BUSYBODY BROOKHAVEN / CHAMBLEE
Welcome to your weekly update for Brookhaven and Chamblee, where we're tracking a major proposal to close 27 local schools. We also have the scoop on a new thin-crust pizza spot and the upcoming Lunar New Year 5K race.
Let’s dive in.
BIG STORIES FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
27 DeKalb schools may close and new blasting rules
DeKalb County could close 27 schools, initial plan says. Here’s the list.
DeKalb County school officials have released a list of 27 schools that could potentially face closure or consolidation as part of a massive redistricting effort to address declining enrollment. Families in the Brookhaven and Chamblee areas should pay close attention to these "initial scenarios," as the board is currently seeking community feedback that will determine the final future of local neighborhood schools.
DeKalb County Commission considering blasting ordinance
The DeKalb County Commission is reviewing a new ordinance that would strictly regulate blasting activities during construction to protect nearby homes from structural damage and excessive noise. This policy change follows numerous complaints from residents regarding the impact of rapid development on their homes and is designed to create more oversight for developers working within established neighborhoods.
ATL Live Spotlights Chamblee’s 2026 Lunar New Year Festival
Chamblee’s vibrant cultural scene was in the spotlight last week as the city hosted its 2026 Lunar New Year Festival, drawing residents from across the North DeKalb area. The celebration serves as a major milestone for the city's commitment to cultural diversity and has become a signature event for the local community.
LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS
Fashionaid closing, life sciences hub grows, and new thin-crust pizza spot
Northbend - expanding - A new mixed-use project is expanding Brookhaven’s emerging life sciences hub with additional development along the I-85 and Buford Highway corridor.
Unkie’s Pizza + Bar- opening - A new restaurant specializing in thin-crust pizza has announced it is opening soon to serve the Brookhaven community.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISCUSSION
Chamblee zoning hearings, gas station denial, and Williamsburg annexation
Meetings from the Past Week
Chamblee City Council Public Hearing & Work Session
February 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The Council reviewed several requests for property variances and major city initiatives. A significant focus was on local property improvements and future infrastructure. Key items included:
Zoning & Variances: The Council considered a request for a front-yard dumpster enclosure at 5459 Peachtree Road due to the property's proximity to the railroad tracks at the rear. A driveway waiver was requested on Longview Drive to allow a semicircular driveway for safety on a steep incline. Additionally, the Huntington Chase HOA requested a variance to install a 6-foot solid privacy fence along Harts Mill Road
Business Developments: A proposal to convert a package store into an Amoco gas station at 5039 Buford Highway faced a recommendation for denial by staff regarding several waivers, including those for impervious surface limits and landscape requirements. The Council also moved forward with the "Williamsburg Village" annexation, a 22.5-acre project near the I-85/Clairmont Road interchange intended for mixed-use development.
Parks & Infrastructure: A $205,000 contract was considered for the Huntley Hills Park Master Plan design. The city is also moving forward with a funding application for the Chamblee Rail Trail and issued a letter of support for a mixed-income affordable housing development on Hardee Avenue.
Brookhaven Arts and Culture Commission
February 11, 2026 at 5:30 PM
The commission focused on upcoming public art projects that will define the city’s visual landscape over the next two years:
FIFA World Cup 2026 Art: The commission is moving forward with the "2026 Public Art Activation," a soccer-inspired installation at the Peachtree Creek Greenway. This project includes community tournaments and a reveal scheduled for May 2026. The commission is in the process of selecting a primary artist from a pool of three candidates (Wendy Medrano, Julián González-Díaz, and José Ibarra-Rizo).
City Center Atrium Mural: A major 12’ x 22’ mural is planned for the new City Hall atrium at 4362 Peachtree Road. Artist Armando Chacon’s proposal, which draws inspiration from Brookhaven’s tree canopy and golf courses, saw a budget increase. The cost is now estimated between $30,000 and $400,000 depending on whether it is painted directly on the wall or on a canvas, as the wall size was larger than initially planned.
Accessibility: To ensure inclusivity, the commission utilized real-time translation technology during the meeting to accommodate Brookhaven’s diverse population.
Brookhaven City Council Regular Meeting
February 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM
The Council prioritized environmental maintenance and significant infrastructure upgrades for the Caldwell Road area.
Tree Preservation: The Council approved moving $172,000 from the Tree Fund to facilitate city-wide tree projects throughout 2026.
Caldwell/Redding Improvements: The city is advancing the Caldwell/Redding Intersection Improvement Project, which will add turn lanes, new sidewalks, and a multi-use path. To facilitate this, the Council approved several temporary construction easements. Payments were authorized for property rights at 3092, 3098, 3104, 3108, 3096, and 3102 Caldwell Road NE. Notable tree impacts include the planned removal of a large oak and pine trees at 3098 and 3104 Caldwell Road to make way for the new pedestrian infrastructure.
