December 2025 Edition - Chakira’s Corner Newsletter
DeKalb is a Diamond
Featuring Director of Planning & Sustainability, Juliana Njoku
As we close out 2025, I had the pleasure of speaking with Juliana Njoku, our new Director of Planning & Sustainability, for a truly inspiring conversation about how DeKalb grows, how decisions are made, and how her department is working to better serve our residents, businesses, and communities.
This conversation was eye-opening — even for me — and I’m excited to share some of the highlights with you.
Meet Director Njoku: A Lifetime of Service Rooted in Community
Director Njoku comes from a long line of public servants and has spent her career helping communities grow and thrive. From the United Nations to Baltimore, Indianapolis, Atlanta Housing, Invest Atlanta, Rockdale County, and Mableton — she brings decades of experience in planning, development, and community revitalization.
She has lived in DeKalb for many years, and now she’s bringing her expertise home. As she shared, it is a deep honor for her to serve the county she calls home. And I can tell you firsthand — we are lucky to have her.
What Planning & Sustainability Means for Our Community
If you’ve ever wondered how parks, new businesses, housing developments, or revitalization projects come to life — this is the department behind it.
Planning & Sustainability is our county’s regulatory backbone. They:
Ensure zoning rules are applied fairly
Review development proposals
Manage business licenses
Coordinate with Watershed, Transportation, Fire, GIS, and other partners
Protect our land, water, and communities
And help turn community vision into reality
I often describe this department as the guardrails for all the work we do on the Board of Commissioners. When I raise my hand to vote on a zoning issue, Planning & Sustainability is there to make sure we’re following the law, protecting safety, and keeping the long-term vision for DeKalb intact.
They are partners in the truest sense.
Why Every Application Must Be Considered — Even the Ones We Don’t Want
I hear it all the time:
“Commissioner, why are you even considering this application? We don’t want that here.”
I get it — truly.
But as Director Njoku explained, we are legally obligated to review every application. Applicants have property rights. Zoning requires due process. And our job is to evaluate:
Safety
Environmental impacts
Traffic flow
Community input
Land use rules
Long-term planning
This process is not about stifling businesses — it’s about making sure things are built in the right place, in the right way, and with the community’s wellbeing in mind.
Our Focus Right Now: Listening, Improving, and Modernizing
Director Njoku has been in her role for six months, and her focus so far has been exactly what strong leadership should look like:
Restructuring the department for smoother operations
Listening to residents, developers, and staff
Improving permitting processes
Enhancing communication
Investing in new technology, including AI
Balancing consistency with innovation
She shared that her early months have been dedicated to listening — not rushing — so that the changes we implement are intentional and lasting. I deeply appreciate that approach.
Supporting Small Businesses Through Better Tools & Real Connections
As commissioners, we hear often that businesses want a more streamlined process — better guidance, clearer steps, and better access to support.
I’m excited to share that Planning & Sustainability is working toward:
A true one-stop shop for small businesses
Online appointments
More training for business license staff
Stronger partnerships with Small Business Development Centers
Vendor connection opportunities
Tools for inter-business networking
Technology to support late-night or self-service business owners
Small businesses are the backbone of our county, and we want to support them in every way we can.
Community Academy 101 — Learn How Planning Really Works
One of my favorite parts of this episode was learning about the new Community Academy 101.
This program teaches residents:
How zoning works
What ordinances mean
What a comprehensive plan is
How to follow development proposals
When and how residents can weigh in
Who to contact for different concerns
And—most importantly—why decisions are made the way they are
Two classes have already been held, and more are coming.
I strongly believe an informed community is an empowered community, and this program is a fantastic step in that direction.
Permitting: What Really Causes Delays
If there’s one topic that consistently frustrates residents and developers alike, it’s permitting.
Here’s the truth: most delays come from missing or changed documents.
The permitting process includes:
A pre-application meeting (which should become mandatory)
Creating an online account
Submitting all required documents
Multi-department review
Approval + payment
If documents are incomplete or plans change midstream, delays happen.
We’re working together to:
Improve communication
Strengthen the pre-application process
Set realistic expectations
And protect public safety and long-term community stability
Director Njoku put it best:
“We want your project to succeed — but it must be safe, sound, and compliant.”
Looking Ahead: A Stronger, Unified, More Vibrant DeKalb
We ended our conversation on a hopeful note.
Director Njoku shared her vision for the next 5–10 years — and I share it wholeheartedly:
A DeKalb that is recognized for its strengths
A place where diversity is celebrated
A county with strong processes and smooth systems
A community known for excellence, not old stereotypes
A county where residents feel informed, connected, and proud
DeKalb is a diamond — not in the rough, but in its many facets. And our job is to make sure all of those facets shine.
I’m proud of the work we’re doing together, and I’m excited for the years ahead.
