Airport Advisory Board Notes – March 9

These notes have been provided by Jordan Fox, the Super District 6 Airport Advisory Board Appointee, on 3/11/2026. The official meeting minutes, once approved, can be found here.

For more details and information on other meetings click here.

Notes from 3/9/2026 PDK Airport Advisory Board Meeting

Meeting started at 6:04

I) Approval of February 2026 minutes

Passed unanimously.

II) Information/Old Business
Director’s Report

  • Airfield Crack Seal and Remarking Project.  Still waiting for this, but it should start around mid-April and take 2 months to complete.  Cost is about $930k, but 75% of that is state funded.  The repairs should last 10-12 years.
  • Semi-Final for World Cup may see some uptick in operations.  Crosswind runway may be shut down for parking.  TBD.
  • Airport Perimeter Fencing Project: GDOT gave $2M towards this.  Working to finalize the project so bidding can open at end of month.  Details on the upgrade: Fencing is being repaired when needed.  Also the fence facing the road (i.e. Clairmont Road) will be black, vinyl fencing.  Gates will also be replaced as needed.  
  • Aviation Day at PDK: I asked about this as Commissioner Terry mentioned it was full.  This is being run through the Atlanta STEM Foundation and will be March 13 (Friday).  A board member asked how it was advertised and minority participation will be encouraged.  We were told it was advertised through the schools and that there will likely be a good amount of minority attendees.  It was also noted that there will be STEM info at the PDK Good Neighbor Day Airshow on September 19.

Noise Report – February 2026

  • Sarah Moore (smoore@dekalbcountyga.gov) was introduced as PDK’s new Noise Abatement Analyst.  Korey Barnes had been doing that and being the Assistant Director of PDK at the same time.  Team is finally at full strength!  Korey gave this report.
  • Operations down roughly 1% in February and about 2% YTD (Year To Date).
  • Flight School traffic should pick up as warmer weather arrives.
  • 979 complaints, 9% of which is during voluntary curfew.  Curfew complaints are trending downward
  • PDK cannot get contour maps during curfew hours (only available over 24 hour period.
  • Only consistent violators of curfew are Medevac flights.
  • 8.6 complaints per household minus the top 2%.  One complainant in 30345 zip code made 54% of complaints and the top 3 complainants represent 72% of all noise complaints.

It was noted that PDK is limited in terms of what it can do regarding noise complaints per FAA policy and federal law.  The FAA’s noise policy is dated and they are currently reviewing it.  That is why it is important for residents who wish to submit complaints to do so, so that there is trackable data.

There were questions/comments in person and in the meeting chat from residents in Brookhaven that are unhappy from noise from a flight school plane.  One resident noted that he has been in his house since the 1970’s and noise is way up since January.  It was noted that PDK is under Hartsfield Jackson airport’s airspace.  When asked Hunter said he believed that there are 8-9 flight schools based out of PDK.  The Brookhaven residents seemed to appreciate the interaction with the Board and PDK team and said they would like to continue the discussion in coming months.

Other business

AAB Chairman Doug Miller said he had a good Conversation with Commissioner Terry regarding PDK landing fees which are scheduled to take effect April 1.  It was agreed to see how things go starting April 1 and then we can re-evaluate if need be.  

III) New Business

None

IV) Public Comment – 

A) Question from Larry Foster about Hardee Avenue rezoning.  Note that this area is outside of PDK Airport.  AeroCenter (formerly Epps) noted that they own the property.  They tore down condemned houses to build more parking as they do not have enough parking on airport property.

Meeting adjourned at 7:16 pm.

Eye-Opening Property Tax Exemptions Explained During December 5 “Aging in Placers” Event

TAX-PRESENTATION-2TRAINERS-POINTING

Staff from the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office delivered an eye-opening tax presentation hosted by Commissioner Terry’s Aging in Placers* on December 5, 2025.

The Tax Commissioner’s Office staff explained, line by line, the “DeKalb County Real Estate Tax Statement” (Property Tax Bill) and how Homestead Exemptions can provide significant savings on annual property taxes.

Applicants must own and reside at the property within the County, and the Basic Homestead Exemption is required before applying for Special Exemptions.

