Planning Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 7, 2021 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Anderson, Sara Beresford (chair), Catherine Goodrum, Matthew Hall (vice- chair), Alice Kinman, Kristen Morales, Taylor Pass, Lucy Rowland, Monique Sanders and Joey Tucker MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Rick Cowick, Brad Griffin, Sam Trust and Robert Walker (Planning); and Lisa Pappas (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. Morales moved to introduce all reports and documents into the official record. Ms. Rowland seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of August 5, 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. OLD BUSINESS 1. 3668 ATLANTA HIGHWAY – PD-2021-07-1977 Type II – Master 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. Walker presented the staff report with recommendation for approval with conditions. For: Eric Eberhardt, Michael Burk Against: None Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the requested waiver of maximum contiguous parking spaces and possible landscaping solutions, as well as how the proposed development plan is better than the current site conditions. Motion: Ms. Morales made a motion to recommend approval with the following condition: 1. The tree management plan shall be modified to reduce the number of proposed Yaupon Holly trees to not exceed the maximum 30% allowance for any one species. Mr. Hall seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. 473 & 481 LITTLE OAK STREET – PD-2021-07-1982 Type II – Master 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 Ms. Trust presented the staff report with recommendation for approval with conditions. For: Jeffrey Hawes Against: Cooper Holmes, Scott Nesbit, Madeline Polites Rebuttal: Jeffery Hawes Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the Airport Overlay purpose for the request, the possibility of adding a new lot behind the two existing houses, the expected high price points, how rehabilitated houses may be more expensive than new construction, how affordable housing is unlikely at this location, how smaller houses would be more appropriate for this location. Motion: Ms. Morales made a motion to recommend denial. Ms. Rowland seconded the motion, which passed 5 to 4 (Anderson, Kinman, Sanders and Tucker in opposition). 3. 650 US HIGHWAY 29 NORTH – PD-2021-07-2249 Type II – Planned Development Amendment Petitioner: AXIS Infrastructure, LLC Owner: TC Village Hwy 78, LLC Request: Amendment to C-G (PD) (Commercial-General, Planned Development) Tax ID: 221 008 Mr. Walker presented the staff report with a recommendation for approval with condition. For: Barak Zukerman Against: None Discussion: None Motion: Ms. Kinman made a motion to recommend approval with the following condition: 1. A stormwater management plan shall be provided and coordinated with the Athens-Clarke County Public Works Department that does not materially impact the binding site plan associated with this project. Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. [Ms. Rowland left the meeting at this time.] NEW BUSINESS 1. 1310 SPRING VALLEY ROAD – ZONE-2021-09-2585 Type II – Rezone Petitioner: Gerry Whitworth / Whitworth Land Corp. Owner: Christian Eunice Mills Trust Requests: From AR (Agricultural Residential) to E-I (Employment-Industrial) Tax ID: 224 006C, p/o 222 001 Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with recommendation for approval with condition. For: Gerry Whitworth, Grant Whitworth Against: Mike Garland, Angela Greene, William Rodgers, Marlene McKee, Alex Marchante, Clarence Daniels Rebuttal: Grant Whitworth The Planning Commission discussed the zoning history of the property, sanitary sewer access, possible use restrictions, the industrial Future Land Use designation, the deleterious effect of housing on industrial opportunities, and the opportunity for the applicant to consider voluntary use restrictions. Motion: Ms. Kinman made a motion to table the request. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed 7-1 (Tucker in opposition). 2. 325 & 355 ONETA STREET – PD-2021-09-2602 Type II – Planned Development Amendment Petitioner: Scott Haines / W&A Engineering Owner: Athens Mill Management, LLC Request: Amendment to C-N and I (PD) (Commercial-Neighborhood & Industrial, Planned Development) Tax ID: 114B 019 & 114B 019C Ms. Trust presented the staff report with recommendation for approval. For: Scott Haines Against: Michael Smith, T.S. Woodward Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the proposed location of the proposed theater and hotel uses. Motion: Ms. Kinman made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. 155 MITCHELL STREET – PD-2021-09-2604 Type II – Planned Development Amendment Petitioner: Rodney King / Core Spaces, LLC Owner: Core Athens Mitchell, LLC Request: Amendment to C-D (RIV) (PD) (Commercial-Downtown, River Downtown Design Area, Planned Development) Tax ID: 171B4 E013 Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with recommendation for denial. For: Rodney King, Jeff Zelisko, David Ellison Against: Scott Nesbit Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the nature of the removal of commercial space, and the equitability of the tradeoff regarding affordable housing. The Planning Commission also discussed concerns regarding parking spaces. Motion: Ms. Kinman made a motion to recommend denial. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed 7- 1 (Tucker in opposition). 4. STREET NAME CHANGE – Rename Carriage Court to Thumpa Avenue Mr. Griffin presented the staff report. For: None Against: None Motion: Ms. Morales made a motion to approve. Ms. Sanders seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 5. TEXT AMENDMENT - Single-family subdivision development standards Mr. Griffin presented the draft text amendment. For: Buck Bacon Against: None Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the proposed text amendment to code section 9-7-4 and felt that it should be removed for further discussion and consultation with the Transportation and Public Works Department while the other proposed text amendments moved to the Mayor & Commission. Motion: Mr. Hall made a motion to recommend approval with the exception of the proposed amendment to section 9-7-4. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 6. 105-155 HICKMAN DRIVE - ADC-2021-09-2608 Type III – Alternative Design Compliance Petitioner: W&A Engineering Owner: Athens Housing Authority Request: Alternative compliance with Sec. 9-10-6 (Design Standards for “C-D” Zone) Tax ID: 163C5 B001 & 163C5 C001 Mr. Cowick presented the staff report. For: Buck Bacon, Christina Davis Against: None Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the purpose of the proposed linear park, how the primary reason for noncompliance is the steep topography, the Staff request for clearer identification of the specific noncompliant areas of the development, the difficulty of understanding the provided plans, and how the building design is for safety and access. Motion: Mr. Morales made a motion to continue the meeting until Monday, October 25th at 7:00 PM. Ms. Kinman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.  ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES October 25, 2021 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Anderson, Sara Beresford (chair), Catherine Goodrum, Matthew Hall (vice- chair), Alice Kinman and Kristen Morales MEMBERS ABSENT: Taylor Pass, Lucy Rowland, Monique Sanders and Joey Tucker STAFF PRESENT: Rick Cowick and Brad Griffin (Planning); and Lisa Pappas (Attorney’s Office) GENERAL BUSINESS Ms. Beresford called the continued meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 6. 105-155 HICKMAN DRIVE - ADC-2021-09-2608 Type III – Alternative Design Compliance Petitioner: W&A Engineering Owner: Athens Housing Authority Request: Alternative compliance with Sec. 9-10-6 (Design Standards for “C-D” Zone) Tax ID: 163C5 B001 & 163C5 C001 Mr. Griffin summarized the alternative compliance design criteria. Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the setback, height and design of the proposed retaining walls, consideration of both the pedestrian experience and the privacy of residents, and landscaping. Motion: Ms. Kinman made a motion to approve the Type III request for alternative design compliance. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Commission Chair’s Report – None 2. Planning Director's Report – The Planning Director reported a recent Mayor and Commission zoning action. 3. Miscellaneous announcements – The Planning Commission and Planning Director discussed the possibility of a return to in-person meetings. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.