Editorial
Cathy Cobbs
Managing Editor, Reporter Newspapers
Collin Kelley
Executive Editor
Beth McKibben
Editor-in-Chief
Sr. Editor Food & Dining
Sammie Purcell
Associate Editor
Staff Writers
Katie Burkholder, Bob Pepalis, Logan C. Ritchie, Sarra Sedghi
12-week evidence-based beh change program to:
Overcome barriers to physical activity
Set realistic goals
Build confidence
Stay motivated
Mondays, June 9-August 25
6:30-7:30PM
Briarwood Recreation Center
2235 Briarwood Rd
Registration Fee: $20
Scan the QR code to learn more and register. Find more community happenings on FacebookBrookhaven Parks and Recreation Department
As we launch into our July issue featuring “Pets and Their People,” it has been fun to see the entries with you and your BFFs. A former dog and cat owner, I find myself between pets at the moment, so seeing these joyful faces on both the people and their companions stirs up some feelings.
The closest I have to real pet interaction, aside from dog sitting, is a periodic visit from a neighborhood cat whom I have named, for no reason, Oscar. He or she shows up at the front door and stalks through the house, leaving quickly through the back door.
It’s about a one-minute visit that involves neither petting nor feeding and yet I feel a sense of kinship with this cat, who in reality is probably just taking a short cut. When my neighbor told me he heard a cat being attacked by a coyote a few weeks ago, I immediately went in search of Oscar, who was both uninjured and seemingly uninterested by my concern.
Psychologists have long attributed the interaction of pets with people as having major health benefits. The National Institute of Health says that interacting with animals “has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.”
This science is being put into practice with animals being incorporated into a variety of therapies, including speech therapy, mental health counseling, injury recovery, and grief support.
We hope you enjoy our three-page photo collage of Atlanta’s people and their pets, along with some great stories that will catch you up on what’s been happening in Brookhaven, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Tucker and Dunwoody.
We have stories about Atlanta’s new tree ordinance, Brookhaven’s lower speed limits on major city roadways, Tucker’s ongoing pickleball saga, and another comprehensive MARTA guide to dining –this one exploring Buckhead-area offerings.
Some of my favorite stories in this issue include one about a Dunwoody woman who is trying to save the environment one pair of shoes at a time, and another about the resurrection of the Sandy Springs turtles just in time to celebrate the city’s 20th anniversary.
As always, we thank you for reading, advertising, and sharing your precious furry friends with us.
We put out the call for photos of you with your beloved furry friends and you answered us! Our annual “Pets & Their People” issue is one of our favorites to assemble as it gives us a great opportunity to showcase our readers and their BFFs. The submissions always tend to run more in favor of the pups, so we were happy to see more felines in the mix.
Enjoy! –
Cathy Cobbs, Managing Editor
Sponsored by
Parade Route
The parade route is approximately 2.7 miles and steps off from the intersection of Mount Vernon Road and Jett Ferry Road at 9 a.m., proceeds west on Mt. Vernon to Dunwoody Village, turns right onto Dunwoody Village Parkway, circles around the Parkway, and left into Dunwoody Village at Starbucks.
Viewing Information
Parade spectators are encouraged to set up chairs along Mt. Vernon and circle around the Dunwoody Village Parkway into Dunwoody Village. Viewing will start on the west side of Jett Ferry on Mt. Vernon. Mt. Vernon Road, between Jett Ferry Road and Dunwoody Village, will be closed from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Parade Festival
After the parade ends at Dunwoody Village, stick around for the family festival! Enjoy music performed by Dunwoody High School Band, a kids zone, and an opportunity to meet local businesses and politicians. Scout Troop 266 will be selling McDaniel’s QN2 barbecue as a fundraiser (pre-order at troop266.us) and the Rotary Club will be selling hot dogs to raise money for the organization. Kona Ice will sell sweet treats to keep you cool!
Big band energy will be the soundtrack for this year’s parade, as four of the area’s
The 116th has one of the busiest schedules of any unit in the Georgia National Guard, and is a fixture of ceremonies throughout Georgia. Look for them marching near the front of the parade.
Serving Preschool-8 students in the North Fulton communities of Roswell, Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and more.
Spirit has become one of the most revered drum and bugle corps, while remaining true to their Southern heritage and continually striving to push the boundaries of artistic innovation.
We’ve got that Wildcat Pride! The Dunwoody High School Marching Band will once again bring its community spirit to the parade, with alumni joining current students this year.
Atlanta CV’s diverse membership spans ages 16 to 54 and includes students, educators, engineers, military personnel, and professionals from a broad range of industries. While based in Atlanta, the corps attracts members from across the Southeast and beyond – reflecting a reputation for excellence, community, and inclusivity.
Look for Freddie Falcon and the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders as they return to the parade this year!
The hot dog hype is real in Dunwoody! One of the parade’s most popular entries, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will return this year to serve up smiles and frank-ly fun memories.
Combining family fun and a serious love of dinosaurs, expect another imaginative and memorable entry from the Torres family.
The city’s destination marketing organization will be riding in the Discover Dunwoody trolley and handing out their signature “DUN” stickers and mini dinosaurs.
By Cathy Cobbs
The Dunwoody Homeowners Association has recognized outgoing Dunwoody High School football coach and athletic director Mike Nash with one of its highest honors – naming him this year’s Dunwoody Fourth of July Parade marshal.
After surprising Nash with the honor, the coach mentioned that for many years, he and the Dunwoody football team carried a flag down the route, but this year, “I get to ride in a truck.”
At its March 23 meeting where the announcement was made, the DHA heard from an emotional Nash, who said he “wasn’t going to a better place, but a different place.”
“There’s no better place in the world than Dunwoody,” he said. “I hope you all realize what a special place this is. You took us in and you loved us.”
Nash had announced his resignation on social media Feb. 25, with the news that he had accepted the head coaching position at Chattahoochee County High School in Cusseta, GA.
Nash spent the last 10 seasons leading the Dunwoody football program, achieving a 33-64 record with back-toback playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024.
When Nash took over the head coaching job, the Dunwoody High School Wildcats football team hadn’t made post season play since 2009.
He started with just 17 players that season, and built a team that grew in talent and stature over his tenure. Under Nash, the Wildcats had their best season in 2024, with an 8-3 record and a playoff appearance.
