Brookhaven / Chamblee: Property Tax Hikes and School Closure Fights

Welcome to this week’s update for Brookhaven and Chamblee, keeping you informed on the latest community shifts and local headlines. This week, we’re diving into a proposed DeKalb property tax hike and the growing community pushback against potential school closures.

Big Stories — We’re tracking a proposed DeKalb property tax increase and a heated battle over neighborhood school closures. Additionally, catch the details on a four-week water main road closure.

Local Business Updates — A national favorite is heading to Buford Highway as Panda Express joins the growing retail mix at Northeast Plaza.

Upcoming Events — The Peachtree Road Farmers Market kicks off its 2026 season this Saturday, and a Run for Mental Health is happening on South Peachtree Creek Trail. Other highlights include chainmail jewelry workshops and bike lessons for all ages.

Local Government Discussion — Officials are moving forward with a massive $49.7 million sewer rehab project and a new "Water Customer Bill of Rights." In Brookhaven, the Planning Commission is reviewing a proposal that could allow buildings up to 25 stories along Buford Highway.

Development & Construction Nearby — A new $8.6 million apartment community is slated for Prestwick Shelby Lane, while major resurfacing work continues on SR 141 and SR 13. We are also tracking progress on the Chamblee Rail Trail extension and local road rehab contracts.

Let’s dive in.

DeKalb County 2026 budget anticipates property tax increase (February 27, 2026)
DeKalb County’s proposed 2026 budget includes an anticipated property tax increase to help manage rising operational costs and infrastructure needs. Residents can expect to see the impact on their upcoming tax assessments as the county balances its financial obligations for the new year.

DeKalb School Board pushes back on school closure proposal (February 24, 2026)
The DeKalb County School Board is currently pushing back against a proposed restructuring plan that could lead to the closure or repurposing of several neighborhood schools. Parents in the Brookhaven and Chamblee areas have been attending community feedback sessions this week to voice concerns over how these changes will impact their children's commutes and neighborhood stability.

4-week road closure planned for Brookhaven water main work (February 23, 2026)
A four-week road closure is set to begin in Brookhaven to facilitate critical water main replacement work along local thoroughfares. Residents should prepare for detours and potential traffic delays as crews work to modernize the area's aging utility infrastructure.

Dunwoody neighborhood concerned over collapsing spillway (February 25, 2026)
Residents in a neighborhood near the northern edge of Brookhaven are raising alarms over a collapsing lake spillway that the city claims is private property. Homeowners worry that the lack of repairs could lead to flooding or further structural damage to surrounding properties if the maintenance dispute remains unaddressed.

New studios coming to Chamblee to help artists and the community (February 27, 2026)
A new studio space designed to support local artists and foster community engagement is slated to open in Chamblee. This initiative aims to strengthen the city's burgeoning arts district and provide a dedicated hub for creative collaboration and neighborhood events.

Panda Express - opening - The national fast-casual Chinese chain is planned for Northeast Plaza on Buford Highway, joining a tenant mix that has recently expanded to include several new national retailers as the shopping center continues its revitalization. (February 23, 2026)

March kicks off with the highly anticipated opening day of the Peachtree Road Farmers Market on Saturday, March 7, marking the return of over 70 local vendors to the area. Residents should also prepare for the Run for Mental Health 5K/10K/13.1 on Saturday morning along the South Peachtree Creek Trail, which may increase local foot traffic and activity near the Mason Mill area.

Monday, March 02
- Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Take & Make Craft | Brookhaven Branch Library |
- Flight Path Project's Bird Scavenger Hunt | Brookhaven Branch Library |
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills | (Nearby)

Tuesday, March 03
- Chainmail Jewelry Workshop | Brookhaven Branch Library |
- Fundamentals of Short Story Workshop | Wild Aster Books |
- Norah O'Donnell | We the Women | Atlanta History Center | (Nearby)
- Full Moon Party at St. Julep Rooftop | St. Julep | (Nearby)

Wednesday, March 04
- Digital Day at ADAC 2026 | ADAC | (Nearby)
- Toddler Storytime: Won't You Be My Neighbor? | Atlanta History Center | (Nearby)
- Fitzhugh Brundage in conversation with Peter Biello | Atlanta History Center | (Nearby)

Thursday, March 05
- LEGO Day at Chamblee | Chamblee Library
- Networking Over Lunch at Marlow's Tavern | Marlow's Tavern Brookhaven |
- Multi Chamber Mixer @ Distillery of Modern Art | Distillery of Modern Art |
- Match Made in Wedding | Kimpton Shane |
- Sabrina Claudio: Fall In Love With Her - The Tour | Buckhead Theatre | (Nearby)

Friday, March 06
- 8th Annual Sister Circle Summit: Bold, Brave, and Boundless | Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area

