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Athens council approves zoning change to allow temporary shelters in R‑3 and B‑3 zones
Summary
On Dec. 15, Athens City Council approved an ordinance making temporary housing shelters a conditionally permitted use in R‑3 and B‑3 zones, with an approval route that requires sign‑off by the Safety Service Director and the Board of Zoning Appeals and annual reapproval.
Athens City Council on Dec. 15 approved Ordinance 1‑39‑25 to allow temporary housing shelters as a conditionally permitted use in R‑3 and B‑3 zoning districts, a measure proponents said will provide additional tools to address winter shelter needs while opponents warned of legal and community risks.
The ordinance specifies that temporary housing units “are not affixed to the property and do not contain kitchen or bathroom facilities,” requires that “1 sink and 1 toilet must be available for use within 200 feet for every 3 temporary housing shelter units,” and directs that approval by the Safety Service Director must precede consideration by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). It also requires annual reapproval by the Safety Service Director.
Proponents, including the ordinance…
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