Planning Commission

Rome-Floyd Planning Commission Agenda Location: City Hall - Auditorium and Zoom Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2021 Time: 2:30 PM CALL TO ORDER Time convened: 2:31pm by Chair Bennett. Chair Bennett requested a roll call. Senior Planner Brice Wood called roll. A quorum was met. Determination of Quorum (6 of 10 needed) P – Present MEMBER Notes STAFF A – Absent Z – Zoom A Logan Boss P Frank Beacham/John Hawkins - City Atty P Frank Brown P Brittany Griffin – Planning Dept P Melissa Eldridge Bruce Ivey – Spec. Projects Mgr P Terry Jones V. Chair P Chris Jackson – County Atty P Charles Love James Martin – Bldg Official P Ivy Lowery P Larry Maxxey – County Commission P Anthony McClain P Art Newell – Planning Dept P Steve Miller P Randy Quick – City Commission A Ghee Wilson P Meredith Ulmer – Asst City Mgr P Tom Bennett Chair A Kayla Schaaf – Planning Dept P Brice Wood – Planning Dept P Sammy Rich – City Manager P Jordan Allen – Planning Dept P Doug Walker – Public Information Officer P Reneé Nolan – Planning Dept Public (from sign-in sheet): 90 signed in. See scanned version of the 3 sign-in sheets. Welcome and Introduction of Visitors Chair Bennett welcomed the public to the meeting and requested that all visitors sign in. Approval/Modification of Agenda Agenda approved by common consent. Approval of Minutes from September Meeting Minutes approved by common consent. Chair Bennett informed all present of the Rome City Commission meeting dates and the Floyd County Board of Commissioners meeting dates for the month of October 2021. CITY OF ROME REZONING & SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS: A21-10-01 – Requests annexation for the properties located at 572 Pleasant Valley Road and the portion of the 431 Pleasant Valley Road as shown on the provided survey, Silver Creek, GA 30173, Floyd County Tax Parcels K16159 and K16159D, zoned Agricultural Residential. Applicant: JTG Holdings/Denton West; Owner: James D. Arp. Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the staff recommendation of approval with conditions from the engineering department (see the staff report). Denton West/Brian Ponder were present to speak in favor of the application. Denton West described 1 the development as 1,018 lot subdivision, most of which is already located in the City of Rome and zoned appropriately. Brian Ponder described two meetings between themselves and staff, discussing: water & sewer, gas, power, sanitation, 2 main entrances, emergency access only entrance. Denton West and Brian Ponder, on behalf of the applicant, was present to speak on behalf of the application and in favor of the application. Ponder stated that multiple meetings between city staff and engineering in the pre-development stages. Ponder stated that access will be off Chulio. West stated that the developers had met previously with the 2 HOA’s in the surrounding areas. West stated that Rome has not seen new development in years and Rome is the perfect area for a development spur which is why they have looked at Rome. Rome is a destination are due to size and mass. There were multiple people present to speak in opposition to the application. Ryan Stanger, on behalf of Hampton Preserve subdivisions, submitted stipulations on behalf of the adjacent subdivisions. Tressa Baggett, Hampton Preserve, stated that she was on behalf of surrounding residents. Baggett stated she was in opposition of the annexation. Baggett stated that 3 separate petitions with over 400 signatures has been submitted. Baggett stated that the land is surrounded by land and property that is rural. Baggett stated that that this annexation will go against the adopted Comprehensive Plan. Baggett stated that the size of the development would be 3x the size of the residents in Cave Spring – this area is not prepared for this type of development. Baggett stated that Chulio road is not prepared for this level of traffic. Baggett insisted that comprehensive traffic study be completed before this project is approved. Baggett stated that the entire property would be clear cut and would destroy the rural character of the community. Whitney Ducane, adjacent property owner, also spoke in opposition, presenting population numbers for square mile. Ducane stated that this growth is not appropriate or safe – this change will adversely affect the area. Chris Barbiere, resident in Hampton East, spoke against the annexation, stating he had many concerns regarding the annexation and development, as well as concerns regarding the over burdening of East Central elementary school. Barbiere commented on patchwork zoning and annexation and expressed concerns with storm water, the out-of-date lift station, sewer, and water. Chair Bennett stated that those opposed used an additional 6 minutes of their time and that additional 6 minutes will be added to the rebuttal. Steve and Jane Pollack, adjacent property owners, spoke in opposition. Pollack lived in Smyrna and moved to Rome to get away from Smyrna. Pollack stated more concerns regarding more police, more retail, more restaurants, and more crime. Brian Ponder was permitted 6 minutes of rebuttal. Ponder stated that the time for move in is 5-7 years out which will give ample time for the school and roads to be improved. Ponder stated that they are currently completing a traffic study – the study will be back in for review on October 24th. Chair Bennett Closed the public hearing and opened for commissioner comments. Steve Miller, Planning Commissioner, questioned the access on Boyd Valley Road. Ponder stated that access will be for EMS via KnockBox. Miller then asked a question regarding the water flow. Mike Hackett, Water and Sewer Division Director, stated that there is a Floyd County Water Department, and they would be responsible for this area. Hackett stated that fire protection flow would be different, and he could not answer. Hackett said the water flow numbers in this area is good number. Hackett said fire flow may be an issue, but the