Brookhaven Board of Appeals cancels Oct. 15 meeting after lack of quorum

The City of Brookhaven Board of Appeals canceled its Oct. 15 meeting after the chair announced the panel did not have a quorum and therefore could not conduct business.

The chair, speaking at the start of the meeting, said, “So, because there's only 3 of us here and we are currently a board of 6 with 1 vacancy, we do not have a quorum,” and explained that under the law the board could not hold hearings, take public comments or take action. “In effect, it's as if this meeting did not happen, and everything that is on our agenda will just be moved to the next regular meeting agenda,” the chair said, identifying Nov. 19 as the next meeting date.

The announcement left several attendees frustrated. A resident who spoke in the room said, “It's not fun. It's not funny,” and criticized the board's planning, saying people had rearranged schedules and traveled to be present.

The chair told attendees they could submit written feedback to the Board of Appeals via the city's email address for BOA ("brookhaven g a dot gov"), which the chair said forwards messages to the board and planning staff so they can be added to official case records.

With no business to conduct, the meeting moved to adjournment. The chair called for a motion to adjourn the Oct. 15 meeting; the motion was moved and seconded, those present voiced "aye," and the chair declared the motion carried. The chair announced, “Motion carries, and we stand adjourned at 07:12PM.”

Because no formal votes or hearings were held, the chair emphasized that the cancellation is not the same as a deferral (which would require board action). All items on the agenda will appear on the Nov. 19 agenda unless otherwise notified on the city's meeting page.

The meeting lasted only long enough to confirm the lack of quorum, provide instructions for submitting written comments and adjourn. The chair closed by thanking attendees and noting local dining options on Buford Highway.