Audra Anders, whose sons Troy and Walt played football at DHS, said Nash was much more than a football coach.
“He means so much to me and our family,” Anders said.
“He has continued to be an amazing mentor to both my sons beyond high school and college. I am so thankful for him and am thrilled he is the grand marshal of the parade.”
Opening this summer in Dunwoody, Big Play Entertainment will offer state-of-the-art bowling, immersive arcade games, VR, laser tag, glow golf, a high-energy sports bar, and event spaces. Big Play Entertainment is the Dunwoody 4th of July Parade’s Platinum Sponsor and has also generously allowed the use of their parking lot for parade assembly. “Big Play Entertainment came in as our only Platinum Sponsor, and what a real gamechanger it is for this year’s parade,” said parade co-chairman Matt Weber. “Their support gave us the extra boost we needed to lock in marching bands, costumed characters, and make the festival extra special.”
Make sure to visit the Big Play tent at the Family Festival in Dunwoody Village!
Pics in the Park
Groovin’ on the Green: After School Special & Hedonistas
Eyeglasses Collection: Bring your used eyeglasses to the parade for recycling at the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. The Lions International Youth Ambassadors and their host families will march with the Atlanta Lions Club and the Lighthouse Eye Clinic van. Look for the colorful flags of the world that the students will be carrying with their eyeglass collection boxes.
The Community Assistance Center and National Charity League Dunwoody Chapter will partner to collect food donations along the parade route.
DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch, DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick, DeKalb Board of Education District 1 Representative Andrew Ziffer, DeKalb County government officials, and Sarv Dharavane from Austin Elementary, who came in third in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.
Reserve the Week. Reserve the Week.
Buckhead’s Best Bites Await. Buckhead’s Best Bites Await.
By Katie Burkholder
The Atlanta City Council unanimously passed a controversial update to the city’s tree protection ordinance (TPO) at its June 16 meeting.
The vote came after the update was advanced by the Community Development and Human Services Committee on June 10.
After months of discussing and drafting changes to the TPO, the council approved a scaled-down version of the legislation, and the updated ordinance was sent to Mayor Andre Dickens’ desk for his signature.
The ordinance:
■ increases the recompense fee for removing trees from $130 to $140 per diameter inch of the tree trunk;
■ doubles the fines for illegal tree removals;
■ increases the City’s Tree Trust Fund to $400,000 to assist low-income seniors in managing hazardous trees on their properties;
■ adds funding for arborists in the Department of City Planning and one senior arborist in the Department of Parks and Recreation, and;
■ adds discounts on recompense fees for developers of affordable housing to
support Dickens’ goal of building or preserving 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.
“As a multi-generational Atlanta native, I am proud of our beautiful city in the forest. Atlanta has always been a national leader in tree canopy and we have taken measures to protect it for future generations,” Dickens said in a statement. “Thank you to our planning team, city council and everyone who worked together for a greener, more sustainable Atlanta. I look forward to the next steps of the tree preservation work that will align with our land use goals.”
These changes are the first major updates made to the TPO in over 25 years, but while Greg Levine, the executive director of Trees Atlanta, says the changes are a “step in the right direction,” he and other advocates believe the protections are ultimately not enough to protect trees in a meaningful way.
“The recompense fee is an improvement, but there are lots of discounts and opportunities to not pay the full [fee… and] that cap needs to be higher,” he said during public comment, referring to the recompense fee cap, which ranges from $12,500 to $35,000 per acre depending on the zoning.
This is a significant increase from the previous cap of $5,000 per acre, but Levine told Rough Draft in April that
he believed that the cap should’ve been completely removed.
Council member Antonio Lewis said at Monday’s meeting that he understood the concerns of tree advocates but felt that the legislation still needed to move forward.
“[The ordinance] didn’t go far enough for me, but what I’ve learned as a councilperson is that you can’t kill [legislation] because you didn’t get everything you wanted,” he said.
According to Atlanta Council Member Michael Julian Bond, who sponsored the ordinance, the changes are being pushed
forward despite concerns that they aren’t expansive enough so that the TPO updates can become effective by the time the zoning rewrite, known as ATL Zoning 2.0, is made effective in January 2026.
The improvements to the TPO, despite being less expansive than advocated for by tree preservation activists, align with the city council’s goal of increasing the city’s tree canopy coverage to 50 percent. Atlanta’s canopy has dwindled from 48 percent in 2008 to 46.5 percent in 2018, with further decline expected in the seven years since.
By Katie Burkholder
The Atlanta City Council has voted to approve it 2026 fiscal year operating budget, adding funding to the Silver Comet Connector project, and instituting environmental regulations on new data centers in the city.
The council unanimously adopted the nearly $3 billion budget during the full council meeting on June 2.
The budget includes a $975 million general fund budget, which will include $300,000 more for the Citizen Review Board to create two new community outreach positions and $50,000 each for the Atlanta Commission on Women, the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival, Atlanta Pride, and the Agape Youth and Family Center.
The budget will go into effect at the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1.
“This budget represents our shared commitment to building a city that invests in its people, strengthens our infrastructure and looks to the future,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “I am grateful to the City Council for their collaboration
in advancing a budget that puts public safety, economic growth and sustainability at the forefront.”
The council also unanimously approved a resolution allowing the Atlanta Department of Transportation to add additional funding of up to $250,000 to the Silver Comet Connector, a project with the PATH Foundation to connect the Atlanta Beltline with the 61.5-mile Silver Comet Trail, which runs from Smyrna to the Alabama border.
The council also unanimously approved an ordinance requiring special use permits for all new data centers citywide. The ordinance, introduced by council member Dustin Hills, responds to concerns about data centers’ environmental impacts, as the special use permit application requirements will address a proposed data center’s water consumption, water conservation, energy consumption, and other environmental considerations.
These regulations are supported for all NPUs in Atlanta, except for NPU-W, which opposes the city’s broad definition of a data center.
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Learn more about all the amazing events this summer!
By Logan C. Ritchie
Life is about to get a little bit slower in Brookhaven, where the city is lowering the speed limit on several roads.
On June 10, new speed limit signs were posted on Johnson Ferry Road, Ashford Dunwoody Road, Harts Mill Road, and Dresden Drive. The measure was approved by Brookhaven City Council members in December 2024.
