[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6122843,"mediaKeyId","2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9","parentId",2693964,"title","Residents, preservationists urge commissioners to keep Say Building in Western Downtown Historic District; petition tops 600 signatures","audioSeconds",452,"startMs",5927000,"endMs",6379000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9&start=5927&end=6379","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9/thumbnail_5927000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122843/Athens/Clarke-County/Georgia/Residents-preservationists-urge-commissioners-to-keep-Say-Building-in-Western-Downtown-Historic-District-petition-tops-600-signatures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122843-0e3de20080cc06e45012ef597c45f5a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582462&Signature=MvVW2o5NfnT3vRoPt-TtKUGeXIXs8qtOeg4Kg9cX6yfYPT19sWJvg4JDkcogGlFmQuSAjRXS6MeA5-1XAKSW0Z74I7NexLoYM9f8Y5HcBQhFHH6jnLHGq3na9E~zAE4ygooqPTTUw-DWNxZvRRB7zb3Doi1lqdHuhXfsrUizLa00hUe34NJEsCQQQL4ZDO5XzEvo3Ex5vrxz182D5zb-pb7TZtPW~Nd7vQiiVckA4ohpSH-8P0vs~rLcsyYm7qvcox4iQMN8P4tlFG~nzdwmfnjjsnJMkJaA1MnWsouzr~BONbuRJ1QrxdeDo-ralTBjLqBoSpdUZ-~9S68mRcMElw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-19T13:50:10Z","article","Dozens of residents, preservationists and local business owners asked the Athens‑Clarke County Commission on March 18 to deny a proposed removal of the Say Building from the Western Downtown Historic District and to pursue alternatives to demolition.

Denise Sunta of Historic Athens read an open letter and presented a petition she said had nearly 700 signatures urging the commission not to approve a deal that would allow demolition. Sunta said mediation had produced an offer but that the available deal did “not fully respect the process, history, and significance involved.” She and other speakers argued a $7 million rehabilitation proposal and a qualified buyer were available and that demolition to make a surface parking area would run counter to downtown preservation objectives.

Gwen O’Looney, a longtime preservation advocate, told commissioners the Western Downtown Historic District was established after years of public input and study and that removing the building would erode that work. Preservation advocates said the district was adopted with strong local participation and that the Say Building’s loss would harm downtown economic and cultural vitality.

Several speakers — including a preservation professional who said he would consider an offer to buy and restore the building — argued historic renovation would better serve the public interest than demolition and short‑term surface parking for the church. Scott Nesbitt presented a policy argument that the commission’s comprehensive plan encourages dense downtown uses and discourages surface parking; he urged commissioners to apply the plan’s downtown policy as written.

Speakers also recounted the procedural history: the Western Downtown Historic District designation was upheld at multiple review levels, and opponents of removal said legal maneuvering to avoid historic protections risks setting a precedent. Commissioners removed the item from the consent agenda and placed it on the discussion docket for further consideration; county staff noted the matter is involved in mediation and potential litigation, and the county attorney advised commissioners that specific legal questions should be handled in executive session if needed.

No final vote on the removal was recorded in the March 18 transcript. Preservation groups said they have an offer in hand for rehabilitation and asked the commission to explore that option rather than approving demolition or removal from the district.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03-18-2025 Mayor & Commission Special Called & Agenda Setting Session","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of speakers and a petition asked the commission to deny a removal of the Say Building from the Western Downtown Historic District, arguing a $7 million rehabilitation plan and a willing preservation buyer exist and that approval to remove the property would set a harmful precedent.","taxTitle","Athens, Clarke County, Georgia","taxId",9780,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6122848,"Planned development for 69 townhomes, 10 ADUs proposed on Gaines School Road draws public concern over traffic, density and stormwater",4602,1358000,5960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9&start=1358&end=5960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9/thumbnail_1358000.jpg","/articles/6122848/Athens/Clarke-County/Georgia/Planned-development-for-69-townhomes-10-ADUs-proposed-on-Gaines-School-Road-draws-public-concern-over-traffic-density-and-stormwater","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122848-2c97736ea62cd42313d1f60c19185b4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582462&Signature=cNnU6QqQWvgCt6PR4nL9RP1jvXPQ~jtQFSYw8eUyqIO9NuEkYXVP6xZCBZmoUMjxx~3-qIhGTdi8DtEbMuOgNdoZjDCpWBpYKnBunWFLx7uoT~d1s~Xhm-Pw~TBihcxxFlRBaZ8LIndsu1XInv37B2ispKHtEh47CK5g16BP2S4EfzAEwlt9MEEP38kzIkQ2Fb9s3O5gZPkty59fsKH7pVN9h88gBBKBTl6VLdl4aRxvVxkbNdc-97-~QFUkLM1Ra~NOd7tiOpkm7HmA7~Pr7JD2A~UmreQMTra6uDLBuP77pQT5vBOJ1FycDjIm2ag2YlcxXMA3SOpIqHMwCw7L-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Developers proposing a planned development called Cedar Ridge on 450 and 460 Gaines School Road presented a plan for 69 fee‑simple townhomes, 10 accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and roughly 10,000 square feet of commercial space on about eight acres at a March 18 meeting of the Athens‑Clarke County Commission.

