[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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],{"_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",6089611,"mediaKeyId","2872503-b6d2ac064270181b64585a2de2971e7d","parentId",2872503,"title","Planning commission tables short-term rental code changes after hours of debate","audioSeconds",5661,"startMs",535000,"endMs",6196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2872503-b6d2ac064270181b64585a2de2971e7d&start=535&end=6196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2872503-b6d2ac064270181b64585a2de2971e7d/thumbnail_535000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6089611/Athens/Clarke-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-tables-short-term-rental-code-changes-after-hours-of-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089611-df65fafacdc0efe044b9a1b7b539b22e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770649904&Signature=JluZapK42fXiumuXqvl5WfzDP8O-v-t0EXbJ~yCi3M-aHVR19egXFW1xejvt1q48N0jjlTvZcr25lNbLkrhgupOiHP0mhGSd09XIRuPq~SYqb0e-RJHRmeBuih9BLBFzssY3VwnZaHnaaL2whJYwUDF1iOq8EQ8ZoE5ADLeRVfJ~OweMLxMoW9AjF24AS~rqg~hvnd99J2fGJJkcoO0eIqkCPBXvbl17lPKzk7iv2dmMfVKMRBQbvvliZDO8OqxfkqHfQSQ51tYdCB~UIuPZTfwiEqfj7W2euWHFJRmHfhQQXwy0J7w9qk-G07B~BvK-NyWvQ-QVFdIOuiIVnAdc7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-04T09:26:09Z","article","After more than three hours of public testimony and discussion on April 3, the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission voted to table a package of proposed text amendments to the county's short-term rental (STR) ordinance.

Staff and legal advisers described three principal changes in the packet: (1) clarifying the meaning of “parcel” to refer to tax parcels so condominium units can qualify as separate STRs; (2) extending the legal-nonconforming sunset from two years to five years and adding an administratively reviewed “relief valve” that would let some operators seek extra time to recoup investment; and (3) tightening and clarifying notice requirements for neighbors. The amendments would revise text in Chapter 9 (notably sections 9-15-28 and 9-15-29) of the zoning code.

Why it mattered: The sunset and relief-valve proposals were the focus of the meeting because they affect hundreds of properties on the county’s legal nonconforming list. Planning staff said the list currently contains 711 entries; many owners said they depend on STR revenue and have invested in properties with the expectation of continued use. Staff and the county attorney said the five‑year extension and a standardized, formulaic application for more time were designed to reduce the county’s exposure to regulatory‑takings challenges in court.

What staff explained: Planning attorney and staff walked commissioners through example calculations used in the proposed relief‑valve process. The method uses a cost basis that includes purchase price adjusted for appreciation, closing costs and depreciated furnishings; it compares stabilized cash flow after debt service to that cost basis to derive an implied yield and an estimate of years to recoup investment. Staff said applicants would submit three years of financial data, sign under penalty of perjury, and, if denied by staff, could appeal to the administrative hearing officer.

Public comment and concerns: Dozens of residents and business owners spoke. Supporters — including short‑term rental operators and members of the Athens Board of Realtors — argued many STRs supply housing options for medical visitors, guests of university events and visitors to the Classic Center and that abrupt removal of grandfathered uses would harm owners who paid occupational taxes. Opponents, and several commissioners, pressed for stronger neighbor protections, citing recurring complaints about overcrowding, noise, traffic and events at some properties. Speakers urged clearer occupancy limits, stronger enforcement triggers (for example, streams of code citations), and more usable green‑space or parking limits to distinguish neighborhood‑scale operations from commercial event venues.

Commission action and next steps: After extended discussion — including requests for more data on how many properties would be affected by the sunset and whether targeted “bad‑actor” remedies could be added — the commission voted to table the package to a later meeting and asked staff to return with additional analysis, including: a zoning breakdown of the 711 legal nonconforming properties (how many lie in commercial, RM or RS zones and how many could reasonably become conforming through permits), a clearer enforcement pathway for repeat violators, and sample language for any additional neighbor relief measures.

