Our community faces another challenge to our vision of economic diversity and prosperity. We have many liquor stores, beauty shops, dollar stores, and auto-related businesses. A developer wants to put in a liquor store in the closed Walgreens at Covington and Hairston, 5395 Covington Highway, Stone Mountain, Ga., and needs a Special Land Use Permit. We deserve a diversity of businesses that cater to a wider array of interests and necessities. Please note the following important dates:
- June 6, 3 – 6 pm. United Neighbors for a Strong Community is staging its second protest. Meet on the public sidewalks of all 4 corners of Hairston/Covington Hwy. For more information, contact John McMillion at mcmillionj2@outlook.com
- June 8, 6:30 pm, via Zoom – the first public meeting. There are only five minutes for the opposition to speak, but the Council will note how many are in opposition.
Zoom link: https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/85393294400 or Telephone Dial: USA 888-270-9936 (US Toll Free) Conference code: 691303 - July 7, 6 pm, the Planning Commission hears the case. The Zoom link will be provided.
- July 23, 5:30 pm The Board of Commissioners hears the case, in person, at 178 Sams Street, Decatur.
You can also make your opinion matter in this way:
Sign this petition to say “No” to another liquor store and “Yes” to a more diverse and vibrant future. Together, we can influence the change we want to see.
https://www.change.org/no_more_liquor_stores
Send your comments to plansustain@dekalbcountyga.gov The Planning Department will forward the emails to the commissioners.
Write to your county commissioners.
Commissioner Mereda Davis-Johnson, District 5, mdjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov
Commissioner LaDena Bolton, District 7, labolton@dekalbcountyga.gov
There are 22 liquor stores within five miles of this location, shown below. (Data from ESRI Business Analyst, May 2026)
Click here for a list that names each one, with addresses.
This isn’t a fight against existing businesses, but a plea for balance. We welcome many types of new businesses. In the spring, the community responded to a Planning Department survey and overwhelmingly asked for more cafes and restaurants (no fast food), high quality grocery stores, a variety of retail options, entertainment venues, and professional services. We encourage developers to consider the demand for higher-end businesses in our area. They could capture the dollars we spend in Decatur, Avondale Estates, Tucker, and north DeKalb.
The Hidden Hills Overlay is Being Updated
We are updating the Hidden Hills overlay to attract mixed-use development along the main commercial corridors as well as bring it up-to-date with County zoning code changes.
The original code was approved in 2011. It did not bring about the redevelopment and businesses we had hoped for. Areas like the underused shopping centers at Hairston/Redan are ripe for redevelopment.
The main change is to allow 80% residential in the mixed-use projects rather than the current 70%. Additional density will be given for including restaurants or cafes, grocery stores, medical offices, retail, and/or more public space (all things the public asked for in the spring survey).
The amended code goes before the June 8 Community Council meeting, and then onto the Planning Commission on July 7 and Board of Commissioners on July 23.
Hurry and Sign Up: Annual Hidden Hills 5k Walk/Run/or Bike
Fun for all ages!
June 13, 8:30 a.m., at Biffle Park.
5221 Biffle Rd, Stone Mountain, GA
Stone Mountain, GA US 30088
The registration fee is still only $25/adult, children 12 and under are free! Group discounts are available for 3 or more. Click here to register now. Prices go up in June.
Sponsors, please reach out for partnership info! Write to: hhcamail@yahoo.com
June 12, 9 – 10 a.m. Join park lovers from the metro area on a walking tour of Hairston Park
We will show off the recently cleared path from the park to the Senior/Community Center! We’ll walk through the Serenity Garden, explore other paths, and bring people up-to-date on the lake improvements.
889 S Hairston Road, Stone Mountain
June 27, 10 am – 2 pm: for The Great American Campout and Environmental Day. It’s a day of outdoor fun, learning and adventure. There will be camping demonstrations, nature activities, birding, wildlife exploration, and environmental exhibits. It’s free and open to all. (Click here to download the flyer and share with friends!)
For more info, write to FriendsofHairstonPark@gmail.com
Please volunteer to help set up or tear down. Click here to sign up.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGntDebi7uocODgNdQAIhfPhq0iBKmKxCpHAhYUeaO6v7IiA/viewform
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
Greater Hidden Hills 