Comprehensive Plan

The Next Chapter: Comprehensive Plan and Recreation and Parks Master Plan (2026)

The City is initiating an update to its Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning. At the same time, the City will also update its Recreation and Parks Master Plan - help us write The Next Chapter. 

Additional information regarding the planning process and upcoming public engagement opportunities is available at www.PlanTheNextChapter.org.

The NEXT TEN Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update (2022)

The Next Ten is the City’s Comprehensive Plan and was first adopted in 2017 as a major 10-year update to the 2007 Comprehensive Plan.

Under State of Georgia comprehensive planning requirements, local municipalities must update their comprehensive plans every five years. On October 18, 2022, the Mayor and City Council approved a resolution adopting the Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update.

• The Next Ten Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update (PDF)
• The Next Ten Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update Appendices (PDF)
• Capital Improvements Element (CIE) (PDF)
• Impact Fees Information

The NEXT TEN Comprehensive Plan (2017)

Following an 18-month planning process, the City adopted The Next Ten Comprehensive Plan in February 2017. The plan serves as a 10-year policy and planning document guiding land use and redevelopment throughout Sandy Springs.

The Comprehensive Plan includes a citywide plan and four small area plans focused on Roswell Road, Perimeter Center, MARTA station areas, and Powers Ferry Landing.

• The Next Ten Comprehensive Plan (PDF)
• The Next Ten Comprehensive Plan Appendices (PDF)
• Roswell Road Small Area Plan (PDF)
• Perimeter Center Small Area Plan (PDF)
• Powers Ferry Small Area Plan (PDF)
• MARTA Station Areas Small Area Plan (PDF)
• Capital Improvements Element (CIE) Plan (PDF)

Crossroads Small Area Plan

The City of Sandy Springs is developing a plan for the “Crossroads” area, which includes properties located east and west of Roswell Road from Interstate 285 to the southern end of The Prado shopping center.

The purpose of the plan is to address current and future community needs while envisioning how the area may evolve over the next 10–15 years.

• Crossroads Small Area Plan

Prior Public Input Milestones

March 28, 2022

The Sandy Springs community was invited to participate in a discussion regarding The Next Ten Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update.

The update process reviewed accomplishments achieved since adoption of the 2017 plan and encouraged community discussion regarding implementation priorities for the next five years.

This meeting was the first of several public engagement opportunities planned as part of the 2022 update process.

• Next Ten Kickoff Presentation (PDF)
• Next Ten Timeline Overview (PDF)

June 9, 2022

Attendees reviewed draft recommendations for The Next Ten Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update. The update highlighted accomplishments achieved during the first five years following adoption of the 2017 plan.

Public outreach activities also took place at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market, local parks, and community events.

State Minimum Planning Standards

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) establishes guidelines for local comprehensive planning under the Georgia Planning Act of 1989.

For the 2022 five-year update, Sandy Springs was required to revisit the plan elements included in the 2017 Next Ten Comprehensive Plan and evaluate the vision, needs, and opportunities associated with the following topics:

• Housing
• Land Use
• Economic Development
• Greenspace Sustainability
• Broadband

The update process also required the City to prepare a Report of Accomplishments (ROA) documenting progress since adoption of the 2017 plan and develop a new five-year Community Work Program (CWP).

The Next Ten Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update was required to be reviewed by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and adopted by the Mayor and City Council by October 31, 2022.