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Residents urge council to scrutinize development proposals, raise concerns about subdivision access and Panola Road encampments
Summary
Public commenters at the Sept. 22 Stonecrest council meeting urged stricter review of developers' submissions, raised concerns about incomplete subdivision access at Rock Springs, asked for full development teams (financing and timelines) to appear before council, and reported increased homeless encampments on Panola Road.
Multiple residents used the Sept. 22 public‑comment period to urge the Stonecrest City Council to scrutinize land‑use changes and developer proposals, and to raise public‑safety concerns. Faye Cofield (3261 Chaparral Way) praised New Birth's recent presentation for bringing a full development team — plans, developer and financing — and said she hopes the council will make that the standard for future proposals so residents can evaluate capacity and timeframes. Cofield also said a housing subdivision off Rock Springs Road appears landlocked because the owner did not secure a required second driveway, and she said the subdivision is only partially completed. She said that code enforcement or building and planning should have caught the missing second driveway earlier. Cofield reported an increase in homeless people camping along Panola Road and said property owners are ultimately responsible for addressing encampments. Renee Kell asked the council to apply zoning laws and variances to protect compatible land use, property values, and quality of life, and offered resident assistance in reviews of petitions. Donna Priest Brown (District 3) urged the city to study data‑center impacts before taking actions and recommended staff coordinate with Georgia Power, DeKalb Watershed, emergency management and other agencies on electric load, water use, stormwater, public health, noise, generator emissions and traffic; Brown asked for an independent impact analysis, structured community engagement, and enforceable performance standards in any ordinance or text amendment. Resident Rosa Bell thanked DeKalb County officers for their response to a recent shooting in Belmont Hills and expressed gratitude for timely policing. Councilmembers responded during and after public comment, and Councilmember Fye noted staff and the city manager engaged DeKalb County to provide added routine patrols for the neighborhood.
