City Commission

ROME CITY COMMISSION Monday, August 25, 2025 The Rome City Commission met at 6:30 p.m. this date in the City Commission Chambers of City Hall, 601 Broad Street. Mayor McDanial presided with Mayor Pro Tem Bojo and Commissioners Brock, Cochran, Beeman, Doss, Quick and Robinson present. Commissioner Collins was absent. Commissioner Quick opened the meeting with prayer and led in the salute to the flag. Minutes – August 11, 2025 The minutes of August 11, 2025, as submitted in writing by the Secretary, were approved by unanimous consent. Z25-06-04 Rezone 408 Cedar Ave Commissioner Quick presented rezoning file Z25-06-04 the request to rezone property located at 408 Cedar Ave and identified by Floyd County Tax parcel J14M-168 from Heavy Industrial to High Density Traditional Residential. The Planning Commission and staff have recommended approval of this request. Rome Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding property. Mr. Wood stated that this site has always been used as a single-family home, and the owner wants the zoning to match the current use. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing order concerning this request. There was no one present to speak in favor or opposition, and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approved to rezone 408 Cedar Ave from Heavy Industrial to High Density Traditional Residential. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z25-06-05 Rezone 412 Cedar Ave Commissioner Quick presented rezoning file Z25-06-05 the request to rezone property located at 412 Cedar Ave and identified by Floyd County Tax parcel J14M-166 from Heavy Industrial to High Density Traditional Residential. The Planning Commission and staff have recommended approval of this request. Rome Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding property. Mr. Wood stated that this site has always been used as a single-family home, and the owner wants the zoning to match the current use. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing order concerning this request. There was no one present to speak in favor or opposition, and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Quick moved to approve to rezone 412 Cedar Ave from Heavy Industrial to High Density Traditional Residential. Commissioner Robinson seconded, and the vote was unanimously in favor. Z25-06-06 Rezone 2435 Shorter Ave Commissioner Quick presented rezoning file Z25-06-06 the request to rezone property located at 2435 Shorter Ave and identified by Floyd County Tax parcel H13X-309 from Community Commercial to Multi-family Residential. Rome Floyd Planning Director Brice Wood reviewed this file displaying maps and photographs of the subject and surrounding property. Mr. Wood clarified that the request was not to rezone the entire tract of property to Multi-family Residential, only the rear portion of this property. The front portion of this property houses what was most recently a Wendy’s restaurant. The owner of the property would like the front portion of this site to remain Community Commercial for future commercial use and for the rear portion of the property to rezoned Multi-family Residential for the construction of a townhouse development. Mr. Wood explained that staff have recommended approval of the request subject to the following five conditions: 1  1. That the Planning Department must first approve the site plan for the development of the project prior to the issuance of a development permit or initiation of disturbance or construction activities. 2. All parking/security lighting shall be designed to cast light downward and inward 3. Light posts on private property shall not exceed 20ft in height. 4. Light poles and fixtures shall be compatible with the architecture and buildings on the property and with the street scaping elements of the adjacent property. 5. Buffers, setbacks, and landscape strip requirements must be met as noted in the Unified Land Development Code. There was a motion at the planning commission to deny this request, but the motion failed by a 3-5 vote. As a result, this file comes to the City Commission with a recommendation for approval. Mayor McDaniel outlined the rules for tonight’s public hearing stating that each side would have a maximum of 10 minutes collectively for comments. Mayor McDaniel called a public hearing order. Speaking in favor of the rezoning request Mr. Pat O’Neil 160 Three Rivers Drive. Mr. O’Neil stated he is with the engineering firm representing the owner of this property. Mr. O’Neil stated that the intent was to build a townhouse development on the rear portion of this property and plan for future commercial use (possibly a restaurant) on the portion of the lot fronting Shorter Ave. The plan is for the townhouse development to have ingress and egress on Westlyn Drive and not have access to Shorter Ave. Mr. O’Neil stated that he does not anticipate traffic to be a concern on Westlyn Drive. He also noted that there are many uses allowed by right within the current Community Commercial zone that would be more offensive to the surrounding neighborhood than a townhouse development. Speaking in opposition to the request was Mr. Frank Jankovsky 4 Westlyn Place. Mr. Jankovsky gave a six-page handout to the commissioners prior to tonight’s meeting. Mr. Jankovsky referenced sections from the unified land development code concerning this development; clarifying that he is of the opinion that a rezoning of this nature would constitute spot zoning. Mr. Jankovsky feels that the unified land development code adopted in the early 2000’s designated this property as commercial in error. There were also comments made regarding the traffic conditions that