Brookhaven / Chamblee: Tax Hikes, Rat Sieges, and a Grocery Store Comeback

Hey Brookhaven and Chamblee! Brookhaven is weighing its first property tax increase since 2015, which means public hearings you'll actually want to attend, and across town, the long-running IRS rat infestation saga has finally reached a resolution that took congressional pressure to get there. On a lighter note, that vacant Kroger space in Brookhaven has a taker, Spruill Studios just opened inside the old Chamblee City Hall, and Juneteenth festivities are anchoring a packed weekend.

- News — Brookhaven's decade-long freeze on property taxes may be thawing, DeKalb extends its data center moratorium through September, and Chamblee is leaning into World Cup season with a full watch party series.
- Business — The old Chamblee City Hall just reopened as a proper arts destination, and an international grocery chain is filling the 42,000-square-foot hole Kroger left behind in Brookhaven.
- Events — It’s a full weekend with Juneteenth and Father’s day coming up, with a Pride open mic, a Tod Browning double feature, and a World Cup watch party rounding out the calendar.
- Government — Chamblee is set to vote on four separate millage rates and a residential composting program, while DeKalb's school board moves toward finalizing a $15 million science curriculum purchase and a new property tax levy.
- Construction — Buford Highway resurfacing is finally underway, a new quick-service restaurant called Mr. Perro is permitted in Chamblee, and three commercial suites at 3630 Peachtree are being built out for new tenants.

Let's dive in.

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NEWS

Brookhaven considers first property tax increase since 2015
More than a decade of holding the line on the millage rate may be coming to an end. City leaders are weighing an increase to cover rising operational costs and shore up community infrastructure, and if you own property, this one directly affects your tax bill. Public hearings are coming, and this is exactly the kind of meeting worth showing up to.

IRS allows Chamblee employees to work from home after weeks of rat infestation
It took weeks of worker protests and a congressional intervention from Rep. Hank Johnson, but the IRS has finally agreed to let employees at its Chamblee campus work from home while a serious rat infestation is addressed. Hundreds of federal workers shouldn't have to choose between their paycheck and a pest-free workplace.

Chamblee set for World Cup watch party series
Chamblee is leaning into its role as one of metro Atlanta's most soccer-passionate communities with a full series of FIFA World Cup watch parties. Fans can catch the matches together in a festive, family-friendly setting — no ticket to a stadium required.

Brookhaven residents invited to a District 4 Town Hall Meeting on June 24
Councilman John Funny is hosting a town hall at the Murphey Candler Park community room on June 24, and it's a genuine opportunity to be heard on issues shaping your corner of the city. Residents are encouraged to come with questions and opinions — that's what these meetings are for.

DeKalb extends moratorium as data center backlash grows across Georgia
DeKalb County has pushed its pause on new data center development through September 30, buying time to reckon with serious community concerns about energy demand, environmental impact, and zoning. The decisions that come out of this review period will have real consequences for how land gets used in Brookhaven and Chamblee for years to come.

World Cup Atlanta: Additional watch parties in metro Atlanta
If the Chamblee watch party series isn't quite your scene, there's no shortage of options across the metro this summer. Atlanta is in full World Cup mode, and this roundup will help you find the right spot to catch the match.

BUSINESS

Spruill Studios - opening - The former Chamblee City Hall building has a new life as a proper arts destination, with Spruill Studios now open inside and a public gallery showcasing works by 16 emerging and established artists — a genuinely welcome use for a civic landmark.

Compare Foods - opening this fall - The international grocery chain, new to Atlanta, is stepping into the 42,000-square-foot Skye Hill space that Kroger left behind in Brookhaven — good news for a neighborhood that's been without a full grocery anchor there.

