Sandy Springs schedules third open house on commercial design | Sandy Springs News

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs is inviting the public to share their thoughts on design guidelines for six commercial districts throughout the city Aug. 21 from 6-8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.  

The city began an 18-month review in March to ensure six distinct commercial and mixed-use areas within the city reflect the community’s priorities and aesthetics. 

The goal is to ensure future development aligns with adopted planning documents and the Development Code, while promoting a unique sense of place in Sandy Springs.

The six areas include Greater City Springs, Crossroads, Neighborhood Village, North End, Central Perimeter and Powers Ferry.

Since March, city staff and consultants have held a series of pop-up meetings for phase one of the project, which covers City Springs, North End and Perimeter. 

Attendees of the Aug. 21 open house will be given opportunity to provide input on the overall framework of the design guidelines, review preliminary designs for phase one districts and provide initial input on the desired character of Powers Ferry and the two remaining districts on the southern end of Roswell Road, Crossroads and Neighborhood Village.

City planners say the guidelines will build on standards in the Development Code and Technical Manual by providing additional direction for building features and sites, landscaping, streetscapes, and other elements that will shape the appearance and experience of the character areas. 

A draft of the design guidelines is expected to be publicly available in early 2026. The public will continue to have input opportunities before the Planning Commission and City Council adopt the final version. 

City Councilwoman Melissa Mular, who has attended at least one of the open houses for design guidelines, said she’s pushing for a program to help small businesses owners improve building facades. She scrapped the proposal during the 2026 budget process this May, citing the city’s ongoing work on commercial design guidelines and next year’s update to the Comprehensive Plan.

There will be opportunities to review and provide input on materials presented at the meeting via an online survey and comment form. Exhibit materials and feedback opportunities will be posted on spr.gs/design starting on Aug. 21 and will remain open until Sept. 8.

— Hayden Sumlin