The Ashford Park Elementary School zone will also see slower speed limits. The neighborhood has been scheduled for upgrades, including the CaldwellRedding Road intersection improvement project, new lighting on the Ashford Park
pedestrian path between Pamela Drive at Cravenridge Drive and Parkridge Drive, and an expansion of the school zone to 1,000 feet from the school on Caldwell Road. Additional signage and flashers will also be installed in the expanded school zone area.
District 2 council member Jennifer Owens has had her eye on safety in Ashford Park. She called it “another step in our ongoing commitment to make it safer to move around Ashford Park Elementary.”
“The Dresden Drive Corridor in District 2 is a very tight and dense livework-play community, and cars and pedestrians are very close together. I agree with the residents who want a little slower
Wednesday, July 2
Wednesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 16
Tuesday, July 22
and safer route through this area,” Owens said.
Brookhaven city staff performed studies in late 2024 to collect speed data on Ashford Dunwoody Road, Johnson Ferry Road, Harts Mill Road, and Dresden Drive.
Although the Georgia Department of Transportation accepted the requested changes to lower Ashford Dunwoody and Johnson Ferry roads to 35 mph, Harts Mill Road to 30 mph, and Dresden Drive to 25 mph, the transportation agency must re-certify the approved speed limits before they become enforceable.
Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman said lighted road signage will announce the changes, and written warnings will be given for about 30 days prior to Brookhaven Police Department issuing any citations.
By Logan C. Ritchie
Brookhaven Mayor John Park delivered the State of the City address with a message of “building better tomorrow today” on Thursday, June 12.
Park detailed the progress made in the city under his leadership, from connectivity
by trails and bridges to the vision of the new Brookhaven City Centre and its surroundings.
“We call this ‘Brookhaven better together.’ It’s not just a motto. It’s how we engage our community. It is the framework in which we design our spaces, how we shape policy, and how we define progress,”
Park said the city centre is the largest capital project in Brookhaven’s history with a budget of $78 million. Expected to open 19 months after breaking ground in October 2023, the iconic building sits at the intersection of Peachtree Street and North Druid Hills Road at the Brookhaven/ Oglethorpe MARTA station. The city has billed the complex as “the people’s house.”
“This isn’t just a new home for city hall – it’s a reflection of our community’s values. A place for the government to meet people where they are. A home for music, dialogue, learning, celebration, and connection,” Park said.
“The city would like to drive that process … consider input from the community, plan for the infrastructure requirements that are needed, and right size that development,” Park said.
After the city centre opens, city staff will be operating from three buildings: the Brookhaven Police Department and municipal court are located at the Brookhaven Public Safety Building, 1793 Briarwood Rd.; public works, engineering, permitting, community development, zoning, inspections, code enforcement, and facility services operate out of the
Brookhaven PEP Building, 2665 Buford Hwy.; and Explore Brookhaven, the remainder of city staff, and city council will be housed at Brookhaven City Centre, 3987 Peachtree Rd.
“That’s not just smart real estate moves, it’s a generational investment in transparency, accessibility, and fiscal responsibility,” Park said.
The mayor went on to detail other major projects in the city, including a pedestrian bridge from Emory University Executive Park to the Peachtree Creek Greenway that is scheduled to begin construction in the next two years. The greenway’s paved trails are progressing, taking the city step by step closer to connecting to the Atlanta Beltline, Chamblee, and Lindbergh, he said.
By Cathy Cobbs
The Dunwoody Homeowners Association on June 22 heard a proposal about a zoning change that would allow the construction of more than 200 ageand income-restricted apartments on Ashford Dunwoody Road – a plan that two weeks ago was thought to be dead in the water.
The panel, in executive session after the meeting, entertained a motion to support the development with conditions, but it failed, according to DHA President Tim Brown.
The board listened to a presentation by developer and property manager Dominium, detailing plans to develop a 3.42-acre parcel into 215 apartments, with 248 underground parking spaces. The site now houses a 15,700-square-foot medical office, which is owned and occupied by the LifeSouth Community Blood Center.
The units would range from one to three bedrooms, according to the plan submitted to the city. One-bedroom units would rent for $1,242 a month, while two-bedroom units would be $1,491, and
three-bedroom units would top out at $1,722.
The annual income limit for one person to qualify for housing is $46,380 and rises to about $66,000 with four people.
Dominium representatives gave a similar presentation on June 10 to the Dunwoody Planning Commission and the panel deferred a decision, despite a request from Dominium for either an approval or denial of the application to rezone the site from O-I (Office Industrial) to PD (Planned Development).
“[The developers want to say that] a deferral tonight to them is the same to them as a denial” because of deadlines for Dominium to make applications for federal financing, said Dunwoody Planning & Zoning Manager Paul Leonhardt.
However, when asked about the “deferral-means-denial” statement and questions about the company’s presence at the DHA meeting, attorney Julie Sellers said after the June 10 meeting, company officials “were able to confirm that we could stay on track if we came back to the
planning commission in July.”
During the lengthy Dunwoody Planning Commission meeting, citizens came out in force to oppose the construction of the complex, saying that the time isn’t right with the city ‘s new comprehensive plan still under consideration.
A dozen speakers who spoke in opposition to the plan also cited issues with its proximity to single-family housing, the density of the complex, the potential for traffic congestion, the limited number of parking spaces compared to the number of units, and the need for owneroccupied units within the city rather than rentals.
At the DHA meeting, Dominium Vice President Shaun Reinhardt addressed the issues brought up at the planning commission, saying that the density of the complex is comparable with other properties adjacent to the site.
“I think we are doing an okay job as far
as that goes,” Reinhardt said.
Regarding parking, Reinhardt said the decision regarding the number of spaces, which would not be reserved or assigned, is based on previous developments that Dominium has built.
While both Sellers and Reinhardt insisted that many Dunwoody residents would qualify to rent apartments in the proposed community, most attendees pushed back at the notion.
“You say that this will meet the needs of the Dunwoody community, but I don’t think that’s true,” said Dan Weber, a longtime resident and former state senator.
Former Dunwoody Mayor Dennis Shortal said that citizens who desire to age in place want to live in owner-occupied homes, not apartments.
