North Decatur: DeKalb School Closure Pushback and Proposed Property Tax Hikes

Welcome to your weekly update for North Decatur! This week, we’re looking at local pushback against proposed school closures and a projected property tax increase in the 2026 county budget. We also have updates on the "Baby Kroger" demolition and a major $3.5 million grant for area parks.

Big Stories — Local parents are speaking out against school closure proposals while county officials prepare for a potential property tax hike.

Local Business Updates — Say goodbye to the "Baby Kroger" as demolition begins to make way for new development on Commerce Drive. Plus, learn about the transformation of a 13-acre office site into the new RENDER Tucker residential community. Also, new eats are coming to Toco Hills!

Upcoming Events — Lace up for the Run for Mental Health 5K/10K at Mason Mill Park or enjoy the 25th anniversary of the Oakhurst Wine Crawl. Local libraries and Wild Heaven Beer also have a full slate of activities planned throughout the week.

Local Government Discussion — DeKalb County has officially adopted its 2026 budget and introduced new ordinances to crack down on "chronic nuisance" properties. Looking ahead, the Planning Commission will soon review a major new development proposal for North Decatur Road.

Development & Construction Nearby — Construction is picking up with a full house teardown on Nancy Lane and significant interior renovations on North Decatur Road. Drivers should also prepare for sidewalk work on Lavista Road and bridge rehabilitation on Stone Mountain Highway.

Let’s dive in.

DeKalb School Board pushes back on school closure proposal (February 24, 2026)
The DeKalb County School District is facing intense scrutiny as it begins public hearings regarding a controversial proposal to close or repurpose several local schools to address under-enrollment. For families in the North Decatur area, this process is being closely watched as it could lead to significant redistricting and changes to neighborhood school assignments in the coming year.

DeKalb County 2026 budget anticipates property tax increase (February 27, 2026)
Homeowners in established neighborhoods like Sagamore Hills and Oak Grove may see higher tax bills as county officials prepare a 2026 budget that includes a projected property tax increase. The proposed budget aims to bolster county services and infrastructure, though residents are expressing concern over the rising cost of living in the North Decatur corridor.

Atlanta, DeKalb County receive $3.5M for park improvement projects (February 23, 2026)
DeKalb County has been awarded federal grant funding to revitalize local outdoor spaces and improve community connectivity through new trail and park upgrades. Residents of North Decatur can expect to see these funds utilized for infrastructure maintenance and safety enhancements in neighborhood recreation areas over the next several months.

DeKalb County committee advances plan for homeless center after library shooting (February 27, 2026)
Following safety concerns at local public facilities, county leaders have moved forward with plans to establish a new homeless day center on Covington Highway. The initiative is designed to provide essential services and reduce the strain on community hubs like libraries, addressing a growing concern for residents throughout the Greater Decatur and North Druid Hills areas.

Tucker Exchange - closing - The 13-acre office building site near Northlake Mall is being transformed into RENDER Tucker, a new 312-unit residential community that will feature a walking trail connection to the proposed Tucker-Northlake trail. (February 25, 2026)

Baby Kroger - closing - Demolition has officially begun at the former grocery site on Commerce Drive to make way for a new mixed-use development, marking the final chapter for the long-standing neighborhood staple. (February 25, 2026)

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)

The South Peachtree Creek Trail will host the Run for Mental Health 5K/10K/13.1 on Saturday morning, which may bring increased pedestrian traffic and activity to the Mason Mill and Medlock Park areas. Additionally, the 25th Anniversary Oakhurst Wine Crawl will take place nearby in Oakhurst on Saturday afternoon.

Monday, March 02
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills |
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | 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
- Tuesday Trivia @ Toco Hills | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library Book Discussion Group | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- American Red Cross Blood Drive | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- COMEDY NIGHT 🎭 | Napoleon's Grill |
- DeKalb Symphony Orchestra presents “Eastern Echoes” | First Baptist Church of Decatur |

Wednesday, March 04
- Weekday Winning: Wicked Good Wednesday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Oscar Film Festival | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- Kevin Hazzard presents No One’s Coming | Decatur Library |

Thursday, March 05
- Weekday Winning: Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills |
- JHB PLAYS JGB | Napoleon's Grill |
- Networking Over Lunch at Marlow's Tavern | Marlow's Tavern Brookhaven |
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites | The Chapel on Sycamore |
- Sing Down the Moon: A Book Launch with Robert Gwaltney | Decatur Library |

Friday, March 06
- Friday Movies | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County |
- RUSTY CARS | Napoleon's Grill |
- 8th Annual Sister Circle Summit: Bold, Brave, and Boundless | Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area (Nearby: North Druid Hills) |

Saturday, March 07
- Run for Mental Health 5K/10K/13.1 ATLANTA | South Peachtree Creek Trail |
- "TICKETED" The Swimming Pool Q's | Napoleon's Grill |
- Birds Georgia Forest Walk | Fernbank Museum of Natural History |
- Extinction Party | Fernbank Museum of Natural History |
- Oakhurst Wine Crawl 25th Anniversary! | Harmony Park |

Sunday, March 08
- "TICKETED" The Swimming Pool Q's | Napoleon's Grill |
- Watercolor Class | Woodlands Garden |

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

Discussion from the Past Week

Big agenda items:
The Board prioritized major infrastructure and fiscal policy, headlined by the adoption of the 2026 Annual Budget. Significant funding was allocated to public health and safety, including a $22.2 million contract for animal shelter operations through 2027 and nearly $50 million for ongoing sewer assessments and rehabilitation as part of the county's Consent Decree work. Commissioners also moved forward with a "Water Customer Bill of Rights" to establish formal standards for utility billing and protections. On the regulatory front, the Board addressed property management through new "Chronic Nuisance" and "Vacant Property" ordinances, which would allow the county to close properties designated as habitual nuisances and mandate maintenance standards for boarded-up buildings.

