Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, January 5, 2026 6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 p.m. ELECTION OF 2026 PLANNING COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON: Approval of Chairperson: Motion was made to elect Bruce Hardy as Chairperson of the Planning Commission for 2026 by Commission Member Henriksen and Seconded by Commission Member Ward. Voting Yea: Commission Member Hardy, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward, Commission Member West. Approval of Vice Chairperson: Motion was made to elect Jeff West as Vice-Chairperson of the Planning Commission for 2026 by Commission Member Henriksen and Seconded by Commission Member Huff. Voting Yea: Commission Member Hardy, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Ward, Commission Member West PRESENT Chairperson Bruce Hardy Vice-Chairperson Jeff West Commission Member Darion Ward Commission Member Sheila Huff Commission Member Stephanie Henriksen Rev is ion No. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion made to AMEND THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED by Vice Chairperson West, Seconded by Commission Member Henriksen. Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Ward • Table Item No. 3. SUP2025-00119; Sultan Hassan; 715 Paper Creek Drive to the following dates and times. o Planning Commission - Monday, February 2, 2026, at 6 p.m. o City Council Work Session – Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 5 p.m. o City Council Regular Meeting – Monday, February 23, 2026, at 7 p.m. Motion made to APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED by Council Member Huff, Seconded by Commission Ward. Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Ward APPROVAL OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES Motion made to APPROVE Monday, December 1, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting Minutes by Council Member Henriksen and Seconded by Council Member Ward Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice-Chairperson West, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Ward NEW BUSINESS 2. SUP2025-00117 – Applicant: Samia Craig – Studio 1865; Owner: Dahar Properties LLC; A Special Use Permit Application For A Special Events Facility/Banquet Hall Address: 1154 Lawrenceville Highway; Suite 206; Parcel Identification Number: R5110 376; Area: Approximately 15.81 Acres. SUP2025-00117 – Planning Commission Q&A Summary. • Vice Chairperson West: Asked staff for clarification regarding the language in Condition 1.D., specifically the use of the term “unrelated.” Staff Response: Staff indicated that the term “unrelated” was included in error and should be considered a typographical mistake. • Applicant Response: In the opening statement to the Planning Commission, the applicant described the proposed use as a multi-purpose facility and clarified that operations would not be limited solely to special events. The applicant further indicated the site may host events associated with a Place of Worship and a Funeral Home. Rev is ion No.  • Staff Comments: The subject property is zoned BG (General Business District), which permits a Place of Worship as a use-by-right; therefore, events associated with a place of worship may occur on-site. Activities associated with a Funeral Home, including an accessory crematory, are permitted within the BG zoning district subject to approval of a Special Use Permit. Staff further advised the applicant of O.C.G.A. § 43-18-72(a)(1)(G), which regulates crematories and provides, in relevant part, that a crematory: “must not be located within 1,000 feet of a residential subdivision platted and recorded in the office of the clerk of the superior court of a county in which such residential subdivision is located.” Accordingly, the applicant should be prepared to provide a detailed explanation of proposed activities associated with the Special Events Facility/Banquet Hall, specifically those related to funeral home operations, when presenting the proposal to the City Council. • Planning Commission Member Huff: Requested clarification from the applicant regarding the current occupancy status of the tenant space. Applicant Response: The applicant stated that a lease was executed in June 2025 and that the Planning and Development Department advised a Special Use Permit would be required to operate a Special Events Facility/Banquet Hall. • Vice Chairperson West: Asked staff about stipulations limiting the hours of operation and followed up with the applicant regarding preferred hours of operation. Applicant Response: The applicant stated that, pursuant to the lease agreement with the property manager and client contracts, events would conclude by 12:00 a.m. (midnight). Special event activities would end by 11:00 p.m., with doors secured by 12:00 a.m. The applicant further indicated the lease agreement requires on-site security during events where alcohol is served. Staff Comment: The applicant should be prepared to provide a detailed explanation of alcohol service operations associated with the Special Events Facility/Banquet Hall when presenting to the City Council. The applicant is reminded that Condition H requires compliance with the Code of the City of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Chapter 4 – Alcoholic Beverages. Motion made to recommend APPROVAL of SUP2025-00117 with Planning Commission recommendations by Vice-Chairperson West and Seconded by Commission Member Ward Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice Chairperson West, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Ward Rev is ion No. FINAL ADJOURNMENT – 6:15 p.m. Motion made to ADJOURN by Commission Member Henriksen, and Seconded by Commission Member Huff Voting Yea: Chairperson Hardy, Vice Chairperson West, Commission Member Huff, Commission Member Henriksen, Commission Member Ward Rev is ion No.