Heneghan’s Dunwoody Blog

GDOT proposes change to North Peachtree Road on 285 Express Lane plans that are not in the best interest of Dunwoody or Chamblee Citizens @GDOTATL

John@JKHeneghan.com (John Heneghan) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:11:00 -0400

Intergovernmental agreement between GDOT & Dunwoody for Express Lanes

Monday Night the Dunwoody City Council Meeting was filled with heavy / controversial conversations regarding Flock License Plate Readers, City Charter Changes, including an item on taxation, Google Fiber infrastructure construction, Rooftop Solar on city buildings, Homecoming Park development plans, sidewalk construction, and then towards the very end of the evening was a discussion on an "Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for Top End 285 East Express Lanes Enhancements".

We the City and your elected representatives have been worried about the negative impacts that the Top End 285 Express Lanes will have on our city therefore we have been heavily involved from day one, studied various proposals, made suggestions and met with GDOT representatives in person in order to stress what we believe would be best for our community.

Six years ago, Mayor Deutsch and I wrote separate suggestions to GDOT regarding the project, requesting turn around lanes at both North Peachtree & Chamblee Dunwoody. Then two years later in 2022, Public Works Director Michael Smith, Councilman Tom Lambert and myself met with the GDOT management team that is overseeing the Top End I-285 Express Lane project, they answered our questions during our conversation and then they followed up with a detailed reply. In the letter from Mr. Tim Matthews, the Express Lane Administrator for GDOT, copying Mr. Kevin Abel, State Transportation Board Vice Chairman and Mr. Russell McMurry, GDOT Commissioner, the GDOT letter stated that the current project scope includes a return access lane from Savoy to Cotillion at North Peachtree Road.

Buried in the 134 page IGA document we discussed on Monday, on page 91 were three statements from GDOT that the City of Dunwoody is suppose to agree to in order to get specific concessions or "enhancements" as part of the express lane project. In case you are not aware, as part of the express lane project there is also a State plan to one way both Cotillion (west bound) and Savoy (east bound) as both streets are State Maintained (outside Dunwoody & Chamblee's control) to improve traffic efficiency. Changing the streets to one way will completely change the dynamics of traffic flow forcing everyone to go to one side or the other depending on direction, increasing traffic and therefore putting a big strain on the intersections operational through put. We thought we had infrastructure improvements where needed but it appears that the GDOT has changed their mind.

The photo at the top of this post clearly shows GDOT will be building us a 10 foot wide trail along Cotillion. They will also be building shared paths meeting Federal AASHTO standards (10 foot wide) under 285 at both North Peachtree & North Shallowford. Unfortunately in order to get these trail perks we have to be willing to forgo the dedicated vehicle return access lane between Savoy & Cotillion. This is not Dunwoody's best interest in my opinion because without that lane the current infrastructure will not be able to handle the additional traffic. We need GDOT to stick with the original plans even if other "enhancements" are deleted.

Inside 285 along Savoy, the City of Chamblee has plans for large scale mixed use that could add 100's of apartments, office and retail spaces on what is now vacant and under utilized land. Here is a link to the planned express lanes which details the local improvements and with close examination you can see that the express lane plans look to have both entrance and exit ramps along Cotillion and Savoy which will add numerous vehicles to the crowded streets as drivers from near and far will be using these entrances and exits. Not having a dedicated vehicle return lane from Savoy to Cotillion at North Peachtree is very short sighted and if not returned it will negatively both the cities of Dunwoody & Chamblee.

The Chamblee Dunwoody Bridge over 285 is going to replaced as part of the express lane project, it will be widened, improved for pedestrians and will include a dedicated return access lane for vehicles to travel from Cotillion to Savoy without stopping. Looking at the photo below you can see Cotillion and the top going Westbound and there is a return lane on the far right side returning to Savoy, this is still in the current plan.

Unfortunately the latest proposed IGA deletes the plans for a dedicated vehicle return lane at North Peachtree in order to replace that needed traffic lane with a 10 foot pedestrian trail. I would much rather have the originally proposed vehicle return lane at North Peachtree with a small sidewalk and allow the larger path elsewhere. Looking below you can see the return lane on North Peachtree (left side of street) taking cars from Westbound Savoy to Eastbound Cotillion.

Not having a dedicated vehicle return lane from Savoy to Cotillion at North Peachtree is very short sighted as the lights and stacking are barely adequate today and if the dedicated turn lane is not returned I believe it will negatively impact both the cities of Dunwoody & Chamblee because of the one way reconfiguration and higher vehicle traffic numbers.

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday April 13, 2026 (Updated Flock Agreement, Charter changes including work around for Millage Tax Cap, 285 Express Lanes, Solar, Homecoming Park)

John@JKHeneghan.com (John Heneghan) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:54:00 -0400

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, April 13, 2026
6:00 PM
DUNWOODY CITY HALL - DUNWOODY HALL
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD
DUNWOODY, GA 30338

Agenda 6 pm - City Site Agenda

City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page.

