Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular Meeting

Okay, good afternoon. Today is December 17, 2025 and it is 6:04 p.m. and I call this meeting to order. This is a eight member board appointed by the city of South Fulton's varing council to hold public hearings to make recommendations on resoning use permits concurrent variance applications, comprehensive land use plans, maps, and amendments to the zoning resolution. The applicants and proponents of each case will be allowed a total of 10 minutes to present their case. Since the burden of proof is upon the applicants to convince the board that the application should be approved, they may choose to reserve some of that time for rebuttal. Following the proponent's presentation, any individuals in opposition will also have a total of 10 minutes to present their position. If multiple people will speak in opposition, you should organize yourselves to allow everyone to speak in a 10-minute time frame. Opposition is not permitted rebuttal time. If you wish to address the commission on the case, you must fill out a comment card and indicate whether you are proponent or an opponent of a case. If you are not sure whether you are a proponent or an opponent, you must fill out an opponent comment card. The commission will take two votes on each application. The first vote is on the finance as a as presented by staff and the second vote is for approval, denial or deferral of the application. It is the second vote that determines the board's recommendation to the city council. These same matters will be heard at the city council meeting. Uh what is the next council meeting, Matthew? February 13th. Okay, January 13th. Thank you. Um at a public hearing on January 13th and then finally voted on at the next council meeting. Please refrain from any verbal outbursts during the public hearing and please only address the commission during the designated public comment time. We will proceed with the agenda. Staff, can you please call the role?

Commissioner Smith Biggers here. Commissioner Perry present. Commissioner Rean Jones here. Commissioner Jefferson. Commissioner Williams here. Commissioner Deon here. Commissioner Price present. Commissioner McGeeham, we have Corum.

Thank you so much. Commissioners, you've had a chance to review tonight's agenda. Um I have really just one thing to add to the agenda as what we talked about last time was with the um amendment of the um planning commission rules. Uh if we could just add that to the end of the agenda to just be a brief comment as uh I guess we can move it to number five. Um, if there's no other edits to the agenda, can I get a motion to approve the agenda with the uh added um item of the discussion about the planning commission rules? So moved. Second. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry. I. Commissioner Rean Jones. I. Commissioner Williams. I. Commissioner Deon. Hi. Commissioner Price. I have it.

Thank you so much. So, next we'll move on to the minutes from the last planning commission meeting. Are there any corrections or aided to the minutes? I do. Uh, Commissioner Perry, I recognize you. So, in the minutes, uh, can you come a little bit closer to the mic? Oh, sure. I'm sorry.

It's okay. So uh unfortunately I wasn't present in the November meeting but in the minutes it makes several mentions of me making motions and I I see that yeah I see on the back page um staff if you look in the back it has Commissioner Perry making at least the three the four motions total. So, we'll get that corrected.

We'll make that change on the next um seven minutes. Thank you so much. We can defer the minutes to the next meeting. Once we make that changes, then we can approve both minutes, a set of minutes at the January meeting.

Okay. Um, let me see something here. Okay. Um but can't we just go ahead and approve the minutes with the um edits so we don't have to go back to that in January because it absolutely. Okay. So let's just approve the minutes um if commissioners if you're good with that. Let's approve the minutes with the um edits requested by Commissioner Perry. I make a motion to approve the minutes from November the 19th meeting uh with the uh necessary uh u edits uh that Commissioner Perry brought up. A second. It's been proudly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry. I.

Commissioner Rean Jones. I. Commissioner Deon. I. Commissioner Williams. I. Commissioner Price. I. The eyes have it. Thank you so much. Um, we're going to go ahead and step into our first case cases, which is Z25-032 for DDP25001. Um, staff, can you please um sound the staff report? This applicant is seeking a resoning from R3 to TR to develop 78 attached dwellings on 11 acres um along with a future land use amendment to to change the character area from community live work to suburban 2 neighborhood. The applicant is requesting a deferral to the January 21st planning commission meeting.

Thank you so much. Is the applicant present today? Okay. No. Okay, cool. Okay, so um commissioners, we've heard that uh the I'm sorry. Oh, sure. Yeah, if you're Yes. How you doing today, sir? I'm good. Good. Um good evening everyone. My name is Jordan Battle um from Battle Law. This project is now under our representation and we want to ask for a deferral to the next planning commission meeting. Okay. Um, is there a reason for the deferral?

Uh, we just came on as representation, so we would like to, um, take a look and make any adjustments that need to be made. Thank you so much. Thank you. Okay, commissioner. So, we've heard from staff and the applicant that the applicant is requesting a deferral to the January 21st planning commission meeting. Um, is there a motion? I move that KZ25032 uh CDP25-011 be deferred until the next uh planning commission meeting on January 21st 21st 2026. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry. I. Commissioner Rean Jones. I. Commissioner Devon. Hi. Commissioner Williams I. Commissioner Price I. The eyes have it. Thank you so much. Um so that will be heard at the January 21st um planning commission meeting. We'll now move on to Z25-034 for/CDP25 uh-13. Staff, can you please sign the staff report?

Yes. Z25-04 uh 034 along with CDP25-013. The applicant is requesting a resoning from R3 to and AG1 to R4 to consolidate two parcels into one development at 4860 and 4890 Hamilton Road uh along with a feature lanes amendment from suburban 1 to suburban 2. Uh this is in city council district 1. Staff is recommending approval. Thank you so much, Matthew. Um at this time, we'll go ahead and open up the public hearing. Um is the applicant present today? How are you? Wonderful. Good. Can you state your first and last name and address for the record?

