Commissioner Terry Rallies DeKalb for a Bright, Sustainable Future at World Planning Day & DeKalb Green New Deal Festival

DEKALB COUNTY – Commissioner Ted Terry (D-Super District 6) proudly announces a successful collaboration with DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability through a joint event on Saturday, Nov. 9th that included over 200 attendees who enjoyed a day of fun while discussing sustainability, urban planning and the county’s growing commitment to environmental resilience. 

Since its launch in 2023, the DeKalb Green New Deal has successfully mobilized a movement of over 700 climate champions and passed over 20 climate action policies, resolutions and initiatives. At this World Planning Day, Team Terry announced new goals for the DeKalb Green New Deal in 2025. They include ensuring the DeKalb Clean Energy Plan gets funded, DeKalb County follows through with the commitment to deploy clean energy projects, a Sustainability Fund is established, and an Environmental Justice Commission is established. 

“The World Planning Day featuring the DeKalb Green New Deal Festival was a tremendous success, bringing together community members committed to a greener, more resilient DeKalb County,” Commissioner Terry said. “We’re excited to capture this energy and plan to harness it as we fight for environmental justice, equal access to resources and robust economic opportunities for our communities.” 

“World Planning Day featuring the DeKalb Green New Deal Festival” featured partnerships with over 20 local organizations, businesses and performers. Attendees of all ages enjoyed live music and DJs, food trucks and eco-friendly workshops about composting, eco-friendly cleaning products and an introduction to planting.

“Partnering with our County Commissioners for the World Planning Day festival elevated our event to new heights.  Featuring the DeKalb Green New Deal played a vital role to enhance our sustainability activities for the event,”  said Cedric Hudson, Director of DeKalb County’s Planning and Sustainability Department. “This collaboration provided residents with valuable insights into the power of planning as a route to creating a sustainable future for DeKalb County.”

Initiatives like World Planning Day 2023 and the DeKalb Green New Deal Summit, have continued to inspire and engage residents across DeKalb County. Last year’s events saw hundreds of DeKalb County residents come together to plant trees with Trees Atlanta, learn vital water conservation techniques with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, hike Arabia Mountain at sunrise, explore the unique design of a pocket neighborhood and discover the rewards of a productive urban landscape. 

Commissioner Ted Terry Advocates for Responsible Watershed Management and Fair Sewer Fee Solutions

Urges targeted relief to protect seniors, residents with disabilities and underserved communities 

DEKALB COUNTY – The following is a statement from Commissioner Ted Terry in response to yesterday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, where the water and sewer rate increase was discussed:

“The Watershed Management Department oversees over 5,000 miles of water and wastewater pipes, a vital service that protects public health and supports environmental sustainability. However, years of underfunding have put the reliability of this system at risk.

“I understand the concerns about fee increases, which is why I introduced a resolution today to ensure we’re managing resources responsibly. Through regular operational audits of the Watershed Management Department, we can guarantee that every dollar spent delivers value to our community and keeps this essential service sustainable for future generations.

“I am also proud to support Commissioner Long Spear’s resolution that will protect seniors, residents with disabilities and underserved communities from being disproportionately affected by the new rate increases. This approach will maintain fairness for all ratepayers while safeguarding the long-term reliability of our water and sewer services. It’s about striking the right balance—ensuring everyone contributes fairly without placing an undue burden on any group.”

Commissioner Terry Announces First-Ever Collaboration for World Planning Day & DeKalb Green New Deal Festival

DEKALB COUNTY – Commissioner Ted Terry (D-Super District 6) is proud to announce the collaboration with DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability to host a community focused event on Nov. 9, 2024. The event, “World Planning Day featuring the DeKalb Green New Deal Festival,” invites residents to enjoy a day of fun while discussing sustainability, urban planning, and the county’s growing commitment to environmental resilience. 

This collaboration also includes partnerships with 20 local organizations, businesses and performers. Attendees of all ages can look forward to a good time, an opportunity to share their concerns about sustainability, and hearing from experts about the power of urban planning to create a climate resilient and environmentally just DeKalb. 

