Planning Commission tables special‑use request that would demolish historic SA Building for 14 parking spaces

The Athens‑Clarke County Planning Commission on Feb. 6 voted to table for 60 days a special‑use permit request from First United Methodist Church to remove a historic “SA Building” in West Downtown and replace it with a 14‑space surface parking lot.

Planning staff told the commission the request was incompatible with the 2023 Comprehensive Plan and the downtown future‑land‑use and design expectations. Staff noted the property sits in the West Downtown local historic district and that the proposed surface parking diverges from the Map’s Main Street/downtown character. The application was filed as part of a mediation settlement; staff noted that the design submitted had incorporated department suggestions but that the proposed surface parking conflicted with the…