“We don’t need any more apartments – we have enough of them,” Shortal said. “This [development] does not fit with what the city of Dunwoody wants as a whole.”
The city’s Development Review Committee, which includes Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton, Economic Development Director Richard McLeod, Leonhardt, Public Works Director Michael Smith, and Economic Development Director Michael Starling, had voted unanimously on April 2 to recommend approval of the application, with five conditions.
The Dunwoody Planning Commission will meet on July 8 to hear the rezoning request.
By Cathy Cobbs
Madelyn Spiegelman is trying to save the planet, one pair of sneakers at a time
The 32-year Dunwoody North resident is collecting athletic shoes that will be repurposed or recycled through a Floridabased organization called Got Sneakers.
According to the Got Sneakers website, in the United States alone, at least 200 million pairs of shoes and sneakers end up in landfills annually. The shoes can take at least 30-40 years to decompose while emitting harmful chemicals into the soil and air.
“Most people throw away their used sneakers every 125-200 days without ever thinking about recycling,” the website said.
In addition to polluting landfills, Got Sneakers said the process of manufacturing sneakers produces large amounts of carbon dioxide, which contributes to serious effects of climate change and global warming.
Spiegelman said she learned of the cause through social media and thought it would be a good way to contribute to the greater good.
“Anything we can do to help the planet is a good thing, even if it’s one shoe at a time,” she said.
The sneakers, if in good condition, are sold for pennies on the dollar, and if not wearable, are ground down and repurposed into other uses, including flooring or playground surfaces.
So far, Got Sneakers has recycled and reused 3.5 million shoes and has stopped 105 million pounds of carbon dioxide
from entering the atmosphere.
Spiegelman has already collected more than 140 pairs of shoes and sent them in prepaid mailing bags provided by Got Sneakers. She is looking to ramp up the program by partnering with schools or other civic-minded organizations. Got Sneakers accepts all types of
athletic shoes, but not those that have cleats.
For more information, to partner with Spiegelman, or to arrange a drop-off, contact her at madspiegelman@yahoo. com.
By Bob Pepalis
Mary Ford and David Michael Flynn announced plans to run in city council districts being vacated by incumbents, while council member Lauren Locke will face an incumbent in her race.
Ford announced she was running for the Sandy Springs City Council District 5 seat. Ford said she knows the community, has built trusted relationships, and can hit the ground running on day one.
Her platform goals include protecting and strengthening the pillars of the community –public safety, strong neighborhoods, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Her other goals include planning for smart growth that supports residents, advancing economic development to attract new jobs, supporting local businesses, and ensuring that the city’s infrastructure keeps pace with thoughtful growth.
Ford has lived in Sandy Springs with her husband, Jay, for more than 20 years. As the High Point Civic Association president, she worked to bring neighbors together with city leaders. She has advocated for safer streets and protecting the integrity of the city’s neighborhoods.
Ford graduated from the Sandy Springs Citizens’ Leadership Academy and its Citizens’ Police Academy. She is a Leadership Perimeter alum and mentor.
Outgoing council member Tibby DeJulio has endorsed her campaign, according to Ford’s announcement. DeJulio has represented the district since the city’s founding.
Ford will face Colin Hubbard, who previously declared his candidacy, in the election on Nov. 4.
Flynn announced his candidacy to represent District 4 on the Sandy Springs City Council seat held by incumbent Jody Reichel, who previously announced her run for mayor.
Flynn believes his innovative perspective, strategic problem-solving skills, and consensus-building experience will bring smart and viable solutions to the city’s issues, according to his campaign announcement.
Since 2004, Flynn has owned a wellness business called Dynacore, Inc. located in Sandy Springs, which has served more than 2,000 city residents.
Flynn has served on the Leadership Sandy Springs Board of Directors. He graduated from the Sandy Springs Citizens’ Police Academy.
Flynn has lived in the city’s Alderwood Community for more than 10 years, where he learned the value of a supportive community. His sons grew up and were educated in Sandy Springs.
He retired from the IT sector after more than 25 years in leadership roles, managing the development and implementation of large software projects.
Flynn earned a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech. His graduate assistantship led to the development of a student information system for a metro Atlanta school system.
Flynn will face Alex Somer, who previously announced his candidacy, for the District 4 council seat.
Locke announced her campaign for the District 2 Sandy Springs City Council seat now held by Melody Kelley, whose campaign contribution reports indicate that she is running for reelection.
Locke’s reasons for running include a desire to reimagine possibilities for the city’s north end.
She plans to bring new businesses to the community and to work closely with law enforcement and firefighters. Locke, the chief operating officer of Cornerstone Advisors Group, a wealth management group, is also a licensed sports medicine personal trainer. The 25-year Sandy Springs resident formerly owned a yoga and barre studio. Locke was born on Fort Sam Houston
military base in Texas. After growing up in Peachtree Corners, she earned a journalism degree from Georgia State University. She chairs her neighborhood’s sidewalk committee, led efforts to bury power lines, and served as HOA treasurer.
Locke volunteers at the city’s recycling center, the Community Assistance Center, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Young Men’s Service League, and the National Charities League. She is a Greater Perimeter
Chamber member.
Her two children attend Blessed Trinity Catholic High School.
The official qualification period will run from Monday, Aug. 18, through Thursday, Aug. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Sandy Springs City Hall.
By Bob Pepalis
Turtles made a triumphant return to the spotlight in the Town Turtle Walk at City Springs, an outdoor exhibition of nine of the original Town Turtle sculptures the Sandy Springs Society created as a fundraiser.
As part of its 20th anniversary, the city collaborated with the Sandy Springs Society and ART Sandy Springs to present the outdoor exhibition. It began June 11 and runs through early September.
A Sandy Springs City Hall opening night exhibit will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 10, featuring a Town Turtle memorabilia exhibit. A ribbon-cutting will be held for the bronze turtle, Sandy and the Children. Red Baron owner Bob Brown donated the turtle to the Sandy Springs Society and after the exhibit, it will have a permanent home at the City Green.
The artwork theme continues that evening to a student art show. Original works by local youth will be shown, imagining Sandy Springs 20 years into the future.
