Sustainability

"Chamblee envisions a city developing to meet the needs of its citizens without compromising the ability of natural, social, and economic systems to provide for future residents."

- Chamblee Sustainability Plan, 2020

Strategy

The City of Chamblee has adopted various sustainability plans, policies, and ordinances in our commitment to be more sustainable and enhance the q2uality of life for our current and future residents. Click the below images to learn more:

Adopted Plans

The City of Chamblee recognizes that protecting our natural resources, promoting conservation, and supporting walkable and energy efficient development is important to quality of life and economic resilience. To become a regional leader in sustainability, Chamblee will implement recommended actions from its adopted Sustainability Plan and other adopted master plans, such as:

Promoting developments are environmentally sensitive and protect valuable resources (natural and cultural)
Ensuring adequate high-quality water through protection of ground and surface water resources.
Continuing to support and develop enhanced solid waste reduction and recycling initiatives.
Encouraging sustainable policies, practices, and programs to better protect the natural environment for the health and well being of future generations.

To read all recommended action plans in effect, click on your desired Cover Page below:

	Chamblee adopted its first ever Sustainability Plan in September of 2020. Drawing on previous adopted plans and goals of the City, this monumental plan makes recommendations for sustainable growth for the City in the areas of land use, transportation, materials management, energy, water, food, and governance and outreach.
	Chamblee completed an audit with Georgia Environmental Protection Division and is compliant with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District’s Water Resource Management Plan.
	Chamblee’s Comprehensive Master Plan adopted in 2019 offers various Natural Resource and Sustainability recommendations, including six new initiatives intended to help the city pursue "Platinum" level under the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Green Communities Program.
	Chamblee’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan focuses on acquiring, developing, and connecting parks, facilities, green spaces, and recreation opportunities through 2026.
	Chamblee’s Multi-modal Transportation Plan integrates concepts such as safe routes to school and complete streets. Its recommendations call for the construction of at least 5 miles of new sidewalks through infill projects, 15 new miles of trails, 10+ intersection realignments, and a mobility hub at Chamblee MARTA station.

Unified Development Ordinance

The city enforces the Unified Development Ordinance that provides thresholds for bringing existing structures into zoning compliance, so as to guide development toward the visions as outlined in the city’s comprehensive plans. Some of the best practices in sustainability upheld by Chamblee’s code include:

All construction projects are required by Chief Building Official to conduct duct leakage, blower door tests and complete house wrap inspections to ensure the structures that are being erected are meeting efficiency requirements. See the Permits and Inspections page for more details.
One over-story tree is required for every eight parking spaces and each space must within 40 feet of a tree to support adequate shade coverage in surface parking lots.
Electric vehicle charging stations are required for commercial projects over a specified size. In addition, buildings more than 20,000 square feet are required to be LEED certified.
Shared parking for complimentary uses is permitted and reduced parking requirements are available for transit oriented developments. Parking over the minimum requirement must be constructed of permeable paving.

Policies

On May 16, 2017, a framework of sustainability policies was adopted by the Chamblee City Council and Mayor. The policies established a baseline of formal governance and environmental stewardship goals, and formally declared the city’s ambition to become a regional leader in sustainable development and operations. Many of these elements have been integrated into comprehensive plans adopted after 2017. As such, implementation of these policies continues to guide daily decision making.

In 2019, the Atlanta Regional Commission recognized the City of Chamblee’s commitment to sustainability, upgrading the city from Bronze Level to Gold Level under their Green Communities Program. This program recognizes exceptional work in the areas of development, community engagement and parks and recreation. Through holistic implementation of our sustainability policy framework, zoning codes, initiatives and adopted city plans, the city’s hopes to move closer to attaining "Platinum" Status.

	Where possible, design roadways to accommodate all users, retrofit bike lanes on resurfacing projects, and provide at least three bike parking spaces at city facilities to promote last mile connectivity.		Turn off all lights and office equipment when not in use, maximize use of natural light near windows, reset thermostats to most efficient setting.
	Full time city employees who commute to a city facility for work seven days out of the month by walking, biking, transit or ride share are eligible for an additional $30 (gift card) per month.		Removed trees on city property must be replaced, unless diseased, hazardous or in proven conflict with utilities or utility easements.
	Expedited review is available for projects submitting for LEED certification or similar or integrating approved green features.		Dark skies compliant cut-off fixtures must be used to prevent light spillover into the sky and adjacent properties. Traffic light bulbs to be replaced with LED bulbs as they burn out.
	Reduce pesticide use by planting native species. Use mulch from on-site plant debris. Irrigate and care for root systems using sustainable gardening practices.		*Turn off city vehicles (assigned or personal) when not in use, with exceptions for limited safety, emergency or temperature sensitive operations.*
	*Buy goods or services with less negative environmental impact (see: preferred environmental criteria).*		*LEED certification or similar, high efficiency plumbing fixtures and Energy Star equipment/fixtures are required for facilities sized 5000 gross square feet or greater.*