Brookhaven meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Brookhaven Council approves Mendell Circle land purchase, Blackburn Park fire station agreement

Brookhaven City Council on Oct. 13 approved the purchase of 1020 Mendell Circle for tree canopy preservation and stormwater mitigation, along with a budget amendment for the land acquisition. Both votes were 4-0, according to the meeting minutes.

The council also approved an intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb County for a fire station at Blackburn Park on a 3-1 vote, and authorized a $150,000 task order for storm sewer repairs near 2493/2497 Oostanaula Dr. on a 4-0 vote.

Land purchase and stormwater

The Mendell Circle purchase was described in the minutes as serving both greenspace and stormwater purposes. The accompanying budget amendment was approved by the same 4-0 margin. The minutes list the budget amendment item with the spelling "1020 Mendall Circle"; the purchase item uses "Mendell Circle." No purchase price was included in the summary of actions provided.

Fire station at Blackburn Park

The intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb County for a fire station at Blackburn Park passed 3-1. The minutes summary does not record which council member cast the opposing vote or the terms of the agreement.

Other council actions, all 4-0

• An ordinance prohibiting commercial activity in parks and recreation centers.
• Right-of-way and easement approval for the North Druid Hills Road Multi-Use Path Project.
• A development agreement covering soft costs for the Peachtree Creek Connector Bridge.
• An application for FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program funding.

Development Authority: bonds for Northbend, financing for MSK

The Brookhaven Development Authority, at a special called meeting Oct. 12, approved financing terms and project support for the MSK Facility Development on a 5-0 vote, and approved a Taxable Economic Development Revenue Bond, Series 2026A (Multifamily Portion), and related documents for the Northbend Project, also 5-0.

Two items concerning redevelopment of 4151 Ashford Dunwoody Rd were tabled by 5-0 votes: a bond resolution and an economic development agreement. The authority also approved its July 7 and July 10, 2026 meeting minutes, 5-0.

Board of Appeals: three variance requests

The Board of Appeals held a work session and a regular meeting on Oct. 21 to take up three variance requests. Minutes have not been published, so no decisions are recorded here.

• VAR26-00034: a request from Timothy Sliger for retaining wall and stair setback variances. The regular meeting agenda lists the property as 1537 Harts Mill Road; the work session agenda does not list an address.
• VAR26-00035: a request from Harrison and Lauren Miller for impervious coverage and accessory structure side setback variances at 3283 Stratfield Drive.
• VAR26-00036: a request from Lacy Adams for specimen tree removal, stream buffer reduction and rear setback variances. The work session agenda lists 985 Commons Drive; the regular meeting agenda lists 985 Club Commons Drive.

Arts and Culture Commission

The Arts and Culture Commission met Oct. 14 with an agenda covering "The Cows are Coming to Brookhaven" public art project, a North Druid Hills mural installation, de-installation of the 2023 Dashboard Art Exhibit on the Peachtree Creek Greenway, and the 2027 Arts and Culture Work Program. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

Oct. 27 — City Council regular meeting. The council will consider two task orders for design and permitting services: $330,000.00 to Dewberry Engineers and $160,000.00 to RK&K, totaling $490,000. The agenda also includes recognition of the Brookhaven Parks and Recreation Department.

Oct. 28 — 2026 Planning Commission Retreat. Agenda items include an affordable housing discussion with the Atlanta Regional Commission, DeKalb County School District capital improvement and enrollment updates, a workforce housing text amendment discussion, and department project updates including Police, Public Works and Parks & Recreation.

Nov. 3 — City Council regular meeting. The first public hearing on the FY2026 Budget is scheduled, along with approval of minutes from the Oct. 27 meeting.

Brookhaven buys Mendell Circle lot for greenspace and stormwater work; Development Authority backs MSK and Northbend financing

Brookhaven City Council voted 4-0 on Oct. 13 to approve the purchase of 1020 Mendell Circle for tree canopy preservation and stormwater mitigation, and voted 4-0 on a budget amendment for the land acquisition. The meeting summary does not state a purchase price. In the same week, the Brookhaven Development Authority approved financing terms for the MSK facility and authorized bonds for the Northbend project.

