Planning and Zoning Commission

Planning and Zoning Commission 23 EAST MAIN STREET, FORSYTH, GA. 31029 478.994.7747 WWW.CITYOFFORSYTH.NET June 23, 2025, Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Voting Board Members Present: James Freeman, Noah Harbuck, Kathy Rowland, Hal Clarke, and Martin Presley. Voting Board Members Not Present: Steve Coleman and Michael Brewster Staff Present: Dean Nelson, Will Campbell, Rachel Floyd, and Brian Causey. I. Call to Order: Martin Presley, serving as the Chair in the absence of Steve Coleman, called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. II. Approval of Agenda: Hal Clarke motioned for the agenda to be approved. James Freeman seconded this motion. The agenda was approved unanimously. (5-0) III. Approval of Minutes: Kathy Rowland motioned to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. James Freeman seconded the motion. Minutes were unanimously approved. (5-0) IV. Planning and Zoning: Public Hearing to consider a petition by CityTec Design, LLC, requesting a variance to allow a fourth floor on parcel F25 014B, which is zoned Highway Business (HB). Martin Presley opened the public hearing at 5:08 p.m. Community Development Director Dean Nelson provided background, maps, surveys, and a site plan for the project in addition to providing the standards required to grant a variance and recommended the variance be approved. Mr. Clarke inquired if a Conditional Use may be a better option than granting a Variance. Mr. Nelson stated that a hotel is a permitted use for the property, so a variance is the proper avenue to go about requesting a fourth floor. Mr. Presley asked if anyone was present to speak on behalf of the applicant. No representative was present. Mr. Presley asked if there was any public comment regarding the variance. There was no public comment. Mr. Presley then closed the public hearing at 5:14 p.m. After a brief discussion, Mr. Clarke motioned to approve the variance. Mr. Harbuck seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends City Council approve the Variance at their July 7th meeting. Public Hearing to consider a petition by the City of Forsyth, for a setback variance on parcel F33 032, which is zoned Institutional (INST). Mr. Presley opened the hearing at 5:15 p.m. Community Development Director Dean Nelson provided background, maps, surveys, and a site plan for the project. Mr. Nelson also explained the standards to grant a variance as provided by the Zoning Ordinance and presented the staff recommendation that the Variance be granted. Utilities Director Mike Batchelor (applicant) came forward to speak in favor of the variance and answer questions. Ms. Rowland asked if the site would be fenced and Mr. Batchelor replied that an upgraded fence would be installed, and he further explained the site plan and where the fence would be. Mr. Clarke asked if the site would be big enough for equipment. Mr. Batchelor confirmed that it would. Mr. Clarke stated that the building should have been demoed and replaced years ago. Mr. Harbuck asked where the encroachment on the setback would occur. Mr. Batchelor specified that the back of the building would encroach into the 40’ setback by 15’. Mr. Clarke inquired if the nursing home would be out of sight, and Mr. Batchelor confirmed that it would be. No public comment was made in opposition to the application. Mr. Presley closed the hearing at 5:24 p.m. Mr. Freeman motioned to approve the Variance. Ms. Rowland seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously (5-0). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends City Council approve the Variance at their July 7th meeting. Public Hearing to consider a petition by Isabelle Tanner, for a Conditional Use Permit for parcel F35 051, located at 211 Tift College Drive, to allow the use of office for a clinic providing counseling services. Martin Presley opened the hearing at 5:26 p.m. Mrs. Tanner (applicant) came forward to speak on behalf of the petition, introducing the two counselors who will practice out of the office if the conditional use is approved (Amber Flannery and Courtney Stubbs) along with a couple of their colleagues. She provided background on the building, including its previous uses as a counseling office. She said that she was unsure of why a Conditional Use is necessary, but she believes it should be granted for her tenants to provide an important service. Mr. Clarke asked Mr. Nelson if the property zoning was affected by an overlay district. Mr. Nelson explained that the definition of a clinic and the City’s Table of Uses are why the Conditional Use is necessary. No public comment was made in opposition to the application. Mr. Presley stated that he would be abstaining from the vote due to a conflict of interest. Mr. Presley closed the hearing at 5:32 p.m. Mr. Clarke motioned to approve the Conditional Use request. Mr. Harbuck seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously (4-0, with Mr. Presley abstaining). The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends City Council approve the Conditional Use at their July 7th meeting. Ms. Tanner asked when, after the approval of the Conditional Use by City Council, Ms. Flannery and Ms. Stubbs would be able to get their business licenses. Ms. Flannery asked what the steps for the business license would be. Mr. Nelson explained the process, stating that after zoning is able to sign off on it, it will go to the city clerk, then to the fire department and police department. Courtney Stubbs asked if the process would be the same for her license, and Mr. Nelson explained that the Conditional Use would apply to the property, so her business license would be able to proceed at the same time as Ms. Flannery’s. Ms. Flannery asked if the fire department would have to visit the property to issue an occupational certificate. Mr. Harbuck responded that the fire department would have to come out to sign off on that. Mr. Batchelor stated that because there are already other offices occupied in the building, the fire chief may not have to visit in order to sign off on the business license, and Mr. Nelson stated that if Chief Bunn is already familiar with the building, a visit usually isn’t necessary. V. Adjournment: Mr. Presley adjourned the meeting at 5:37 pm.