Planning Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 14, 2023 - 6:00 P.M. 120 W. Dougherty Street MEMBERS PRESENT: Alice Kinman (vice-chair), Sara Beresford, Alexander Sams, Sarah Gehring, Joey Tucker, Taylor Pass, and Catherine Goodrum MEMBERS ABSENT: Matthew Hall (chair), Kristen Morales, and Monique Sanders STAFF PRESENT: Brad Griffin, Bruce Lonnee, Max Doty, Marc Beechuk, and Stephen Jaques (Planning); John Hawkins and Austin Jackson (Attorney’s Office) GENERAL BUSINESS Ms. Kinman (acting Chair) 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. Beresford moved to introduce all reports and documents into the official record. Ms. Gehring seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of November 2, 2023 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Mr. Tucker made a motion for approval. Ms. Beresford seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. MACORTS review and public comment – No comment. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS 1. TEXT AMENDMENT – Appeals of Type V Planning Actions Petitioner: Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Request: Amend Title I and Title IX of the Code of Ordinances regarding appeal procedures for Type V Planning Actions Mr. Griffin presented the text amendment and noted that it is being received with comments only. For: None Against: None Discussion: Commissioners asked several questions about the ordinance including how individuals were assured of a timely decision from the officer, the appointment process for selecting a hearings officer, and whether it made sense to move the appeal from a body of citizens to the administrative officer. 2. FUTURE LAND USE – Growth Concept Map Discussion Mr. Beechuk presented the Growth Concept Map and the Staff findings from the public input sessions with a request for feedback from the Planning Commission. For: None Against: None Discussion: Planning Commissioners expressed support for the guiding principles, public input process, and the concept map, but noted that they would like to see the presentation and the maps modified to make them more visually clear. In particular an online map with layers that can be turned off and on was requested, as was more definition of the transect zones. One Commissioner noted that land use and street design must go hand-in-hand to create thriving corridors. 3. TEXT AMENDMENT – Short-Term Vacation Rentals Petitioner: Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Request: Amend Title IX of the Code of Ordinances regarding the creation of a new land use type and associated standards for short-term vacation rentals This item was moved from Item #1 to Item #3 because Mr. Tucker, Mr. Sams, and Ms. Beresford recused themselves due to potential conflicts of interest. Since these recusals meant that the Commission would lose quorum, it was decided to move the item to the last slot in the agenda, thus minimizing disruption to the procedures. Mr. Griffin presented the text amendment and noted that it is being received with comments only. For: Marilyn Vickers (spoke in favor of owner-occupied short-term vacation rentals) Against: Marilyn Vickers (spoke in opposition to commercially-operated short-term vacation rentals) Discussion: Commissioners asked for clarification on how the amendment proposes to handle existing short-term rentals as legal non-conforming uses. It was noted that court rulings in Georgia on this issue had shaped the writing of the ordinance. It was asked whether registration or zoning was the best means of regulating short-term rentals. It was also noted that home-owner associations can create rules around short- term rentals, but that the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government would not enforce those rules. Several Commissioners expressed support for allowing owner-occupied short-term rentals but restricting commercially-operated short-term vacation rentals. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Commission Chair’s Report – No report 2. Planning Director's Report – Mr. Lonnee provided an update on items previously forwarded to the Mayor & Commission 3. Miscellaneous announcements – No announcements The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m.