The 2026 Homestead Exemption Information** sheet provides more details. Please read every word on both sides of the sheet, including the asterisk (*) note at the end. Then make sure you have the Basic Homestead Exemption and all Special Exemptions for which you qualify. If you have questions, email, call, or make an appointment to go to the tax office and talk to a staff member to determine which exemptions apply and help you complete the application for those tax reductions. 

The Deadline to apply for exemptions is April 1st for the current tax year. Applications received after the deadline will be applied to the following year. Applications are accepted year-round in person, by mail, and by dropbox for basic and special exemptions. This includes exemptions for disabled veterans, disabled residents, and seniors ages 62 and older. Online applications can be submitted from January 1 to April 1. For eligibility requirements, required documents, city-related taxes, and more, visit the Tax Office website. 

Schedule an Appointment: https://dekalbtax.org/make-an-appointment/

Contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office:

*Aging in Placers is an initiative of Commissioner Ted Terry, DeKalb County Super District 6.

** Please note: this blog was originally posted with the 2025 Homestead Exemption Information Sheet. This has been updated as of 1/6/2026 to the 2026 Homestead Exemption Information Sheet as the 2025 is no longer available online. If you are viewing this after 2026, we recommend reaching out to the Tax Commissioner’s Office for the most up to date information.

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Passes Resolution to Establish the Environmental Justice and Sustainability Resident Review Group

Recognizing the importance of equitable protection for the environment and residential health while giving community members a seat at the table to further environmental justice in DeKalb County.

*media interviews available*

DEKALB COUNTY – On December 16, 2025, The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution establishing an Environmental Justice and Sustainability Resident Review Group. The stated mission of the advisory group is to provide professional and resident advice to the Board of Commissioners for their use in policy decisions involving issues of sustainability, green jobs, energy initiatives and environmental justice as well as monitor the progress and make recommendations towards current environmental efforts such as the County’s 100% Clean Energy and Transportation Transition Plan. The resolution, introduced by Super District 6 Commissioner, Ted Terry, comes amid growing concerns by residents about the proliferation of data centers and their impact on the environment and public health.

“Today, environmental justice topics manifest in the form of data centers, energy burden, and pollution,” said Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry. “If we are to prioritize environmental justice and a clean energy transition, we must do so with the input of those who are directly affected and relevant professionals who can provide vital data to inform policy decisions. We cannot advocate for the community that we serve without centering community voice.”

The resolution charges the Review Group with an annual report, which would include a review of statutes, rules and policies related to DeKalb County’s siting and land use decisions, with a focus on sites which would pose a threat to human health. The report would also include a review and recommendation of potential policies and operating procedures that would highlight considerations of environmental equality, environmental justice, and protection of high-risk areas.

More details about the resolution can be found here.

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ABOUT DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry:

In 2020, Commissioner Ted Terry was elected to serve as the Super District 6 Commissioner of DeKalb County. His district includes half of the County with portions of South, Central, and North DeKalb, totaling approximately 350,000 residents. He successfully was reelected and began his second term in January 2025.

Commissioner Terry’s policy priorities include the DeKalb Green New Deal and former President Biden’s Justice 40 initiatives, affordable housing, transit equity, protecting voting rights for DeKalb residents, and criminal justice reform. Commissioner Terry serves as the Chair of Finance and Budget (FAB) and is a member of the Planning, Economic Development and Community Service (PECS) committee. He previously served as the Chair of the Employee Relations and Public Safety committee (ERPS) and Chair of the Operations Committee (OPS) and as a member of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWI).

The Commissioner also serves as a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) as a member of the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, International Economic Development Task Force, Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Member, Resilient Counties Advisory Board Member, and Environment, Energy, and Land Use (EELU) Policy Steering Committee. Locally serves on theGeorgia Council for International Visitors Board of Trustees.

Prior to his election, Commissioner Terry served as the Mayor of the most ethnically diverse square mile in America: Clarkston, Georgia from January 2014 – March 2020, where he was the youngest Mayor in Clarkston’s 135-year history.

He resides in DeKalb County with his wife Andrea and 4-legged fur-babies.

To learn more about Commissioner Terry, his platforms and how to stay up to date on the latest from his office, visit www.commissionertedterry.com.

Follow the Commissioner on social media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Commissioner Terry Advocates for an Extension of the Data Center Moratorium for 12 Months- Calls for Independent Environmental and Public Health Study

Data Center image

The motion fails by a 3-4 vote. The final vote on the item extended the moratorium for six months, to June 23, 2026.