The original Town Turtles project saw 75 turtles with individual designs being displayed citywide. They were later auctioned to individuals and businesses, raising $750,000. Jan Collins, a former Sandy Springs Society president, told Rough Draft Atlanta that the Sandy Springs Society used $400,000 to establish the Heritage Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn. Another $100,000 established an endowment for the Sandy Springs Society.
The funding left after other expenses was used to buy the public parks from Fulton County.
“The thing was that the parks were being sold back to Sandy Springs. It was just pennies on the dollar. So that’s the way we ended up buying all the parks,” Collins said.
The idea for the turtles originated when Collins saw the Cows on Parade public art exhibition in Chicago. It had 300 fiberglass cows on display across the city.
The University of Georgia graduate remembered those cows when she saw in the UGA newsletter that the Athens Women’s Club created a Georgia Bulldog sculpture. Collins contacted the women in charge of that project to learn how their club managed the project and who fabricated their sculptures.
The Sandy Springs Society members approved the sculpture project, which led to a conversation about the appropriate animal for Sandy Springs. They realized the Eastern Box Turtle is native to Georgia, and its shell would make a beautiful canvas.
The organization worked with local artist Jack Elrod, a writer and illustrator of the syndicated Mark Trail comic strip, to create
the copyrighted design. Collins and another member took the sketches to Chicago’s Cow Painters. That firm designed Chicago’s Cows on Parade and the Georgia Bulldog sculptures. An artist from the firm looked at the sketch of a turtle.
“It was almost like it was biblical, because this girl came in the room with a great big lump of clay, and she looked at our sketches,” Collins said. “And right in front of us, she molded a turtle that became our image.”
The turtle project happened at the same time Sandy Springs was finally headed toward cityhood.
“They just realized all of a sudden that here we had this wonderful image,” Collins said, “because not only was it a great canvas for our painters, but it also was such a beautiful tie-in to the tortoise and the hare, because Sandy Springs had worked 30 years to even get on the ballot. And that idea of perseverance really became our motto.”
The Sandy Springs Society had an idea and a design, but no money to make it happen. They asked Northside Hospital to donate $75,000 to sponsor the Town Turtles. That seed money enabled the creation of the sculptures.
The whimsical sculptures, many owned privately and publicly, include Leonardo Terrapini, Bottishelli, Hero, Cable Guy, Titian, Soapbox, and Hand-Some. One additional turtle, Monopoly, will be on display at the Performing Arts Center. At the close of the exhibition, Bottishelli will be auctioned to support local nonprofit organizations.
By Cathy Cobbs
The Tucker City Council meeting on June 9 saw heated exchanges between its members regarding a last-minute addition to the agenda to reopen the bid process for a controversial proposed pickleball court complex.
The motion passed 4-3.
The discussion turned ugly as Council member Alexis Weaver and Mayor Frank Auman exchanged barbs about whether or not the community was properly involved in decisions about design and location.
At the beginning of the meeting, Auman proposed that the council discuss the pickleball bid at the end of the lengthy agenda, a conversation that occurred more than three hours later.
“I would like to make a motion to return to the original bid and begin the bid process again,” Auman said.
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at Tucker City Hall, 1975 Lakeside Pkwy, Ste 350B, Tucker, GA 30084
JULY 3 - 6 P.M. CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE & FIREWORKS SHOW Main Street
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JULY 7 - 6:30 P.M.
However, several council members pushed back on Auman’s suggestion, saying that they felt the current design needed modifications, which could be minor or involve redesigning the orientation of the courts.
Weaver said the last-minute addition of the agenda item did not allow the community to be engaged in advance of meeting. But Auman disagreed.
“As far as the timing, I am tired of all these emails that I am getting from both sides asking what is happening with the bid process,” Auman said to Weaver. “I completely and strenuously object to the statement that the community has not been engaged.”
The agenda item to award the bid was originally scheduled to be considered at the May 12 meeting but was abruptly pulled on Friday, May 9 around 5 p.m. after a citizen made allegations that Complete Site LLC, the low bidder, did not have the proper qualifications.
As the May 12 meeting was beginning, City Manager John McHenry said, after conducting due diligence, he “decided that the City of Tucker will reject all proposals and not award a contract in response to solicitation ITB 2024-017, titled TRC Pickleball Courts Construction at this time.”
At the June 9 meeting, Auman said his proposal to restart the bid process would give the community a starting spot for discussion, a statement that was met with differing views from the council.
“This feels rushed, because I just found about this five minutes before I walked into the meeting,” Council
member Virginia Rece said. “We need to earn the community’s trust.”
Council member Roger Orlando said he agreed with the mayor’s position that restarting the bid process “would get the ball rolling.”
During Council member Vinh Nguyen’s remarks, he and Weaver started a back-and-forth argument about Weaver’s earlier statements, forcing Auman to bang his gavel repeatedly until Weaver stopped talking.
“I’m just going to keep banging this gavel,” Auman said, to which Weaver replied, “You like to do that to me a lot.”
The council had been discussing a variation on the original proposal that would involve a combination of pickleball and multi-use courts, rather than the original 12 dedicated pickleball courts.
Auman, Cara Schoeder, Nguyen, and Orlando voted in favor of the motion, while Weaver, Amy Trocchi, and Rece cast dissenting votes.
In other action, the council also held a public hearing and voted to approve, with modifications, an application for a Special Land Use Permit for a special events facility that has been operating out of compliance for several years.
Along with the SLUP request, the applicant, Luxe Events, had asked for concurrent variance requests including relief of distance separation requirements from residential properties and relief from accessory structure materials and accessory structure location.
Courtney Smith, Tucker Community Development Director, said Luxe Events agreed to re-stripe the parking lot to bring the property into compliance with the city’s codes.
Tucker officials and the city’s planning commission had recommended approval of the SLUP and the distance separation variation, but denial of the two others. Smith said Luxe has agreed to remove the ancillary structures currently on the property, thus making the variance requests moot.
The property, located on a 2.7-acre site at 2101 Northlake Parkway, has been operating for at least two years without the needed variances, and without an occupational tax certificate.
Joseph Wilburn, representing the applicant, said the facility is compatible with surrounding businesses and pledged that parking lot striping and removal of the existing accessory structures will be made within 90 days of the SLUP approval.
In other action, the council heard
from Tucker Parks and Recreation
Director Rip Robertson about improvements to Rosenfeld Park’s tennis courts, including proposed repairs to three existing courts and the conversion of one court to add eight off-street parking slots.
