Planning Commission

City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama The Commissioners, applicants and the public were allowed to participate in-person. Also present: James Rich (Director of Public Works), Matthew Davidson (City Planner), Micah Cochran (GIS Administrator), Lakeisha Johnson (Planner), Gary Chynoweth (Engineer Consultant) were also present. CALL TO ORDER. The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 5:45PM. 1.) Roll Call of Appointed Commissioners The following Commissioners were present” Mrs. Gina Garth (Chairwoman) Mrs. Dana Henry (Council) Mr. Rick Johnson (Vice Chairman) – Absent Mr. Roderick Herron (Commissioner) Mr. Venard Hendrix (Commissioner Mayor Ronnie Marks - Absent Mr. Robert Malone (Commissioner) Mr. Brad Mallette (Commissioner) Chief Allen Hogan (Fire) 2.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Minutes approved collectively a. Meeting Minutes – June 15, 2021 b. Meeting Minutes – July 6, 2021 (Special Called Meeting) c. Meeting Minutes – July 20, 2021 d. **Amend Minutes – March 16, 2021 Mover: Malone Second: Hendrix – Minutes approved unanimously by all voting members present. NEW BUSINESS CONDITIONAL USE 3a.) Public Hearing. Request of Tyrone Harris for a Conditional Use, parcel 44-10-04-19-0-000- 001.009 (next to Lindsay Lane Christian Academy), Athens Alabama. The property is zoned EST – Estate Residential and Agricultural district. b.) Resolution. -Mrs. Garth, opened a public hearing required by law for the request of Tyrone Harris for a Conditional Use, parcel 44-10-04-19-0-000-001.009 (next to Lindsay Lane Christian Academy), Athens Alabama. The property is zoned EST – Estate Residential and Agricultural district. -Mr. Davidson, explained the applicants request and shared with the Commissioners that the current 1  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama property is vacant and the existing vegetation will be used for privacy and there will be a fence installed at the front of the property. The property will be used to store three food trucks only and Staff recommends approval of the applicants request. -Mrs. Garth, verified with the applicant that there will be three food trucks stored on the property and that if the requests change the applicant will have to come before the Planning Commission again. -Mrs. Garth asked if anyone was here to speak in favor of the applicants request, are there any questions, comments and or concerns to please come forward. -No one spoke from the public. -Mrs. Garth, closed the public hearing and asked if there was a Commissioner that would move to approve the applicants request. “BE IT RESOLVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, Request of Tyrone Harris for a Conditional Use, parcel 44-10-04-19-0-000-001.009 (next to Lindsay Lane Christian Academy), Athens Alabama. The property is zoned EST – Estate Residential and Agricultural district.” -Mrs. Henry, made the motion to approve the applicants request. -Mrs. Garth, shared with the applicant that this application is only to approve the request of the storage of the three food trucks and if the applicant wanted to do anything else on the property they would have to come back before the Planning Commission for approval. -Mr. Malone, seconded the motion to approve the applicants request and the request was approved unanimously by all voting Commissioners present. MINOR SUBDIVISIONS 4a.) Public Hearing. Request of Gordon Swint and Family for final approval of Final Plat of Swint Property Subdivision, a minor subdivision of +/- 6.0 acres into 1 lot, located at 411 Brookwood Road, Athens AL 35613, zoned R-1-3 (High Density Single Family Residential). WITHDRAWN BY APPLICANT ON 08/13/2021 b.) Resolution. 5a.) Resolution. Request of the City of Athens for final approval of the Replat of Lot 2 of Breeding Industrial Park Subdivision, Ph.2, a minor subdivision of +/- 19.57 acres into 2 lots, located approximately 400 feet west of the intersection of Sanderfer Road and Durham Drive, Athens, AL 35611, zoned M-1 (Light Industrial) district. -Mrs. Garth, restated the Resolution of the Request of the City of Athens for final approval of the Replat of Lot 2 of Breeding Industrial Park Subdivision, Ph.2, a minor subdivision of +/- 19.57 acres into 2 lots, located approximately 400 feet west of the intersection of Sanderfer Road and Durham Drive, Athens, AL 35611, zoned M-1 (Light Industrial) district. - Mr. Davidson, explained that the applicant KC Logistics a Transport Company is requesting this Replat to purchase Lot 2A from the City of Athens which will support Mazda Toyota Manufacturing 2  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama Plant and will employ an estimated 100 