Planning Commission
Regular MeetingAthens, AL · September 19, 2017
Minutes
Athens Planning Commission 2017 September 19 Page 1 1 73
I. Call to Order:
The Planning Commission of the City of Athens, Alabama was called to order by Gina Garth,
Chairman, at 5:45 p.m. on September 19, 2017.
II. Roll Call.
Members present: Members absent:
Rick Johnson, Vice Chairman Gina Garth, Chairman
Chief Brian Thornton
Jerold Blaxton
Rod Huffman
Venard Hendrix
Robert Malone
Councilman Harold Wales
Also present:
James Rich, City of Athens Director of Public Works.
Erin Tidwell, Planning Commission Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
III. Resolution : Rick Johnson, acting as Chairman in the absence of Gina Garth, called for a
motion to accept the proposed minutes from the August 15, 2017 meeting as presented.
Mr. Huffman offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CI1Y
OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the minutes of the meeting of
August 15, 2017 meeting.
Mr. Blaxton seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous of the voting members
present.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
IV. Res ol ut i on Mr. Malone offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CI1Y OF ATHENS,
ALABAMA to grant the request of the City of Athens for Approval of the location,
character, and extent of improvements as set forth in the Hazard Mitigation Grant for a
Community Safe Room, located at Cowart Elementary School in a R-1-1 Low Density
Single Family Residential District.
Mr. Hendrix seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Rezoning
V. Public Hearing Request of the City of Athens Board of Education to rezone 5.82
Acres located to the west of Dexter Street within the Corporate Limits of the City of
Athens, from a TN-2 Traditional Neighborhood 2 District to a TB Traditional
Athens Planning Commission 2017 September 19 Page 1 1 74
Business District.
James Rich stated that the City School System acquired this land in order to acquire
an easement and wishes to rezone the land in order to sell it to uses that would
support the school and the children therein.
Mr. Malone asked what the City's view was to which Mr. Rich stated that the City
recommends the rezoning.
No one else spoke for or against the request; therefore Vice-Chairman Johnson
closed the public meeting.
VI. Resolution Mr. Blaxton offered the following resolution and moved for its
adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ATHENS, ALABAMA to recommend to the City Council the request of the City of
Athens Board of Education to rezone 5 . 82 Acres located to the west of Dexter
Street within the Corporate Limits of the City of Athens, from a TN-2 Traditional
Neighborhood 2 District to a TB Traditional Business District.
Mr. Wales seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Subdivisions
VII. Public Hearing Request of Tim Johnson for Approval of Brighton Hill CA Subdivision, a
minor subdivision consisting of a single lot divided into two lots sized 1.74 acres and 2.72
acres, located at 13690 Mooresville Rd, in an R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential
District.
James Rich stated that this subdivision is accompanied by a Petition to the Planning
Commission concerning an existing driveway on the property. The current Traffic
Circulation Standards will not allow City Planning Officials to grant residential access on an
arterial road without the Planning Commission's consent. Mr. Rich concluded that the City
accepts the petition and recommends the subdivision.
Mr. Robert Jones of 13790 Summerfield Dr., voiced his concerns about the type of structure
the City would allow to be placed on the proposed subdivision. Mr. Rich stated that the City
only allows permanent structures placed on a slab to be built in the City Limits. Mr. Jones
also wanted to note that his neighbor, Ms. Mary Cook is concerned about the owner cutting
down large historic oak trees that currently reside on the property.
The Applicant's surveyor, Mr. Nabe Harris, 12320 US HWY 31, Athens, AL 35611, stated that
there will be a buffer added as required by the City's Zoning Ordinance between the
residential property and the industrial use to the north.
No one else spoke for or against the request, therefore the public hearing was closed.
VIII. Resolution Mr. Malone offered the following resolution and moved for its
adoption:
VI. "BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS,
ALABAMA to grant the request of Tim Johnson for Approval of a Petition to the
Planning Commission regarding existing driveways on Lots 1 and 2 and Brighton Hill CA
Subdivision, a minor subdivision consisting of a single lot divided into two lots sized 1.74
Athens Planning Commission 2017 September 19 Page 1 1 75
acres and 2.72 acres, located at 13690 Mooresville Rd,in an R-1-1 Low Density Single
Family Residential District.
