Hearings Board

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY HEARINGS BOARD SUMMARY MINUTES August 9, 2023 - 3:00 P.M. 120 W. Dougherty Street Members Present: Johnelle Simpson, Julianne Geddis, M. Tamaine Jordan, Michael Lord, Joseph Powell, Chris Joiner, Chris Gazlay Staff Present: Brad Griffin, Bruce Lonnee, John Rogeberg, Zach Craig, Amber Eskew (Planning); John Hawkins (ACC Attorney’s Office) GENERAL BUSINESS M. Lord called the meeting to order at 3:00 P.M. 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. J. Powell made a motion to approve, T. Jordan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Adoption of the minutes of the July 12, 2023, meeting J. Simpson made a motion to approve, T. Jordan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS 1. 2535 Jefferson Road VAR-2023-05-0939 Petitioner: Trinity Lutheran Church Agent: Dr. Anthony DeMarco and Dr. Walter Sams, IV Zoning: C-O (Commercial-Office) Tax ID: 113 054 Request: A. Variance to remove the requirement for public sidewalks adjacent to the public right-of-way (Sec. 9-25-8-E.1.a) Bruce Lonnee presented the staff report with a recommendation to deny For: Josh Koons, Dr. Anthony Demarco Against: none Motion to approve by C. Joiner, J. Powell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. 1545 Commerce Road APP-2023-07-1353 Petitioner: Commerce Road, LLC Agent: David F. Ellison, Fortson, Bentley, and Griffin, P.A. Zoning: C-G (Commercial-General) and I (Industrial) Tax ID: 163C4 B002  Request: A. Appeal of staff interpretation of use. Brad Griffin spoke on behalf of Planning Staff. For: David Ellison Against: none Motion to deny by J. Powell, seconded C. Gazlay. Motion did not pass 3-3 (M. Lord, C. Joiner, J Geddis opposed) J. Simpson abstained. Motion to approve C. Joiner, seconded, J. Geddis. Motion passed 4-2 (J. Powell, T. Jordan opposed) J. Simpson abstained. 2. 140 Pulaski Heights VAR-2023-07-1347 Petitioner: Allen Aycock and Jennifer S. Cole Zoning: RS-8 (Single-Family Residential) Tax ID: 163C4 A003 Request: A. Variance to reduce the front yard setback from 15’ to 0’. Zach Craig presented the staff report with a recommendation to approve with conditions. For: Allen Aycock Against: none Motion to approve by C. Joiner, C. Gazlay seconded with the conditions that, 1)any construction of subterranean infiltration be at a minimum 5’ from the outside diameter of the sanitary sewer pipe, and 2) a hold-harmless agreement nees to nbe executed between the applicant and ACCGov Public Utilities Department in regards to accessing and/or servicing the sanitary sewer line adjacent to the subject property. Motion passed unanimously. TABLED BY APPLICANT 3. 1508 US 29 Highway North VAR-2023-07-1348 Petitioner: Harbin Lumber Company, Inc. Agent: Smith Planning Group Zoning: C-R (Commercial-Rural) Tax ID: 211 032H Request: A. Variance to increase maximum lot coverage from 35% to 65%. 4. 890 Boulevard VAR-2023-07-1344 Petitioner: Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, PCA, Morgan Angert Agent: Koons Environmental Design, Inc. Zoning: RS-15 (Single-Family Residential) Tax ID: 114D1 G009 Request: A. Variance to increase the maximum lot coverage from 40% to 75%. Amber Eskew presented the staff report with a recommendation to deny For: Josh Koons, Morgan Angert Against: none Motion to approve by J. Powell, T. Jordan seconded with condition that additional lot coverage is not to include the construction of additional enclosed conditioned spaces. Motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Director's Report 2. Next scheduled meeting on September 13, 2023 Meeting adjourned 6:00 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.