Bruce from the Planning Department outlined the application: the project requests a future‑land‑use amendment (Main Street Business across the site), a rezone to RM‑2 mixed‑density residential with a planned development overlay and related special‑use approvals for parts of the Gainesville Road corridor and the airport overlay. The applicant asked for six development waivers; staff and the Planning Commission recommended four of the waivers and denied two (notably a waiver for front porch orientation and a waiver of the 25% fenestration requirement facing the street).

The plan proposes an internal street extension (Woody Lane) connecting to Gainesville Road, on‑street parking and a 10‑foot multi‑use path along Gainesville Road in lieu of the standard five‑foot sidewalk. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the future‑land‑use change and the rezone with four conditions: correct required easements and utility locations to public‑utility standards; meet Transportation and Public Works conditions related to stormwater; install the 10‑foot multi‑use trail to TPW standards; and prohibit a short list of commercial uses proffered by the applicant (vehicle repair, gasoline sales, drive‑thrus, hostels, vehicle repair for gas‑powered vehicles and nursing homes).

The county and the applicant discussed stormwater at length. Planning staff said this part of the corridor predates modern stormwater infrastructure and that the project team proposed two options: (1) obtain an easement and pipe runoff behind downhill neighbors to outfall into the creek, or (2) over‑detain on site and release less post‑development runoff than the current pre‑development flows. The project engineer and landscape architect said they have committed to a traffic study and, if it is not ready at the next hearing, would request a continuance.

Several residents and technical speakers urged additional conditions or a tablement. Kenneth Portier, president of the Cedar Creek Civic Association, and other neighbors described the proposal as substantially denser than surrounding neighborhoods (they cited about 12 units per acre compared with lower densities nearby), raised concerns about building setbacks and tree canopy loss, and urged a signal at the proposed Woody Lane/Ponderosa intersection. Martha Davis, a nurse and former chief nursing officer at the University health center, said traffic controls were a public‑health issue given schools and the early‑learning center on the corridor and urged a traffic signal if the development proceeds. Scott Haines, the landscape architect working with the applicant, said sewer extension will provide benefits to neighbors on failing septic systems and framed stormwater work as a net benefit compared with existing conditions.

Commissioners asked staff to supply additional details before a final vote, specifically more documentation on the airport overlay determination (several commissioners asked why a proposed public library site had earlier been rejected under the airport overlay while this project was now being recommended), the traffic‑warrants analysis for a signal at Woody Lane/Ponderosa, and more modeling on stormwater mitigation plans and easement status. Multiple commissioners said they were open to the concept of additional infill housing but wanted clearer answers on traffic, stormwater and setbacks before approving a final binding plan.

Planning Commission recommendations and the applicant’s proffers are on record; the county commission did not take a final vote on the planned development in the March 18 transcript and the item will return with additional technical information and possible continuance requests.","A planned development proposal for 450–460 Gaines School Road would add 69 fee‑simple townhomes, 10 accessory dwelling units and nearly 10,000 sq ft of commercial space on about eight acres; Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions but residents raised safety, traffic-signal, density and stormwater concerns.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6122852,"Planning staff recommend approval for short-term rental at 475 North Church Street; applicant says operation began in 2022",515,959000,1474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9&start=959&end=1474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/6122852/Athens/Clarke-County/Georgia/Planning-staff-recommend-approval-for-short-term-rental-at-475-North-Church-Street-applicant-says-operation-began-in-2022","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122852-050fccdad9936fc798e8778dbb2cc24e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582462&Signature=gKBPby3RuEAmHskXqCb1jMJ05MBg~ypJ8BiQPEW2hDr-W-gegXD0AhRIrTiupZKxPpZI-VPoDjW~5zdtmD0~mOXE4o3UtyQp6qsiUh5hyhCOaLKCA2jVlrthsUPqPqXOKWT8iVUuFlvpSfidZBXDM44T8lzp0d5IO7eV6xTUX-RmuuFh-nYI1n0O5FTlk1DYNusJ0O4rid02kdt5KlGmAEVGwNYJf3a16Sb2yA53a1hJhdowday6QttYqxenH5gOrxNhcOcPIwKkThK9MPRrsQ5ehE2hcQe94bntulH4kKsHRNkVbrujplLSnedOvMoM~rQZkON4WMTKp76FGeWc8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff presented a special-use permit request for 475 North Church Street on March 18, telling commissioners the RM‑1 property was converted to a professional office by permit in February 2003 and currently carries a certificate of occupancy listing it as an office.