numbers presented are good numbers and a lot of water. Hackett said the static was 130 psi with a residual of 62. Hackett stated a minimum of residual needs to be 25. Hackett said anything over 150 psi can be an issue, but over 125 psi is good water. Hackett stated that Rome Water and Sewer handles sewer in Floyd County and there has been a lift station in the area for nearly 30 years. Hackett stated that they can upsize pups and replace lines – this is the plan for this area. Ivy Lowery questioned who will install new sewer installations. Hackett stated city will cover most but there will be a connection fee. Hackett said lift station is not an issue. McClain questioned the location of annexation and asked for the map to be put map back on the screen. Ivy Lowery questioned who will build the subdivision out and price point. Ponder said he does not know who will build out the phases and described the price point as high 2’s to low $300,000’s. McClain questioned if the schedule of building could be regulated. Frank Beacham, City Attorney, stated that it is difficult to regulate building unless the developer agreed. Charles Love questioned the education issues, stating that he had sat in on a discussion with Lou Byars on school expansion. Love said the school system has plans for development. Chair Bennett addressed a question in the audience. Sarah Hanney had questions about property location, stating they bulldozed a portion of her property. Chair Bennett reminded everyone that this vote is regarding annexation. McClain questioned what was in the city and county on the map. Wood pulled up the GIS map. McClain motioned to deny the annexation, which was seconded by Miller. The vote was 4-4 meaning that the application moves on to the Rome City Commission with no recommendation. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss N Terry Jones M Anthony McClain Y Frank Brown N Charles Love Y Steve Miller Y Melissa Eldridge Y Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson N Tom Bennett 2 Z21-10-01– Requests rezoning from Agricultural Residential to Suburban Residential for the properties located at 572 Pleasant Valley Road SE portion of the 431 Pleasant Valley Road as shown on the provided survey, Silver Creek, GA 30173, Floyd County Tax Parcels K16159 and K16159D. Applicant: JTG Holdings/Denton West; Owner: James D. Arp. Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Director Newell asked if this vote was for the city or county since the annexation is undetermined. Frank Beachem advised to proceed with the rezoning application. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, along with the staff recommendation of approval. Denton West and Brian Ponder spoke in favor, discussing the proposed bypass and asking Wood to bring up the map of its proposed location again, which Wood did. Chair Bennett reminded the public that they have 10 minutes to speak. There were many people present to speak in opposition. Dr Charles Baggett, an adjacent property owner, spoke in opposition to the rezoning. Asked about by-pass access. Wood advised that he was unaware about the nearest point of access to the proposed bypass. Diane Hanson, an adjacent property owner, spoke in opposition, stating that the applicants met with them and ignored comments/questions that they did not like. Tressa Baggett also spoke, asking who is going to be there to address the problems? Baggett referred to the comprehensive plan and had questions regarding the individual sections on the future land use maps. Baggett complained about the roads and who paid for the problems. Whitney Ducane, an adjacent property owner, stated that she was against the rezoning and her comments from the annexation roll over to the zoning. Melissa Keefe, an adjacent property owner, stated she was also against request. Melissa Keefe stated she had questions about renting properties. Steve Miller stated that it was up to the subdivision to make those decisions. Ann Szulya an adjacent property owner, spoke in opposition expressing concern about issues with traffic and stormwater. Szulya stated that the county does not keep ditches clean, and this will be an issue with further development. Shirley Roden adjacent property owner - had questions about the Rome bypass, stating that the bypass has not been finished despite having been approved in 1998, which might alleviate problems. Charles Baggett - stated that the bypass has been in planning in 20 years. Director Newell stated that the bypass south & southeast leg have an anticipated completion 2023-24 & 2026-27, per GDOT Andrew Bishop JTG Holdings - Had 8 minutes for rebuttal. Bishop stated that Rome only has low end and high-end housing, they are trying to meet a mid-range need. Bishop stated that they did the DRI, traffic studies and school studies; stating that we have 1.5 months inventory of houses low or high. They’re trying to provide mid-range housing. Chair Bennett closed the public hearing. Ivy Lowery had question about which part needed rezoning, which was answered by staff. Lowery then made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Love. The motion carried with a 5-3 vote. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss F Terry Jones A Anthony McClain A Frank Brown S Charles Love A Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge M Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett Z21-10-02– Requests rezoning from General Heavy Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1102 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y344. Applicant/Owner: Doug Reeves. Z21-10-03– Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed use for the property located at 1104 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y343. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC. Z21-10-04– Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1104 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y338. