Emory / Druid Hills: School Closure Pushback, Property Tax Hikes, and New Toco Hills Eats

Welcome to this week's update for the Emory and Druid Hills community. We’re diving into major news regarding proposed property tax hikes and the pushback against local school closures, plus a look at new dining options in Toco Hills.

Big Stories — DeKalb County is facing a potential property tax increase and significant pushback on a plan to close several area schools.

Local Business Updates — Toco Hills welcomes a new Japanese village-themed eatery, Bobo Izakaya, specializing in yakitori and sushi. Also, the long-standing Toco Instant Printing has transitioned to new ownership to keep serving the neighborhood.

Upcoming Events — This weekend is packed with the 25th Anniversary Oakhurst Wine Crawl, the Oyster Crawfish Festival, and an "Extinction Party" at Fernbank. You'll also find several author talks, library events, and a hiring expo at Emory.

Local Government Discussion — The Board of Commissioners officially adopted the 2026 budget and moved forward with a new "Chronic Nuisance" property ordinance. Meanwhile, the Planning Commission is set to review several new townhome and commercial proposals for North Decatur Road.

Development & Construction Nearby — Major interior renovations are starting at Fernbank Museum, while several campus projects continue at Emory University. On the roads, keep an eye out for resurfacing work on Briarcliff Road and lane reconfigurations near Toco Hills.

Let’s dive in.

DeKalb School Board pushes back on school closure proposal (February 24, 2026)
Parents and board members are voicing significant concerns regarding a district-wide plan to repurpose or close several schools to address shifting enrollment numbers. This is a high-priority issue for local families as the final decisions could fundamentally change neighborhood school assignments and property values across the Druid Hills and Toco Hills areas.

DeKalb County 2026 budget anticipates property tax increase (February 27, 2026)
The county’s newly released budget proposal for the upcoming year suggests a potential hike in property taxes to address rising operational costs and public safety needs. Homeowners in the area should monitor these proceedings closely, as the commission is expected to move toward a final vote on the millage rate and spending plan later this spring.

Atlanta, DeKalb County receive $3.5M for park improvement projects (February 23, 2026)
Federal and state funding has been allocated to improve local green spaces and recreational infrastructure throughout the county. This investment is intended to enhance park safety and amenities, providing upgraded outdoor options for residents in the densely populated neighborhoods surrounding the university and Druid Hills.

DeKalb to open homeless day center on Covington Highway (February 27, 2026)
County officials have advanced a plan to establish a new day center for the unhoused to provide essential services and reduce the burden on local libraries and public spaces. The center is a response to community safety concerns and aims to connect vulnerable individuals with healthcare and housing resources more effectively.

Bobo Izakaya - opening - A new Japanese restaurant and pub has opened in the Toco Hill shopping center, featuring an immersive "Japanese village" atmosphere and a menu focused on yakitori, sushi, and small plates. (February 26, 2026)

Toco Instant Printing - new ownership - The 50-year-old neighborhood printing shop has transitioned to new ownership following the retirement of its long-time owner, ensuring the business continues to serve the community from its Toco Hills location. (February 25, 2026)

This weekend features several major neighborhood gatherings, including the 25th Anniversary of the Oakhurst Wine Crawl and the Oyster Crawfish Festival at Park Tavern, both on Saturday. Fernbank Museum will also host an "Extinction Party" to celebrate the final days of its long-running "A Walk Through Time in Georgia" exhibit.

Monday, March 02
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Mason Mill Walking Trail |
- Books and Babies Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- Toddler Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- English as a Second Language (ESL) | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |

Tuesday, March 03
- Emory Hiring Expo | Center for Ethics |
- Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library Book Discussion Group | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- American Red Cross Blood Drive | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- McCandless Lecture: Susan Gelman, Ph.D. "Essentialist beliefs" | Psychology and Interdisciplinary Sciences (PAIS) Building |
- DeKalb Symphony Orchestra presents “Eastern Echoes” | First Baptist Church of Decatur |

Wednesday, March 04
- Isabelle Mongeua & Lauren Connolly - The Debtor's Game | Eagle Eye Book Shop |
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- Kevin Hazzard presents No One’s Coming | Decatur Library |
- The Reverón Piano Trio to Perform at Agnes Scott College | Agnes Scott College |

Thursday, March 05
- POSTPONED: Meeting the Moment: A Dialogue with Helen Zia | Tull Auditorium @ Emory Law |
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites | The Chapel on Sycamore |
- Sing Down the Moon: A Book Launch with Robert Gwaltney | Decatur Library |

Friday, March 06
- 2026 Emory Neuroscience Symposium | Rollins School of Public Health |
- Friday Movies: The Summer Book | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- In The Wild Find Your Match Night | Park Tavern |
- Joshilyn Jackson with Mary Kay Andrews - Missing Sister | Eagle Eye Book Shop |

Saturday, March 07
- Birds Georgia Forest Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History |
- Extinction Party | Fernbank Museum of Natural History |
- Tree Tour: Virginia Highland Neighborhood Arboretum | Murphy's Restaurant |
- Oakhurst Wine Crawl 25th Anniversary! | Harmony Park |
- Oyster Crawfish Festival At Park Tavern Returns | Park Tavern |
- Rachael Allen - Professor Cat's Guide to Understanding the Human Brain | Little Shop of Stories |

Sunday, March 08
- Wildflower Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History |
- Meet a Ranger | Fernbank Museum of Natural History |
- Live Animal Encounter | Fernbank Museum of Natural History |
- Margaret Renkl and Billy Renkl - The Weedy Garden! | Little Shop of Stories |

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items
The Board of Commissioners moved to adopt the 2026 Annual Budget, finalizing the county’s financial priorities for the year. A major pillar of this week's discussion was a $49.7 million investment in sewer infrastructure assessment and rehabilitation. This work is a requirement of the federal Consent Decree and represents a significant step in addressing long-standing utility issues across the county. Public safety and health also saw major funding commitments, including a $22.2 million contract with Lifeline Animal Project to manage shelter operations through 2027.