Schroeder asked Robertson if the renovated tennis courts could be converted so that they could also be used for pickleball. Robertson said the cost of the needed striping would be negligible.
He also mentioned that the city held two community meetings prior to the design and engineering phase, but recommended that if the tennis courts are to be modified to allow pickleball, that another community meeting be held and a sound study be conducted.
The council also heard from Tucker Finance Director Beverly Hilton about a final budget amendment for the 2025 budget, with a request to transfer the maximum amount allowed from the general fund to the capital and SPLOST funds to support the maximum proposed budget recommendations from city management to the mayor and council. This would allow the city to fund a project in advance, rather than arrears.
“This is the most exciting budget amendment I have ever worked on,” Hilton said. “We don’t have a ‘wish list’ anymore, we have a ‘let’s do it’ list.”
She said technology improvements
to make capital projects more transparent to the public was a two-year effort that “involved lots of work and lots of meetings.”
In other action, the council:
■ approved a $75,000 contract for a commissioned art sculpture for the Tucker Town Green;
■ passed on a second read an ordinance to adopt the FY 2026 operating budget and updated pay structure;
■ approved a resolution to adopt the proposed FY 2026 schedule of fees that support the operating budget;
■ discussed adopting a millage rate of 2.036 mills, which will keep revenues neutral, and may even reduce taxes for Tucker homeowners.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 who were awarded over $5,000,000 in scholarships and were accepted by Emory University, Georgia Tech (Honors College), University of Georgia (Honors Program), Kenyon College, Oberlin College, Clemson University, and the University of Michigan, among others. 89% of the class received HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarships.
Embrace new friendships, new passions, new discoveries, and new freedoms.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 th • 11:00AM
Join us for a discussion on how to create your ideal retirement lifestyle. Learn about the benefits of living well in our vibrant community, meet our team, and have all your questions answered. After the presentation, enjoy chef-curated Carribbean appetizers and take a guided tour. To RSVP, call 470.868.4578
By Sarra Sedghi and Beth McKibben
This Rough Draft dining series will continue throughout 2025, highlighting restaurants in cities and neighborhoods within easy walking distance or a short bus ride from MARTA rail stations. Check out other guides to Lindbergh Station, Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville on the Gold Line.
As one of the busiest pockets for business, shopping, and dining in Atlanta, Buckhead boasts not one MARTA station, but two (and three, if you count Lindbergh).
The neighborhood and business district are lush with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, with the Buckhead and Lenox MARTA stations and frequent bus service helping people get around the often traffic-choked area of Atlanta.
This dining guide spotlights nine restaurants easily accessible from the Buckhead and Lenox MARTA stations. All of the restaurants listed are a quick bus ride from one or both stations.
Aria ($$$-$$$$)
490 East Paces Ferry Rd.
What to drink: If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for the daily “one & done” pull from Aria’s cellar, available by-the-glass until the bottle is empty. A martini here is always a solid move.
Aviva by Kameel ($-$$)
3300 Piedmont Rd.
■ Middle Eastern, fast-casual counter service with a welcoming atmosphere; beer available
■ Walking from Buckhead station: 11 minutes or .5 miles
Even in a city like Atlanta with hundreds of restaurants, Aviva by Kameel stands out. The restaurant serves halal meat, abstains from using seed oils and
■ New American; extensive wine list; tasting menu available; reservations
■ Walking from Buckhead station: 17 minutes or .7 miles
■ Bus 110 from Buckhead station: two stops along Peachtree to Maple Drive, then six minutes walking or .3 miles
A renowned restaurant like Aria doesn’t exactly need an introduction to most Atlantans. The 2025 James Beard Award finalist’s accolades speak volumes, especially when it comes to Aria’s hospitality and serious attention to detail. It’s one of Buckhead’s de facto special occasion venues that also happens to have a slew of weekly regulars because this is where you come to be treated (and fed) extremely well.
Founded by Chef Gerry Klaskala in 2000, the kitchen at Aria is now led by Chef Joseph Harrison, who took over the post in June following Klaskala’s retirement. But the majority of Aria’s menu remains intact, with a few new dishes from Harrison, who is breathing new life into the 25-year-old dining institution.
What to eat: Clem’s carrots; beef tartare; short rib; seasonal desserts/cakes
ingredients containing hormones, and offers substitutions to fit vegan, gluten-free, and keto diets.
But longtime regulars of Aviva by Kameel and its original location in downtown Atlanta know that when you dine here, you’re part of the family. That’s how owner Kameel Srouji and his family operate the restaurant. If Srouji is in the restaurant, don’t be surprised if he greets you with “I love you” and asks you about your meal.
You’ll likely be offered samples of bread and soups from across the line at the counter, and have entrees like the salmon grilled to order. It’s all part of the hospitality experience at Aviva by Kameel, and what makes it such a treasure in Atlanta. Aviva by Kameel includes locations in downtown Atlanta and Midtown.
What to eat: Falafel; chicken shawarma; grilled salmon salad
What to drink: Whatever local beer is on tap
St. Cecilia ($$$-$$$$)
3455 Peachtree Rd.
■ Coastal European/contemporary Italian with full bar and outdoor balcony; casual fine dining; Ford Fry restaurant; reservations
■ Walking from Lenox or Buckhead station: 12 minutes or .5 miles
■ Bus 110 from Buckhead station: four stops along Peachtree to Lenox, then one minute of walking
It’s all about antipasti, fresh-made pasta, and seafood at St. Cecilia, Ford Fry’s coastal European and Italian restaurant. A full bar dominates the airy, modern interior of the dining room, while a semi-private balcony accommodates up to 40 people for special events. The menu changes daily here, but any pasta (try the stuffed agnolotti if St. Cecelia has it) and Spanish octopus with ‘nduja and potato are always hits.
