PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES  March 19,2024  The Planning Commission oft the City of Athens, Alabama met ini regular session in the City Council Chambers on March 19, 2024 at 5:45 PM, after a short work session. The meeting was Commission members present at the meeting included Rhonda Weatherford, Rod Herron, Venard Hendrix, Dana Henry, Chief. James Hand, and Mayor Ronnie Marks. Also present were City staff members Erin Tidwell, City Planner, Paige Parker, Planner, and Andrea Colburn, Administrative Mr. Johnson opened the meeting by introducing the members oft the Commission and City staff. Mr. Johnson then stated that the minutes of thel February 20, 2024 Planning Commission meeting  called to order by Rick. Johnson.  Coordinator.  had been submitted for approval.  Rod Herron offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:  "BEI ITI RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, that the minutes for the February 20, 2024 meeting be  approved."  Venard Hendrix seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous of the voting members  present.  There being no old business to discuss, the meeting proceeded.  Public Hearings:  PH.1. Request of Eileen Terry MEWS to appeal the Design Standards for MEWS, to allow for the construction ofa al building with exposed metal panels which is otherwise prohibited per Zoning Ordinance Section 6.1.12.F(6)(d) Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Development Building Materials, Prohibited Materials, located at 811 U.S. Highway 72 West., and zoned B-2 (General Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Ms. Tidwell described the applicant's request. Mr. Taz Morell, with Morell Engineering (711 Hobbs Street East), stated that the proposed building wouldn't! be visible and would be located behind three other metal buildings on the Ms. Eileen Terry (811 U.S. Highway 72 West) stated that there is an increase in demand for materials supplied by MEWS, which are currently being stored off-site. Ms. Terry stated that the proposed building is only for storage and wouldn't face any street. Ms. Terry also stated that the adjoining property owners shel has spoken with have no objections to her request.  Business District).  property.  1    Mr.. Johnson asked ifany oft the residential property owners on Levert Avenue would be able to Terry Ridgeway, with Inline Lighting (813 U.S. Highway 72 West) stated that he had no objections to! Ms. Terry's request. Mr. Ridgway stated that he would only ask for the same consideration from the Commission should Inline Lighting make as similar request at al later date. With no further questions or comments, Mr. Johnson closed thej public hearing. Resolution. Thei following resolution was put before the Commission:  see the proposed building. Ms. Terry answered that they would not.  BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby grant the applicant's design standard appeal pertaining tol MEWS located  at 811 U.S. Highway 72 West.  A motion was not made by any member oft the Commission. Therefore, the request failed due to PH.2. Request of Zana Gamble Lake & SO-WELL, LLC: for Minor Plat Approval of Gamble Lake Subdivision, Phase 1, ai minor subdivision of +/- 74.86 acres into 41 lots, located directly north oflumivile-Browmsfery Road and directly east ofLindsay Lane South (Parcel#s: 44.100735.0.0X000A 4+1007.3500000490, and 44.1007.35.0.0.03.00, Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Ms. Tidwell described the applicant's request, and stated that Staff has no issues with this request but would ask that approval be contingent upon a1 traffic  lack ofai motion.  zoned B-2 (General Business District).  study being submitted prior to future development.  With no further questions or comments, Mr. Johnson closed thej public hearing. Resolution. Mayor Ronnie Marks offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby grant the applicant's request for Minor Plat approval of Gamble Lake Subdivision, Phase One, contingent upon a traffic study being submitted prior to  future development.  Rod Herron seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously oft the voting members PH.3. Request of Tennessee Valley Investments LLC & Trigreen Equipment LLC: for Minor Plat Approval ofLot 1A ofa Resubdivision of Lots 1A and 1B ofa Resubdivision ofLot lof Trigreen Equipment Subdivision, and Lot 2C ofa Resubdivision ofLot2 2 of" Trigreen Equipment Subdivision, creating 1 lot comprised of+-3 3.04 acres, located at 1766 Trigreen Drive and 1776  present.  2    Trigreen Drive, (Parcel #s: 44.07.08.43.00.00104 and 4.07.08343.00.0.015. zoned Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Ms. Tidwell described the applicant's request, stating that Staff has no issues with this request but would ask that approval be contingent upon ai fee being paid to the Water Services Department ifai new water meter is determined to be needed. With no further questions or comments, Mr. Johnson closed the public hearing. Resolution. Rhonda Weatherford offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby grant the applicant's request for Minor Plat approval of Lot 1A of a Resubdivision of Lots 1A and 1B of a Resubdivision of Lot 1 of Trigreen Equipment Subdivision, and Lot 2C of a Resubdivision of Lot 2 of Trigreen Equipment Subdivision, contingent upon a fee being paid to the Water Services Department ifai new water meteri is determined to be needed. Chief. James Hand seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously oft the voting PH.4. Request ofl H+B Holdings, LLC for Minor Plat Approval of A Replat ofLots 30 and 31 of H.B. French Sub-division and Other Lands creating 1 lot comprised of +/- 14.75 acres, located directly north ofl Roy Long Road East and approximately: 2,900: feet west ofU.S. Highway 31 South, (Parcel #s: 44100200.000000 and 4100420000.I.0A zoned M-1 Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Ms. Tidwell described the applicant's request, stating that Staff sees no issues with this request but would ask that approval be contingent upon an updated  B-2 (General Business District).  