Design Guidelines

The City of Sandy Springs is preparing design guidelines for six primary commercial and mixed-use areas in the city. These guidelines will assist property and business owners, developers, designers, and City staff and leadership in ensuring that future development in the city fulfills the vision of adopted planning documents and the Development Code while fostering a distinct sense of place for Sandy Springs and its commercial areas.

The guidelines will build on standards included in the Development Code and Technical Manual by providing additional design direction for building features, building sites, landscaping, streetscapes, and other elements that shape the appearance and experience of Sandy Springs’ commercial and mixed-use areas.

Focus Areas

The guidelines will address the character of development in six commercial and mixed-use areas of the city, including:

1. Greater City Springs
2. Central Perimeter
3. North End
4. Powers Ferry
5. Neighborhood Village
6. Crossroads

August 21 Design Guidelines Public Meeting

There will be online opportunities to review and provide input on materials presented at the meeting. 

An online survey will be posted here starting on August 21 and will remain open until September 8.

August 21 Public Meeting Exhibit Materials

Design Guidelines Process

Following an initial public engagement period in March 2025 to introduce the design guidelines process and define an overall framework for the guidelines, preparation of the guidelines will occur in two geographically focused stages:

• Stage 1 focused on developing guidelines for the North End, Greater City Springs, and Central Perimeter
• Stage 2 will focus on two areas at the southern end of Roswell Road—Crossroads and Neighborhood Village— as well as Powers Ferry.

Each stage includes multiple opportunities for public input to inform the development of the guidelines. An additional public engagement opportunity will occur upon completion of draft design guidelines.

Get Involved!

August 2025 Engagement Opportunities

The Sandy Springs community is invited to attend a public meeting to help guide the preparation of design guidelines for the commercial areas of the city.

WHEN: Thursday, August 21, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

WHERE: Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Studio Theatre Lobby, 1 Galambos Way

At the third meeting of the design guidelines process, the public will have the opportunity to learn about and provide input on the following:

• Overall Framework: Review and provide input on the overall structure and framework envisioned for the design guidelines.
• Design Approach for Stage One Focus Areas: Review and provide input on preliminary design approaches for City Springs, North End, and Perimeter.
• Potential Design Approaches for Stage Two Focus Areas: Provide initial input on the desired design character of Powers Ferry and the two focus areas at the southern end of Roswell Rd. (Crossroads and Neighborhood Village) to guide the development of design approaches for these areas.

There will be a brief presentation to kick off the meeting. However, the meeting is open house style and those arriving later will receive an overview from staff before participating in the open house. 

There will be online opportunities to review and provide input on materials presented at the meeting.

Prior Public Engagement Opportunities

Staff hosted a public meeting on Monday, May 19, and a series of pop-up meetings in City Springs, Perimeter, and the North End. Pop-up meetings were held in May and July. Meeting materials are linked below. An online survey was available.

Meeting Presentation

Meeting Displays

Public input is needed to ensure that the design guidelines reflect the values and priorities of the Sandy Springs community. The public is encouraged to attend public events and provide input throughout the design guidelines process. 

An open house was held on Thursday, March 13, at Sandy Springs City Hall, in the Barfield Conference Room. Meeting materials are available for review below. 

Display Boards (High Resolution)

Display Boards (Low Resolution)

Handout