A Day of Community and Vision: Reflecting on World Planning Day 2025
Highlights from this year's DeKalb World Planning Day
I was incredibly proud to stand alongside my constituents and the dedicated staff of our Planning and Sustainability Department at the 2025 DeKalb World Planning Day. Held at the Rainbow Drive Amphitheatre in Decatur, this event underscored our shared commitment to creating a more resilient, equitable, and thoughtfully planned DeKalb County. Seeing over twenty county departments and partners like MARTA and the UGA Extension come together to provide resources and engage in civic dialogue was truly inspiring. This day demonstrated that great planning is not done in isolation; it is a collaborative effort that requires the input and passion of every resident.
This year's World Planning Day was particularly special, serving as a powerful platform for community engagement across all generations. I had wonderful discussions with residents about critical issues ranging from sustainable land use to infrastructure investments in their specific districts. I was also personally thrilled to recognize the creativity of our young residents during the inaugural Middle School Art Contest, whose submissions beautifully illustrated their vibrant visions for our county's future. The high level of participation affirms that DeKalb County is dedicated to transparent and inclusive growth, ensuring that our planning efforts reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of the communities we serve.
Keep an eye out for 2026 World Planning Day and other opportunities to get involved and let your voice be heard about the direction of development in DeKalb: https://engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga.gov/wpd-2025
Additional Community Updates: Data-Center Regulations & PDK / Sky Harbour Development
Data-Center Regulations — What You Should Know
We know data-center proposals have raised questions and concerns across DeKalb — especially around land use, environmental and health impacts, water use, and proximity to residential areas. That’s why I want you all to know where things stand now:
The County is currently drafting a new ordinance to regulate data centers, defining how they’d be zoned and built, what size thresholds apply (from Minor up to Campus), and what safeguards are required — including water-use plans, noise buffer zones, landscaping, and sustainability measures.
On Nov. 20, 2025, the BOC’s Zoning Committee deferred a vote on the draft ordinance to give more time for review and public input. The next decision-only hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16, 2025.
This means no data-center application will proceed until the new rules are adopted — and community voice will be central in shaping those rules. I will share the draft ordinance and a link to public feedback when it’s finalized.
What you can do now:
You can read the draft ordinance and leave feedback on the county website here: DeKalb County Data Center Text Amendment – Engage DeKalb
If you have concerns or support, please reach out to me directly or to Planning & Sustainability — we want to hear from you.
PDK / Sky Harbour Hangar Development — What’s Next for Our Airport & Community
As you may know, the Board of Commissioners recently approved a major hangar development at PDK with Sky Harbour — a 6-1 vote giving the green light to build eight new hangars on roughly 12.8 acres.
Here’s the key info and what it means for us:
The project represents a $45 million investment, with no direct appropriation from the County.
Over the 50-year lease term, it is estimated to generate a $576 million economic impact, with substantial lease-revenue and tax growth benefits for the County and PDK.
Part of the commitment is setting aside $1 million annually for community reinvestment. Also, the County will establish a “Friends of PDK” advisory group and a dedicated Community Relations Manager to ensure ongoing dialogue between PDK, Sky Harbour, and our residents.
An environmental review — including air-quality and noise studies — is underway. Early monitoring and full study results are expected by Summer 2026.
I believe in responsible growth and want to ensure that PDK remains an asset for DeKalb — one that brings jobs, revenue, and opportunity without sacrificing the quality of life and environmental safety of our neighborhoods.
What’s Next & How You Can Stay Involved
As the environmental and noise-impact studies progress, the County will share updates. I will personally work to make sure community concerns are addressed through noise mitigation, emissions control, and transparent communications.
We will launch the “Friends of PDK” group — I hope many of you will consider joining so community voices guide decision-making.
For questions or to share feedback, contact my office or the County’s Community Relations Manager assigned to this project.
I’ll continue to track both of these items closely — especially the data-center regulations, since what we do now will set the tone for DeKalb’s land use and sustainability for years to come.
As always: your voice matters, your input matters — and I’m thankful to serve a community that cares.
Upcoming Meetings & Important Dates
Dec 9, 2025
Regular Board of Commissioners Meeting
What to Watch For: Possible related zoning or land-use items. Watch the agenda as it gets posted.
Dec 16, 2025
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners (Decision-Only on Data Center Regulations)
What to Watch For: Final vote on new data-center ordinance. Draft 3 is now available for public review.
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Public Feedback / Comment Period (Online)
What to Watch For: Review the draft data-center ordinance, read supplemental materials, and leave comments via the county’s public portal.
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Ongoing
What to Watch For: Environmental & noise-impact studies for the PDK / Sky Harbour hangar development — results expected by mid-2026.
How to Participate & Stay Engaged
Review the draft ordinance and related materials here: “Data Center Text Amendment” on the official county portal.
Leave feedback in the “Questions & Comments” box on that same page. Public input will help shape final regulations.
Watch for meeting agendas on the County’s public meetings calendar.
Stay tuned for releases of environmental and noise-impact studies related to the PDK hangar expansion. Updates will be shared across my communications channels as they become available.
