[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5982221,"mediaKeyId","5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445","parentId",5775411,"title","Planning commission adopts text amendment to align City of South Fulton zoning rules with state law changes","audioSeconds",194,"startMs",8098000,"endMs",8292000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445&start=8098&end=8292","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445/thumbnail_8098000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5982221/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-adopts-text-amendment-to-align-City-of-South-Fulton-zoning-rules-with-state-law-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982221-045f6f010e8038edb52005865dacbf26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144406&Signature=BNJdvqM74wcL4ojRBmkZ3f~Of4FBYmMvApvcSclbTemGhtaHpFY0PU4mpmF-~SGEHXB-t1Ev4Wg58pjPaf7nhDCONNDz1sBDaAuJ9bf1m8B1J2~kZ5le6L-9og05eDz8ZWYFOB8rtRf-BrF4GE7fr9vOa7sXbqInfa0oXOZu9bKnTT~zWTM6wX4TEbwfR6NneWrm5z6MGDVR9-Hn9oVkH34JZzd3qrdTeaFqc0IiZY9bVMK~PIvVktM1htNUwXbfJz8v-d772H21eQWPu4mN~jFZ9ZU8cg8hxCC90hA513gqXpEjcGaTt~N780dDQxkcDz1ZXW9QKZEQ5mIHeNMsuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of South Fulton","date","2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","article","The City of South Fulton Planning Commission on Sept. 16 approved a text amendment to the city zoning ordinance to bring it into conformity with state law changes enacted in HB155. The change, titled TA-25-003, eliminates a local ordinance requirement that had set a 30-day newspaper advertisement and restores a 15-day property-notice window for administrative zoning actions; it also clarifies that certain administrative variances do not require a public hearing and that the newspaper-advertising requirement for administrative variance notices is removed.

City staff explained the amendment is a clean-up to align local procedures with state law and to remove redundant notice provisions that have been superseded by state statute. Staff advised the commission that the legislative changes already passed at the state level and this local text amendment updates the City of South Fulton Code to reflect that change.

Commissioners voted in favor of the text amendment. The amendment does not itself grant any rezoning or variance; it modifies procedural requirements for notice and administrative action moving forward.

Next steps: the ordinance amendment will move through the city’s ordinance adoption process per the local code and will alter how future administrative variance notifications and timelines are handled under the city zoning ordinance.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting 9/16/25","oneSentenceSummary","On Sept. 16 the Planning Commission voted to approve a text amendment to the City of South Fulton zoning ordinance to align local administrative-notice procedures with recent state law (HB155).","taxTitle","South Fulton, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2961,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982227,"Commission approves rezoning for Campbellton Drive warehouse; site has limited road access and East Point buffer restrictions",541,7355000,7896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445&start=7355&end=7896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445/thumbnail_7355000.jpg","/articles/5982227/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-rezoning-for-Campbellton-Drive-warehouse-site-has-limited-road-access-and-East-Point-buffer-restrictions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982227-1bfa427aca8e30ef46ae5023e3d2e913/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144406&Signature=G5p~69AQo4jxqBFX1pkGZLbvuyv845aGdRD1hKzX8Ajv5ynXTGf8Nrbh00KfVNtTW2tkvUhvCy~YMTztcoMDnec0JC2rl-gahG1F3vvMD4INEyA1THxyRtNGkN~Qh8ZzBEaUFK7WtrrrN6uWZqte3JhQdAQphNHHsQlBWXpM~vtq7i9xh81OT8m8Gu1duWZAWfuXVhMP0ypmqnbwJEJvYLzdrisxQJXLiSJXmhw5nrMAv85onUAP9t9v6t1RXz4sm0htZPkAbBxfBv88PPi6TWx8zcHzG7WDA1dVDjnBJVQX0H0CwacjhDdLxkt0TUrlatCfrYsV88blZVdyAW5p3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning Commission voted Sept. 16 to recommend approval of a rezoning from AG-1 to M-1 for a parcel identified as 0 Campbellton Drive to allow development of a warehouse/distribution center. Staff recommended approval, and the commission’s favorable recommendation will go to City Council on Oct. 14 for final action.

