Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission Voting Meeting - October 7, 2025
Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission Voting Meeting - October 7, 2025
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission held their monthly voting meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, beginning in the evening. The meeting covered a consent calendar, four planning and zoning items, and a lengthy old and new business agenda. Public input was extensive on several topics, including the proposed rezoning of Old Elberton Road, relocation of Fire Station 5, and a water crisis at the Pinewoods community. Key decisions included unanimous denial of the Old Elberton Road rezoning, approval of a conditional purchase for Fire Station 5 after a substitute motion, and advancement of multiple affordable housing projects.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items 1–17) included routine approvals, budget amendments for recreational trails, leaf and limb frequency increase, and Memorial Park Master Plan, among others. A member of the public, Linda Wood of SNJ Roadside Service, spoke on item 8 regarding heavy wrecker rotation, requesting a true rotation for her company. The consent agenda was approved with a vote of 8-1 (Commissioner Johnson opposed). Attorney Drake read three ordinances as part of the consent.
Public Comments & Testimony
On Consent Agenda (Item 8)
- Linda Wood (SNJ Roadside Service) requested being placed on a true rotation for heavy wrecker services, stating their qualifications and capacity.
On Old Elberton Road Rezoning (Item 18)
- Multiple residents opposed the rezoning from Agricultural Residential (AR) to Employment Industrial (EI). Key speakers included Sally Stanville Allen (cattle/goat farmer), Angela Green (Thomas Farm resident), Isabel Scott (Eastside resident), Carrie Valentine (teacher at W.R. Coyle Middle School), Marilyn Vickers (longtime resident), Thomas Evans (property owner on Charlie Bolton Road), Adam Evans (neighbor), and Karen Griffin (adjacent landowner). Arguments emphasized the conflict with the future land use map and greenspace plan, impact on nearby middle school, traffic concerns, environmental damage, and the availability of industrial land elsewhere. A petition with 252 local signatures was presented.
- William Deal, applicant’s representative, argued that the property is unfairly restricted compared to land across the street (already industrial), and that the owner seeks viable use.
On Fire Station 5 Relocation (Item 22)
- Numerous speakers addressed the proposed relocation of Fire Station 5 from Whit Davis Road to a site near Morton and Old Lexington Roads. Opponents (including Wendy Craby, Jody Weber, Perry Bug, Carlos Rodriguez Fayo, Sabrina Ward, James Ward, William Wanamaker, Terry Tiller, Kathy Rodriguez Fayo) raised concerns about price ($487,000 vs. appraised value), suitability of a narrow two-lane road on a hillside, impact on adjacent agricultural and residential properties (horses, cattle, runoff), and lack of a comprehensive master plan. They suggested alternative sites on Lexington Road. Supporters (including Sean Ribel, Isabel Scott, Tim Moore) argued the location would improve response times for underserved areas (800+ residents), save lives, and was recommended by the fire chief and site selection committee.
- Fire Chief Moss clarified that the IAFF risk assessment study was not a relocation study and that the department’s own analysis supports the proposed site. He emphasized the need to serve the southeastern county and maintain ISO ratings.
On Other Agenda Items
- Aaron Thompson Podvin (Family Connection) spoke in favor of item 27 (neighborhood leaders performance metrics).
- Bryce Higgs (WA Engineering) briefly explained item 21 (McClung Road rezoning).
- John Maddox (Blue Ridge Atlantic) announced approval from DCA for item 28 (Classic City Heights).
On Items Not on the Agenda (Open Mic)
- Multiple speakers (Catherine Schinholzer, Angela Lynn, Daria Kalantari, Hudson Barthes, Elizabeth Bettingfield, Evan Russian, Lizette Guevara, Broderick Flanagan) urged the commission to address the water crisis at Pinewoods Mobile Home Park, where 385 families face frequent water shutoffs. They requested connection to city water supply.
- Chim Willie spoke against delaying or rerouting the Firefly Trail, supporting the planned route with eminent domain if necessary.
- A speaker (Mr. Friedrich) urged the commission to oppose Georgia Senate Bill 375, stating it would chill academic freedom regarding criticism of Hindutva.
- Al Lewis spoke against the Deccle Lake / Shoals Athens project, citing lack of community notice and environmental impacts.
- Alan Jones raised concerns about the upcoming TSPLOST, arguing that projects on the west side (Timothy Road, Mitchell Bridge) were not included despite prior planning investments.
Discussion Items
Old Elberton Road (Item 18)
- The commission considered two parts: future land use map amendment and rezoning. After public testimony, Commissioner Taylor moved to deny both. The motion passed unanimously (no opposed votes) on both the land use and rezoning. Commissioners cited lack of community support, available EI land elsewhere, and the need to uphold the future land use map and greenspace plan.
Other Planning & Zoning Items (19–21)
- Item 19 (600 Oglethorpe Ave. special use): Approved unanimously with conditions.
- Item 20 (780 Macon Highway rezoning from RS-5 to RM-1): Approved unanimously; Commissioner Culpepper noted the topography prevents single-family use.
- Item 21 (135 & 150 McClung Road rezoning from RM-2 to C-G): Approved unanimously for a small sliver (0.35 acres) to allow commercial driveway access; the rest of the 25 acres remains for residential.
Fire Station 5 Relocation (Item 22)
- Commissioner Davenport initially moved to approve the purchase at $487,000. After debate, Commissioner Myers offered a substitute motion to authorize purchase at $437,000 (a $50,000 reduction) with conditions: minimize footprint, comply with lighting ordinances, use buffers, manage fuel storage, and require sidewalk installation along Old Lexington Road. The substitute motion passed 6-3 (Myers, Hamby, Link, Taylor, Wright, and Mayor Gertz in favor; Davenport, Fisher, Johnson opposed). The fire chief and assistant manager answered technical questions about topography and property tax impacts.
