Planning commission hears final draft design guidelines; month-long public review opens

City planning commissioners on April 22 heard a progress update on the city'wide design guidelines from the project consultant, who said the guidance is intended as an advisory, graphic bridge between the comprehensive plan and the development code.

The consultant, Mr. Ghosh, told the commission the document organizes design guidance around a vision and three "realms" ' public realm (streetscapes and furnishings), private site design and building design ' and includes area-specific character notes for districts including City Springs, Perimeter, North End and Powers Ferry. "This is going the design guidelines are advisory in nature, very much like the comprehensive plan," he said, adding that the guidelines are meant to inform pre-application review and, in some cases, could be folded into code or technical manuals in the future.

Commissioners were shown multiple diagrams and curated images illustrating streetscape kits of parts (benches, bike racks, lighting), tree and planting guidance, and building massing and materials intended to increase walkability and place character. Mr. Ghosh said the guidelines grew from a year of public engagement, including five rounds of public meetings, pop-up events and surveys, and that the draft will be available online for comment through May 15, 2026 at spr.gsdesign.

During Q&A commissioners asked whether some elements might be made prescriptive rather than advisory to ensure a consistent Sandy Springs aesthetic. Mr. Ghosh said staff and consultants are discussing ways to give certain district-level items more "teeth" while preserving flexibility for property owners. He also said the guidelines are expected to inform pre-application consultations and could influence rezonings or design review, but that detailed implementation would be worked out with city staff.

The commission was told the next step is a public meeting tomorrow evening and a month-long online comment period; staff will collect feedback, refine the draft, then bring the document back through the formal adoption process with public hearings before the planning commission and then city council.

Commissioners did not take an action to adopt the guidelines at the April 22 meeting; the update was presented as a work session and the public comment period will remain open until May 15, when staff and consultants will refine the document before formal hearings.