DeKalb awards $680,000 contract to Kimley‑Horn for zoning and sign code rewrite; 70/30 split, broad public engagement planned

The Planning, Economic Development & Community Services Committee recommended awarding a contract to Kimley and Horn and Associates Inc. to perform a comprehensive update of DeKalb County’s zoning ordinance and its sign ordinance, with a contract amount not to exceed $680,000.

Brandon White, deputy director for Planning and Sustainability, told commissioners the county has not updated the zoning ordinance since 2015 and the sign ordinance in roughly 20 years. The rewrite follows the county’s 2050 Unified Plan and the 2022 Comprehensive Transportation Plan. White and project manager Yvonne Trammell described a three‑phase scope: public involvement, project management, and deliverables, and said the consultant’s tasks would include updating the use table, refining development standards (including mixed‑use and missing‑middle housing), adding illustrations and reader‑friendly formatting, and producing digital ordinance deliverables.

Trammell outlined the public‑engagement plan: 80 to 100 community engagement events, targeted outreach to students, millennials, older adults and people with disabilities, five stakeholder seats reserved for community councils on a 12‑member stakeholder committee (one representative from each community council, one from the planning commission, three from the development oversight committee, and others to be appointed), and digital engagement through the county’s EngageDecalb platform.

Commissioners asked whether the sign ordinance work could proceed more quickly on a parallel track; Commissioner Ted Terry said he was concerned about delaying signage updates “for 2 years” if possible. Trammell said staff would discuss a parallel delivery approach with the consultant and could deliver sign elements earlier where feasible. Commissioners also asked about training for boards and commissions; staff said they plan a targeted refresher course for new board appointees and more extensive training if budget allows.

Procurement details presented to the committee showed three initial respondents to the RFP; one was later deemed nonresponsive, leaving two proposers. The county used a scoring panel that included colleagues from GIS and Parks & Rec; Kimley and Horn scored highest and received the recommended award as the responsive, responsible proposer.

Next steps: contract execution (March–May 2025), project tasks May 2025–August 2027, with final delivery tentatively scheduled for December 2027. Staff and the consultant will refine delivery sequencing and community outreach plans during the kickoff phase.