1 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:08,810 Thanks for your patience. We can get started now. 2 00:00:11,690 --> 00:00:11,690 this is the regular meeting of the decatur planning commission for december 10th. 3 00:00:19,970 --> 00:00:23,540 10th. Thank you. Running away from me? December 10, 2024. 4 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:27,830 my name is greg chilik. I will be chairing the commission this evening. 5 00:00:30,590 --> 00:00:30,590 this is a seven member commission of decatur citizens. 6 00:00:36,530 --> 00:00:36,530 and sorry, it's hard to do this on the phone. 7 00:00:43,250 --> 00:00:46,520 decatur residents appointed by the city commission. This commission hears applications for land use and zoning changes, conditional use Permits, special exceptions and land subdivisions. 8 00:00:55,220 --> 00:00:55,220 it also reviews and recommends changes to the city's zoning regulations and future land Use plans. 9 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:02,000 I would like to acquaint you quickly with the procedures this commission follows in the Conduct of its meetings. 10 00:01:07,700 --> 00:01:07,700 we will hear applications tonight in the order they are listed in the printed agenda. 11 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:14,840 applicants are given time to present their case when their application is called. 12 00:01:19,550 --> 00:01:19,550 supporting and opposing parties are also given an opportunity to present their remarks to The commission. 13 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:25,760 please be sure to state your name and address when presenting. 14 00:01:33,800 --> 00:01:33,800 individual speakers are also. 15 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:38,480 sorry. Since the burden of proof is on the applicant to convince the commission to vote In their favor 16 00:01:48,140 --> 00:01:48,140 applicants are also allowed to present rebuttal to any opposition against them. 17 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:54,200 opposing parties are not granted an opportunity for rebuttal. 18 00:01:59,400 --> 00:01:59,400 while we do not formally limit the time for multiple parties to speak in support or Opposition to an application, we do ask speakers to refrain from spending time repeating 19 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:11,760 arguments that have already been presented. Individual speakers are also asked to be as concise as they can when making their remarks. 20 00:02:16,980 --> 00:02:16,980 once all interested parties have been heard, we will close the public hearing for the Application. 21 00:02:22,620 --> 00:02:22,620 please refrain from any applause or dialog during or after presentations. 22 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:27,720 all remarks should be addressed to the commission, and we ask for you to refrain from Engaging anyone else directly. 23 00:02:35,730 --> 00:02:35,730 please show the same respect to anyone who is speaking that you would expect to receive Yourself. 24 00:02:40,980 --> 00:02:40,980 the planning commission renders final decisions on subdivision applications but makes Recommendations on all other applications to the city commission, which has the final 25 00:02:50,310 --> 00:02:53,430 decision making authority in those cases. We are supported this evening by our planner, casey kurzweg. 26 00:02:56,940 --> 00:02:56,940 at this time, I would like to ask my fellow planning commissioners to introduce Themselves. 27 00:03:02,490 --> 00:03:05,970 we'll go from my left, starting with our member, joe. I'm joe greco. Good evening, john macfarlane. 28 00:03:09,390 --> 00:03:13,380 jason friedlander. Jenny stein. Thank you. And we have a quorum tonight. 29 00:03:14,750 --> 00:03:17,310 we do. Number of members. Very good. Okay. Our first piece of business is the approval of minutes from our last meeting, the September 10th, 2024 regularly scheduled meeting. 30 00:03:25,140 --> 00:03:25,140 has everyone had an opportunity to read through the minutes? 31 00:03:30,690 --> 00:03:30,690 are there any corrections that need to be applied to the minutes? 32 00:03:37,860 --> 00:03:39,210 none spoken. So motion. 33 00:03:42,750 --> 00:03:46,530 do we have a motion to accept the minutes as they're written now? So moved. And a second. 34 00:03:48,930 --> 00:03:50,430 second. Second. Okay. All in favor of accepting the minutes? 35 00:03:53,130 --> 00:03:56,700 say aye. Aye. It's unanimous. Okay. Our next order of business is our one and only case for the evening. 