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Athens council adopts Residential Investment Zone despite Mayor Pro-Tem’s objection
Summary
The Athens City Council approved a Residential Investment Zone and an incentives package for homebuilders and homeowners covering a swath of the city; the measure passed with one dissent from Mayor Pro-Tem SyTanna Freeman.
The Athens City Council on Nov. 24 approved a resolution creating a Residential Investment Zone intended to encourage new home construction across a defined area of the city.
City Manager Elizabeth Borstad described the zone’s rough boundaries as Loop 7 to the north, Cream Level Road/Wofford to the east, Tyler/Old Tyler Street to the south and U.S. 175 to the west. Council approved incentives for builders and homeowners and construction standards tied to the zone.
Under the approved program, incentives include up to $15,000 for homes built on city-owned lots and $10,000 for privately owned lots. Homeowners are eligible for a tax rebate capped at $6,000 over five years, the resolution states. Staff presented an example mowing-cost estimate for AEDC property elsewhere in the meeting but said incentive disbursement and exact administrative procedures will be finalized in implementing documents.
The resolution also prescribes minimum construction standards for homes in the zone: at least 25% brick or stone on the exterior, cement-fiber board siding, a minimum one-car garage, a concrete slab foundation, central heating and air, and landscaping that includes trees, shrubs and sod.
Councilmember Bill Priestley moved to approve the resolution; Councilmember Katha Lawyer seconded. The motion carried with four ayes (Mayor Aaron Smith, Councilmembers Bryan Barker, Katha Lawyer and Bill Priestley) and one nay from Mayor Pro-Tem SyTanna Freeman.
City staff did not present a detailed funding source breakdown for the incentives during the meeting. Borstad said staff will return with implementing procedures and further details as the program is administered. The council did not take any immediate step to allocate a specific line-item appropriation at this meeting.
The council adopted the zone as a policy direction; next steps described by staff include drafting administrative guidelines and return to council for any required budget or program-authority votes.
