By Milton Kirby Chamblee, GA | November 16, 2025
A Virtual Town Hall Draws a Packed Online Crowd
More than 150 residents logged in on November 10 for a virtual town hall hosted by DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick, with District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry serving as co-sponsor.
The discussion centered on the future of DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) and a major proposed expansion by Sky Harbour, LLC.
The meeting brought together residents, business owners, and aviation leaders to talk through growth, environmental impact, aircraft noise, and the long-term vision for one of the county’s most important assets.
“PDK is one of DeKalb County’s greatest economic assets, but progress must always be guided by responsibility and community input,” Cochran-Johnson said.
Understanding PDK: A Busy Airport with Growing Pressure
PDK is a county-owned general aviation airport in Chamblee, roughly 11.5 miles from downtown Atlanta. It operates 24 hours a day and has averaged more than 230,000 annual takeoffs and landings since 1988.
With three asphalt runways in an H-shape—its longest stretching 6,000 feet—PDK is Georgia’s second busiest airport and ranks seventh nationwide among general aviation fields.
The airport generates most of its revenue through more than 250 ground leases for offices, hangars, and corporate tenants.
“Revenue from ground leases, along with fuel flowage fees, supports the airport’s enterprise fund and covers our annual operating and maintenance expenses,” Airport Director Hunter Hines explained.
But PDK has seen limited modernization in recent decades.
“This is something we are committed to changing,” Hines said, noting plans for transient landing fees and long-term infrastructure improvements.
Inside the Sky Harbour Proposal
Sky Harbour wants to build eight hangars on 12.8 acres on PDK’s east side at an estimated cost of $45 million.
The project would include corporate hangars, an access road, aircraft support facilities, and the ability to add solar panels and electric ground-support equipment.
Over 50 years, the project is projected to generate $576 million in local revenue:
- $66 million for the airport
- $211 million for DeKalb County
- $230 million for DeKalb County Schools
- $67 million for the City of Chamblee
County officials say the development could reduce the need for aircraft repositioning flights and help more planes use PDK as their home base. Sky Harbour estimates 600 jobs would be created through construction, operations, and workforce development.
“We’re talking about 15 or 16 aircraft based with us,” said Sky Harbour Senior Vice President Neil Szymczak. “Only a handful of operations compared to the airport’s total. We won’t be driving up traffic.”
Szymczak also said Sky Harbour would contractually commit to housing no aircraft larger than what PDK already allows.
Growing Community Concerns: Noise, Safety, and Pollution
Local residents voiced concerns about added noise, environmental impact, and larger jets coming into their neighborhoods.
PDK Watch Inc. communications director Larry Foster wrote that the project could “significantly increase the number of flights and the noise disruption” already affecting more than 100,000 residents near the airport.
“That disruption will only get worse in the future if the Sky Harbour project is allowed to go forward,” he said.
Noise remains a sensitive subject at PDK.
Cochran-Johnson noted that more than 16,000 noise complaints were filed with the FAA in 2024—but most came from a small group of residents.
Environmental questions also loomed large.
The county confirmed that an environmental study is underway and is expected to be completed by June 2026. Cochran-Johnson said the county can stop the project if the review shows significant hazards.
How the Project Reached This Point
PDK issued a request for proposals in 2023 to explore east-side development. Only one company responded.
“This was not a sole-source solicitation,” Hines said. “We received one response from Sky Harbour, and based on evaluation of the criteria, the RFP was awarded.”
Sky Harbour currently holds 19 ground leases nationwide, with nine in operation and nine under development.
The project cleared the Operations Committee on November 4, but the full DeKalb County Commission deferred its vote until November 18, citing the need for more review.
Commissioner Patrick said county leaders want full transparency before moving forward.
Leaders Promise Continued Public Input
Despite the differing viewpoints, officials closed the town hall by agreeing on one point: community input will guide the process.
“We are committed to engaging the public as these plans move forward,” Cochran-Johnson said.
County leaders emphasized that the expansion will not increase the size or weight limit of jets allowed to use PDK. Any future development, they said, must balance economic benefits with environmental protection and neighborhood quality of life.
The debate is now set to continue as the county approaches its November 18 vote—and as the environmental review moves toward its 2026 deadline.
Related articles
Lookup Flight Academy to Address Pilot Shortage
Please consider supporting open, independent journalism – no contribution is too small!