Dunwoody Commission Reviews Fourth Plan for 84 Perimeter Center East Site

Overview of the Proposed Development at 84 Perimeter Center East

The Dunwoody Planning Commission is set to revisit a revised proposal for expanding permitted uses at a 2.86-acre site located at 84 Perimeter Center East. This will be the fourth iteration of the plan, which has undergone several changes over the years. The commission will consider the updated proposal during its meeting on August 12, following a request from the developer for additional details.

At its July 8 meeting, the commission heard from attorney Dan Webb, who represented the applicant, JSJ Perimeter LLC. The site, previously home to a bank, has seen multiple zoning amendments over the past 15 years, reflecting shifting development goals and community needs.

Historical Zoning Changes

In 2008, the property was rezoned from O-I to C-1 conditional, allowing for the development of a hotel, a full-service restaurant, a meeting space, and a fitness club. A special land use permit also allowed the hotel to be expanded from two to 12 stories.

By 2019, the site plan and zoning conditions were amended again to accommodate a 11-story, 160-room hotel along with two additional multi-story buildings. These buildings would include commercial spaces such as restaurants, retail areas, and a parking deck.

In 2020, the plans shifted once more when the applicant removed the hotel concept in favor of a 14-story building with 225 units of age-restricted rental housing. This change required a rezoning to PC-2 and additional special land use permits.

A further extension was granted in 2023, requiring a land disturbance permit to be obtained by September 8, 2023.

New Proposal Details

The latest proposal marks a significant departure from previous site plans. According to Dunwoody Senior Planner Madalyn Smith, the current plan includes flexibility in the use of the 14-story building, which could serve as age-restricted multi-family housing, non-age-restricted condominiums, or a hotel.

The proposal also includes a 4,700-square-foot quick-service restaurant with drive-through lanes, a two-story retail building covering 10,000 square feet, and a parking deck.

Webb highlighted that Partillo’s, a Chicago-based franchise known for its hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, chopped salad, and cheese fries, has expressed interest in the restaurant site. He described Partillo’s as a unique opportunity for Dunwoody, noting that it offers a higher quality of food compared to traditional drive-through options like Varsity.

Concerns and Next Steps

Despite these developments, the planning commission and city staff raised concerns about the lack of detailed plans for some buildings, specific landscaping requirements, and the addition of another drive-through facility on an already congested road. There were also questions about the feasibility of the phasing plan, particularly regarding keeping the parking deck operational during construction.

City staff did not recommend approval of the plan, but Webb requested a deferral until the next commission meeting on August 12. He stated that more detailed plans will be presented at that time.

The ongoing discussions highlight the complexity of balancing development needs with community concerns and environmental considerations. As the commission prepares to review the updated proposal, the focus will remain on ensuring that the project aligns with the long-term vision for the area while addressing the practical challenges of implementation.