“This collaboration is a powerful reflection of our community’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience,” said Commissioner Terry. “By bringing together local organizations, businesses and advocates, we’re not only creating a strategic plan for DeKalb County’s future but also making sure everyone has a chance to participate, learn and have a great time.”

Since launching in 2023, the DeKalb Green New Deal successfully mobilized a movement of over 700 climate champions and passed 20 climate action policies, resolutions and initiatives. This momentum has only grown, with this year’s event set to be more impactful through the partnership with DeKalb Sustainability and Planning. 

“We’re excited to join forces with Commissioner Terry and the community for this year’s World Planning Day event, which celebrates good planning and its impact on the lives of people, creating places where to live, work and play together,” said Larry Washington, Long Range Planning Manager. “This collaboration highlights that everyone has the power to make an impact, and by working together, we can create a sustainable future for DeKalb.”

Last year’s event drew hundreds of passionate DeKalb County citizens who engaged in hands-on activities such as planting trees with Trees Atlanta and attending a rain barrel workshop hosted by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

Save the date for November 9th. Our collaborative event will feature interactive workshops focused on sustainability and planning for climate resilience, along with live entertainment and performances. Attendees can enjoy delicious offerings from local food trucks and vendors, and families can participate in fun, family-friendly activities, and exciting giveaways. 

More information will be shared here as the event date approaches. 

Commissioner Terry Champions Resolution to Transform South River Forest, Advancing Environmental Justice in DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY – Marking a pivotal moment in the fight for environmental justice, Commissioner Ted Terry’s (D-Super District 6) resolution to protect the South River Forest and address decades of environmental neglect in southeast Atlanta and southwest DeKalb County was approved by the Board of Commissioners last week. 

This resolution adopts the recommendations of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) “Explore South River Forest” report and sets in motion a collaborative effort with the City of Atlanta and the ARC to develop a comprehensive master plan for the area. The plan will focus on land acquisition, park design, trail construction, reforestation, stream restoration and improvements to the sewer system, all of which are crucial for enhancing the quality of life for residents while preserving our forests, which are a great defense against climate change. 

“This resolution is a transformative step toward a healthier, more resilient future for South River Forest communities,” said Commissioner Terry. “By committing to this effort, we are not only safeguarding our natural resources but also righting the wrongs of environmental injustices that have burdened these communities for decades. We are laying the groundwork for a legacy of environmental justice and sustainability that will benefit not just the surrounding area, but the entire county.”

For more information on the South River Forest initiative and the ongoing efforts to develop a master plan, please review the ARC report. 

From Civil Rights to Environmental Justice, DeKalb County Takes Action at DeKalb Green New Deal Event 

JULY 2, 2024

Panelist speakers from left to right: Codi Norred, Attorney Gerald Griggs, Joanna Kobylivker, Commissioner Ted Terry, Pastor Lee May, Djuan Coleon Smith, Lavonya Jones, and Rev. Marlin Harris

DEKALB COUNTY– This past weekend, Commissioner Ted Terry (D-District 6) alongside faith leaders gathered with community members to discuss the intersectionality of civil rights and environmental justice, underscoring the imperative to protect fundamental human rights like access to clean water and a safe environment for all residents regardless of race or socio-economic status. 

DeKalb County residents have a long history of fighting against environmental injustices and this year Commissioner Terry proposed a resident-let environmental justice commission to address and advocate for environmental injustice and collaboratively identify short and long-term mitigation and restoration goals. The Board of Commissioners will vote on this resolution on July 23rd.

“As we seek to establish the Environmental Justice Commission, I want my community to feel empowered as we collectively address the environmental injustices that have burdened our communities for too long,” said Commissioner Terry (D-District 6). “Together, we will work to restore and improve a DeKalb County where environmental equity is not just a promise, but a reality.”

Panelists drew parallels between civil rights and environmental justice, emphasizing both as essential fights for human rights and calling for community action in the same spirit of activism that defined the Civil Rights era.

“The Civil Rights movement was about fighting for our basic human rights and yet again, we find ourselves in the same position, watching both action and inaction deteriorate the world we live in,” said Reverend Gerald Durley. “We can no longer accept that people in underserved communities are the most vulnerable to systematic neglect that impacts our waterways with waste and plastic and our neighborhoods with smog and pollution.” 