The Board also advanced several regulatory ordinances that have been under development for over a year. This includes the "Chronic Nuisance" ordinance, which would grant the county the authority to close properties designated as repeat sites for illegal activity, and a new "Vacant Property" ordinance requiring owners of empty buildings to meet minimum maintenance standards and obtain "board-up permits." Additionally, the Board discussed establishing a Water Customer Bill of Rights to formalize standards and protections for residents regarding their utility billing and service.

Most notable to your neighborhood
The Board allocated $200,000 to Georgia State University for the “Reimagining the Stone Mountain Trail as a Cultural Corridor” project. This initiative involves installing artistic crosswalks and path markings along trail sections within Commission Districts 4 and 6, which includes the Druid Hills area. Commissioners also considered extending a county-wide moratorium on applications for businesses specializing in the commercial sale of sexual devices.

Other topics
Significant attention was given to new homelessness initiatives, specifically a resolution to adopt an "Unhoused Support and Services Plan" and the implementation of a dedicated DeKalb County Day Center. The Board also reviewed updates to data center regulations and authorized several administrative items, including a lease for the Solicitor-General's office in Decatur and maintenance for the Courthouse parking deck.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee of the Whole (March 03, 2026 at 9:00 AM): No agenda is currently available for this meeting.
- Planning Commission (March 03, 2026 at 6:00 PM): The commission will review 14 new cases involving rezonings and Special Land Use Permits for residential and commercial projects. Notable proposals near the North Druid Hills/Emory area include a new townhome community at 3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road/2936 Mercer University Drive and a request for a convenience store with fuel pumps and a drive-through pharmacy at 3820 and 3828 North Decatur Road.

DeKalb County School District

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board of Education convened on February 24 for the first day of a scheduled two-day Board Retreat and Executive Session. Unlike regular monthly business meetings, these retreats are designed for long-term strategic planning, board governance training, and the review of district-wide goals. The session included a closed Executive Session, which is legally reserved for confidential discussions regarding personnel matters, pending or potential litigation, and real estate acquisitions or disposals. No public votes or legislative actions were taken during this opening portion of the retreat.

Other topics:
The retreat was structured as a continuous two-day event, with the board’s discussions and planning sessions carrying over into February 25. This retreat follows the district's standard governance cycle, building on the community input and work sessions conducted earlier in the month.

Permits

It’s a busy week for construction around the University and the surrounding neighborhoods. From major museum renovations to significant home upgrades, here is the latest on what’s being built and renovated in our neck of the woods:

- Fernbank Museum — $180,000 permit for the interior demolition of an existing exhibition space as the museum prepares for a new installation.
- 1784 N Decatur Rd NE — A significant commercial renovation project including site work and building improvements near the edge of the Emory campus.
- 1440 Clifton Rd NE — Multi-floor commercial alterations are underway on the 2nd and 4th levels of this Emory University facility.
- 1441 Clifton Rd NE — Expect to see a new construction trailer arriving at the Emory surface parking lot to support ongoing campus projects.
- Ridgecrest Ct — $75,000 residential permit to construct a new screened-in porch and a rear addition to a non-historic home.
- Grist Stone Ct — $53,000 permit for a full residential deck replacement.
- 855 Emory Point Dr NE — Mechanical and fire alarm upgrades at Emory Point, including HVAC replacements for Unit #1515.

Beyond these larger projects, there were 25 other minor permits issued this week—mostly for tree removals (arborist reviews), plumbing repairs, and smaller electrical jobs—totaling just under $196,000 in additional neighborhood investments.

Road Work
- Briarcliff Road from Briarcliff Place to SR 13 — Under Construction. Crews are actively on-site for a resurfacing and maintenance project. They are working to improve the roadway's rating, so expect some traffic impacts through this stretch while the new pavement is laid.
- Lavista Road at Briarcliff Road — Under Construction. This is a major intersection improvement in the Toco Hills area. Work is happening now to widen the east side of Briarcliff Road and reconfigure the lanes to help with the flow of traffic.
- Lavista Road at Shepherds Lane — Under Construction. Active work is currently underway for a signal upgrade at this intersection near Woodland Hills.
- Lavista Road Eastbound at Clairmont Road — Under Construction. Crews are on-site working to extend the left turn lane to help clear up congestion at this busy junction.
- Lavista Road at North Druid Hills Road — Construction Work Program. This project is officially funded and approved, but active construction hasn't started just yet. Once it gets moving, look for a new shared-use path along the south side of North Druid Hills and a new sidewalk on the north side.
- Lavista Road at North Druid Hills Road — Construction Work Program. Like the project above, this is in the pipeline and ready to go but not yet under construction. It includes the same shared-use path and sidewalk improvements near Azalea Circle.
- Scott Boulevard Complete Streets Plan — Construction Work Program. This major project has been funded and approved to improve the corridor. While you won't see crews out there quite yet, the project is moving through the final stages before construction begins.

Service Requests

Here’s a look at what your neighbors have been reporting to 311 over the past week to keep our streets safe and smooth:

- Potholes — Significant activity along Oakdale Rd NE, with multiple reports filed between Fairview Rd and the surrounding blocks.
- Traffic Signal Repairs — Crews were alerted to signal issues at the busy intersections of Clifton Rd & Haygood Dr, as well as N Decatur Rd NE & Briarcliff Rd.