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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Community Council 1 -- 10/15/25 @ 5:30 PM | Zoom
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Community Council 2 -- 10/14/25 @ 6:30 PM | Zoom
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Community Council 3 -- 10/08/2025 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
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Community Council 4 -- 10/21/25 @ 5:30 PM | Zoom
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Community Council 5 -- 10/13/25 @ 5:30 PM | Zoom
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Zoning Board of Appeals -- 10/08/25 @ 1:00 PM | Zoom
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Historic Preservation Committee -- 10/20/25 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
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Sketch Plat -- 10/22/25 @ 6:00 PM | Zoom
| | | Now Online - The Data Center Text Amendment! | | |
Throughout the Atlanta metro area, there has been a sharp increase in data center development. While data centers provide necessary infrastructure for the modern world, DeKalb County is seeking to ensure that the significant land, energy, and water consumption by these facilities does not negatively impact the community.
This ordinance will add data centers as a use in industrial areas and regulate their location, design, and provide supplemental review standards. You can read the draft ordinance here, and a summary on the project page.
| | World Planning Day - Better than Ever! | |
Save the Date for World Planning Day!
We are excited to announce that World Planning Day is returning this year, bigger and better than ever! This year, alongside continuing to bring community favorites such as food trucks and community partners, we are introducing an exciting opportunity for our DeKalb Middle School students. We are hosting a Middle School Art Contest for students to illustrate the future of their communities while thinking about topics such as sustainability, transportation, and more.
Event Details
- Saturday, November 15th, 2025
- 11 AM - 3 PM
- Rainbow Drive Amphitheater (3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur, GA 30034)
- Food trucks, giveaways, community and county partners, and more!
- Free Entry
Stay tuned for more information!
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🚀 Next Stop: Redan Community! 🚀
The DeKalb Community Academy is on the move, and we’re excited to announce that our next engagement will be with the Redan community.
Our mission is to educate, empower, and connect residents with the tools and resources needed to strengthen their neighborhoods. Through trainings, workshops, and the Steering Committee, we’re working hand-in-hand with the community to shape a stronger, more sustainable future.
The Redan Community 101 Steering Committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd. Steering Committee members will discuss the upcoming public meetings, learn about this initiative, and make recommendations for our team as we research and engage with the Redan Community.
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LaSonji Marshall
Special Project Coordinator
Email
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Eva Chauveau
Planner
Email
| | Current Planning / Zoning | | |
DeKalb County Awarded $16,500 in Federal Historic Preservation Grant Funds
The DeKalb County Department of Planning and Sustainability announces that $16,500 in Historic Preservation grant funds were awarded by the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office to support the Historic Resources Survey for Southwest DeKalb County.
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| | Kick-off: Zoning Ordinance Rewrite coming soon | Project Manager: Yvonne Trammell | |
DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability is beginning the process of rewriting the Zoning Code of Ordinances (Chapter 21 for Signs and Chapter 27 for Zoning).
We will be asking for your input to shape the future of development in DeKalb County.
Stay tuned for more information about this impactful project!
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| | Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance | Project Manager: Yvonne Trammell | 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. | | | | Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan | Project Manager: Tricia Prevost | |
DeKalb County is conducting the Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan, which will identify strategies to enhance connectivity and mobility, accommodate equitable development, create more people-focused spaces, and drive economic development along the trail corridor.
Visit the Website: Review materials from previous meetings and the draft recommendations online at https://engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga.gov/stone-mountain-trail
| | Embry Hills & Presidential Parkway Arts & Culture Plan | Project Manager: Aprell King | |
The Embry Hills and Presidential Parkway Small Area Plan is a study sponsored by DeKalb County seeking to strengthen this area’s unique identity through public art, culture, and various infrastructure improvements.
In exciting news, the Embry Hills and Presidential Parkway Arts & Culture SAP team will be expanding the scope of the project! Stay tuned for more updates to come.
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Green your Halloween!
Follow these tips for an eco-friendly Halloween season! Click the link below for more information.
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Tree Planting at Stonecrest Library
Saturday, Oct 18th from 9 am - 12 pm.
Join Trees Atlanta to help plant trees at Stonecrest Library! Volunteers are appreciated for planting trees and helping to spread the word!
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FREE Paper Shredding Event!
The DeKalb County Sanitation Department is hosting a FREE Paper Shredding event! Participation is FREE and open only to DeKalb County residents.
Saturday, October 18, 2025
8 AM - 12 PM
Sanitation Division's Central Transfer Station (3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032)
For more information, please call (404) 294 -2900, visit the Sanitation webpage, or follow them on @DKalbSanitation on X.
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Rain Barrel Workshop - Fall Series!
DeKalb’s Beautification Unit hosts rain barrel workshops each spring and fall, where residents transform plastic drums into functional rain barrels.
Details
Cost: $25 per person (includes barrel and DIY installation kit)
Location:
Sanitation Division Administration Building
3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
Questions? Beautify@dekalbcountyga.gov
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Energy Efficiency Day
October 1st, 2025, is Energy Efficiency Day!
Want to lower your home energy bills and be more environmentally friendly?
Here are 10 simple ways to reduce energy waste, at home and at work:
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Recycle Right
Replacing an ink cartridge? Cartridges are recyclable! Don't toss the cartridge in the trash or in your recycling bin or cart. Take the used cartridge to your office supply retailer (e.g., Office Depot, Staples, or Target) or a local Best Buy store for recycling. Many manufacturers offer mail-in recycling options, too.
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Leave the leaves!
Fall garden cleanup doesn’t have to mean raking and bagging leaves!
Leaving them in place reduces greenhouse gases, enriches your soil, and provides vital overwintering habitat for insects, birds, turtles, frogs, lizards, and other wildlife.
These creatures help control pests, support pollination, and keep your garden healthy, so think twice before you rake, mow, or blow this season, and LEAVE THE LEAVES!
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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!
| | | 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.
| |  | Project Manager: Nicole Marchant | |
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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Lucas Carter leading the ZBA training | |
Innovating Training for the Zoning Board of Appeals
On September 11th, the Zoning Board of Appeals board joined Current Planning for training on procedures, zoning concepts, and more. The training focused on sharing information with the board in fun and informative ways.
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Inspiration on the Beltline
On September 25th, the Long Range Planning team visited the Atlanta Beltline to not only hear from the Atlanta Beltline organization, but also to tie key concepts with future planning for DeKalb County.
Our team would like to thank the Atlanta Beltline staff who supported a portion of this visit!
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