Planning Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. 120 W. Dougherty Street MEMBERS PRESENT: Alice Kinman (vice-chair), Monique Sanders, Sara Beresford, Alexander Sams, Sarah Gehring, Kristen Morales, Catherine Goodrum, and Taylor Pass MEMBERS ABSENT: Matthew Hall (chair) and Joey Tucker STAFF PRESENT: Bruce Lonnee, Marc Beechuk, John Rogeberg, and Stephen Jaques (Planning); Austin Jackson (Attorney’s Office), Rick Vaughn (Fire) GENERAL BUSINESS Ms. Kinman (acting as chair due to the absence of 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. Morales moved to introduce all reports and documents into the official record. Ms. Beresford seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of January 4, 2024 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Ms. Gehring made a motion for approval. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. MACORTS review and public comment. Mr. Beechuk noted that public input will soon be open for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). OLD BUSINESS – None NEW BUSINESS 1. 2041 WEST BROAD STREET & 105 MAGNOLIA STREET – APP-2024-01-0081 Type III – Appeal Petitioner: Stanton Porter Owner: James & Rosa Tucker Request: Appeal of the Athens-Clarke County Hearings Board decisions Tax ID: 122C2 F001 and 122C2 F002 Mr. Porter presented the appellant’s case, while Mr. Lonnee presented the appellee’s case. Public Comment: No public comment is taken for appeal cases. Discussion: Commissioners stated that their review only extends to whether the Hearings Board acted according to proper procedures and standards of judgement—not whether Planning Commissioners agree with the Hearings Board’s decision. The main factor that was considered involved the Floor-Area-Ratio (FAR) requirements and it was demonstrated that the applicant’s request was well below the requirement. Multiple Commissioners stated that they found no reason to believe that the Hearings Board ruled inappropriately, and therefore they were voting in favor of denial regardless of their personal opinions of the validity of the original variance request. Motion: Ms. Gehring made a motion to deny the appeal. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. 5100 & 0 ATLANTA HWY & 2495 CLEVELAND RD – PD-2023-12-2459 Type I – Preliminary Planned Development Petitioner: Joseph Bates / SPG Planners + Engineers Owner: Amir & Connie Tahamtan Request: From General Business, Employment Center & Traditional Neighborhood to General Business & Mixed Density Residential; From C-G & RS-8 to C-G & RS-5 (PD)  Tax ID: 043 007, 043 008, & 043 008B Mr. Jaques presented the staff report and noted that the application is being received with comments only. For: Joseph Bates (applicant) Against: Dale Mills, Jamie Thomas, Ashley Butler Discussion: Nearby residents voiced opposition to the project and expressed concerns about the sufficiency of public services and infrastructure to meet the demand that would be created by the project. One Commissioner noted that County Staff do review the infrastructure and development impacts of the project in order to ensure proper services and development standards are followed. A Commissioner did say that the County should use processes like the Future Land Use Update to coordinate land development policies with service delivery to ensure that future development occurs where services are available. Commissioners noted that the proposal is a big jump in intensity and sought clarity on the sewer access to the site. The applicant stated that there are gravity-based options, but noted that the property owner with the closest sewer line has been unwilling to grant access. If access is not granted, a pump station could be necessary, which would be much more expensive for the County. Commissioners viewed a pump station with hesitancy, including one Commissioner who stated that no more pump stations should be built in Athens. One Commissioner asked whether the County could override a private property owner who was denying an adjacent property access to an existing public sewer line in the interest of saving public money. In response to public concerns about excessive density, one Commissioner noted that a large amount of housing could be built by-right using the existing zoning, so it would be inaccurate to characterize the choice as no development vs. this large project. Several Commissioners supported Staff’s recommendation for greater diversity in housing unit types. Design comments were made including support for alley-loaded townhomes, opposition to front-loaded townhomes, and support for placing street trees in the verge. At least one Commissioner commended the applicant for attempting to place attainable housing, via the inclusionary zoning ordinance, close to commercial and job opportunities. 3. 585 PRINCE AVENUE – SUP-2023-12-2444 Type II – Special Use Petitioner: David & Ruth Darden Owner: David & Ruth Darden Request: Special Use in C-O Tax ID: 171A1 F001A Mr. Beechuk presented the staff report with a recommendation for approval. For: Ruth Darden (applicant) Against: None Discussion: Several Commissioners stated that they were excited to see the vacant property come back to life again. Motion: Ms. Beresford made a motion to recommend approval. Ms. Gehring seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Planning Commission Chair’s Report – No report 2. Planning Director's Report – Mr. Beechuk provided an update on items previously forwarded to the Mayor & Commission. 3. Miscellaneous announcements – No announcements Ms. Morales made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Sams seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:35 p.m.