Community Planning Information

COMMUNITY PLANNING INFORMATION MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY Stonecrest City Hall- 6:00 PM *Spoke-in-Person Meeting December 14, 2023 As set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Stonecrest will assist citizens with special needs given notice (7 working days) to participate in any open meetings of the City of Stonecrest. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office via telephone (770-224-0200) Citizens wishing to actively participate and make a comment during the public hearing portion of the meeting please submit a request via email address planning-zoning@stonecrestga.gov by noon the day of the hearing December 14, 2023. The Zoom link for the meeting will be sent to you, or you can also submit comments and questions to the same email address by the same deadline to be read into the record at the meeting. I.Introductions: Director Shawanna Qawiy, Senior Planner Tre’Jon Singletary, Planner Abeykoon Abeykoon, and Planning Administrative Technician Cobi Brown were in attendance. II. Presentations: Upcoming Cases Presented by Tre’Jon Singletray, Senior Planner • V23-007 • V23-008 • SLUP23-009 • SLUP23-011 • SLUP23-012 • RZ23-010 • TMOD23-007 III. Presentations Senior Planner Tre’Jon Singletary Presented V23-007, V23-008, SLUP23-009, SLUP23-011, SLUP23-012, RZ23-010, and TMOD23-007 Purpose and Intent An informational meeting that allows staff and applicants to inform the public of upcoming developments/projects; Allow the citizens, business owners, and developers of Stonecrest opportunities to review all petitions, ask questions of all applicants, and express any preliminary concerns; Bridge the relationships between developers, residents, and staff Occurrence Every 2nd Thursday of each month V23-007 3654 Salem Drive Diva Thomas Petitioner is seeking a variance to encroach into a stream buffer for the construction of an attached garage for an existing home. Facts and Background  • The existing residential structure was built in 1987 • The Applicant desires to remove existing deck, extend existing driveway, and constructed a two-car garage • The Applicant is requesting one (1) Variance relief Future Land Use/Character Area Suburban Neighborhood Zoning Map R-100 Residential med Lot Submitted Letter of Intent Ariel Map and Submitted Site Plan Chapter 14 | Article 7 | Sec. 14-543 Diva Thomas the applicant came to the stand. She stated that three other neighbors have encroached into the stream. She also mentioned that the stream is about 6 inches. There were no attendees to speak for or against the petition. The next meeting for this applicant's petition will be the Zoning Board of Appeals which will be held on January 16, 2024 V23-008 2985 Turner Hill Road Danielle Sheridan of Interplan, LLC Petitioner is seeking a variance for the drive-thru of the proposed reconstruction of the Chick-Fil-A. Facts and Background • The existing Chick-Fil-A (CFA) has been in operating since 2018. • The CFA has frontage on Turner Hill Road • The Applicant is requesting four (4) Variances relief Future Land Use/Character Area Regional Center Zoning Map - C-1 Local Commercial Overlay District Map- Stonecrest Overlay - Tier 1 Submitted Letter of Intent Aerial Map and Site Photos Submitted Site Plan Chapter 27 | Article 4 |Division 2 | Sec. 4.2.23 Chapter 27 | Article 4 |Division 2 | Sec. 4.2.2 Stonecrest Overlay District Design Guidelines Philipe Reyes a project manager of this petition came to the stand. There were no attendees to speak for or against this petition. The next meeting for this applicant is Zoning Board of Appeals to be hosted on January 16, 2024 SLUP23-009 3309 and 3313 Panola Road Darrell Johnson of JDM Consultants, LLC on the behalf of CCC Christ Gospel Parish Petitioner is seeking a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to develop a Place of Worship. Facts and Background Applicant is proposing to operate a Place of Worship (POW) at subject property The POW will be approximately 10,500 sq ft The POW will have approximately 300 seats Total acres is 3.7 +/- Vacant/undeveloped land Council requested petition to go through full cycle during the November’s Council Meeting Future Land Use/Character Area Suburban Neighborhood Zoning Map R-100 -Residential Medium Lot POW Permitted Zoning Districts Aerial Map Sec. 4.2.42. – Places of Worship, Convents; Monasteries; Temporary Religious Meetings Special Land Use Permit Micheal Ajebodi a member of the church came to the stand. He stated that instead of the proposed church having enough space to fill 300 seats they would accommodate up to 150. The church currently has around sixty members including children. They want to build this church because the current space where they hold worship is too small and too close to the road. They are very concerned about the children who may run into the road and also want them to have their own space in the current facility. Once a year they have a conference/ festival and invite family and friends. When they set up the tents, they are too close to the road and not safe. During the mid-week services there are usually