Presented by Nailed-It Roofing

Hey, Brookhaven / Chamblee! This week: Brookhaven is adding 1.3 acres of mature trees to Lynwood Park, and the council has approved a Blackburn Park fire station over residents' objections. We're also tracking two Chamblee restaurant closings and a weekend full of fall festivals, so settle in.

- News — Brookhaven's $750,000 Mendell Circle purchase expands Lynwood Park, the council voted 3-1 on the Blackburn Park fire station, and a former Georgia Department of Revenue tower in Chamblee is set for demolition.
- Business — Moondog Pub & Grub is expected to close October 30 after two years, and Bad Daddy's has confirmed it won't reopen at its fire-damaged Chamblee spot.
- Events — Plan around Halloween library crafts, a Buford Highway pop-up business incubator on October 21, the Doraville Art and Culture Festival, Brookhaven Farmers Market, and a Murder Mystery dinner at Petite Violette on Oct. 23–24.
- Government — Chamblee's council weighed waivers for a TV studio and a Latin bakery, Brookhaven's development authority tabled an Ashford Dunwoody Road incentive deal, and this week brings a Chamblee council meeting and Brookhaven appeals boards.
- Construction — Chamblee City Center's 340 apartments top the permit list, alongside a $1.68M Town Brookhaven amenity refresh and a proposed third lane on the Ashford Dunwoody Road ramp to I-285.

Let's dive in.

J. Goldsmith is one of Atlanta’s foremost experts on backyard renovations. From thoughtful backyard planning to complete outdoor living projects, they help homeowners create spaces designed around the way they live. For a limited time, Busybody ATL readers can get $500 off projects of $5k or more, and $1k off projects of $10k or more! Contact them here and tell them we sent you.

Metro Atlanta city to acquire more land to protect it from future redevelopment, expand park
The Brookhaven City Council approved a resolution to buy a 1.3-acre property at 1020 Mendell Circle for $750,000, funded by the city's Stormwater Fund and Tree Fund, to expand Lynwood Park. The parcel has between 30 and 40 specimen trees, and together with the 0.5-acre 926 Devine Circle purchase in late 2024, the additions expand the park's 10.8-acre footprint by roughly 17%.

Chamblee office tower to be torn down in lieu of residential conversion
The former home of the Georgia Department of Revenue is set to be demolished, according to Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Brookhaven Council signs IGA for new fire station, despite citizen concerns
The council voted 3-1, with Council Member Madeline Simmons dissenting, to authorize a 50-year agreement leasing about 1.35 acres at Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, to DeKalb County for $1 per year. The county will build, own, operate and maintain the station, and the revised agreement includes emergency signal preemption, lighting standards, additional landscape screening, tree replacement and approximately 50 public parking spaces.

DeKalb County School District sees rise in AP exam participation and scores
The number of AP exams taken rose about 5% from the 2024–2025 school year, while the number of scores of 3 or higher increased by 12%. Fifteen high schools increased the number of exams taken, and 17 increased their percentage of scores of 3 or higher.

Brookhaven municipal court offers amnesty for traffic violations through Oct. 30
During the amnesty period, people with an outstanding bench warrant may pay a reduced appearance bond, receive a new court date and have the warrant withdrawn. The court at 1793 Briarwood Road is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., does not accept personal checks, and the program does not apply to violation of probation warrants.

BUSINESS

Moondog Pub & Grub closing on Peachtree Road in Chamblee — The restaurant at 5077 Peachtree Road, at the edge of the Chamblee Rail Trail, opened in November 2024 and is expected to close Friday, October 30, according to an announcement from owners Tommy and Felicia Burda.

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar permanently closes Chamblee location — The restaurant at 5070 Peachtree Boulevard in the Windsor Parkview apartments, which opened in January 2018 and had been closed since a May 11 roof fire at the complex, will not reopen, based on removed signage, its removal from the company website, and confirmation from an employee at another Atlanta-area location.

Need a plumber, roofer, or other home pro? The Southern Shmooze is Atlanta's front porch for finding trusted home pros. The Southern Shmooze connects Atlantans with a vetted network of local home services businesses, backed by a Facebook community of more than 17,000 Atlanta locals.

Run a local business? Apply here to get Shmooze certified! It’s free to apply, and approved businesses can connect directly with the Shmooze community. Paid membership options offer additional benefits including homeowner leads, preferred directory placement, promotion, events, and more.