Regional Transit: The Council also noted the acquisition of a construction easement at 2885 Redding Road NE as part of ongoing multi-modal study improvements intended to make the neighborhood more bike-friendly.
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
February 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM
The Board met in Decatur to finalize the 2026 county budget and approve major regional infrastructure investments.
Rezoning at Northeast Expressway: A major item for the local area involved 3265 Northeast Expressway. The board held a hearing regarding a request to rezone the site from general commercial to high-density residential. This change would allow for a mix of townhomes and apartments on the property, which is currently designated for business use.
Infrastructure & Environment: The Board approved over $100 million for sewer system assessments and trunk sewer replacements to improve reliability. They also introduced an "Electric Landscape Maintenance Device Rebate Program" to encourage residents to switch from gas-powered to electric leaf blowers and mowers.
PDK Airport & Safety: Discussions continued regarding a moratorium on new hangar development at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) and efforts to limit nighttime flights. Additionally, updates to the county noise ordinance and new regulations for construction-related blasting were reviewed.
Regional Services: The board approved a lease extension for office space along Clairemont Avenue in Decatur and authorized an easement for tree trimming along a parcel on Rock Chapel Road.
Upcoming Meetings
DeKalb County Committee of the Whole
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 9:00 AM
Key agenda items include: A massive $22.2 million contract increase and extension for animal shelter operations through 2027 and nearly $50 million in investments for county-wide sewer infrastructure assessment and rehabilitation. The committee will review the "DeKalb County Day Center" implementation plan for homelessness response, a resolution establishing a Water Customer Bill of Rights, and recommended changes to the county’s Organizational Act. Regulatory proposals on the table include extending a moratorium on licenses for sexual device sales, updating data center regulations, and blasting ordinance. Additionally, the board will discuss new maintenance standards for vacant properties, equipment purchases for the Seminole Landfill, and several contracts for equipment and communications in preparation for the 2026 election cycle.
Chamblee City Council Regular
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 6:00 PM
Key agenda items include: Final votes on the "Williamsburg Village" annexation and rezoning project involving approximately 23 acres of land near Clairmont Road and Briarcliff Road. The council will consider several variance requests, including those discussed at last week’s public hearing. Other business includes a $205,000 contract for the Huntley Hills Park Master Plan, federal funding applications for the Chamblee Rail Trail, and a letter of support for a mixed-income housing development on Hardee Avenue.
Brookhaven Board of Appeals Work Session
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 5:30 PM
Key agenda items include: A procedural session focused on internal board organization, including the review and approval of minutes from previous meetings and discussions regarding internal rules of order. While this work session is open to the public for observation, it is primarily intended for the board to discuss procedural items and receive training.
Brookhaven Board of Appeals Regular
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
Key agenda items include: The election of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for the new term followed by public hearings for several residential variance requests.
Recently Posted Meeting Minutes (Decisions)
Brookhaven Planning Commission
Meeting from February 4, 2026 - Key decisions: Elected the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for the 2026 term and approved the minutes from the January 7, 2026, meeting. The Commission recommended approval of Text Amendment TA26-01, a major city-wide policy shift regarding residential development. Key components of this approved recommendation include increasing workforce housing requirements for new multi-family developments (10+ units) to a total of 25% affordable units and establishing "Residential Density" protections that allow older, non-conforming apartment buildings to be rebuilt at their current density. Additionally, the amendment approved new requirements for townhomes and cottage courtyard developments to ensure a variety of unit sizes and bedroom counts within a single project.
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION NEAR YOU
New Buford Hwy bakeries, $500k home addition, and SR 141 road work
Permits
Well, neighbors, the local landscape is shifting again. If you’ve been craving baked goods lately, we have some good news for you. Also, over on Stovall Blvd, one resident is significantly leveling up their living space. Here are the notable filings that might bring some extra trucks and noise to your neck of the woods:
Stovall Blvd NE: Residential Addition. A massive $500,000 project for a residential building addition. Expect construction crews and noise in the immediate area.
4997 Buford Hwy: Restaurant. A $400,000 conversion of an existing massage parlor into a bakery. The project includes adapting a full kitchen for bread production.
3369 Buford Hwy NE Ste. 850: Business/Commercial. A $200,000 tenant improvement project consisting of interior construction for a new business.
5880 Peachtree Industrial Blvd: Commercial Parking Structure. A combination of two lots is underway to make room for a new parking structure.
Beyond these, there were 147 minor permits issued this week, mostly for occupational tax certificates (102) and general property maintenance.
Utilities and Roads
Traffic
GDOT has several active projects that will likely impact your morning commute, particularly along the Peachtree Industrial and SR 141 corridors.
