Mayor & Commission Meetings

The meeting will be streamed live and available on-demand through YouTube (www.youtube.com/accgov), the YouTube app, and www.accgov.com/videos, as well as on- demand through the ACCGov Roku channel. WORK SESSION AGENDA UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA Tuesday, August 12, 2025 – 12:00 PM Planning Department Auditorium I. Call to Order (12:00 p.m.) Mayor Kelly Girtz II. Items for Future Consideration – Questions Only A. West Broad & West Hancock Neighborhood. ..................................... Josh Hawkins Pedestrian Improvements- Project Concept Capital Projects Director III. Items for Future Consideration B. SPLOST Process Overview .............................................................. Josh Hawkins Capital Projects Director C. Affordable Housing Update ................................................................. Melinda Lord Housing & Community Development Director D. STR Ordinance Updates ................................................................... Bruce Lonnee Planning Director IV. Adjourn NOTE: All reports are draft. No final action is taken at this work session. The Work Session is open to the public; however, public comments are not received.  TSPLOST 2023 Project 26: West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements Program Proposed Project Concepts MAYOR AND COMMISSION WORKSESSION August 12, 2025 Presented by: • Diana Jackson, SPLOST Administrator Meeting Agenda and Purpose  Purpose : Present to the Mayor and Commission, the User Group’s list of Proposed Project Concepts for the West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements Program and public art.  History – Review of Previous Studies  User Group  Study Area  Proposed Project Concepts  Project Timeline & Next Steps  Q&A TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 2 Historical Studies – February 2013 A Participatory Community Improvement Planning Process for the Brooklyn/Rocksprings Neighborhood Clarke County School District, Athens Housing Authority, and ACCGov along with UGA Center for Community Design and Preservation developed a report to understand area needs and resident desires for the future Key Results:  CCSD relocate the District offices from Mitchell Bridge Road to the old West Broad School and H.T. Edwards campus;  AHA initial success with the Columbia-Brookside redevelopment and is considering a similar project elsewhere in the community. Broadacres and Rocksprings Homes are two potential redevelopment sites;  CCSD, AHA, and ACCGov staff has recognized that the three entities have a unique concentration of assets proximate to a historically underserved neighborhood; and  Discussed ideas anchored in a collective cooperation of housing, educational, and wellness efforts in the area, with an aim of strengthening the neighborhood. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 3 Historical Studies – March 2017 Feasibility Analysis for the West Broad Study Area Identified a wide array of potential community and facility enhancements in cooperation with Clarke County School District, Athens Housing Authority, ACCGov, and Athens Land Trust Big takeaways:  Need a focus on new sidewalks/pedestrian safety  Need to enhance E-W connectivity (Henderson Ext)  Housing revitalization ongoing – needs to continue and expand  West Broad & West Hancock intersection needs fixing  Major concerns over gentrification  Facing larger scale development pressure due to proximity to Downtown TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 4 Historical Studies - October 2018 Goals and Objectives:  Create a vision for a future of biking and walking through strategic goal setting.  Continue to evolve into more bikeable and walkable community.  Goals: Connectivity, Equity, More Users, Education Implementation  Projects included:  Sidewalks on W Hancock Ave, Henderson Ext/Pedestrian Bridge, Waddell/Clarke Central/Dearing, Evans St/ Hancock Ave/Waddell Ext, and Rose St  Comprehensive crosswalk upgrades including ADA ramps 5 TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 5 Crash Data – 2013 to 2023 o 4,337 total crashes throughout study area  220 suspected injuries  7 fatalities o Manner of Collision  3,404 intersection related  1,830 rear end crashes  1464 angle crashes  505 sideswipe crashes  83 head on crashes TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 6 User Group Members Residents Krysia Ara and Kim Cherewick Staff Stephen Bailey, Tim Griffeth, and Daniel Sizemore User Group’s First Tasks  Review previous studies and data for the corridors (Transit, Planning, Traffic Engineering, etc.).  Develop a prioritized list of Pedestrian Improvements that enhance the corridor.  Walks and bike rides through the area in developing project ideas. Initial Project Statement West Broad & West Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements Project, includes capital improvements for bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements within the general vicinities of the W. Broad Area and Hancock neighborhoods. Depending upon actual costs and funding availability, improvements may include, but are not limited to, traffic calming, speed bumps, speed tables, sidewalks, pedestrian and street lighting, traffic signals, parking improvements, and/or traffic management devices to improve safety and pedestrian movement within the neighborhoods. This project is a continuation of the TSPLOST 2018 Project 13 W. Broad Area Pedestrian Improvements Project. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 7 Existing Conditions  Project Limits: Alps Rd, Milledge Ave, W. Broad St and The Plaza/Glenhaven Ave on the north; and Baxter St on the south  Typical Section : Other than W Broad St, Baxter St, Milledge Ave, Rocksprings St, and portions of Hancock Ave streets are typically residential roads with curb & gutter and on-street parking  Transit Routes: 5, 6, and 20  Bicycle Lanes: W. Hancock Ave, Rocksprings St, Baxter St, Milledge Ave  Sidewalks: Continuous sidewalks (at least one side of street) on Milledge Ave, Baxter St, W Hancock Ave, Rocksprings St, Magnolia St, and W Broad St. Other streets are not continuous sidewalks. