Brookhaven meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

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.