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Johns Creek plans full-site ground-penetrating radar survey at Macedonia Cemetery
Summary
Staff recommended hiring a geophysical firm to run a tight-grid ground-penetrating radar survey across the city'owned two-acre Macedonia Cemetery to locate marked and unmarked burials and produce a detailed report and map; council members supported proceeding and asked for clarity on success criteria and schedule.
City staff described plans to engage a geophysical firm experienced with cemetery GPR to run a high-resolution grid across the full two-acre Macedonia site. Staff said the more detailed method differs from prior baseline scans and is intended to produce a report with subsurface wave displays and point locations rather than large polygons, increasing confidence about where marked and unmarked burials are likely located.
"This is much more in-depth, and it's much more conclusive," staff said, noting that the recommended firm had performed similar work at Oakland Cemetery with substantial results. The stated purpose is to inform future site stewardship and any improvements in the master plan while avoiding disturbance of burial locations.
Council members urged staff to be explicit about what constitutes a successful deliverable and to consider stakeholder expectations, given the sensitivity of descendants and community members. Staff said the firm prepared proposals with similar technology and would begin scheduling after council confirmation; the work will be limited to the city-owned Macedonia site and will not extend onto private parcels without permission.
The council expressed general support for moving forward with the recommended, more detailed GPR scope and asked staff to return with scheduling details and final scope confirmation.
