[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6229604,"mediaKeyId","3460719-decd4cdcbefe38c4b93766d5a2f63702","parentId",3460719,"title","Planning commission approves temporary shelters at 7 N. Congress, tables broader code change","audioSeconds",3254,"startMs",785000,"endMs",4039000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460719-decd4cdcbefe38c4b93766d5a2f63702&start=785&end=4039","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460719-decd4cdcbefe38c4b93766d5a2f63702/thumbnail_785000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229604/Ohio/Planning-commission-approves-temporary-shelters-at-7-N-Congress-tables-broader-code-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229604-3d01d3084eae7ca54f7977f4b07232f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149476&Signature=CHflIxP~n5LItL8OfboyJx5ll8WFkw~GC7l6Va5cEVRF6jk~KaK0gYzzT9qhgRkEgAKUZTS5CZO9D6~1wISZvQCaQ8zZEflnWePPyMS5IlxOGPV~pCDzUdrjDlu9hjhfAVPb1IJ~ENPFhGle5~LQtn05R3ZdFpI9TMq4F4Ls6N8ON6iGq2vSKSj653de47MPJBtdKcwzoWkgXkdJXCpuihXI5I9xyfXeshBOzyO8BUunMGpNhITu6BChs~CJ1y8ia4aKxFZZoMsyZG4mrsKjFJUS5uyo2aM614JLIyunAQiYLMBBq-PqOpCE1~W~SYsAgUd~pzrCSgXBrMj1MZXy4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Athens Ohio","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Athens City Planning Commission on May 21 recommended that the city council allow a temporary-housing accessory use at 7 North Congress, the Gathering Place site, and approved limits tying the number of temporary structures to available sanitary fixtures. The commission voted 3-1 to approve Case 25-04 with staff language amended to require reapproval every two years and a limit of three temporary housing structures per sink and toilet provided.

The vote followed testimony from Gathering Place representatives and residents and a separate discussion about Case 25-05, proposed changes to Title 23 that would allow temporary housing shelters in R‑3 and B‑3 zones as an accessory use. Commissioners debated whether the changes should make the use a conditional permit to ensure neighbor notice and Board of Zoning Appeals review. The commission tabled Case 25-05 for further work on language and implementation details.

Why it matters: the decisions affect whether small, temporary non‑permanent housing structures — described at the meeting as “temporary housing shelters” or “structures of a temporary nature that are not affixed to the property” — can be sited in downtown and nearby zones and under what procedural safeguards neighbors will be notified.

Commissioners and staff framed the 7 North Congress approval as a site‑specific, accessory authorization rather than a wholesale code change. Director David Riggs told the commission the use is not permitted in an R‑3 zone under existing code; the planning commission’s recommendation would send the site‑specific request to city council and, separately, the package proposing broader code changes would be considered after additional review.

Gathering Place board member Kelly Brer described the organization’s plan and capacity needs. “It is our intention at this 0.3 would be what we would be looking at,” Brer said, adding that the group intends to start with three structures: “6 is probably the maximum it could potentially have, but 3 is what we are wanting to start with.” Resident Rob Delish said other locations had been considered and urged the commission to find alternatives but acknowledged local opposition had closed a prior site.

Commissioners debated the appropriate approval and oversight mechanism. Some members, citing neighborhood input and property‑value concerns, favored a conditional use that would require Board of Zoning Appeals review and neighborhood notification. Director Riggs noted that a conditional use would create a public notification process through the BZA, while an accessory use would be administratively approved with less formal neighborhood notice. The commission discussed tying capacity to facilities: the proposed draft requires “1 sink and 1 toilet must be available for use within 200 feet for every 3 temporary housing shelter units.” Riggs testified he had drafted language tying counts to available restroom fixtures so the limit would scale with on‑site sanitation.

