North Decatur: Sewers, Data Centers and the World Cup

Hey, North Decatur! Lulah Hills keeps up the work with millions of dollars in permits, DeKalb is renegotiating a decades-old federal sewer agreement, and the county has extended its data center moratorium through September. Plenty more below, including a busy government agenda with some direct neighborhood impacts heading into next week.

- News — DeKalb is rewriting its long-running EPA sewer consent decree — a big deal for neighborhoods dealing with aging infrastructure and recurring spills — while the county's pause on new data centers stretches to fall.
- Events — From a StoryWalk at Mason Mill and kids' STEM camps all week to live music at Wild Heaven and a soul tribute concert on Sunday, there's something happening every day.
- Government — The school board is set to vote Monday on the FY2027 budget, E-SPLOST, and a $15 million science curriculum purchase — and a North Decatur Road crosswalk improvement and Tarian Drive traffic calming petition are both on the county's agenda Thursday.
- Construction — The Lulah Hills Mall redevelopment is well underway with $75M for 303 units with ground-floor retail, and bridge preservation work is active on key commuter corridors — plus a long queue of road projects coming to North Druid Hills and Clairmont.

Let's dive in.

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NEWS

DeKalb, EPA to rewrite multi-decade sewage lawsuit agreement
DeKalb County and the EPA are renegotiating a federal consent decree that has governed sewer upgrades here for decades — a sign that the original agreement's goals haven't been fully met, and that the county is pushing for restructured timelines to get there. For residents, this is about more than bureaucratic paperwork: aging sewer lines and recurring spills are a real public health issue, and how this deal gets rewritten will determine whether meaningful fixes actually happen.

DeKalb extends moratorium as data center backlash grows across Georgia
DeKalb's Board of Commissioners has pushed its pause on new data center development through September 30, buying time to reckon with serious questions about power consumption, environmental strain, and what these facilities actually mean for the communities around them. The moratorium reflects a statewide mood shift, and for our neighborhoods, the zoning decisions that follow could shape the character of local development for years to come.

World Cup Atlanta: Additional watch parties in metro Atlanta
Atlanta is deep in a historic summer of soccer, and the watch party options keep expanding across the metro. If your couch isn't cutting it, this roundup will point you toward something better.

EVENTS | Presented by

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Monday, June 15
- StoryWalk® at Mason Mill Park | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Mega Mondays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Teen Take & Make: Dinosaur Terrarium | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Toddler Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Unearth a Story with Fiddlin' Dan | Chamblee, GA
- Emergency Vet | Clairmont Presbyterian Church
- 3D Printing with Minecraft (11-13) | Clairmont Presbyterian Church
- Kpop Demon Hunter STEM | Clairmont Presbyterian Church
- Little Chemist | Clairmont Presbyterian Church
- Tobie Grant 2026 Camp Superstars (TEENS) Week 2 | TOBIE GRANT RECREATION CENTER
- Tobie Grant 2026 Camp Superstars (11-12yrs) Week 2 | TOBIE GRANT RECREATION CENTER

Tuesday, June 16
- Founders Pitch & Networking Night Atlanta | Wild Heaven Beer & Fox Bros. Bar- Q at Toco Hills
- Friends of the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library Meeting | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Toco Tuesdays | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Wednesday, June 17
- Weekday Winning: Wicked Good Wednesday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills
- Drop-In Technology Support | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Preschool Storytime | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County

Thursday, June 18
- 🎟️🌵 CANYONLAND 🎟️ ticketed show* | Napoleon's Grill
- Paella in the Plaza | Georgia Institute of Technology
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Discussion | Avis Williams Library - DeKalb County
- Weekday Winning: Thirsty Thursday | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Friday, June 19
- Dave Deckebach | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

- Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival | Piedmont Park

Saturday, June 20
- BBQ with Dads Cook-Off | Blackburn Park
- Brookhaven Farmers Market | Brookhaven Farmers Market
- Fisheye | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

