January 2025 Council Meeting Recap

Jimmy Furst
12 minutes ago
4 min read

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 for the agendas and videos for this month's Council meetings.

TL;DR

Councilman Mesa, Mayor Mock, and I were sworn in after being reelected, approved several annual board and committee appointments, advanced zoning items through first read, and took action on major projects, including Fish Bolt Park and the continued expansion of the Chamblee Rail Trail.

Announcements and Presentations

Council Dog of the Month

Gerald is looking for a loving home! He is a 2-year-old sweetheart who loves to lean in for hugs and run around with a stuffed toy in his mouth! He's a sweet guy who knows "sit" and "down" and takes treats gently. Gerald is all about people, and he's great on a leash. Once you meet Gerald, you'll see what an amazing guy he would be in your home. He's waiting to meet you! More info on how to adopt can be found HERE.

Ordinances – First Read

Council heard first reads on two zoning-related items affecting properties along Clairmont Road and Briarcliff Road:

A future land use designation request for 2767 Clairmont Road and 3082, 3084, 3110, and 3120 Briarcliff Road.
An ordinance to annex 3082, 3084, 3110, and 3120 Briarcliff Road into the City of Chamblee.

These items will return for a second read and a final vote at a future meeting, as required by state law.

Staff Action Items

Council approved several annual appointments for 2026, including:

General administrative boards and committees
The Ethics Committee
The Public Art Commission

Fish Bolt Park – CMAR Contract Award

Council approved the award of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project contract to Reeves Young, LLC for the Fish Bolt Park project. The approval includes a $20,000 pre-construction fee and a 9% construction services fee.

Under the CMAR delivery method, Reeves Young will work collaboratively with the City and the design team during both pre-construction and construction. This approach allows construction planning to occur alongside final design, helping to control costs, reduce risk, and avoid delays.

Why this matters: Fish Bolt Park is an important neighborhood green space. This action moves the project from planning into implementation, ensuring improvements are delivered efficiently while protecting taxpayer dollars and minimizing construction surprises. Chamblee Rail Trail (Segments 7–12) – Right-of-Way & Engineering Services

Council approved authorizing the City Manager to sign an agreement with Heath Lineback Engineers for $412,900 to provide right-of-way (ROW) acquisition and engineering services for Segments 7–12 of the Chamblee Rail Trail.

This work continues progress on the Rail Trail extension at Pierce Drive and near the Chamblee/Doraville border on Peachtree Road. Services include engineering coordination, property owner engagement, and securing the necessary easements to advance the project toward construction.

Why this matters: The Rail Trail is one of Chamblee’s most transformative infrastructure projects. Advancing ROW acquisition keeps the project on schedule and brings the City closer to improved walkability, safer connections, and expanded multimodal transportation options.

Zoning Variance Approval – 4900 Peachtree Road

PZ2025-1602

Council approved four variance requests and two waiver requests, with conditions, for the property at 4900 Peachtree Road. These approvals address site-specific constraints while maintaining overall zoning intent.

Council reviewed staff analysis and recommendations before approving the request, ensuring the development remains compatible with surrounding properties and existing land use policies.

Why this matters: Variances allow flexibility when strict zoning requirements create practical challenges. In this case, the approval enables appropriate development while still protecting neighborhood character and planning standards.

Zoning Variance Decision – 3535 Ashton Woods Drive

PZ2025-1636

Council denied two variance requests and approved two waiver requests with conditions for the property at 3535 Ashton Woods Drive. The decision reflects a balance between accommodating site conditions and upholding zoning regulations.

Each request was evaluated based on impact, precedent, and alignment with zoning standards before Council took action.

Why this matters: Zoning decisions shape how neighborhoods grow. This outcome demonstrates the Council’s role in carefully weighing flexibility against long-term consistency and fairness in land-use decisions.

Spruill Center for the Arts – Old City Hall Lease Agreement

Council approved authorizing the Mayor to execute a lease agreement with the Spruill Center for the Arts for the use of Old City Hall.

The agreement allows the Spruill Center to utilize the space for arts programming and related activities, supporting continued activation of City-owned facilities while advancing Chamblee’s commitment to arts and culture.

Why this matters: Partnering with the Spruill Center strengthens access to arts education and programming in Chamblee while ensuring Old City Hall remains an active, community-serving space.

Downtown Development Authority – Intergovernmental Agreement

Council approved authorizing the City Manager to negotiate a final intergovernmental agreement with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), subject to review and approval by the City Attorney. This agreement helps clarify roles, responsibilities, and coordination between the City and the DDA as downtown projects and redevelopment initiatives continue.

Why this matters: Clear agreements with the DDA support transparent governance and help ensure downtown investments are aligned with City goals, accountability standards, and long-term planning priorities.

Mayor & Council Items

FIFA Exhibit Feasibility

Council approved authorizing the City Manager to explore options and feasibility to host Discover DeKalb’s FIFA Exhibit in the community room from July 2–14, 2026.

Why this matters: Hosting the exhibit would provide residents and visitors with a unique cultural and educational experience tied to a global event, while also supporting local engagement and economic activity.

Please send me your questions, comments, or concerns.

Email: Jfurst@chambleega.gov

Mobile: 770-901-1121

The legal stuff: The views expressed represent the views of the author and may not reflect the views of the Chamblee City Council. Comments posted in response to a Councilmember-initiated communication may be subject to public disclosure under the Open Records Act. If you are a resident of Chamblee and would like to discuss city business, please go to chambleega.gov or contact me at the email above.