only around five people that attend. They took the traffic concerns into consideration. Tre’Jon Singletary the senior planner asked for clarification of the amount of seats the church is proposing to have. Micheal Ajebodi stated that it will be 150 max Tre’Jon Singletary stated that they will need to send an updated letter of intent stating the updated amount seats There were some attendees to speak for and against the petition. Marty Adewale a pastor of the church came to the stand. He stated that they are an African Church and that because of this many may not come running to attend. The attendees also are called spiritually to attend. Trejon Singletary asked if the layout and site plan had changed considering the decrease in the seating. Marty Adewale stated that is has not Ronald O’neal Jr came to the stand to speak against the petition. He stated that he owns the property (a lot) that is behind his house located and by the proposed land for the church, 3319 Panola Rd. His lot is landlocked. He had plans to build on that parcel but if the church is developed, he will not be able to access the property. He wanted to know how they got so far in the process. Tre’Jon Singletary the senior planner stated that they were able to get this far into the process because they turned in their property owner affidavits and if the project were to be approved staff will work internally with the city engineer to discuss how he could get access to the property. Lewis Andrson president of the Hilson head homeowner association came to the stand to speak against the petiton. He stated that 3319 Panola Rd by law is supposed to have a clear path to Panola Rd. He stated that the plats are mislabeled on the site plan. Tre’Jon Singletary reiterated that the church is currently only trying to get approval for the usage of the land Wesley Mitchell a resident of the neighborhood near the subject property stated he was concerned about how close the land runoff and development will be to his land. Donna Deaves who is a resident of Stonecrest stated that the reason why she was late for this meeting is because there was an accident on Panola Rd. There has been many accidents because of the way the road was developed and traffic. They have to “take a chance” when trying to exit their neighborhood if there isn’t an officer there. Not opposed to growth, but she wants the community to be safe. Rev Dr Deborah Halloway pastor of the United Methodist Church stated that this proposed church will be 108 total walking steps from her existing church. She asks for the plans to be reviewed and that the livelihood of the people who currently reside in this community will not be changed. James Lions resident of Stonecrest came to the stand and was concerned about safety. He stated that the traffic is very bad and we should look at the projection of growth Tre’Jon Singletray called Micheal Ajebodi back to the stand for a rebuttal and asked if there was a traffic study done on the property. Micheal Ajebodi stated that he did not have the information at the moment and that he would get with his consultant about the study He also insured James Lions that the church is not trying to disrespect him and that he would like to contact him about the issue. The applicant’s next meeting is the Planning Commission which will be hosted on January 2, 2024 SLUP23-011 5924 Fairington Farms Lane Michelle Fennell of Farms Lane Petitioner is seeking a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to operate a home child daycare as a Type II Home Occupation. Facts and Background • The existing dwellings is approximately 3,138 square foot • Four (4) bedrooms and 2.5 baths • A maximum of three (3) children per the code Future Land Use/Character Area Suburban Neighborhood Zoning Map MR-1 - Medium Density Residential Aerial Map and Site Plan Submitted Site Photos Sec. 4.2.31. – Home Occupations and Private Educational Uses Michelle Fennel the applicant was called to the stand. She stated that she has been operating her daycare for around 17 years. She also mentioned that she is licensed by the state and quality-rated. There were no attendees who spoke for or against the petition, but there were several letters that were sent to the department. The applicant’s next meeting will be Planning Commission on January 2, 2024 SLUP23-012 4083 Spencer Lane Natnael Mammo Petitioner is seeking a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to operate a short-term vacation rental Facts and Background • Property is undeveloped • The Applicant must submit a residential building permit and obtain a business license prior to operating Future Land Use/Character Area Suburban Neighborhood Zoning Map R-100 - Residential Medium Lot Aerial Map and Submitted Site Plan Sec. 4.2.58. – Short Term Vacation Rental Abel Walker the applicant's representative came to the stand. He stated that it will be a rental and that they will do anything in their power to ensure that the neighbors are not disturbed. There were none to speak for the petition but many to speak against Kathy Turner a resident of the neighborhood came to the stand asking for denial. She wants the