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 8 TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 9  Notes: - This improvement removes the signal creating visual improvements. - Refreshes markings. - Eliminates $5,000 in annual O&M costs TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 10  Notes: - Athens Land Trust owns this single parcel containing four houses. - Improves ADA access at corners. - Adds a low retaining wall. - Minor utility relocates required. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 11  Notes: - This improvement refreshes bike lanes on both sides of the street. - Approximately 3,300 feet in length TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 12  Notes: - This improvement adds stops signs and stop bars only. - No sidewalks or crosswalks - Effort is mostly for speed control. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 13  Note: This improvement will be a raised crosswalk not a RRFB due to ongoing maintenance costs. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 14  Notes: - This improvement will include ADA access on corners that have sidewalks. - Install crosswalk markings. - Speed humps along approximately 2,100 feet of roadway. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 15  Notes: - This improvement will include ADA access on corners that have sidewalks. - Install crosswalk markings. - Ties into P5 sidewalk and Christine W. Howard Park sidewalk. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 16  Notes: - This improvement will include ADA access on corners that have sidewalks. - Install crosswalk markings - Ties into P4 sidewalk and Christine W. Howard Park sidewalk. TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 17 Project Budget: $1,470,000 TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 18 Next Steps  Mayor & Commission Consideration of the Proposed Project Concepts* (September Regular Session)  Staff • Advance “Must Haves” projects to the Preliminary Plan Phase *Proposed Project Concepts can be utilized for both this project and future TSPLOST planning TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 20  Questions and Comments TSPLOST 2023 – Project 26, West Broad & Hancock Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvements 20 Capital Projects Process Overview August 9, 2025 Purpose: 1. Become more familiar with the current processes used 2. Provide you with an opportunity to share concerns or preferences  Architectural - Design Phases and Tasks Pre-Design Design Bid & Award Construction •Manage Contracts •Establish Project Goals •Establish Program Tasks •Develop Project Description •Coordinate the Work •Develop Project Concept •Develop Design Documents •Receive Bids •Control Schedule •Develop Schedule Parameters •Develop Bid Documents •Award Contracts •Control Costs •Develop Budget Parameters •Secure Necessary Approvals •Execute Contracts Define Requirements Develop Plan Bid Plan Implement Plan •Project Concept: •Schematic Design: •Citizen’s Oversight Comm. •Mayor and Commission Approval Review, if necessary •Project Description: •Document Reviews Contract Management: •Mayor & Commission Approval •Code Compliance •Citizen’s Oversight Comm. •Staff Action •Architect/Consultant Selection •Referendum Statement Review •Identify Building Systems Review, if necessary •Quality Assurance Completion •Cost Analysis Manager’s Office Approval •(Change Order Control -Either •Facility Program •Design Development: •Authorize Staff to Bid Project •Manager’s Office Approval or •Staff Action •Mayor & Commission Approval •Staff Action •Program Planning •Bid: •Cost Accounting •Draft Specifications •Design Narrative Development •Quality Control •Preliminary MEP, Civil Engineering •Staff Action •Permitting Strategy •Schedule Control •Construction Costs Analysis •Alternate/Substitution Analysis •Master Planning / •Bid Evaluation/Negotiation •Budget Control Implementation Plan: •Tenant Work Management •Construction Documents •Project Close-Out •Mayor & Commission Approval •Staff Action •Award: •Quality Control •Site/Evaluation Selection •Final MEP,Structural, Civil Eng. •Mayor & Commission Approval •Materials Testing •Strategic Planning •Final Specifications •Contract Development and •Start-Up Assistance •Project Budgeting •Permit Review and Approval Execution •Materials and Systems Testing •Establishment of Priorities •Final Construction Cost Analysis •Performance and Payment Bonds •Approvals Assistance • Land Acquisition: •Contracting Strategies Review •Warranty Review •Mayor & Commission Approval •Procurement Strategies •Insurance Review •Operations Training •100% Construction Documents •Conceptual Design: •Manager’s Office Approval 3 PROPOSED March 12, 2004 ATTACHMENT 2  Architectural - Design Phases and Tasks Pre-Design Design Bid & Award Construction •Manage Contracts •Establish Project Goals •Establish Program Tasks •Develop Project Description •Coordinate the Work •Develop Project Concept •Develop Design Documents •Receive Bids •Control Schedule •Develop Schedule Parameters •Develop Bid Documents •Award Contracts •Control Costs •Develop Budget Parameters •Secure Necessary Approvals •Execute Contracts Define Requirements Develop Plan Bid Plan Implement Plan •Project Concept: •Schematic Design: •Citizen’s Oversight Comm. •Mayor and Commission Approval Review, if necessary •Project Description: •Document Reviews Contract Management: •Mayor & Commission Approval •Code Compliance •Citizen’s Oversight Comm. •Staff Action •Architect/Consultant Selection •Referendum Statement Review •Identify Building Systems Review, if necessary •Quality Assurance Completion •Cost Analysis Manager’s Office Approval •(Change Order Control -Either •Facility Program •Design Development: •Authorize Staff to Bid Project •Manager’s Office Approval or •Staff Action •Mayor & Commission Approval •Staff Action •Program Planning •Bid: •Cost Accounting •Draft Specifications •Design Narrative Development •Quality Control •Preliminary MEP, Civil Engineering •Staff Action •Permitting Strategy •Schedule Control •Construction Costs Analysis •Alternate/Substitution Analysis •Master Planning / •Bid Evaluation/Negotiation •Budget Control Implementation Plan: •Tenant Work Management •Construction Documents •Project Close-Out •Mayor & Commission Approval •Staff Action •Award: •Quality Control •Site/Evaluation Selection •Final MEP,Structural, Civil Eng. •Mayor & Commission Approval •Materials Testing •Strategic Planning •Final Specifications •Contract Development and •Start-Up Assistance •Project Budgeting •Permit Review and Approval Execution •Materials and Systems Testing •Establishment of Priorities •Final Construction Cost Analysis •Performance and Payment Bonds •Approvals Assistance • Land Acquisition: •Contracting Strategies Review •Warranty Review •Mayor & Commission Approval •Procurement Strategies •Insurance Review •Operations Training •100% Construction Documents •Conceptual Design: •Manager’s Office Approval 4 PROPOSED March 12, 2004 ATTACHMENT 2 User groups Public engagement Public art Site selection  M&C Work Session Project Concept SPLOST Oversight Committee Review Single Project Process – ROW & Easement Acquisition but No M&C Approval Project Concept Grants or Site Selection Process (Similar for Architectural Projects) M&C Award A/E Contract Manager Approval to Release for Bid (See assumptions below) Manager Appoints User Group M&C Work Session Preliminary Design M&C Award Construction Contract User Group Kick-off Meeting M&C Approval Preliminary Design Notice to Proceed Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Pre-Design Phase Assumptions for Pre-Design: Pre-Design Phase Pre-Design Phase ~ 426 Days 426 days  Single Project – Bucket Projects have additional M&C Approvals & Public Engagement Develop: Develop: 180 days Project Concept Development  User Group Appointed by Manager; • Project Goals (Needs & • Project Goals (Needs &  User Groups can meet sufficiently to meet schedules; Purpose); 60 days Public Engagement - Project Concept Purpose);  Use of On-Call A/E Designers (RFP Process adds 120 days, depending on when done); • Project Concept; and, • Project Concept; and, 54 days M&C Approval Cycle Project Concept  A/E Selection could occur before Project Concept but may not change the overall timeline; • Schedule & Budget • Schedule & Budget 60 days A/E Advertisement & Selection Process  Project Concept by User Group and Public Engagement; Parameters. Parameters.  Public Engagement may start before M&C Work Session; Secure: 57 days M&C Approval Cycle A/E Selection Secure:  M&C approvals within regular monthly cycle; and, • Approvals • Approvals 45 days A/E Contract Execution  No Grant Funding (Potentially adds 2-5+ years to the process). Design Design Phase Phase 590 days Design Phase ~ 590 days Develop: Develop: 210 days Preliminary Design ••Building BuildingProgram ProgramTasks; Tasks; Design Assumptions for Design: Assumptions for Land Acquisition: Documents; and, Bid 60 days Surveying & Utility Locates Design Documents; and,  No Site Selection Process;  Land Acquisition - Assumes use of Eminent Domain as Documents. Bid Documents.  Continue with same Designer; 60 days Public Engagement - Preliminary Design an option; ••Meet Meetwith withImpacted Impacted Property  Permitting reviews provided with complete 52 days M&C Approval Cycle Preliminary Design  Using on-call land agents; Owners. Owners. Property comments; 140 days Final Design  No Site Selection Process; and, ••Secure: Secure:Permits; Permits;and, Land; and,  M&C approvals within regular monthly cycle; and,  No protracted negotiations. necessaryapprovals necessary approvals  No Grant Funding. 60 days Permitting 210 days Land Acquisition Assumptions for Procurement & Construction: 224 days Bid & Award Phase Bid & Award Phase  Traditional Design, Bid, & Build approach (other methods are longer but could possibly start earlier, since there is no Land Acquisition); 60 days Contract Review - Prebid • Contract Reviews;  Contract Reviews and Procurement within stipulated times; 60 days Bidding & Evaluation • Receive Bids;  M&C approvals within regular monthly cycle; • Award Project; and, 80 days M&C Award Cycle  Utility coordination and relocates are not extensive nor delayed by Utility Companies; • Contract Execution. 64 days Construction Contract Execution  Generic 1 Year Construction Time Frame; and,  No Grant Funding. • Monitor Schedule, 365 days Construction Phase ~ Generic 1 Yr. Construction Phase Total 1,605 Calendar Day Process = 4.4 Years Cost, and the work. 120 days Third Party Utility Relocates Construction Starts = 3.4 Years after Pre-Design 113 discrete active subprojects… each with their own timeline, budget, scope, contracts, considerations, dedicated staff time, meetings  TSPLOST 2026 - Implementation Schedule for a May 19, 2026 Referendum Today 2024 May Aug Nov Feb May Aug Nov Feb May 2026 Go-Live Sep 6, 2024 Sep 6 - Nov 10 Projects Submitted Sep 10 - Oct 19 Public Training Project Submissions TSAC Orientation Submission Closing Date Nov 10, 2024 Staff Reviews - Legal and Technical Presentations to TSAC Deliberation by TSAC Straw Polling by TSAC Potential Projects to M&C Jul 8, 2025 Deliberation & Straw Polling by TSAC Candidate Projects to M&C Aug 12, 2025 Public Comments on Projects Informed of TSPLOST Timing Jul 16, 2024 Approve Program Goals & Schedule Mayor & Commission