Brookhaven planning commission schedules Oct. 29 retreat, requests building tour and ethics clarification

The Brookhaven Planning Commission set its annual retreat for Oct. 29 and asked staff to arrange a tour of the new city center and to provide brief talking points on sustainability and programming. Staff said Explore Brookhaven would participate in the retreat to review proposed community events and city-center programming.

Commissioners proposed retreat topics including sustainability features of the new building, best practices for affordable and workforce housing, a short legal refresher on what commissioners can and cannot say in external forums, and brief department updates on stormwater, traffic and school impacts. Commissioners and staff also discussed local catering options (Danby and Confab were mentioned) and asked staff to check menus and follow up.

On ethics, commissioners raised questions about updated language in an ethics form—specifically a clause saying members shall "refrain from appearing or speaking on behalf of themselves or third parties in front of any board, committee, or commission of the city." Staff said the form came from the city clerk and recommended commissioners not feel pressured to sign immediately; staff committed to obtain a redline or clearer written guidance from the city attorney and clerk and to share clarifications by email or at the retreat.

Staff also reminded commissioners they can take the ethics form home to review and sign later if they prefer. The commission closed the organizational portion of the meeting and moved on to the regular agenda.