neighborhood to stay within the covenant and mentions that there is a petition going around that will have a majority of the neighborhood’s residents' signatures on it. She also exclaimed that there have been several occasions where people have rented out the property and caused a disturbance. The street has been destroyed by the renters who were doing donuts (with their car) and one asking for drugs. Cynthia Muscle president of Flat Rock Hills association came to the stand. She stated that the covenants prohibit anything less than a six-month rental. Police have been called to this home several times. Asked for the HOA’s rights to be defended. Sandra Owens a resident of the neighborhood came to the stand. She has seen the donut holes and random people and it makes her uncomfortable. She has lived near an Airbnb before and it was not a good experience. Asks to let the HOA run this situation. Gerald Cosley resident of the community for seven months stated that this is a family-oriented community and asks for it to be kept that way Tremaine Biles a resident of the neighborhood stated that he has small children and that the events make the neighborhood look bad. The agreement stated that there should be no Airbnbs Rasheed Ali Maonsour a resident of the neighborhood came to the stand. He is against the project. He stated that the Airbnb is already operating without a permit. JJ Porter a resident of Stonecrest came to the stand to state his opposition. He witnessed the person doing the donuts in the neighborhood. The neighborhood does not need that and he enjoys peace and happiness. Karan Murray, a resident of Stonecrest came to the stand to state his opposition to the project. There have been many to come to their property and vandalize and destroy it resulting in higher HOA fees. Alexis Brown a resident opposes this project. She stated that you do not really know who is renting out the home and they do not want random people around the children of the neighborhood. Jimmy Glover who lives across the street from the proposed short-term rental stated that he is also opposed. The renters do not have a concern for the people who live there. Abel Walker the applicant came back to the stand to apologize for all of the events that have occurred. RZ23-010 6039 Hillandale Drive Helen Simpson of Lowe Engineers Petitioner is seeking to rezone property for the expansion of an existing cemetery. Facts and Background • Property is undeveloped • The Applicant desires to combine subject property with adjacent property (6201 Hillandale Dr) to continue the operation of a cemetery • 5.49 +/- acres of land • Desires to rezone to R-100 to align zoning with adjacent property Future Land Use/Character Area City Center Zoning Map M - Light Industrial Overlay District Map Stonecrest Overlay Tier 6 Aerial Map and Submitted Survey REZONING PROCESS Helen Simpson the applicant and representative of the owner came to the stand she stated that the current and subject properties will be combined if the subject property is rezoned. Expanding the cemetery to the subject property will be a good use. John Kelly Link the owner stated that the cemetery has grown since the pandemic. The expansion will contribute to extending its life. He also mentioned that it is the most popular cemetery in Dekalb. Elsie Ascrew a resident that lives near the cemetery had some questions about the location. The applicant’s next meeting will be January 2, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting TMOD23-007 Micro Home Community (MHC) City-Wide Stonecrest Planning & Zoning Department Amendment to Stonecrest’s Ordinance Chapter 27 (Zoning Ordinance), Article 2 (District Regulation), Article 3 (Overlay District Regulation), Article 4 (Use Regulations), Article 9 (definitions/Maps) regarding Micro Homes Communities Facts and Background • City’s Ordinance currently do not permitted any dwellings less that 800 square feet (cottages);  • City’s current Comp Plan envisions on incorporating Tiny/Micro Homes into the city • Staff is proposing amendment to the Stonecrest’s Zoning Ordinance permit MHC in certain zoning districts City’s Comprehensive Plan Overlay Districts Map Staff’s Recommendation for Sec. 3.1.6. Proposal • Staff is proposing to permit Micro Home Communities by right only in the High Density Residential (HR 1, 2, and 3) Zoning Districts Staff’s Recommendation for Sec. 4.2.49. Proposal • Staff is proposing to provide supplemental regulations for all Micro Home Communities (MHCs) Staff’s Recommendation for Sec. 9.3.1. Proposal • Staff is proposing to establish definitions for the following: 1. Micro House 2. Micro Home Community (MHC) 3. Site-Built Residential Dwelling (Stick-Built) There were none to speak for or against the petition. Philip Jackson, a Stonecrest resident stated that he believes this type of housing would be cool and affordable. Upcoming Meetings- The Planning Commission Meeting is the next meeting for Rezonings and Special Land Use permits to be hosted on January 2, 2024 The Zoning Board of Appeals is the next meeting for Variance Applications to be hosted on January 16, 2024 Meeting ended at 7:49 pm