Jul 16 - Aug 15 TSAC Appointees Sep 19 - Nov 5 Designated Projects Jul 8, 2025 Provide Input to TSAC - Potential Projects Oct 14, 2025 Receive TSAC's - Candidate Projects Oct 15 - Dec 2 Public Input - Candidate Projects Oct 14 - Nov 11 Meet with Wintervile & Bogart Dec 2, 2025 Approve Project List & IGA Jan 6, 2026 Approve Formal Call for 8 Referendum Winterville & Bogart Approve IGA Dec 2 - Jan 6 Community BOE Approve Referendum Jan 6 - Jan 23 Ballot Preparation Jan 23 - Apr 1 Public Education about Referendum Jan 6 - May 19 Referendum Vote Apr 21 - May 19 My first impressions on the job: There is opportunity for changes you may want to see. level of control level of public engagement We are capable of executing any process you like Consider implementing changes to future programs Next steps: Continued staff communication with peer communities Upcoming operational analysis in Q4 2025 Manager’s direction Affordable Housing Investment Strategy Implementation Update Housing & Community Development Department August 12, 2025  • AHIS History and Purpose • Review of Key AHIS Initiatives and Tools Agenda • AHIS Initiative Implementation Actions by ACCGov • AHIS To Do List • GICH Committee Charge 2 History of the Affordable Housing Investment Strategy (AHIS) March 1, 2022: M&C approved $11M in ARPA funds to support Affordable Housing activities, including development of a strategic plan. The GICH Committee was designated as the advisory committee for the strategic plan development and AH allocations. March 17, 2022: The ARPA Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) framed out a project scope for a strategic plan to support affordable housing in Athens. May 17, 2022: M&C approved a concept to help fund a $13.7M funding deficit for the North Downtown Athens (NoDA) Phase I redevelopment project. $1.73M was awarded in ARPA Affordable Housing funds. June 7, 2022: M&C approved a Phase I accelerated funding concept to deploy $5.26M ARPA funds in support of owner occupied rehab, homebuyer unit development, and supportive housing rehab activities. July 5, 2022: HR&A Consultants were selected to develop the AH strategic plan, including implementation of extensive community engagement strategies. July 2022 to September 2022: HR&A, with support of HCD and the AHAC, developed the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan (AHIS). October 3, 2023: Mayor and Commission, per Commission Defined Option (CDO), accepted the Affordable Housing Investment Strategy for immediate implementation. Purpose of the AHIS Provide guidance to foster a housing market that meets the needs of all residents through the creation and preservation of a variety of homes. Over the coming decade, future affordable housing Provides a clearer understanding of ACC housing needs, including investments will be guided by the community-wide those not being met and factors Affordable Housing Investment Strategy. driving these deficiencies. Despite limited levers to shape Provides recommendations on Describes how to approach the health of ACC’s housing which housing tools are most implementation when launching market, provides guidance on appropriate to meet ACC housing new programs or policies. setting effective policy and needs and fill current gaps. regulations. How Much Affordable Housing Do We Need? 8800 renter households making under $35,000 cannot afford their rent. This number signifies how many units are needed to support low-income rental households and fill the affordable housing gap. Affordable Housing Investment Strategy Initiatives  Identify Ongoing Local Affordable Housing Fund Establish a Local Housing Fund • Allocate existing dollars from the general budget. • Create new funding sources • Increase the rate of an existing tax • Levy a new tax • Allocate non-tax based revenue • Leverage Tax Allocation Districts (TAD) • Leverage Philanthropic Funding The Local Housing Fund will support the County’s existing housing ecosystem while maintaining flexibility for adapting new housing needs and priorities over time. 7  Build and Preserve Quality Affordable Rental Homes Support LIHTC Projects • Focus on leveraging the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Acquisition Strike Fund • Preserve the affordability of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) rental units by acquisition and rehabilitation of existing rental properties. Voluntary Inclusionary Zoning • Calibrate the voluntary inclusionary zoning policy to increase the number of affordable units produced. 8  Expand Access to Homeownership and Support Existing Homeowners Expand Down Payment Assistance Programs • Establish a dedicated down payment assistance (DPA) program. • Allow for high level assistance (up to $35K or more per household). • Connect DPA to affordable homeownership development programs. • Partner with lenders who offer mortgages with better terms for first- time homebuyers. • Explore dedicating additional funding to provide homebuyer counseling and asset building assistance. Expand Owner Occupied Rehabilitation • Expand funding for homeowner occupied rehab programs. • Increase grants per homeowner household up to $10,000. 9 Additional AHIS Tools for Initiative Implementation  Public Land Disposition Disposition of publicly owned sites to support affordable housing development • Identify suitable sites for affordable housing. • Sell some sites at market rate that are not suitable for affordable housing development and use proceeds to support the Local Housing Fund. • Sell or lease parcels at below market prices as a subsidy to support development of affordable housing. Restore the ACC Land Bank Authority • Advance public land disposition efforts. • Acquire vacant and abandoned, non-revenue generating and non-tax producing properties and sell to affordable housing developers at below market value. 