Hearings Board

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY HEARINGS BOARD SUMMARY MINUTES SEPTEMBER 9, 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 (Jon Biron was in attendance to begin the meeting, but left prior to new business voting) STAFF PRESENT: Gavin Hassemer, Marc Beechuk, Joanne DeJausserand (Planning); Michael Petty (Attorney’s Office) GENERAL BUSINESS: Mike Lord called the meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. 1. Introduction of staff reports and all other documents submitted to the Hearings Board at the meeting into the official record. M. Tamaine Jordan moved to introduce all reports and documents into the official record. Carrie Pucko seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of the August 12, 2020 Hearings Board minutes. Joseph Powell made a motion for approval; M. Tamaine Jordan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS – None NEW BUSINESS 1. 600/660 W. Broad St.; 0 N. Finley St.; 363 Reese St. VAR-2020-08-2277 Petitioner: Jon Cato; James Velez of Velez & Zornig Development, LLC; Patricia Huff Agent: David F. Ellison for CIDECO Development Zoning: C-G, RM-2, H (Commercial-General; Mixed-Density Residential; Historic District Overlay) Tax ID: 171A3 G011; 171A3 G010; 171A3 G012; 171A3 G003 Request: A. Variance to allow encroachment of prohibited activities within the riparian buffers. Mr. Hassemer presented the staff report with a recommendation for denial. FOR: David Ellison, Barak Zukerman AGAINST: Cassidy Lord MOTION #1: Chris Gazlay made a motion that the Hearings Board acknowledge the relationship between Mike Lord and Cassidy Lord, and that there is no conflict of interest per the bylaws; M. Tamaine Jordan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. MOTION #2: Joseph Powell made a motion to approve the variance with a condition that encroachment be limited to a maximum of 30,000 sf. in area; Jon Biron seconded the motion, but not vote was taken as Richard Martin made a motion to amend the original motion made by Joseph Powell, to approve the variance with the condition that encroachment be limited to a maximum of 30,000  sf. in area located between the 35’ and 75’ buffer; Chris Gazlay seconded the motion, which failed 3:3 (Against: Jordan, Lord, Pucko). MOTION #3: M. Tamaine Jordan made a motion to deny the variance; Mike Lord seconded the motion, which failed 3:3 (Against: Gazlay, Martin, Powell). MOTION #4: Carrie Pucko made a motion to approve the variance with a condition that the applicant must plant and maintain the area between the 25’ and 35’ buffer as proposed in the application report, with no encroachment allowed within 35’ of stream recognition, and any encroachment be limited to 75% of the area between the 35’ and 75’ buffer; Joseph Powell seconded the motion, which passed 4:2 (Against: Jordan, Lord). OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Director's Report 2. Next scheduled meeting on October 14, 2020 Meeting was adjourned at 4:53 p.m.