36 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,880 actually, you. Oh, I'm sorry. We have a meeting schedule. You do? So, this past 2025, planning commission meeting schedule. 37 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:14,160 and you'll see your deadlines in there for the applicants to submit. 38 00:04:18,300 --> 00:04:18,300 okay. And these are the second 39 00:04:28,230 --> 00:04:29,730 tuesdays. That's correct. Every month, except for the july meeting. 40 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:37,080 okay. Any discussion necessary about the meeting schedule? 41 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:48,090 any objections or recommended changes? August 12th, 2024. 42 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:53,220 should read. August 12th, 2025. Oh, you're correct. That's fine. I'll correct that one. 43 00:04:55,610 --> 00:04:57,430 they caught me there. I must have walked away from my computer to see if we were actually looking. 44 00:05:01,990 --> 00:05:03,730 yeah. Just wanted to see if you were reading it. That one in there? Yeah. 45 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:06,360 you got the lollipop. 46 00:05:11,350 --> 00:05:11,350 okay. With the correction of the august meeting date are there any other comments or Corrections for the schedule? 47 00:05:23,980 --> 00:05:23,980 the schedule with the amendment that all the dates be in 2025? 48 00:05:28,810 --> 00:05:32,050 we have a motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. Seconded. 49 00:05:33,370 --> 00:05:33,370 okay, so all in favor of approving the corrected meeting calendar? 50 00:05:39,220 --> 00:05:42,130 say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Nay. Any opposed? 51 00:05:44,830 --> 00:05:44,830 it's unanimous. Okay, now we can bring our first case. 52 00:05:51,340 --> 00:05:51,340 this is two actions related to the same case. 53 00:05:58,060 --> 00:05:58,060 the oakhurst center for community is requesting a land use plan amendment to change the Property at 232 east lake 54 00:06:07,630 --> 00:06:07,630 drive to first is to change the land use plan amendment from rl low density residential To rm medium 55 00:06:17,410 --> 00:06:21,160 density residential. And the companion motion is the request for rezoning for the same property at 232 east Lake drive to be 56 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:31,000 rezoned from r 60 single family residential to rm 22 multiple family residential district For the use of a rooming house 57 00:06:40,930 --> 00:06:40,930 with professional on site staffing and case management for women. 58 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:46,960 and if you're if it's your pleasure, we can actually hold the public hearings together. 59 00:06:51,550 --> 00:06:55,010 but then you would need to make two separate motions. So, since they're related to the same outcome will hold the hearing on, on both the Motions, and then we'll 60 00:07:04,820 --> 00:07:05,960 vote on them separately. Is there do we do the do we go over the report first, or do we have the applicant speak First? 61 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:16,880 the applicant. Come on up. Yes. Speak. Hi, everyone. Thank you for having us here. 62 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:20,630 I'm princess futrell. I am the executive director for the center for community. 63 00:07:24,170 --> 00:07:24,170 we are a nonprofit, and we currently oversee the oakhurst baptist church property which Is the church building in addition to the home that they own, which is the 64 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:33,440 232 east lake drive property, which was formerly a recovery program for men for over 20 Years that operated until 2022 before it 65 00:07:43,130 --> 00:07:43,130 closed. The mission of the center for community is to amplify local nonprofits that Support social justice, economic justice, 66 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:56,600 and equity by providing resources, training and tools. And we do that with the current tenants of the church building, and we are looking to Continue that work with our collaboration with the home for everyone. 67 00:08:05,060 --> 00:08:05,060 and georgia works and bringing the first of its kind women's workforce transition program To the city of decatur. 68 00:08:12,710 --> 00:08:12,710 as you all know, we are in a state of need right now for supportive services, wraparound Services, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive 69 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:25,610 options for our most vulnerable populations. This program is a testament to that. 70 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:27,680 in addition to all of our missions, of the agencies that would be supporting of this Program and project, we will be providing supportive services. 