Hearings Board
Regular MeetingAthens-Clarke County, GA · June 10, 2020
Minutes
ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY HEARINGS BOARD
SUMMARY MINUTES
JUNE 10, 2020
3:00 P.M.
120 W. DOUGHERTY ST
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jonathan Biron, Chris Gazlay, M. Tamaine Jordan, Michael Lord, Richard Martin, Joseph Powell,
Carrie Pucko
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Gavin Hassemer, Marc Beechuk, Amber Eskew, Robin Schultze (Planning); Michael Petty (Attorney’s
Office)
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Mike Lord called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
1. Introduction of staff reports and all other documents submitted to the Hearings Board at the meeting into
the official record. Jon Biron moved to introduce all reports and documents into the official record. M.
Tamaine Jordan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
2. Approval of the February 12, 2020 Hearings Board minutes. Joseph Powell made a motion for approval;
Richard Martin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS
1. 163 NANTAHALA AVENUE VAR-2020-02-437
Petitioner: Marilyn A. MacMillan
Agent: Evelyn G. Reece for Reece Preservation Services, LLC
Zoning: RS-8, H (Single-Family Residential; Historic District Overlay)
Tax ID: 163C3 B004
Request: A. Variance to decrease the minimum lot width and continuous linear street
frontage.
Mr. Hassemer presented the staff report with a recommendation for denial.
FOR: Marilyn MacMillan, Evelyn Reece
AGAINST: None
MOTION: Chris Gazlay made a motion to deny the variance; M. Tamaine Jordan
seconded the motion, which passed 6:1 (Powell).
2. 160 STANTON WAY VAR-2020-02-439
Petitioner: Blake Underwood
Zoning: RS-15 (Single-Family Residential)
Tax ID: 122D4 C003
Request: A. Variance to increase the maximum fence height within a rear or side yard
setback area abutting a public right-of-way.
Mr. Hassemer presented the staff report with a recommendation for denial.
FOR: Blake Underwood
AGAINST: None
MOTION: Carrie Pucko made a motion to deny the variance; Richard Martin seconded the motion,
which passed 5:2 (Biron, Jordan).
3. 139 GRETCHEN LANE VAR-2020-03-781
Petitioner: Ramiro and Maria Chavez
Zoning: Special Use in AR (Agricultural Residential)
Tax ID: 224A2 A043
Request: A. Variance to increase the maximum lot coverage.
Mr. Hassemer presented the staff report with a recommendation for denial.
FOR: Vanessa Chavez
AGAINST: None
MOTION: M. Tamaine Jordan made a motion to deny the variance; Carrie Pucko seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
4. 139 RUTH STREET VAR-2020-03-786
Petitioner: Jimmy Zhong
Zoning: RM-1 (Mixed-Density Residential)
Tax ID: 163B3 C001
Request: A. Variance to increase the maximum contiguous parking area within a front or side
yard adjacent to a street.
Mr. Hassemer presented the staff report with a recommendation for denial.
FOR: Jimmy Zhong
AGAINST: None
MOTION: M. Tamaine Jordan made a motion to deny the variance; Richard Martin seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
5. 886 S. MILLEDGE AVENUE VAR-2020-05-1255
Petitioner: Pi Beta Phi FHC – GA Alpha, LLC
Agent: Henry G. Anderson for TreanorHL Architects
Zoning: C-O, H, MAC (Commercial-Office; Historic District Overlay; Milledge Avenue Corridor
Special District Overlay)
Tax ID: 124B2 I002
Request: A. Variance to decrease the minimum side and rear yard buffer, landscape buffer
wall.
B. Variance to decrease the minimum number of required parking spaces for fraternity
or sorority and semi-public halls, clubs, or lodges.
C. Variance to eliminate the minimum 24-foot back-up space for required parking
areas.
D. Variance to decrease the minimum front yard setback to be less than that of the
existing front yard setback that is closest to the public right-of-way on an abutting
property.
E. Variance to increase the maximum distance of parking lot canopy trees from the
edge of the parking lot area pavement or curb.
F. Variance to allow the use of medium, small, or very small canopy trees in lieu of
large canopy trees for perimeter planting areas in parking lots .
G. Variance to eliminate the maximum number (14) of contiguous parking spaces
without a landscape island or peninsula containing trees.
Mr. Hassemer presented the staff report with a recommendation for denial of all variances requested.
FOR: Henry Anderson, Allie Colleton
AGAINST: None
MOTION (Variance A) Chris Gazlay made a motion to approve the variance with a condition that the reduction
in buffer apply to the property line abutting 350 W. Rutherford Street as shown on the
submitted site plan; Carrie Pucko seconded the motion, which passed 5:2 (Jordan, Lord).
