Athens Clark County Commission Special Called & Agenda Setting Session - September 15, 2026

On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the Athens Clark County Commission convened a special called session followed by a regularly scheduled agenda setting session. The special session addressed a single urgent funding request for inmate medical needs. The agenda setting session included discussion on consent calendar items, public comments, planning and zoning cases, a bridge naming, street sales ordinance changes, and the proposed judicial center. Key decisions included approval of $430,000 for inmate medical expenses and a commitment to explore compromises on the East Broad Bridge naming and street vendor rules.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1–9 (excluding 3 and 5): Approved as a consent block with no discussion. Includes routine approvals such as contract renewals, grant acceptances, and administrative items.
• Item 3 (Definition of Family & Homestead Exemption): Discussed and returned to consent. Chair Myers reported the Legislative Review Committee found legal barriers (Dormant Commerce Clause) preventing changes to allow more unrelated tenants in homesteaded properties. Only 43 formal complaints over four years; most resolved without enforcement.
• Item 5 (Police Downtown Lease Renewal): Removed from consent due to concerns about third-hand smoke from an adjacent smoke shop affecting county employees. Commissioner Johnson requested an environmental assessment. Commissioners Lincoln and Johnson proposed a one-year lease to allow further evaluation; item will return with revised lease language.
• Items 13, 16, 19: Approved on consent. Item 13 (FEMA/firefighters grant), Item 16 (vehicle additions for fleet/police), Item 19 (DOT airport grant).
• Item 20 (Board/Commission ordinance changes): Tabled to October-November cycle for additional tweaks.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alan Cleveland (Westlake Drive): Expressed personal support for West Clocks redevelopment (item 10) and bridge renaming for Weaver D's (item 12).
• Russell Edwards, Gray Riley, Chris Jackson (Fun Town LLC owners): Detailed the need to exit the existing plan development (PD) for West Clocks, citing high costs ($50M buildout, $7M roof replacement) and inability to achieve affordable rent. Argued the overlay (WCX) provides flexibility, ties commitments to commercial space (50,000 sq ft), green space (3 acres), and greenway connection. Described the site as a public hazard.
• Kristen Bach (independent business owner, artist): Supported West Clocks as a cultural hub for artists and local businesses, highlighting the importance of creative energy.
• Claire Kolnisheski (reading for Julius Richie): Voiced support for West Clocks' plan to host affordable public events and voting encouragement.
• Tawana Maddox (Pittett Road): Urged recognition for Jesse Walton Barnett in the bridge naming, detailing her advocacy for transportation access, adult education, credit union, and other community services. Asked for both her and Weaver D's legacy to be honored.
• David King (Dirty Dogs vendor, 23 years): Opposed the street sales ordinance change that would prohibit on-site food preparation at College Square. Argued he follows rules and should not be penalized for others' violations. Questioned fee increases.
• David Lynn (Athens Downtown Development Authority): Opposed food vendors on College Square due to past grease damage to Clayton Street (after $20M streetscape project) and unfair competition with brick-and-mortar restaurants.
• Melanie Ford (176 Wendy Lane): Favored pocket park option for judicial center to save the Moon Tree, noting its national historic significance and that only ~70 such trees exist.
• John Weil (retired architect): Presented a sketch to reorient the judicial center to better respect the adjacent AME church and preserve the Moon Tree.
• Nunalee Benzing (Athens Tree Council): Supported keeping the Moon Tree and creating a pocket park.
• Jeff Carter (engineer, for item 11): Updated that sewer plans for Highway 29 site are approved; traffic study done; the rezone will help fund water line replacements in Pinewoods Estates. Proposed uses include medical clinic or small grocery.
• Mike Warren (owner, item 11): Stated the rezone will provide needed amenities for residents.

