Planning Commission

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Stonecrest City Hall - 6:00 PM *In-Person Meeting February 6, 2024 SUMMARY MINUTES 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). Citizen Access: Stonecrest YouTube Live Channel Citizens wishing to make a comment during the public hearing portion of the meeting can do so by attending the hearing in-person or submitting their comment(s) to Planning and Zoning Staff via email Planning-Zoning@stonecrestga.gov on the day of hearing, no later than 2:00 PM, to be read into the record at the hearing. When it is your turn to speak, please place your comment card on the podium, state your name, address, and relationship to the case. There is a ten (10) minutes time limit for each item per side during all public hearings. Only the applicant may reserve time for rebuttal. I. Call to Order: Chairman Eric Hubbard (District 3) called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM II. Roll Call Chairman Hubbard (District 3) called the roll. Commissioner Erica Williams (District I), Commissioner Joyce Walker (District 2), and Commissioner Lemuel Hawkins (District 5) were present. Commissioner Pearl Hollis (District 4) was absent. III. Planning and Zoning staff present: Planning Director Shawanna Qawiy, Senior Planner Tre’Jon Singletary, Planner Felisha Blair, Zoning Administrative Technician Abeykoon Abeykoon, and Planning Administrative Technician Cobi Brown were in attendance. Attorney Alicia Thompson, Fincher Denmark, LLC, virtually attended. IV. Approval of the Agenda Chairman Hubbard called for a motion to APPROVE THE AGENA. Commissioner Williams motioned to APPROVE THE AGENDA. Commissioner Walker seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously APPROVED. 4-0-0 V. Approval of Minutes - Planning Commission Minutes dated January 2, 2024 Chairman Hubbard called for a motion to approve the Planning Commission meeting Minutes Summary. Commissioner Williams made a motion to APPROVE the Minutes dated January 2, 2024. Commissioner Walker seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously APPROVED. 4-0-0 VI. Election of Planning Commission Officers The current Chairman Hubbard was nominated by Commissioner Hawkins for Chair and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Walker. There was unanimous approval for Eric Hubbard to remain as Chair. 4-0-0 There was a motion by Commissioner Walker to nominate Commissioner Willams as Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hawkins. There was unanimous approval for Commissioner Willams to be Vice Chairperson. VII. Announcement Stonecrest Comprehensive Plan VIII. Old Business PLANNING COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES 02-07-2024| Page 1 of 4  PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Stonecrest City Hall - 6:00 PM *In-Person Meeting February 6, 2024 N/A IX. New Business: Senior Planner Tre’Jon Singletary Presented RZ23-013 and SLUP23-015. LAND USE PETITION: RZ23-013 PETITIONER: Heather Loveless LOCATION: 3580 Evans Mill Road OVERLAY DISTRICT: Arabia Mountain PROPOSED AMENDMENT: Petitioner is seeking to rezone the parcel from R-100 to R-60 to develop sixty single-family detached units. Staff recommended denial of this rezoning request. Heather and Charles Loveless the applicants were called to speak. They stated their interest in developing a new subdivision that would not have any negative impact on the surrounding area. The rezoning to R-60 will lower the density allowed compared to the current zoning of R-100. They have made many plans to fit both zoning districts, but they would like the project to have a smaller number of homes. The homes will start at $700,00 and there will be a lot of green space available. They did not have renderings to present. Chairman Hubbard opened the public hearing to the public. There was one speaker in favor of the application. Sandra Jackson the original owner of the property came to speak. She originally had a plan to develop a village for veterans on the property, but the request was denied. Dave Marcus, Faye Cofield, Virgina Kelly, Carol O’Neal, Gale Dickerson, and Devin Alexander all spoke in opposition. Concerns include adhering to comprehensive plan, the city’s code of ordinances, protecting the Arabia Mountain Conservation District, unity with the surrounding zoning districts, similar proposed projects that are now vacant land, communication with the economic development department, wanting quality homes, reduction of tax base, and an increase in traffic. Chairman Hubbard, closed the public hearing to the public. Heather and Charles Loveless the applicants answered questions. It was stated that if additional conditions are needed, the commissioners can place them on the applicant that will strictly allow the construction of sixty lots. There are also requirements by the government that must be met that help maintain the environment and prevent any adverse affects on the surrounding properties. Sandra Jackson mentioned that with the R-100 zoning district, more homes will be allowed to be developed. However, the applicant only wants to develop sixty. Commissioner Hawkins made the motion to recommend DENIAL of the application to the city council. Commissioner Williams seconded this motion. The application was recommended by DENIAL by a unanimous vote. 4-0-0 PLANNING COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES 02-07-2024| Page 2 of 4  PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Stonecrest City Hall - 6:00 PM *In-Person Meeting February 6, 2024 LAND USE PETITION: SLUP23-015 PETITIONER: Tajma Washington dba The Gardens of Stonecrest, LLC LOCATION: 3153 Pequea Drive PROPOSED AMENDMENT: Petitioner is seeking a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) to operate a personal care home for a maximum of six (6) individuals. Staff recommended approval of the SLUP request with conditions. Chairman Hubbard opened the public hearing to the public. Tajma Washington was called to speak. She stated that there are 100,293 citizens with special needs who reside in Dekalb County between the ages of 19 to 55. These are the people that she would like to serve. She also informed the commissioner of operations and some of the services she will provide. There were no one to speak fin favor of the application, Six participants including Milda Willaim, Priscilla Simon, and Kevin Washington spoke in opposition. Some concerns expressed include too many residents being allowed to stay in the home, danger or incidents that may occur, employees that are not properly trained, homes in the neighborhood that have brought issues into the neighborhood, traffic, wanting peace, and the business not being a good fit in a residential area. Tajma Washington was asked to answer additional questions. She stated that her maximum will be four residents who will be cared for by her, her husband in her home. She stated that she has the experience as well as education to conduct this business. The cars that were originally in the driveway have been removed. She wants to help the individuals have a little more independence, but still be close to home. Chairman Hubbard motioned for APPROVAL of the application with the conditions specified by the planning and zoning department. Commissioner Hawkins seconded the motion. The application FAILED with a vote of 2-2. Commissioner Willaims made a motion to APPROVE the application with staff's recommended conditions as with an additional condition that there be no more than four persons for care allowed in the personal care home. Commissioner Hawkins seconded this motion. It was passed 3-1-0 with Commissioner Walker voting no. X. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 pm. PLANNING COMMISSION SUMMARY MINUTES 02-07-2024| Page 3 of 4