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.
| | | Shape the Future of the DeKalb Stone Mountain Trail | |
DeKalb Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan
If you're looking to get more involved with this project, join us for the design charrette on May 21st from 3 PM to 7 PM at the Clarkston Women's Club. This is an opportunity to participate in interactive engagement activities and provide more in-depth feedback. Feel free to drop in at any time from 3 PM to 7 PM!
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Upcoming Community Engagement
Mark your calendars for the community design charrette in May!
Design Charette
May 21, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Clarkston Woman's Club | 3913 Church St, Clarkston, GA 30021
Visit the project webpage to learn more, catch up on past events, and review upcoming project events!
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Tricia Prevost, AICP
Sr. Planner
Email
| | The DeKalb Community Academy is an initiative aimed at empowering communities and fostering partnerships through education on policy, zoning, land-use, and other planning-related matters. | |
Columbia Community 101
The Planning & Sustainability Department discussed local planning needs specific to the Columbia area and explored educational resources.
Our team will compile all input—including survey responses—into a comprehensive Action Plan developed in collaboration with the Steering Committee. This plan will reflect the community’s vision and outline actionable steps toward meaningful change.
Final Columbia 101 Public Meeting
June 26th, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
DeKalb County Police Department South Precinct
2842 H.G. Shepherd Dr, Decatur, GA 30034
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LaSonji Marshall
Special Projects Coordinator
Email
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Eva Chauveau
Planner
Email
| | Greater Hidden Hills Overlay Study | |
Greater Hidden Hills Overlay Study
In partnership with the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation, DeKalb County is conducting a study to update the Hidden Hills Overlay District. This overlay was established in 2009 to provide customized zoning requirements to best meet the development goals of the community.
With this study, the County will update these standards to meet current development trends and better promote the community’s vision. Join us by sharing your input!
First Public Meeting | April 16th
Watch the recording here!
View the presentation materials here!
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Tricia Prevost, AICP
Sr. Planner
Email
| | Embry Hills Arts & Culture Small Area Plan | |
Presidential Parkway Arts & Culture Plan
The Embry Hills/Presidential Parkway Arts & Culture plan is in the works!
This initiative aims to identify cultural assets and ways to enhance them through art and design. By working together with residents and local stakeholders, we aim to highlight what makes the area unique and develop a strong "identity" for the area. Through the plan, we also plan to build a strategy to brand the area through creative design, cultural, and placemaking principles.
Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
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Aprell King
Planner
Email
| | Current Planning / Zoning | | |
Zoning Review Data
1246 Zoning Reviews in the first quarter (January - March 2025)
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Public Hearing Data
922 Attendees to Current Planning Public Hearings in the first quarter
(January - March 2025)
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Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Please see Engage DeKalb for the revised draft ordinance dated March 3, 2025. The team is still collecting feedback and research on STR's. This will go to the Board of Commissioners on July 24, 2025, for a vote.
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DeKalb County residents are allowed to host yard sales once every six months, lasting up to three consecutive days each time. Yard sales must be held during daylight hours only and do not require a permit, as long as they are located on private property and not within the public right-of-way.
Only items that are the personal property of the homeowner or participants can be sold—no items purchased for resale are allowed. Up to two temporary signs are permitted during the sale, provided they are placed on private property (with the owner's permission), not in public right-of-way, and not attached to utility poles. All signs and unsold items must be removed immediately after the sale, and purchased items must be taken away within 24 hours.
| | | | This year, DeKalb County celebrated Earth Day by becoming the first county in Georgia to adopt a 100% Clean Energy and Transportation Plan! This is a monumental achievement that will get us closer to our goals of 100% clean energy by 2050 and will save us a significant amount of money. Also, read the Board of Commissioners' Earth Day Proclamation here! | | |
March into a Cleaner Tomorrow - The Great American Cleanup!
The DeKalb County Beautification Unit is hosting the March into a Cleaner Tomorrow campaign! This campaign highlights two initiatives designed to inspire community action: Global Recycling Day (March 18), and the Great American Cleanup!
Great American Cleanup - Thursday, March 20 - Saturday, June 21, 2025
We invite all residents, organizations, and community groups to join the challenge! Let’s see which Super District can collect the most litter. We’ll track the results by converting collected bags into pounds and ultimately tons of waste removed.
