Athens-Clarke County commission: votes at a glance — consent, zoning and budget actions

At its September voting meeting the Athens-Clarke County Commission took action on several routine and substantive items.

What the commission approved
- Consent agenda (items 1–12): Approved on voice vote. The consent agenda included budget amendments, grant authorizations and the Community Energy Fund franchise fee allocation (item 12). Public commenters thanked the commission for continued work on clean and renewable energy implementation.
- Item 15: Rezoning of 360 Hawthorne Extension from CG (Commercial General) to RM (Mixed Density Residential) with a conditional development ordinance (CDO) to ensure compatibility with surrounding single-family scale — motion carried.
- Item 16: Special-use approval for a commercial short-term rental at 159 Marlin Street — approved with conditions; Commissioner Fisher recused from that vote.
- Item 18: Beach Haven Park property acquisition — approved.
- Item 20: Downtown Development Authority community events funding for FY 2026 — approved.
- Item 22: ARPA recapture and reallocation to the Center for Racial Justice and Black Futures and affordable housing — approved.
- Item 23: Bond-authority resolution to allow the new manager to execute documents — approved under suspension of rules.
- Item 24: Opioid litigation settlement resolution (latest in series of settlements) — approved; staff corrected a typographical error in the draft language before adoption.

What the commission held or postponed
- Item 19: TSPLOST pedestrian improvements (West Hancock / West Broad) — held for one cycle for additional neighborhood review and possible reprioritization.
- Item 21: Hawthorne / Oglethorpe intersection improvements — held for one cycle to allow staff to consult small-business owners affected by right-of-way or easement needs.
- Item 17: Proposed site for Fire Station 5 (Old Lexington Road area) — held; staff directed to seek an extension on the seller’s option and return with valuation and operational analyses.

Other notes
- Several public commenters addressed the Community Energy Fund allocation on the consent agenda. Multiple attendees urged the commission to continue support for clean and renewable energy programs, citing benefits to residents, businesses and institutions.
- Several planning and zoning items drew local residents to speak: discussions included housing impacts, preservation of mill houses, and concerns about gentrification and neighborhood trust. Commissioners indicated intent to continue neighborhood outreach on projects with strong local concern.

A full roll-call record is in the meeting minutes and on the county’s website. Items held will return to the commission in the next cycle unless staff report back earlier.