Discussion Items

• Item 10 – West Clocks Redevelopment (Newton Bridge Road): Planning Director Bruce Lonnie presented the request to rezone 19.47 acres from Employment Office Plan Development (EOPD) to Commercial General (CG) with a new overlay (WCX). The overlay allows mixed-use, up to 50 dwelling units/acre, 80 ft max height, 24 special events/year, reduced parking (1 space per 1-2 bedroom unit), and commits to 50,000 sq ft commercial, 3 acres green space, and a multi-use path along Dairy Pack Road. Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval with conditions. Commission discussion was supportive; Commissioners Fisher, Link, Thornton all expressed favor. The item will be voted on at the October 6 voting meeting.
• Item 11 – Rezone at 1295 US Highway 29 North (Pinewoods area): Request to change future land use from Neighborhood Center to Major Corridor and zoning from Agricultural Residential (AR) to Commercial General (CG) for 2.38 acres. Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions: sidewalk along Trail Creek Drive, final plat to resolve split zone, commercial traffic limited to 210 ft on Trail Creek, and only Commercial Rural uses until sewer is available. Discussion was brief; Commissioners Thornton and others supported as part of a broader redevelopment plan for Country Corners and Pinewoods Estates.
• Item 12 – Naming of East Broad Bridge: Commission discussed competing proposals to name the bridge after Jesse Walton Barnett (who helped secure its construction) and after Weaver D's (a local cultural institution). Commissioner Davenport noted Barnett's efforts predated the formal naming policy; Commissioner Taylor emphasized Barnett's grassroots work. The mayor suggested using the two parallel bridge structures and directed Commissioner Davenport and staff to seek a compromise. The item was left off consent for further negotiation.
• Item 14 – Street Sales Ordinance Changes: Proposed amendment to prohibit food and beverage sales (with on-site preparation) on College Square, citing grease damage to the Clayton Street streetscape and fairness to restaurants. The Downtown Development Authority supported the change; King, a longtime vendor, opposed. Commission debate was extensive: Some favored prohibition to protect the investment, others wanted to keep vendors with stricter rules (e.g., pre-packaged food only, no grease). Commissioners Fisher, Link, Johnson, Taylor, and Culpepper expressed concern about punishing all vendors for one bad actor. Commissioner Hamby and Thornton argued the ordinance provides clarity for enforcement. Commissioner Thornton suggested grandfathering existing vendors. No final decision; item will return at the voting meeting with possible compromise language.
• Item 17 – Judicial Center Schematic Design (Space Modernization Project #1): Presentation of the schematic design for a new courthouse at 120 Doherty Street. Design includes a glass atrium, 80 ft height, and would require removing the Moon Tree (a Loblolly Pine grown from seeds flown to the moon). Alternative option shown preserves the tree but reduces parking by about 7 spaces (from ~24 public spaces). Parking deck planned separately. Commissioner Hamby strongly criticized delaying for a tree; Commissioner Link, Johnson, and Thornton urged preserving the tree and reorienting the building to respect the adjacent First AME Church. Commissioner Fisher voiced concerns about cost ($250M+) and parking adequacy. Manager Cowell noted a second phase (November) will address financing and parking deck design. The schematic design is required to proceed with construction manager at risk. No vote taken; item will be discussed further.
• Item 18 – Stonehenge Neighborhood Pedestrian Improvement Project: To remain on discussion because cost estimates indicate base bid can be accommodated but some bid alternates may not. Staff will propose allocating up to $1M of excess T-SPLOST revenue to complete the project.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Special called session – $430,000 funding request for inmate medical expenses. Motion by Commissioner Hamby, second by Commissioner Myers. All in favor.
• Referred back to staff: Item 5 (police downtown lease) – Will include environmental assessment for smoke contamination and revised lease language; not on consent.
• Referred to work session/next meeting: Item 12 (bridge naming) – Mayor and Commissioner Davenport to meet with staff and families to find compromise.
• Referred to October 6 voting meeting: Items 10 (West Clocks), 11 (Highway 29 rezone), 14 (street sales), 17 (judicial center schematic), 18 (Stonehenge pedestrian project) – all will be on the agenda for action.
• Tabled: Item 20 – Board/commission ordinance changes moved to October-November cycle.
• Set for committee review: Right-of-way ordinance update (to be presented next week); homeless support updates from manager’s office.