County defers Hollingshead ready‑mix plant request after residents raise environmental and quality‑of‑life concerns

DeKalb County commissioners on May 22 deferred a decision one week on a proposal from Hollingshead Materials (SRM Concrete) to rezone two Fayetteville Road parcels and obtain a special‑land‑use permit for a concrete ready‑mix plant.

Staff recommended approval with conditions, including a revised Condition 1 clarifying the use as a concrete ready‑mix facility, a 25‑foot landscaped buffer and a 75‑foot undisturbed buffer along the rear property line, and stormwater controls tied to the approved DRI site plan. A key change since the last hearing was an expedited DRI review completed by ARC and GRETA; staff attached DRI conditions to the substitute recommendation.

Supporters, including Metro South CID staff and some area business representatives, said the site replaces a vehicle storage yard and could be a positive redevelopment for a largely industrial corridor. Metro South CID executive director Larry Kaiser said the applicant negotiated with neighborhood leaders and proposed substantial site improvements.

But residents of the adjacent Starlight Heights neighborhood and civic advocates said they were not adequately engaged and remained concerned about noise, dust, lighting, chemical storage and 24/7 operations. Starlight speakers asked for tighter limits on hours (some asked to eliminate Saturday work, or start at 9 a.m.), for native plantings in landscaping, for a trust or liability funding to protect neighbors, and for examples of residential experience near SRM operations. Starlight representatives said they received a written reply only on the meeting day and asked for more time to review technical responses.

Hollingshead and site operations manager Nathan Leonard said the company uses modern dust collection systems and recycles wash water; the applicant supplied estimates showing the loading dust collector would capture an estimated 89–90% of loading emissions. After extended discussion of technical controls, landscaping and operations, commissioners voted to defer for one week so staff, the applicant and neighbors could meet again to refine conditions. Staff told commissioners they would circulate the 17 recommended conditions (including the DRI items) and schedule a working meeting before the next board cycle.

Commissioners said they want documented commitments on native plantings, final dust control specifications, and a mechanism to review operations and enforcement if neighbors continue to report issues.