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Committee weighs request to legalize brick patio and curb in Woodward Avenue right of way
Summary
Athens City Council’s Planning & Development Committee heard public objections to a brick paver patio and curb installed in the public right of way at 30 and 37½ Woodward Avenue and agreed to consult the law director and code office before deciding whether to advance or refer the matter.
The Planning and Development Committee of the Athens City Council on March 24 took up a request to keep a brick paver patio and curb installed in the public right of way at 30 and 37½ Woodward Avenue.
Council member Swank, chairing the committee, opened the item by describing the property and showing slides of the existing concrete pad that previously accommodated two cars and the later-installed brick patio and curb. Mayor Patterson said the code office did not approve the work and described the area in the public right of way as an “illegal plot parking area” because it did not go through the city’s permitting process.
The committee heard several residents oppose retroactive approval. Jeff Reisner, a council member and resident of 354 Carroll Road, said he was “kinda shocked” and called the pattern of doing the work first and seeking forgiveness later unacceptable. Rob Delich of 124 Morris Avenue said similar post‑installation requests have been “pushed under the carpet” in the past and urged the committee to “put our foot down.” Beth Gladfelter asked whether the code office had contacted the homeowner before the work was done.
Committee members discussed options including letting the matter “die” in committee, referring it to the law director for possible prosecution, or moving it through the three‑reading ordinance process at council. Council member Thomas asked when the work occurred; committee testimony said the brick patio was installed “this past summer,” with witnesses placing construction in July and August. Members also noted the owner is an out‑of‑state landlord and that the parcel had an earlier grandfathered concrete pad.
Swank said the committee would seek legal advice and further information from the code office. “I will contact both code and the law director’s office tomorrow for two things: 1, further information to answer some of these questions; and 2, legal opinion as to the best course of action to take,” Swank said. The committee agreed to decide whether to bring the matter forward or refer it to the law director by the following Wednesday.
The committee did not vote on the permit request on March 24. No ordinance number or formal motion to approve the right‑of‑way encroachment was recorded in committee minutes that evening.