Council approves Mendell Circle purchase

The acquisition was the first item listed under the council's decisions. The minutes record the property as 1020 Mendell Circle in the purchase item and as 1020 Mendall Circle in the budget amendment item. No amount, acreage or closing date appears in the summary provided.

Development Authority: MSK financing, Northbend bonds, two items tabled

The Development Authority, at a special called meeting on Oct. 12, voted 5-0 to approve financing terms and project support for the MSK Facility Development. It voted 5-0 to approve a Taxable Economic Development Revenue Bond, Series 2026A (Multifamily Portion), and related documents for the Northbend Project. The authority also voted 5-0 to table a bond resolution and an economic development agreement for redevelopment of 4151 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. It approved its July 7 and July 10, 2026 meeting minutes, 5-0.

Fire station agreement, storm sewer task order and other council actions

Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with DeKalb County for a fire station at Blackburn Park on a 3-1 vote, the only divided vote recorded in the Oct. 13 summary. Other actions, each listed as 4-0:

• A $150,000 task order for storm sewer repairs near 2493/2497 Oostanaula Dr.
• An ordinance prohibiting commercial activity in parks and recreation centers.
• Right-of-way and easement approval for the North Druid Hills Road Multi-Use Path Project.
• An application for FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program funding.
• A development agreement covering soft costs for the Peachtree Creek Connector Bridge.

Planning Commission hearing on Woodrow Way rezoning

The Planning Commission met Oct. 7 at 2665 Buford Highway with a Zoom option and Wordly translation. Its substantive item was a public hearing and consideration of LUP25-00001, a request by Smoak Design, Incorporated to rezone 2973, 2979, 2981 and 2881 Woodrow Way from RS-100 (15,000 SF lots) to RS-85 (12,000 SF lots) with concurrent variances. Minutes have not been published, so the outcome was not available in the records reviewed.

Arts and Culture Commission

The Arts and Culture Commission met Oct. 14 with an agenda listing 'The Cows are Coming to Brookhaven' public art project, the North Druid Hills mural art installation, de-installation of the 2023 Dashboard Art Exhibit on the Peachtree Creek Greenway, and the 2027 Arts and Culture Work Program. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

Oct. 21 — Board of Appeals work session and regular meeting. Three variance requests are scheduled: VAR26-00034 (retaining wall and stair setback variances, listed at 1537 Harts Mill Road in the regular meeting agenda), VAR26-00035 (impervious coverage and accessory structure side setback variances at 3283 Stratfield Drive), and VAR26-00036 (specimen tree removal, stream buffer reduction and rear setback variances, listed as 985 Commons Drive in the work session and 985 Club Commons Drive in the regular meeting). The regular meeting includes public hearings and decisions.

Oct. 27 — City Council regular meeting. Council will consider a $330,000.00 task order to Dewberry Engineers and a $160,000.00 task order to RK&K, both for design and permitting services, and will recognize the Brookhaven Parks and Recreation Department.

Brookhaven council to weigh $150,000 storm sewer repairs; outcomes of three recent meetings not yet published

Brookhaven's City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday, October 13, on a $150,000 task order for storm sewer repairs and on an agreement with DeKalb County for a fire station at Blackburn Park, according to the council's agenda. Both items are listed for consideration; the agenda does not record an outcome.

Minutes have not been published for three other meetings held in the past two weeks — the Planning Commission, the Development Authority and the Audit Advisory Committee — so what those bodies decided, if anything, is not yet established by the public record. The summaries below are drawn from the agendas themselves.

City Council: $150,000 storm sewer task order, fire station agreement

The council meets at 6:30 PM at 4001 Peachtree Road. On the consent agenda are a $150,000 task order to Response Environmental Site Services (RESS) for storm sewer repairs at or near 2493/2497 Oostanaula Dr., and an application to the US Department of Justice for FY 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program funding.

Under old business, the council will consider a resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement between Brookhaven and DeKalb County for a fire station at Blackburn Park.

New business includes an ordinance amending Chapter 19, Article 2, Section 34, which concerns commercial activity prohibited in parks and recreation centers, and a resolution to acquire right-of-way and a temporary easement for the North Druid Hills Road Multi-Use Path Project.