Joy Bab 400 West Street 301 Atlanta, Georgia 30308. Thank you so much. How much time do we turn it just so I can see? Thank you. Okay, you can go ahead ma'am. Um I'm Joy Me representing RS Group. Uh the location is 49 4960 4980 camel road. We are requesting to go from R3 AG to R4 and from suburban one and suburban 2 and also to combine the two lots. Okay. Thank you. Do you have a PowerPoint or anything else you want to share with us today? No, I didn't have a PowerPoint.

Okay, thank you so much. You can take a seat. Um, are there any cards, staff? Okay, no cards. Okay, cool. Um, at this time, um, I will allow Commissioner Well, we can go ahead and close the public hearing. Um, commissioners, do you have any questions for staff for the applicant?

Commissioner, Commissioner Perry, I recognize you. Uh, I guess this is for the applicant. What is the size of the parcels?

Because it's a go down to a factory. The lot sizes are between 75 to 9,000. I was speaking to I'm sorry. 7500 to 9,000 square feet. And And what is the So you want to combine them? Uh I mean to uh combine it's two lots. Two lots that you want why do you need the reszoning? What is your what is your intent with those lots? Because it's agriculture and um residential. So we want to do all residential.

So it looks like there so the agriculture allows you to put uh a residential on but has to have an acre. So what is what is how many homes are you planning to put on those two lots? 12. And this the acreage that total acreage is 4.87.

So what size are you planning to have each lot? That's why you need the R3. So it's going to be each lot would be a third of a third of an acre. The R4. I mean R4 is Yes.

Are you planning like a road into into the lot or to those lots? Oh, it's right there. Okay.

It's across from um Pro Way. Do you yield, Commissioner Perry, or you have more questions? No, I don't have any. Okay. Commissioners, uh, Commissioner Williams, I recognize you.

Have you, what was the, uh, outcome from your community meetings? Um the only concern that they had, the major concern was with uh us contacting DOT and we actually reached out to Antonio and Jim and we hadn't heard back from them. Um but as of now, the only way you can enter is from Hamilton Road because it butts up into another subdivision and it's two properties to the left and the right of it. So um we're just waiting to hear back from them. So that was the that was the main concern from uh each of the meetings. And you said Antonio from

planning Venezuela. Um Katherine, Miss Katherine gave me his information to contact him when I spoke with her um with our overlay district. Public works. Yeah. Antonio Vela. He's public works. Yes. He had an email that you know him. Right. But that's not G dot though. I know it. So she told me to contact him to get in contact with D do G D G D G D G D G D G D G D G D G D G D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D because they hadn't contact me back. I've been trying to talk to them. They hadn't talked to me.

Okay. Okay. I just wanted to clarify that. And um the product that you're putting in, you just mentioned something key. You have two subdivisions on each side. The product that you're bringing in, how does that We have a subdivision just in the back and um across the street, right? But and how does your product um balance with those? We would definitely work to compare um do something comparative like three-sided brick, two stories, um two two um twocar garage sidewalks. Okay. And you don't have any renderings or anything? I don't have any renderings.

Okay. Commissioner Devon, I recognize you. Good evening. Good evening. Um, am I correct? And did you mention that you have there's this single dwelling on the left and right of you? I mean, it's it's a burnt down house on the right and it's nothing on the left. Okay.

But this particular area is composed of single dwelling homes. Am I proposing single? No, no, no. I was just asking the neighborhood. Yes, it's all single family. The ones behind me and the ones across the street are all single family. And on the same side of the street where you're trying to build Well, behind me? On the sides? On the sides there's nothing. I keep seeing. Okay. All right. Like on the immediate sides, it's nothing. Not immediate. Okay. Yeah. Well, all up and down the street is single family. Okay. Yes, ma'am.

That's that's I'm sorry I didn't ask that question correctly. Um, and I apologize. I just forgot my second question. I Okay, Commissioner Price, I recognize you. Since there is no uh since you don't have a PowerPoint or what are the pros for us for this being changed? like how would you sell it to us? Like

well I actually live in a community so I've been I've raised born and raised in the community. This is my first time going through this process. Um I've I'm a business owner been a business owner for 22 years in the community. So I have a lot invested in in this community. Um as far as my family living here, my friends live here. Um I live here. So, I don't want to bring anything that's going to be a eyesore to the community.

Oh, Commissioner Williams, I recognize you. Okay. Um, I'm just going to make a comment. Um, it would be beneficial to have some sort of renderings or something. Um, just so that we can understand your vision. Okay? Do you know what I mean? just so that we can understand what it is that you are other than you know having an application to say this is um I'm requesting reszoning it would be great to see the product that you're bringing in and I think um the residents would also like to see what it is that you're proposing because I imagine you probably have something amazing up here but it would be great to see it here. Okay,

commission. Should I be able to present that at the next meeting? Let's talk about that in a second. Commissioner Perry, I recognize you. Um, I I just want to piggyback. I I think there's two things that you probably need to put together. One, uh, just like the other commissioner said, is a a rendering of what it looks like because that's a 12 houses a whole subdivision just right there on Camp. It's not like there's subdivisions right there off the road where you are. So, I'm trying to imagine what that's going to look like. Now, two lots down, it is a I think it was five or six subdivision, two lots down,

but they're they're they're bigger and and this is like just a 12. It's like one of those subdivisions it would just be one street, right? And and it's correct.

And so trying to vision how that's going to blend in, having the renderings of what you propose would be a big help. And then the second thing is the traffic, right? That to have that subdivision of butt against Campton right there. And you know, you got the uh the circle coming up over here. I just don't know how that traffic's going to flow. So getting that information back from public works and DOT will probably be helpful. I I I love that you your idea what you're trying to do. It's just hard to see the vision without those things there.

