Alpharetta council approves pilot for smart streetlight fixtures, contingent on two test installs

The Alpharetta City Council on Oct. 27 approved a pilot to test smart LED streetlight fixtures, directing staff to install up to two demonstration heads and return to a work session before deploying the system corridor-wide.

City staff member Mr. Lagerbloom described the fixtures as integrated units that combine lighting with sensors and other data-collection capabilities. "For the first time ever, the same technology can be, put into the field in 1 lighting head as opposed to being a light fixture within cameras hanging off of poles," he said, explaining the pilot would allow the city to evaluate brightness, pedestrian experience and data functions. He asked the council to "lock in the 2025 pricing" and recommended installing up to two non-smart heads quickly so council and the public could assess the look and function.

Council members pressed for options on how the test fixtures would be placed. Councilman Heitz suggested installing them side-by-side to evaluate massing and luminosity, and Lagerbloom said staff could install them adjacent and then move one to compare spacing.

Councilwoman Mitchell raised public concerns she had received about a so-called "15-minute city" conspiracy associated with urban planning. She asked the city to clarify the program's intent; Mr. Lagerbloom replied, "No. Nobody's discussing that amongst your staff, and we're not bringing that concepts or recommendations forward." Mitchell said she favored installing two fixtures and inviting public review.

Council approved a motion that the contract proceed with the condition that staff install up to two non-smart test fixtures and return to a work session before authorizing corridor deployment; the vote was unanimous. Staff defined the corridor under consideration as Highway 9 between Academy Street and Old Milton Parkway and said funding options could include T-SPLOST and camera-replacement budgets.

Staff said the fixtures are capable of adjustable color temperature and brightness and can provide people-counting and event-attendance data for downtown planning and public-safety purposes. Mr. Lagerbloom said the company had previously worked with other Georgia jurisdictions and that the city would stage a small field test so councilmembers and the public could judge appearance and function before broader installation.