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Athens City Council approves multiple rezonings, condemns unsafe properties and OKs downtown grant
Summary
Council voted unanimously to approve three rezonings including an 18‑acre multifamily master plan, adopt condemnations for two unsafe structures, award transportation and equipment contracts, and appropriate $100,000 to Athens Main Street for an expanded downtown grant program.
Athens — The Athens City Council on a unanimous 5–0 vote adopted a package of land‑use, public‑safety and funding measures at its regular meeting, approving three rezonings, two condemnations, several procurement items and a $100,000 downtown grant program administered by Athens Main Street.
Among land‑use approvals, the council rezoned roughly 2.2 acres for Athens GCD LLC/DFO Athens Investment LLC to a planned unit development to add about 16 residences; it rezoned approximately 2.3 acres for Milton A. George to B‑2 (highway frontage); and it approved an 18‑acre rezoning and master development plan for Wade Hayes (doing business as To The Point Inc.) to R‑2 multifamily, with the planning commission recommending each action. Planning staff told the council the multifamily plan includes about 4.87 acres of open space, above the 2.7‑acre minimum, and that future site‑plan review will be required.
The council declared two buildings unsafe and ordered abatement after public‑safety staff reports. Eric (city staff) said the North Clinton Street property suffered storm damage and had been occupied by homeless people; the council authorized demolition or contracted abatement for a cost not to exceed $30,000. For a fire‑damaged building at 100 Sandifer Road, staff told the council the owner (identified in the record as Millennia) had not submitted plans or permits to repair, and the council approved condemnation to compel repair or removal.
Other approvals included: - A $147,049.21 contract award to Grayson Carter & Sons for a pedestrian crossing on US 72 and Hind Street, funded by 2024 GO warrants; - Authorization for a change order on US 72/Mooresville Road improvements (amount cited in the ordinance as $47,040 in the record) using CDBG and ARC funds; - Purchase of 10 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for $16,289.80 from a RC&D grant; and - Multiple consent items including a pickup truck purchase for $47,109.33 and the declaration of surplus vehicles.
Council members and staff discussed funding sources for several items. Mayor William R. Marks recommended using the city's Alcohol Fund for the downtown grant appropriation. He also told the council staff had been notified late that the Food City project’s federal/state match changed to a 70/30 ratio because of county income figures, increasing the city's local match obligation.
During public remarks, residents raised procedural questions about procurement wording and expressed concerns about recurring illegal dumping in District 3. Amanda Schulte asked why the agenda language references the "lowest responsible bidder," and councilors explained that is the standard under bid law. Councilman James Lucas (District 3) said illegal dumping sites have recurred and asked staff to investigate and pursue enforcement remedies.
What’s next: Several items (site plans, subdivision layouts and contractual documents) will return to staff review or later council action as required by the approvals. The council did not take policy changes beyond the items adopted tonight.
Votes at a glance (all votes 5–0 unless noted): - Rezoning, Athens GCD LLC / DFO Athens Investment LLC (B‑2 to CPUD) — adopted; 5–0. - Rezoning, Milton A. George (State Residential & Agriculture to B‑2) — adopted; 5–0. - Rezoning + Master Development Plan, Wade Hayes / To The Point Inc. (R‑1 to R‑2) — adopted; 5–0. - Resolution to condemn structure, North Clinton Street — adopted; up to $30,000 demolition authority; 5–0. - Resolution to condemn structure, 100 Sandifer Road — adopted; 5–0. - $100,000 appropriation to Athens Main Street for an expanded downtown grant program (source: Alcohol Fund) — adopted; 5–0. - Award to Grayson Carter & Sons for pedestrian crossing — adopted; 5–0. - AED purchase ($16,289.80) — adopted; 5–0. - Change order authorization (US 72/Mooresville Road) — adopted; transcript contains inconsistent amounts; record cites $47,040; 5–0.
Sources: City council meeting transcript and staff presentations (planning and public works).