members present.  (Light Industrial District).  title opinion being provided prior to the plat's circulation for signatures. With no further questions or comments, Mr. Johnson closed the public hearing. Resolution. Venard Hendrix offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:  BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby grant the applicant's request for Minor Plat approval of A Replat ofLots 30 and 31 of H.B. French Sub-division and Other Lands, contingent upon an updated title opinion being provided prior to the plat's circulation for signatures. Rod Herron seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously of the voting members PH.5. Request of] Keith Rowe: for approval ofa Certificate to Subdivide for Douthit Estate Subdivision +/- 131.30 acres into 2 lots, located at 14477 Cambridge Lane (Parcel #:  present.  3    4100624000L0I0A zoned EST (Estate Residential and Agricultural District) and B-2 Mr. Johnson opened thej public hearing. Ms. Tidwell described the applicant's request, stating that Staff sees no issues with this request but would ask that approval be contingent upon an updated  (General Business District).  title opinion being provided.  With no further questions or comments, Mr.. Johnson closed the public hearing. Resolution. Venard Hendrix offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:  BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby grant the applicant's request for a Certificate to Subdivide for Douthit Estate Subdivision, contingent upon an updated title opinion being provided. Rod Herron seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously oft the voting members PH.6. Consider for recommendation to the City Council the request of] Rowe, Barksdale, Johnson, Douthit, & Gafford to Rezone +/- 1.89 acres of! property located at 14477 Cambridge Lane (Parcel #: 44100624000-080A from EST (Estate Residential and Agricultural Mr. Johnson opened the public hearing. Ms. Tidwell described the applicant's request, stating that  present.  District) to B-2 (General Business District). Staff sees no issues with this request.  With no further questions or comments, Mr. Johnson closed the public hearing. Resolution. Rod Herron offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:  BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby recommend to the City Council the applicant's request to Rezone +1-1.89  acres ofproperty located at 14477 Cambridge Lane.  Mayor Ronnie Marks seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously of the voting At this time, Mr. Herron recommended to Stafft that the Zoning Ordinance be updated to better reflect the current season oft the City and allow greater flexibility regarding permitted building  members present.  materials. Consent Calendar:  6.A. Request of Athens Land Survey for approval ofa Certificate to Consolidate for Barksdale Estate +/- 3.39 acres into 1 lot, located at 14399 Cambridge Lane (Parcel #:  4    1006240000900A zoned EST (Estate Residential and Agricultural District) and! B-2 6.B. Request of DFO Athens Investment, LLC: for Limited Amendment to Master Development Plan of Emma at Arabella Village. The development is comprised of+- 107 acres and located directly south of Huntsville Brownsferry Road and approximately 2,200' east ofU.S. Highway 31 South (Parcel #s: 44160204000-01 4-160204000-0.0, 44.160204000-001.00, and 4160204000-20, zoned C-PUD (Conventional 6.C. Request ofDFO. Athens Investment, LLC for Final Plat Approval of Emma at. Arabella Village, Phase 1, a major subdivision of +/-107 acres into 661 lots, located directly south of Huntsville Brownsferry Road and approximately 2,200' east ofU.S. Highway 31 South (Parcel #: 16020A000-0.A zoned C-PUD (Conventional Planned Unit Development District). Resolution. Mayor Ronnie Marks offered the following resolutions and moved their adoption: BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby grant the applicant's request fora Certificate to Consolidate forl Barksdale Estate, contingent upon an updated title opinion being provided. BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby grant the applicant's request for a limited amendment to the Master BE IT RESOLVED that the Planning Commission for the City of Athens, Alabama, at its regular meeting on March 19, 2024, that the Commission does hereby grant the applicant's request for Final Plat Approval of Emma at Arabella Village, Phase One, contingent upon the as-builts being submitted and approved by the Water Services Department and the receipt and approval of Rod Herron seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously of the voting members  (General Business District).  Planned Unit Development District).  Development Plan of Emma at Arabella Village.  the appropriate bonds.  present.  Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mr. Johnson duly and  properly adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m.  Attest:  Aai3-8ue  5