EVENTS | Presented by

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Monday, June 15
- Unearth a Story with Fiddlin' Dan | Chamblee, GA
- Fossil Frenzy Scavenger Hunt | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Julia Knight Art Exhibition: Meditations | Chamblee Library

Tuesday, June 16
- The Summer Soirée at The Ashford | Brookhaven Fields Community Association
- The High School Pressure Trap | 1200 Lake Hearn Dr NE Suite 110
- Diamond Painting | Brookhaven Branch Library

Wednesday, June 17
- Remaining Human in the Age of AI: A Conversation on Pope Leo's First Encyclical | Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church
- Pride Literary Open Mic | Wild Aster Books
- Connections @ Block & Drum (Ages 25-35) | BLOCK & DRUM
- Tod Browning Double Feature: FREAKS (1932) + THE UNKNOWN (1927) with The Oddities Museum | 3870 N Peachtree Rd
- LEGO Afternoon | Brookhaven Branch Library

Thursday, June 18
- Baby Rave | Brookhaven Branch Library
- Bio-Bus Sampler | Brookhaven Branch Library

Friday, June 19
- Food Truck Fridays | 4001 Peachtree Road NE

Saturday, June 20
- BBQ with Dads Cook-Off | Blackburn Park
- Brookhaven Farmers Market | Brookhaven Farmers Market
- Blooms Chinatown Market (6/20) | Atlanta Chinatown
- Puppy Love Mah Jongg | 4001 Peachtree Rd. NE
- Kin Coffee Comedy | Kin Coffee Company
- FREE Puppy Hour at Central Bark Brookhaven | Central Bark Brookhaven
- Fair Strikes Pinball Tournament at The Escape Gamebar | The Escape Gamebar
- JUNETEENTH PAINT PARTY BYOB | 2700 Northeast Expy c800

Sunday, June 21
- Fiesta Futbolera: España vs. Arabia Saudita Watch Party at Plaza Fiesta | Plaza Fiesta
- Remy Martin presents "The Juneteenth Ball" - DJs, Dancing, Black Carpet | Villa Christina
- Navigating A.I. for Business | Brookhaven City Centre
- FATHERS DAY PAINT PARTY BYOB | 2700 Northeast Expy c800

GOVERNMENT

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

Past Week Roundup

Chamblee City Council

Chamblee held two back-to-back sessions on June 11 — a morning public hearing dedicated solely to the proposed 2026 millage rate, giving residents a formal opportunity to weigh in before any tax rate is finalized, followed by an evening work session packed with additional business. Because neither meeting has posted minutes yet, all items below reflect what is scheduled and may still be tabled, deferred, or withdrawn before any vote is taken. On the tax front, the evening session is slated to consider resolutions setting four separate millage rates — the general city rate, the Downtown Special Services District rate, the Dresden/Plaster Special Services District rate, and the General Obligation Bond rate — decisions that will directly shape property tax bills for every Chamblee homeowner and business. Beyond taxes, the council is also scheduled to vote on a residential composting service agreement with CompostNow, which could bring curbside organics pickup to Chamblee households, and to consider a temporary moratorium on enforcement of the city's Temporary Sign Ordinance. Several significant zoning and development cases are also on the docket, with public hearings and potential staff action votes scheduled for properties along Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Peachtree Road, the Century Center area, and a multi-parcel tract near Keswick Drive and London Road.

DeKalb County School District Board of Education

The DeKalb County School District Board of Education convened on June 11 at the J. David Williamson Board Room for its second public hearing on the proposed 2026 school millage rate, which determines how much property owners across the county pay in school taxes each year. The session was structured as a community input opportunity, allowing residents to speak directly to the board before any final rate is adopted. The posted minutes do not document any formal votes, rate decisions, or recorded public comments from this session, meaning the final millage rate remains pending. A subsequent meeting will be required before the board can officially adopt a rate, so homeowners should watch for that vote in the coming weeks.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners had a busy week, with a voting session on June 9 and a public town hall on June 10, though the June 9 meeting's "minutes" indicator is listed as no — meaning outcomes described below should be understood as reported from agenda materials and may not reflect final confirmed results. The headline action from June 9 was the extension of the county's moratorium on new data centers by 100 days through September 30, 2026, buying planners more time to craft permanent zoning regulations for the rapidly expanding sector. Also on June 9, the board took up — but deferred to June 23 — proposed increases to both stormwater utility fees and residential and commercial sanitation rates, including landfill tipping fees, meaning residents won't see final decisions on those pocketbook items for a few more weeks. The board also approved support for state-designed roundabout projects at intersections on Ponce de Leon Avenue and Clairmont Road, and signed off on a $3.7 million SPLOST-funded contract for roof repairs at several county health and mental health facilities. Meanwhile, at the June 10 town hall, commissioners presented those same proposed stormwater and sanitation fee hikes to the public — a chance for residents to ask questions and comment before the June 23 vote. Separate ordinances on noise regulation and public camping were also deferred, with the noise code overhaul pushed to July 7.

