The City Circles meeting held on August 5, 2025, in East Point, Fulton County, Georgia, focused on the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping tools to enhance city planning and community engagement. The session began with a discussion on the upcoming availability of zoning information on the city’s website, which will allow residents to access detailed maps that include police and fire station locations.

Participants explored the functionality of Google Earth as a tool for visualizing city data. One speaker demonstrated how to navigate the platform to locate East Point Fire Station number 4, emphasizing the ease of access to public safety resources. The conversation shifted to the use of KML (Keyhole Markup Language) to overlay zoning information onto Google Maps, illustrating how this technology can provide a clearer understanding of land use in the area.

The meeting highlighted the importance of visual aids in city planning discussions. By utilizing Google Earth, residents and city officials can visualize proposed developments and zoning changes more effectively. This approach aims to foster better communication between the community and the council, allowing for more informed decision-making regarding local projects.

Further discussions included the potential for integrating various data layers into the mapping system, such as traffic patterns, sanitation routes, and future development plans. One speaker noted the existence of approximately 500 to 1,000 data layers within the city’s GIS, which could be utilized to streamline services like trash collection by consolidating routes to reduce wear on vehicles.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for community members to provide input on which data layers they would like to see prioritized in the mapping tools. This collaborative approach aims to enhance transparency and engagement in city planning efforts, ensuring that residents have access to the information they need to participate actively in their community's development.