Planning Commission
Regular MeetingAthens, AL · October 17, 2017
Minutes
Athens Planning Commission 2017 October 17 Page [ 1 76
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 October 17, 2017.
II. Roll Call.
Members nresent: Members absent:
Gina Garth, Chairman Rick Johnson, Vice Chairman
Chief Brian Thornton Mayor Ronnie Marks
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: The Chairman called for a motion to accept the proposed minutes from the
September 19, 2017 meeting as presented.
Councilman Huffman offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, to approve the minutes of the September 19,
2017 meeting with the following corrections:
• Rick Johnson acted as Chair due to Gina Garth's absence.
Mr. Blaxton seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous of the voting members
present.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Rezoning
IV. Resolution Request of Hamlin Homes for Approval of a limited Amendment of the
Master Development Plan of the Meres Subdivision.
James Rich stated that this would be a minor amendment to the Planned Unit
Development (PUD). Mr. Hamlin is requesting that several lots zoned R-1-5 be
rezoned to and R-1-3 District according to the proposed zoning presented in the
layout. Staff recommends the decision.
Nick Hamlin, the developer of the property, came forward and requested that the
item be tabled until the November meeting to allow himself time for due diligence
Athens Planning Commission 2017 October 17 Page 1 1 77
before making decisions that will impact those already residing in the subdivision.
V. Resolution Mr. Huffman offered the following resolution and moved for its
adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ATHENS, ALABAMA to postpone decision on the request of Hamlin Homes for
Approval of a limited Amendment of the Master Development Plan of the Meres
Subdivision until the November meeting.
Mr. Blaxton seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
Subdivisions
VI. Public Hearing Request of Charles Sowell for Approval of a Certificate to Subdivide .08
Acres of property located at 14195 Cambridge Lane, located in an EST Estate Residential and
Agricultural District.
Mr. Rich explained that this was a family that wished to add property from one family lot to
another in order to allow room for expanding an existing house.
Mrs. Judy Sowell of 14225 Cambridge Lane spoke in favor of the subdivision. She stated that
her father-in-law agreed to subdivide his property to allow for an addition on the house that
sits at 14225 Cambridge Lane.
Mter Mrs. Sowell's comments, no one else spoke for or against the item and the hearing was
closed.
VII. Resolution Mr. Malone offered the following resolution and moved for its
adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS,
ALABAMA to grant the request of Charles Sowell for Approval of a Certificate to
Subdivide .08 Acres of property located at 14195 Cambridge Lane, located in an EST
Estate Residential and Agricultural District and to grant the request of Mike and Julia
Sowell for Approval of a Certificate to consolidate .08 Acres of property located at 14225
Cambridge Lane in an EST Estate Residential and Agricultural District.
Mr. Hendrix seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Public Hearing Request of Don Thomas for Approval of Thomas Subdivision, a
minor subdivision consisting of 2.6 Acres located at 24684 Newby Road, Madison, AL 35756
in an R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District.
Mr. Rich stated that this is a simple subdivision of 2.6 Acres off of a larger lot. It meets all
the subdivision and zoning requirements.
Gaila Rice of 24764 Newby Road was opposed to the subdivision. She questioned whether a
subdivision with multiple houses would be developed on the subdivided lot. James
explained that the legal term for dividing property is subdivision. The lot is zoned R-1-1 Low
Density Single Family Residential therefore only one primary residential structure is
allowed per lot.
No one else spoke for or against the item and the hearing was closed.
Athens Planning Commission 2017 October 17 Page 1 1 78
IX. Resolution Mr. Wales offered the following resolution and moved for
its adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS,
ALABAMA to grant the request of Don Thomas for Approval of Thomas Subdivision, a
minor subdivision consisting of 2.6 Acres located at 24684 Newby Road, Madison, AL
35756 in an R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District.
Mr. Huffman seconded the motion. Mrs. Garth stated that since the applicant nor a
representative of the applicant was present, she was not inclined to vote in favor of the
resolution.
The motion passed with a vote of 6-1 with Mrs. Garth voting no.
Site Plans
X. Resolution Request of Lynn Persell for Approval of a site plan for the
New Athens Bible School located East of Highway 3 1 between SR-251 and Athens
Sportsplex in an INST Institutional Zone.
Discussion occurred between the commission concerning the proposed entrance and exit being
located directly across from the new Athens High School entrance and exit. Mr. Wales
expressed concern about the south bound left turn out of the Bible School complex. Mr. Rich
explained ALDOT was involved with the planning of this intersection and that the traffic signal
would work similarly to the one located at the intersection of Lindsay Lane and Highway 72.
Mr. Huffman offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS,
ALABAMA to grant the request of Lynn Persell for Approval of a site plan for the New
Athens Bible School located East of Highway 31 between SR-251 and Athens Sportsplex
in an INST Institutional Zone.
Mr. Malone seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Annual Business
XI. Resolution: Mr. Huffman offered the following resolution and moved for its
adoption:
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS,
ALABAMA to move the annual election of officers to the November 21st meeting.
Mr. Wales seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous of the voting members
present.
XII. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
C · '> on A�e�
Agenda
City of Athens Planning Commission – Regular Meeting
October 17, 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.
I. MINUTES.
a. Regular meeting of September 19, 2017 for approval
OLD BUSINESS None
NEW BUSINESS
REZONINGS, ANNEXATIONS, DEANNEXATIONS
II. Resolution Request of Hamlin Homes for Approval of a limited Amendment of the Master
Development Plan of the Meres Subdivision.
SUBDIVISIONS
III. Public Hearing Request of Charles Sowell for Approval of a Certificate to Subdivide .08 Acres of
property located at 14195 Cambridge Lane, located in an EST Estate Residential and Agricultural
District.
IV. Resolution Consider the request of Charles Sowell for Approval of a Certificate to Subdivide .08
Acres of property located at 14195 Cambridge Lane, located in an EST Estate Residential and
Agricultural District.
V. Resolution Consider the request of Mike and Julia Sowell for Approval of a Certificate to
consolidate .08 Acres of property located at 14225 Cambridge Lane in an EST Estate Residential
and Agricultural District.
VI. Public Hearing Request of Don Thomas for Approval of Thomas Subdivision, a minor
subdivision consisting of 2.6 Acres located at 24684 Newby Road, Madison, AL 35756 in an R-1-1
Low Density Single Family Residential District.
VII. Resolution Consider the request of Don Thomas for Approval of Thomas Subdivision, a minor
subdivision consisting of 2.6 Acres located at 24684 Newby Road, Madison, AL 35756 in an R-1-1
Low Density Single Family Residential District.
VIII. Public Hearing Request of Paul and Tamara Fontanez for Approval of Fontanez Subdivision, a
minor subdivision consisting of 4 lots located at 22777 Compton Road in an EST Estate Residential
and Agricultural District. Item pulled.
IX. Resolution Request of Paul and Tamara Fontanez for Approval of Fontanez Subdivision, a minor
subdivision consisting of 4 lots located at 22777 Compton Road in an EST Estate Residential and
Agricultural District. Item pulled.
CONDITIONAL USES None
SITE PLANS
X. Resolution Request of Lynn Persell for Approval of a site plan for the New Athens Bible School
located East of Highway 31 between SR-251 and Athens Sportsplex in an INST Institutional Zone.
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.
Get email alerts for Athens
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.