Design Guidelines

--UPCOMING PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE--

Thursday, April 23, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the City Hall Main Lobby (1 Galambos Way)

The City of Sandy Springs is finalizing 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

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 has occurred in two geographically focused stages:

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

There have been multiple opportunities for public input to inform the development of the guidelines with still more to come, including another Public Open House on Thursday, April 23, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the City Hall Main Lobby (1 Galambos Way).

Prior Public Engagement Opportunities 

November 20 Design Guidelines Public Open House

An open house was held on Thursday, November 20, at Sandy Springs City Hall, in the Studio Theatre Lobby. Meeting materials are available for review below.

• Progress to date preparing design guidelines for the city’s commercial and mixed-use areas as well as area-specific guidance for the Stage 1 focus areas (City Springs, North End, and Perimeter).
• Potential design approaches for the Stage 2 focus areas, including Powers Ferry and two focus areas at the southern end of Roswell Road (Crossroads and Neighborhood Village), based on feedback received since August 2025.

- Friday, October 17, Pop-Ups at The Prado (5570 Roswell Road, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) and Chastain Market (4279 Roswell Road, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM)

- Friday, October 24, Pop-Ups at Northwood Park (110 Northwood Drive, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) 

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

August 21 Design Guidelines Public Open House

At the third meeting of the design guidelines process, the public had 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.

August 21 Public Meeting Exhibit Materials

May 19 Design Guidelines Public Open House

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

March 13 Design Guidelines Public Open House

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