Planning Commission: Woodrow Way rezoning

The Planning Commission met Wednesday, October 7, at 7:00 PM at 2665 Buford Highway, with a Zoom option (Webinar ID 812 6574 4486) and Wordly AI translation. The substantive item was a public hearing and consideration of LUP25-00001, a request by Smoak Design, Incorporated to rezone 2973, 2979, 2981 and 2881 Woodrow Way from RS-100 to RS-85 with concurrent variances. Under RS-100, minimum lot size is 15,000 square feet; RS-85 sets it at 12,000 square feet for these single-dwelling detached lots. The rest of the agenda was procedural, including approval of minutes. No outcome has been published.

Development Authority: bonds for MSK, Northbend, Ashford Dunwoody

The Development Authority held a special called meeting on October 12. Its agenda listed financing terms and project support for the MSK Facility Development; a Taxable Economic Development Revenue Bond, Series 2026A (Multifamily Portion) for the Northbend Project; and both a bond resolution and an Economic Development Agreement for the redevelopment of 4151 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. No outcome has been published.

Audit Advisory Committee: 2026 audits, risk, capital projects

The Audit Advisory Committee's third-quarter meeting was scheduled for September 29. The agenda called for approval of the 6/23/2026 meeting minutes and an Internal Auditor report on 2026 audits completed and in process, plus discussion of an enterprise risk audit, a capital projects program assessment, rotating terms and open positions for committee members, and future meetings. No outcome has been published.

Coming up

City Council, Tuesday, October 13, 6:30 PM, 4001 Peachtree Road — the $150,000 storm sewer task order, the Byrne grant application, the DeKalb County fire station agreement, the parks commercial-activity ordinance and the North Druid Hills Road Multi-Use Path right-of-way resolution.

Arts and Culture Commission, October 14 — the "The Cows are Coming to Brookhaven" public art project, the North Druid Hills mural art installation, de-installation of the 2023 Dashboard Art Exhibit on the Peachtree Creek Greenway, and the 2027 Arts and Culture Work Program.

Brookhaven Board of Appeals approves 5 variances, defers 2

The Brookhaven Board of Appeals approved five variance requests, two with conditions, and deferred two others for 30 days at its Aug. 19 regular meeting. The board also approved minutes from four prior meetings, all by recorded votes.

Board of Appeals decisions

The board approved the following variance requests:

• **VAR26-00026** (tree removal and rear setback variances, 3846 Granger Dr) — approved 5-1.
• **VAR26-00028** (stream buffer variance, 1449 Ragley Hall Rd) — approved 6-0.
• **VAR26-00029** (side street setback variance, 2987 Cynthia Dr) — approved with conditions 6-0.
• **VAR26-00030** (side street setback variance, 2485 Cove Cir) — approved with conditions 6-0.
• **VAR26-00031** (front yard setback variance, 2582 Ashford Rd) — approved with conditions 5-0.
• **VAR26-00033** (rear and front yard setback variances, 1498 Ragley Hall Rd) — approved with conditions 5-0.

Two requests were deferred to the board's Sept. 16 meeting:

• **VAR26-00025** (stream buffer variance, 1129 Hampton Hall Dr) — deferred 6-0.
• **VAR26-00027** (stream buffer and other variances, 2950 Saint Clair Ct) — deferred 6-0.

The board also approved minutes from its May 20, June 17 (work session and regular), and July 15 (work session and regular) meetings, each by a 6-0 vote.

Earlier the same day, the board held a work session to discuss eight variance requests — including the two later deferred — but took no formal votes. The work session also introduced a new staff member, Planner I Subhashi Karathunarathne.

Other recent meetings

The Arts and Culture Commission met Aug. 12 to discuss DeKalb County's "The Cows are Coming" art project and the City Centre Artist Wall, and received staff updates on the North Druid Hills Road mural installation and wall art for the Public Safety and Planning, Engineering, and Public Works (PEP) buildings. No decisions were made; the meeting was agenda-only, and minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

The City Council holds a work session and a regular meeting on Aug. 25.

Work session (Aug. 25) — The council will receive department reports and review two presentations: a project update on Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase III concept options and a facility utilities cost program. No votes are expected.

