PAULDING COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING March 25, 2025 The regular meeting of the Paulding County Planning Commission was held on March 25, 2025 in the Watson Government Administration Building. Planning Commission members in attendance were Chairman Jody Palmer; Ellis Astin; Sammy Callahan; Helene Fitzgerald; and Roger Leggett; Commissioner Chairman Tim Estes; Commissioner Keith Dunn; Commissioner Sandy Kaecher; Commissioner Dean Schneider; Commissioner Virginia Galloway and County Attorney, J. Jayson Phillips were present. Staff in attendance included Community Development Director, Ann Lippmann; Planning and Zoning Division Manager, Chris Robinson; Planning and Zoning Planning Tech, Leah Wilson; Department of Transportation Deputy Director, Erica Parish; Water and Sewer Department Director, Ray Wooten; Chief Trevor Hess, Lt. Brian Smith and Deputy Rodney Schubert with the Paulding County Marshal Bureau. Planning Commission Chairman Jody Palmer called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM. and requested everyone turn off or silence any mobile devices. Chairman Palmer explained this is a recommending body and any action taken today will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final approval. The Paulding Board of Commissioners next meeting will be April 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Applicant and interested parties will need to be in attendance for consideration. Policy and Procedures states applicants and anyone speaking on behalf of the application will have fifteen (15) minutes to make their presentation and any opposition will also have fifteen minutes to present. The fifteen minutes are cumulative for each side. All comments are to be addressed to the Chairman. Approval of] Minutes Sam Callahan made a motion to adopt the meeting minutes from February 25, 2025; seconded by Roger Leggett. Motion carries. (4-0-1). FOR: Astin, Fitzgerald, Callahan and Leggett AGAINST: None ABSTAIN: Palmer 2025-04-Z Application by JEFF WILL & REBA WILL requesting to rezone 12.78 acres of R-2 (Suburban Residential District) to A-1 (Agricultural District) for agricultural uses including dog breeding. Property is located in Land Lots 149, 150, 211 & 212; District 2; Section 3; along the south side of Mt. Olivet Rd and west of Gore Lakes Rd. POST 4. Mr. Robinson announced there have been no calls with questions; however, staff did receive one email in opposition to the application. Staff recommends APPROVAL. Jeff and Reba Will expressed their interest in rezoning the property in order to breed Bernese mountain dogs. The dogs would produce about 3 - 4 litters per year, to which they would sell. The Wills stated they already have a barn with several miniature animals. Minutes: Paulding County Planning Commission March 25, 2025 Page 1 of5 Chairman Palmer asked ifthe applicant' S sole request to rezone is for breeding purposes. The Will's affirmed. There was a brief discussion addressing potential noise-nuisance (barking from a big dog), the temperament of Bernese mountain dogs, the selling age of the litter and the total number & types of other animals on the property. No further questions from Planning Commission. SuppervimpalComments There was no one to speak on behalf of the application. Opposition/Input/Comments There was no one with concerns regarding the application. Sam Callahan made a motion to APPROVE application 2025-04-Z; seconded by Ellis Astin. Motion tied; Chairman Palmer broke the tie voting in favor of the motion. Motion carries. (3-2-0). FOR: Astin, Callahan and Palmer AGAINST: Leggett and Fitzgerald ABSTAIN: None The recommendations will be forwarded for consideration to the Paulding Board of Commissioners' meeting on April 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Applicant and/or applicant's agent must be present for consideration 2025-02-SPSA (Site Plan / Site Amendment): Application by HIRAM DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS, LLC (JACK GREWE,.requesing to remove/modify zoning stipulations #11 and #12 on 14.67 acres of I-1 (Light Industrial District) from prior zoning application 2004-80-Z. Property is located in Land Lot 604; District 2; Section 3; located just north of Thompson Rd, east of Bill Carruth Pkwy. POST 3. Mr. Robinson stated staff did not receive any calls with questions or opposition to the application. Staff recommends approval of removing prior stipulation #12 and recommends amending prior stipulation #11 for rezoning case 2004-80-Z with all prior stipulations to remain in effect. Jack Grewe, on behalf ofHiram Development Partners, agreed with the request description and recommendations, adding his client would like to amend stipulations 11 & 12 such that the curb & gutter, sidewalk and center turn lane be amended. Per conversations with PDOT, the right hand turn lane would be extended from Thompson Rd to Bill Carruth Pkwy. Chairman Palmer asked what type of activity is this development project. Mr. Grewe stated it would be a home-to-groceries; essentially instead of groceries being sent to the store, they would be shipped to the consumer's! home. Chairman Palmer inquired as to the reasoning for the request to amend. Mr. Grewe responded it is in effort to reduce project costs and uniformity of the surrounding area. Minutes: Paulding County Planning Commission March 25, 2025 Page 2 of5 There was a brief discussion regarding anticipated delivery times, the number and types of trucks to be utilized and confirming there will not be any hazardous materials onsite. No further questions from Planning Commission. Super/impatComments There was no one to speak on behalf oft the application. Opposition/Imput/Comments There was no one with comments or concerns regarding the application. Roger Leggett motioned to APPROVE application 2025-02-SPSA as recommended by staff: #11 Owner/Developer shall install a right turn lane from the proposed development site access driveway at Thompson Road to the existing right turn lane at the intersection of Bill Carruth Parkway. All prior stipulations for rezoning case 2004-80-Z remain in effect. Seconded by Helene Fitzgerald. Motion carries (4-0-1). FOR: Astin, Callahan, Leggett and Fitzgerald AGAINST: None ABSTAIN: Palmer The recommendations will be forwarded for consideration to the Paulding Board of Commissioners' meeting on April 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Applicant and/or applicant's agent must be present for consideration. 