Bruce, a county planning staffer, said the short-term rental has been operating prior to the current application and that the property is about 832 square feet with a maximum occupancy of four. The site is inside an RM‑1 mixed-density residential zone and the property falls within a local historic overlay, so the planner said a certificate of appropriateness (COA) will also be required for rear‑yard site-work but that COA review is expected to be a routine, staff‑level action.

The Planning Commission reviewed the application on March 6 and recommended approval without conditions, finding the request compatible with the 2023 Comprehensive Plan, the future land‑use map and zoning standards.

Elizabeth DeMarco, who identified herself as the applicant and nearby resident, said she lives at 327 Hill Street directly in front of the property and that she has operated the short‑term rental since December 2022. “I’ve been paying my hotel excise tax and my local and state sales tax since December ’22,” DeMarco told the commission, and said she expects limited use of the property and that she supports permanent residential livability in nearby neighborhoods.

Commissioners asked to be included on staff correspondence about the application; no final vote on the county commission agenda was recorded in the public transcript at the time of this discussion. The planning staff report noted the historic‑district COA requirement but concluded the special‑use criteria were met.

The county will need a COA for exterior changes and will process required site‑plan work before any final, locally binding authorization for the short‑term rental operation.","Planning staff told the commission the RM‑1 property at 475 North Church Street previously converted to a professional office meets special-use criteria for a commercial short‑term rental; the Planning Commission recommended approval without conditions and the applicant said she has paid hotel excise and sales tax since December 2022.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6122858,"Athens-Clarke County approves $320,000 contingency for courthouse operations during elevator repairs",581,245000,826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9&start=245&end=826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2693964-aba8803ee9e20618473cafd29461c3b9/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6122858/Athens/Clarke-County/Georgia/Athens-Clarke-County-approves-320000-contingency-for-courthouse-operations-during-elevator-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122858-2dd78ae12074d341c3b2f1172c925685/orig.mp4?Expires=1770582462&Signature=igwDhrb75JlohAhRhHZbBMzAtUGf6rZ-JVZNzF-3ojDIgp0II6aZuh61ueS82E00okCtPZh7LlkwfSGnSuFR69uUrGZMiWz3a1Bwmw1j7~Rd05g37XdlKf0MWMIyQkUQFa~TkSU59ERmwd68EKO7X18IsBJWOIi0t4LpFcVWznMSSq~IetYNBAA3K0amUsHHLpc1-ZRz8AzDh0QAKQsJJ87I43n9xH9SaSUXSMHBqZsFgvoWiqPM76e9gaq2Vm6UMEw1i4eHnBso543kpUr3MefY1ko5K-fh-K9yvE81Io8bkh5H~j4FJFtLuyP8moFl5a8L8te4xqEeYqgI~EcaLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens-Clarke County Commission on March 18 approved a $320,000 contingency request to support interim courthouse operations while crews repair an out-of-service elevator.

The interim county manager told commissioners the equipment has arrived and work had started this week, but full restoration could take “approximately 11 more weeks” on the high end. He said the county has opened an additional courthouse entrance that requires extra security staffing and has relocated some trial operations to two rooms at the Classic Center, which carries a rental fee.

The funding ordinance sent to the commission said the money would be recorded in the FY2025 operating budget “to provide funding for alternative courthouse operations and for other purposes.” The commission first voted to suspend rules to allow this special-called session item to be heard and then moved and approved the contingency allocation.

Commissioner Hamby moved the funding approval; Commissioner Fisher seconded the motion. After public questions about whether sheriff’s deputies were in place at the Classic Center, the motion was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Commissioner Johnson used the discussion to remind the commission that a separate, longer-term courthouse renovation and site-selection effort remains active. Johnson said that judges first requested renovations or an expansion as far back as 2014, the referendum that added the item dates to 2019, and that an oversight board has met periodically; the manager said the oversight group will meet one more time in April to close out its work.

The county will track rental and security costs while the elevator work continues and will return with any needed budget adjustments. The commission also announced that it will enter executive session later in the evening for unrelated items including real estate and litigation.

Estimated next steps include continued security at the Classic Center while hearings are held there and monitoring expenses against the $320,000 contingency until the elevator is back in service.","Commissioners approved $320,000 in contingency funds to cover temporary courthouse security and rental costs while an out-of-service elevator is repaired; managers say elevator work is underway and could take about 11 weeks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, preservationists urge commissioners to keep Say Building in Western Downtown Historic District; petition tops 600 signatures

Planned development for 69 townhomes, 10 ADUs proposed on Gaines School Road draws public concern over traffic, density and stormwater

Planning staff recommend approval for short-term rental at 475 North Church Street; applicant says operation began in 2022

Athens-Clarke County approves $320,000 contingency for courthouse operations during elevator repairs