(Variance B) Joseph Powell made a motion to approve the variance; Richard Martin seconded the
motion, which passed 5:2 (Jordan, Lord).
(Variance C) Jon Biron made a motion to deny the variance; Richard Martin seconded the
motion, which passed 5:2 (Gazlay, Pucko).
(Variance D) M. Tamaine Jordan made a motion to deny the variance; Joseph Powell seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
(Variance E) Richard Martin made a motion to approve the variance with a condition that it be
specifically applied to trees labeled #3 and #4 on the submitted tree management plan;
Joseph Powell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
(Variance F) Carrie Pucko made a motion to approve the variance with a condition that medium
canopy trees may be substituted provided a minimum of two large canopy trees are also
utilized; Joseph Powell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
(Variance G) Joseph Powell made a motion to deny the variance; M. Tamaine Jordan seconded the
motion, which passed 5:2 (Gazlay, Lord).
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Nomination and election of both the Chair and Vice Chair positions for the Hearings Board.
MOTION: Chris Gazlay made a motion to nominate Mike Lord as Chair; Joseph Powell seconded
the motion, which passed unanimously.
MOTION: Chris Gazlay made a motion to nominate Jon Biron as Vice-Chair; M. Tamaine Jordan
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. Planning Director's Report
2. Next scheduled meeting on July 8, 2020
Meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
Agenda
In response to the state of emergency in Georgia regarding COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”), the
Hearings Board meeting will be held via a “WebEx” online meeting platform. Members of the
public may provide written comments by mail or by email at planning@accgov.com prior to 12:00
noon the day of the meeting. Finally, members of the public may also address the Hearings Board
via electronic communication provided in the Auditorium of the Planning Department, 120 West
Dougherty Street, Athens, Georgia 30601, subject to safe distancing measures.
ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY HEARINGS BOARD
FINAL AGENDA
June 10, 2020 - 3:00 P.M.
120 W. Dougherty Street
(Virtual Meeting via WebEx)
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Determination of quorum
2. Introduction of staff reports and all other documents submitted to the Hearings Board at this
meeting into the official record.
3. Adoption of the minutes of the February 12, 2020 meeting
NEW BUSINESS
1. 163 NANTAHALA AVENUE VAR-2020-02-437
Petitioner: Marilyn A. MacMillan
Agent: Evelyn G. Reece for Reece Preservation Services, LLC
Zoning: RS-8, H (Single-Family Residential; Historic District Overlay)
Tax ID: 163C3 B004
Request: A. Variance to decrease the minimum lot width and continuous linear street
frontage.
2. 160 STANTON WAY VAR-2020-02-439
Petitioner: Blake Underwood
Zoning: RS-15 (Single-Family Residential)
Tax ID: 122D4 C003
Request: A. Variance to increase the maximum fence height within a rear or side yard
setback area abutting a public right-of-way.
3. 139 GRETCHEN LANE VAR-2020-03-781
Petitioner: Ramiro and Maria Chavez
Zoning: Special Use in AR (Agricultural Residential)
Tax ID: 224A2 A043
Request: A. Variance to increase the maximum lot coverage.
4. 139 RUTH STREET VAR-2020-03-786
Petitioner: Jimmy Zhong
Zoning: RM-1 (Mixed-Density Residential)
Tax ID: 163B3 C001
Request: A. Variance to increase the maximum contiguous parking area within a front or side
yard adjacent to a street.
5. 886 S. MILLEDGE AVENUE VAR-2020-05-1255
Petitioner: Pi Beta Phi FHC – GA Alpha, LLC
Agent: Henry G. Anderson for TreanorHL Architects
Zoning: C-O, H, MAC (Commercial-Office; Historic District Overlay; Milledge Avenue
Corridor Special Distric Overlay)
Tax ID: 124B2 I002
Request: A. Variance to decrease the minimum side and rear yard buffer, landscape buffer
wall.
B. Variance to decrease the minimum number of required parking spaces for
fraternity or sorority and semi-public halls, clubs, or lodges.
C. Variance to eliminate the minimum 24-foot back-up space for required parking
areas.
D. Variance to decrease the minimum front yard setback to be less than that of the
existing front yard setback that is closest to the public right-of-way on an
abutting property.
E. Variance to increase the maximum distance of parking lot canopy trees from the
edge of the parking lot area pavement or curb.
