Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, April 7, 2025 Council Assembly Room 6:00 p.m. 70 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, Ga 30046 CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Chairperson Bruce Hardy Vice-Chairperson Jeff West Commission Member Stephanie Henriksen Commission Member Sheila Huff Commission Member Darion Ward APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion made to AMEND the agenda as presented by Vice-Chairperson West and Seconded by Council Member Henriksen • Table - Item No. 2. ANNX2025-00009 & RZM2025-00020 – Dalton D&K Properties LLC, the Applicant, and Ernest Michael Henderson, the Owner; an application to annex and rezone portions of the subject property from Gwinnett County R-100 (Single-Family Residential District) to City of Lawrenceville CMU (Community Mixed Use District) to allow for a mixed-use development; the subject property is located at 1144 Grayson Highway, identified by the Parcel Identification Number R5139 002, and encompass approximately 9.82 acres to the Monday, May 5, 2025, Planning Commission Public Hearing. Rev is ion No.  • Table - Item No. 7. RZR2025-00026 – JCT Construction Group Inc. c/o LJA Engineering, the Applicant, and Jeffrey Threat, the Owner; an application to rezone the subject property from BG (General Business District) to RS-TH INF (Townhouse- Family Infill Residential District) to allow for a townhome development; the subject property is located at 150 Scenic Highway, identified by the Parcel Identification Number R5147 230, and encompass approximately 3.94 acres to the Monday, May 5, 2025, Planning Commission Public Hearing. • Withdraw Item No. 9. SUP2025-00100 – R. Duane Hawk, the Applicant; Foundation Technologies, Inc., the Owner; an application for a Special Use Permit for Outdoor Storage and Boat and Marine Equipment Sales and Service at certain properties; the subject properties are located at 738 Scenic Highway and 750 Scenic Highway, identified by the Parcel Identification Numbers R5108 005, R5108 005A, and R5108 006, and encompass approximately 3.80 acres. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward Motion made to APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED the agenda as presented by Council Member Henriksen and Seconded by Council Member Ward Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward APPROVAL OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES 6:02 p.m. • Motion made to APPROVE Monday, March 3, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes by Council Member Huff and Seconded by Vice-Chairperson West Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward NEW BUSINESS: 3. ANNX2025-00013, RZC2025-00065 & SUP2025-00102 – Makenna Juntti C/O QuikTrip Corporation, the Applicant, and Samira Hafsa Belhareth & Abdelmajid Belhareth, the Owners; an application to annex and rezone the subject property from Gwinnett County C-1 (Neighborhood Business District) and Gwinnett County C-2 (General Business District) to City of Lawrenceville BG (General Business Rev is ion No.  District) with a Special Use Permit to allow an automobile wash (carwash); the subject property is located at 686 & 694 Old Snellville Highway, identified by the Parcel Identification Numbers R5108 011 and R5108 012, and encompass approximately 3.48 acres. Motion made to recommend APPROVAL of ANNX2025-00013, RZC2025-00065 and SUP2025-00102 as BG (General Business District) with Planning Commission recommendations by Vice-Chairperson West and Seconded by Commission Member Henriksen The motion to recommend approval includes the following factors: o The proposed zoning request is consistent with the prevailing land use and zoning patterns along Sugarloaf Parkway. It is essential to notify the public that the existing Gwinnett County zoning designations for the property (C-1, C-2, & R-75) would need to be rezoned to C-2 (General Business District) to accommodate the proposed use. Additionally, a Special Use Permit would be required for a convenience store that includes fuel pumps and an accessory vehicle washing station. In essence, a public hearing will be required for the proposed use, regardless of whether the location is inside or outside the city limits. Additional factors influencing the recommendation are as follows: o Exterior architectural treatments must be reviewed and approved by the Director of the Planning and Development Department, with the possibility that these requirements may be more stringent than Gwinnett County’s standard exterior architectural treatments. o The installation of light pollution shields or light fixtures with shields to control the amount and direction of light pollution spilling into nearby residential properties. o Limiting the hours of operation for the car wash and vacuum station to "sunup to sundown," or from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during business hours. Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Henriksen Voting Nay: Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward Rev is ion No.  Opposition: • Dr. Kagale Kiwanuka – proposed development conflicts with or disrupts existing land uses such as convenience stores, car washes, and other commercial or residential properties. • Janell Jenkins – proposed development conflicts with or disrupts existing land uses such as convenience stores, car washes, fast-food establishments, loitering, multifamily housing, street racing and other commercial or residential properties. Proponent: • Makenna Juntti, c/o Quik Trip Corporation – Proposed development is consistent with the established land use and zoning in the general vicinity. o Install one-foot-candle lighting to control the amount or direction of light pollution over into residential properties. o Landscaping enhancement to address community concerns such as environmental impact, noise reduction, privacy, aesthetic appeal, and mitigating light pollution. o Limiting the hours of operation for a car wash and vacuum station to “sunup to sundown,” or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during normal business hours. 4. RZC2025-00062 – Tim Hallmark, the Applicant, and Reji Samuel, the Owner; an application to rezone the subject property from BG (General Business District) to LM (Light Manufacturing District) to allow for a plastic fabrication facility; the subject property is located at 219 Hurricane Shoals Road, identified by the Parcel Identification Numbers 5176 188, 5176 265 and 7011 083 and encompassing approximately 1.89 acres. Motion made to recommend DENIAL of RZC2025-00062 as LM (Light Manufacturing District) by Commission Member Ward and Seconded by Vice- Chairperson West Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward Rev is ion No.  