People to include mechanics, drivers and technical support and invest $12million on the new building and the City will maintain ownership of LOT 2B and Staff recommends approval of the applicants request. -Mr. Malone, asked about the additional property beyond the lots specified. -Mr. Hendrix, will the property LOT 2B outlined in blue will be determined as a flag lot? -Mr. Davidson, a portion of the lot is unbuildable however it would not be considered a flag lot because of the substantial amount of frontage that currently exists. -Mrs. Garth, asked if the City owns the property to the West. -Mr. Davidson, yes, the city owns the former golf course and based on the most recent aerials, no nothing is on the property and referred to Mr. Rich of any development on the property. -Mr. Rich, the City has a grant with TVA to develop two Industrial type properties in the future, the lot will be eventually consolidated with Lot 2B. -Mrs. Garth, any questions, comments or concerns from the Commissioners. -Mrs. Garth, do I have a member of the Commission to move to approve the applicants request. “BE IT RESOLVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, Request of the City of Athens for final approval of the Replat of Lot 2 of Breeding Industrial Park Subdivision, Ph.2, a minor subdivision of +/- 19.57 acres into 2 lots, located approximately 400 feet west of the intersection of Sanderfer Road and Durham Drive, Athens, AL 35611, zoned M-1 (Light Industrial) district. -Mr. Hendrix, made the motion to approve the applicants request. -Mr. Mallette, seconded the motion to approve the applicants request and the request was approved unanimously by all voting Commissioners present. MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS 6a.) Public Hearing. Request of Michele L. Holdings LLC for Preliminary approval of Forrest Park, a major subdivision of Forrest Park, a major subdivision of +/-67 acres into 98 lots and 3 common areas, located on the south side of Forrest Street west of Brookwood Road, East of Swan Creek, zoned R-1-3 (High Density Single Family Residential). 6b.) Resolution. -Mrs. Garth, opened a public hearing, required by law for the request of Michele L. Holdings LLC for Preliminary approval of Forrest Park, a major subdivision of Forrest Park, a major subdivision of +/- 67 acres into 98 lots and 3 common areas, located on the south side of Forrest Street west of Brookwood Road, East of Swan Creek, zoned R-1-3 (High Density Single Family Residential). -Mr. Davidson, explained the applicants request and stated the property is approximately 67 acres, develop as a detached single-family home subdivision, the lot size increased and the lot count decreased since layout approval. Proposed 35% of site area of open space/natural area and the applicant is proposing to install a roundabout along East Forest Street, Forest Park Drive will eventually be extended South and connect to Athens Limestone Drive which will eventually connect to 72 and it will be the responsibility of the City to maintain. The City does not have a timeline regarding 3  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama the road extensions however this is in our future plans and the applicant provided a traffic study which recommends a roundabout and Staff recommends approval of the preliminary plat of Forrest Park. -Mrs. Garth asked if anyone was here to speak in favor of the applicants request, are there any questions, comments and or concerns from the public to please come forward and you will be limited to three minutes. -Mr. Taz Morell, (Morell Engineering) stated he will be glad to answer any questions. -Mr. Ronnie Lot, Resident (100 Brookwood Drive) trying to find out about the access to Brookwood Road and was concerned about the connectivity to his neighborhood and the roundabout. -Mr. Davidson, they are proposing access point to Brookwood Drive, it’s not a major access road however it is required by our current land use plan and zoning ordinances to require interconnectivity to an existing road. -Mr. Lot, has a problem with the interconnectivity and the location between Brookwood Dr., Brookwood RD and Forrest St. we already spend several minutes attempting to exit the subdivision, the road is already difficult to access from Brookwood Drive to Brookwood RD., the area is not large where you are talking about putting the roundabout. -Mr. Rich, there is a major access will be at the roundabout and our zoning ordinance requires connectivity we don’t anticipate a lot of development going thru Brookwood and the traffic study revealed very little traffic impact in that area. -Mr. Chynoweth (Engineering Consultant), the difficulty on Brookwood will probably be making a left