What to eat: lobster risotto; seafood crudo; tiramisu
What to drink: Good Times Roll; Runnin’ with the Devil; wine Delbar ($$$)
3060 Peachtree Rd.
■ Persian and Middle Eastern; beer, wine, cocktails; brunch; reservations
■ Bus 110 from Buckhead or Lenox: Seven stops along Peachtree to Buckhead Avenue, then one minute of walking
Chef Fares Kargar opened this location of his popular Persian restaurant in 2024, and it’s the vibiest location yet with a chic interior. The move at Delbar, of course, is sharing a few kebab plates and appetizers such as the kaskh bademjoon (pan-fried eggplant with onions, mint, and cream of whey), chargrilled wings, and, if you’re feeling fancy, sturgeon caviar labneh. Finish things off with pistachio soft serve or faloude, a Persian granita made with rice noodles, rose water, and lime. Walk-ins are welcome for lunch, but make a reservation for large parties or dinner.
What to eat: Wings; sabzi polo; adana kabo; dill labneh
What to drink: Lime sharbat; Turkish coffee, Back Home Beer (sumac gose)
Le Bon Nosh ($$-$$$)
65 Irby Ave.
■ All-day cafe with wine bar, bakery, and French-Persian dishes using Southern ingredients; breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner; mostly French wine list
■ Bus 110 from Buckhead station: Six stops along Peachtree to East Paces Ferry, then six minutes of walking Owned by Chef Forough Vakili, seasonal and organic ingredients shine at Le Bon Nosh, with dishes leaning into her Persian roots and time spent living in Paris while attending Le Cordon Bleu. The interior is darling, regardless of whether you sit in the formal restaurant area or at the half-moon-shaped wine bar with a coffee and pastry in the morning, a fresh grain salad in the afternoon, or grilled red snapper in the evening. Save room for an almond croissant or cardamom cake.
What to eat: Crudité; organic beef tartare; grilled red snapper; parmesan herb fries
What to drink: Negroni spritz; espresso macchiato; wine
Lucian Books & Wine ($$$-$$$$)
306 Buckhead Ave.
■ Upscale wine bar with books and European fare open for lunch and dinner; reservations highly recommended
■ Bus 110 from Buckhead or Lenox station: eight stops along Peachtree to Pharr, then one minute of walking Trust a regular — Lucian Books & Wine is one of those places where everything on the menu stuns, and if the food and wine (and its uber popular martini) aren’t enough to impress you, then the artful selection of books sure will. If anything, you must at the very least order a glass from the 40-page wine booklet, curated by co-owner and sommelier Jordan Smelt. But if it’s a bottle you’re after to pair with your meal, ask Smelt for a recommendation.
What to eat: Duck breast; omelette with caviar and crème fraiche; filet mignon with sauce au poivre and fries; peaches with straciatella, fennel, almond, and basil pesto; off-menu fries
What to drink: Wine; Lucian martini; Good vermouth on the rocks
Yeppa & Co. ($$-$$$)
306 Buckhead Ave.
■ Italian; trendy spot for pasta; cocktails; lively happy hour; brunch; reservations
■ Bus 110 from Buckhead or Lenox station: seven to 10 stops, depending on the station, then four minutes of walking
Yeppa’s flagship location at Buckhead Village is a place for buzz-seekers: whether
that feeling comes from cocktails, coffee, or carbohydrates is completely up to you and the experience you’re seeking here. This is a restaurant built for sharing, as evidenced by drink towers and pasta towers on every table. Come to Yeppa on Wednesday for the three-tier pasta tower for $69. But if you do come solo, grab a spot at the 40-seat bar and anticipate getting to know a stranger.
What to eat: Pasta al limone; salame piccante focaccia; artichoke heart, pecorino, and microgreens; cacio e pepe salad
What to drink: Espresso martini; Hugo spritz
Le Colonial ($$-$$$)
3035 Peachtree Rd.
■ Vietnamese-French; sophisticated tables and lush, plant-filled interior; reservations highly recommended
■ Bus 110 from Buckhead station: seven stops along Peachtree to Buckhead Avenue, then two minutes of walking
Le Colonial is a Buckhead Village resident that, frankly, lives up to the hype — the French colonial influence on Vietnamese cuisine and culture is nicely balanced at the restaurant. Both the Le Colonial’s interior and patio are distinct enough to feel festive and comfortable, and the entire menu (not just the side dishes and appetizers) can easily be shared familystyle. Allergy note: Like other Southeast Asian cuisines, Vietnamese dishes frequently contain peanuts.
What to eat: Cha gio (crispy shrimp and pork roll); ca song (spicy yellowfin tuna tartare); goi du du (crunchy green papaya salad); ca chim (seabass *contains peanuts*)
What to drink: Green makrut gimlet; shaken black tea
Jalisco Mexican Restaurant ($-$$)
2337 Peachtree Rd.
■ Mexican; beer and wine only; no reservations
■ Bus 110 from Buckhead station: 19 stops along Peachtree to Peachtree Hills Avenue, then two minutes of walking
While much closer to the Lindbergh MARTA station, getting to this Peachtree Hills staple is an easy bus ride away from the Buckhead MARTA station. Jalisco Mexican Restaurant offers some of the most reasonably priced dishes in Buckhead proper, with the added bonus of quick, yet attentive service. Expect tacos, burritos, quesadillas, chalupas, and carnitas dinners here. But if you’re also looking to drink margaritas and yap, go elsewhere, because Jalisco only serves beer and wine. With no reservations, it’s best to come early and to avoid bringing a large party.
What to eat: Chicken enchiladas; chile rellenos
What to drink: Beer and wine only
By Sammie Purcell
Jeff Phungglan’s journey to the film industry began a little differently than most. Born in California and raised in a devout Christian family in Arizona, he attended school for ministry before he decided to become a filmmaker.
Phungglan attended Kairos School of Ministry in Las Vegas. While there, he worked in the school’s media department, helping with school broadcasts and producing content for the internet. This is where his love for filmmaking started to blossom in the open.
“I was very obsessed with pop culture, which is somewhat of a taboo when you grow up in a very strict Evangelical environment,” he said. “I was sneaking my pop culture obsession.”
While at Kairos, Phungglan became engrossed in genre filmmaking. This was around the time when “Heroes” was popular on television, and “Iron Man” was about to take the world by storm. He loved the idea of telling grounded human stories in a larger than life manner. He hopes to be able to do just that with his debut feature film “Mei I.”
“Mei I.” is a sci-fi thriller about a Thai
“As more and more stories [come out] about American citizens being apprehended – my family is all American born or fully naturalized – I can’t help but fear for them in some capacity,” he said.
