Planning Commission

ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 1st, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. 120 W. Dougherty Street MEMBERS PRESENT: Matthew Hall (chair), Kristen Morales (vice-chair), Sara Beresford, Alexander Sams, Sarah Gehring, Sheila Collins, Michael Lord, Carey McLaughlin, and Monique Sanders MEMBERS ABSENT: Taylor Pass STAFF PRESENT: Bruce Lonnee, Marc Beechuk, Max Doty, and Stephen Jaques (Planning); Austin Jackson (Attorney’s Office); Richard Vaughn (Fire Marshal) Mr. Hall called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. GENERAL BUSINESS 1. Introduction of Staff reports and all other documents submitted to the Planning Commission at this meeting into the official record Ms. Beresford motioned to introduce all reports and documents into the official record. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. Approval of June 27, 2024 Planning Commission meeting minutes Ms. Beresford motioned for approval. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 3. MACORTS review and public comment Mr. Beechuk stated that the Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update is proceeding according to schedule. OLD BUSINESS 1. 215 SHADYBROOK DR – ZONE-2024-05-0927 Type II – Rezone Petitioner: Kenneth A. Beall / Beall & Co. Owner: Kittle Construction Services LLC Request: From RS-8 to RM-1 Tax ID: 233 008A Mr. Beechuk presented the Staff Report with a recommendation for approval with conditions. For: Ken Beall (applicant), Mack Duncan Against: None Discussion: The applicant explained that the plan is the result of many conversations with ACCGov Staff while also stating that they are satisfied with the conditions recommended by Staff. A resident of the Shadybrook neighborhood stated that they were pleased that the project would not create a street connection to Shadybrook Dr. Commissioners sought clarity on the wording of Condition #1 before ultimately deciding that there was no need to bind the plan. Motion: Ms. Morales made a motion to recommend approval with conditions. Ms. Gehring seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Conditions: 1. The voluntary binding plan shall be used as reference only and not included as part of the approval of the rezone request. 2. Any access through a private roadway requires recording of an adequate access easement prior to site submittal (including the entirety of Seagraves Drive). 2. 1580 & 1590 LEXINGTON ROAD - SUP-2023-11-2301 Type I – Special Use Petitioner: C. Benjamin Washburn / JPC Design & Construction Owner: William B. Jones Request: Special Use in C-G (A) Tax ID: 174B1 B009A & 174B1 B009 Mr. Beechuk presented the Staff Report with a recommendation for approval. For: Jeremy Crosby (applicant) Against: None Discussion: The applicant explained that the plan involves gutting and expanding the existing gas station while adding the restaurant use. Commissioners did not have any major discussion points. Motion: Ms. Beresford made a motion to recommend approval. Ms. Morales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. 1125 PRINCE AVE – PD-2024-06-1300 Type II – Preliminary Planned Development Petitioner: Teresa Curry / Axis Infrastructure Owner: R&L Investments LLC Request: From C-N to C-N (PD) Tax ID: 122B1 A010 Mr. Doty presented the Staff Report and noted that the plan is being received with comments only. For: Luke Wemette (applicant) Against: Margie Spalding, Amy Andrews Discussion: Commissioners generally agreed that a drive-through facility does not fit the character of this portion of Prince Avenue, but there was debate over the appropriate recommendation. It was noted that the existing drive-through creates an experience contrary to the walkability goals of the level 1 corridor and adds more complexity to the flow of traffic. Some Commissioners stated that this is clearly an incompatible use that should be recommended for denial. Other Commissioners wondered if there were some benefits or modifications to the plan that the applicant could present to justify the case for approval. It was noted that the current use is a legal non-conforming and that the applicant has the option of renovating the property without needing to secure waivers. 2. 445, 605, 705, 1015 Barnett Shoals Rd, 190-210 Lakewood Dr, & 162 Park Ridge Ct – PD-2024-07-1314 Type I – Preliminary Planned Development Amendment Petitioner: Scott Haines / W&A Engineering Owners: Dekle Realty Enterprises LLC, Michael Dekle, Crystaline Dekle, Beth Tolley, James Dekle, Shari Wycheslavzoff, Jodi Kerr, Mohammed Khan & Carenage Partners LLC Request: From Traditional Neighborhood & Mixed Density Residential to Traditional Neighborhood; From C-N (PD), RS-8, & RM-1 to C-N (PD) Tax ID: 174B 002, 174B 001B, 174B 001F, 174B 001C, 174B 001D, 174B 001A, 174B 017, 174D1 010 Mr. Jaques presented the Staff Report and noted that the plan is being received with comments only. For: Scott Haines (applicant) Against: Dinah Owen  Discussion: Commissioners sought clarity on the binding elements of the plan as well as an explanation of how the design book would work. Commissioners asked the applicant to specify what they would like to bind in the plan. The applicant requested that the street network be bound, but that flexibility be granted regarding building types and lot size and number. Commissioners commended the project for offering housing types that could serve non-students since the corridor already has a significant concentration of student housing. Commissioners also appreciate the opportunity for a variety of housing types and price points that would be available. One Commissioner pointed out that they are in favor of having live/work units in all four phases of the project. There was a debate on how prescriptive the design book should be. The applicant stated that beautiful designs are important because they incentivize people to care for and sustain their buildings instead of throwing them away. The primary concern is that the binding nature of the plan be sufficiently strong to prevent the erosion of quality over the life of the project. 3. TEXT AMENDMENT – Inclusionary Zoning Petitioner: Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Request: Amend Sec. 9-27 of the Code of Ordinances to clarify regulations on inclusionary zoning Mr. Lonnee presented the text amendment and explained the rationale behind the amendment. For: None Against: None Discussion: Commissioners clarified the details of the text, including recommending amendments to the text to align definitions and percentage of Area Median Income with the definitions used by the federal Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Commissioners also asked about the length of these affordability agreements. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Training on Variance Appeal Procedures – ACCGov Attorney, Austin Jackson, provided training to the Commissioners on appeal procedures. 2. Planning Commission Chair’s Report –The Chair welcomed Mr. Carey McLaughlin and Mr. Michael Lord to the Planning Commission as well as bidding farewell to Ms. Sheila Collins as she resigns from the Commission. 3. Future Land Use Steering Committee Report – Committee Chair, Mr. Sams, summarized the most recent meeting of the Steering Committee. 4. Planning Director's Report – Interim Director provided additional details about the Steering Committee activities and provided a preview of the September Planning Commission agenda. 5. Miscellaneous announcements – None Mr. Sams made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Sanders seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.