Regular meeting (Aug. 25) includes several action items:

• An ordinance replacing the current occupancy-based approach for late-night establishments with a risk-based, data-driven enforcement framework, including off-duty law enforcement staffing requirements and a nuisance establishment classification process.
• A rezoning and special land use permit for 4+ household living at 4170 Ashford Dunwoody Road (ORDRZ 2026-08-01).
• A contract with Hey Elise for mural installation at the North Druid Hills MARTA Wall, not to exceed $100,000.
• An appropriation of $50,000 from the General Fund for a Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce strategic plan.
• A contract with Blount Construction for ADA sidewalk work, not to exceed $140,790.

All meetings are open to the public.

Brookhaven Council Approves Special Election on Senior Tax Exemption; Planning Commission Advances Rezoning

The Brookhaven City Council approved a resolution requesting a special election to let voters decide on increasing senior property tax exemptions. The 3-0 vote came at an Aug. 3 special called meeting. In other action, the Planning Commission approved a rezoning and deferred several items.

City Council Special Called Meeting (Aug. 3)

The council voted 3-0 to approve a resolution requesting a special election to submit a referendum to citizens. The referendum concerns legislation from the Georgia General Assembly to increase ad valorem tax exemptions for senior homestead property owners in Brookhaven. No other items were listed.

Planning Commission Regular Meeting (Aug. 5)

The Planning Commission approved a rezoning request for 4170 Ashford Dunwoody Road from O-I to O-I with conditions (5-0). It also approved minutes from three prior meetings (each 5-0) and elected new officers: Sherean Malekzadeh as Chairperson (4-0, with Malekzadeh abstaining) and Andrew Plant as Vice-Chairperson (4-0, with Plant abstaining).

The commission deferred several items to future meetings: the workforce housing ordinance and the nonconforming structures ordinance were both deferred to Sept. 2, 2026 (5-0 each), and a rezoning at Woodrow Way was deferred to Oct. 7, 2026 (5-0).

Earlier the same day, the commission held a work session where organizational and procedural items were discussed but no votes were taken. Topics included the election of officers, workforce housing regulations, nonconforming structures, and rezoning requests at Woodrow Way and Ashford Dunwoody Road.

Arts and Culture Commission (Aug. 12)

The Arts and Culture Commission met on Aug. 12, but minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included discussion of DeKalb County's 'The Cows are Coming' art project and the City Centre Artist Wall, as well as staff updates on the North Druid Hills Road mural installation and wall art for the Public Safety and Planning, Engineering, and Public Works (PEP) buildings. No decisions were reported.

Coming up

• **Board of Appeals Regular Meeting and Work Session (Aug. 19):** The board will hold public hearings and consider eight variance requests, mostly to reduce stream buffers, setbacks, and other zoning standards. Cases include properties on Hampton Hall Drive, Granger Drive, Saint Clair Court, Ragley Hall Road, Cynthia Drive, Cove Circle, Ashford Road, and more.
• **City Council Regular Meeting (Aug. 25):** The council will consider an ordinance replacing the current occupancy-based approach for late-night establishments with a risk-based, data-driven enforcement framework, including off-duty law enforcement staffing requirements and a nuisance establishment classification process. Other items include a rezoning and special land use permit for 4+ household living at 4170 Ashford Dunwoody Road, a contract with Hey Elise for mural installation at the North Druid Hills MARTA Wall (not-to-exceed $100,000), a $50,000 appropriation from the General Fund for a Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce strategic plan, and a contract with Blount Construction for ADA sidewalk work (not-to-exceed $140,790).
• **City Council Work Session (Aug. 25):** The council will receive a project update on Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase III concept options and a facility utilities cost program presentation. No votes are expected.

Brookhaven Council backs senior tax exemption referendum; Planning Commission approves Ashford Green rezoning

The Brookhaven City Council voted to put a senior property tax exemption question before voters, and the Planning Commission approved a rezoning along Ashford Dunwoody Road while deferring several other items to later dates.

