Planning commission recommends rezoning 0 Pomeroy Road from R‑1 to R‑3, urges council to consider nearby B‑1 change

The Athens Planning Commission voted unanimously Nov. 20 to recommend approval of a zoning‑map amendment (Case No. 24‑07) to change a portion of 0 Pomeroy Road from R‑1 to R‑3 and forwarded a suggestion that the parcel immediately to the west be rezoned to B‑1.

The commission acted after a presentation by Sean McMickle of Spire Development, who said the company is proposing multifamily housing on a portion of a larger tract and “we do feel that this is an ideal site for our R‑3 zoning.” McMickle told the commission the proposal aligns with the comprehensive plan, is adjacent to existing multifamily development, and that Spire is “committed to adding sidewalks as a part of the project.”

The application on file requests rezoning of parcel A029200002801, identified by Athens County Auditor as 8.273 acres, from R‑1 to R‑3 for vacant land. City staff and commissioners clarified the request covers a portion of a larger 28.592‑acre area and that the applicant proposes development on the roughly 8.273‑acre portion now specified in the application.

Commission discussion focused on whether the rezoning should be limited to the part of the parcel intended for development and on the small triangular parcels nearby. Director Stone noted the city “try to make zones tied to parcel boundaries whenever we can” and explained the commission’s usual practice of avoiding split zoning across a single parcel unless the parcel is subdivided. City staff also pointed to existing hillside‑development regulations and the presence of slip‑prone soils on the steeper back portion of the property as existing constraints on development of the upland portion.

Rob Delich, chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals, told commissioners that the Pomeroy Road corridor has seen zoning variances and that the BZA recommended a staff review of Pomeroy Road zoning; Delich said, “we’ve had 3 separate requests for Residential on the First Floor in that zone, and they’ve all been granted,” arguing that a broader look at zoning along Pomeroy Road could be warranted.

Spire told the commission it plans to apply for funding in February and needs zoning in place before that funding window; the commission said it did not want to delay the applicant’s timeline but felt it should signal to city council that the adjacent west parcel could be considered for B‑1 zoning to create a more coherent edge along Pomeroy Road. Commissioner Stone moved to recommend approval of the R‑1 to R‑3 request and to forward the suggestion that the parcel immediately to the west, not owned by the applicant, be changed to B‑1; the motion passed unanimously.

The commission’s recommendation goes to Athens City Council for final action. The record shows the commission did not adopt a binding condition limiting future rezoning of the remainder of the larger parcel; staff said subdivision and parcel boundary changes would be the mechanism to create split zoning if that is desired.