a candlelight vigil for Captain Helio A. Garcia (Pritchett), the opening of the renovated Cliftondale Community Center and recognition of local sports figures drafted to the NFL (Johnson), community market launches and traffic calming projects (Sebastian), a home buyer seminar and workforce academy (Bell), a bingo event and community partnerships (Williams-Brown), Earth Day recycling events and a Citizens Fire Academy (Rowell).

Key Outcomes

• Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update: Approved (6-0).
• Home-Based Business Ordinance (T26-002): Approved (6-0) per staff recommendation.
• Special Use Permit (U26-004, Nail Salon): Approved (6-0).
• Rezoning for 41 Homes on Jonesboro Road (Z26-005): Denied (6-0).
• Second Read Ordinances (Board Eligibility, Wine Tasting, Credit Cards, Cigar Lounges): Approved by unanimous consent.
• Walk-On Resolutions (Amicus Brief, SDS Special Counsel): Approved by unanimous consent.
• First Read (Z26-007, Wallace Road): Held for a future vote.