Okay. Well, we have been adamant about reaching out to DT and they haven't been getting bad. And um so that's number one. And then um number two, I'll definitely get some more renderings for you guys. So would I would you like me to present them at the next meeting? One more. Give me give me a second. Uh we have another commissioner has a question. Commissioner actually Commissioner Jones, I recognize you.

It's um Thank you. It's a comment and I think she just answered it because in our in our report from staff it says public particip of the public participation. Um the the issue at the meeting was the proposed type home type uh architectural style etc. And the applicant report says that the applicant will present the proposed home and garage style at the planning commission meeting and is actively coordinating with public works uh department to address traffic uh related concerns. So we were I think staff expected for th those renderings to be here. So with that said, I'm thinking uh Madame Chair that that we may need to entertain a deferral. Okay. Uh, commissioners, are there any qu any other questions for the applicant or for staff at this time? Okay. Um, thank you so much, ma'am. Um, you can take a seat. And there are no cards, correct? Okay, cool. Um, so we can go ahead and close this public hearing. Um, commissioners, we've heard the recommendation from staff. Um, and we've also heard the U report from uh or presentation from the applicant. Um it looks like we possibly need to entertain a deferral based on just conversation that you guys have had um with the applicant um in these past few minutes. Um so I'll entertain a motion for a uh approval denial. Well, I guess we can go through staff finance effects first because we went through the public hearing. So, I guess the first thing we need to do is um vote on staff's finest effect for Z25-034.

Commissioner Perry, I recognize you. Uh so, it looks like we're heading towards a deferral, but just like you mentioned, we've already had the public hearing and so uh when this come if we defer it and it comes back up, there won't be any public discussion. So, it's it'll be really important that you have submitted those things that we're we're talking about because you won't be able to speak to it at all. We'll basically have the packet that staff will give us and we're going to render a vote based on that. So, it's really important that you have that information ready uh and submitted to the staff prior to the vote.

Thank you, Commissioner Perry. So, we'll go ahead and first take our first vote, which is going to be on the finance effect as presented by staff uh for Z25-034. We're going to do a couple votes tonight, guys, for these cases. Um, can I get a motion? I move that we approve uh staff's finding effect. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry, I. Commissioner Reverend Jones, I. Commissioner Deon, I. Commissioner Williams, I. Commissioner Price I have it.

Thank you so much. Um next we're going to go ahead and take uh action on application Z25-034. Um can I get a motion for approval den deferral? Sure. I make a motion that we uh defer uh case Z25-034 until the January 21st planning commission meeting. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry. Hi. Commissioner Re Jones. I. Commissioner Devon. Hi. Commissioner Williams. Hi. Commissioner Price. Hi. The eyes have it.

Thank you so much. And now um I guess we could have done that first staff finding effect for both of them, but we'll have to do that again now. Um so we need to do uh status finding effect again for CDP25-013. Is there a motion? I move that we approve staff's finding effect. Second. It's been probably moved and seconded. Please call the role. Commissioner Perry. I. Commissioner Reven. I. Commissioner Devon. I. Commissioner Williams. I. Commissioner Price. Hi. Thi have it. Thank you so much. And now we're going to go ahead and take our second vote, which is going to be for approval, denial, or deferral of CDP25-013. Can I get a motion?

Make a motion. I make a motion that we defer uh case Z25-03

CDP CDP CDP my correction CDP25-014 3 3 013 secondly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry I. Commissioner Rean Jones I. Commissioner Dean. Hi. Commissioner Williams. Hi. Commissioner Price. Hi. The eyes have it. Thank you so much, Commissioners, um, and staff as well as the applicants. So, these cases will be heard at the January 21st planning commission meeting. Um, we're going to go ahead and move on to our next two cases, which is Z25-035 for ZD CDP25-14. Staff, can you please sign the report?

Yes. Z250035 and CDP25-0034. The address is zero street. The southern impressions development care of haim hillier is requesting a reszoning from M2 which are heavy industrial district to C2 which our general commercial district to allow for proposed uh specialty food store on 1.19 acres at zero pinser street along with a futaneous amendment to change the the the character area from industrial to community live work. This is is is in city council district 7. The applicant is requesting a deferral and the applicant is here to speak to it. Thank you so much. If the applicant can please come to the podium and state your first and last name and address for the record. How you doing today?

Very good.

Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the commission. My name is Hakee Hillyard with Shilz Grubman Law Firm 1834 Independent Square, Atlanta, Georgia 30338. Here this evening on behalf of Southern Impressions. This is a proposal to uh reszone a tract of land that is at the corner of Oakley Drive and Oakley Industrial Parkway. It's an undeveloped tract of land. Uh the the developer that owns this property also owns the the development behind it. Oakley Oakley Town Homes that's been developed that's been very well received by the community. This request is the property is currently zoned industrial and the applicant is simply requesting to reszone this property downzone it to a commercial designation and work with the community and the council me the district council member to identify the appropriate series of uses that would be appropriate at this location. They don't want an industrial use uh immediately adjacent to their development. Uh we are asking for a deferral. There's been an issue with the advertisement we understand. And so we want to uh defer this so that we can have a another community participation meeting and come back before you to talk to you about this. But that is that is the request and in in in in full. It's uh it's been a difficult one to have a conversation about because what do you want to do here? Well, we want you to help us figure that out and that's not not there not it's not often that we go to the community say what do you want to see here? So uh so we're excited about the opportunity to do that. We've been talking to council member Pritchette about it and we're going to be working through that together and hopefully when we come back to you we'll have a series of proposed uses for this site for you all to consider.

Thank you. And what meeting are you asking it to be deferred to? Would it be the next meeting in January? January the 21st. Okay. Have the meeting by then.