turn onto Forrest, this connection will allow you to go thru the subdivision which will improve your access to Forrest St. -Mr. Lot, I still don’t like it. -Ms. Mary Stevenson, Resident (260 Brookwood Rd) stated that she is not clear where the new roundabout is going to be placed. -Mr. Davidson, explained where the roundabout will be placed near Ridgelawn, further West. -Mr. Eric Crawford, Resident (100 Grove Lane), discussed the letter and how is unaware of the meeting until Friday, I have a couple questions, appreciate the density of the subdivision. how do you plan to mitigate traffic regarding the connectivity from the subdivision to 72, how will you adjust the speed in the first phase to slow the speed down? How will pedestrian traffic be impacted on Forrest St., will the sidewalk be moved? Will my side of Forrest road be impacted by the drainage and I have a concern about storm water runoff, the creek rises, what additional development is in place to address these issues, will there be any road closures related to the construction. -Mr. Rich, our goal is to keep the traffic going during the construction of the roundabout, traffic will be allowed during construction. Storm drainage on this site goes to the South there should be no impact to the North, the roundabout is offset to the South so the existing sidewalk will not be impacted nor will the pedestrian sidewalk be impacted. -Mr. Crawford, what about the speed inside the neighborhood? -Mr. Rich, there is no access of residential driveways, thru the traffic study we will go back and address it based on the traffic study and utilize stop signs as a traffic calming method. -Mr. Crawford, I encourage you all take a look at that on a very busy highway, we don’t control the 4  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama speed and it will be a problem. -Mrs. Garth, addressing the issues of the cuthrough to 72, how are you going to keep people from speeding. -Mr. Rich, we have not seen the layout of the Swint property, we will look at traffic control methods and consider traffic calming matters. -Mr. Crawford, encourage something other than a stop sign on that road. -Mrs. Garth, utilizing the sidewalk and will there be any kind of barrier. -Mrs. Kelly Resident (106 Grove Lane), it’s already almost impossible to get out onto Nick Davis to make a left, discussed adjusting the entrance so individuals can access 72, that way we won’t need a roundabout. -Mr. Chynoweth, a benefit of a roundabout is it slows down speed and traffic. -Mrs. Kelly, Hightower Hill Subdivision has one entrance and one exit. -Mr. Chynoweth, interconnectivity is required because of the increase in growth and traffic, the roundabout will assist in slowing down traffic however, I am not sure how the roundabout will assist you directly. -Mrs. Kelly, we need a light, we pay taxes to, we need to think things through before we put roundabouts everywhere. -Mrs. Garth, the roundabout is a traffic calming mechanism. -Mr. Rich, the roundabout will assist in addressing some of these issues with traffic and speed. -Mrs. Garth, asked if there were any additional questions, comments or concerns regarding the request. -Mrs. Garth, asked if she had a member of the Commission to move to approve the applicants request. -Chief Hogan, made the motion to approve the applicants request. “BE IT RESOLVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, Request of Michele L. Holdings LLC for Preliminary approval of Forrest Park, a major subdivision of Forrest Park, a major subdivision of +/-67 acres into 98 lots and 3 common areas, located on the south side of Forrest Street west of Brookwood Road, East of Swan Creek, zoned R-1-3 (High Density Single Family Residential). -Mr. Herron, seconded the motion to approve the applicants request and the request was approved unanimously by all voting Commissioners present. Additional Comments from the Planning Commissioners and others -Mr. Hendrix, asked how does the Swint property that was withdrawn impact this development? -Mr. Davidson, once the Swint property comes back the portion directly south of this will have to be constructed, we will need ROW for the roadway connection to be constructed. -Mr. Rich, we have to first understand the development of the Swint Property and how it is going to develop before we know where the road will go. -Mr. Hendrix, how does this property impact the Swint property or vice versa? -Mr. Rich, we have not seen any development plans for the Swint property however from this layout we know that there will need to be access. -Mr. Mallette, understand the roundabout provides more validity for vehicles however it is less friendly for pedestrians. Recommend some type of lighting, signage and crosswalks. 