Why the commission tabled it: Commissioners said they needed more precise data to balance enforcement, neighborhood protection and legal risk. Several commissioners also urged staff to develop an administrative pathway that rewards compliant operators while allowing more rapid removal of proven bad actors.

What remains: The text amendments remain on the table. If the county proceeds, staff will return with the requested technical clarifications and any revised language. Any final ordinance would still require approval by the Mayor and Commission.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04-03-2025 Planning Commission","oneSentenceSummary","The Athens‑Clarke County Planning Commission on April 3 paused consideration of a three‑part package of short‑term rental code amendments — after hours of public comment, staff presentations and legal explanation about an investment “relief valve” and a proposed extension to a two‑year sunset for legal nonconforming STRs.","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},6089607,"Commission rejects revised Winslow Park PD amendment after staff warns it departs original new‑urbanist plan",1114,8870000,9984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2872503-b6d2ac064270181b64585a2de2971e7d&start=8870&end=9984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2872503-b6d2ac064270181b64585a2de2971e7d/thumbnail_8870000.jpg","/articles/6089607/Athens/Clarke-County/Georgia/Commission-rejects-revised-Winslow-Park-PD-amendment-after-staff-warns-it-departs-original-newurbanist-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6089607-fe4089b64c9a75f315f248f38f7c8fc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770649904&Signature=dvvlodkKLiA5JCy6oWoc3u4jPJ8LZWqsU8deLv3ApFb1TpnEBJM4LYUDSbx1T7a7JKU7WYrHfWxvklzcy6upRYkE5a-Xc~X9jj2Kx-Z3nG1DG6h~rc~Qvp5HdE-0XnNyarTKjE0Pv2Kn7KA0QVQjWjvSc6e6ehjyEoiyKy~XzOp8imozrm~54cNyOxjUjRpdYi8hPZtHoGIaVUDJHE79HCOddU74J81WCh2MAR0NYyWKr32NvaReJ13H3KJ5~2EN75~Rt2ugvnmmboSdRoefchdv6GKSQ67XADntFZNPqV7POMumPIB05nsvws6yprO6DZDwTVhgxzERSTlhBgKjZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens‑Clarke County Planning Commission on April 3 recommended denial of an amendment that would have added 125 housing units to the existing Winslow Park planned development and replaced the project’s previously adopted pattern book with the builder’s standard product.

Staff opposition: Planning staff said the proposal departs from the PD’s original new‑urbanist principles — reductions in housing variety, clustering of like housing types into separate “pods” rather than mixing types, fewer central civic spaces, substitution of alleys for public streets at scale and flatter, less nuanced architecture. The staff report argued the changes reduce long‑term community value and that the added density did not justify the requested waivers.

Project and waivers: The developer sought approval to modify the binding plan for a site already entitled for 800 units by adding 125 units (bringing the total to 925). The submission included six requested waivers; staff recommended support of one waiver, conditional support of three, and opposed two.

Applicant view: The developer’s representative said the revised project would provide a range of housing types at lower prices and that infrastructure and site constraints made the proposed design appropriate. He argued the project would support transit and add tree canopy and pocket green spaces.

Commission deliberations and vote: Commissioners expressed concern about “design drift” from the original concept and the scale and configuration of alleyways and courtyards. Multiple commissioners said the project reduced mixed‑use and neighborhood center elements originally envisioned. After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to recommend denial to the Mayor and Commission.

Next steps: The developer can revise and resubmit or appeal. Staff suggested that any future amendment should better preserve the original PD’s mixed‑use elements and distribute housing types more evenly across the site.

","The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend denial of a D.R. Horton‑led amendment to the Winslow Park planned development, citing design drift, reduced housing mix and missing neighborhood commercial components.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission tables short-term rental code changes after hours of debate

Commission rejects revised Winslow Park PD amendment after staff warns it departs original new‑urbanist plan