currently occur on Westlyn Drive due to West End Elementary School, and concerns that the construction of these townhouses, with all ingress/egress onto Westlyn Drive, will only make the traffic situation worse. Speaking next in opposition to the rezoning request was Ms. Van Dyke 11 Westlyn Drive. Ms. Van Dyke objects to the ingress/egress for the proposed townhome development onto Westlyn Drive. The more responsible method would be for the townhouse development to exit through this property onto Shorter Ave at the existing traffic control signal. Ms. Van Dyke also referenced the existing problems that are associated with West End School traffic. Ms. Carol Willis spoke in opposition to the project. Ms. Willis also expressed her displeasure with the plan to allow ingress/egress onto Westlyn Drive. Ms. Willis also questioned the potential impacts of storm water runoff from this site. With the opposing comments concluded, Mr. O’Neil used a portion of his remaining time for rebuttal comments. Mr. O’Neil stated again that there were any commercial uses that would likely be viewed as unfavorable by the neighborhood and those uses could also ingress/egress onto Westlyn Drive. According to Mr. O’Neil, he has not witnessed a traffic problem when observing this area during morning school times. Before a development could be constructed, a storm water development plan would have to be approved by the City of Rome. With all public comments concluded, Mayor McDaniel closed the public hearing. 2 Commissioner Quick moved to approve the rezoning as requested for the rear portion of this lot from Community Commercial to Multi-family Residential with the five conditions outlined earlier tonight by Planning Director Brice Wood. Mr. Quick’s motion also included one additional condition that would prohibit ingress and egress from any portion of this lot onto Westlyn Drive. Commissioner Bojo seconded the motion. There was discussion among the City Commission members concerning the proposal. A question was posed to those in attendance regarding their preference for a development on this property. Mr. Jankovsky stated that they are not opposed to a residential development on this property although they would prefer single-family homes, however the primary concern is the ingress and egress onto Westlyn Drive. It was noted that approximately 30 townhome units are planned, however that number could be amended. There were pictures submitted to the City Commission of numerous cars back onto the residential streets of this area, presumably due to West End School. With the discussion concluded, Mr. Quicks motion to approve the request with conditions was approved by a unanimous vote. Labor Day Closing City Manager Rich announced that city offices would be closed in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Garbage, yard waste and recycling routes would be amended on Monday and Tuesday due to the closing. Community Redevelopment Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Community Redevelopment Committee meeting schedule for Wednesday August 27 has been canceled. Rome Redevelopment Agency Commissioner Bojo announced that the Rome Redevelopment Agency will meet on Friday September 5 at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Finance Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, August 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Water and Sewer Committee Commissioner Bojo announced that the Water and Sewer Committee will meet on Thursday September 4 at 9:00 a.m. in the Sam King Room. Tourism Commissioner Brock announced that the Tourism Committee will meet on Wednesday August 27 at 11:45 a.m. at the WinShape Center. Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful Commissioner Beaman announced that a recent trash/liter pickup event was held involving Darlington Students. She noted there was considerable illegal dumping near one of Rome’s trails. Chuck Sennett Amphitheater Commissioner Beeman announced that the Chuck Sennett III Memorial Amphitheater is now completed, and a ribbon cutting ceremony has been held. This amphitheater is located on Rome’s trail between the Floyd County Library and the Oostanaula River. 3 General Administration Committee Commissioner Doss announced that the General Administration Committee will meet on Tuesday August 26 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carnegie Training Room. Rome-Floyd Planning Commission Commissioner Quick Announced that the Rome-Floyd Planning Commission will meet on Thursday September 4 at 2:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers. Downtown Development Authority Commissioner Robinson announced that the next First Friday Concert will take place on Friday September 5 starting at 7:00 p.m. on Town Green. Planned performances are by Bad Medicine and Brother Mojo. Forum Update Commissioner Robinson congratulated the Greater Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jay Shell and the Forum staff for a great job in transforming the Forum into a City of Rome ran facility. Of particular note was the Leanne Morgan concert held last week which provided two sell-out crowds for the Forum. 2025 Election Mayor McDaniel congratulated Commissioners Doss, Quick and Beeman as qualifiers for 2025 City Commission Ward 2 election. Henrice Berrien Commissioner Beeman noted that during the February 26, 2024, City Commission meeting, recognition was given to Ms. Henrice Berrien as part of the Black History Month celebration. Commissioner Beeman noted that Ms. Berrien has recently transitioned at the age of 91. Adjourned With no further business, Mayor McDaniel adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Joseph F. Smith City Clerk 4