F. Variance to allow the use of medium, small, or very small canopy trees in lieu
of large canopy trees for perimeter planting areas in parking lots .
G. Variance to eliminate the maximum number (14) of contiguous parking spaces
without a landscape island or peninsula containing trees.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Nomination and election of both the Chair and Vice Chair positions for the Hearings Board.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. Planning Director's Report
2. Next scheduled meeting on July 8, 2020
NOTICE
A qualified interpreter for the hearing impaired is available upon request at least ten (10) days in advance of
this meeting. Please call (706) 613-3515, [TDD (706) 613-3115] to request an interpreter or for more
information.
Athens-Clarke County Planning Department
Request for Variance to be heard by the Athens-Clarke County Hearings Board
June 10, 2020
VAR-2020-02-437
Petitioner Evelyn G. Reece for Reece Preservation Services, LLC
Location 163 Nantahala Avenue
Property Owner Marilyn A. MacMillan
Project Number VAR-2020-02-437
Zoning RS-8, H (Single-Family Residential, Historic District
Overlay)
Tax Parcel Number(s) 163C3 B004
Present Use Residential
Proposed Use Residential
A. Variance to decrease the minimum lot width and continuous linear street frontage
(Sec. 9-7-3).
Athens-Clarke County Planning Department
Request for Variance to be heard by the Athens-Clarke County Hearings Board
June 10, 2020
VAR-2020-02-439
Petitioner Blake Underwood
Location 160 Stanton Way
Property Owner Blake Underwood
Project Number VAR-2020-02-439
Zoning RS-15 (Single-Family Residential)
Tax Parcel Number(s) 122D4 C003
Present Use Residential
Proposed Use Residential
A. Variance to increase the maximum fence height within a rear or side yard setback
area abutting a public right-of-way (Sec. 9-15-1.A.3).
Athens-Clarke County Planning Department
Request for Variance to be heard by the Athens-Clarke County Hearings Board
June 10, 2020
VAR-2020-03-781
Petitioner Ramiro and Maria Chavez
Location 139 Gretchen Lane
Property Owner Ramiro and Maria Chavez
Project Number VAR-2020-03-781
Zoning Special Use in AR (Agricultural Residential)
Tax Parcel Number(s) 224A2 A043
Present Use Residential
Proposed Use Residential
A. Variance to increase the maximum lot coverage (Sec. 9-7-3).
Athens-Clarke County Planning Department
Request for Variance to be heard by the Athens-Clarke County Hearings Board
June 10, 2020
VAR-2020-03-786
Petitioner Jimmy Zhong
Location 139 Ruth Street
Property Owner Jimmy Zhong
Project Number VAR-2020-03-786
Zoning RM-1 (Mixed-Density Residential)
Tax Parcel Number(s) 163B3 C001
Present Use Residential
Proposed Use Residential
A. Variance to increase the maximum contiguous parking area within a front or side
yard adjacent to a street (Sec. 9-30-8 E.).
Athens-Clarke County Planning Department
Request for Variance to be heard by the Athens-Clarke County Hearings Board
June 10, 2020
VAR-2020-05-1255
Petitioner Henry G. Anderson for TreanorHL Architects
Location 886 S. Milledge Avenue
Property Owner Pi Beta Phi FHC – GA Alpha, LLC
Project Number VAR-2020-05-1255
Zoning C-O, H, MAC (Commercial-Office, Historic District Overlay,
Milledge Avenue Corridor Special District Overlay)
Tax Parcel Number(s) 124B2 I002
Present Use Sorority
Proposed Use Sorority
A. Variance to decrease the minimum side and rear yard buffer, landscape buffer wall
(Sec. 9-15-3.A.3.).
B. Variance to decrease the minimum number of required parking spaces for fraternity
or sorority and semi-public halls, clubs, or lodges (Sec. 9-30-2.D.9.).
C. Variance to eliminate the minimum 24-foot back-up space for required parking areas
(Sec. 9-30-9.A.).
D. Variance to decrease the minimum front yard setback to be less than that of the
existing front yard setback that is closest to the public right-of-way on an abutting
property (Sec. 9-15-9.E.1.).
E. Variance to increase the maximum distance of parking lot canopy trees from the
edge of the parking lot area pavement or curb (Sec. 8-7-15.J.4.).
F. Variance to allow the use of medium, small, or very small canopy trees in lieu of large
canopy trees for perimeter planting areas in parking lots (Sec. 8-7-15-J.8.).
G. Variance to eliminate the maximum number (14) of contiguous parking spaces
without a landscape island or peninsula containing trees (Sec. 8-7-15.J.15.).
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