Saturday, March 07
- Death of a Salesman | Merely Players Presents |
- PISCES SZN PAINT PARTY BYOB | Chamblee Area |
- Learn to Bike Group Lesson with Ready Set Bike | Ready Set Bike |
- Tiny Wheel Time Playful Group Session with Ready Set Bike | Ready Set Bike |
- Run for Mental Health 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA | South Peachtree Creek Trail | (Nearby)
- Peachtree Road Farmers Market Opening Day | Peachtree Road Farmers Market | (Nearby)
- ISMO: Perseverance Tour | Buckhead Theatre | (Nearby)

Sunday, March 08
- Death of a Salesman | Merely Players Presents |

City of Chamblee

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is moving forward with a major mixed-use project by Greystar Development East, LLC, recently approving a fifth amendment to their purchase agreement. This extension gives the developer until April and June 2026 to secure necessary bond financing and FAA "No Hazard" approvals, a requirement due to the city’s proximity to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. Additionally, the DDA is navigating a period of financial transition, requesting a $300,000 bridge loan from the City of Chamblee to cover operating expenses and debt service until pending property sales are finalized. On the infrastructure front, the city is progressing with the Chamblee Dunwoody Roundabout project at American Way, focusing on "Right of Way" acquisitions to secure land from several adjacent property owners for construction.

Most notable to your neighborhood

The Public Arts Commission reviewed a mural grant application for the ChinaTown Mall (5383 New Peachtree Rd), a project intended to enhance the visual aesthetic of this high-visibility cultural hub. Meanwhile, the DDA is focusing on property management along the Peachtree Road corridor, authorizing measures to secure and repair buildings at 5546, 5554, and 5442 Peachtree Rd. These efforts include addressing graffiti, broken windows, and utility management for authority-owned sites that were recently left unsecured.

Other topics

Both the Public Arts Commission and the DDA are undergoing leadership transitions, with the Arts Commission holding its annual officer elections this week and the DDA preparing for permanent leadership votes in March following a recent resignation. The Arts Commission is also finalizing plans for "Art Drop 2026" and arranging repairs for the "Flatlander" sculpture. Finally, the DDA noted that the Peachtree Station development maintained its $47.5 million valuation in its most recent annual report.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board prioritized the county's financial and infrastructure future by moving to adopt the 2026 Annual Budget and approving a massive $49.7 million contract for sewer condition assessment and rehabilitation. This investment is a critical component of the county’s ongoing federal Consent Decree work to repair aging infrastructure. Commissioners also moved forward with a $22.2 million contract with Lifeline Animal Project to manage shelter operations through 2027, following significant public debate over animal welfare and facility capacity. Additionally, the Board established a "Water Customer Bill of Rights" intended to provide formal standards and protections for residents regarding billing and service issues.

Other topics:
Commissioners advanced several regulatory measures, including a moratorium on new businesses selling sexual devices and a new ordinance to regulate blasting operations for public safety. Significant time was also dedicated to social services, including the adoption of an "Unhoused Support and Services Plan" and progress on a dedicated DeKalb County Day Center. The Board also reviewed proposed "chronic nuisance" and vacant property ordinances, which would allow the county to close problematic properties or mandate stricter maintenance for "boarded-up" buildings.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee of the Whole, March 03, 2026 at 9:00 AM: The Board will hold its weekly work session to review upcoming agenda items and receive departmental briefings.
- Planning Commission, March 03, 2026 at 6:00 PM: The Commission will review 14 new land-use cases, including residential developments and commercial permits, to provide recommendations for final Board approval later this month. This includes a notable proposal to rezone properties at 3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road and 2936 Mercer University Drive from office-institutional to medium-density residential to allow for a new townhome community.

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City of Brookhaven

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items
The City Council and Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) focused heavily on fiscal year-end reconciliations and long-term planning. The Council held the first public hearing for the 2026-2030 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Plan, which will dictate how federal funds are spent on public improvements and housing rehabilitation over the next five years. Additionally, a major budget amendment was passed to reconcile the FY2025 budget, moving funds between departments to match actual expenditures, including a $186,000 shift for Police Administration overtime.

The URA also approved a $264,949 budget adjustment for the City Centre Project. These funds, drawn from SPLOST II revenue, are earmarked for specific finishing touches including dome and awning glasswork, office furniture, and a smoke suppression system.

During the work session, the Council discussed a new policy to set minimum financial thresholds for grant applications. To ensure administrative costs don't outweigh benefits, the city proposes generally avoiding federal grants under $200,000 and Federal Highway Administration projects with budgets under $5 million.

Most notable to your neighborhood
The Council awarded a $1,154,125 road rehabilitation contract to Blount Construction for "Full Depth Reclamation" on several neighborhood streets. Impacted areas include Apple Valley Road (Dresden Road to N. Druid Hills), Beech Haven Road (Sheridan Road to Brookforrest Drive), Durden Drive (Johnson Ferry Road to Ashton Woods Drive), Ashton Woods Drive (Johnson Ferry Road to Durden Drive), Sunderland Way (Johnson Ferry Road to Sunderland Circle), and Chaucer Lane (Ashford-Dunwoody Road to the end).