Most notable to your neighborhood:
The Board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Tucker regarding a pedestrian trail easement and public parking improvements, which affects connectivity near the Northlake area. Additionally, $200,000 was allocated for the "Reimagining the Stone Mountain Trail" project to install artistic crosswalks and path markings along the trail corridor, which runs through Scottdale. Near the neighborhood border, the county approved a $348,000 lease extension for the Office of the Solicitor-General at 160 Clairemont Avenue in Decatur.

Other topics:
Commissioners extended a moratorium on new applications for businesses involving the commercial sale of sexual devices and introduced new safety regulations for blasting operations. The Board also reviewed the "DeKalb County Day Center" plan and an unhoused services initiative to provide coordinated support for the county's homeless population.

Meetings in the Next Week
- Committee of the Whole, March 03, 2026 at 9:00 AM
- Planning Commission, March 03, 2026 at 6:00 PM — The commission will review 14 new land-use cases, including a significant proposal for a convenience store with fuel pumps, a drive-through pharmacy, and retail space at 3820 and 3828 North Decatur Road. Other notable local items include a rezoning request for a townhome community at 3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road and 2936 Mercer University Drive. Additional cases involving cottage homes, senior housing, and a recycling plant in other parts of the county will also be heard.

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 business meetings, this retreat was designed for high-level strategic planning, board governance training, and a comprehensive review of district-wide goals. The Board also entered into a closed Executive Session to discuss confidential matters; while specific details are not public, these sessions are legally reserved for sensitive topics including personnel disciplinary actions or hiring, pending litigation, and potential real estate acquisitions.

Other topics:
As this was the opening session of a multi-day retreat, no formal legislative votes were taken and there was no period for public comment. The discussions held during this session were set to continue directly into the second day of the retreat on February 25 to finalize the Board's strategic priorities for the upcoming term.

Permits

Here’s a look at the latest building activity in our neighborhoods. From major interior overhauls on North Decatur Road to a full house teardown on Nancy Lane, there is plenty of construction noise to go around this week:

- N Decatur Rd — Institutional renovation, $150K estimated cost. Work involves interior demolition on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors to prepare for future renovations.
- Chrysler Terrace — New accessory structure, $119,704 estimated cost. Permits have been issued for the construction of a new in-ground pool.
- Glendale Rd — Residential addition, $105,000 estimated cost. This project includes a new unheated rear porch addition and a new roof for an existing home.
- Shasta Way — Residential alteration, $60,000 estimated cost. Work includes enclosing an existing patio and extending the roof over the deck.
- Hawthorne Dr — Outdoor residential work, $50,000 estimated cost. A total overhaul of the backyard deck system, including the removal and replacement of upper and lower decks, stairs, and the concrete slab below.
- Nancy Ln — Demolition permit, $50,000 estimated cost. A complete teardown of the existing house, including the removal of the footers and slab.
- 2825 Lawrenceville Hwy — Commercial retail permit. Coordination for a single gas meter to serve the combined gas station, convenience store, and restaurant at this location.
- Home Depot (Exterior) — Commercial business permit. Updates are coming to the exterior site lighting, including a new photometrics plan for the parking lot.

In addition to these larger projects, there were over 30 minor residential permits issued this week—mostly for smaller single-family repairs and townhouse maintenance—totaling another $400,000 in local investment.

Road Work
- SR 236/Lavista Road from Leafmore Place to Pangborn Road — Under Construction. Active work is happening now to improve pedestrian safety. Crews are on-site installing new sidewalks to connect the existing paths along Oak Grove and Pangborn Roads, so watch for foot traffic and lane shifts.
- SR 410/Stone Mountain Highway Bridge Rehab — Under Construction. Expect traffic impacts near the highway as crews perform bridge rehabilitation. This work includes deck overlays, painting steel beams, and joint replacements at two locations.
- SR 236/Lavista Road from the Fulton Line to I-285 — Construction Work Program. This major stretch is slated for resurfacing and maintenance. The project is funded and approved, and while crews aren't on-site yet, construction is imminent.
- SR 8/US 29/Lawrenceville Highway — Construction Work Program. A large maintenance and resurfacing project is planned for the entire corridor from the Fulton County line to the Gwinnett County line. Contracts are being finalized, meaning work should begin in the near future.
- SR 8/US 29 at North Druid Hills Road — Construction Work Program. Big operational improvements are coming to this busy intersection. Plans include signalizing the US 78/SR 410 westbound exit ramp and widening North Druid Hills Road to three eastbound lanes. Construction is in the pipeline but has not yet started.
- North Druid Hills Road Bridge at the CSX Line — Construction Work Program. This project covers the corridor between Spring Creek Drive and Willivee Drive. It is approved and funded for bridge work, so keep this on your radar for future commutes even though active work hasn't begun.
- SR 155/Clairmont Road at SR 236/Lavista Road — Construction Work Program. This central intersection is scheduled for an operational restriping project. It is currently in the "soon" category as GDOT finalizes the start date.
- SR 10/SR 410/US 78 Sign Upgrades — Construction Work Program. This project spans multiple counties and will involve upgrading highway signs at nine different locations. The work is approved and is expected to start moving toward the construction phase shortly.