City Council

At a special called meeting on Aug. 3, the City Council voted 3-0 to approve a resolution requesting a special election to submit a referendum to citizens. The referendum concerns legislation from the Georgia General Assembly to increase ad valorem tax exemptions for senior homestead property owners in Brookhaven. No other details were provided in the official minutes.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission met Aug. 5 for both a regular meeting and a work session. In the regular meeting, the commission approved a rezoning request for 4170 Ashford Dunwoody Road from O-I to O-I with conditions, by a 5-0 vote. It also approved minutes from three prior meetings: the April 1 work session, the April 1 regular meeting, and the June 3 regular meeting, each by 5-0 votes.

The commission elected new officers. Sherean Malekzadeh was approved as chairperson by a 4-0 vote, with Malekzadeh abstaining. Andrew Plant was approved as vice-chairperson by a 4-0 vote, with Plant abstaining.

Three items were deferred. A workforce housing ordinance and a nonconforming structures ordinance were both moved to Sept. 2, 2026, each by 5-0 votes. A rezoning at Woodrow Way was deferred to Oct. 7, 2026, also by a 5-0 vote.

The work session that same day discussed organizational and procedural items, including the election of officers and several rezoning and ordinance topics, but took no formal votes. All items were marked as discussed with a 0-0 tally.

Coming up

The Arts and Culture Commission will hold a regular meeting on Aug. 12. The agenda includes discussion of DeKalb County's "The Cows are Coming" art project and the City Centre Artist Wall. Staff will also provide updates on the North Druid Hills Road mural installation and wall art for the Public Safety and Planning, Engineering, and Public Works (PEP) buildings.

Brookhaven Development Authority amends FY2026 budget; Council to weigh $375K storm sewer contract

The Brookhaven Development Authority approved an ordinance amending the FY2026 budget in a special-called virtual meeting on July 7, 2026, voting 6-0 on the budget amendment along with approval of May 14 meeting minutes. The board deferred a memorandum of understanding involving Blue Sky Peachtree, LLC and Emory University, also on a 6-0 vote.

Development Authority

At the July 7 special-called virtual meeting, the Development Authority took three recorded votes, all passing 6-0:

• Approved the May 14, 2026, special meeting minutes.
• Deferred a memorandum of understanding with Blue Sky Peachtree, LLC and Emory University.
• Approved an ordinance to amend the FY2026 budget.

A follow-up virtual meeting was scheduled for July 10 to consider authorizing the Deputy City Manager to sign the memorandum of understanding with Blue Sky Peachtree, LLC and Emory University. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome is not yet in the record.

City Council

The City Council had a work session and a regular meeting scheduled for July 14. Minutes have not been published for either, so only the agenda items are known.

The regular meeting agenda included a consent agenda with several financial and property items:

• A $375,556 contract with RK&K for MS4 inventory and assessment (Consent Item 3).
• Granting easements on seven city-owned parcels for the N Fork Peachtree Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunk Project (Consent Item 4).
• A donation agreement for Lenox Overlook HOA property (Consent Item 5).
• An amendment to the RedSpeed PSA (Consent Item 2).

New business included an application to the Georgia DCA Federal Opportunity Zone Benefits Program.

The work session agenda listed presentations on Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase III alternatives, a draft ADA Transition Plan, and a Facility Utilities Cost Program, plus a review of upcoming regular meeting agenda items.

Board of Appeals

The Board of Appeals held a work session and a regular meeting on July 15. Minutes have not been published. Four variance requests were on the agenda:

• VAR26-00025: Kevin Grass — variance to reduce a 75-foot stream buffer at 1129 Hampton Hall Drive.
• VAR26-00026: Judd Ledet — variance to remove a specimen tree and reduce the rear yard setback at 3846 Granger Drive.
• VAR26-00027: Benjamin McMillian — variance to reduce stream buffer, interior side setback, and separation distance at 3950 Saint Clair Court.
• VAR26-00028: Kevin and Jamie O'Donnell — variance to reduce a 75-foot stream buffer at 1449 Ragley Hall Road.

The work session was held at 2665 Buford Highway and accessible via Zoom with real-time translation services.

Arts and Culture Commission

The Arts and Culture Commission met July 8. Minutes have not been published. The agenda listed discussion items for three public art installations planned for 2026: the International Festival Installation, the Dashboard Public Art Installation, and the North Druid Hills Road Outdoor Mural Wall Art Installation. Staff updates were scheduled on Art Boxes, signage for the Community Garden Art Installation, and City Centre Art.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official calendar for any newly scheduled sessions.