*media interviews available*

DEKALB COUNTY – On December 16, 2025, Agenda Item 2025-1694: “Application of the Director of Planning and Sustainability to extend a moratorium on the permitting or other authorization of any new data centers, or the expansion of any existing data centers, in Unincorporated DeKalb County” was discussed to extend the data center moratorium to March 26, 2026.

Commissioner Ted Terry advocated instead the moratorium be extended for 12 months, to the last meeting in December 2026, to allow for additional time for DeKalb County to conduct an independent Environmental and Public Health Study.

“Residents are worried about noise near homes, parks, and trails. They are worried about air quality and the health impacts of diesel generators and increased fossil-fuel generation. They are worried about water use, stormwater runoff, and potential impacts on local streams and drinking water systems. They are worried about grid reliability and whether massive energy users will strain neighborhood power systems. And they are worried about equity — about whether communities that have historically hosted landfills and heavy industrial uses are once again being asked to absorb the impacts of yet another speculative development with adverse outcomes.” Said Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry.

In a statement by Commissioner Terry, he indicated the study should examine but not be limited to noise, air quality, diesel emissions, water use, stormwater impacts, heat, grid strain, and climate implications. He also indicated it should evaluate how these impacts intersect with existing environmental burdens and health disparities across the county.

This motion failed by a 3-4 vote. The final vote on the item extended the moratorium for six months, to June 23, 2026, but did not include mention of the independent Environmental and Public Health Study.

Additionally, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted on Agenda Item 2025-0972 “Application of the Director of Planning and Sustainability to amend Chapter 27 to Establish a Definition, Regulatory Guidelines, and Development Standards for Data Centers in M (Industrial), M-2 (Heavy Industrial), O-I (Office-Institutional), and O-D (Office-Distribution) zoning districts. This text amendment is County-wide.” To better align with the moratorium and allow the regulations to include details from a possible independent Environmental and Public Health Study, Commissioner Terry advocated to defer to June. The final vote deferred the item to January 27, 2026.

A data center moratorium was originally introduced as Agenda Item 2025-0996 by Commissioner Ted Terry and approved on July 8, 2025. Agenda Item 2025-1694, voted on today, is the fourth data center moratorium introduced this year.

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ABOUT DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry:

In 2020, Commissioner Ted Terry was elected to serve as the Super District 6 Commissioner of DeKalb County. His district includes half of the County with portions of South, Central, and North DeKalb, totaling approximately 350,000 residents. He successfully was reelected and began his second term in January 2025.

Commissioner Terry’s policy priorities include the DeKalb Green New Deal and former President Biden’s Justice 40 initiatives, affordable housing, transit equity, protecting voting rights for DeKalb residents, and criminal justice reform. Commissioner Terry serves as the Chair of Finance and Budget (FAB) and is a member of the Planning, Economic Development and Community Service (PECS) committee. He previously served as the Chair of the Employee Relations and Public Safety committee (ERPS) and Chair of the Operations Committee (OPS) and as a member of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWI).

The Commissioner also serves as a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) as a member of the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, International Economic Development Task Force, Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Member, Resilient Counties Advisory Board Member, and Environment, Energy, and Land Use (EELU) Policy Steering Committee. Locally serves on theGeorgia Council for International Visitors Board of Trustees.

Prior to his election, Commissioner Terry served as the Mayor of the most ethnically diverse square mile in America: Clarkston, Georgia from January 2014 – March 2020, where he was the youngest Mayor in Clarkston’s 135-year history.

He resides in DeKalb County with his wife Andrea and 4-legged fur-babies.

To learn more about Commissioner Terry, his platforms and how to stay up to date on the latest from his office, visit www.commissionertedterry.com.

Follow the Commissioner on social media:Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

South DeKalb Data Center Town Hall

Data Center Town Hall meeting

Join Commissioner Terry and the Super District 6 Team in learning more about the proposed DeKalb County Data Center regulations, Commissioner Terry’s goals for the regulations to be stronger and greener and share your thoughts and questions. This Town Hall is set up to be primarily for audience participation, comments, and questions. See the latest update on the data center text amendments here.

  • A virtual option was available but experienced technical difficulties. This recording occurred after recognizing technical difficulties and therefor, does not include the entire Town Hall.