Planning Commission approves plat, three rezonings and a special exception; staff conditions attached

The Augusta Georgia Planning Commission on Jan. 6, 2025 approved a final plat and three zoning requests plus a special exception. Staff presentations described conditions attached to each approval; petitioners accepted the conditions and the commission advanced each item to the next procedural step.

Votes at a glance

S‑949, Weatherstone Townhomes (final plat) — Approved: Staff said the plat for Weatherstone contains 199 lots at 2933 Gordon Highway; the applicant (Cyber Development LLC) met review requirements and the commission approved final plat S‑949 (motion recorded as by Cooks and Owens). The approval on the plat advances development review; the final plat approval does not by itself authorize construction.

Z‑25‑01, Wildes Road rezoning to LI (Light Industrial) — Approved with conditions: The petition, filed on behalf of the city of Augusta (Augusta Utilities), requested rezoning of two adjacent tracts totaling about 15.46 acres at 1848‑1858 Wildes Road to LI for utility laydown and storage adjacent to an existing utilities facility. Planner Amanda Cruz said portions of the property are in an AE flood zone and contain localized wetlands; public water and sewer are present. Staff recommended approval with conditions including compliance with the Augusta tree ordinance and flood damage prevention ordinance, a sidewalk along the Wildes Road frontage, downward‑directed lighting, outdoor storage enclosed by a 6‑foot privacy fence, a 25‑foot undisturbed planted strip along Wildes Road (with replacement of removed trees by larger caliper species) and standard site‑plan compliance. Burke Yehre, representing the engineering firm working with the city, said the northern wetland area would remain undisturbed and the utilities department seeks additional laydown yard space. The petitioner accepted staff recommendations; the motion to approve (recorded as by Cooks and Owens) passed.

Z‑25‑02, Broad Street PUD amendment (senior housing) — Approved with conditions: The petition by J. Mar Broad Street LLC sought to amend setback conditions in a previously approved PUD (Z‑23‑20) to build a four‑story, 60‑unit senior (62+) multifamily development with affordable units under the Low‑Income Housing Tax Credit program. Planner Amanda Cruz summarized the PUD background and the project program (34 one‑bed units, 18 two‑bed units, 63 off‑street parking spaces, three commercial units and on‑site amenities). Architect/agent Randy Pimsleur said the 62+ age restriction is a funding requirement and that an internal trash chute and on‑site staff will handle waste collection. Staff recommended modified setbacks (including an 8‑foot front setback on Broad Street, 25 feet on St. Sebastian Way and a 16‑foot setback on Jones Street, and an 11‑foot side setback) while retaining most prior PUD conditions; riverfront development review board approval of building elevations is also required. The applicant accepted the recommendations and the Commission approved the amendment (motion recorded as by Pittman and Davis).

SE‑2501, Special exception for funeral home at 1749 Gordon Highway — Approved with conditions: Kevin Boyd, development services manager, presented a special exception request to establish a funeral home in a B‑1 neighborhood business zone on a 4.33‑acre site that includes an existing 3,538‑square‑foot vacant bank building. Boyd cited Section 26‑1(j) of the comprehensive zoning ordinance (funeral homes permitted by special exception where criteria are met). Staff found the property meets frontage and acreage criteria, exceeds minimum parking requirements (45 spaces vs. 31 required) and meets setback standards; part of the site lies in a special flood hazard area. Staff recommended approval with conditions including compliance with the Augusta tree ordinance, maintaining an undisturbed buffer along the northern and eastern property lines, no onsite cremation activity, downward‑directed lighting and required approvals prior to construction. Petitioner Joseph Burnett said the building requires no immediate structural changes for the proposed use and accepted staff conditions; the motion to approve (recorded as by Cooks and McKnight) passed.

What this means

Each action included explicit staff conditions and the transcript records petitioner acceptance in every case. The Planning Commission serves as a recommending body; final decisions on rezonings are made by the Augusta Commission at later meetings in January 2025. Approvals noted on Jan. 6 do not substitute for required site‑plan approvals, building permits or other regulatory clearances listed in staff conditions.