Posted on October 1, 2025
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — The Brookhaven City Council delayed action on several items Monday night because two members were absent. Votes were postponed until the Oct. 9 meeting.
One of the measures on hold was TA25-04, an ordinance to amend the city’s short-term rental rules.
The proposal would require property owners to provide 24-hour contact information, show proof of insurance and catalogue their parking spaces.
It would also require a sworn acknowledgment that the owner has reviewed and understands the relevant laws. In addition, the amendment would limit tents on rental properties to no larger than 10 by 10 feet.
Staff said the changes are designed to strengthen the application process and minimize the impact of short-term rentals on surrounding neighborhoods.
Only properties owned by residents with a valid homestead exemption are eligible for a short-term rental permit, and each property can be rented for no more than 180 days per year. The rules are intended to reduce parties, noise, and parking problems that could affect neighbors.
Another delayed item was consideration of a $1.5 million change order to North Georgia Concrete for dredging at Murphey Candler Lake.
The work would be added to an existing contract covering rehabilitation of low water drains.
Emails between Brookhaven stormwater manager Sean McCarthy and the state Environmental Protection Division show the city is seeking to remove sediment that has built up near the lake’s low-water drain and embankment.
McCarthy wrote that more material had accumulated than expected, possibly from the GDOT I-285 and Ga. 400 interchange project.
The dredging would likely delay refilling the lake until early 2026. Dam and spillway repairs remain scheduled for completion in October.
McCarthy told regulators that doing the dredging now would save the city significant costs compared with performing it in the future.
State regulators said extending only the refilling of the lake past the current permit deadline would not pose a problem if other work stays on schedule.
Monthly construction reports must continue until the lake is refilled. The state plans to inspect the site before water is restored.
During public comment, a resident said the soccer club Concorde Fire has been renting the turf field at Lynwood Park dedicated to the late Emmanual Wallace so often that it leaves little time for the public. “Once a week my fellow community member and I get together for pickup games, but lately the entire field has been absolutely dominated by Concorde Fire,” they said.
The resident suggested limiting rentals to half the field at a time or capping the total hours a club can reserve. “If any of these aren’t possible, then we should probably dedicate the field to Concorde Fire and not Emmanual Wallace,” they added jokingly.
Council members also announced the schedule for upcoming budget hearings. The first hearing is set for Nov. 5, and the second will be held Nov. 18.
Council members will take up TA25-04, the dredging proposal and other delayed measures when they reconvene Oct. 9.