Proponent: Tim Hallmark, Applicant, was not present during the public hearing. Opposition: None 5. RZC2025-00063 – Marvin Cruz Alvarez, the Applicant and Owner; an application to rezone the subject property from RS-150 (Single-Family Residential District) to LM (Light Manufacturing District) to allow for a landscaping contractor’s office; the subject property is located at 79 & 65 Hurricane Shoals Road, identified by the Parcel Identification Numbers R5145 011 and R5145 011A, and encompass approximately 1.64 acres. Motion made to recommend DENIAL of RZC2025-00063 as LM (Light Manufacturing District) to allow landscaping contractor’s office by Commission Member Henriksen and Seconded by Commission Member Huff The motion to recommend denial includes the following factors: • Land Use or the way the land is utilized or designated for various purposes, such as residential. • Compliance with building codes, which may include electrical, mechanical, plumbing and structural code violations. • Compliance with zoning codes, which includes the control of land use. The property has been occupied without the necessary zoning approvals. • Demolition Permit - regardless of the age of the structure is responsible for providing the City of Lawrenceville and State of Georgia confirmation as to whether the project will involve the removal or encapsulation of asbestos (O.C.G.A. Asbestos Safety § § 12-12-1 - 12-12-21). • Issues related to the installation of a gravel driveway. Approved hard surface driveways (e.g., asphalt, concrete) shall be required for all residential uses. Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward Proponent: Marvin Cruz Alvarez, Applicant Opposition: None Rev is ion No.  6. RZC2025-00064 – Pedro Josaphat, the Applicant and Owner; an application to rezone the subject property from ON (Office Neighborhood District) to BG (General Business District) to allow for a commercial kitchen; the subject property is located at 303 Scenic Highway, identified by the Parcel Identification Number R5142 118, and encompass approximately 0.90 acres. Motion made to recommend DENIAL of RZC2025-00064 as BG (General Business District) to allow for a commercial kitchen by Vice-Chairperson West and Seconded by Commission Member Henriksen Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward Voting Nay: Proponent: Pedro Josaphat, Applicant Opposition: None 8. RZR2025-00027 – Julio C. Leyva Diaz, the Applicant and Owner; an application to rezone the subject property from BG (General Business District) and OI (Office Institutional District) to RS-150 (Single-Family Residential District) to allow for the development of five single-family homes; the subject property is located at 1091 Grayson Highway, identified by the Parcel Identification Number R5139 005, and encompass approximately 2.51 acres. Motion made to recommend the APPROVAL of RZR2025-00027 to allow for the development of five single-family dwellings, dwelling units, and lots with staff recommendations by Vice-Chairperson West and Seconded by Commission Member Ward The motion to recommend approval with staff recommendations includes the following factors: • Concerns relating to the proposed Private Access Drive were related to the applicant indicating the cost associated with routine maintenance to a private access drive would be ongoing for property owners, ensuring that a private access drive remains in good condition and functional over time. Rev is ion No.  City of Lawrenceville Subdivision Regulations, Article XI, Section 2. Required Improvements, Subsection 2.20 Private Access Drives reads as follows: “Private access drives shall be permitted to serve no more than two residential land locked lots where, due to special problems created as a result of necessary unusual platting configuration, or as a result of special physical features, the property could not otherwise be developed. No more than one such drive shall be approved per subdivision development and must be approved as part of the original plat. These drives are exempt from paving requirements. Private access drives shall have the same right-of-way as is required for local streets, fifty (50) feet.” • Grayson Highway is classified as a Major Arterial, which is intended to longer trip length segments, larger volumes of traffic and increased speed. Therefore, the recommendation to implement a fifty (50) foot building setback would maintain consistency with surrounding developments while factoring the practical needs of the area, such as traffic flow and safety. Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward Voting Nay: Proponent: David Sonders, Key Engineering Solutions, expressed that Condition 2.B. could potentially prevent the development as proposed. Condition 2.B. reads as follows: “Private Access Drive/Utility Easement shall be designed and constructed having a minimum width of fifty-feet (50 ft.) in width, and a minimum pavement width of twenty-four-feet (24 ft.) in width. Developer shall provide necessary easements. The final design shall be subject to the review and approval of the Director of the Planning and Development Department.” Opposition: None Rev is ion No.  10. SUP2025-00101 – Jonathan Lopez, the Applicant and C/O SPE 366 W Pike, LLC Owner; an application for a Special Use Permit for Outdoor Automobile Sales at certain properties; the subject property is located at 366 West Pike Street, identified by the Parcel Identification Number R5143 213, and encompass approximately 0.70 acres. The motion to recommend denial includes the following factors: • The introduction of a vehicle-oriented use would be inconsistent with the long- term vision of the Downtown Character Area. • The proposal would be inconsistent with the objectives of the Downtown Development Authority, which is intended to revitalize and improve the downtown area of a city or town. • The existing buildings and structures will require modifications (e.g., architectural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural) prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Motion made to recommend DENIAL of SUP2025-00101 to allow outdoor automobile sales by Vice-Chairperson West and Seconded by Commission Member Ward Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward Voting Nay: None Proponent: Jonathan Lopez Opposition: None FINAL ADJOURNMENT: • Motion made to ADJOURN by Commission Member Henriksen, and Seconded by Commission Member Huff Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward Rev is ion No.