A developer proposes to open a liquor store in the closed Walgreens at Covington Hwy and Hairston Road.  The Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation urges you to join us in opposing this plan.

The developer needs a Special Land Use Permit to open a liquor store, as required by the Hidden Hills Overlay Code.  The community advocated for this requirement along with other codes to improve the diversity of businesses in this area.  Within four miles of this location, 5395 Covington Highway, there are at least 47 stores where one can buy liquor. We do not need another liquor store

This table provides details of the quantity of liquor stores, based on 2026 Yelp data.

	one-mile radius	two-mile radius	four-mile radius
Liquor Stores	5	8	20
Gas Stations and Convenience Stores	7	15	20
Grocery Stores	3	5	7
Total	15	28	47

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Please attend the Zoom meeting with the developer on April 2, 6 p.m., to express your concerns. 

You may also send an email to the Planning Department, which will be forwarded to representatives on the Planning Commission.  plansustain@dekalbcountyga.gov   And email District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson,mdjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov

After that, the SLUP petition review process begins. It goes to Community Council, probably on April 13, 6:30, on Zoom. Then, the Planning Commission will make a recommendation on May 5 (again on Zoom). Finally, the Board of Commissioners votes on May 28 (in-person meeting).  More information will be provided when the agenda is posted.

April 2, 6 pm,  Zoom Details

Topic: Special Land Use Permit for Package/Liquor Store
Time: Apr 2, 2026 06:00 PM  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89972899180?pwd=7bI3pzSOqkAJNlm7a66hg91mgqQCng.1

Meeting ID: 899 7289 9180
Passcode: 265142
— One tap mobile
+1 309 205 3325

Trees Continue to Enhance Hairston Road

Students in Trees Atlanta’s forestry program planted 31 trees between Central Dr.  and East Ponce de Leon Avenue March 11 (near Change Church). The March planting had been delayed due to weather.  We appreciate Trees Atlanta’s workforce development team for planting these trees.   We also want to thank Change Church for allowing the crew to park in their lot during the effort.

This project is a continuation of the effort to beautify our community. We have planted 327 trees since November 2021.  This fall, we’ll plant more!

We’re motivated by knowing that attractive streetscapes attract more investment. In addition, trees provide cooler air and shade, help to clean and capture water, and improve habitat for wildlife and humans.

Deferred: Proposed Data Center Regulation

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners deferred consideration of the data center regulations until May 12.  The latest draft of the zoning regulations regarding data centers is available by clicking here.   

Keep up with all planning and zoning projects at

Engage DeKalb.  This site has valuable information and links to dig deeper if desired.

Thank you to those who have contributed to the Greater Hidden Hills CDC.

Membership is $25 for individuals and $125 for neighborhood associations and businesses each year. 

Support the effort by clicking here.

Or donate directly through PayPal

Thank you for reading.  Let’s keep working together to leave our community better than we found it!

Written and prepared by Jan Costello.

Comments? Questions? Our email is GHHCDC@gmail.com