Monday, October 19
- Spooky Scavenger Hunt | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Adopt a Creepy Cuddly Creature | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Halloween Craft Palooza @ Chamblee! | Chamblee Branch
- Diamond Painting | Brookhaven Branch Library

Wednesday, October 21
- ACIR October Luncheon | Capital City Club
- Buford Highway FREE Pop-Up Business Incubator Event | City of Chamblee
- Fall Flower Arranging | Chamblee, GA
- Solo Show Closing Reception // Spencer Clark | Spruill Studios (Downtown Chamblee)
- Dinner and a Diva: Verdi's La Traviata | Petite Violette

Thursday, October 22
- Fall Music Gala | Conant Performing Arts Center
- LEGO Day at Chamblee | Chamblee Branch
- Money Matters - Financial Education and Budgeting Workshops | Chamblee, GA
- Chair Yoga for Adults | Chamblee Branch
- Mindfulness for Everyday Life | Chamblee Branch
- Prospera Business Orientation Seminar | City of Chamblee

Friday, October 23
- Red Cross Blood Drive | Chamblee Branch
- Ben Bostick | Moondog Pub & Grub
- Murder Mystery @ Petit Violette (Oct. 23–24) | 2948 Clairmont Rd

Saturday, October 24
- Blooms Chinatown Market (10/24) | Atlanta Chinatown
- Legends by Lamplight (Oct. 24–25) | Merely Players Presents
- Rivers Alive Nancy Creek Stream Cleanup | 2165 Savoy Dr
- Doraville Art and Culture Festival | Assembly Park
- Brookhaven Farmers Market | Brookhaven Farmers Market
- Introduction to Forest Bathing | Chamblee Branch
- Mushroom Cap Workshop | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Magic: The Gathering for Teens | Chamblee Branch
- Family Crafternoon | Brookhaven Branch Library

Sunday, October 25
- Halloween - Día de los Muertos | Plaza Fiesta
- Christober Fest | Lynwood Park UCOGIC Church
- Dj Suave & Los Donny's de Guerrero | Acapulco Tropical

Neil Hediger Real Estate combines more than 35 years of living in Atlanta with 23+ years of real estate experience and a deep background in marketing. As an Atlanta Board Top Producer, Neil knows Atlanta — its neighborhoods, its properties and the nuances that can make the difference in a successful sale or purchase. He brings creative strategy, seasoned guidance and a highly personal approach to every client. Whether you’re buying or selling, contact Neil Hediger today to put that experience to work for you.

Note: our information comes from posted meetings documents (agendas and minutes when available) — latest source document hyperlinked to each meeting.

Past Week Roundup

City of Chamblee
Chamblee's City Council held a public hearing and work session on Oct. 15, and the agenda was packed with development fights. Minutes aren't published yet, so the outcomes aren't known. The agenda included waiver requests tied to a planned TV studio renovation along I-85, where the owner asked to skip sidewalks and landscape buffers that city rules trigger once renovation costs pass a set threshold. Staff recommended relief on one side of the property and denial on the other so a sidewalk could connect to an existing bus stop. A new Latin bakery on Buford Highway also sought four variances and 17 waivers for its interior buildout, with staff supporting most of them but opposing requests to skip pedestrian walkways and plantings. It also listed rezoning hearings for a multi-parcel residential stretch and a Peachtree Road property, plus a first reading of updated massage establishment rules.

City of Brookhaven
As covered in today's news section, the City Council approved the Blackburn Park fire station agreement with DeKalb County on a 3-1 vote and the Mendell Circle land purchase for Lynwood Park. The council also unanimously banned unauthorized commercial activity in city parks and recreation centers, which targets paid coaches, trainers and instructors who use public space. It approved right-of-way and easement acquisitions to finish the North Druid Hills Road Multi-Use Path, and it accepted Briarcliff Tax Allocation District funding for the Peachtree Creek Connector Bridge. A $150,000 storm sewer repair contract also passed 4-0. Meanwhile, the Brookhaven Development Authority unanimously approved financing terms for the MSK Facility at Executive Park and multifamily bonds for the Northbend project. It tabled bond and economic development agreements for a commercial redevelopment on Ashford Dunwoody Road, after members questioned the tax abatement math and asked for safeguards if the developer doesn't deliver. The Arts and Culture Commission agenda included a $100,000 mural for concrete walls along North Druid Hills Road, a cherry-blossom-themed cow sculpture for Brookhaven Park, and the removal of a storm-damaged greenway art piece.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
The Board of Commissioners met Oct. 13 with a long agenda, and the posted agenda doesn't show how items turned out. Two rezoning requests near Briarcliff Road were on it, one for townhomes and one for commercial salon suites. Commissioners also took up two data center measures, one defining and classifying them for county oversight and one requiring an independent health and environmental study before the moratorium ends. Other ordinances on the agenda covered street drifting, unauthorized camping, animal restraint and limits on pet shop sales of dogs, cats and rabbits. The board also had more than $4.6 million in federal park grants up for acceptance, an $11.12 million water plant contract and a $3.33 million road striping contract.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

City of Chamblee
- Phoenix Business Park (2700 NE Expressway) — Paramount CBS Atlanta is requesting six streetscape waivers to accommodate interior television studio renovations along the I-85 Frontage Road and Johnson Road.
- 4997 Buford Hwy — A proposed bakery and restaurant conversion for Panaderia y Antojitos Tierra Maya is seeking 21 variances and waivers regarding parking, open space, and building facade rules.
- 2342 N Shallowford Rd & 4011-4057 E Johnson Cir — A 10-parcel rezoning and Development of Community Impact review is being proposed across North Shallowford Road and East Johnson Circle.
- 5800 Peachtree Rd — A Future Development Map amendment and rezoning are being proposed to allow potential commercial or mixed-use redevelopment along Peachtree Road.
- 4317 Buford Hwy — A zoning hearing is on the agenda for commercial land use review along the Buford Highway corridor.