11  Single Family Rehab and Infill Support large-scale rehabilitation and new construction of single-family housing in target areas to create a pipeline of move-in ready units for new homeowners • Support private and non-profit developers by providing land, regulatory relief, technical assistance, and funding subsidies in the form of land, grants, and low-cost loans. • Establish formal Local Housing Fund program with fewer compliance requirements than federal funds. • Create partnerships between for-profit and nonprofit stakeholders. • Pair with down payments assistance programs. 12  Redevelopment of Public Housing Continue modernization of its public housing stock, advancing public-private partnerships to create vibrant mixed-income and mixed-use communities. • Leverage the Choice Neighborhoods program to support local housing redevelopment. • Coordinate redevelopment efforts with LIHTC projects. Example: • Columbia-Brookside redevelopment (formerly Pauldoe Public Housing) 13  AHIS Initiative Implementation Actions by ACCGov Initiatives already in action or in the process of implementation Local Affordable Housing Fund HCD and the Attorney’s Office worked Development and Implementation Next Steps: together to research development and Phase I: implementation of a local housing trust fund. • Key stakeholder education and • From the FY25 ACC Operations Budget, outreach to establish a housing M&C allocated general funds and fund. Inclusionary Zoning funds to the AH Fund: • Months 1-3, Starting August 2025 • Gap Financing for LIHTC: $2,441,000 • Single Family AH Fund: $2,000,000 Phase II: • Acquisition Strike Fund: $1,000,000 • Initial lending framework and • All future IZ payment in lieu of funds will pipeline development. funnel into the Gap Financing for LIHTC • Months 4-7 fund, per M&C CDO. • From the FY26 ACC Operations Budget, Phase III: M&C allocated additional general funds • Education and implementation plan totaling $1M to the AHF. for initial deployment of the • A sole source contractor for development Affordable Housing Fund. and implementation of the AHF was secured • Months 8-10 (LEH Consultants, LLC) and the contract was executed on July 29, 2025. Anticipated implementation date for the AHF is July-August 2026.  Support LIHTC Projects Athens Housing Athens Housing Authority: North Athens Housing Athens Housing Athens Housing Authority: Downtown Authority: Authority: Authority: NoDA Classic City Athens (NoDA) Athens Flats Lexington Flats Phase II Heights Phase I Awarded Georgia $9,200,000 SPLOST and Initiative for Community ARPA funds awarded to Housing (GICH) Point for Pending approval for support demolition 9% LIHTC application to Payment in Lieu of taxes infrastructure Payment In Lieu of Payment In Lieu of DCA. (PILOT) Agreement. development, and new taxes (PILOT) Taxes (PILOT) construction. Agreement. Agreement. Pending approval for Payment in Lieu of taxes (PILOT) Agreement. Pending approval of Payment In Lieu of waiver of 30% water Taxes (PILOT) and sewer connection Agreement. fees. Pending approval of waiver of 30% water and sewer connection fees. Waiver of 30% water Waiver of 30% water Pending approval for Low-interest loan and sewer connection and sewer connection possible Local Housing through Athens fees. fees. Pending approval for Local Fund Low-Interest Downtown Housing Fund Low- Development Loan Development Interest Development request for over Authority for $600,000. Loan for $1,000,000. $3,000,000. Local Affordable Housing Fund to Support LIHTC Projects Senior housing (55+) for households at 70% or below • The Athens Housing Authority has AMI requested $1,000,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund to support their Classic City Heights 9% LIHTC housing project application to DCA. 68 housing units (111 beds) • This would be the first allocation of AHF funding prior to full development and execution of the Pending consideration from program. M&C in August or September 2025. Build and Preserve Quality Affordable Rental Homes Athens Land Trust (ALT): East Athens Development 4 single units, and 3 family Corporation (EADC): units 2 family units $156,310 $978,840 $800,000 HOME (FY19-FY24) ARPA ARPA ACC Land Bank Authority (ACC LBA) Next Steps for Full Implementation: M&C select 5 Board Members and Ad Hoc HCD and the Attorney’s Office worked Members with the Government Operations Committee (GOC) to assist in LBA Board members develop a work plan within two reimplementation of the ACC LBA. months, including a budget proposal, for M&C review and approval. • Determined scope of work to be carried out in support of AH Upon approval of the work plan, an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) will be executed between ACCGov development activities. and the ACC LBA. • Approved by M&C on June 3, 2025 ACC LBA Board will post and fill the Executive Director position. ACC LBA operations will begin, including disposition of selected ACCGov owned properties for AH development projects.  