Other Old & New Business (Items 23–32)
- Item 23 (West Broad & Hancock pedestrian improvements): Held to next month for further review.
- Item 24 (Hawthorne/Oglethorpe intersection): Held for further negotiation with property owners.
- Item 25 (GOC report on board procedures): Returned to GOC for revisions.
- Item 26 (Noise ordinance amendment for AR zone): Approved; reduces audible noise distance to 0.25 miles after 11 p.m.
- Item 27 (Neighborhood leaders performance metrics): Approved unanimously.
- Item 28 (Classic City Heights affordable housing cooperative agreement): Approved; 68 units for seniors funded through local housing fund.
- Item 29 (North Downtown Athens project phase 2): Approved; includes borrowing from affordable housing fund with repayment from future inclusionary zoning fees.
- Item 30 (Water/wastewater connection fee waiver for Meissner project): Approved unanimously.
- Item 31 (School Resource Officer agreement amendment): Approved unanimously.
- Item 32 (Appointment of Christine Howe as Clerk of Commission): Approved unanimously, effective November 3, 2025.
Key Outcomes
- Old Elberton Road Rezoning Denied: Both the future land use map amendment and rezoning to EI were unanimously denied, upholding the planning commission’s recommendation.
- Fire Station 5 Relocation Approved: The commission approved the purchase of 7.52 acres at Old Lexington Road for $437,000 with design conditions, in a 6-3 vote. The station will improve coverage for 800+ southeastern residents.
- Affordable Housing Progress: Two projects advanced: Classic City Heights (68 senior units) and North Downtown Athens phase 2 (70 PBRE + 70 LIHTC units). Financing mechanisms include borrowing from local housing funds.
- Noise Ordinance Strengthened: AR zone noise limits tightened (audible distance reduced to 0.25 miles after 11 p.m.).
- New Clerk Appointed: Christine Howe, previously a senior aide to the mayor, was unanimously appointed as Clerk of Commission.
- Items Held or Returned: Three agenda items (West Broad/Hancock improvements, Hawthorne/Oglethorpe intersection, GOC report) were held or returned for further work.
- Public Requests: The commission heard urgent calls to address the Pinewoods water crisis. No immediate action was taken, but the issue was acknowledged. Several commissioners noted the need for a comprehensive approach to capital project delivery.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome, welcome, welcome, everyone. It's good to have you here. The date is Tuesday, October seventh, twenty twenty-five, and we're gathered for the monthly voting meeting of the Athens Clark County Mayor and Commission. We're going to go ahead and begin with a roll call. All in favor, please say aye. Are there any opposed? All right, hearing none motion carries, and those are now in the record. We'll have an opportunity on the consent agenda. We'll have an opportunity on old and new business. We'll have an opportunity on each of the planning and zoning items separately, and then an opportunity at the conclusion of the meeting. That opportunity at the conclusion of the meeting is for any item that's not on tonight's agenda. So that's our open mic night here for you in City Hall. Um, public input is limited to three minutes, and there is a clock in front of the clerk. You are gonna see it turn green when you begin speaking, yellow when you have 30 seconds remaining, and red when your three minutes has concluded, and we will thank you for your time with us tonight because we got to move on to somebody else. The only exception to the three-minute opportunity is that there is a 10-minute opportunity that individuals could sign up for in advance on each of the planning and zoning items, and we do have one individual regarding old Alberton Road who signed up for that 10-minute slot. Before we move to any public input on the consent agenda, I do need to turn to the commission. Would any commissioner like to remove an item from consent to discussion? Did a great job building out the consent agenda when Commissioner Fisher was here in my stead. I appreciate that work. All right. Um I do need to ask the attorney are there any ordinances that we need to read as part of the consent agenda. There are ordinances for items one, two, and three. Item one, an ordinance to amend the FY 2026 operating capital budget for Athens Clark County, Georgia, so as to provide grant funding if awarded from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, recreational trails program for expenses related to recreational trails at Southeast Clark Park and for other purposes. Item number two in ordinance to amend the FY 2026 operating capital budget for Athens Park County, Georgia, so as to provide funding for operating expenses related to a leaf and limb frequency increase and for other purposes. Item number three, in order to amend the FY 2026 operating capital budget for Athens Clark County, Georgia, so as to provide grant funding if awarded from the George Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program Grant for expenses related to the implementation of the Memorial Park Master Plan and for other purposes. Would anybody like to speak to any of the consent agenda items? Those are items one through 17. Is anybody moved by any of those items one through 17? Gonna give you a couple of seconds for the spirit to rise up. If you would like to speak to any of those items one through 17, step on up to the mic, provide to us your name, place of residence, and the item to which you're speaking. Good evening. I'm doing the right thing here. Hey, Linda and Sean Wood with SNJ Roadside Service. We were talking on item number eight. Okay. Am I doing the right thing now? Okay. We are um we're actually appealing the heavy the heavy wrecker part of it. Um we have applied for the contract. We've we were approved with everything, and they put us as second in line. And um we're asking that we could be put on a true rotation. Um we have heavy equipment, we have rescue trucks, we have everything we need to actually to do the job and get it done. We have a lot that's seven acres. We have enough room to do to put the tractor trailers. We don't have to use outside sources to do so. Um, and we're just asking, and all of our guys are recmaster certified. We've done all the training, we've got everything we need to to get it. We're just asking if if you guys would approve it. For us to be on a true rotation. Thank you, Miss Wood.
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