Formal actions and next steps: the planning commission approved Case 25-04 with the following modifications: change the proposed annual reapproval to biannual (every two years) and limit temporary housing structures to three per available sink and toilet. The motion was moved by Miss Knisely and seconded by Mr. Stone; the measure passed 3‑1 with Mr. Phillips recorded in opposition. The commission then tabled Case 25-05 (the proposed Title 23 code changes) and asked staff to revise draft language to (1) consider making the use conditional rather than purely accessory, (2) add standards the BZA could apply, and (3) clarify whether both R‑3 and B‑3 zones should be included. The motion to table was moved by Miss Knisely and seconded (recorded in the minutes); the table motion carried unanimously.

Context and constraints: Director Riggs said the draft code language would require prior approval of the safety services director and periodic reapproval and that temporary housing shelters must not contain kitchens or bathrooms in the structures themselves. Commissioners and a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals suggested adding clear criteria for the BZA’s review if the use is moved to conditional status, including public notice and standards such as proximity to primary building uses, sanitation verification and limits to prevent commercial renting of temporary structures.

The Planning Commission did not adopt the Title 23 amendments at this meeting. Staff will return with revised code language that reflects the commission’s direction for additional safeguards and clarity on zones, notification and whether the use should be conditional. The site‑specific recommendation for 7 North Congress will proceed to city council as the commission’s formal recommendation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Athens Planning Commission - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Athens City Planning Commission on May 21 recommended that city council approve a site‑specific temporary housing accessory use at 7 North Congress and set limits tying structure counts to available restroom fixtures, while tabling a broader code change that would allow temporary shelters across R‑3 and B‑3 zones.","taxTitle","Athens City Council, Athens , Athens County, Ohio","taxId",70977,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6229593,"Staff schedules pre‑application for Hugh White dealership; annexation of small triangle parcel proposed",47,679000,726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460719-decd4cdcbefe38c4b93766d5a2f63702&start=679&end=726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460719-decd4cdcbefe38c4b93766d5a2f63702/thumbnail_679000.jpg","/articles/6229593/Ohio/Staff-schedules-preapplication-for-Hugh-White-dealership-annexation-of-small-triangle-parcel-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229593-215a28d24a0c69b7fbb758bfbf9a6c69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149476&Signature=Oytgq-h84nJ~7jSCzOgRJ90LWlpLirc6hfX1SZu54NEsgwbpBx3PRT~tNJOzoEwRG~69c91WMrGEcoR79aedrNRpmMxH1ZyKEzRoadSjbm87uH~AKuBdcv2vLX-JAqlrYcsbnywrwJeUn9YSrli~2MMAh-GPJF7AXqQBhz59c3pjZ58PMKxW8eaOLQPe2O8MNe83DlfkfcsPBg83CiY5VvEE20B6bzvuJ4zwtkcbHw-QCFwVEckSg5srV6AoEFIyVP6-j7~i0kXErCAkz14XYj0mQPtLQtqI4NBTCeOROmInUR6uDfUG~hQatJAvf4mZRpE1geV9mBtnsiNiQ4zCOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director David Riggs told the Athens City Planning Commission on May 21 that staff is arranging a Title 41 pre‑application meeting for a proposed redevelopment at the Hugh White dealership on Columbus Avenue. The pre‑application meeting is expected within the next 30 days.

Riggs said the dealership plans significant changes that may include demolition and new construction. He also said the developer has requested annexation of a triangular parcel adjacent to the dealership that currently sits outside city limits. \"As a part of this, we're also going to, the old radio station. There's a, there's a triangle there that's outside of the city currently, it's and we asked that as part of this development that they would annex that piece into the city,\" Riggs said.

Staff advised the commission the annexation may follow a different timeline than Title 41 zoning approvals. Riggs said planners will treat the parcel as if it were in the city for the purposes of permitting work such as floodplain and plan development reviews and will coordinate with county planners on timing.

No formal case or vote was taken on the matter; this was presented as a communications/update item and staff said they will schedule the pre‑application meeting and report back to the commission.

