Forest Park council denies conditional use permit, approves zoning text amendments and other measures; appoints mayor pro tempore

Forest Park Mayor and Council on Jan. 6 denied a conditional use permit for a proposed place of worship (Case No. 2024-4), approved several zoning text amendments, adopted a resolution joining the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA), and voted to name Councilwoman James as the 2025 mayor pro tempore.

The council accepted staff’s recommendation to deny conditional use permit 2024-4, which sought permission to open and operate a place of worship in the institutional commercial district. Councilwoman Angela James moved to accept staff’s recommendation; Councilman Mears seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with Councilwoman James, Councilmember Gutierrez, Councilmember Akins Wells and Councilmember Mears recorded as voting yes.

The council also considered and approved multiple zoning text amendments—listed on the agenda as 2024-06 and 2024-07 (changes to Article B, including section 8-8-50, the Gillum District, and section 8-8-42, Urban Village District), 2024-09, 2024-10 and 2024-11. Motions to approve those text amendments were made and seconded during the public-hearing sequence and passed on roll-call votes with the councilmembers recorded on the dais voting in favor.

In new business the council approved a resolution to become a member of the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency and to participate in one or more of its funds. Councilwoman James moved the resolution; Councilman Mears seconded; the motion carried on a roll-call vote.

On an added item the council approved the selection of Councilwoman James as the 2025 mayor pro tempore. During that vote Miss Hood read the roll call: Councilmember Gaines — yes; Councilmember Gutierrez — yes; Councilmember Akins Wells — abstain; Councilmember Mears — yes, resulting in approval.

Votes at a glance - Conditional use permit (Case 2024-4): Motion to accept staff recommendation to deny. Mover: Councilwoman Angela James. Second: Councilman Mears. Vote: James — yes; Gutierrez — yes; Akins Wells — yes; Mears — yes. Outcome: denied. - Text amendments 2024-06 & 2024-07 (Article B, Sec. 8-8-50 Gillum District; Sec. 8-8-42 Urban Village): Motion to approve. Mover: Councilmember Wells. Second: Councilwoman James. Vote: unanimous among members present. Outcome: approved. - Text amendment 2024-09: Motion to approve. Mover: Councilmember Wells. Second: Councilwoman James. Vote: unanimous among members present. Outcome: approved. - Text amendment 2024-10: Motion to approve. Mover and second recorded during meeting. Vote: unanimous among members present. Outcome: approved. - Text amendment 2024-11: Motion to approve. Mover: Councilwoman James. Second: Councilwoman Wells. Vote: unanimous among members present. Outcome: approved. - Resolution to join Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA): Motion to approve. Mover: Councilwoman James. Second: Councilman Mears. Vote: recorded as yes by council members present. Outcome: approved. - 2025 Mayor pro tempore: Motion to approve Councilwoman James. Mover: Councilman Mears (nomination). Second recorded. Vote: Gaines — yes; Gutierrez — yes; Akins Wells — abstain; Mears — yes. Outcome: approved.

Council members and staff did not provide additional details in the public record about the applicants for Case 2024-4 during the hearing; no members of the public signed up to speak for or against the conditional use permit during the allotted public-hearing time. Several zoning text amendments were presented under public-hearing procedure; no members of the public registered to speak on those items during the hearing.

The meeting proceedings show recurring use of standard procedure: motions, seconds and roll-call confirmations read by Miss Hood. Several votes were recorded on the dais as unanimous among members present; where a specific roll call was read it is recorded above.