Votes at a glance: zoning, housing and operating measures approved Oct. 7

The Athens-Clarke County mayor and commission on Oct. 7 approved a number of consent and action items with limited public debate. Below is a concise summary of the principal votes, the motions as read into the record and the outcomes.

- 600 Oglethorpe Avenue (special use, CO Commercial Office district): Commissioner Fisher moved to approve the special-use request with conditions; Commissioner Link seconded. Motion carried. The ordinance read: special use approval in the CO district for parcel at 600 Oglethorpe Avenue.

- 780 Macon Highway (rezoning RS-5 to RM-1): Commissioner Culpepper moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Davenport seconded. Staff and the applicant indicated the change will allow eight attached units and provides greater tree canopy than the existing RS-5 allowance. Motion carried and ordinance to rezone approximately 2.7 acres passed.

- 135 & 150 McClung Road (future land-use change and rezoning; ~25.04 acres): Commissioner Hamby moved and Commissioner Davenport seconded motions to change the future land-use designation of about 25.04 acres from mixed-density residential to general business and to rezone the two parcels from RM-2 to C-G (Commercial General). The commission approved both the future land-use amendment and the rezoning. Staff and commissioners clarified the change covers a narrow sliver to enable a commercial driveway connection and does not convert the entire surrounding area to commercial use.

- Classic City Heights affordable housing cooperative agreement: The commission approved the agreement after state Department of Community Affairs clearance. Commissioners said the project advances the county’s affordable rental housing goals for seniors.

- North Downtown Athens (phase 2) intergovernmental agreement: The commission approved an IGA to advance phase 2 of the North Downtown project; staff said the project will generate payment-in-lieu fees tied to future certificate-of-occupancy milestones.

- Water and wastewater connection fee waiver for a substantial employment project (Spring Valley/Meisner project): The commission approved an ordinance waiving connection fees for the project at 1315 Spring Valley Road to support economic development and job creation.

- Noise ordinance amendment for AR zones: The commission…