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC. Z21-10-05– Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1200 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y337. Applicant/Owner: Studio Siri LLC. Z21-10-06– Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1204 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y336. Applicant/Owner: RPB Investment. Z21-10-07– Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1109 North fifth Ave, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y340. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC. Z21-10-08 – Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1105 North fifth Ave, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y341. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC. Z21-10-09 – Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 0 North fifth Ave, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y342. Applicant/Owner: DeSoto Developers LLC. Z21-10-16 – Requests rezoning from Community Commercial to Urban Mixed Use for the property located at 1212 Martha Berry Blvd, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J13Y335. Applicant/Owner: Larry Martin. 3 Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, along with the staff recommendation of approval. Brandon Bowen – spoke in favor as the attorney for 33 Holdings (because Atty Chris is representing client). Bill Jones, architect, also spoke in favor. Cory O.(?) also spoke in favor of the application. Bill Temple also spoke in favor of the application. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Chair Bennett closed the public hearing and opened it up for commission comments. Steve Miller made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Anthony McClain. McClain had a question regarding Martha Berry being narrow, stating that UMU has no building set back. McClain questioned the right-of-way in correlation to the power pole to street; what is allowed? Director Newell discussed the larger right-of-way along Martha Berry Blvd versus North 5th Ave. The motion passed 8-0. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss F Terry Jones S Anthony McClain F Frank Brown F Charles Love M Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge F Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett A21-10-02 – Requests annexation for the properties located at 30 Wellington Way, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcels J15Z258, zoned Suburban Residential. Applicant/Owner(s): Stacey and Thomas Janes, Jr. Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the staff recommendation of approval, to include the public right-of-way in front of the parcel. There was no one present to speak in favor or opposition. Chair Bennett closed the public hearing and opened it up for commission comments. Terry Jones made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Frank Brown. The motion carried with a 7-0 vote. Ivy Lowery stepped out of the meeting before the motion and vote. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss M Terry Jones S Anthony McClain S Frank Brown F Charles Love F Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge Ivy Lowery – stepped out Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett Z21-10-10 – Requests rezoning from Office Institutional to Neighborhood Office Commercial for the property located at 512 E. 1st Street, Rome, GA 30161, Floyd County Tax Parcel J14C169. Applicant/Owner: David Guldenschuh. Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the staff recommendation of approval. David Guldenschuh was present to speak in favor of the application. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Ivy Lowery re-entered the meeting. Chair Bennet closed the public hearing and opened it up for commission comments/questions. Charles Love made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Ivy Lowery. The motion carried with a 8-0 vote. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss F Terry Jones F Anthony McClain F Frank Brown M Charles Love F Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge S Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett Z21-10-11 – Requests rezoning from High Density Traditional Residential to Community Commercial for the property located at 625 Calhoun Avenue, Rome, GA 30165 Floyd County Tax Parcel K13Y270. Applicant/Owner: Jasvir Singh. 4 Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the staff recommendation of approval. Robert Noble, architect, was present to speak on behalf of the application, talking about the property owner’s plans to renovate the structure and use it for a convenience store with no gas pumps. Jasvir Singh was also present. There was no one present to speak in opposition to the application. Chair Bennett closed the public hearing and opened the meeting up to comments and/or questions from the commission. Charles Love had comments to the application. Love said the neighborhood is inundated with convenient stores and that a convenience store is not needed directly across the street from another convenience store. Love stated that he had pulled the crime report from that block and spoke of the number of criminal incidents that have taken place in the area. Love stated that he is speaking to his fellow commissioners to help him fix his community by not approving this application. Love stated the property is zoned for residential and should be used for residential and that he was opposed to the staff recommendation. Ivy Lowery asked for clarification regarding Loves comments and whether the comments were appropriate. John Hawkins, on behalf of the city attorney’s office, stated that Love should recuse himself. Love agreed to do so. Terry Jones questioned what would make this store different from the other stores. Jasvir Singh stated that this store won’t have games in it. Steve Miller questioned the parking. Staff confirmed that there is enough parking for a building of that size and space in the rear for additional parking, if necessary. Frank Brown questioned the ability of the building to be brought up to code. Noble discussed the work needed to bring the building into compliance. Steve Miller questioned whether the second floor would be part of the store, to which Noble stated that it would be used for storage for the business. Motion to deny by Miller. Second by McClain. The motion to deny carried with an 8-0 vote. