The Dunwoody City Council at its Jan. 13 meeting approved on second reading a zoning change at the Mount Vernon Shopping Center’s from Neighborhood Shopping to C-1 to allow for a greater diversity of uses. 

The approval came after a last-minute, on-site meeting between owner Branch, city staff members and several council members earlier that day regarding upgrades to the center.

Dunwoody Planning and Zoning Manager Paul Leonhardt said Branch has agreed to several conditions as part of the zoning change, including upgrades to the light fixtures on the existing light poles in the parking lot and in the breezeway and installation of new LED lighting that adheres to city codes.

In addition, Branch has restricted one possible use, an animal boarding facility, which can only exist as an indoor-only facility. More pedestrian access into the shopping center and raised sidewalks will be added, as well as the installation of a bike rack at the center.

Located at the corner of Jett Ferry and Mt. Vernon Road, the shopping center’s current tenants include a CVS Pharmacy, a consignment store, and several personal care salons, but not an anchor tenant.

The  February 2024 closing of the center’s latest anchor tenant, Lidl, is the fourth time that the largest retailer in the Mount Vernon Shopping Center has been shuttered in the last 10 years. It was once a Harris Teeter, then an Ace Hardware, followed by a Sprouts Grocery before its three-year stint as a Lidl.

Branch has been floating the idea of leasing a 37,000 empty space to “eater-tainment” type tenants, which would have a sporting element to them as well as food and alcohol options. The change to C-1 zoning would allow that use, while Neighborhood Shopping does not. 

The council commended Branch representatives for their willingness to offer more upgrades to the center and voted unanimously for its approval on second reading.

In other news, the council also listened to a report from Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton, who discussed the establishment of a new therapeutic recreation program called Adaptive Soccer, led by non-profit, Unique Individual Ranch, which will begin in March. An existing therapeutic recreation program called Special Pops Tennis will also return for 2025. 

Linton also reported that 23,000 people visited Brook Run’s Holiday Lights display in December and that Dunwoody’s community garden donated 2,432 pounds of fresh organic produce to Malachi’s Storehouse in 2024. 

In other action, the council:

• Swore in four new police officers – Austin Chadwick, Sadarius Hutcherson, Edward McGorda, and Trey Wanstreet;
• Discussed an expenditure of $409,000 to replace three city hall HVAC units;
• Accepted several gifts to the Dunwoody Police Department provided by Truist Bank’s Dunwoody office representatives;
• Heard from Cherry Hill-area resident Laurie Smith that many neighbors in the Cherry Hill/Eidson Road neighborhoods oppose 12-foot multi-use trails being installed in that area;