Participants highlighted the disproportionate impact of pollution on underserved communities and advocated for clean up measures that would hold entities accountable for environmental harms.

“We need our communities to feel empowered, to know that they don’t have to endure the environmental injustice imposed on them,” said Attorney Gerald Griggs, President of NAACP Georgia. “That’s why we need to have these community events, to have these conversations so that together we can create a DeKalb County where everyone’s human rights are protected.” 

There were close to one hundred residents present at this event, many of which expressed their interest in joining the proposed environmental justice commission. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A RECORDING OF THE EVENT

DeKalb commissioner proposes resident-led environmental justice commission

From the Saporta Report

by Mark Lannaman

Published: April 26, 2024 3:37 pm

Last week, Commissioner Ted Terry (DeKalb District 6) introduced a resolution to create a resident-led environmental justice commission that would enable citizens to more directly influence environmental policy in their communities.

The reason behind the introduced legislation and an increased focus on environmental justice is a simple matter of due diligence, Commissioner Terry said.

“DeKalb County residents have voiced their concerns to me loud and clear: They need to be at the heart of the decisions that affect their environment and health,” Commissioner Terry said in a press release. “The DeKalb Environmental Justice Commission will provide for collaboration, transparency and ensure accountability to those we serve so that we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all of DeKalb County.” 

The commission is in line with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, ensuring that 40 percent of certain federal legislation makes its way into stressed communities who need it most.

“There’s eight or nine census tracts in DeKalb County that fit the criteria of having a combination of high pollution and other socioeconomic factors that really point to individuals and communities being on the front lines of a lot of environmental injustices,” Terry said. 

Terry said the commission is being modeled after similar proposals at the state level, although the state Environmental Justice Commission was not passed this past legislative session. Still, the necessity of environmental justice commissions remains a priority even on local scales.

Having served in DeKalb County as a commissioner since 2020, and before that as Mayor of Clarkston from 2013 to 2022, Terry said he’s become quite familiar with some of the environmental concerns around the community. 

These concerns include the Seminole Road Landfill which can produce unbearable odors for neighboring residents that were promised a small landfill decades ago. Other concerns include sewer overflow into the South River as well as the latest developments from the Public Service Commision and Georgia Power which has been steadily increasing rates, exacerbating energy burdens on stressed households.

The press release details what the commission would entail:

  • Organizational meetings and public hearings
  • Preparing budget considerations for the Board of Commissioners
  • Preparing model legislation for consideration by the Board of Commissioners
  • Monitoring progress and making recommendations toward DeKalb County’s current environmental efforts
  • Providing quarterly updates to the Board of Commissioners
  • Conduct scientific analyses and generate comprehensive reports on the state of environmental justice in DeKalb County

The legislation was added to the public agenda this past Tuesday and referred to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, where Terry and two other commissioners serve. There, lawmakers hope to refine the legislation with the hopes of another draft in June. If adopted, the commission would start in March of 2025 and have a five-year initial term.

Commissioner Ted Terry Introduces Resolution to Create a Resident-Led Environmental Justice Commission

The proposal for this Commission is in direct response to residents’ call for inclusion in decisions about environmental policies impacting their communities.

DEKALB COUNTY– Today, Commissioner Ted Terry (D-District 6) introduced a resolution that will give DeKalb County residents a voice in addressing environmental justice issues that have plagued their communities. This Commission will ensure DeKalb County prioritizes environmental justice initiatives and remains aligned with the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. 

Commissioner Terry’s call for the DeKalb Environmental Justice Commission is a direct response to residents’ call for greater transparency in current and ongoing environmental efforts, like DeKalb County’s consent decree, as well as greater inclusion and equity in environmental decision-making to ensure that all community members, especially those historically underserved and overburdened by pollution, are at the table.

“DeKalb County residents have voiced their concerns to me loud and clear: they need to be at the heart of the decisions that affect their environment and health,” said Commissioner Terry. “The DeKalb Environmental Justice Commission will provide for collaboration, transparency and ensure accountability to those we serve so that we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all of DeKalb County.” 