Development Authority amends FY2026 budget; Council to weigh $375K storm sewer contract

The Brookhaven Development Authority approved an ordinance amending the FY2026 budget in a 6-0 vote at its July 7 special-called virtual meeting, the most consequential decision among recent city meetings.

Development Authority Actions

At the July 7 meeting, the Development Authority also approved the May 14, 2026, special meeting minutes (6-0) and deferred a memorandum of understanding involving Blue Sky Peachtree, LLC and Emory University (6-0).

A second Development Authority virtual meeting was scheduled for July 10 to consider authorizing the Deputy City Manager to sign that memorandum of understanding with Blue Sky Peachtree, LLC and Emory University. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome is not yet in the record.

Arts and Culture Commission

The Arts and Culture Commission met July 8 to discuss three public art installations planned for 2026: the International Festival Installation, the Dashboard Public Art Installation, and the North Druid Hills Road Outdoor Mural Wall Art Installation. Staff provided updates on Art Boxes, signage for the Community Garden Art Installation, and City Centre Art. Minutes have not yet been published, so no votes or decisions are confirmed in the record.

Coming Up

City Council Work Session — July 14: Council will hear presentations on Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase III alternatives, a draft ADA Transition Plan, and a facility utilities cost program. The work session includes a pre-regular meeting agenda review and a possible executive session.

City Council Regular Meeting — July 14: Council will consider a consent agenda that includes a $375,556 contract with RK&K for MS4 storm sewer inventory and assessment (Consent Item 3), granting easements on seven city-owned parcels for the N Fork Peachtree Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunk Project (Consent Item 4), a donation agreement for Lenox Overlook HOA property (Consent Item 5), and an amendment to the RedSpeed PSA (Consent Item 2). New business includes an application to the Georgia DCA Federal Opportunity Zone Benefits Program.

Board of Appeals Work Session — July 15: The board will discuss four variance requests at 2665 Buford Highway, accessible via Zoom with real-time translation. The requests are:

• VAR26-00025: Kevin Grass — variance to reduce a 75-foot stream buffer at 1129 Hampton Hall Drive.
• VAR26-00026: Judd Ledet — variance to remove a specimen tree and reduce rear yard setback at 3846 Granger Drive.
• VAR26-00027: Benjamin McMillian — variance to reduce stream buffer, interior side setback, and separation distance at 3950 Saint Clair Court.
• VAR26-00028: Kevin and Jamie O'Donnell — variance to reduce a 75-foot stream buffer at 1449 Ragley Hall Road.

Board of Appeals Regular Meeting — July 15: The board will consider the same four variance requests for action.

Brookhaven Council Sets FY 2026 Millage Rates, Advances Greenway Easements; Storm Sewer Contract and MARTA Redevelopment on Deck

The Brookhaven City Council approved FY 2026 millage rates, a pavement assessment contract, and easement acquisition for the Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase II at its June 23 regular meeting, following public hearings on the proposed rates. A late-night establishment public safety ordinance revision was deferred. The council also reviewed Special Service District road priorities and a MARTA transit-oriented development plan at a June 27 advance session.

Millage Rates and Budget

The council held two public hearings on June 23 regarding FY 2026 millage rates — one general hearing and one for the third and final presentation. No votes were taken during either hearing. At the subsequent regular meeting, the council approved the General Fund Maintenance and Operation Millage Rate, the General Fund Bond Millage Rate, the Special Service District Millage Rate, and the Special Tax District Millage Rate. The minutes did not specify the numerical rates adopted.

Greenway, Pavement, and Tennis Venue

The council approved a resolution to acquire easements for the Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase II. It also approved a 2026 Citywide Pavement Condition Assessment contract totaling $155,250 and an application to the USTA 2026 Tennis Venue Services Program.

A proposed ordinance revising late-night establishment public safety requirements was deferred. No further detail on the deferral was recorded in the minutes.

Council Advance Session: SSD Roads and MARTA TOD

At the June 27 advance session, the council reviewed Special Service District infrastructure priorities. Items listed on the agenda included an SSD mill rate increase from 4.0 to 5.0, which the agenda notes would add approximately $2 million annually, and prioritization of the Apple Valley Road sidewalk and utility undergrounding project and the Dresden Drive sidewalk project from Thompson Road to Clairmont Road.