Okay. Thank you. You can take a seat. Okay. Commissioner. So, we have heard um from the applicant as well as staff um as stated um they are requesting the deferral um due to some public they're working on some things but they also had a public partition public participation meeting issue that violated the new um guidelines that the city um has adopted. Um so they didn't meet the public participation guidelines yet. So I think they're going to have to re redo that. Um but at this time they would like to request a deferral to the January 21st meeting. Um can I get a motion for appro uh for a uh deferral? I move to defer case Z25-035 CDP25-014. What is it?

Um because there's two cases on here. Let's do them separate. Yeah. Yep. So let's let's do the first one for Z25. So let's do a motion for Z25-035 first. Okay. So I move to defer Z25-035 to the next meeting January 21st. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry. I. Commissioner Rean Jones. I. Commissioner Devon. I. Commissioner Williams. I. Commissioner Price. I. The eyes have it.

Thank you so much. So that case will be u moved to the January 21st meeting and we need to have one more motion for CDP25-014. Um that is a request for deferral. Can I get a motion? Make a request to defer case CDP25-014 to the January 21st, 2026 meeting. Second. It's been probably moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry I. Commissioner Reverend Jones. I, Commissioner Deon. I, Commissioner Williams. Hi, Commissioner Price. I, the eyes have it.

Thank you so much. So, that case will also um be deferred until the January 21st meeting. Thank you so much, staff and applicants as well as commissioners. Um, we're moving on to our last cases, which are Z25-036 and CDP25- 015. Staff, please sign a report.

Yes. KZ25-036 along with CDP25-015 BTR group care of Hakee Hiller is requesting a resoning from AG1 to AL to develop 162 units a future land use amendment from agriculture neighborhood to suburban 2 is also requested. Staff is recommending a denial. This is is this is in city council district 3. Thank you so much. Um, I'm gonna go ahead and open up uh the public hearing. You're back up again. Okay. And if you can go ahead and state your name and address again for the record.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Hakee Hillyard, Shilovis Grubman Law Firm, 1834 Independent Square, Atlanta, Georgia 30338. Uh, I am here this evening on behalf of the BTR group along with Matt Furlow who is I'm not going to steal his thunder because he's lived with this project for some time. He's developed a project immediately across the street from it in Union City, which is across the street. Has been very widely uh uh reviewed and and and and admired by the community. He lived in that community while it was being developed. So, he's very committed to this project. Uh this is a this is a companion project across the street. The property is currently zoned in uh AG1 and we're asking to resone it to AL. It is a it is a a development that I think you'll be very impressed by. I don't want to steal his thunder. I want to give him an opportunity to speak to the project in detail. We had a we had a video that we presented at the CZIM meeting and at the community meeting that was very well received. We weren't able to Oh, you do have it. Okay. Well, then maybe we'll show that video. Can we can we we have that opportunity to do that? And I and I would want Mr. Furlow to have the opportunity to speak as well if that's possible. Uh the only one thing I'll say about the staffing report. I recognize that we have a negative staff recommendation or recommendation for denial. uh for a couple years we've appeared before you with applications and no matter how well anybody likes them the staff recommends denial if it's inconsistent with the CDP and I know for one Mr. Harry is says, "No matter what how much I like the project, if it's inconsistent with the CDP, we recommend denial." Unfortunately, this request is one where now for the first time, we're able to ask for a CDP amendment with a reasonzoning application. And notwithstanding the fact, the staff's recommendation says they recommend denial because it's inconsistent with the CDP, the 2021 CDP, and it doesn't forward think with respect to the the recommendations that are coming out of the Seismore group for what should happen here. We're working closely with the council and we're hoping that this consideration will be given when you look at this proposal. We're asking for a density proposal in the new zoning district that is well below what's

allowed in that district so it is compatible with what's happening around the property. I wanted to say that quickly so I can let you show the video. Do you want to show the video first? Okay. If you'll show the video then we'll be happy to talk to you about any questions you have. Mack and I have some drawings to hand you too. This community is about more than housing. It's about creating a vibrant, safe, and well-maintained environment [music] where residents thrive and the surrounding neighborhood benefits.

The first thing that attracted [music] me was the new town homes in an apartment complex area. It being a town home um and the the outside exterior of course caught my eye as well. Um, it [music] had a very modern look to it and I think just the amount of square footage that you get for the price is a great deal. Our residents enjoy resort style amenities, professional landscaping, and safe, well-designed homes. That translates into healthier, happier families and a community that the city can be proud of.

I love knowing that my landscaping [music] and maintenance is taken care of. It is wonderful. Absolutely stressfree. I love not having to buy a weed whacker or a lawn mower. It's It feels great. It It takes a lot of stress off of the renter as well because that's one less [music] thing you have to worry about. This is not just another housing development. It's a thoughtfully designed, professionally [music] managed community that enhances property value, strengthens the city's appeal, and ensures long-term quality for both residents and neighbors. This development is designed to be a long-term asset for the city.

The biggest thing that saves me time and reduces my stress at this community is maintenance. Putting in work orders is a one minute process. Um they have it to where you can take [music] pictures and tell them specifically what the issue is. You don't have to be home and wait for them or take off work. [music] Um if something major breaks, we have emergency maintenance. So they're they're always on top of things. I am very grateful for maintenance and it it's [music] been wonderful so far. We believe this development sets the benchmark for how thoughtful design and professional management can work together to enhance the quality of life for citizens and the city as a whole.

Even though I've only been here a [music] short amount of time, I have already experienced a sense of community at this property. A lot of the kids are getting a chance to know each other. A lot of the kids are getting a [music] chance to play together. um therefore tying the parents to each other. The sense of community is stronger. Um and as we get new neighbors and we meet new people, we just welcome them into the community. Once I got to know the people and got to know the staff, it was just it's been a wonderful experience.