5  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama -Mr. Rich, we will look at the standard and follow those standards and recommendations. -Mr. Lot, I had no idea about the Swint subdivision, what are they putting right there? -Mrs. Garth, the item was withdrawn so we have no idea what the Swint Property is proposing. -Mr. Rich, confirmed that we have no development plans for the Swint property at this time. -Mrs. Henry, discussed the space outline in blue, there is quite a bit of space even though we don’t have a Swint plat here it looks to me that the light may eventually serve to help the speed and the traffic, do we know if there are plans in place. -Mr. Rich, we want the connectivity and ensure functionality, take all these things into account including traffic safety concerns. -Mrs. Garth, restated the motion, seconded and asked for a vote of all Commissioners again and it was approved by all voting Commissioners Present. 7a.) Public Hearing. Request of James Christopher for Preliminary approval of Summit Lakes Southeast, a major subdivision of +/- 7.98 acres into 20 lots, located South of Summit Lakes Drive and West of Lindsay Lane, zoned in an R-1-4 Single Family Duplex Attached Residential District. 7b.) Resolution. -Mrs. Garth, opened a public hearing, required by law for the request of James Christopher for Preliminary approval of Summit Lakes Southeast, a major subdivision of +/- 7.98 acres into 20 lots, located South of Summit Lakes Drive and West of Lindsay Lane, zoned in an R-1-4 Single Family Duplex Attached Residential District. -Mr. Davidson, the applicant is proposing a 20-lot subdivision, applicant has provided a stub out for future connections and interconnectivity patterns, this is consistent with the zoning ordinances and land uses plan. Staff is recommending approval of the preliminary plat. -Mrs. Garth asked if anyone was here to speak in favor of the applicants request, are there any questions, comments and or concerns from the public to please come forward and you will be limited to three minutes. -Mr. Wayne McCain, 498 Summit Lakes Drive, Resident (HOA President of Summit Lakes), concerns from last months meeting about the additional 12 lots from last months PC meeting. We have no sidewalks, we are concerned about safety and traffic, no safety provisions. Another issue we have two lane narrow entrance and exit with almost 90 homes and over 150 vehicles traveling that road, we are adding nearly 100 additional vehicles with not additional entrance or exit. The stub is this private property, does James Christopher own this property? Are there any other subdivisions that have been approved with one entrance and exit? -Mr. Davidson, yes Mr. Christopher owns the property. -Mrs. Garth, there are other subdivisions with one entrance in and out because the residents did not want additional entrances. -Mr. Rich, this was first presented to the city over 20 years ago, the requirements that were in place now were not in place before 2006. This new proposed layout has to meet the current standards. -Mr. McCain, the subdivision plan in 2006 there was a provision of a North exit. -Mr. Rich, the City made that recommendation however the Residents did not want that connection. 6  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama -Mrs. Garth, asked if there were any additional questions, comments or concerns regarding the request. -Mrs. Garth, declared the public hearing closed and confirmed with Staff that this request had no contingencies. -Mr. Davidson, confirmed that Staff recommends approval with no contingencies. -Mrs. Garth, asked if she had a member of the Commission to move to approve the applicants request. -Mr. Malone, made the motion to approve the applicants request. “BE IT RESOLVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, Request of James Christopher for Preliminary approval of Summit Lakes Southeast, a major subdivision of +/- 7.98 acres into 20 lots, located South of Summit Lakes Drive and West of Lindsay Lane, zoned in an R-1-4 Single Family Duplex Attached Residential District. -Mrs. Henry, seconded the motion to approve the applicants request and the request was approved unanimously by all voting Commissioners present. -Mrs. Garth, does the new development have sidewalks? -Mr. Davidson, yes, the new phase will have sidewalks on one side of the road, this will be under the current code. -Mr. Mallette, is there space in the original subdivision for the residents to have sidewalks. -Mr. Rich, we will have to determine the utilities in place etc. -Mrs. Garth, the City does not generally go out and put sidewalks into subdivisions. -Mr. Rich, correct. -Mrs. Garth, restated the motion, seconded and asked for a vote of all Commissioners again and it was approved by all voting Commissioners Present. 