The agenda also included a revised intergovernmental agreement with MARTA for the city to manage the City Centre transit-oriented development redevelopment planning, and the launch of a Brookhaven University management and compliance training program. Minutes for this session have not yet been published, so no final actions are confirmed.

Coming Up

July 7 — Brookhaven Development Authority Special-Called Virtual Meeting. The authority will consider a memorandum of understanding with Blue Sky Peachtree, LLC and Emory University, an ordinance amending the FY 2026 budget, and approval of May 14 special-called meeting minutes.

July 8 — Arts and Culture Commission Regular Meeting. The commission will discuss three 2026 public art installations: the International Festival Installation, the Dashboard Public Art Installation, and the North Druid Hills Road Outdoor Mural Wall Art Installation. Staff will provide updates on Art Boxes, Community Garden Art Installation signage, and City Centre Art.

July 14 — City Council Work Session. Presentations are scheduled on Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase III alternatives, a draft ADA Transition Plan, and a Facility Utilities Cost Program, followed by a review of upcoming regular meeting agenda items.

July 14 — City Council Regular Meeting. The consent agenda includes a $375,556 contract with RK&K for MS4 storm sewer inventory and assessment, easements on seven city-owned parcels for the North Fork Peachtree Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunk Project, a donation agreement for Lenox Overlook HOA property, and an amendment to the RedSpeed PSA. New business includes an application to the Georgia DCA Federal Opportunity Zone Benefits Program.

Brookhaven Adopts FY 2026 Millage Rates, Greenway Easements

The Brookhaven City Council approved the city’s operating and bond millage rates for fiscal year 2026 during its June 23 meeting, along with a package of budget amendments and the acquisition of easements to advance the Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase II.

The council set the General Fund Maintenance and Operation millage rate, the General Fund Bond millage rate, the Special Service District millage rate, and the Special Tax District millage rate. No vote tallies were recorded in the official minutes, which noted the rates were approved alongside other routine items. The same meeting saw a $155,250 pavement assessment contract awarded and an application for the USTA 2026 Tennis Venue Services Program greenlit.

Greenway and public safety action

Council members also approved a resolution to acquire easements needed for the Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase II project. A proposed ordinance that would revise safety requirements for late-night establishments was deferred without a vote.

Advance workshop previews SSD road priorities, MARTA TOD plan

During a June 27 advance meeting—minutes not yet published—city leaders reviewed priorities for Special Service District (SSD) infrastructure spending. The discussion included a proposed SSD mill rate increase from 4.0 to 5.0 mills, which staff estimated would generate roughly $2 million in additional annual revenue. Among the projects discussed for prioritization were sidewalk and utility undergrounding work on Apple Valley Road and a sidewalk project on Dresden Drive between Thompson Road and Clairmont Road.

The advance also covered a revised intergovernmental agreement with MARTA under which the city would manage redevelopment of the City Centre transit-oriented development site. Separately, the launch of Brookhaven University, a management and compliance training program for employees, was previewed.

Coming up

Several meetings in the next two weeks will address spending, development, and public art.

• **July 7 – Development Authority special-called meeting:** Members will consider a memorandum of understanding with Blue Sky Peachtree, LLC and Emory University, along with an ordinance to amend the FY2026 budget.
• **July 8 – Arts and Culture Commission:** The commission will discuss three 2026 public art installations: the International Festival Installation, the Dashboard Public Art Installation, and the North Druid Hills Road Outdoor Mural Wall Art Installation. Staff will give updates on Art Boxes and the Community Garden Art Installation.
• **July 14 – City Council work session and regular meeting:** The work session includes presentations on Peachtree Creek Greenway Phase III alternatives, a draft ADA Transition Plan, and a facility utilities cost program. The regular meeting’s consent agenda contains a $375,556 contract with RK&K for storm sewer inventory and assessment, an easement grant on seven city-owned parcels for a DeKalb County sewer project, and a donation agreement for Lenox Overlook HOA property. New business includes an application to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Federal Opportunity Zone Benefits Program.