South Fulton City Council Alcohol License and Zoning Public Hearings Special Meeting – September 8, 2026

The City of South Fulton City Council held a special public hearing meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 5:11 PM to 6:54 PM at City Hall. Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs presided, and all council members were present, with Councilmember Linda B. Pritchett attending virtually. A quorum was established. The council handled three deferrals and six public hearings on rezoning and land use matters. No final votes on the merits were taken; those cases are scheduled for consideration on September 22, 2026.

Rezoning Case Deferrals

• Z25-022/CV25-003 (Jacinda Walker c/o Mansa Park Land Acquisition) – Request to rezone 32.54 acres at 0 Old National Highway & 0 Pleasant Hill Road from AG-1 and R-4 to MIX for a mixed-use development, plus a variance for buffer/setback encroachment. Deferred to the November 10, 2026 zoning public hearing by unanimous consent at Councilmember Williams-Brown's request.
• Z26-019/U26-009 (Alibhai Energy Holding LLC) – Request to rezone 1.97 acres at 3985 Roosevelt Highway from C-1 to C-2 for a gas station and quick service restaurant. Staff recommended denial. Deferred to the October 13, 2026 zoning public hearing by unanimous consent.
• U26-008 (Xavier Young) – Request for a Special Use Permit to operate a barber shop at 6035 Bakers Ferry Road, Suite 270. Staff recommended denial. Deferred to the October 13, 2026 zoning public hearing by unanimous consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

Z26-001/CDP26-003 – Bridge Logistics

• Applicant Henry Bailey (Clark Hill) spoke in favor of the revised plan, which reduced the request from approximately 1,600,500 square feet in six buildings on 157.86 acres to approximately 745,000 square feet in three buildings on 9.16 acres. He cited 600 permanent jobs, an 8x increase to the tax base, support from the Fulton Industrial Boulevard CID and Sandtown Neighborhood Association, and noted the property is along Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
• Danny Withers, a resident of Falls Cascade Subdivision, expressed opposition. He said the site plan kept changing, that approval would conflict with the newly adopted comprehensive plan, and that approving the project could set a precedent for future warehouse approvals.
• In rebuttal, Mr. Bailey said the plan was reduced in response to staff and Planning Commission feedback and that Fulton Industrial Boulevard is one of the few corridors where industrial development makes sense.
• Councilmember Rowell clarified that only 9.16 acres are being rezoned; the remaining approximately 148 acres are already zoned industrial and are not part of the rezoning request.

Z26-011 – Dianne Lloyd

• Applicant Dianne Lloyd spoke in favor of rezoning 10.68 acres at 7930 Cedar Grove Road from R-6 to AG-1 to subdivide into four residential lots. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. No opposition was submitted.

Z26-013 – SDH Central Georgia, LLC

• Applicant Michelle Battle (Battle Law) spoke in favor of rezoning 25.50 acres at 7000 & 7050 Bishop Road from AG-1 to CUP for 72 single-family detached homes, a reduction from an earlier 75-home proposal. She described increased buffers, a landscape berm, relocation of the playground and gazebo, and a connection to the City of Fairburn.
• Written opposition was submitted by Doris Clark, according to the minutes.
• Councilmembers discussed traffic calming, the Fairburn connection, fencing, and buffering with the applicant.
• Note: The agenda and minutes contain “75 72 single-family detached homes” for this item, likely a typo; the presentation described 72 homes after a reduction from 75.

Z26-014/CDP26-004 – Taliya King

• Applicant Taliya King spoke in favor of rezoning 0.52 acres at 5250 Northfield Blvd from AG-1 to R-4 with a future land use amendment, to build two single-family homes. She said she conducted a neighborhood petition and received positive feedback.
• No opposition was submitted. Councilmember Bell thanked her for the community outreach and noted the site has been used for illegal dumping and that the city needs quality housing.
• Staff and Planning Commission recommended denial based on inconsistency with the future land use map.

Z26-018 – Dwayne Parrish

• Applicant Dwayne Parrish spoke in favor of rezoning approximately 1.03 acres at 5440 Old National Highway from O-I to C-1 to operate a restaurant and rooftop lounge. He described plans for directional sound systems, off-duty South Fulton police officers for security, and 52 parking spaces.
• Michael Venable expressed opposition, asking for mitigation measures such as limiting outdoor amplified audio to 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11:59 PM Friday and Saturday, citing nearby residences and noise concerns.
• In rebuttal, Mr. Parrish said the sound system would be designed so music does not spill past the property line. Councilmembers discussed public safety, age restrictions, parking, and the city's noise ordinance.
• Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval.

Z26-017 – Yeruchem Lipszyc

• Applicant Yeruchem Lipszyc spoke in favor of rezoning 2.0 acres at 2300 Flat Shoals Road from AG-1 to R-6 to permit an existing duplex. He said a contractor was hired to handle permits and zoning, but the necessary building permits and zoning approval were not obtained.
• No public opposition was submitted. Staff and Planning Commission recommended denial.
• Staff stated that if denied, the property would remain a continuing zoning violation until converted back to a single-family home. Councilmembers discussed how trade permits were pulled without triggering a zoning review.

Proclamation

• Councilmember Aaron V. Johnson presented a proclamation honoring APEC Learning Center / APEC Family Foundation for its 20th anniversary. The proclamation noted APEC was founded in 2003, established in South Fulton in 2006, has served an estimated 15,000 students and families, provided over $4 million in scholarships and direct support, serves over 1,000 students annually, employs more than 160 team members, and operates one preschool and 15 after-school locations. APEC was named the 2024 Fulton County School District Business Partner of the Year. APEC leaders accepted the proclamation and thanked the council.

Key Outcomes

• The three deferral motions were approved by unanimous consent: Z25-022/CV25-003 was deferred to November 10, 2026; Z26-019/U26-009 and U26-008 were deferred to October 13, 2026.
• All six rezoning public hearings were presentation-only. No final votes were taken on the merits.
• The following cases will return for consideration on September 22, 2026: Z26-001/CDP26-003, Z26-011, Z26-013, Z26-014/CDP26-004, Z26-018, and Z26-017.
• No executive session was held.
• Mayor Gumbs adjourned the meeting at 6:54 PM.