Applicant counsel Steve Rothman said the parcel lies within a pocket of industrial property and is effectively surrounded on three sides by industrial uses. Rothman described the site as landlocked from a major road perspective, accessible by a drive that runs behind an existing warehouse and then into the subject parcel. He said the parcel is functionally consistent with industrial use and the Future Land Use Map designation for the site shows industrial uses.

Commissioners asked about current site conditions and access. Rothman said the site is vacant land and not currently used for agriculture. Daniel Hannison, representing the owner/developer, said that East Point’s ordinance includes a provision that prohibits traffic coming up Campbell Drive to that right-of-way; he told the commission the community asked for, and East Point wrote, that restriction into their ordinance. Hannison said buffers would be provided to adjoining neighborhoods and that trucks would not be routed over the restricted Campbell Drive access.

The commission first voted on staff findings of fact and then on the action; both votes passed. The commission’s recommendation aligns the city zoning with the parcel’s current industrial context and staff’s recommendation.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final consideration on Oct. 14. The applicant and staff will coordinate on buffer and access details to meet interjurisdictional and neighborhood conditions.

","Planning commissioners approved a rezoning request to allow a warehouse/distribution center at 0 Campbellton Drive, aligning the parcel with surrounding industrial uses; commissioners noted the site has no road frontage and that neighboring East Point ordinance restricts traffic on Campbell Drive.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982231,"Planning commission approves sending draft comprehensive plan update to state review amid public concern over density",3211,2858000,6069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445&start=2858&end=6069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445/thumbnail_2858000.jpg","/articles/5982231/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-approves-sending-draft-comprehensive-plan-update-to-state-review-amid-public-concern-over-density","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982231-8e26ecdfda9d63d155aa61cf4bf54a95/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144407&Signature=dvynnd91whBcjkh36fip6nGGV~tWNyTxfdun~LfG0dEvSFlTutk7W8vJEEI0qlxVOf8jjID5l6Lald1hg2NGFNwkqKYkdMwJ0H4yE5SQKRMPzYdmu9~8UZlNcUppiejHRR5DZDc3RiPVkPyydIZzof9-FHXDgEWKsTzgTwVRGNoda2LH-AEI~Eg0J6gmiyI9BpqnhGH22aRiKkRi83-n7U22obBe9tipT1sgUf3vb8m1U-l5h8JLKzzPjg12f2cnipReYWVxUzGEZ5AuolbdwijygSTKpMOMM9aU0yU3nfrCX6nUTvx~Ac68G2HuKPs8UQXM7Ws4DCWB8jjhTduv3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of South Fulton Planning Commission on Sept. 16 approved a motion to send the draft 20-year comprehensive plan update to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for state review. The planning consultant team said the DCA review typically takes about a month; after DCA comments the plan will return for formal adoption hearings scheduled for November (Planning Commission adoption) and December (City Council adoption).

Deanna Murphy of Sizemore Group, the consultant team lead, told the commission the plan is a 20-year growth guideline that includes updated goals, a parcel-level future land use map, a character-area map, and a community work program that assigns near-term priorities to city departments. Murphy said the plan incorporates public engagement over seven community meetings, three pop-up events and online input and that it emphasizes livability, walkability, access to healthy food and parks, and an economic development strategy to retain spending in the city.

The draft introduces higher-density ranges at targeted nodes and corridors to support mixed-use development. For example, the plan recommends mixed-use densities in certain neighborhood nodes of roughly 9 to 15 units per acre, community live/work areas at 15 to 25 units per acre, and regional nodes at 25 to 50 units per acre. The plan also introduces a new “industrial mixed-use” category intended for parcels that transition between industrial and residential uses.

Consultants said the plan also draws from “blue zone” research — an evidence base linking walkability, access to healthy food and social infrastructure to improved longevity — and proposes policies that emphasize health, recreation and community access.