Brookhaven City Council

Brookhaven's City Council held multiple sessions on June 9, but the only meeting with posted minutes is the Regular and Public Hearing session, so confirmed outcomes are limited to what was documented there. With only a bare quorum present — Mayor John Park and two councilmembers, due to the absence of Councilmembers Michael Diaz and Jennifer Owens — the evening session was light on legislative action. The main event was the first public hearing on the city's proposed FY 2026 millage rates, presented by Deputy City Manager Steve Chapman; no vote was taken, as this was the first of multiple required hearings before the council can formally set property tax rates. Residents also heard a presentation from the Public Works Stormwater Manager on priority rehabilitation projects for Brookhaven's drainage system, though no contracts or funding packages were approved at this stage. The remaining June 9 sessions — a 4:30 PM public hearing, two work sessions, and a separate regular meeting listing — do not yet have documents or minutes available, so any business from those gatherings cannot be confirmed or described.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

City of Chamblee — City Council Public Hearing & Work Session
- 3392 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd — A rezoning or development proposal for this property is scheduled for a public hearing and staff action vote at the June 11 meeting.
- 3515 London Rd / 3468 Keswick Dr / 3535 Ashton Woods Dr — This combined multi-property tract near Keswick Park is on the agenda for a public hearing and staff action that could result in rezoning affecting the surrounding residential area.
- 1900 Century Blvd — A zoning amendment or development proposal for this Century Center-area property is scheduled for a staff action vote.
- 1901 Century Blvd — A separate zoning case for this adjacent Century Center property is also on the agenda for a staff action vote.
- 5037 Peachtree Rd — A zoning-related staff action vote is scheduled for this property along the Peachtree Road corridor.

Note: All items above are agenda items only — any or all may be postponed, tabled, or withdrawn before or during the meeting.

Meetings This Week
- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education — Monday, June 15, 2026. The board is scheduled to hold its second budget presentation and third public hearing on the proposed millage rate, giving residents a formal opportunity to weigh in before final votes are taken on the district's tax rate and spending plan.
- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education — Monday, June 15, 2026. A full slate of major items is on the agenda, including a vote to adopt the FY2027 operating budget, a resolution setting the property tax levy, and approval of an E-SPLOST continuation agreement. The board will also take up contracts covering a $15 million district-wide science curriculum purchase, $3.1 million in new school buses, renovations at Stoneview Elementary, a parking lot expansion at Dresden Elementary, and a first reading of a new policy on the use of artificial intelligence in schools.
- City of Brookhaven — City Council Millage Rate — Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 10:30 AM, PEP Building. No agenda is available at this time.
- City of Brookhaven — City Council Public Hearing — Monday, June 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM, PEP Building. No agenda is available at this time.
- City of Brookhaven — City Council Regular — Monday, June 16, 2026 at 6:45 PM, PEP Building. No agenda is available at this time.
- City of Chamblee — City Council Regular — Monday, June 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM, Chamblee City Hall Council Chambers. Following a public hearing, the council is scheduled to vote on 2026 millage rates for the general city fund, the Chamblee Downtown Special Services District, the Dresden Plaster Special Services District, and the General Obligation Bond — decisions that will directly affect property tax bills. Also on the agenda: first readings for zoning cases at 3392 Chamblee Dunwoody Road (PZ2026-1700) and a multi-parcel tract at 3515 London Rd., 3468 Keswick Dr., and 3535 Ashton Woods Dr. near Keswick Park (PZ2026-1729); staff action votes on cases at 1900 and 1901 Century Blvd. (PZ2026-1644) and 5037 Peachtree Rd. (PZ2026-1664); a potential residential composting partnership with CompostNow; and a temporary moratorium on sign ordinance enforcement.
- City of Brookhaven — Board of Appeals Work Session — Tuesday, June 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM, PEP Building.
- City of Brookhaven — Board of Appeals Regular — Tuesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM, PEP Building.
- DeKalb County Board of Commissioners — Committee of the Whole — Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM, 178 Sam's Street, Decatur (Multipurpose Room A1201). A dense agenda includes public hearings on the 2026 county property tax millage rates, a proposed $233.8 million design-build contract to overhaul the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant, a $3.12 million design contract for Phase VI of the South River Trail, a $998,946 contract to design the North Fork Peachtree Creek Trail from Fisher Trail to Chamblee Tucker Road, and new zoning text amendments to regulate data center development — including proposals to pause data center land disturbance permits pending an environmental and health assessment. Also on the agenda: a $2.29 million engineering contract for safety improvements along Pleasantdale Road and a rezoning request at 2697 Kelly Lake Road seeking to shift from R-75 to R-60 to accommodate 12 new single-family homes.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 3630 Peachtree Rd NE — Three concurrent commercial alteration permits filed for vacant suites inside a multi-story office building, all routed for review. The building owner is building out second-generation tenant spaces — a sign someone is actively courting new tenants for this address.
- 1251 Perimeter Summit Pkwy — $264K permit closed for a swimming pool and circulation system inside the amenity courtyard of a new multifamily development. The building is getting closer to move-in ready.
- 3400 Malone Dr, Ste 2A (Chamblee) — Tenant improvement permit closed for a new quick-service restaurant called Mr. Perro, moving into an existing retail space. Watch for a forthcoming opening in that multi-tenant building.
- 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE — Commercial miscellaneous permit in review for exterior accessibility work: new sidewalk, ramp, and raised deck. Routine compliance upgrade, but expect some construction activity around the entrance.
- 3137 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd — Fire alarm system installation wrapped up. Nothing flashy, but a freshly permitted alarm system sometimes signals a space gearing up for a new occupant.

