Natural Environment
A Sustainable Brookhaven is committed to protecting our natural resources and promoting their efficient use so multiple generations can live in a beautiful and safe community.
2024 Commitments
CITY HALL WATER QUALITY ENHANCEMENTS
Prior Funding Amount: Included in Project Budget
Responsible Department: City Manager
As part of the design for the permanent City Hall, the City is incorporating several sustainable elements including a Green Roof, water quality facilities, permeable pavers, etc. The Green Roof is approximate 2,700 square feet and collects rainfall directly. The site will include a 10,000-gallon cistern that the roof drains and the runoff collected from the Green Roof will be discharged to. Water collected will be filtered and used for irrigation on-site. The extra water from the cistern will be flowing to a Crystal Stream Water Quality device and then discharged to the underground detention system. Additionally, the storm runoff in the disturbed area in the bus lane will be discharged to the underground detention pond. The runoff under the MARTA tracks will be collected by adopted storm structures and will be discharged to the Crystal Stream and then to the underground detention system in the bus lane. Finally, the plaza will be grassed with engineering soils underneath the grass to make it act as an enhanced swale and porous concrete or permeable pavers will be utilized for some of the sidewalks. With these and other enhancements, the City hopes to achieve LEED Gold Status.
CONTINUE FRONT YARD TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
Funding Amount: $15,000
Responsible Department: Community Development
In 2019, the City of Brookhaven partnered with Trees Atlanta to allow residents to apply for a tree to add to their front yard. The program has become popular and continued in subsequent years. To date, a total of 118 trees have been planted. Based on the update of the Tree Canopy Study in 2023, the Tree Canopy Preservation Division will identify and develop targeted outreach for areas that would benefit from plantings.
CONTINUE ENERGY-EFFICIENT FLEET CONVERSION
Funding Amount: $1,426,795
Responsible Department: Facility Services
The City continues to monitor metrics such as fuel usage, maintenance costs, and vehicle lifespan to assess electric and hybrid models to replace gasoline-powered vehicles. As new EV models become available, and fleet vehicles near retirement, consideration of energy-efficiency will be a top priority in new vehicle selection. Funding in 2024 will purchase 24 hybrid or electric vehicles, depending on availability. Funding will also include upfitting of vehicles with necessary equipment.
DEVELOP PLAN TO REDUCE UTILITY USAGE IN GOVERNMENT FACILITIES
Funding Amount: Included in Department Operations
Responsible Department: Facility Services
The City will update the analysis of its utility usage to establish a baseline for water, natural gas, and electricity expenditures for government facilities, parks, and streetlights. Now that benchmarks have been identified, next steps include exploring ways to optimize usage and setting reduction goals.
CONTINUE SPECIAL ITEM RECYCLING PROGRAM
Funding Amount: $15,000
Responsible Department: Public Works
In 2020, the City of Brookhaven partnered with the City of Chamblee, Keep Chamblee Beautiful, and the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) to produce a pop-up recycling event for the local community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheduled April – June 2021 events were cancelled and out of an abundance of caution, plans for such events were halted. Since being reinitiated 2022, the event has become widely popular and well-attended. The effort has collected tons of electronics, glass, plastics, etc. In 2023, 52,090 pounds of materials diverted from local landfills and water systems. This funding amount is expected to cover the cost of one event assuming continued partnerships to leverage non-City funding.
COMPLETE BIOCHAR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Prior Funding Amount: $150,000
Responsible Department: Public Works
The City, in coordination with the University of Georgia, will complete a demonstration project utilizing biochar, charcoal produced from plant matter and stored in the soil as a means of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, in 2024. The City also has an interest in establishing a composting operation that will incorporate biochar at its parks to be used as a tool for improvement and conservation of Brookhaven's waterways. The UGA team has on its task list for completion of the project to do a stream biological assessment, chemical analysis of collected biochar bags, phase 2 of the greenhouse assessment, tree vault assessment, and final report.