Expand Access to Homeownership and Support Existing Homeowners (Down Payment Assistance) First America Bank and Trust was FABT’s HOME DPA Program Information: awarded $718,400 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in support of low-income households Serves ACC households at 120% or below Area Median becoming homebuyers. Income (AMI) that are within Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) and households 65% or below AMI outside of QCTs. • The HOME down payment assistance program was implemented in June 2024. • To date, 5 low-income households have received DPA totaling Provides up to $45,000 in DPA for qualifying households. $95,500. • 31 households have been identified as eligible for assistance FABT partners with local nonprofit affordable housing once AH units become available in developers to assist eligible homebuyers with DPA as new 2025 and 2026. ARPA and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) homebuyer units come online. • Nonprofit partners include Athens Land Trust, Athens Area Habitat 20 for Humanity and the Athens Housing Authority. Expand Access to Homeownership and Support Existing Homeowners (DPA and Housing Counseling) East Athens Development Athens Housing Authority (AHA) Athens Land Trust (ALT) Corporation (EADC) $1,020,000 FY25 HOME funding for $210,000 FY25 HOME funding for $25,000 FY25 General Funds to development at Savannah Heights: development at Colima Ave: support certified housing counseling • 4 single-family homebuyer units • 1 single-family homebuyer unit assistance programs for households at • DPA for 4 households at 80% or • DPA for 1 household at 80% or 80% or below AMI. below AMI below AMI $40,000 FY26 General Funds to $325,000 FY26 HOME funding for $170,000 FY25 CDBG support certified housing counseling development at Savannah Heights $132,189.50 FY26 CDBG assistance programs for households at • 2 single-family homebuyer units • Support HOME development 80% or below AMI. • DPA for 4 households at 80% or projects and provide DPA below AMI assistance for 8 households at $170,000 FY25 Community Development 80% or below AMI. Block Grant (CDBG) $37,583 FY25 General Funds to support $132,189.50 FY26 CDBG funding certified housing counseling assistance. • Support HOME development $60,000 FY26 General Funds to support projects and provide further DPA certified housing counseling assistance. subsidy assistance to 6 LMI households. Expand Access to Homeownership and Support Existing Homeowners (DPA and Housing Counseling) Funding Allocations Per Activity Number of Households Served 7 17 $162,583 $205,000 $1,925,009 165 Development DPA Housing Counseling Homebuyer Units DPA Housing Counseling Owner Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) Programs •$415,000 ARPA funding to carry out moderate to major ORR rehab for 12 or more ALT Young Urban Builders Program (ALT- households at 80% or below AMI in identified QCTs and 65% or below AMI in non-QCT areas. YUB) •$200,000 FY25 and FY26 Community Partnership Program funding to carry out moderate to major ORR activities for 7 or more households at or below AMI. Athens Community Council on Aging • $415,000 ARPA funding to carry out minor to major ORR rehab for 36 or more senior households at 80% or below AMI in identified QCTs and 65% or below AMI in non-QCT (ACCA) areas. •$531,600 ARPA funding to carry out minor to major ORR rehab for 12 or more households at Historic Athens AJMP Equitable Home 80% or below AMI in identified QCTs and 65% or below AMI in non-QCT areas. Preservation Initiative Program and •$130,000 FY25 CDBG and $132,189.50 FY26 CDBG to carry out 33 or more minor to moderate rehab activities for households at 80% or below AMI whose homes are 50+ years Hands on Historic Athens Programs old or older. Athens Area Habitat for Humanity • $130,000 FY25 CDBG and $142,189.50 FY26 CDBG to carry out minor to moderate ORR (Habitat) and homebuyer rehab for 20 or more households at 80% or below AMI. Owner Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) Programs Funding Allocations Per Activity Number of Households Served 14 $200,000 60 $534,379 $1,361,600 73 ARPA CDBG CPP ARPA CDBG CPP Single Family Rehab and Infill The ribbon cutting for the first homebuyer Funding Allocations Habitat unit took place on March 26, 2025 • $1,500,000 ARPA funding to support development of 10 single family homebuyer units for households within the Gaines School Elementary Zone with an income of 50-80% AMI. $880,000 • $400,000 FY25 HOME funding to support development of infrastructure for single-family homebuyer units. • $480,000 FY26 HOME funding to support development of 4 single-family homebuyer units for households at or below 80% AMI. ALT The ribbon cutting for 5 homebuyer units at Dublin Street took place on August 1,2025. $4,250,000 • $2,750,000 ARPA funding to support development of 10 single family homebuyer units for households with an income of 80% or below AMI. ARPA HOME AHIS To Do List AHIS To Do List Redevelopment of Public Housing Voluntary Landlord Registry • Continue modernization of public housing stock, • Encourage landlords to register and pay a fee for advancing public-private partnerships to create rental units and provide regular reports. vibrant mixed-income and mixed-use communities. Strategic Code Enforcement Wealth Building • Improve housing quality by incentivizing property • Help housing affordability by connecting low- owners to make needed improvements or sell income households with programs that increase noncompliant property. incomes. Title Clearance/Heirs Property Voluntary Inclusionary Zoning • ACC has many older homeowners who may not • Calibrate the existing ordinance to ensure the have the means to navigate the legal system to policy is responsive to market conditions and pass home titles to descendants. develop a separate affordability requirement for single-family homes.  Mayor’s Charge to GICH Committee [Carry out] A review of the recently completed Affordable Housing Investment Strategy, and make recommendations of actions that the Mayor and Commission can take from that document. 28 Mayor’s Charge to GICH Committee Subcommittees will 4 Subcommittees will present their ideas at The GICH Committee HCD staff will present work on ideas and the February 2026 met on August 4, GICH Committee solutions for four meeting, and the 2025 to review the approved ideas to primary categories GICH Committee will AHIS and discuss the M&C at the March related to rental and select and approve Mayor’s Charge. 2026 Work Session. homeowner housing. ideas to be shared with M&C.  