Woodstock City Council to Tackle Budget, Zoning Cases and Park Projects at May 18 Meeting

The Woodstock City Council will meet Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in The Chambers at City Center, 8534 Main Street, for a regular session that includes a first reading of the city's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, six public hearings on land use matters, and several consent agenda items related to park infrastructure and right-of-way agreements.

The meeting will open with a recognition ceremony honoring three Woodstock Police Department promotions: Officer Ledarrion Poole to Corporal, Corporal Joshua Buckner to Sergeant, and Sergeant Joseph LeCour to Lieutenant.

The most broadly consequential item on the agenda is the first reading and public hearing of Ordinance No. 2026-013, which would adopt the city's Annual Operating Budget for fiscal year 2027, covering the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Because this is a first reading, the council will not take a final vote at this meeting, but residents will have the opportunity to comment during the public hearing portion. A second reading and final vote would be required before the budget takes effect.

The council will also hold a second reading and vote on ZTA#020-26, a proposed amendment to the Land Development Ordinance affecting the Downtown District's lot-of-record standards. A separate zone text amendment, ZTA#021-26, is listed on the consent agenda and would update multiple chapters of the Land Development Ordinance, including general information, zone district performance standards, use districts and regulations, and downtown district standards.

Six land use cases are scheduled for public hearings, making this a particularly active zoning session. Residents interested in any of these cases may address the council during the public hearing for each item.

The council will consider V#221-26, a variance request for the Paragon project at 9026 Main Street and 105 Barnesdale Terrace. City staff recommends approval of the variance, which would allow angled on-street parking rather than the standard parallel parking configuration at that location.

Z#170-26 involves a rezoning, conditional use permit, and concurrent variance requests at 125 Lorraine Parkway to allow for the development of a 92,500-square-foot warehouse. Staff recommends approval with conditions.

Z#168-26 covers the proposed Barnesdale Terrace Redevelopment, which would involve rezoning, a conditional use permit, and concurrent variances to allow a 113-unit single-family development. Staff recommends partial approval, subject to conditions.

Z#169-26 concerns 8261 Main Street, where a zoning condition amendment and concurrent variance requests have been submitted for a previously approved project. Staff recommends approval with conditions for a development that would include 9,000 square feet of commercial space, 34 townhomes, and two condominium units.

CUP#095-26 is a request for a conditional use permit for a gas and fuel station use, along with concurrent variances, at 9845 Main Street. City staff recommends denial of this application.

On the consent agenda - items typically approved in a single vote without individual debate unless a council member requests otherwise - the council will consider two agreements related to Little River Park. The first is with Precision Blasting, LLC for drilling and blasting of non-rippable rock at the park entrance near Trickum Road, work made necessary by the construction of an entrance road and utilities from the recently completed Nocatee Trail Roundabout. The second agreement, with Blankenship Siteworks, covers the excavation and removal of the blasted rock from that same entrance.

Also on the consent agenda is a proposal from Pond & Company for design and engineering services for an Elm Street Pedestrian Plaza. The council will also consider approving an agreement and release of a special provision with CRL Real Estate, LLC and ROL Real Estate, LLC related to the Lyndee Lane Extension project. Under the revised arrangement, the city would provide funds directly to the developer of the Pines at Lyndee residential development to apply a top coat of asphalt on private alleyways internal to that development, rather than having the city perform the work itself. Staff describes the change as more practical, cost-effective, and efficient.

A consent agenda item also calls for the council to formally deny an ante litem notice filed by Richard Pearson, Jr. and Victoria Pearson.

The council will receive departmental reports for April 2026 from the Fire, Information Technology, Parks and Recreation, and Communications departments, as well as a Capital Projects report for May 2026. The session may also move into executive session to discuss personnel, litigation, or real estate matters.

Announcements shared in the agenda note that country artist Carly Pearce will perform at the Woodstock Summer Concert Series on Saturday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. Additional information is available at woodstockconcertseries.com. The city's June Family Fun Night, themed 'Kickin' It In Woodstock,' is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, in downtown Woodstock, featuring soccer-themed activities and a screening of 'The Big Green' on the Woodstock Arts Event Green. More details are available at visitwoodstockga.com.

The May 18 meeting is open to the public. Hearing assistance is available upon request. The full agenda is posted at the City of Woodstock's agenda portal.