Planning Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 1, 2021 @ 6:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Anderson, Sara Beresford (chair), Catherine Goodrum, Matthew Hall, Kristen Morales, Taylor Pass, Lucy Rowland, Monique Sanders and Joey Tucker MEMBERS ABSENT: Alice Kinman STAFF PRESENT: Brad Griffin and Forrest Huffman (Planning), and Judd Drake (Attorney’s Office) GENERAL BUSINESS Ms. Beresford called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. Introduction of Staff reports and all other documents submitted to the Planning Commission at this meeting into the official record. Ms. Rowland moved to introduce all reports and documents into the official record. Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of May 6, 2021 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Ms. Rowland made a motion for approval with change. Mr. Anderson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. MACORTS Update and Public Comment. No report was provided and no public comments were received. OLD BUSINESS 1. 155 & 305 WESTPARK DRIVE – PD-2021-02-630 Type II – Amendment to Planned Development Petitioner: Michael B. Thurmond / Armentrout Matheny Thurmond Owner: Centurion Westpark, LLC Request: Amendment to C-N (PD) (Commercial-Neighborhood, Planned Development) Tax ID: 073 002D & 073 002E Mr. Huffman presented the staff report with a recommendation for denial. For: Wes Baumgartner, Bret Thurmond, Jeff Koon Against: None The Planning Commission discussed the need for such residential development; how the buildings will occupy the same space as the currently approved commercial area; how the architectural design has been improved since the last submittal; how the residents favor the change from commercial to residential use. Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. 295 TALLASSEE ROAD – SUP-2021-02-623 Type II – Special Use Petitioner: Jeff Carter / Carter Engineering Consultants Owner: Calvary Bible Church Request: From Conditional Use in RS-8 (Single Family Residential) to Special Use in RS-8 Tax ID: 064 032 Mr. Huffman presented the staff report with a recommendation for approval with conditions. For: Jeff Carter Against: None The Planning Commission discussed the resolution method of the buffer requirement with the applicant. Motion: Mr. Hall made a motion to recommend approval with the following conditions: 1. The site plan shall be revised to provide a required buffer along the northern and western property lines; an alternative to a western buffer is to combine the two church-owned parcels. 2. The site plan shall be revised to incorporate the required number of parking lot trees. Ms. Rowland seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 3. 558 WEST BROAD STREET ET AL – PD-2021-05-1667 Type II – Preliminary Planned Development Petitioner: Christopher Johnson / Lincoln Ventures Owners: HIT Portfolio I Owner, LLC; Georgia Phi Kappa Tau, Inc.; Carrington Real Estate, LLC Request: From C-D (WE) (Commercial-Downtown, West End Downtown Design Area) to C-D (WE) (PD) (Commercial-Downtown, West End Downtown Design Area, Planned Development) Tax ID: 171A4 B009, B011, B016, B017 & B018 Mr. Huffman presented the staff report with comments only. For: Chris Johnson, Mohamed Mohsen Against: None The Planning Commission discussed that the property is currently underutilized; that this is the direction that Broad Street should go in the long-term; that the non-compliant plaza would provide a community benefit; that ironclad assurance is needed that the proposed affordable housing will be provided; the significant reduction in the amount of required ground-floor commercial space; the appropriate Broad Street architectural design; the possibility of additional commercial space along Newton Street; the proposed separate entrances for the affordable housing units; the use of varying building setbacks to break up and soften the monolithic appearance along Finley and Reese Streets; the establishment of “student” and “non-student” housing as opposed to apartments for everyone; concern with the property having had a sinkhole a few years ago; the need for a higher percentage of two-bedroom affordable units. 4. 798 PRINCE AVENUE – ZONE-2021-05-1480 Type II – Rezone Petitioner: James T. Boswell, Jr. Owner: Estate of Betty Ann Russell Request: From RS-8 (Single-Family Residential) and C-N (Commercial-Neighborhood) to C-N (Commercial-Neighborhood) Tax ID: 114D4 D008 Mr. Huffman presented the staff report with a recommendation for approval. For: Jay Boswell Against: Andrew Cole, Yvette Mathis Rebuttal: Jay Boswell The Planning Commission discussed the allowance of the parking lot to continue without a rezoning; a C-O zoning on the entire lot would make the current retail use become nonconforming; the C-N zoning could allow for some undesirable uses in that location; the need to engage the neighborhood with specific development plans; how the rezoning would make the current parking lot conforming; how the C-N allowed building height of 65’ would not be appropriate for this location; how the applicant owns the adjoining property, which could allow for a larger development; and the buffer and screening requirements should the property be improved. Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend denial. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed 7-1 (Tucker in opposition). [Note: Ms. Sanders left the meeting during discussion of the next item.] 5. STREET NAME CHANGE – Rename Carriage Court to Auriel Callaway Avenue Mr. Huffman presented the proposal. For: Alesha Smith, Kierra Rooker, Dwight Brown, Charles McCorkle, Kedarius Barnes Against: Capathia Callaway The Planning Commission discussed the name change as being a start to changing the neighborhood. Motion: Ms. Morales made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Hall seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Commission Chair’s Report: Ms. Beresford welcomed Mr. Pass and Ms. Sanders to the Planning Commission. She noted that she would try to run efficient meetings and provide learning opportunities for Commission members, and that the Commission is likely to return to in-person meetings in September. 2. Planning Director's Report: Mr. Griffin also welcomed the new Commission members. 3. Miscellaneous announcements: None The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.