2025-05-Z: Application by CHELSEA MCKAMEY requesting to rezone 12.55 acres of R-2 (Suburban Residential District) to AB (Agricultural Business District) for the purposes of acquiring a kennel license for dog training, breeding, boarding and grooming. Applicant is also seeking a variance to reduce the required kennel distance setback of 200 feet from any property line to 120 feet. Property is located in Land Lots 528 & 529; District 1; Section 3; on the west side ofl Friendship Church Rd along Deer Run Path. POST 2. Mr. Robinson mentioned staff did receive several calls and in office visits with general questions as to the application. Staff recommends approval with one (1) stipulation. Chelsea McKamey, owner/operator of Envy My Dog, presented a detailed summary of her extensive field knowledge and experience as a K-9 aggression specialist working with canines suffering from trauma, abuse and behavioral challenges. Ms. McKamey expressed her intention to rezone the property is to be in compliance with the Department of Agriculture, animal control and Planning & Zoning to be able to fully and safely operate her business while providing a safe environment for the community as well as the dogs she intends to train. Minutes: Paulding County Planning Commission March 25, 2025 Page 3 of5 There was discussion regarding the number of dogs onsite for training sessions at a time, the breed of dogs in training, the type of security measures in place and whether or not Ms. McKamey plans to expand the business. Ms. McKamey stated she works with animal control and clients with a variety of dog breeds; and, will only take 3 to 4 dogs into the training program per rotation (monthly). Ms. McKamey detailed the extensive security measures in place to keep not only her personal dogs safe, but the safety ofthe dogs in the program from neighbors and any stray dogs which may wander near the property. Supper/mputcommets There was one individual to speak on behalf of the application. Tiana Robinson, currently works for Douglas County animal control and trains with Ms. McKamey. Ms. Robinson expressed her praises for Ms. McKamey's program in providing services to dogs in need of training that may otherwise not know what to or how to handle dogs with Dehayioralaggression challenges. Ompsitompw/ommeNs There were two individuals with concerns or questions to the application. David Graham, resident, raised concerns regarding the request to reduce the setbacks and if this was an indication to expand the business. Susan Burns, resident, stated she thought the idea is a good thing to do, but the wrong place to do it. Ms. Burns inquired about the number of personal dogs Ms. McKamey has, how Ms. McKamey enters the property, whether the dogs in the program were vaccinated, how Ms. McKamey would dispose of waste and lastly Ms. Burns offered her concerns about children's safety. Rebuttal Ms. McKamey asserted she has no intention of expanding the operation in the future. No unvaccinated dogs will be allowed to participate in her training program as it would be a liability issue to her business as well as the dogs in the program and her personal dogs; to which there are 13 show dogs Ms. McKamey, on occasion, will use to assist with demonstrations in the training program. Ms. McKamey briefly restated the precautions she has in place to keep the facility and surrounding areas safe. - Chairman Palmer asked if Ms. McKamey is willing to stipulate to no additional buildings to allow for expansion ofthe business; and, is agreeable to work with neighbors to maintain the easement. Ms. McKamey stated she has had conversation with her neighbors on how to maintain the easement and are currently working on the matter. No further questions from Planning Commission. Roger Leggett made a motion to Deny the application based on the size of the property, his opinion the type of zoning does not fit with the County's Comprehension Plan and potential issues down the Minutes: Paulding County Planning Commission March 25, 2025 Page 4 of5 road should Ms. McKamey choose to sell the property. Mr. Leggett did commend Ms. McKamey for the work she is doing, however stands by his motion to deny. Seconded by Helene Fitzgerald. Motion failed (2-3-0). DENY: Fitzgerald and Leggett AGAINST: Astin, Callahan and Palmer ABSTAIN: None Sam Callahan motioned to APPROVE application 2025-05-Z with the recommended stipulation and adding a second stipulation: which restricts the owner from allowing any expansion of the proposed business. 1. Owner/Applicant agrees to coordinate with property owners to participate in maintenance of the private drive/e easement. 2. Owner/Applicant agrees the business is restricted from any additional building expansion for business purposes. Seconded by Ellis Astin. Motion tied; Chairman Palmer broke the tie voting in favor of the motion. Motion carries Motion carries (3-2-0). FOR: Astin, Callahan and Palmer AGAINST: Fitzgerald and Leggett ABSTAIN: None The recommendations will be forwarded for consideration to the Paulding Board of Commissioners' meeting on April 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Applicant and/or applicant' S agent must be present for consideration. There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Roger Leggett; seconded by Helene Fitzgerald. Motion carries (4-0-1). FOR: Astin, Fitzgerald, Callahan and Leggett AGAINST: None ABSTAIN: Palmer The meetingmjourned at 2:59 PM. KP 00 BS Jody Palyner, CHaixdan Roger Leggett, Vice-Chairman Minutes: Paulding County Planning Commission March 25, 2025 Page 5 of 5