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss F Terry Jones S Anthony McClain F Frank Brown AB Charles Love M Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge F Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett Z21-10-15 – Requests rezoning from Suburban Residential to Light Industrial for the properties located at 0 and 0 Oreburg Road, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcels F13Y208 and F13Y207. Applicant/Owner: 33H SS 4685, L.L.C./Beers Housing, Inc. Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the recommendation of approval with conditions (see the staff report). Chad Beers was present to speak in favor of the rezoning, discussing this as an expansion of the existing development and the previously rezoned property. Beers stated these parcels would be used for boat and RV storage. Anthony McClain left the meeting at 5:05 pm. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Chair Bennett closed the public hearing and opened the meeting up to the commission for comments and questions. Ivy Lowery pointed out that staff had placed conditions on the approval. Terry Jones asked whether the applicant was aware of the conditions. Beers confirmed that he was. Ivy Lowery moved to approve with the conditions recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Frank Brown. The motion carried with a 7- 0 vote. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss S Terry Jones Anthony McClain F Frank Brown F Charles Love F Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge M Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett FLOYD COUNTY REZONING & SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS Z21-10-12 – Requests rezoning from Light Industrial to Suburban Residential for the property located at 0 Huffaker Road, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel G12Y014. Applicant/Owner: Jeff Grant. Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the staff recommendation of approval. Ward White of Southern Consulting Services was present to speak on behalf of the application, stating that the additional land would allow for a second entrance to their proposed development, per their engineer. There was no one present to speak in opposition to the application. Charles Love 5 left the meeting at 5:13 pm. Chair Bennett Closed the public hearing and opened to the commission for comments and questions. Steve Miller made a motion, which was seconded by Ivy Lowery. The motion carried with a 6-0 vote. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss Y Terry Jones Anthony McClain Y Frank Brown Charles Love M Steve Miller Y Melissa Eldridge S Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson Y Tom Bennett Z21-10-13 – Requests rezoning from Agricultural Residential to Heavy Industrial for the property located at 890 Turkey Mountain Road, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel K09X028. Applicant/Owner: AARCAT LLC. Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the staff recommendation of approval. There was no one present to speak in favor or opposition. Chair Bennett Closed the public hearing to the commission to comment or ask questions. Frank Brown made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Terry Jones. The motion carried with a 6-0 vote. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss S Terry Jones Anthony McClain M Frank Brown Charles Love F Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge F Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett SUP21-10-01 – Requests a Special Use Permit for climate-controlled storage for the property located at 4111 Martha Berry Hwy, Rome, GA 30165, Floyd County Tax Parcel J11X199, zoned Community Commercial. Applicant: Brian Spears; Owner: Clint Hubbard. Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the staff recommendation of approval with a condition (see the staff report). Brian Spears, applicant, was present to speak in favor of the application and his proposed re-use of the existing building. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Bennett closed the public hearing and opened to the commission for comment. Terry Jones made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Steve Miller. The motion carried 6-0. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss M Terry Jones Anthony McClain F Frank Brown Charles Love S Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge F Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett Z21-10-14 – Requests rezoning from Suburban Residential to Heavy Industrial for the property 4441 Adairsville Road, Adairsville, GA 30103, Floyd County Tax Parcel N09082. Applicant/Owner: Bill Pelfrey/Charles Wayne Baxter Chair Bennett opened the public hearing. Senior Planner Brice Wood presented the facts and the application to the commission and the public, including the staff recommendation of approval. Bill Pelfrey, realtor, was present (via Zoom) to speak on behalf of the application. There was no one present to speak in opposition. Chair Bennett closed the public hearing and opened it up for commission comments and questions. Steve Miller made a motion to approve, which was seconded by Ivy Lowery. The motion passed 6-0. MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER M - Motion S – Second F – For A - Against AB – Abstained Logan Boss F Terry Jones Anthony McClain F Frank Brown Charles Love M Steve Miller F Melissa Eldridge S Ivy Lowery Ghee Wilson F Tom Bennett 6 STAFF REPORTS & UPDATES: Staff gave an update on the final disposition of the previous months’ applications. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Bennett adjourned the meeting at approximately 5:25 PM. The next meeting will be November 4, 2021, at 2:30 PM, in Sam King Room. 7