SR 141 (Fulton County Line to Peachtree Road): Resurfacing and maintenance work is currently under construction. Expect lane closures and a smoother, albeit noisier, drive once completed.
SR 13 (Afton Lane to Shallowford Terrace): This project is under construction to add a raised median, upgrade sidewalks, and retrofit driveway aprons to improve safety along the corridor.
Peachtree Industrial Blvd (Peachtree to New Peachtree): Signal optimization and ATMS (Advanced Traffic Management System) work is under construction. You may see crews working on signal boxes and sensors.
Chamblee Rail Trail Extension: Plans are moving forward for the shared-use path from Pierce Drive toward Peachtree Blvd and crossing Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
Ashford Dunwoody Road @ Windsor Pkwy: Safety and operational improvements for this busy intersection are currently in the construction work program phase.
Shallowford Rd (New Peachtree to Chamblee Dunwoody): A new 10-foot shared-use path and 5-foot sidewalk project is in the works to make the area more pedestrian-friendly.
DeKalb County (Water/Sewer)
Sewer Mainline Maintenance: DeKalb County Watershed Management is continuing its ongoing root control and sewer line cleaning program. While no specific road closures were announced for Brookhaven this morning, crews are active in the DeKalb portion of the metro area checking for blockages.
Water Main Repair: Residents are encouraged to report any sudden drops in water pressure to the DeKalb Watershed 24-hour line at 770-270-6243, as seasonal temperature shifts often lead to small main breaks in older neighborhood lines.
Georgia Power
Grid Strengthening: Georgia Power is continuing infrastructure upgrades throughout DeKalb County to increase reliability. While no large-scale outages are scheduled for the Brookhaven/Chamblee area this week, you may see utility trucks performing routine pole inspections and line maintenance in the Ashford Park and Drew Valley areas.
UPCOMING EVENTS NEARBY
Lunar 5K race, Dalai Lama exhibition, and library LEGO programs
This week features the annual Chinese New Year Celebration at Atlanta Chinatown and the ARC Lunar 5K Race in Chamblee, which may increase foot traffic near New Peachtree Road. Additionally, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art hosts the opening reception for its major Dalai Lama exhibition on Friday evening.
Tuesday, February 17
- Alea Morren: Art as a Process | Chamblee Library |
- Dalai Lama: An Illuminated Journey by Rima Fujita | Oglethorpe University Museum of Art | 2:00 PM
- Book Page Stem Flowers | Brookhaven Branch Library | 6:00 PM
- Fundamentals of Short Story Workshop | Wild Aster Books | 7:00 PM
Wednesday, February 18
- English as a Second Language (ESL) | Chamblee Library | 10:15 AM
- Read with a Police Officer | Brookhaven Branch Library | 10:30 AM
- LEGO Afternoon | Brookhaven Branch Library | 3:30 PM
Thursday, February 19
- LEGO Day at Chamblee | Chamblee Library |
- Puzzles & Pals | Brookhaven Branch Library | 3:30 PM
Friday, February 20
- Death of a Salesman | Merely Players Presents |
- Lunch and Learn - The Politics of Reincarnation: Tibet and the 14th Dalai Lama | Oglethorpe University Museum of Art | 1:00 PM
- Black History Month Celebration: Twelve Ladies Sewing Club | Black History Month Celebration: Twelve Ladies Sewing Club | 4:00 PM
- Opening Reception: The Extraordinary Life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: An Illuminated Journey by Rima Fujita | Oglethorpe University Museum of Art | 5:00 PM
- MARN Leads with Kindness KWFR 2026 | Hudson Grille | 6:30 PM
- Love Yourself Flow & Sip | Aatma Dance Studio | 7:00 PM
- Death of a Salesman - On Stage | Merely Players Presents | 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 21
- Chinese New Year Celebration at Atlanta Chinatown | Atlanta Chinatown |
- Murder Mystery Dinner: Gimme Hamilton or Gimme Death at Petite Violette | Petite Violette |
- Rigs & Coffee Atlanta | Rack Attack Atlanta | 10:00 AM
- Fair Strikes Pinball Tournament at The Escape Gamebar | The Escape Gamebar | 6:00 PM
- Moondog Pub & Grub Dog Adoption Event | Moondog Pub & Grub | 7:00 PM
- Artists Over The Algorithm - Artist + Live Band Concert | Vision Studios | 8:00 PM
Sunday, February 22
- Will Writing Party | Chamblee City Hall | 2:00 PM
- Pasta Perfetta: A Pasta-Making Workshop | Distillery of Modern Art | 2:30 PM
- Death of a Salesman | Merely Players Presents | 5:00 PM
- ARC Lunar 5K Race | Atlanta Chinatown | 6:00 PM
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Until next week,
Brookhaven / Chamblee Busybody
