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Commission approves rezoning for 55+ affordable apartments at 1165 Oglethorp Avenue with 30-year affordability conditions
Summary
The Athens-Clarke County Commission approved rezoning of 1165 Oglethorp Avenue to permit a senior, mixed-density residential development subject to conditions including a 55+ age restriction, units targeted below 80% AMI, two-story height limits, and an emergency-only Landor access condition added by amendment.
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted May 5 to approve a rezoning and related code changes for a roughly 3.85-acre site at 1165 Oglethorp Avenue, clearing the way for an affordable senior housing project with several conditions intended to limit impacts on adjacent neighborhoods.
Developer representative David Ellison told the commission the project will be age-restricted to residents 55 and older for 30 years and that units will be leased to households at or below 80% of area median income, with planned unit mixes at about 50%, 60% and 70% AMI. “All units shall be age restricted for individuals who are aged 55 years or older,” Ellison said, and he asked the mayor to sign the ordinance immediately to meet a near-term tax-credit application deadline.
Neighbors spoke during the planning-and-zoning public comment period. Justin Sanders said the developer’s design changes — including a move from a planned three-story structure down to two stories — had eased concerns and that he appreciated the outreach: “Thanks again to listening to the community and trying to make something that works for everyone.” Susan Brooks, who lives directly across the street, said she supported affordable housing but asked the commission to prevent a new residential entrance onto Landor because the street is “used daily by families, joggers, walkers, and children.”
Commissioner Fischer moved to approve the rezoning with the conditions Ellison described: a 30-year affordability/age restriction covenant, a two-story height limit, setbacks and a landscape buffer, and an agreed unit AMI mix. During debate commissioners and staff clarified administration and enforcement: planning staff will track compliance using annual reporting similar to the city’s inclusionary zoning procedures.
Following a question about neighborhood access, commissioners approved an amendment to codify that any connection to Landor be limited to emergency access only, reflecting the planning commission’s recommendation. The commission then approved the ordinances to remove the existing planned development and rezone the parcel; attorney Drake read the ordinances before the vote.
The commission’s approval carries conditions for long-term affordability and site design but does not finalize building permits or construction schedules. Planning staff said final design review (including any required fire‑marshal determinations about emergency access) will occur in later administrative steps.
Next steps: staff will record the restrictive covenants and proceed with required zoning administration; the developer indicated it needs a zoning verification letter to meet an upcoming tax-credit deadline.
