The Dunwoody City Council, at its Oct. 14 meeting, held a public hearing and passed another initiative that will have long-term implications for the city – its 20-year comprehensive plan and 2026 budget.
A brief presentation by Allison Stewart-Harris of TSW Design outlined several changes involving land use throughout the city, mostly involving conditions that would require a Special Land Use Permit in several of the city’s character areas. Some of the character areas affected by the change are the Perimeter Core, Georgetown East, Winters Chapel Core, Jett Ferry, and Peachtree Boulevard.
The revisions also removed Brook Run Park as its own character area and reabsorbed it back into the suburban neighborhood character area.
The plan had been reviewed and approved by the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Stewart-Harris said. .
The council also held a public hearing on $70.5 million 2026 budget that focuses on public safety and customer service, while maintaining $22 million in financial reserves.
According to a release from the city, the proposed budget represents a 0.2 percent decrease from the amended FY2025 budget, “reflecting disciplined spending and long-term fiscal stewardship.”
The 2026 budget also includes $7 million in capital projects focusing on building out Homecoming Park on Vermack Road, providing equipment for the police department, and installing sidewalks and safety improvements around the city.
After the public hearing, council member Catherine Lautenbacher asked that police funding be increased by $243,000 for the installation of bulletproof glass on the front windshields of marked patrol cars. The council will consider the expenditure on second hearing at its November meeting.
In other action, the council:
• held a public hearing on a rezoning request from Office-Industrial to Local Commercial to allow a veterinarian clinic to operate at 4500 N. Shallowford Rd. Staff has recommended the change, and nobody spoke either for or against the rezoning;
• heard Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton’s monthly report that says crime is down, according to year-over-year statistics;
• held a public hearing on master sign changes at Campus 244.
The council retired to executive session to discuss cybersecurity and litigation matters, and adjourned without taking further action.