Together, we can create lasting change one bag at a time!
Click here to register and become part of the movement to Keep DeKalb Beautiful and Clean.
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Free Paper Shredding Event
The DeKalb County Sanitation Division will host a free paper shredding event Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 8 a.m. - noon, at the DeKalb County Sanitation Division’s Central Transfer Station, 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032.
This is an opportunity to securely dispose of sensitive documents, and all paper will be recycled!
| | | Only a few spots remaining! | |
In celebration of Earth Day, DeKalb Beautification is proud to announce the opening of registration for our upcoming Rain Barrel Workshop, a hands-on opportunity to learn about water conservation and sustainable living.
Hosted in partnership with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, this engaging workshop will guide participants through the benefits of rainwater harvesting and how to install and maintain their own rain barrel at home.
Space is limited, and registration opens today, April 22.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this eco-conscious event and take home your own rain barrel.
Workshop Details:
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: DeKalb Sanitation Administration Building
3720 Leroy Scott Drive | Decatur, GA 30032
Cost: $25 per participant (limit (1) one rain barrel per participant)
Click Here to Register
For more information or questions, please contact the DeKalb Beautification Unit Special Projects Team at Beautify@dekalbcountyga.gov.
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Scraplanta Promo
As the school year wraps up, be sure to recycle papers, and donate any gently used school and art supplies. Check out Scraplanta--a 501(c)3 non-profit that offers an art supply thrift store, sliding scale craft workshops, and more! Scraplanta accepts new and gently used art, classroom, party, and office supplies. Let your teachers know about this thrifty way to find classroom supplies!
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Composting Highlight
Composting is an essential tool for building healthier communities. Composting our food scraps and yard waste can create greener, more resilient neighborhoods, reduce methane emissions, and help keep our air and water cleaner. It’s a small action that makes a big difference! Be a part of the solution—start composting today!
Here are some videos to help you get started!
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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!
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Become an Amphibian Ally!
Every little step helps—so why not take a leap for amphibians? Let’s give them a leg up by protecting habitats and creating safe spaces. If you'd like to learn more about frogs, salamanders, and caecilians and how we can protect them, please explore these resources:
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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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Join us for an upcoming public meeting on either May 6th, 7th, or 8th, 2025 to learn about the I-285 Express Lanes Transit Study recommendations. Participate in-person at one of our three open houses or view all materials and comment on our website: i285expresslanestransit.com/publicmeeting
To request this information in another language or in an accessible format, call 404-848-4037 or 404-848-5665 (TTY)
Available translations will vary by meeting. View details on our website.
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East Lake Station Rehabilitation - South Entrance Closure Delayed
MARTA is disappointed to announce that the planned closure of the south entrance for pedestrian bridge replacement, originally scheduled for March 24, 2025, has been delayed. A new closure date has not yet been set, and MARTA is committed to providing advance notice once it is confirmed.
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Indian Creek Station - Temporary Bus Loop Closure Starts April 2
Starting April 2, the bus loop will be closed for gutter improvements, and all buses will board from the Kiss & Ride in the eastern parking lot.
Please look for signs inside and outside the station leading to the temporary bus boarding location. MARTA expects the work to take approximately six weeks.
| | | Celebrating the Ethiopian Community | Pictured from left to right, Nicole Marchant, Dagim Menbere, Larry Washington, and Teshome Asegid | |
Our team had the honor to present two proclamations for notable community members in the Ethiopian community. For their work with Heart Attack Ethiopia, an organization committed to bridging the gap in cardiac care, Dr. Tesfaye Telila, M.D. and Dr. Obsinet T. Merid, M.D. were presented with a proclamation of recognition for their service.
Musician Teshome Asegid was also presented a proclamation of recognition for his outstanding accomplishments in music and community impact.
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APA National Planning Conference
Planning Services staff had the opportunity to join fellow planning professionals in Denver, Colorado for the annual National Planning Conference! Staff got the chance to hear from national experts, unique perspectives, and discover innovative ideas that will help shape the future of planning.
Find out more information about the APA National Conference here.
| | Georgia APA and Georgia Tech School of City & Regional Planning Social, March 29th | | | | | |