Several members of the public who spoke during the hearing urged caution about increased densities, especially along the Old National Highway corridor and in southern parts of the city. Michael Venable, speaking from a local civic perspective, said higher density alone will not attract higher-quality retail and that traffic and park infrastructure must be addressed before upzoning. “This density is not addressing sprawl…that road can’t handle that,” Venable said. Penny Webster Lewis and other residents told commissioners they were concerned about traffic capacity, school capacity and sewer and utility constraints in areas where the draft increases density.

Murphy responded that the draft targeted major nodes and intersections for higher density and that the transportation plan and later zoning and design-code updates (part of the community work program) would address corridor capacity and design standards. She said the consultant team intends to work with the city on design standards and a zoning rewrite to ensure higher-quality development in key corridors.

The Planning Commission voted to approve the draft updates for transmittal to DCA. The matter will be on the Oct. 14 City Council agenda for review, then sent to DCA; DCA comments will be addressed and the Planning Commission will consider final adoption in November before the council votes on adoption in December.

","The Planning Commission voted to send a draft of South Fulton’s comprehensive plan to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for review. The draft increases recommended densities in targeted nodes and emphasizes health- and placemaking-focused goals; several residents raised infrastructure and park concerns during the public hearing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982235,"Commission recommends approval of 3-lot subdivision rezoning after applicant urged to amend application",981,1845000,2826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445&start=1845&end=2826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445/thumbnail_1845000.jpg","/articles/5982235/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Commission-recommends-approval-of-3-lot-subdivision-rezoning-after-applicant-urged-to-amend-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982235-0b80d2612216af3f78f63483337e5435/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144407&Signature=Jh80iIfqvDCfFge7oXBGryneSHgwncbdGbKp6rO2xKE7~Zs0F-GX1eOjbLi7U9N0vxkhjlWjJ~3-cbskVKiPGyfMUlpveivyWcxA-JzNP3aqM0wlaBQ5jh4bbDBHXbcF4oZHYilxiEmrwbGO-~T96OJ4SwLnBEqTL~ulCLnvAUz1D4QvWSK6nf5DPttNFlMzWRtWgkRD~oLkxM3bOZsanv-nn38DPK~sw-g7XzFe0DHiJPCIs-d14YHC1tXFkMLhCV6pLETz~pQjOw8n4YFqY4CSi4xCuO98vw9gUJGWcZk-4cLx0lAJc1z0hW~lsABcOLGqyok-8LcVd-cVxhZYpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","P and C Custom Homes on Sept. 16 asked the City of South Fulton Planning Commission to rezone a 1.99-acre parcel at 2860 Button Road from AG-1 (agricultural) to R-4 (residential) to subdivide the lot into three parcels for custom homes. The Planning Commission voted to forward a recommendation to City Council; the council is scheduled to consider the matter on Oct. 14 at City Hall.

Staff recommended denial in its report, citing deficiencies in the application and incomplete public participation. Commissioners and staff discussed whether the applicant’s requested zoning should instead be R-4A; staff explained the difference in minimum lot area and minimum heated floor area between R-4 and R-4A. City staff advised that the application as filed does not meet the technical standards for the requested designation and that, if the applicant wants R-4A, they would need to amend their filing and resubmit with the appropriate public notice and advertising.

Applicant representative Jeff Daniels told the commission the proposed homes would start at roughly 3,500 square feet and be marketed around the low $600,000 range. Commissioners asked whether the applicant had discussed the requested amendments with staff; staff and commissioners recommended the applicant work with planning staff to correct the application and ensure all public-notice requirements are met if they choose to seek a different zoning category.

The commission took the required votes. Although staff recommended denial, the commission ultimately voted to forward a recommendation of approval to City Council. Commissioners also noted that if the applicant amends the request to a different zoning category (for example R-4A), the applicant may need to restart the public-notice and advertisement process, which would delay final action.

What happens next: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for final action Oct. 14. If the applicant seeks a different zoning category or files variance requests, those must be processed and advertised according to the city’s zoning procedures before final administrative action can occur.

