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DeKalb board delays decisions on Pleasant Hill/Creekside plans after neighbors raise blasting and traffic concerns
Summary
Commissioners voted to defer two related rezoning and major modification requests for land near Pleasant Hill Road to allow a Development of Regional Impact study and additional community review. Opponents cited blasting, sinkholes and emergency access concerns.
DeKalb County commissioners voted to defer two related land-use applications tied to the Creekside Village/Creekside development and adjacent parcels along Pleasant Hill Road. Staff and the applicant supported a two-cycle deferral while an Atlanta Regional Commission Development of Regional Impact (DRI) study proceeds.
The two cases — a major modification to conditions on an earlier rezoning and a rezoning request to change zoning to RSM for adjacent parcels — were presented by Michelle Battle of Battle Law, who said the requests reflect site constraints, steep topography and the need to adjust the layout discovered in the field. “State law requires that no decision be made by the board of commissioners until the DRI process has been completed,” Battle said; she asked the board to defer while the DRI and updated traffic analyses are completed.
Residents, represented by the East DeKalb Community Coalition and Piedmont Trace homeowners, urged denial. Speakers cited extensive bedrock on the sites and said prior blasting by developers had damaged nearby houses. Gina Mangum, representing the East DeKalb Community Coalition, testified that “any development of this land will require extensive blasting…The developer has outwardly refused to accept liability for resulting damage,” and speakers warned of sinkholes, erosion, stormwater impacts, and inadequate emergency and fire services.
Planning staff recommended a two-cycle deferral because the ARC determined a DRI study was required, and staff said the DRI review and outstanding traffic/access issues made it premature to make a recommendation. The board approved the two-cycle deferral after discussion; Commissioner Davis Johnson emphasized responsiveness to district constituents and noted local planning bodies had recommended deferral or conditions at earlier stages.
Why this matters: The parcels are part of a larger long-running development; potential blasting and stormwater work could affect many nearby homes and infrastructure. DRI-level review brings regional transportation and environmental scrutiny and can materially change access, density or mitigation conditions.
What’s next: The DRI process and updated traffic reports will be completed and submitted for county review. Staff and the applicant said they will provide those documents to neighbors; the matter returns to the board after the required DRI review.
