Planning Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES January 6, 2022 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. Rowland moved to introduce all reports and documents into the official record. Ms. Kinman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of December 9, 2021 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Mr. Anderson made a motion for approval. Mr. Tucker seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. MACORTS Update and Public Comment. Mr. Griffin reported on the departures of Sherry Moore and Cherie Varnum from the Planning Department. No public comments were received. APPEAL OF HEARINGS BOARD DECISION 1175 SOUTH MILLEDGE AVENUE - VAR-2021-10-3056 Petitioner: FJ Properties, LLC Agent: William C. Berryman, Jr. Zoning: C-O (Commercial-Office) Tax ID: 173A3 C004 Request: Variance to reduce the number of required parking spaces Ms. Pappas gave instruction on how to review a requested appeal from a Hearings Board decision. For: Bill Berryman Against: None Discussion: Discussion was held about the possible 50% decrease of required parking for commercial uses in historic districts. Motion: Ms. Morales made a motion to remand the application back to the Hearings Board for further development of the record. Ms. Rowland seconded the motion, which passed 8 to 1 (Tucker in opposition). OLD BUSINESS 1. 160 & 180 MELLWOOD DRIVE; 165 MILL CENTER BOULEVARD – ZONE-2021-07-2251 Type I – Rezone Petitioner: Jerry Wood / DuSouth Owner: Gibbs Capital, LLC Request: From Traditional Neighborhood and General Business to Mixed-Density Residential; From RS-8 (Single-Family Residential) and C-G (Commercial-General) to RM-2 (Mixed Density Residential) Tax ID: 073 A010, 073 A010A & 073 A047 Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with recommendations for denial. For: Jerry Wood Against: Stephanie Irvin Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the incompatibility of the proposed concept plan with the zoning ordinance, the lack of a binding site plan and the proposed architectural design. Future Land Use Motion: Ms. Kinman made a motion to recommend denial. Ms. Rowland seconded the motion, which passed 8 to 1 (Anderson in opposition). Zoning Motion: Ms. Kinman made a motion to recommend denial. Ms. Rowland seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. 1005, 1035 & 1045 HULL ROAD – ZONE-2021-11-3236; SUP-2021-11-3237 Type II – Rezone & Special Use Permit Petitioner: W&A Engineering Owner: J&J Sunset Farm, LLC Request: From C-R (Commercial-Rural) with Conditional Use to C-G (Commercial-General) with Special Use Tax ID: 213 001, 213 001K & 213 001M Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with recommendations for approval of the rezoning request and approval with condition of the variance request, and approval with conditions of the Special Use request. For: Scott Haines, Sam Rogers Against: None Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the proposed provision of affordable housing, the provision of sidewalks, the adequacy of commercial space, and the required tree canopy. Zoning Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend approval. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Variance Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend approval with the following condition: 1. The variance shall be applicable only to the multifamily section of the development. Ms. Kinman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Special Use Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend approval with the following conditions: 1. A cross-access easement shall be provided across the entire width of the subject property, which would connect all future commercial development(s) to the adjoining Trail Creek Village and the eastern property line, subject to review and approval by the ACC Transportation & Public Works Department. 2. A sanitary sewer extension shall be provided across the entire subject property to the eastern property line, subject to review and approval of the ACC Public Works Department. Mr. Hall seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. 1010 OGLETHORPE AVENUE – CON-2021-12-3507 Type III – Concept Review Petitioner: Smith Planning Group Owner: El Marojo, LLC Request: From RS-8 (Single-Family Residential) to C-N/RS-5 (PD) (Commercial-Neighborhood & Single- Family Residential, Planned Development) Tax ID: 113D3 E010 Mr. Hall recused himself from discussion of this item. Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with comments only. For: Joe Polaneczky, Bob Smith Against: None Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the proposed multifamily and commercial uses, ownership of the units, the distance from parking to the units, and the fire access. 3. 367 PRINCE AVENUE – SUP-2021-12-3510 Type II – Special Use Permit Petitioner: E+E Architecture Owner: Bottleworks I, LLC Request: Special Use in C-D (WE) (Commercial-Downtown, West End Downtown Design Area) Tax ID: 171A8 F001 & 171A1 H001 Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with recommendation for approval with condition. For: Chris Evans Against: None Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the resemblance of the request to form-based code. Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend approval with the following condition: 1. Special Use approval shall be limited to the proposed three-bedroom dwelling unit on the upper area of suite 2. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 4. 300 SORENSON RIDGE & 181 WARREN WAY – PD-2021-12-3512 Type II – Planned Development Amendment Petitioner: Michael B. Thurmond / Armentrout Matheny Thurmond, PC Owner: Sapphire Properties, LP Request: Amendment to RS-8 (PD) (Single-Family Residential, Planned Development) Tax ID: 184 014 & 184B8 D023A Mr. Cowick presented the staff report with recommendation for approval with conditions. For: Bret Thurmond Against: None Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the environmental constraints to developing the site, the proposed building setbacks, detention pond maintenance responsibility, and architectural design. Motion: Ms. Goodrum made a motion to recommend approval with the following condition: 1. The stormwater management detention pond shall remain on its own parcel as currently platted. Ms. Kinman seconded the motion, which passed 7 to 2 (Anderson & Morales in opposition). 5. TEXT AMENDMENT – Airport Overlay Mr. Griffin presented the draft text amendment. For: None Against: None Discussion: The Planning Commission discussed the effect on Carr’s Hill, the Airport Authority wish to remove the restriction, and how removal would treat property owners equally. Motion: Mr. Tucker made a motion to recommend approval. Mr. Anderson seconded the motion, which passed 8 to 1 (Morales in opposition). OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Commission Chair’s Report – None 2. Planning Director's Report – Mr. Griffin reported recent Mayor and Commission zoning actions, and that the Planning Commission will continue to meet virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. 3. Miscellaneous announcements – None The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.