They are also available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://dunwoodyga-gov.zoom.us/j/86452715091 or phone +14703812552,,86452715091#

You can access the video after the meeting on the City of Dunwoody’s YouTube page.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Administration of the Oath of Office for Officers Jonathan Coachman and Jaimeson M. Pollen

Recognition of 2025 Volunteer Hours for Citizens on Patrol & Bailiffs

City Manager's Report

2026-03-25 City Council 2026 Strategic Planning Retreat Meeting Minutes

Resolution Appointing Members Jensen Elwell and Ava Schmidt to Serve on the Dunwoody Sustainability Committee

Microsoft 365 Renewal

Reimbursement Agreement for Google Fiber to Fund a Permit Coordinator

Contract Amendment with Lowe Engineers for a Google Fiber Permit Coordinator

Flock Master Services Agreement (Jill Dunn)

Approve Flock OS 911 Contract Subject to Approval and Full Execution of the Flock Master Services Agreement

Approval of Flock Drone First Responder Expansion Agreement and Renewal of PCID’s Technology Partnership Commitment Subject to Approval and Full Execution of the Flock Master Services Agreement

FIRST READ: Proposed Charter Amendment Article IV, Sec. 4.01; Article IV, Sec. 4.02.(c) and Article IV, Sec. 4.03 related to Municipal Court.

FIRST READ: Proposed Charter Amendment Article II, Section 2.09.(a) January Post Election Meeting Date.

FIRST READ:Proposed Charter Amendment Article I, Sec. 1.03.(b)(36) and (37)(A) related to special districts, bonds and intergovernmental contracts.

FIRST READ: Proposed Charter Amendment Article V, Section 5.03.(a) and Section 5.04.(b) Amend Budget Submission and Adoption Dates

Homecoming Park Design Professional Services

Homecoming Park Program Management Services

Rooftop Solar Systems

Project Agreement with the Perimeter CID for Bridge Enhancements on I-285

Agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation for Top End 285 East Express Lanes Enhancements

Funding Authorization for Sidewalk and Road Improvements on Ridgeview Road

Dunwoody Stratgic Planning Retreat, Wednesday March 25, 2026 at the Le Meriden Atlanta Perimeter

John@JKHeneghan.com (John Heneghan) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:36:00 -0400

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
8:00 am
Le Meridian Atlanta Perimeter
111 Perimeter Center West
Dunwoody, GA 30346

Agenda 8 am - City Site Agenda

Full Packet - Large File

Typical City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page. but I am unsure if this is happening for this all day meeting?

There is a link available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://dunwoodyga-gov.zoom.us/j/85255756568 or phone +14703812552,,85255756568#

This meeting is open to the public but there appears to not have Public Comment times available as this is a Special Called Meeting.

Typically this retreat is a two day affair with the second day talking nothing but finances; it has been decided by the Mayor and Staff to delay this second meeting until after the GA Legislative Session ends. Reminder that in April Council will be considering several changes to our City Charter including allowing taxes in excess of our maximum tax rate that was set during incorporation.

Opening Comments:: Guidance and Deliverables

Session 1: Maintain Neighborhoods

Holiday HQ, World Cup, and 250th

Session 2: Investment in Perimeter

Session 3: Cultivate Local Centers

Session 4: Prioritization

Executive Session

Closing Comments

Dinner

Dunwoody City Council agenda for Monday March 23, 2026 (Flock, Brook Run Lighting, Tennis Courts, GIS, Police Behavioral Clinician,

John@JKHeneghan.com (John Heneghan) — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 23:15:59 -0400

DUNWOODY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, March 23, 2026
6:00 PM
DUNWOODY CITY HALL - DUNWOODY HALL
4800 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD
DUNWOODY, GA 30338

Agenda 6 pm - City Site Agenda

City Council meetings are live-streamed on the City of Dunwoody’s Facebook page.

They are also available for viewing (no two way communication) on Zoom,
https://dunwoodyga-gov.zoom.us/j/83080467641 or phone +14703812552,,83080467641#

You can access the video after the meeting on the City of Dunwoody’s YouTube page.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Public Comment allows the City Council the opportunity to listen to the public (3 minutes per speaker / 30 minutes total).

LifeLine Animal Showcase

Flock Safety Security Assessment with Council Matrix (Jill Dunn and Ginger LePage)

Windwood Hollow Park Tennis Court Resurfacing (Rachel Waldron)

Contract Award with Kaizen for Recreation Permit Software

Brook Run Park Phase 4 Lighting

Tree Management On-Call Contract

Corrective Easement with the DeKalb County Board of Education for the Dunwoody Nature Center

Networking Infrastructure Maintenance Contract Renewal Network Security & Switching Support

Sign Flock OS911 Contract (Chief Carlson)

Sign and Signal Maintenance Contract (Michael Smith)

GIS Services Agreement with Geographic Technologies Group (Ginger LePage)

Lease of Three (3) Replacement Printers for the Police Department (Ginger LePage)

Sign Claratel Health Clinician Agreement (Chief Carlson)

Purchase Ballistic Windshields

Dunwoody State of the City 2026 presentation by Mayor Lynn Deutsch, Monday 8:30 am, open to the public and will include Q & A

John@JKHeneghan.com (John Heneghan) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Date: 03/23/2026 8:30 a.m.
Location: Dunwoody City Hall
4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, Georgia 30338
Introduction: Community event - no tickets or reservations needed

Mayor Deutsch will present Dunwoody State of the City in Council Chambers at Dunwoody City Hall.
This community event starts at 8:30 a.m. with no tickets or reservations needed.
This event will include Q&A.