","P and C Custom Homes sought to rezone a 1.99-acre parcel at 2860 Button Road from AG-1 to R-4 to build three homes; staff recommended denial but commissioners urged the applicant to consider R-4A and to work with staff. The Planning Commission forwarded a recommendation to City Council for the Oct. 14 hearing.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5982240,"South Fulton planning commission backs African Diamond sports complex recommendation to council",966,364000,1330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445&start=364&end=1330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775411-3ef1d8c0c03801b37ec39ef3b47b0445/thumbnail_364000.jpg","/articles/5982240/South-Fulton/Fulton-County/Georgia/South-Fulton-planning-commission-backs-African-Diamond-sports-complex-recommendation-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5982240-a0afad81be00a8053f152d9789374e4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771144407&Signature=ceRB~vhzYaff94l84ZLZhJy1n~VUl6Wu-2FeFXt~A6At2fehVPfW8VZHibRLHlPl71PjDajujytnlon1eKKnym3uy4SHBXCERMdTnnztF-YWkq7IxkfH7~x5PNh8j2dVixfeSiRfQWjPVcl016~jV-6Nqbhv-bDAlJ0p~oXOyGycn6MqRbpZMmdFgoPaqgkZ~tQKJjR-nBHH4X0hbyBysxhL7eW36Tjqed5a6NvEDNiT9-q3xn10RoTihPD~800hj0UN8hx8nMmoLAwGKdkzLUcOEwbsrsVQbv5vIgypp3-trD2SGjqQUhwSHCN1SR~16G5fT9ELVfVVEPKeXGa-8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of South Fulton Planning Commission on Sept. 16 voted to recommend that City Council consider a rezoning application from African Diamond Distributors for a proposed multi-sports recreation complex at 2370 Butner Road. The recommendation now moves to the City Council public hearing on Oct. 14 at City Hall.

Staff recommended denying the rezoning application, and Planning Commission members repeatedly raised concerns that updated documentation the applicant said it submitted was not included in the commission packet. Reginald McClendon, the city’s managing director of community development and regulatory affairs, told the commission, “Staff's recommendation has not changed. It is still denial.”

The applicant, Shatore Phillips, said the project team had revised the site plan and other materials and submitted them to staff. Phillips described the proposed facility as about 90,000 square feet and said the project will host regular practices as well as tournaments “six weekends out of the year.” She also said the plan anticipates shared parking arrangements and off-site overflow parking: “We don't foresee us using all of 194 spaces…we have a partnership…we've already reached out to the City of South Fulton Police Department and Traffic Department regarding on our busy tournament days,” Phillips said.

Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on the parking calculations. In the hearing Phillips said the project requires 453 parking spaces under the zoning standard but that the site design currently shows 194 spaces; the applicant said it expects that shared and managed parking during events will address the shortfall. McClendon told the commission that because variance requests were not filed concurrently with the rezoning application, staff could not process those variances as part of the current packet and that doing so would require restarting the public-notice process.

Commissioners debated whether they could responsibly make a recommendation without the applicant’s revised materials in the packet. One commissioner said the commission does not vote in matters of tie and asked members to keep in mind that the Planning Commission’s recommendation is advisory to City Council. Despite the concerns, the commission took its two required votes (one on staff findings of fact and a second on the application). The commission approved the application recommendation to City Council.

What happens next: the Planning Commission’s favorable recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council for final consideration at the Oct. 14 public hearing. Any zoning relief that depends on variances will require separate processing; McClendon advised the applicant that they could either pursue variances after a rezoning approval by council or refile and advertise the variance requests concurrently, which would extend the timeline.

The record of the hearing shows commissioners asked detailed questions about parking counts, event management, and timelines for variance filings. The commission’s action does not change staff’s recommendation; it forwards the application for the council’s decision.

","The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of rezoning for a proposed multi-sports recreation complex at 2370 Butner Road despite staff recommending denial; the project will go to City Council Oct. 14. Parking, variances and required public-notice procedures remained open questions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission adopts text amendment to align City of South Fulton zoning rules with state law changes

Commission approves rezoning for Campbellton Drive warehouse; site has limited road access and East Point buffer restrictions

Planning commission approves sending draft comprehensive plan update to state review amid public concern over density

Commission recommends approval of 3-lot subdivision rezoning after applicant urged to amend application

South Fulton planning commission backs African Diamond sports complex recommendation to council