Hi, my name is M. Furlow. I live at 499 Forson Drive, Athens, Georgia. Uh and the camera hat's about another five pounds, I believe. So, at least that's what I think. Uh, just thank you so much for your time tonight. Uh, I I I do want to uh respectfully uh disagree with staff's recommendation and I do understand what staff is up against in uh in the fact that suburban 2 is not the current future land use for this property. However, uh if if one were to look outside of South Fulton and look holistically at the land where we are, uh across the street is um a project that we just completed. The project you just saw on that video. That is uh Summerwell Cottage Village where we have 292 town homes built successfully um and and and well received. Also, as you proceed out the property towards um going down Southwood Road, leaving um you would cross past the Providence Parkway Village Apartments and Aadia Parkway Village Apartments. So, this property is it's it's kind of an odd odd parcel because it's on a dead-end road uh and it fronts on Southwood Road. So, it it's zoned agricultural that's not the highest best use. Uh what what we believe and that what I truly believe is that the highest best use is depicted on this plan with the town homes. Um it does show a transitional zoning going from the single family neighborhood behind it and on the other end of or the road does dead end. The road does not connect to any of these neighborhoods. Uh if you go across a street where we have the uh some cottage village that's 282 town homes. So that's a higher density. So this does represent a

transition from single family residential to a lighter density town home to a higher density town home to a even higher density age or restricted neighborhood and an even higher density apartment living. Uh it this it this is what should be here. Um I would not be here in front of you if I did not believe in it. Uh I I would not drive all the way over here, spend the night with you folks trying to sell you on an idea that does not belong. Uh agriculture is not what this land's supposed to be. The land across the street from it was agriculture as well. Uh this would be very good for the tax base of South Fulton. It would be good for the people of South Fulton. We are here to invest in your community and uh and and across the street has been a worthwhile investment and I feel like we have provided something that we can all be very proud of.

Y'all have any questions? Thank you so much. Um how much time is up on the clock? 2 minutes and 17 seconds I think. Uh okay. Um um excuse me. Are there You can take a seat at this point sir. Thank you. Um are there any cards? There's one card against Marcus Carter. Okay. Please state your first and last name and address for the record. [clears throat]

My name is Marcus Carter. Address is 345 Lawrence Place, South Fulton. Uh I'm also uh president of Cliftonale Community Club Association. Uh we at this time are uh agreeing with the staff recommendation of denial at this time. uh and as mentioned uh earlier that the uh increased density that would result from this is a departure from that area and recommendation staff was the camp recommend approval of amendment to the future land use of this site and uh and also which would make it subsequentially for the zoning designation. I think [clears throat] uh in the midst of the acknowledgement of the staffing we in regards to public participation and input there's a lot of questions that had arisen uh in the midst of looking at this project as a department complex uh across the street town homes but in this is questions we've had and not have been able to look at especially in regards to how the designs, quality of the designs here was apartment sizes. You know, how many are one one, two, three bedrooms involved. Uh, another major [clears throat] concern or several uh major concerns that we also had questions for clarity about is in regards to the uh driveways. There's driveways must be identified in the development here. questions is is what's the capacity for the number of vehicles as well as since there the density is so high in regards to looking at also how does the vehicles parked there does the overlap how close they are to the sidewalks you walk through some of

different developments we have where there's the s the driveways are not accommodating for at least two vehicles to be parked there uh and unfortunately fortunately A lot of our driveway our drive garages are storage facilities too for residents wise. But those are concerns that we want to have explored and and uh to talk with development on this. Also, we're looking in regards to regarding to the clubhouse. Uh what's clubhouse size? Uh we also look in regards to to the parking lot pertaining to the amenities area. There's no spelling out of what is that capacity there. uh especially with the density of the uh residence that's going to be there. We also have concerns regarding to the uh [clears throat] excuse me one 100 ft buffer uh which is also uh a concern pertaining to staff planning as well. Uh the capacity especially on the back side of that property. There's another existing development there and it's hard to see if that is accommodated for both to the west side to the rear as well as even down where the amenities are located at on the south end of that. Those are some major concerns we have uh pertaining to that to that concern into this property. Yes. So those are just a few things that especially having that interaction and dialogue will be very beneficial because within that [clears throat] area yes there are the apartments the uh excuse me the apartments as well as the town homes but within less than a half a mile radius there's also been the inclusion of at least two other major in high intensity high density apartment complexes in that area which is making

that it's going to [clears throat] make that already problem traffic flow area increased that. So our concern is is the number of cottage lots of 162 in that density area. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you so much. I don't know if the applicant can come back up for a rebuttal.

I'm just going to say one one thing is as we said that the the project across the street was developed by this same developer. You know my father was a historian. They used to say that the best evidence when you have rock polaroids, it's not you don't have to guess what it's going to look like. We can take uh Mr. Carter to the site and and all those questions about how it works and how it's laid out. The size of the parking spaces can be resolved on on the ground. Uh we're going to go see Cliftonale uh at their meeting which happens the day before the city council dis discusses this application and we're going to discuss in detail with some of those issues, but we're going to get him out there in advance of that, too. But I'll I'll turn the rest over to Mac.

