Politics & Government
Commissioners: Parking Rates Need Studying
ACC Commissioners plan more discussion with downtown business owners before raising the costs of parking.
7:00 – Mayor Nancy Denson calls for meeting to begin.
7:07 – Commissioner Mike Hamby talks about conversations with Downtown Development Authority regarding goals for the new parking deck. He emphasized that whatever decisions are made that affects downtown and downtown businesses will be made after getting input from those most affected.
7:09 – Commissioner Kelly Girtz emphasized that the deck parking rates shouldn't cause on-street meter rates to rise and that more analysis is needed.
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7:10 – Girtz discusses the jail expansion project, financed by SPLOST. He said construction should begin April 2012 and conclude by April 2014. He also wants more opportunity to discuss various issues regarding the jail, including amenities and supervision.
7:15 – Planning Director Brad Griffin discusses four proposed projects to divide properties, add additional residences and re-zone properties. Construction of four single-family homes on .46 acres known as 200, 206, 212 and 218 China Street (at the Oconee Street intersection) by dividing one property into four. Each house would have three bedrooms. The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions by a 5-1 vote.
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7:25 – The adjacent .59-acre property known as 878 Oconee Street would be divided into three lots. Commissioner Ed Robinson discussed apprehension of the proposals as unoriginal. Commissioner Alice Kinman joked that the proposal “makes the four lots on China Street look... good.” The Planning Commission recommended to deny the proposal unanimously.
7:39 – The commissioners heard a request to rezone a live-work property into a temporary residential property. The exterior of the buildings would remain the same. Commissioner George Maxwell recommended “whatever changes necessary to get this building occupied,” unhappy with the vacant “eyesore.” Girtz agreed “wholeheartedly.” The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions unanimously.
7:50 – Whistleberry Condominium requests a zoning amendment to add a parking deck and an additional building over where the pool currently sits. Maxwell said he sees a need for this, and that increased walkability from sidewalk/crosswalk developments associated with the project would benefit the area. The Planning Commission recommended to approve with conditions unanimously.
7:57 – Denson: “We're adjourned, everybody.”
