Planning Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 5, 2021 @ 6:00 PM MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Anderson, Catherine Goodrum, Matthew Hall (vice-chair), Alice Kinman, Kristen Morales, Taylor Pass, Lucy Rowland, Monique Sanders and Joey Tucker MEMBERS ABSENT: Sara Beresford (chair) STAFF PRESENT: Rick Cowick, Brad Griffin and Robert Walker (Planning), and Judd Drake (Attorney’s Office) GENERAL BUSINESS Mr. Hall 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. Ms. Kinman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of July 1, 2021 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Mr. Anderson made a motion for approval with change. Ms. Rowland seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. MACORTS Update and Public Comment. No report was provided and no public comments were received. NEW BUSINESS 1. 3030 DANIELSVILLE ROAD – ZONE-2021-05-1322 Type I – Rezone Petitioner: Leah Calvert Owner: Myles Neal Fountain Requests: From Rural to Single Family Residential; From AR (Agricultural Residential) to RS-25 (Single- Family Residential) Tax ID: 211 031B Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with recommendations for denial of both requests. For: Neal Fountain, Leah Calvert Against: None The Planning Commission discussed the history and reason of the Future Land Use designation, the purpose of the request, the Staff proposal to change the area to a suburban designation, the lack of sanitary sewer in the area, the isolation of the proposed Future Land Use designation, the lack of a binding proposal, the existing nonconforming lot size, the consistency of the requested zoning and the actual property conditions, and the inconsistency between the current Future Land Use designation and the actual property conditions. Future Land Use Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend denial. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which failed 3 to 5 (Anderson, Goodrum, Pass, Sanders and Tucker in opposition). [Ms. Goodrum left the meeting at this time.] Mr. Tucker made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Anderson seconded the motion, which passed 4 to 3 (Kinman, Morales and Rowland in opposition). Zoning Motion: Mr. Tucker made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Anderson seconded the motion, which passed 6 to 1 (Rowland in opposition). 2. 3341 LEXINGTON ROAD – SUP-2021-07-1978 Type II – Special Use Amendment Petitioner: Beau Barbera Owner: Bells Food Market c/o Lowes Home Centers Request: Amendment to Special Use in C-G, A (Commercial-General, Airport Overlay) Tax ID: 233B4 B001 Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with recommendations for approval of both requests. For: Ben Bilello Against: None Variance Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Special Use Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. 3668 ATLANTA HIGHWAY – PD-2021-07-1977 Type II – Preliminary Planned Development Petitioners: Michael S. Burk / QuikTrip Corporation & M. Eric Eberhardt / Eberhardt & Hale, LLP Owner: M&F Athens II, LLC Request: From C-G (Commercial-General) to C-G (PD) (Commercial-General, Planned Development) Tax ID: 073 018 Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with comments only. [Ms. Goodrum returned to the meeting at this time.] For: Eric Eberhardt, Michael Burk Against: None The Planning Commission discussed the number of ordinance waivers, the parking and access agreement with Olive Garden, the high volume of traffic in the area, the difficulty of locating other uses on the property, the proposed GDOT improvements to Atlanta Highway and relocation of the traffic signal to a better location in front of Olive Garden, the proposed 24-hour operation of the business and safety measures, and the need for a traffic study. 4. 473 & 481 LITTLE OAK STREET – PD-2021-07-1982 Type II – Preliminary Planned Development Petitioner: Jeffrey Hawes Owner: J Hawes Real Estate, LLC Request: From RS-5, A (Single-Family Residential, Airport Overlay) to RS-5, A (PD) (Single-Family Residential, Airport Overlay, Planned Development) Tax ID: 172C2 H040 & 172C2 H041 Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with comments only. For: Jeffrey Hawes Against: None The Planning Commission discussed the proposed price point of the proposed houses, the proposed removal of the two existing houses, whether the proposal is an example of gentrification or revitalization of the neighborhood, a possible cottage courtyard alternative, and the need for affordable housing at all price points. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Commission Chair’s Report: None 2. Planning Director's Report: Mr. Griffin reported recent zoning actions by the Mayor and Commission. He also announced that the WebEx meetings will be continued for now due to the ongoing COVID epidemic. 3. Miscellaneous announcements: Mr. Hall provided an update on the work of the Inclusionary Housing Committee. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.