Mr. Carter, we we definitely want to work with you. Uh and it's nice to meet you. I'm sorry I haven't seen you up until now. Uh parking um we will adhere to whatever parking ordinance there is. Uh the each driveway is is suited for two cars and each garage is for two-car garage. I know that some of them are for uh storage. However, what you see across the street is almost identical to what we're building. The uh the unit types are four and threebedroom units. That's it. And they are single family residential town homes. Uh most of these actually all of them will have individual fenced in private backyards as well. So it this is this is a class A development that we're we're proposing here. Um, as for the clubhouse, uh, we will we're going to provide adequate parking for that, too, just like we did across the street. uh the buffer requirement. Uh it the I believe where we're kind of at where we are at a little bit of an issue with the buffer is that if you look along uh Southwood Road and if you look across the street, you look at the the sheet that you have in your plan, the architecture you see on the on your uh the with the BTR Group logo, those units front the street. They front Southwood Road where we create a desirable streetscape of sidewalks of of landscaping of units fronting up to the street to give a nice holistic view of everything going throughout there and providing a very safe environment. So, uh, buffers along the back and on the side, we can we'll find room if we have to, but, uh, I I will say along the front, that would be detrimental to the project as a whole.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. At this time, we'll close the public hearing. Um, commissioners, um, do you have any questions for staff of the applicant? And I'd like to yield the floor initially to Commissioner Jones because I know it's in his district if he has any questions first. Uh, no. Actually, I I um I'm just looking at the location of it. I I really don't. I really don't. I think you answer my question. Okay, perfect. Thank you so much. Uh, Commissioner Williams, I recognize you. I'll get you next, Commissioner

Deont. The development across the street, your other development, how many acres and how many units? 200 262 units on I think it was 40 acres. It's a higher density. Okay. And were they cottage? I'm sorry. 282. Yes, ma'am. Single family town home units. Yes, ma'am. Commissioner Devon, I recognize you.

You can come back up. Thank you. Uh you mentioned the um buffer a couple of times in your presentation and um it looks as if you were you were informed um that there is a lack of of a zoning buffer on the southern and western perimeter of the development. And there is some concerns um with the landscape strips and zoning buffer requirement that you're not meeting those. And you mentioned before sitting down that um you don't know exactly what you're going to do about you know those buffers and um and and it is outlined at it in in in our literature. some of the things that are areas of concern and it and the end result is that to uh accommodate you as is of what you're trying to do now. Um this will result in a significant uh different plan if you proceed without these um concerns that the staff has as it relates to this development. the the northern and southern portion of the project. We already have a 75 ft buffer there. So, we're we're talking about another 25 ft uh if if needed um to to have that. Uh that's a minor design change and it it this is the first time I've heard about the project not meeting any buffers. Um we've had the we submitted the plan quite some time ago and we would have happily changed it at that

point. Um but on the western uh part portion of the property uh it's we we meet pretty much everywhere and there's a 75 ft buffer back there. So another 25 ft um not not a problem at all as well. I designed the plan myself so we can I can move things around to adhere to the buffer if needed. the the front streetscape. We need to keep that as an open streetscape for a a welcoming uh beautiful that drive down Southwood Road. Okay, I need to um one more question, but this question staff.

Yes, this the next question is a staff. Thank you so much for answering the question. um in our literature on page 6 or 13, the second to the last paragraph. I that was what I was reading and that and the applicant said this is his first time hearing about that. You hear you have a comment because what we have is what they I'm assuming got prior to this meeting.

Yeah, absolutely. So, we try to get our staff recommendations out a week before the planning commission meeting. We certainly post them on our website and share them with the applicant. Uh, before that, we don't share any recommendations or changes with the applicant. Um, certainly when they apply, it's it's a conceptual site plan until we do our analysis during that time, but we try to get that out a week in advance of the planning commission meeting. Thank you. No more question. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Devine. Um, Commissioner Price, I recognize you. Give me one second, sir.

I'm looking at um the staff um the reasons and the factors for their denial and one um is regards to like flooding issues and right here it shows two flood zones. So is [clears throat] that going to is that what type of flooding would that be? Maximum flooding, minimum flooding, no flooding, but it has two flooding zones.

So every and and Max probably the better person to speak to this, but every project that you develop that is in any kind of buffer zone, there are there are state and local requirements that you have to stay without outside of. this project stays out of the buffer and doesn't impact the streams in a way that would impact the site at any well and meets all the standards and with respect to the the uh the conditions you know we we didn't we didn't you know ordinarily when you file these applications you work with staff throughout the process and and we update it and so what I think M is saying about the comments uh uh Commissioner uh Devon is that these are changes that are easy to to address um if we thought that that was going to be the impact the the way the recommend commendation would go and there are changes that we could address. We can still address and still accommodate the project in the way that we'd like to. What M is saying because he's the design professional, not not the engineer that's doing the project, he came up with a project that he thought would work well for the site in light of what's happened across the street and how well it's been received. So, but we're happy to incorporate your comments and concerns and the plans going forward. I think so.

Awesome.

Okay. Thank you so much. Um, commissioners, are there any other questions? No. Okay. Um, I have a question. I guess it's really not even a question. It's really a statement. Um, I don't really care for the renderings. Um, I guess I was looking for something more luxury looking like the pool area and the amenity the the fitness area. Um, maybe a upgraded facade on the the um even the signage for the the entry signage. Um, I see you have like a like a short sign there. Um, and I I believe that you've probably done some really really great projects, but I think I was just looking for a little bit more um with the the photos and the renderings that you presented. Um, have you guys done any other Sorry about that. Um, have you do you have any other projects um that maybe has a a resort style pool? I'm I'm just looking for I like the the rendering the renderings of the of the um the cottages are okay, but it's the actual amenities that like the um the clubhouse and all that stuff. I just was maybe looking for something a little bit more upgraded. A wow factor there, you know.