Mayor Marks seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
IX. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Agenda
City of Athens Planning Commission – Regular Meeting
September 19, 2017
Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Location – City Council Chambers, City Hall, 200 Hobbs St. West
CALL TO ORDER.
1. MINUTES.
a. Regular meeting of August 15, 2015 for approval
OLD BUSINESS None
NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution Request of the City of Athens to accept a Hazard Mitigation Grant for a Community
Safe Room located at Cowart Elementary School in a R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential
District.
REZONINGS, ANNEXATIONS, DEANNEXATIONS
2. Public Hearing Request of the City of Athens Board of Education to rezone 5.82 Acres located to
the west of Dexter Street within the Corporate Limits of the City of Athens, from a TN-2 Traditional
Neighborhood 2 District to a TB Traditional Business District.
3. Resolution Consider recommendation to the City Council the request of the City of Athens Board
of Education to rezone 5.82 Acres located to the west of Dexter Street within the Corporate Limits
of the City of Athens, from a TN-2 Traditional Neighborhood 2 District to a TB Traditional Business
District.
SUBDIVISIONS
4. Public Hearing Request of Tim Johnson for Approval of Brighton Hill CA Subdivision, a minor
subdivision consisting of a single lot divided into two lots sized 1.74 acres and 2.72 acres, located at
13690 Mooresville Rd,in an R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District.
5. Resolution Consider the request of Tim Johnson for Approval of Brighton Hill CA Subdivision, a
minor subdivision consisting of a single lot divided into two lots sized 1.74 acres and 2.72 acres,
located at 13690 Mooresville Rd,in an R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District.
CONDITIONAL USES None
SITE PLANS None
CITY OF ATHENS PLANNING COMMISSION
Public Hearing Procedure
● During the course of a Planning Commission Meeting whenever an application that requires a public hearing (zoning,
re-zoning, conditional use, certain subdivisions of property, etc. . . .) appears on the Commission’s agenda, the Chair
will declare the same and introduce the application to the Commission and citizens who are in attendance.
● The Chair will proceed through each scheduled public hearing as follows:
o Staff will provide an explanation of the case and a recommendation.
o Applicant will be given an opportunity to address the commission and should limit their comments to less
than ten (10) minutes.
o When a public hearing is slated, the Chair will open the hearing for public input.
o Members of the public, having been recognized, will be allowed three (3) minutes each to address the
Commission (unless the Chairman specifies otherwise).
NOTE: Large groups may wish to, but are not required to, appoint a spokesperson for the group, in which
case the Chair may grant the spokesperson additional time to speak.
▪ Generally, those desiring to speak “for” the request will be allowed to speak first, followed by those
desiring to speak “against” the request.
▪ Persons wishing to speak should raise their hand to be recognized by the Chairman. Once
recognized, please stand and state your name and address.
▪ Comments should be concise and limited to issues related to the request.
o When the Chairman believes that the Commission has received sufficient citizen input to make a
determination on the application, the public hearing will be closed and the applicant and/or the Staff will be
given an opportunity to address any issues brought out during public comment.
o Chairman will then allow Commission members to make comments or ask questions of anyone present to
clarify issues or provide additional information.
o The Chairman will call for a motion and a second on the motion. Commission members may speak to the
motion, any amendments, or points of parliamentary procedure.
o If a motion is forthcoming, a voice vote will be taken. If the decision is not unanimous, then the Chairman
will direct a roll call vote.
o If a motion is NOT forthcoming, the request will be considered “Denied” for lack of a motion.
PLEASE NOTE: The above-procedure is provided to serve as a guideline for the conduct of public hearings. The chairman
is not limited and/or constrained by this procedure and, under certain circumstances, may deem it necessary to deviate from
this guideline.
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