City Council approves expansion of Central Business Commercial district to address downtown parking

The Milledgeville City Council on Feb. 10 voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance O-2504-07, expanding the city's Central Business Commercial district to add multiple downtown blocks.

The council's planning and zoning administrator summarized the commission's Jan. 5 recommendation, saying the expansion covers blocks bordered by North Wilkerson Street, East Montgomery, North Elbert, East McIntosh and Floyd Griffin, and extends south to West Franklin. The administrator said the change was proposed in part to address downtown lofts that lack adequate parking.

No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the hearing. After a brief clarification from the mayor about why the boundary reaches West Franklin rather than stopping at Washington, the council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance by roll call; the clerk recorded unanimous "Aye" votes from all members present.

The action was treated as a city-initiated text amendment to the land development code; the planning and zoning administrator said the change had been brought before the planning commission and received an advisory favorable vote. The council did not attach conditions or require further study at the meeting.

The ordinance takes effect according to the city code's normal adoption schedule unless the council specifies otherwise; the council did not state an alternate effective date during the meeting.

The council also reminded speakers that public hearing procedure requires applicants and opponents to address only matters raised during the hearing and to identify themselves for the record.