A wow fac Okay. Um uh sure. Uh we we have built uh we built projects in Knoxville, Tennessee, Murphy'sboro, Tennessee, here in um Union City, and we're also building projects now in Kansas City. Um so uh we've got numerous different examples that we could go with. Uh it it I if uh we will certainly consider a a more of a wow factor um once we proceed with design. Uh however, what in order to uh what we're using right now is just giving you an example and the example that that we feel best fits is the example directly across the street. So the the amenities you see is directly across the street. The sign you see is directly across the street. So it it more it approaching it as if as if Union City and South Fulton were all one one area. So that that's that's the reason why we we included those.

And you you said this you have a project in Union City. That that is it. Oh, the this cottages at Southwood. This is Yes, ma'am. If you literally if you look across the street, see the the uh the faded out part on the on the other side of the road there. Okay. That that's the project you're looking at. Okay. What is the what is that project name, ma'am? What is the name of that one called again? It is uh Summerwell Cottage Village. Okay, got it. So that's Yes, ma'am. It's the our project the uh the existing project what you're looking at and that's what we were modeling our architecture and everything off of to conform to the area. Yes,

ma'am. Got it. Okay. So, these look exactly like the ones that are already there, the ones that you're trying to build. That is it. Those are those are pictures. When you drive through there tomorrow, it'll look just like that. Okay. Gotcha. Hopefully it'll be sunny, but Yes, ma'am. Okay. Um Okay. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Yes, ma'am. You can take a seat. Okay. Commissioners. Oh, uh Commissioner Williams, I recognize you.

Thank you. Okay. So, this is a two-part question. um the um the development that is in Union City. My first question is what were some of the if you know if you can explain what were some of the hurdles that you had to face with that project? And my second part to that is if you're developing this Why would we not step up a few notches on the offerings, whether it be the facades or or whatever? Because if across the street is, let's just say 7 years old, 10 years old, I'm sure we can modernize.

It's it's a year old. Okay. So, I'm sure we can modernize.

Sure. Uh so, uh things we learned um in building this project. Uh for one, uh Southwood Road did not have any utilities on it. Uh it had overhead power and no domestic water, no sewer, nothing. Uh so we ran uh three-phase power a mile away to the property. It goes all the way down the road. So learn that one. Also ran uh the domestic water down south uh South uh Southwood Road. uh we had to delay that because we were worried that we're going to hurt the pressure of the airport at the time when we tapped into the water mane. So we waited made sure everything was safe because when you tap into a water line to blow out the water line to make it safe the bacteria test they had to do that. So we waited that was a lesson learned however that water line is there now it's no longer a headache. So uh all these utilities and we also had to put in sanitary sewer over there too. um all those headaches, all the utility related headaches, they're they're no longer there. So, this property is now primed for development by us going ahead and doing the hard work of putting in the utilities. As far as the um the architecture, uh when we first started, we did not know how popular the individual personal uh fence and backyards would be. Um we're now proposing all fence in backyards for everybody. Uh the architecture we are proposing a little bit uh up uh I I want I don't want to I don't want to talk negatively about the property we just built but we do have some nicer architecture that we are proposing um some upgrades. Uh we also have a little bit more of an enhanced uh amenity package with nature trails dog park uh the the amenity center. Yes, we're not going to build the exact same amenity

center across the street because that would not that would not do us well either. Uh so yes, ma'am, we we're all about um enhancing it and I I feel like the design's a little bit better. There's more green space in this design than what was put across the street. Uh so um yes ma'am we we have all intentions to develop a higherend um development which is also goes in relation to the transitional zoning from south somewhere cottage village what's across the street to this which is a lesser dense version of that with a little bit higherend uh amenities a little bit better amenity package a little bit better uh architecture that transitions on to the neighborhood behind it and the buffers. Sure. We can we we can move with staff's comment on it on uh addressing the buffers of the site plan as we move forward.

Madam Chair, uh Commissioner Jones, I recognize you. Madam Chair, if I had to vote on this, can you come a little closer to the mic? Do this.

Is this better? Madam Chair, if I had to vote on this tonight, I would I would vote uh in the negative. Um and that's primarily because there's a huge difference between what works in Union City and what works in South Fton. Um Union City likes to throw up warehouses for cheap property taxes. Uh, South Fulton does not. Uh, Union City throws up matchbox parcels of property and folks flood into that and uh, then Union City I mean uh, South Fulton really really pushes against that. I would think that a meeting would be prudent with Cliftonale. I like your wow factor because when I saw that I had a woe factor. Um and uh you know I don't want to bring a pot of coffee to the next meeting. We already have a lot. But I don't think that my vote would be fair to the spirit of what they really want to bring and what the South Foot uh uh uh uh uh uh uh residents who would want to be attracted to something similar to this would need. I don't want to disenfranchise them from this, but this is not the best work that I think we could see. And I think Cliftonale, which is a powerful political group in our a group of res that's that's a powerful group. Um I think that that that that they certainly

need to go and sit with them and show them this or show them their best stuff. And I think that that Clifton Dell will prepare them for uh maybe coming back before us with better renderings. I know that we've already had the uh the public uh uh we've already had public comment. Um we've given u the applicant an opportunity. Uh so I think that if they just come back with their best work um certainly we've seen what's there at Southwood um and and we dream that it that that it'd be better uh for for South F and I think that that they can do that.

Thank you so much. Commissioners, do you have any other questions or comments? No. Okay. Um, yeah, this is a it's a tough one, but I agree with you. Um, Commissioner Jones, I think they can do better as well. Um, I don't know what the proper I mean, I know you guys said this is about a year the this is about a year old in Union City, right? I'd love to see what it looks like in a few years. Um, I started my planning career in Union City as a planner, so I know what, um, properties look like after a few years there. So, um, we just want the best for South Fulton. So, at this point, um, I think we have we closed the public hearing already. Did I close the public hearing? I think I did. Did I close it? Okay. If I haven't closed it, it's closed. Um, at this time, um, we can go ahead and vote on staff's finance pack, um, for Z25-036. Can I get a motion?

