Public Hearing: YES ☒ NO ☐ Department: Planning & Sustainability
SUBJECT:
Title
COMMISSION DISTRICT(S): Commission District 05 Super District 07
Application of SAWA Partners, LLC c/o Teweldemedhin Gebremeskel for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to allow a recycling plant (recycling concrete business) in the M (Industrial) zoning district, at 1313 and 1303 Lithonia-Industrial Boulevard.
Body
PETITION NO: D2-2026-0146 SLUP-26-1247921
PROPOSED USE: Recycling plant (recycling concrete business).
LOCATION: 1313 and 1303 Lithonia-Industrial Boulevard, Lithonia, GA 30058
PARCEL NO. : 16 164 02 007; 16 164 02 005
INFO. CONTACT: John Reid, Sr. Planner
PHONE NUMBER: 404-371-2155
PURPOSE:
Application of SAWA Partners, LLC c/o Teweldemedhin Gebremeskel for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to allow a recycling plant (recycling concrete business) in the M (Industrial) zoning district.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
COMMUNITY COUNCIL: (April 2026) No Recommendation. (Feb. 2026) Approval.
PLANNING COMMISSION: (May 5, 2026) Pending. (March 3, 2026) Two-cycle deferral.
PLANNING STAFF: (May 2026) Approval with Conditions. (March 2026) Full-Cycle Deferral.
STAFF ANALYSIS: The request is for a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to allow a recycling business within the M (Light Industrial) zoning district. The subject site contains vacant land, a structure, and Transportation Equipment Storage. Based on county records it does not appear that a building permit has been issued for the existing structure on site. The proposed recycling business is consistent with the light industrial (M) and industrial (M-2) zoning and development pattern in the surrounding area which is developed with truck parking, a landfill, quarries, and vacant land. The Comprehensive Plan designates this site and the surrounding industrial (M) zoned properties within a Light Industrial (LIND) Character Area designated by the 2050 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map, and the proposed use is consistent with the following plan strategies: “Locate industrial centers in areas with good access to interstates, truck routes, and direct industrial development to existing industrial districts” (2050 Comprehensive Plan, Light Industrial, page 51). Additionally, the applicant has submitted documentation of compliance with the heavy industrial supplemental regulations per Section 4.2.29 (See attached). The proposal was deferred, full-cycle from the March 26th Board of Commissioners meeting to allow the updated site plan (see attached) and information relating to the proposed recycling plant could be reviewed again by the Planning Commission who requested to see the application when it was more complete. It appears that the applicant has provided an updated site plan (see attached) and information relating to questions from City of Stonecrest and Staff (see attached). Therefore, based on review of Section 7.4.6 (SLUP criteria) of the Zoning Ordinance, it is the recommendation of the Planning &Sustainability Department that the application be “Approved with the attached conditions”.
PLANNING COMMISSION VOTE: (May 5, 2026) Pending. (March 3, 2026) Two-Cycle Deferral 7-0-0. Motion was made by Commissioner Costello, seconded by Commissioner Patton for a two-cycle deferral to the July 2026 zoning agenda.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOTE/RECOMMENDATION: (April 2026) No Recommendation. The recommendation for approval failed 4-2-3. This application moves forward to the Planning Commission with no recommendation from Community Council District 5. (February 2026) Approval 5-0-0.