Planning Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 2, 2023 - 6:00 P.M. 120 W. Dougherty Street MEMBERS PRESENT: Sara Beresford (chair), Catherine Goodrum, Matthew Hall, Lucy Rowland, Taylor Pass, Sarah Gehring, Kristen Morales, Joey Tucker and Monique Sanders MEMBERS ABSENT: Alice Kinman STAFF PRESENT: Brad Griffin, Max Doty, Rachel Gomez, and Stephen Jaques (Planning); Austin Jackson (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. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of January 5, 2023 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Ms. Rowland made a motion for approval. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. MACORTS review and public comment – No comment. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS 1. 286-296 CLASSIC ROAD – ZONE-2023-01-0034 Type I – Rezone Petitioner: Frank Pittman / Pittman and Greer Engineering PC Owner: Jimmy D. Baugus; Nancy L. McElhannon; Myrtie & Jerry B. Hall Request: From General Business and Employment Center to Mixed-Density Residential; From E-I (Employment-Industrial) to RM-2 (Mixed Density Residential-2) Tax ID: 044 001, 044 001B & 044 001C Mr. Jaques presented the staff report and noted that the application is being received with comments only. For: Jeff Koons, Frank Pittman, Blake Underwood Against: None Discussion: It was noted that townhomes are a limited housing type in Athens, and Commissioners voiced support for housing in this area. The tree canopy was discussed and some noted that emphasizing the preservation of buffers between residential developments cuts off social opportunity for residents—especially kids. Buffer requirements also lead to communities that are comprised of isolated insular pods of development rather than cohesive, accessible, and integrated neighborhoods. Commissioners called for proactive planning and reformed zoning codes to foster the creation of these neighborhoods. It was also noted that Jennings Mill Parkway needs to be redesigned as a neighborhood street if the area is to become a commercial/residential area rather than industrial. Design comments included approval of the single-car garage openings but criticism that the front doors of some units did not open to a street. Commissioners agreed that they would like to see more attention paid to the design of the open space in the subsequent submittal. 2. 102 LAVENDER ROAD, 6017, 6045, & 0 JEFFERSON ROAD – PD-2022-12-04373 Type II – Planned Development Amendment Petitioner: Scott Haines / W&A Engineering Owners: Village at Oak Grove, LLC / New Oak Grove Area, LLC Request: Amend a C-G (PD) (Commercial-General, Planned Development)  Tax ID: 162 025, 062 25A, 062 027, & 062 028 Mr. Jaques presented the staff report with a recommendation for denial. For: Justin Crighton, Evan Conder Against: John Dunn, Allen Green, Lee Epting, Andree Terry, Ashley Epting, Len Sapera, Anthony Teems, Sara Williamson Discussion: Nearby residents voiced opposition to the proposal, stating that it would continue the evolution of the project away from the original approved Oak Grove vision. Residents complained that shrinking the planted buffer would increase noise in their neighborhoods and warned that bad development happens when a proposal mixes roads with streets since each one has a distinct purpose (speedy regional transportation vs. access to local development/neighborhoods). Skepticism that the depicted buffer was not representative of what the actual buffer would look like was voiced. One resident called for more oak trees in Oak Grove. Motion: Ms. Rowland made a motion to recommend denial. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed 6-1-1 (Tucker in opposition, Hall abstained). OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Commission Chair’s Report – No report 2. Planning Director's Report – No report 3. Miscellaneous announcements – No announcements The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m.