Below is my recap of the latest Council Meeting with my thoughts, which don't represent the Mayor or the rest of the Council.
Click HERE to find the agenda and video for this month's Council meetings.
Announcements and Presentations
Council Dog of the Month
Myositis Awareness Month Proclamation
The City of Chamblee is proud to declare May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month to help raise awareness of this rare and debilitating disease that affects an estimated 75,000 people in the U.S., including families here in Georgia. Rich Augustinis - a Chamblee Resident and Vice Chair of the Board for the Myositis Association - father, Augie, was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis in 2008, and over the past 17 years, it has taken away much of his strength and mobility. He now relies on a wheelchair and requires considerable care and support.
This proclamation shows our community members living with myositis that they are not alone. You can learn more about this disease and how you can help via the Myositis Association's website.
Chamblee Doraville CID Annual Update
The CID Chairman, Josh Harrison, gave the annual update on all the projects the CID is currently working on in the area. For example, they are responsible for the pedestrian enhancements, aka sidewalks, along Peachtree Blvd.
More about the CID: The Chamblee Doraville CID is a public-private partnership among local commercial property owners, the cities of Chamblee and Doraville, and DeKalb County. The CID advances capital projects and community services critical to the health and vitality of the business community.
Formed in May 2019, the CID is a legally defined district by which the commercial property owners pay additional assessments. These pooled resources are then used to leverage local, state, and federal funding sources. The money is used to design and construct critical infrastructure, as well as plan for future needs that benefit the entire community.
CIDs are proven to protect and enhance commercial property investments while keeping up with the needs of growing markets. In Chamblee Doraville, the CID will unite the commercial property owners, represent their ongoing interests, pursue a range of projects, and seek partnerships that drive long-term success.
Public Hearings
3715 Longview Drive – Brookhaven Kollel
The applicant has proposed bringing a synagogue to this challenging site through the adaptive reuse of a long-vacant office building. One of the biggest obstacles is that the building is bordered by a stream, making parking and modifications nearly impossible.
Six months ago, the Council rejected the previous application. After the mandatory six-month cool-off period, the applicant resubmitted their plans with significant changes. This time, the Council unanimously APPROVED the application with conditions.
3063 Clairmont Road - Hilton Garden Inn
The applicant is proposing to build a Hilton Garden Inn on the site of the old recording studio. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve seen this applicant before — in fact, this is their third time before the Council for the same project. Each time, the project has been approved, but the applicant has allowed the approval to lapse, returning each time with a reconfigured plan.
This is a significant project and is classified as a Development of Community Impact (DCI). What does that mean? This means the project must be reviewed by the Chamblee Design Review Board (DRB). The DRB consists of members with expertise in architectural design, landscape architecture, urban planning, real estate, or engineering. Their role is to review the architecture and site design and make a recommendation to the Mayor and City Council.|
I have major concerns about the safety of an entrance on Clairmont Road and would like to see inter-parcel access to neighboring properties to help address those concerns. As a result, the Council voted to DEFER the decision to next month’s meeting.
Ordinances - 2nd Read
UDO Taproom Amendment
This change to the UDO would allow taprooms in other types of zoning. It was ADOPTED by the Council unanimously.
Staff Action Items
Mayor's Monarch Pledge
The Mayor’s Monarch Pledge is an initiative led by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to encourage cities, municipalities, and communities to take action to help save the monarch butterfly, whose populations have been rapidly declining due to habitat loss, climate change, and the use of pesticides. The Council unanimously APPROVED the pledge, and the Mayor signed it.
Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Appointment
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jena Dunham to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The selection process was challenging, as we had an impressive pool of 15 highly qualified applicants. After careful consideration, Jena stood out as the best fit to help drive our community’s growth and revitalization. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rob Smith for his years of dedicated volunteer service on the DDA. His commitment and contributions have made a lasting impact on our community, and we truly appreciate all that he has done.
Municipal Court Staffing and Position Reclassification
The City Council has APPROVED the addition of a Deputy Court Clerk position to help manage the growing volume of court cases. This increase is a direct result of having fully staffed code enforcement, which has led to more cases being brought to court. Adding this position will help streamline court processes, reduce delays, and ensure that cases are handled efficiently and effectively. This proactive step will enhance the overall functioning of our judicial system and better support our community’s needs.
Balance Design Phase 2
A bit of background on this one: in 2023, the city partnered with Balance Design to provide interior design services for the new City Hall. Their original proposal included two phases of design work, each costing approximately $250,000, for a total of $500,000. Phase 1 was completed in early 2024, but Phase 2 faced delays, and the previously budgeted funds were reallocated.
Since then, city staff have worked closely with Balance Design to revise the scope of Phase 2, ensuring it aligns with our evolving needs and priorities. The updated plan includes improvements to the reception area, such as updates and additional storage, as well as the creation of a dedicated public art gallery space. Additionally, Phase 2 will complete the City Hall lobby, introduce secondary seating, incorporate art displays, and feature a dedicated recognition wall in the executive office space. Council unanimously APPROVED the revised Phase 2 plan.
Business Licensing Software
The Finance Department has been doing their due diligence the past few months, meeting with various vendors and carefully evaluating options for a new business licensing software. They made their final selection - Carahsoft Technology Group (OpenGov) - paving the way for a more streamlined and efficient process.
The project includes migrating data from the current vendor (HdL), implementing a customer portal, developing custom interfaces, and providing user training to ensure a smooth transition. The new system is expected to go live on or before September 1st, just in time for the licensing season.
Bringing licensing in-house will help improve efficiency and customer service, giving local businesses a more direct and accessible way to manage their licenses. For these reasons, Council unanimously APPROVED the new software.
Please send me your questions, comments, or concerns.
Email: Jfurst@chambleega.gov
Mobile: 770-901-1121
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