Melinda Lord, HCD Director 706-613-3155 melinda.lord@accgov.com accgov.com/hcd Questions  SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM ORDINANCE FEATURES AS ADOPTED 1. Creates two types of Short-Term Rentals, with standards for each: Home Occupation STRs: • The applicant shall be the owner-occupant of the property or a long-term tenant of the property owner, and • Only one structure on the subject parcel may be permitted for use as an STR. Commercial STRs: Not subject to Home Occupation limitations 2. Requires Special Use Permit approval for Commercial STRs proposed in the RM (Mixed Density Residential), E-O (Employment-Office) and AR (Agricultural- Residential) zones. 3. Establishes a 2-Year Sunset Period for identified Legal Non-Conforming STRs that had been in operation between Sept. 20, 2022 and Sept. 19. 2023  SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM REQUESTED AREAS OF STUDY Requested by the Mayor & Commission: 1. Revisit Duration of Sunset Clause for Legal Non-Conforming STRs 2. Revisit Necessity of “Relief Valve” provision for specific extensions of the Sunset Clause for Legal Non-Conforming STRs Requested by the Planning Commission: 1. Consider Licensing of STRs 2. Discuss Enforcement of STR Regulations and Operation Expectations 3. Create Special Use Review Criteria specific to STR uses  SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM REQUESTED AREAS OF STUDY PLANNING COMMISSION FEEDBACK Revisit Duration of Sunset Clause for Legal Non-Conforming STRs Q: Is the adopted 2-year timeframe too short or too long? Yes – too short. Q: Are there advantages to a 5-year, 7-year or 10-year timeframe? Yes –Sunset Clause of sufficient length would greatly diminish or eliminate the need for a “Relief Valve.”  SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM REQUESTED AREAS OF STUDY PLANNING COMMISSION FEEDBACK Revisit Necessity of “Relief Valve” provision for specific extensions of the Sunset Clause for Legal Non-Conforming STRs • Offers rational basis for recognizing investment-backed expectations for those STR operations initiated prior to the adoption of regulations • Creates administrative pathway for allowing extension of LNC Sunset time period for properties that can provide sufficient accounting evidence • Ordinance-based process is definitive, quantitative, and objective • Appeals of “Relief Valve” determination heard by Administrative Hearings Officer Q: If the Sunset Period is extended, is there a need for the “Relief Valve” provision? No – the “Relief Valve” provision is not needed if the Sunset Period is long enough to provide for investment-backed expectations to have been met. The “Relief Valve” equation can be used to model the ideal Sunset duration.  SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM REQUESTED AREAS OF STUDY PLANNING COMMISSION FEEDBACK Consider Licensing of STRs • Request for licensing consideration is intended to provide improved accounting of STR uses and offer enhanced enforcement practices. • Licensing provisions exist outside of Zoning regulations (ACC Code Title 9), therefore are not within the Planning Commission purview. Q: Is there interest in a licensing procedure for Short-Term Rental operations? Yes - Requires adoption of terms of eligibility and application for such licensing.  SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM REQUESTED AREAS OF STUDY PLANNING COMMISSION FEEDBACK Discuss Enforcement of STR Regulations and Operation Expectations • Clarity on measurable and easily observable aspects of STR operation will assist with enforcement. • Routine use of Rentalscape software supports enforcement through identification of unpermitted STR operations • Creation of “3 strikes rule” or similar for routine offenders of STR operation regulations • Permits for approved uses cannot be revoked due to compliance issues; Licenses can be revoked or not allowed to renew due to lack of compliance.  SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM REQUESTED AREAS OF STUDY PLANNING COMMISSION FEEDBACK Create Special Use Review Criteria specific to C-STR uses. Remove Special Use consideration for C-STRs • Current Special Use criteria are generalized and don’t offer qualitative or quantitative standards for review • Possible C-STR Special Use by-right criteria could include: 1. Allowance for 10% or less of the units in an “undivided” RM-zoned multi-family development to be C-STRs by-right. 2. More than 10% up to 25% allowed by-right if Inclusionary Zoning units provided in a 1:1 ratio within the same development. 3. More than 25% is not allowed. 4. C-STRs prohibited in “divided” multi-family developments (developments divided into condo parcels) 5. This would result in C-STRs allowed by-right in the following zones: AR, IN, C-D, C-G, C-N, C-O, C-R, E-O, and RM with limitations.  SHORT-TERM RENTAL PROGRAM REQUESTED AREAS OF STUDY PLANNING COMMISSION FEEDBACK Create Special Use Review Criteria specific to C-STR uses. Remove Special Use consideration for C-STRs Q: Is there support for increasing by-right opportunities for C-STRs in RM and AR zones? Yes. Support for no Special Use review Q: Is there interest in removing C-STRs as a permitted use in “divided” RM-zoned projects? Yes. Consistent with residential subdivision. Thank You!  PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS DATA ANALYSIS • 222 RM-zoned properties have operated an STR, with 97 of those on the Legal Non-Conforming STR List. • Under current ordinance, one accommodation per parcel means the total number of STRs possible in RM zones is 6,328. Present wording has a clearly defined limit of one STR per RM parcel – “parcel” interpreted as the division of land or one tract, not inclusive of condominium ownership. • Proposed text amendment broadens definition of “parcel” to include every form of condominium ownership. • If adopted, this definition would allow for the additional 3,546 existing RM-zoned condominium parcels to be eligible to seek Special Use Permit approval, along with an additional 1,394 Commercially-zoned condominium parcels. • The new definition will increase the opportunity for 4,940 additional property owners to apply for permits to convert housing into Commercial STRs (C-STRs).  PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS DATA ANALYSIS • Planning Staff has considered how the current amendments do or do not align with the Short-Term Rental ordinance’s purpose statements as adopted by the Mayor and Commission on February 6, 2024 - both singularly and as a collective whole. • These purpose statements have guided Planning Staff to consider the collective impact of STRs in response to the Special Use Criteria’s broad language for evaluation. • If the broader implications of STRs on the availability of housing are not considered, the Special Use criteria is rendered relatively ineffective when applied to individual properties requesting C-STR use approval. • Staff’s concern primarily centers on the assertion that there would rarely be a reason to deny a STR request if only evaluated in isolation and on a property-by-property basis. • If this is the case, Planning Staff questions the actual intent and effectiveness of reviewing any Short-Term Rental as a “Special Use.” • Should additional Special Use criteria specific to STRs be developed to address this issue?  PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS The proposed amendments include the following changes: 1. Addressing the “parcel” definition issue to include all tax parcels as it relates to Short-Term Rental (STR) uses in the following zones; and 2. Extending the sunset period for legal non-conforming STRs to five years and adding a new code section for a so-called “relief valve;” and 3. Refining the STR notification procedure requirements.  PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS At the April 3rd meeting, the Planning Commission requested additional information on the following: 1. The method for calculating the Rate of Appreciation associated with the “Relief Valve” provision 2. Revocation of an approved STR use based on a pre-determined number of STR-related violations 3. Data regarding the number of known STR operations in Athens-Clarke County by zoning designation, by property ownership type, and by permit status.  PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS At the April 3rd meeting, the Planning Commission requested additional information on the following: 1. The method for calculating the Rate of Appreciation associated with the “Relief Valve” provision 2. Revocation of an approved STR use based on a pre-determined number of STR-related violations 3. Data regarding the number of known STR operations in Athens-Clarke County by zoning designation, by property ownership type, and by permit status. PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS (v) Step 5: Determine the annual compounding rate for the appreciation of the subject parcel, which may be referred to as the “Rate of Appreciation” for the purposes of this methodology. Reliable information specific to the subject parcel may shall to the extent practicable be used to determine the Rate of Appreciation. If reliable information specific to the subject parcel is not available, the Rate of Appreciation may be determined from the properties in the immediate area or neighborhood for the parcel at issue will be used. , which may be referred to as the “Rate of Appreciation” for the purposes of this methodology.  PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS At the April 3rd meeting, the Planning Commission requested additional information on the following: 1. The method for calculating the Rate of Appreciation associated with the “Relief Valve” provision 2. Revocation of an approved STR use based on a pre-determined number of STR-related violations 3. Data regarding the number of known STR operations in Athens-Clarke County by zoning designation, by property ownership type, and by permit status.  PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS • ACC Zoning Code and Development Standards do not include provisions for revocation of a permitted use due to lack of compliance. To include such a provision for a single use type represents an inconsistency that would create a potential legal challenge. • Any development code violations already have ordinance-based enforcement procedures to deal with those violations. Code violations related to parking, noise, solid waste management, trespassing, lack of permit approval, and failure to secure the annual Occupational Tax Certificate or pay Hotel-Motel Tax already have established enforcement procedures. • Athens-Clarke County has created a full-time Code Enforcement position to work specifically with STR-related compliance issues that is presently staffed. • Requiring STRs to receive a license or other form of use licensure has been proposed as a method for handling enforcement matters as such license could be revoked for lack of compliance. As Planning Commission heard at the April 3rd meeting, owners or proponents of STRs have expressed that requiring a license to operate a STR potentially violates state law pertaining to rental registration, and creating a licensing scheme for STRs would almost certainly be subject to legal challenge on that and other bases.  PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 9-15-28 AND 9-15-29, SHORT-TERM RENTALS At the April 3rd meeting, the Planning Commission requested additional information on the following: 1. The method for calculating the Rate of Appreciation associated with the “Relief Valve” provision 2. Revocation of an approved STR use based on a pre-determined number of STR-related violations 3. Data regarding the number of known STR operations in Athens-Clarke County by zoning designation, by property ownership type, and by permit status.