","Planning staff said a Title 41 pre‑application meeting will be scheduled within 30 days for a substantial remodel/redevelopment of the Hugh White dealership on Columbus Avenue and that the developer has requested annexation of a small triangular parcel currently outside the city.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6229598,"Planners review draft rezoning map for Columbus–Lancaster area, propose R‑2 buffer",338,317000,655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3460719-decd4cdcbefe38c4b93766d5a2f63702&start=317&end=655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3460719-decd4cdcbefe38c4b93766d5a2f63702/thumbnail_317000.jpg","/articles/6229598/Ohio/Planners-review-draft-rezoning-map-for-ColumbusLancaster-area-propose-R2-buffer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229598-3e6b13160fb10fbaeff8826d3377b055/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149476&Signature=kU3iXvjcHoUMFoesVjtH2fBXRgezgs2XVCv31HsAWXZnSH8MZLYTbtIvlQGdA5rsRvjwqxHDfrI1otD~l26lcSknAgP10bHMCAEa0tSYu0Y5MMc7MNFM3lSw0i04cVw~iFj14xk44IbGvIEMvJv56rvzvguRhghUcsmGNInpDwd3PBQ3o7wATKpoRMaM27ToEggSrLglXXkAfeV6R0E7P7Ya-kSRjHJraJxs5JdZQVqrQqyPU737KNL8j9E0XEY10I4fsMU1fh43WDkFaNjbUNrdF6qv1kfDLXcG2O92wqLi1wuIHBORwOYP~168KvlKwMlHOaw50AUzplLPms0R0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Megan Jennings, a city planner, presented a draft rezoning map on May 21 to the Athens City Planning Commission that applies staff and commissioner suggestions to the Columbus–Columbus Road–Lancaster Avenue area and adds more R‑2 buffering where residential uses abut commercial corridors.

The mapping exercise began after discussions about future reuse of the old fire station headquarters. Jennings said she digitized a handwritten map provided by Commissioner John Kotowski and overlaid existing zoning colors in GIS so commissioners could visualize an initial proposal.

“...I have taken that into GIS and kinda applied our same zoning colors so that you guys could see what his proposal is,” Jennings said during the communications portion of the meeting. She told commissioners the draft is preliminary and that staff will conduct neighborhood outreach before advancing any rezoning.

Commissioners raised specific concerns about nonconforming uses where parcels front on Lancaster Street and back onto Columbus Road, and about access to certain parcels. One commissioner noted that B‑1/B‑2/B‑3 distinctions could create nonconforming first‑floor residential uses if zoning changed without accommodations. Director David Riggs and staff confirmed they would consider rezoning some Lancaster properties to R‑2 or R‑3 to better reflect the streetscape and reduce potential nonconformities.

Jennings said the proposed R‑2 strip was intended to provide a buffer: “1 of the key things that, in in me putting that drawing together was, drawing on, my thinking, but also mister Riggs' thinking with regard to trying to provide buffer.” Commissioners discussed parcel access and easements for rear lots that may not show obvious frontage on the map and flagged the need to verify actual legal access prior to rezoning.

Next steps and public engagement: Jennings said staff will schedule public meetings and conduct outreach to Northside and Westside neighborhoods once the proposal is ready for broader discussion. She asked commissioners to submit comments or annotated maps to staff; staff offered to convert commissioners’ hand‑drawn ideas into GIS for the next packet. No formal rezoning vote was taken at the meeting; the map was presented for discussion and direction.

","Staff presented a GIS‑based rezoning concept for the Columbus/Lancaster/Lancaster Avenue area that adds an R‑2 buffer near residential fronts and proposes public engagement before any formal rezoning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission approves temporary shelters at 7 N. Congress, tables broader code change

Staff schedules pre‑application for Hugh White dealership; annexation of small triangle parcel proposed

Planners review draft rezoning map for Columbus–Lancaster area, propose R‑2 buffer