8a.) Resolution. Request of Mark Yarbrough for final approval of Newby Chapel Sub-division (Phase 3), a major subdivision of +/- 41.12 acres into 76 lots, located on the South Side of Newby Road approximately 1900’ east of Cambridge Lane, 1200’ south of Newby Rd., zoned R-1-3 (High Density Single Family Residential). -Mrs. Garth, restated the Resolution of Mark Yarbrough for final approval of Newby Chapel Sub- division (Phase 3), a major subdivision of +/- 41.12 acres into 76 lots, located on the South Side of Newby Road approximately 1900’ east of Cambridge Lane, 1200’ south of Newby Rd., zoned R-1-3 (High Density Single Family Residential). -Mr. Davidson, this is a continuation of the Newby Chapel Subdivision, 3rd phase and one more phase after this, property zoned R-1-3, the final plat has received final inspection approval and required letters. Staff recommends approval with no contingencies. -Mrs. Garth, do I have a member from the Commission to move to approve the applicants request. -Mr. Hendrix, made the motion to approve the applicants request. “BE IT RESOLVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, Request of Mark Yarbrough for final approval of Newby Chapel Sub-division (Phase 3), a major subdivision of +/- 41.12 acres into 76 lots, located on the South Side of Newby Road approximately 1900’ east of Cambridge Lane, 1200’ south of Newby Rd., zoned R-1-3 (High Density Single Family Residential). 7  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama -Mr. Malone seconded the motion and the request was approved unanimously by all Commissioners present. 9a.) Resolution. Request of Ozark Properties for layout approval of Laurenwood, a major subdivision of +/- 41.67 acres into 123 lots, 3 common areas situated between West Elm Street and West Market Street and lying approximately 1700 feet east of Lucas Ferry Road, zoned R-1- High Density Single Family Residential District. -Mrs. Garth, restated the Resolution of Ozark Properties for layout approval of Laurenwood, a major subdivision of +/- 41.67 acres into 123 lots, 3 common areas situated between West Elm Street and West Market Street and lying approximately 1700 feet east of Lucas Ferry Road, zoned R-1-1 Low Density Single Family Residential District. -Mr. Davidson, zoned R-1-3 provided background on the surrounding properties. The development will be accessible from both Market and Elm street, the future plans also include three future road stubs, 12% of the site will be utilized for Open Space, the applicant also provided a traffic study which Staff is currently reviewing and Staff is recommending approval with no contingencies of the layout. -Mrs. Garth, does anyone have any questions? Also, wanted clarity on the location of the project. -Mr. Rich, the City is very supportive of this project with infield development located on the Northwest portion of town. Mrs. Garth, any additional questions or comments. Mr. Mallette, made the motion to approve the request of Ozark Properties. “BE IT RESOLVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, Request of Ozark Properties for layout approval of Laurenwood, a major subdivision of +/- 41.67 acres into 123 lots, 3 common areas situated between West Elm Street and West Market Street and lying approximately 1700 feet east of Lucas Ferry Road, zoned R-1- High Density Single Family Residential District. Mr. Herron, seconded the motion to approve the applicants request, the request approved by all voting Commissioners Present. REZONE 10a.) Public Hearing. Consider for recommendation to the City Council the request of OF&C Enterprises INC. to rezone +/- 61 acres located on the west by interstate 65 on the east side by Lindsay Lane and north of Johnson Road from EST (Estate Residential and Agricultural District) & R- 1-1 (Low Density Single Family Residential District to C-PUD (Conventional Planned Unit Development District). 