The committee that will map out where Brookhaven will go andwhat it will become over the next 25 years held its first meetingThursday night at the Government Complex.

Urban Planning Consultant Mike Slaughter told the ComprehensivePlanning Advisory Board they have been enlisted to begin steeringthe city toward the future. Each alderman and Mayor Bob Massengillnamed two members to the committee with the idea of choosingcommunity leaders of all kinds to give the committee as diverse amakeup as possible.

“You will help shape this community for years to come,”Slaughter said. “You wouldn’t have been asked to participate if youweren’t someone who loves Brookhaven.”

Slaughter went through a presentation with the group, givingthem a broad overview of what they will discuss and decide overwhat should be the next 12 months. Slaughter said it takes betweena year and 18 months to map out all the different parts of acomprehensive plan.

The comprehensive plan, he told them, is a statement of publicpolicy for the physical development of the entire community andindicates in a general way how the leaders of the government andthe citizens want the community to develop over the next 20-25years.

“In the physical appearance, if we don’t do it, the developersfor the most part don’t care,” Slaughter said. “They’ll do it theirway if there are no guidelines, and you need to make sure your cityis bringing in good quality development.”

The pieces of the plan, which range from transportation tocommunity facilities to land use to recreation, will help cityauthorities have a ruler by which to guide people building anddeveloping in the community, thus giving Brookhaven a uniformityand personality all its own.

“If we have our plans in place and the planning commission andthe board of aldermen can implement that with the proper tools, asthe years go by you can make a better Brookhaven,” Slaughter toldthe group.

He did remind them the most important part of outlining rulesand ordinances for community development would actually beenforcing whatever they decide. Of particular interest wasdeveloping ordinances dealing with unkept property and abandonedautomobiles.

“If you don’t enforce the municipal codes and ordinances, you’rewasting your time and money,” Slaughter said.

Slaughter told the committee they would be in charge of what hecalled “visioning” for the city, and that it would be each of theirunique perspectives as community leaders that would give thecomprehensive plan the facets it will need to make Brookhaven apleasant and livable city.

“We can look at the trends, where we’ve been, and where we arenow, and we can see where we’re going,” he said.

Brookhaven’s last comprehensive plan was made in 1979, and hasnot been strictly followed or enforced.

“This is so needed,” said Massengill. “This will make adifference for the future for our children and grandchildren.”