Hopes for dense urban development in the Gwinnett Place area took a step forward Wednesday when the Gwinnett County Planning Commission approved a new zoning plan for property near I-85 at Pleasant Hill Road.

The commission unanimously approved new zoning that would allow developments up to 25 stories in an area bounded by Pleasant Hill Road to the east, I-85 to the south, Steve Reynolds Boulevard to the west and Satellite Boulevard to the north.

With the new zoning and other improvements to the Gwinnett Place area, local business and political leaders hope to transform a sprawling suburban shopping district into an urban landscape of residences, offices, restaurants and green space.

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners must still approve the proposed zoning.

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Members of the conversion crew take a break as the main scoreboard is lowered to the floor to be worked on as the arena gets ready for the next concert at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Atlanta. The crew was working on creating a stage for the Friday, Oct. 3 Maxwell concert. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com