The Brookhaven City Council at its Sept. 8 meeting deferred for 30 days an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Brookhaven and DeKalb County for a new fire station at Blackburn Park after nearby residents said they were unaware of the plan.

Several speakers who live within 1,000 feet of the site said they were unaware of the proposed construction on a 1.35-acre site at the park until the morning of the meeting, adding that they didn’t necessarily oppose a new fire station, but wanted more information.

One member of the Cambridge Park Civic Association, a 157-home subdivision near the proposed fire station, said residents met three weeks ago with city officials and the proposed station was not discussed.

“While I am sure that many people did get notified [of the proposed fire station], those of us who are within 400 to 500 feet of the entrance to this major new fire station didn’t know about it until this morning,” the speaker said. “We’re not necessarily opposed or supporting, we would just like an opportunity for the conversation.”

Several other speakers echoed that sentiment, asking the council for a 90-day deferral on the agreement, but District 1 Council Member Michael Diaz proposed the measure be deferred to the Oct. 13 meeting.

“There are concerns that I have been hearing at various community meetings, like the parking spaces, the community meeting room, but I wanted to make sure some of these are going to be included in the IGA,” Diaz said.

The council approved the deferral unanimously.

In other action, the council:

  • commended the 31 graduates of the second annual Brookhaven Teen Police Academy and its organizer, Officer Angela Hawkins;
  • heard from several citizens during public comment about their desire to move the proposed a DeKalb County library to a more visible location within the city;
  • heard that the Brookhaven Police Department has received the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification for the 10th year;
  • approved an intergovernmental agreement for 911 services in conjunction with the City of Dunwoody.

Cathy Cobbs is Reporter Newspapers' Managing Editor and covers Dunwoody and Brookhaven for Rough Draft Atlanta. She can be reached at cathy@roughdraftatlanta.com.