Planning Services
Newsletter
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Mission Statement
To advance a long range vision of a livable, equitable, sustainable, beautiful, and prosperous DeKalb County through the implementation of adopted plans, policies, and partnerships.
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Redan 101 Final Public Meeting -- 01/20/26 @ 6:00 PM | Fairfield Baptist Church
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Zone DeKalb - Virtual Open House Kickoff --
01/27/25 @ 6 PM | Zoom
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Federal Holiday) -- 01/19/2025
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Planning Commission -- 01/06/26 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
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Zoning Board of Appeals -- 01/14/26 @ 1:00 PM | Zoom
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Historic Preservation Committee -- 01/21/26 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
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Board of Commissioners Evening Zoning Meeting -- 01/22/26 @ 5:30 PM | 178 Sams Street
| | | Now Online - The Data Center Text Amendment! | | |
Land Use Regulations for Data Centers
The updated Draft 3 of the Data Center Text Amendment is now available for viewing on Engage DeKalb.
*** The Data Center Moratorium has been extended till June 23rd, 2026.
Public Hearing Opportunities
Board of Commissioners - January 27th, 2026 @ 9:00 AM | 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030, and live broadcast.
- Data Center Text Amendment (Public Hearing)
For more information, we encourage you to visit Engage DeKalb, send us questions, or join the public hearings at the Board of Commissioners meeting on January 27th, 2026.
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Tricia Prevost
Senior Planner
Email
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Eva Chauveau
Planner
Email
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Redan Community 101
The Redan 101 Final Public Meeting is your chance to learn how DeKalb County works for you. Meet department representatives, get your questions answered one-on-one, and gain the knowledge and tools to be more empowered in your community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Event Details
Redan 101 Final Public Meeting
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LaSonji Marshall
Special Project Coordinator
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Eva Chauveau
Planner
Email
| | DeKalb County Zoning & Sign Ordinance Rewrite | | |
Have you heard the News?
Introducing Zone DeKalb — the County’s multi-year effort to modernize and simplify our zoning and sign ordinances. This project will help ensure future growth aligns with community priorities, the 2050 Unified Plan, and the needs of residents and businesses across DeKalb.
Want to understand what zoning is, why it matters, and how it impacts your everyday life? Visit the Zoning 101 section on our project webpage for a quick, easy breakdown.
Learn more at the upcoming Virtual Open House on January 27th at 6:00 pm! Register for the meeting here: Zone DeKalb Virtual Open House Kick-Off.
Visit the project webpage to learn more and subscribe for project updates so you can stay in the loop on project activities and input opportunities.
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Yvonne Trammell
Special Project Coordinator
Email
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| | Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance | The Short-Term Rental ordinance was approved on July 24, 2025. The ordinance will not go into effect for 180 days (January 20, 2026). Information on the ordinance and the next steps will be available on Engage DeKalb Short-Term Rentals: DeKalb County | Engage DeKalb. | | | | Shape the future of Arts & Culture | | Embry Hills - Presidential Parkway and Surrounding Communities Placemaking Strategy | |
The Embry Hills-Presidential Parkway & Surrounding Communities Placemaking Strategy is a study sponsored by DeKalb County seeking to strengthen this area’s unique identity through safer streets, accessible open space, catalytic development, and placemaking.
The Cocoa & Community Conversations Pop-Up was held at Embry Hills United Methodist Church on December 15th, 2026. The community weighed in on key priorities for the planning effort and shared location-specific feedback.
We are still accepting feedback! Take our community survey and leave your mark on our idea wall.
Stay tuned for more community engagement opportunities to come!
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Aprell King
Planner
Email
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Post-Holiday Recycling Tips!
We hope you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. As you clean up from all the festivities, here are a few tips to help you recycle right:
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Trees: Did you purchase a real tree? Check Bring One for the Chipper's location finder to find the nearest recycling site. Please remember to remove all ornaments, tinsel, and lights before you recycle.