I make a motion to uh approve staff's found finding of facts of Z25-036. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry, I. Commissioner Revin Jones, I. Commissioner Deon, I. Commissioner Williams, I. Commissioner Price, I have it.

Thank you so much. Now, we're going to go ahead and move on to our second vote, which is going to be for denial, deferral, or uh I'm sorry, approval, denial, or deferral of KZ25-036. Is there a motion? I move to defer case Z25-036 to the next meeting, um, January 21st. Thank you. Is there a second? A second. It's been proudly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry, I. Commissioner Reverend Jones. I. Commissioner Devon. Hi. Commissioner Williams. I. Commissioner Price.

I have it. Thank you so much. Um, and now we're going to go ahead and move on to CDP25-015, approval or denial of status findings of fact. I approve staff finding of facts of CDP25-015. Second. It's been properly moved and second. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry. I. Commissioner Rean Jones. I. Commissioner Devon. I. Commissioner Williams. I. Commissioner Price. I have it.

Thank you so much. Um, next we're going to move on to the um, uh, approval, deny, or deferral of CDP25- 015. Can I get a motion? Madam Chair, I make a motion to uh defer CDP25-015 to the January 21st, 2026 uh uh planning commission meeting. Second. It's been promptly moved and seconded. Can you please call the role? Commissioner Perry, I. Commissioner Remond Jones, I. Commissioner Devon, I. Commissioner Williams, I. Commissioner Price, I have it.

Thank you so much. So both of these cases will be moved to um the January 21st uh planning commission meeting and we look forward to um maybe seeing some you know wow factors and some other things from you guys. Uh can't take an additional comment from you at this time. I'm sorry. Um and we're going to move into the last item which would be what I added um which is just a quick discussion really quick about the planning commission rules. Last meeting um I know a few commissioners um weren't present so they maybe didn't hear this. Um, please excuse me. I totally forgot to send out an email about it. Um, put that on me. But, um, we can, uh, I would like for us, um, as many of you know that we need to look through the planning commission rules. A lot of these rules have been here since the planning commission started and they just need a little bit of, you know, tailoring and just, um, we just need to get them together a little bit. Um, so the idea is just for us to pretty much just go through, redline them. um they're in your binder so you can take home your um you can take home your planning commission meeting I mean planning commission rules that are in your binders and I can also send out an electronic copy um of the rules as well um in case you know you want to do it on your computer or whatever and at this point we're more just kind of going through and marking it up and then I'll get with staff on the appropriate ways so that we can actually modify them in the meeting. Um, but I think that um I think it'd be good for us just as a body um as a collective body um and as many of many new uh commissioners on the board for us to really uh work together to um to make this these planning commission rules right and just um and amend them as needed um for uh new commissioners that may come on and just so that we're always um working as one. Um, so again, they're in your books and then we can also send out um, uh, the planning commission role. I may just have ask you guys to send those out again. Um, and did you have anything any other announcements, Matthew?

None. No. So, I know you and I had talked earlier about January, but now we got several things going in January. So, it looks like we're going to have to have a January meeting. Okay. Um, so the only other thing is we'll be having a January uh, uh, meeting on January 21st. And did we have any birthdays this month? Any birthdays? Any birthdays? No, no. Oh, did you canled our staff. I mean, you canled our festive commission. I know. Hey, hey, hey. That's the only thing. Hey, we're going to redo that. We're going to re That's the only thing I want to talk about. No birthday.

Okay. Um uh last thing I want to say is congratulations to um mayor elect Carmelita Gums um on becoming the mayor of South Fton. We also have a um reelection uh of uh JC Sebastian congratulations to him district 4 as well as um Aaron Johnson who is um the new uh councilman elect for district 2. So just want to say congratulations to all them um on behalf of the planning commission. And at this time, um, if I can Oh, I'm sorry. Commissioner Devon, I recognize you. Mistaken. Natasha Brown. Did Natasha Was she on there? This is reelect was reelected. Was she reelected?

Okay. Nat, Congratulations to Natasha Brown Williams as well. Um, she must have won in She didn't go to the runoff, huh? No, she Okay. Okay, that's what it is. Okay. Congratulations to her as well um for her reelection. And um other than that um let's go ahead and do our adjournment. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Do you want to? Yeah. Do we want to make it? You don't want to

announce it? We'll announce it. That's fine. Um as I'm not sure if you guys saw the email or not, but Brianna McGee has um resigned from her role. She was the district one uh I'm sorry, not district one, mayor's um appointee at large. Um as you know, we have a new mayor coming in. So um uh mayor elect uh Carmelita Gums will I'm sure soon be um appointing a new um uh commissioner. So we should have a new commissioner on the board um and in January. I know that there are a couple new um you know folks there's a few transitions that may happen. Um, so I don't know what that will look like in January, but if I don't see your faces, we appreciate you, um, for being on this commission, um, all the hard work and you guys just showing up. Um, but in but we hope to see you back soon on the commission.

I did have one and and it's on that point since we may have some turnover. Uh, we typically do elections in January, so if we can push those to February to give to to give the month of January for that transition of new members to be appointed. Just want to make sure that you all understand. Yep, that would be fine. So, we just have a couple action items. We just need to bring our um our red lines back from the planning commission rules um to the January 21st meeting. Um and other than that, that's really about it. So, if I can get a motion to adjurnn this meeting, that would be great. So, moved. Second.

It's been properly moved and seconded. Um we can close it out by show raise of hands. Okay, this meeting has concluded at 7:15 p.m. Have a good night.