City Council Meeting 7/28/2026

The City of South Fulton held a City Council meeting on July 28, 2026, which included extensive discussions on operational assessments and improvements within the Community Development and Regulatory Affairs (CDR) department. A contracted operational assessment by the National Forum for Black Public Administrators highlighted issues such as inconsistent staff communication, lack of performance metrics, insufficient staffing, and a cumbersome permitting process that could take up to eight months. Recommendations included modernizing permitting processes, implementing standardized response protocols, adopting a 10-day first review standard, enforcing prerequisite checklists, and improving customer engagement. The council also discussed the transition to the Tyler ERP system to streamline operations and the need for additional staffing, including a deputy director and inspectors, to handle workload and enforcement. Additionally, the meeting featured a detailed presentation on data center developments, focusing on zoning, environmental impacts, water usage, noise, and community benefits. The council reviewed a proposed ordinance to regulate data centers, including zoning restrictions, utility capacity requirements, and developer responsibilities. Public hearings and comments were held regarding these regulations, with council members expressing concerns about population caps, zoning limitations, and the regional impact of data centers. The meeting also included recognitions for community groups and departments, updates on budget awards, and various community announcements. Several motions related to alcohol license applications and zoning permits were approved or deferred. Overall, the meeting emphasized improving city operations, managing growth and development, and addressing community concerns related to infrastructure and environmental sustainability.