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Broken lights: Drop off electronics at DeKalb's CHaRM facility or check with major retailers to see if they have collection bins for recycling. Don't place them in with your recycling.
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Gift boxes and bags: Place non-metallic/non-glittery paper and tissue paper with recycling. Don't place ribbons or streamers in with recycling. Reuse or recycle cardboard boxes. Reuse gift bags.
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Beverage containers: Recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Check here for the nearest site to take glass bottles for recycling.
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Gifts: Received an unwanted present? Ugly sweater too small? Need to make room for new gifts? Take your unwanted items to your local donation center to give them a second home. Don't toss clothing or electronics in with recyclables.
Thanks for recycling right!
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Tree Planting at Salem-Panola Library
The Salem-Panola Library will soon be home to over 50 beautiful new native trees, thanks to DeKalb's partnership with Trees Atlanta!
Join the planting effort on Saturday, January 10th, from 9 AM - 12 PM.
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DeKalb's Environmental Justice and Sustainability Resident Review Group
On December 16, 2025, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) passed a resolution establishing an Environmental Justice and Sustainability Resident Review Group. The advisory group's purpose is to advise the BOC regarding policy decisions around sustainability, green jobs, energy initiatives, and environmental justice, as well as to monitor the progress and make recommendations towards current environmental efforts.
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Our Front Yard Tree Program is an opportunity for DeKalb homeowners to add shade and beauty to their yard, at no cost to the homeowner. Our partner, Trees Atlanta, provides advice on species selection and the best location for the tree, and will deliver and plant the tree.
Click here to fill out an application for a front yard tree!
| | | Check out Root Local's new resource—EMMA(TM) is a map to sustainable businesses in the Metro Atlanta area, connecting you to vetted, eco-conscious options so you can shop, eat, and live greener in 2026! | | | DeKalb's Sanitation event schedule is available now! View the 2026 collection calendar, and learn about upcoming events here! | | | Project Manager: Nicole Marchant | |
Explore planning and transportation initiatives, as well as key demographics of our census tracts in our new platform DeKalb Community Atlas.
Available maps and data include a Permit and Application tracker, SPLOST Projects, Community profiles, Housing and Income Statistics, Economics, and more.
Feedback is greatly appreciated. Comments can be submitted on the DeKalb Community Atlas "Comments and Feedback" tab.
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Engage DeKalb is Planning and Sustainability's community engagement platform!
With Engage DeKalb, community members can actively participate by taking part in surveys, sharing ideas, and staying up to date with ongoing projects in the community.
Some current projects include Short Term Rentals Text Amendment, Special Event Facilities Text Amendment, Global City-Memorial Drive Community Revitalization Plan, and more!
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Clarkston Safety Action Plan
What will Clarkston's streets look like 20 years from now? What are your top priorities for transportation safety in your community? Take a brief visioning survey and leave your feedback on the interactive map - and check out what others in the community are saying about roadway safety.
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Better Breeze: MARTA's New Fare Collection System
MARTA is replacing its entire Breeze fare collection system with a modern, flexible system that is easier and more secure. The better Breeze system will keep the popular Breeze name, but all fare collection equipment and fare media (Breeze cards and the mobile app) will be updated.
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Welcome to the Team!
The Long Range Planning team is excited to announce that Jennifer (Jen) Moore has joined the team as our new administrative specialist!
Before working with DeKalb County, Jen worked as the executive assistant at a residential design-build firm in Chamblee. Jen moved to Decatur in 2017 with her husband and two boys from Denver, Colorado. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, reading, and exploring the city whenever she can.
Jen is excited to join the team and support the work that the Long Range Planning division conducts on a day-to-day basis!
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Thank you for your service!
After many years of service, Tanya Flemming has retired from DeKalb County.
Tanya has worked with several divisions within the Planning & Sustainability Department, including the Permits, Land Development, Administrative, and Current Planning teams. Her continued service to the community and her peers will be missed.
We wish Tanya the best in her well-deserved retirement!
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