On the residential side, 54 smaller permits were filed across the area — mostly occupational tax certificates, property maintenance, and vehicle permits — adding up to roughly $67K in estimated value.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR-13 Resurfacing (DeKalb County) — Paving work is underway on SR-13 (Buford Highway) from the Fulton County line up to Chamblee Tucker Road. The road earned a low PACES rating, meaning the surface condition got bad enough to trigger state attention — so the rough ride you've been tolerating is finally getting fixed. Expect lane closures and delays along this corridor while crews work.
- ATMS Signal Optimization on Peachtree Industrial Blvd (DeKalb County) — Signal timing and systems work is active along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard between Peachtree Road and New Peachtree Road. This is the kind of project that causes intermittent disruptions now but should mean better traffic flow once it's done. If PIB is part of your daily route, budget a little extra time until work wraps.
- Ashford-Dunwoody Road EB Ramp at I-285 (DeKalb County) — A third lane is being added to the eastbound ramp where Ashford-Dunwoody Road connects to I-285 northbound. The work is aimed at easing one of the area's more reliably frustrating merge backups. Construction is active now, so the ramp may be tighter than usual in the short term — worth knowing before you commit to that interchange.

Pre-Construction

- Ashford Dunwoody Road at Windsor Parkway (DeKalb County) — Intersection safety and operational improvements are planned at this busy crossing. Details on the exact scope are still developing, but if you cut through here regularly, changes are coming to the layout or signaling.
- Chamblee Rail Trail Extension (DeKalb County) — A shared-use path is planned starting at Pierce Drive, heading north to Peachtree Boulevard, then running along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard to Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Good news for cyclists and pedestrians in Chamblee — this one significantly extends the existing trail network.
- Shallowford Road: New Peachtree to Chamblee Dunwoody (DeKalb County) — A 0.74-mile stretch of Shallowford Road is slated to get a 10-foot shared-use path on the west side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the east side. Walkers and cyclists between these two corridors will eventually have a safer route.
- SR-141 at Peachtree Blvd / North Shallowford Road / Parsons Drive (DeKalb County) — This tangled intersection in Chamblee is due for a realignment. The project aims to straighten out the geometry where these roads meet — a long-overdue fix for one of the area's more confusing intersections.
- North Fork Trail: Fischer Trail Park to Presidential Pkwy — Phase I (DeKalb County) — A multiuse trail is being planned along North Fork Peachtree Creek from Fischer Trail to Chamblee-Tucker Road. Still in concept development, but this would eventually connect green space through the eastern edge of the area.