After hearing concerns about a proposed truck route ordinance from constituents, council members, and staff, the Sandy Springs City Council on Feb. 17 unanimously passed a stripped-down version that defines only federal- and state-maintained roadways in the city.
The ordinance also eliminated proposed time restrictions that were discussed in a Feb. 3 work session.
Proposed new segments discussed at the work session included Johnson Ferry Road from Cobb County to Abernathy Road, Northridge Road between State Route 400 and Roswell Road/SR 9, Abernathy Road from Johnson Ferry Road to Mount Vernon Highway, Mount Vernon Highway from Abernathy Road to the City of Dunwoody/DeKalb County, and Dunwoody Place from Northridge Road to SR 9.
Sandy Springs City Manager Eden Freeman said in a memo that concerns regarding the first iteration of the ordinance that might make it unenforceable included “the lack of an accompanying list and map of approved truck routes, requirement that truck route lists, and maps must be readopted biannually, and burdensome time restrictions.”
The memo suggested eliminating those restrictions and reducing the truck route map to include only those routes that are managed by the state and federal authorities.
The national and state network includes the I-285 corridor, SR 400, and Roswell Road (SR 9). State law prohibits trucks with more than six wheels from using I-20, I-75, I-85, and SR 400 inside the I-285 Perimeter, with exceptions for local destinations.
The Atlanta Regional Commission has also adopted guidance for local governments to establish local laws on trucking and freight routes.
During public comment before the meeting, a half-dozen speakers decried the original proposed ordinance, calling it a “recipe for disaster” and a “Pandora’s box that we don’t need to open.” Specifically, speakers were concerned about traffic congestion, increased pollution, and pedestrian safety throughout the city.
Mayor Rusty Paul, before the council discussed the ordinance, took a moment of “personal privilege to defend the staff.”
“They only did what they were supposed to do, and what we asked them to do” in drafting the ordinance, he said.
Council members agreed that the original ordinance would be difficult to enforce and agreed that the stripped-down version was vastly improved.
“This ordinance makes it more clear, and gives us a map that we can enforce,” said Council Member Melissa Mular.
Other action taken during meeting
In other action, the council voted to accept a $178,000 federal grant that will allow the city to include foam as part of its recycling program.
“The purpose of this project is to provide a permanent solution to a critical need at the [Morgan Falls] Recycling Center to recycle polystyrene foam materials,” a staff memo regarding the measure said.
The city is only required to provide a local match of $1,175 to administer the grant, the memo said. The initial request of $150,000 was based on cost estimates available at the time of project planning, but the grant was increased after “updated pricing and finalized vendor estimates indicated costs that were higher than anticipated to fully implement the project.”
The council also voted unanimously to adopt the 2026 city priorities that were discussed at the council’s recent retreat. They include:
- Set the standard for excellence in customer service, citizen engagement, and innovation in all areas of service delivery;
- Deliver the highest quality public safety services;
- Create and support targeted economic development opportunities with a focus on redevelopment;
- Promote sustainable growth and foster environmental stewardship;
- Provide inclusive and diverse recreational & cultural enrichment;
- Enhance multi-modal transportation accessibility and maintain high community appearance standards;
- Ensure long-term water reliability, rates, and service for all residents and the
business community.
The council also approved a fourth change order for $55,000 to an existing contract with Vertical Earth, Inc. relating to the Mount Vernon/Johnson Ferry Corridor Improvement Project. The change order will allow for additional fiber directional boring for traffic signals and the city’s fiber network.
A staff memo detailed the change orders made during the $16 million project, which included the first change order for $189,000 on January 7, 2025, for “elliptical pipe, hydrovac, night work, signal material, design, and field condition quantity changes.”
The second change order for $242,000 was approved on May 20, 2025, which included drainage system design changes, city fiber network relocations, and revised illuminated street signs. Of the total change order amount, $202,000 was funded from TSPLOST Project TS191 and $39,840 was funded from TSPLOST Project TS192, the memo said.
The third change order of $177,000, was approved on December 10, 2025, and included a water line for the fire system, waterline capping, and revised boring sizes at Roswell Road at Mt Vernon/Johnson Ferry.
Council Member Frank Roberts said he was concerned about the number of change orders for the project. But Public Works Director William Martin said the total change orders only add about two percent to the total project cost, and the changes addressed “unforeseen conditions” that the contract did not contemplate in the bid.
The council retired to executive session to discuss possible litigation matters. No action was taken after reconvening.
.
