DeKalb County officials are formally considering a plan to recover a significant parcel of land that was part of a controversial 2021 exchange with Blackhall Real Estate. The DeKalb County Commission is scheduled to vote on a resolution that supports the county administration's efforts to reclaim the property, which is part of the forested Intrenchment Creek Park area.
Key Takeaways
- The DeKalb County Commission will vote on September 23 to support negotiations for recovering land traded to Blackhall Real Estate in 2021.
- The original agreement required Blackhall to complete park improvements and provide $100,000 for additional greenspace.
- The county aims to reclaim the parcel at 2235 Bouldercrest Road while keeping land it received in the swap.
- A related goal is to reopen Intrenchment Creek Park, which has been closed to the public since March 2023.
Details of the Proposed Land Recovery
The DeKalb County Commission will address the issue during its public meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The central item on the agenda is a resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Ted Terry, which has been updated to officially support the county administration's decision to begin acquisition negotiations with Blackhall Real Estate.
The resolution's initial draft was more direct, calling for the county to take back the land if Blackhall failed to meet its contractual duties. The revised version focuses on empowering the administration to negotiate a return of the property. Specifically, the county seeks to recover the parcel at 2235 Bouldercrest Road, which was transferred to Blackhall as part of the 2021 agreement.
Background of the 2021 Land Exchange
In 2021, DeKalb County completed a land swap with Blackhall Real Estate. The county gave Blackhall a 40-acre parcel of Intrenchment Creek Park located at 2235 Bouldercrest Road. In return, the county received several nearby properties owned by Blackhall, including a parcel at 2055 Bouldercrest Road. The park itself was established after the county purchased 136 acres of forest in 2003.
Unfulfilled Obligations Trigger County Action
According to the real estate exchange agreement from 2021, Blackhall Real Estate was required to fulfill several conditions. These included completing specific improvements to the park facilities and providing $100,000 to DeKalb County for the purpose of acquiring more public greenspace.
The current move by the county suggests that these obligations have not been fully met. The proposed resolution is a direct response, aiming to reverse the land transfer while allowing the county to retain the properties it gained in the exchange. This would effectively restore the park's original footprint while adding the new parcels to the county's inventory.
Intrenchment Creek Park Status
The park, sometimes referred to as Michelle Obama Park, has been closed to the public since an executive order was issued in March 2023. The resolution being considered also calls for this order to be lifted and for existing trail improvement funds to be redirected toward a comprehensive restoration of the entire park.
Additional Agenda Items for the Commission
The September 23 meeting will also address several other key local issues. The commission's agenda includes a variety of topics ranging from zoning changes to budget amendments for public services.
Zoning and Development Proposals
The commission will consider a significant amendment to the county's zoning code. The proposed change would reduce the minimum square footage requirements for single-family homes in R-75 and R-85 zoned areas.
- Current R-75 Minimum: 1,600 square feet
- Current R-85 Minimum: 1,800 square feet
These requirements were established in 1999. County staff have suggested an administrative variance process to handle requests, simplifying the procedure from a formal variance application. The board will also hold public hearings for three separate residential development projects:
- A residential development at 4743 Flat Shoals Parkway.
- A townhome project at 2381 Snapfinger Road.
- A mixed development of detached homes, duplexes, and townhomes at 3803 and 3815 Glenwood Road.
Budget Amendments and Contract Approvals
Several financial matters are also up for consideration. The board will vote on re-allocating $115,000 to the Decatur Legacy Project. These funds are designated for the second phase of the John Lewis Memorial project, which is planned for the Decatur Square.
"The meeting will also see a proposal to amend the fiscal year 2025 budget to fund nine new positions within the District Attorney’s Office, addressing a need for increased staffing."
Finally, the commission is expected to approve a major infrastructure contract. A $21 million contract for comprehensive sewer system cleaning is on the agenda. This proactive measure is intended to prevent sewer spills and maintain the county's wastewater infrastructure.
Public Participation Information
The meeting will take place at 9 a.m. at the Government Services Center, 178 Sams St. in Decatur. Members of the public can attend in person or watch a livestream. Public comments can be made in person by signing up before the comment period begins or submitted via email between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the day of the meeting.