City of Brookhaven
- 1215 N Druid Hills Rd — The Arts and Culture Commission reviewed concepts for a proposed $100,000 mural project along the concrete underpass retaining walls by the rail bridge.
- Brookhaven Park — The Arts and Culture Commission reviewed progress on the installation of the 'Brookhaven in Bloom' life-size fiberglass cow sculpture.
- Peachtree Creek Greenway — The Arts and Culture Commission reviewed plans to de-install the storm-damaged 2023 wooden art installation 'Guianos Quetzalcoatl.'
- Blackburn Park — Brookhaven City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb County to construct a new county fire station on park property.
- 1020 Mendell Cir — Brookhaven City Council approved a budget amendment and resolution to acquire the parcel for greenspace preservation and stormwater mitigation, permanently barring redevelopment.
- 4151 Ashford Dunwoody Rd — The Brookhaven Development Authority tabled a proposed bond resolution and economic development agreement for commercial redevelopment following concerns over tax abatement terms.

Meetings This Week
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole | Oct-20, 9:00 AM | key topics: townhome rezoning on Old Briarcliff Road, Gresham Road residential community, Redan Road drive-through permit, HUD park improvement grants
- City of Chamblee — City Council Regular | Oct-20, 6:00 PM | key topics: North Shallowford and East Johnson Circle multi-parcel redevelopment, 5800 Peachtree Road rezoning, massage establishment ordinance amendments
- City of Brookhaven — Board of Appeals Work Session | Oct-21, 5:30 PM | key topics: Commons Drive stream buffer encroachment and tree removal, Stratfield Drive accessory structure setback relief
- City of Brookhaven — Board of Appeals Regular | Oct-21, 7:00 PM | key topics: Club Commons Drive stream buffer and tree removal variances, Harts Mill Road retaining wall setbacks, Stratfield Drive lot coverage variance
- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education | Oct-26

CONSTRUCTION | Presented by

If you’re in need of commercial or residential roofing installation and repair services, look no further than Nailed It Roofing. Contact them today for a free quote: 770-241-5648

Permits
- 5520 Peachtree Rd Chamblee City Center is moving ahead with 340 market-rate apartments, leasing and amenity space, a pool, a courtyard, retail buildings, and a community park. The permit is closed. This is the biggest project on the list, and it will reshape the center of Chamblee.
- 1105 Town Blvd $1.68M renovation of the common amenity spaces at the Town Brookhaven apartments. If you live there, expect upgraded shared spaces.
- 4050 Buford Hwy $145K retail permit to relocate equipment and add a new reach-in freezer and fryer in the counter area. A food spot here is getting a kitchen refresh.
- 5525 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Alteration of a car dealership showroom and its accessory offices. The permit is closed, so the work is done or wrapping up.
- 1571 NE Expy Interior build-out for a new commercial space. The permit includes a grease review, which usually points to a food business. You may see a new place to eat before long.
- 2340 Perimeter Park Dr, Ste 100 Fire Marshal review tied to a new business license for an existing infusion center. The operation stays put, but the paperwork changes hands.

Road Work

Under Construction
- Peachtree Industrial Blvd signal upgrades — GDOT has started a traffic-signal management upgrade on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard between Peachtree Road and New Peachtree Road. No further scope details are posted yet.
- Buford Highway (SR 13) resurfacing — SR 13 is being repaved from the Fulton County line to Chamblee Tucker Road. GDOT lists it as about 94% complete.
- Ashford Dunwoody Road ramp to I-285 — A third lane is being added to the eastbound Ashford Dunwoody Road ramp onto I-285 northbound to ease evening rush-hour backups. GDOT lists it as about 99% complete.
- PATH400 Trail extension, Windsor Parkway to Baroque Circle — The middle segment of the PATH400 Trail extension, from Windsor Parkway to north of Baroque Circle, is now under construction. It fills the gap left when funding limits kept this piece out of the original bid.

Want to sponsor us? Submit here

Want to alter your neighborhood selections? Submit here

Want to promote an event? Submit here

Until next week,
Brookhaven / Chamblee Busybody

Book your fall escape with Alaska Airlines. Golden aspens in Denver, sunshine in Palm Springs, or crisp hikes through New England. Book Now.

_{^{Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.}}

Disclaimer: We use advanced data retrieval and analysis techniques across hundreds of sources, and may be prone to occasional error. Independently verify information with a secondary source, and please let us know if we got anything wrong via the feedback form.