Sunday, June 21
- Tribute to Charlie Wilson, Isley Brothers, Teena Marie & Frankie Beverly | Londzell Performing Arts Theatre
- Sam Whithead | Wild Heaven Toco Hills

GOVERNMENT

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

Past Week Roundup

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners

The Board met on June 9 and voted to extend the countywide moratorium on new data centers by 100 days, pushing the deadline to September 30, 2026, to give county planners time to finalize permanent zoning rules for the industry. The Board also approved resolutions supporting state-designed roundabouts at key intersections on Ponce de Leon Avenue and Clairmont Road, moves intended to improve traffic flow and safety at those corridors. On the financial side, commissioners approved a Fiscal Year 2026 budget amendment and a $3.7 million contract for roof repairs at several county-owned public health facilities. Two significant pocketbook items — proposed increases to stormwater utility fees and sanitation and landfill rates — were deferred to June 23, along with a District 3 ordinance on public camping and vagrancy; a broader overhaul of the county's noise regulations was pushed even further, to July 7. Then on June 10, the Board is scheduled to hold a Town Hall where those same stormwater and sanitation fee proposals are on the agenda for public presentation — residents who want to weigh in before the June 23 vote should note that speakers must submit a card to the clerk before that portion of the meeting begins, with county residents given priority and comments limited to three minutes.

DeKalb County School District Board of Education

The school board convened on June 11 for its second public hearing on the proposed millage rate, which directly determines how much homeowners pay in school property taxes each year. The session was structured as a community input opportunity, giving residents a chance to speak before any final rate is formally adopted. No votes were taken and no final millage rate was set at this hearing — a final decision will come at a subsequent meeting. Homeowners who want to understand how the proposed rate would affect their tax bills should watch for that follow-up meeting, as any change to the millage rate will show up directly on annual property tax statements.

Notable Neighborhood Mentions

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
- SR 155/Clairmont Road at Rosecliff Drive — A roundabout installation at this intersection is on the agenda, with the county scheduled to consider a resolution indicating support for the state-designed safety improvement project.

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 another opportunity to weigh in before any final vote. No formal budget adoption or tax rate approval is expected at this session.

- DeKalb County School District — Board of Education — Monday, June 15, 2026
The board is set to vote on adopting the FY2027 operating budget and approving the accompanying property tax levy resolution — decisions that will directly affect homeowners' upcoming tax bills. Also on the agenda: a vote on continuing the E-SPLOST sales tax, a $15 million district-wide science curriculum purchase, $3.1 million in new school buses, a $1.1 million renewal of the CrisisAlert emergency system, and a first reading of a new board policy on artificial intelligence in schools. Renovation and infrastructure contracts at Cross Keys High School and Fernbank Science Center are also scheduled for a vote.

- 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)
Public hearings on the 2026 county property tax millage rates are scheduled, alongside a proposed $233.8 million design-build contract to overhaul the Scott Candler Water Treatment Plant and a $325.5 million multi-year water and sewer repair contract. Trail expansions are also on the agenda — including a $3.1 million design contract for Phase VI of the South River Trail and a $998,946 contract for the North Fork Peachtree Creek Trail segment from Fisher Trail to Chamblee Tucker Road. The committee is also set to take up new zoning rules and a proposed moratorium on data center development pending an environmental and health impact study. Of note for North Decatur residents: a term extension for a new traffic signal and pedestrian crosswalk improvements at North Decatur Road at Parkdale Drive is scheduled for consideration, as is a traffic calming petition for Tarian Drive between Clifton Springs Road and Tarian Way. A rezoning request at 2697 Kelly Lake Road — from R-75 to R-60 to allow 12 new single-family homes — and a rezoning proposal at 1942 Columbia Drive — from R-75 to RSM for a new residential development — are also on the agenda.

