2026-02-16 February 16, 2026 Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes - FINAL
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February 16, 2026 7:00 PM City of Smyrna Mayor and Council Meeting 2800 King Street SE Council Chambers Page 10 of 16 Councilmember Latonia P. Hines asked for clarification – even if Smyrna approves this, there are still two other reviews that this has to go through? Mr. Martin answered that Cobb County and GDOT also have to review and approve with respect to their jurisdictions prior to Smyrna issuing a land disturbance permit. Mayor Pro Tem Tim Gould asked what the materials for the exterior of the townhomes will be. Mr. Martin stated that for the most part they will be brick and/or board and batten. City Administrator Mike Jones asked if the current zoning of the property is a less intense use than what can go in there today? Mr. Martin answered that intensity-wise this is a downzoning. It went from 163 units down to 45 units, and 20K sq. ft. of commercial to 5K sq. ft. Councilmember Glenn Pickens asked if there is a stipulation for making sure the work for both the restaurant and townhomes will be done simultaneously? Mr. Martin stated that the plan is to have all site work done at the same time. Park Lammerts, Arris Smyrna LLC, confirmed that site work will be completed simultaneously. The company has owned the property since 2021. Due to economic constraints, they were not able to move forward with the original plan. David Kirk, attorney from Troutman Pepper Locke who represents Chick-Fil-A, stated that the current Chick-Fil-A site is a leased site, so the current property owner will have to re-tenant that space. He reiterated that this is a downzoning of the property. He understands the concerns and stated that topography and landscaping will provide effective screening. Their proposal addresses traffic and safety concerns. There are deceleration lanes for both entrances at Chick-Fil-A and the townhomes. The double drive-thru is designed to accommodate 60 vehicles. They will add sidewalks on the frontages of the property where there are none today. There will be a pedestrian beacon on Oakdale Road at an appropriate location to be determined. All of these plans will go through additional review through Cobb County and GDOT. Arris owns the property where the Chick-Fil-A will be. Mayor Derek Norton opened the public hearing. All who came forward were in opposition. Kaye Barker – 4665 Oakdale Road Mike Kennedy – 5003 Oakdale Road Kate Shaw – 2209 Misty Lane Glenn Perich – 2159 Oakdale Road Deborah Forsman – 2228 Misty Lane William Schwartz – 2168 Oakdale Estates Lauren Morris – 2199 Misty Lane • Intersection is dangerous and too busy • That area is already on a congested school bus route • Concerned about sustained exterior noise and lighting • Chick-Fil-A will generate too much traffic • Concerned about increased danger to children and pedestrians and decreased property values • Mixed Use zoning does not allow for drive-thrus; a drive-thru is not a design feature, it is a use feature.