MEMBERS: Jonathan Eady, Chair; Jeff Wearing,
Vice-Chair; Penny England, and Ron Manson.
Vivian Harris and Shawn Gaither were absent.
STAFF:
Bob Schwartz, city manager and zoning administrator.
GUESTS: Shawn and Angela Giddens and Kendra
Mayfield from Oxford College.
OPENING:
Mr. Eady called the meeting to order and welcomed the guests.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Upon motion of Mr. Wearing,
seconded by Mr. Manson, the minutes for the meeting of October 11, 2016 were
approved. The vote was 4-0. The Planning
Commission did not meet in November.
SHAWN AND ANGELA GIDDENS DEVELOPMENT
APPLICATION – Mr.
Shawn and Ms. Angela Giddens submitted a Development Application for a
manufactured storage shed and a carport at 106 Oxford North Road. The request for the storage shed is after the
fact – it is already installed. The
members of the Planning Commission reviewed the dimensions of the lot and the
proposed addition and looked at the side and rear setback requirements.
Upon motion of Mr. Wearing seconded
by Ms. England, the development application was approved as submitted with the
requirement that the city inspect the electrical outlets in the storage shed
before approving the application. The vote was 4-0.
OXFORD COLLEGE – PIERCE HALL
RENOVATION – Oxford
College submitted a Development Application for the renovation of Pierce
Hall. The members of the Planning
Commission discussed the nature of the exterior work with Kendra Mayfield. The
dock will become a patio. The chiller will be moved from the north courtyard
and will be located with the Tarbutton chiller. The improvements to the
building will be energy and utilities efficient and on-site storm water
detention will be installed. Several trees on the Oxford college property will
be removed and replaced. The existing sidewalks will be torn up and then
replaced.
Upon motion of Mr. Wearing seconded
by Mr. Manson, the development application was approved based on the plans
presented. The vote was 3-0 with Mr. Eady abstaining.
OXFORD COLLEGE – TWO MOBILE OFFICE
UNITS – Oxford
College submitted a Development Application to permit the installation of two
mobile office units north of Williams Hall to accommodate faculty to be
relocated during the renovation of Pierce Hall. The Planning Commission asked
Ms. Mayfield just how temporary these two units would be. Ms. Mayfield said
they would be removed at the end of December 2017 at the conclusion of the
Pierce Hall project.
Upon motion of Mr. Manson seconded by
Ms. England, the development application for the two temporary mobile office
units was approved with the understanding they be removed at the end of
December 2017. The vote was 3-0 with Mr. Eady abstaining.
OXFORD COLLEGE – FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
PLAN – The Planning
Commission along with Ms. Mayfield and Mr. Schwartz reviewed several
recommended changes to the zoning ordinance concerning the future development
plan for the College. After considerable discussion it was determined that this
was the first draft and a revised second draft would be submitted to the
Planning Commission at its next meeting.
CITY REPORT – Mr. Schwartz reported on:
a. The
status of the proposed Downtown Development Authority - Work is proceeding to
prepare the Resolution to create a Downtown Development Authority. The Planning
Commission has serious reservations about this.
b. The
planning for the Asbury Street Park - Planning is proceeding with construction
likely in the summer of 2017.
c. The
process to update our comprehensive plan and our short term work program - The
Planning Commission will be part of the stakeholders’ workgroup that will work
with the planner from the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission who will be preparing
the 10 year update to the city’s comprehensive plan. Work will begin late in
2017 and will be completed in 2018.
d. The
upcoming vacancies on the Planning Commission - After some discussion Ms.
England agreed to serve for another three-year term if selected by City
Council.
NEXT MEETING – Because of the travel schedules of
two of the members the next meeting of the Planning Commission will be Tuesday,
January 17.
ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Eady adjourned the meeting at
8:52 PM.
Submitted
by:
Bob
Schwartz, zoning administrator