Before “Mei. I,” Phungglan made a series of short films that he believes feed directly into the themes he wants to explore with his feature: “Bāhn (Home),” a documentary about his family’s personal immigration story; “The Algo,” about a possessed algorithm that drives a man crazy; and “Jelly Bean,” which centers around two Korean American sisters, one of whom joins a cult.
“What’s been really cool for me is to see this threadline of what my voice is and how technology and sci-fi and this thriller genre has prevailed, and how I’m getting to marry that with my Thai heritage in ‘Mei I.,’ he said. “‘Mei I.’ just feels like the culmination of all of those things for me.”
Phungglan launched a Seed & Spark funding campaign for “Mei I.” on June 2. He is funding the film through Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Renaissance Rally, which is a program created in partnership by Seed & Spark and Gold House Futures Network. The rally invites filmmakers to create stories
According to the AAPI Renaissance Rally webpage, the Rally winners will be chosen from a group of finalists and will be eligible to receive membership in the Gold House Futures Network, which is a community of AAPI creatives, entrepreneurs, and leaders; $10,000 in funding along with a spot at the Gold Pitch Event at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF); and mentorship opportunities.
Phungglan said to qualify to be a finalist, “Mei I.” has to hit 80 percent of its fundraising goal, which is $8,000, and needs to get 350 followers on their Seed & Spark page. The crowdfunding campaign runs through July 2.
Funding for the film will help support things like securing film permits, production design, camera gear and rentals, and compensation for the cast and crew. Phungglan said he hopes the movie will show people not to be complacent.
“I want to give the audience this experience of being in this dystopia, and then walking away from their screen being like – my life doesn’t feel like that, but it’s a lot like that right now,” Phungglan said. “Maybe I should be more concerned.”
By Logan C. Ritchie
Chronic homelessness has dropped nine percent thanks in part to the City of Atlanta and local agencies’ dedication to rehoming people, a new report states.
Partners for HOME (Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone) found that pandemic-related homelessness is stabilizing. “We are at a critical inflection point — on the cusp of decreasing homelessness in Atlanta,” the 2025 Point In Time Count report states.
The Point In Time Count is a census of unhoused people that occurs in late January, as federally mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is an approximate number, used to gauge changes over time. In Atlanta, the count is done annually.
In January 2020, more than 3,240 people were experiencing homelessness in the City of Atlanta. In January 2025, the numbers were down to 2,867 people.
In Atlanta, nearly 200 nonprofit, government, and community agencies work together to end homelessness, led by Partners for HOME. These agencies created a strategic goal in 2023 to reduce and end homelessness by closing encampments and providing housing and services to their residents, thereby increasing access to housing for all people experiencing homelessness – especially for the most vulnerable.
The chronically homeless population is the most vulnerable, and highly prioritized by Partners for HOME. These are individuals with “a long-term, disabling condition” ranging from severe mental illness, addiction, chronic medical
conditions, or a combination thereof, and have long spans of homelessness.
“We need the right types of housing at the right affordability with the right complement of supportive services to ensure [vulnerable] folks have access to housing and can stabilize in housing and not return to homelessness,” said Partners for HOME CEO Cathryn Vassell.
Homelessness factors include the affordability of rent and the availability of affordable housing, but other factors include mental health, chronic medical conditions, addiction, and network impoverishment (a person’s support system).
Since 2022, 1,850 households have been housed through homelessness response initiatives alone.
“There’s a lot of movement in and out of the homeless system on any given day. About half of the number of people who were surveyed this year were not in our data system yet, so they had not yet accessed resources or services,” Vassell said. “People come in and out of homelessness
all the time.”
Drilling down into the demographics:
■ 95 percent of homeless people who have been counted in Atlanta are living without children;
■ 73 percent identify as male, 26 percent identify as female, and about one percent identify as trans, nonbinary, or multiple genders;
■ Five percent makes up households with adults and minor children, which totals about 131 families in 2025;
■ Black people are disproportionately represented. While 47 percent of the city’s population is Black, 83 percent of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are Black;
■ Youth and veteran homelessness declined six percent and three percent, respectively;
■ Homeless families with children have seen an increase of 14 percent, or 400 people.
“We have continued to focus our efforts on rehousing and getting folks out of homelessness as quickly as possible, and [Mayor Andre Dickens’] administration is certainly squarely focused on that, as well as on increasing the availability of affordable housing across our community,” Vassell said.
Dickens has committed to building 500 quick-delivery housing units with wraparound services by the end of 2025. The Melody, Atlanta’s first rapid housing community, is a community of 40 microunits made from shipping containers. In December 2024, 729 Bonaventure opened with 23 furnished apartments in Virginia Highland.
“Another 400 units are in development or under contract as we speak, so we will deliver over 1,000 new units of supportive housing between now and the end of this year … which is the most supportive housing we’ve ever been able to deliver in in such a short period of time,” Vassell said.
By Bob Pepalis
A ruling by a special master in Sandy Springs’ water rate lawsuit with the City of Atlanta may lead to residents getting their bills cut by 20 percent or more.
Mayor Rusty Paul announced in early June on social media that a special master appointed in the lawsuit ruled in Sandy Springs’ favor.
“The dispute was whether Atlanta Water can charge our citizens a surcharge for the water it supplies to Sandy Springs, and the court found it is actually cheaper to provide water here than to virtually any other customers,” Paul said in his post. “Thus, the current surcharge is not justified.”
The mayor said the city expects a final order by the Superior Court that will open negotiations with Atlanta over the correct rates to charge Sandy Springs residents. Paul
said Sandy Springs expects the ruling to reduce water rates by 21 to 23 percent.
The City of Atlanta plans to fight the judge’s decision.
The fight over water rates began before Sandy Springs became a city. Sandy Springs gets its water from a water system owned and operated by Atlanta.
City Attorney Dan Lee said in June 2024 that Atlanta has operated the water system in Sandy Springs without a formal agreement since the city’s incorporation in 2005. State law requires an intergovernmental agreement for a city to deliver services outside of its city limits.
In February 2024, Lee said Sandy Springs shouldn’t pay a water surcharge because it’s cheaper to deliver water from the Johns Creek Treatment Facility than Atlanta’s Hemphill water plant since a surcharge is meant to cover added expenses.
To