The responsibilities of the proposed Environmental Commission include holding organizational meetings and public hearings, preparing budget considerations for the Board of Commissioners, preparing model legislation for consideration by the Board of Commissioners, monitoring progress and making recommendations towards DeKalb County’s current environmental efforts, and providing quarterly updates to the Board of Commissioners. They will also conduct scientific analyses and generate comprehensive reports on the state of environmental justice in DeKalb County. 

Commissioner Terry Advances DeKalb Green New Deal Agenda, Paving the Way for Sustainable Cottage Communities During Nationwide Housing Crisis

Cottage Court Ordinance changes zoning laws to allow for micro-homes to be built in DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY– Commissioner Ted Terry (D-District 6) last week advanced his Green New Deal agenda with the passage of the Cottage Court Ordinance, which amends the existing DeKalb County Zoning Ordinance to allow for smaller homes to be built on smaller lots, sustainably increasing affordable housing stock. 

A Dekalb County Housing Affordability study confirms that 35 percent of DeKalb County households have a housing affordability burden, paying more than 30 percent of their income for their housing. This same study highlights the steady decline of affordable rental housing units in DeKalb county from 2000 to 2019, with the share of affordable rental units declining most significantly, from 54 percent to 34 percent for very low income households. 

“Building cottage homes is a critical component of addressing the nationwide housing crisis,” said Commissioner Terry. “Not only are we able to provide developers with another, cheaper option other than single-family, detached residential construction on single lots, but cottage homes require less energy and are more sustainable.”

When Commissioner Terry was Mayor of Clarkson, he joined with MicroLife Institute to 

spearheaded the construction of the Cottages on Vaughn, a pocket community of 8 homes built on only half an acre. Because of their size, cottage homes often require less energy to heat, cool and light the home. They can also be a powerful conservation tool because more homes can be built on less land. 

The Cottages on Vaughn have been recognized locally by the Atlanta Regional Commission, and nationally by the US Department of Housing and Urban HUD, which called the project, “a practical solution to address affordability and accessibility.” 

“I’m excited to bring an affordable housing solution I know works to DeKalb residents,” said Commissioner Terry. “Not only are cottages affordable, they’re designed with sustainability in mind. For example, cottages are built in walkable areas so residents don’t have to rely on emissions-producing cars to go about their daily lives. Additionally, the look and feel of the cottages are designed to blend into the surrounding community, reducing the stigma often associated with affordable housing developments.”

Dekalb County Commissioners Express Support for Okefenokee Swamp

Protecting the Okefenokee Swamp and Its Impact Yesterday, Today, and For the Future Generations of Tomorrow


Decatur, GA (10/24/2023) – The Dekalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution today expressing support for the Okefenokee Swamp in the face of a threat posed by a proposed titanium strip mine.  

By a 7-0 vote, the commissioners noted the ecological and economic significance of the swamp, expressed solidarity with South Georgia government entities that have spoken out against Twin Pines Minerals’ proposed titanium mine along the swamp’s hydrologic boundary, and also stated their support for state legislative action to protect the Okefenokee.  

“The Okefenokee Swamp is Georgia’s greatest natural treasure and is beloved by Dekalb County citizens,” said Commissioner Ted Terry, who introduced the resolution.  “Mining along the swamp’s boundary is simply incompatible with this priceless ecosystem.  Dekalb County joins numerous South Georgia local governments in urging the state to deny the permits for the Twin Pines project and urges the state legislature to pass the Okefenokee Protection Act that would permanently prohibit mining along the swamp’s boundary.”

Dekalb’s action follows similar resolutions passed by Ware, Clinch and Echols Counties and the cities of Valdosta, Waycross, Homeland and St. Mary’s that have expressed opposition to the mining proposal.   Those resolutions in turn followed over 100,000 comments submitted by Georgia citizens to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division earlier this year in opposition to the project’s permit applications. The Okefenokee Protection Act has been introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives the last two years.  The 2023 version has attracted 96 bipartisan cosponsors, including many from Dekalb County, and would prohibit mining on along the entirety of the swamp’s hydrologic boundary.  