CONSTRUCTION

Permits

- 2050 Lawrenceville Hwy (Lulah Hills Mall) — $75 million apartment complex permitted. The Edens redevelopment of Lulah Hills Mall is officially underway: 303 multifamily units with ground-floor retail. This is the biggest project in the area in years and will reshape that corridor considerably.
- 2701 Lulah Ave — Plumbing permit filed for a new Publix Supermarket trash enclosure. A minor permit, but confirmation that the new Publix is still moving through construction. Getting closer.
- Bridgeport Rd at Berkeley Dr — $600K new single-family home under construction. Outdoor and noisy work underway.
- Burnt Leaf Ln — Two permits on the same property: a $50K detached pool house and a $100K kitchen and master bedroom addition. Someone is going all-in on their home.
- Bonnavit Ct — $172,500 single-story addition with a partial basement permitted on a single-family home.
- 2918 LaVista Way — HVAC replacement at a townhouse-style condo. Routine, but worth knowing if you're nearby during install.

Beyond the headliners, there were 36 additional residential and minor permits across the area this week, totaling roughly $396K — a steady drumbeat of roofing, electrical, and home improvement work throughout the neighborhoods.

Road Work

Under Construction
- SR-236 Left Turn Lane Extension @ SR-155 (DeKalb County) — GDOT is extending the eastbound left turn lane at the SR-236/SR-155 intersection, about 1.5 miles from the neighborhood. Expect some signal and lane disruptions near that junction while work is active.
- SR-10, SR-13 & SR-410 Bridge Preservation — 6 Locations (DeKalb County) — Bridge work is underway at six spots across these corridors, roughly 2.7 miles out. The scope includes polymer overlay resurfacing, repainting structural steel, deck repairs, joint replacements, and header work. If any of these routes are part of your regular commute, give yourself extra time and watch for lane restrictions near bridge spans.

Pre-Construction

- North Druid Hills Road Corridor Improvements (DeKalb County) — Several interconnected projects are queued up along this stretch. A new traffic signal is planned at the US 78/SR 410 westbound exit ramp at North Druid Hills Road, with lane widening to add eastbound turn capacity. Separately, a 2,600-foot corridor between Spring Creek Drive and Willivee Drive will see bridge work near the CSX rail crossing. A third project extends an existing eastbound turn lane at SR 410. If North Druid Hills Road is part of your daily routine, expect a busy construction season ahead once these get underway.
- SR 155/Clairmont Road Corridor (DeKalb County) — A 1.5-mile stretch of Clairmont Road between the I-85 northbound exit ramp and LaVista Road is slated for operational improvements. A separate restriping project is also planned at the SR 155/LaVista Road intersection. Drivers between North Druid Hills and Decatur will want to watch this one.
- SR 155 @ North Druid Hills Road — Sidewalk & Shared Use Path (DeKalb County) — A shared-use path is planned along the south side of North Druid Hills Road near the Azalea Circle intersection, plus a 6-foot sidewalk along the north side. Good news for pedestrians and cyclists in the area.
- SR 236/LaVista Road Resurfacing (DeKalb County) — Pavement work is coming to SR 236 between the Fulton County line and I-285. The road's current condition score is low enough that GDOT's District Maintenance Office flagged it for resurfacing. Expect some disruption when this one kicks off, but the payoff is a smoother road through the heart of the neighborhood.
- SR 8/US 29 Resurfacing (DeKalb County) — The full stretch of US 29 from the Fulton County line to the Gwinnett County line is in the resurfacing queue. A long haul of a project that will touch multiple communities.
- I-285 Bridge Preservation — 4 Locations (DeKalb County) — Maintenance work is coming to four bridge structures on I-285 in DeKalb County, including polymer overlay, repainting, joint replacement, and general structural upkeep. Not glamorous, but the kind of work that keeps the perimeter from becoming a bigger headache.
- SR 10/US 78 Sign Upgrades — 9 Locations (DeKalb/Gwinnett Counties) — Signage upgrades are planned at nine locations along the SR 10/SR 410/US 78 corridor spanning both DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Minor in scope, but worth noting for anyone who uses this route regularly.