In administrative news, the Brookhaven Convention and Visitors Bureau (Explore Brookhaven) officially updated its bylaws to move its principal office to City Hall at 4001 Peachtree Road and reduced its Board of Trustees from 12 members to nine.

Other topics
The Council received a presentation on the "We Hold These Truths 2026 Equitable Dinners" program, a community-building initiative in collaboration with Out of Hand Theater involving facilitated conversations over meals.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Planning Commission Work Session, March 04, 2026 at 5:30 PM: This session will focus on internal commission procedures and the use of Wordly AI for real-time meeting translation in 25 languages.
- Planning Commission, March 04, 2026 at 5:30 PM
- Planning Commission Regular, March 04, 2026 at 7:00 PM: The commission will consider a proposal for a 280-unit mixed-use apartment building with ground-floor retail at 5005 Summit Boulevard. They will also review a significant text amendment (TA26-06) that would allow taller buildings "by right" along the Buford Highway corridor, including up to 25 stories in the North Druid Hills node.
- Planning Commission, March 04, 2026 at 7:00 PM

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DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education convened for the first day of a scheduled two-day Board Retreat and Executive Session on February 24. Unlike regular business meetings, this retreat was designed for long-term strategic planning and board governance training. The session focused on reviewing district-wide goals and institutional health rather than routine legislative actions. Because this was a retreat format, no specific public votes or new policy mandates were recorded in the session's public index.

Other topics:
The meeting included a closed Executive Session to discuss confidential matters, which typically involve personnel issues, pending litigation, or real estate acquisitions. There was no community input or public comment segment during this retreat, as those are reserved for monthly business meetings. The proceedings were scheduled to continue into a second day of strategic planning on February 25.

Permits

Here’s a look at the latest building activity and commercial updates around Brookhaven and Chamblee this week. We’re seeing some massive investment in local multi-family housing and a new beauty salon on the horizon.

- 2391 Prestwick Shelby Ln — New multi-family construction, $8.6M project for "The Shelby Apartments," a 53-unit family community.
- 2700 NE Expy — Commercial interior renovation, $1M project for office refreshing in the City of Chamblee.
- 2557 New Haven Dr — Commercial apartment repair, $449K project to repair six units at the Huntington Station Apartments.
- 3127 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd — Commercial fire safety upgrades, wet pipe sprinkler installations for Buildings 1 and 3 at Chamblee Dunwoody Crossing.
- 3648 Peachtree Rd NE — Commercial HVAC work, installation of a high-capacity water heater.
- 8 Corporate Blvd — Commercial permit issued for townhouse-related construction activity.
- 3630 Peachtree Rd NE — Commercial low-voltage permit for cabling installation.

In addition to these highlights, there were 10 more notable permits filed for local business and warehouse spaces totaling $5.4 million in value. On the residential side, it was a busy week for paperwork but smaller in scale, with 62 minor permits issued for things like tree removals and routine property maintenance.

Road Work
- SR 141 Resurfacing from the Fulton County Line to Peachtree Road — Under Construction. Crews are actively on-site working to resurface this stretch of SR 141. Since work is happening now, expect some traffic impacts and lane shifts during your commute.
- Peachtree Industrial Boulevard Signal Optimization — Under Construction. Active work is underway on SR 141 between Peachtree and New Peachtree roads. Crews are updating the signals to improve traffic flow, so keep an eye out for technicians working near the intersections.
- SR 13 Improvements from Afton Lane to Shallowford Terrace — Under Construction. This Phase II project is currently active as crews work on adding a raised median and upgrading sidewalks and driveway aprons. Expect to see construction activity along this corridor.
- SR 13 Resurfacing from the Fulton County Line to Chamblee Tucker Road — Under Construction. This is another active resurfacing project on SR 13 meant to smooth out the roadway. With crews on-site, be prepared for potential delays through this stretch.
- Ashford Dunwoody Road at Windsor Parkway Intersection Improvements — Construction Work Program. This safety and operational upgrade is funded and approved, but construction hasn't started just yet. Contracts are being finalized, so this is one to watch as work is imminent.
- Chamblee Rail Trail Extension — Construction Work Program. The plans for a new shared-use path starting at Pierce Drive and following Peachtree Industrial Boulevard are approved. While crews aren't out there yet, the project is officially in the pipeline for construction to start soon.
- Pedestrian Improvements at John Lewis Elementary — Construction Work Program. Funding is set for new safety crossings near the school. The project is approved and waiting for the final green light to begin physical work.
- Shallowford Road Shared-Use Path — Construction Work Program. This project will add a 10-foot path and a new sidewalk along Shallowford Road from New Peachtree to Chamblee Dunwoody. It’s fully funded and approved, though active construction is still a short wait away.