10b.) Resolution. -Mrs. Garth, opened a public hearing to Consider for recommendation to the City Council the request of OF&C Enterprises INC. to rezone +/- 61 acres located on the west by interstate 65 on the east side by Lindsay Lane and north of Johnson Road from EST (Estate Residential and Agricultural District) & 8  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama R-1-1 (Low Density Single Family Residential District) to C-PUD (Conventional Planned Unit Development District). -Mr. Davidson, the applicant is proposing a mixed use-development, no commercial development will be included in this mixed-use (R-1-3, R-1-5 & R2) development the applicant is providing over 25 acres of open space to include natural area and parks and amenities, a club house will be provided and a trail head, stub to the North when that area develops, applicant provided a traffic study and noted several recommendations. Staff has been working with the applicant for several months and we want to see a product like this and we recommend approval with no contingencies. -Mrs. Garth, asked if there were any additional questions, comments or concerns regarding the request. -Mr. Andy Grose, Resident (2181 Lindsay Lane South), spoke about the current conditions on Lindsay Lane, the Resident is not opposed to the subdivision he is concerned with the quality of the road on Lindsay Lane. Lindsay Lane road is bad, if we are building up Lindsay Lane to be a world class neighborhood we should be embarrassed of that road, improvements of Lindsay Lane need to be addressed. The entire road needs to be repaired and paved. Also, all the developments are coming, where are the children going to go to school, we need to think of the schools within Athens, where are the children going to go. -Mr. Herron, regarding the school system and what is required moving forward was discussed during the Planapalooza 2040 Athens Master Plan week long event, there have been ongoing discussions regarding the current state of the school system. -Mrs. Henry, Lindsay Lane needs to be repaved and a final resurfacing, we have to invest in resurfacing etc. -Mr. Grose, asked about the decelerated lane and further discussion occurred. -Mrs. Garth, declared the public hearing closed and confirmed with Staff that this request had no contingencies. -Mrs. Garth, asked if she had a member of the Commission to move to approve the applicants request. -Mr. Malone, made the motion to approve the applicants request of OF&C Enterprise rezone. “BE IT RESOLVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, consider for recommendation to the City Council the request of OF&C Enterprises INC. to rezone +/- 61 acres located on the west by interstate 65 on the east side by Lindsay Lane and north of Johnson Road from EST (Estate Residential and Agricultural District) & R-1-1 (Low Density Single Family Residential District to C-PUD (Conventional Planned Unit Development District). -Mr. Herron, seconded the motion and the request was approved unanimously by all Commissioners present. BILLBOARD SIGN 11a.) Resolution. Request of MH Outdoor Media, LLC for approval to add LED illumination to an existing billboard, located on the north side of US Hwy 72, approximately ¼ mile west of Interstate 65, Athens, AL 35611, zoned B-2 (General Business district). -Mrs. Garth, restated the Resolution of MH Outdoor Media. 9  City of Athens Planning Commission- Regular Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021 Work Session at 5:00 p.m. and Regular Meeting at 5:45 p.m. Location – Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Hobbs Street West, Athens, Alabama -Mr. Davidson, the applicant is proposing to reface an exiting billboard with an LED illumination style billboard, a maintenance request, Staff is recommending approval, we have no issues. -Mrs. Garth, this is a “grandfathered billboard”, billboards are no longer allowed in the City of Athens however are they are using the existing billboard. -Mr. Thomas Thrash (Houston, TX), the structure will remain the same, the column and upper structure will stay the same, we are removing some things to accommodate the new lights, we also will work on the aesthetics, we want the aesthetics to match what currently exist? -Mr. Hendrix, you will not be removing the billboard? -Mr. Thrash, no, the billboard will not be removed. -Mr. Hendrix, are you doing both sides? -Mr. Thrash, possibly in the future we will address the other side. -Mr. Hendrix, what happens to the West side of the Billboard sign? -Mr. Thrash, the East side of the billboard sign will be addressed and utilized. --Mrs. Garth, asked if she had a member of the Commission to move to approve the applicants request. -Mr. Herron, made the motion to approve the applicants request. “BE IT RESOLVED THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, Request of MH Outdoor Media, LLC for approval to add LED illumination to an existing billboard, located on the north side of US Hwy 72, approximately ¼ mile west of Interstate 65, Athens, AL 35611, zoned B-2 (General Business district). -Mr. Malone, seconded the motion to approve the applicants request and the request was approved unanimously by all Commissioners present. The Planning Commission meeting adjourned at 6:58PM by Chairwoman, Mrs. Garth. _APPROVED & SIGNED_______________ ATTEST: __ APPROVED & SIGNED Chairwoman (Mrs. Gina Garth) Secretary (Mrs. Lakeisha Johnson 10