Commissioner Ted Terry hosts ‘Green New Deal Summit’ to generate support for environmental policies

From Decaturish.com

Published: October 16, 2023

By: Anila Yoganathan, contributor 

DeKalb County, GA — In an effort to generate support for environmental policies to redesign DeKalb County, commissioner Ted Terry hosted more than 100 residents at the Green New Deal Summit on Saturday. 

The all-day conference included discussions on how to conserve energy and save on electric bills at home and presented ideas on how to make the county more accessible by foot or bike, less dependent on cars, and how to protect the trees, especially during new development.

“Some of these things are kind of radical, like building tiny homes and preserving 50% of land for non-development. Like that’s kind of controversial,” Terry told Decaturish. “You need people who support that concept, they have to say that they support it because that’s how politics works.”

Each presentation highlighted current initiatives for the county, with the goal of getting residents to come and support these initiatives at the county commission.

The sessions included groups that are already working with the county on sustainability efforts, such as the Southface Institute, which spoke with residents on common myths on how to save on their electric bills or upgrade their homes to be more energy efficient. 

For example, if residents are interested in solar panels, they should consider making other changes to reduce their bills first and join a solarize campaign to crowdsource funding for buying panels in bulk rather than invest on their own, Southface Project Manager Jo’de Cummings said.

This is the Southface Institute’s first of five sessions for community engagement, and future sessions will continue to build knowledge, Terry said.

Presentations were also given by researchers and organizations that are promoting alternative methods of how to develop land in the county.

“I hope that I’ve convinced you we do not need to tear down a single tree,” said Ellen Dunham-Jones, director for Masters of Science in Urban Design at Georgia Tech, at the end of her presentation. 

Dunham-Jones presented proposals by her students on different areas in the county that could be redeveloped with a more sustainable lens. This included proposals from students going back to 2021 about how to redevelop North Dekalb Mall, the Gallery at South Dekalb, Memorial Drive, and Scottdale. The students spoke with property owners and community members to help inform their proposals. They also analyzed historic maps that helped inform environmental conditions. 

Some of these proposals are current areas that have been discussed for redevelopment in Dekalb, such as the DeKalb Farmers Market, which Dunham-Jones said plans to increase its operations and parking lot by about fivefold, and its plans are already approved.

“We love the farmers market. We absolutely want to be supportive. It is a fantastic asset to our community,” Dunham-Jones said. “But instead of having a massive urban heat island producing a lot of polluting runoff, this team [of students] proposed that instead the parking for the store [be put] in a parking garage attached to the new store.”

The land that would have been used for the parking lot could then be used to make a car-free neighborhood, Dunham-Jones said. The goal of more walkable areas includes increased accessibility for people who do not have a car or cannot drive, reduced traffic and reduced air pollution.

“Developers have had their run of DeKalb County for 60-plus years,” Terry said. “We can’t go back in time. So the best approach is to do two things: to conserve what we have and to make better use of what we’ve already done.”

The presentations were not only meant to educate residents on different ways of thinking about development in the county, but also how each of these issues is impacted by the county government’s planning and zoning decisions. 

“Because we grew up in the 50s and the 60s, we have lots of roads connecting low-density neighborhoods, right? What does that mean? It means we have potholes everywhere. Why? We can’t afford to maintain our roads,” Walter Brown, who presented information on trails, said. “So what are we doing with our SPLOST, a huge chunk of it … goes to repaving. Wouldn’t you like to see that money reprogrammed to sustainable transportation alternatives?”

Brown presented information about the county’s research into multi-use trails, which also comes as two trail expansion projects are being looked at in Commissioner Michelle Long Spears’ district two: the Emory trail expansion and the Peachtree Creek Greenway. The presentation included discussing the benefits to health, job creation, and environmental benefits. 

The final presentation pulled some of the prior discussions together by looking at village conservation communities where trees are preserved and land is used effectively. Greg Ramsey, founder of Village Habitat Design, said there is limited undeveloped land in DeKalb County. 

The program looks at undeveloped parcels clustered together or near one another and creates designs based on the parcels where development should go, where trails can be implemented, and where walkability and community infrastructure can be put. The approach prioritizes nature, urban agriculture, and development. 

“We need walkable villages and hamlets to bring local workplaces back so that it’s not an absentee neighborhood. Instead, it’s an active neighborhood,” Ramsey said.