71 00:08:35,420 --> 00:08:35,420 georgia works would be providing supportive services in the form of case management, job Skills, life skills, workforce development, and training and tools. 72 00:08:44,780 --> 00:08:44,780 in addition to the opportunity to have temporary housing while they save and work toward Self-sufficiency and will be able to move out into 73 00:08:54,710 --> 00:08:57,770 more permanent supportive housing options. This collaboration would be between us, like I said, a home for everyone. 74 00:09:01,660 --> 00:09:01,660 rob board chair is here and can speak more to a home for everyone's work in this Community, in this space, as well as darlene. 75 00:09:10,190 --> 00:09:13,700 she was not able to be here in person, but she is the ceo of georgia works. She should be on zoom. 76 00:09:15,470 --> 00:09:15,470 okay. And can also speak to operations, programmatic structure and answer any questions That you all may have. 77 00:09:22,730 --> 00:09:22,730 this program would be modeled after georgia works current program that they operate in The city of atlanta. 78 00:09:28,850 --> 00:09:28,850 and that is a that is a workforce transition program for men. 79 00:09:33,500 --> 00:09:33,500 I am very happy to be here and to answer any questions or address any comments or Concerns that you all may have. 80 00:09:41,630 --> 00:09:41,630 but like I said, just happy to be here and to continue this conversation and bring vital Services to not only the oakhurst community, but also to the city of decatur. 81 00:09:54,330 --> 00:09:57,180 thank you. Do we have any to introduce? Yeah. Real quick. We have another commission member who's just arrived. 82 00:10:02,020 --> 00:10:05,460 hi, mark. Sorry I'm late. No worries. Thanks. 83 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:09,490 people can't drive in the rain. This is brutal. 84 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:16,800 parking doesn't help either. No excuses but thank you. Sorry, mate. I've got just a clarifying question. 85 00:10:22,530 --> 00:10:22,530 in reading your application, you're from a work on the bill. 86 00:10:27,750 --> 00:10:31,290 on the on the on the home or the or the building on the property right now. It's everything is inside. 87 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:36,000 you're not changing any of the exterior. It's still going to look exactly like it does. Yes. Everything is just, get it up to code for the rooming house that you that you want To use. 88 00:10:41,180 --> 00:10:44,940 yes. Correct. I want to clarify that. What was the use of the property before I, it was mentioned that it has been vacant for One and a half years. 89 00:10:52,560 --> 00:10:56,250 yes. And the use prior to that, it was run. The name of the program was oakhurst recovery program, and it was a recovery program for Men, and it was operated for over 20 years, I think 22 years. 90 00:11:04,950 --> 00:11:07,860 okay. So that operated up until 2022. Two. Okay. 91 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:10,050 all right. Thank you. Yes. How is the previous recovery 92 00:11:19,500 --> 00:11:23,190 program operating? Under the current zoning and land use versus what the intentions are for the new recovery Program. 93 00:11:32,490 --> 00:11:32,490 so, the current, I mean, the existing recovery program is no longer a program. 94 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:38,520 right. This program in itself is a workforce transition program. 95 00:11:45,150 --> 00:11:45,150 and so the women that would be in this program would have to come into the program sober Already. 96 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:51,600 and so then they would have to make that maintain that sobriety while they're in the Program. 97 00:11:56,050 --> 00:11:59,190 so, was the previous use also a rooming home for men? It was. Yes. Just with the existing bedroom structure? 98 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:05,610 yes. It was just a legal, nonconforming use. And since it ceased for over 12 months, that's the reason it's coming back in this form. 99 00:12:13,500 --> 00:12:13,500 I don't have any true documentation that they got approval before, but it looks like in The code, it just it just occurred it. 100 00:12:21,810 --> 00:12:23,070 so we just consider it legal. Nonconforming. But since there was that gap, that's why we've been working on this new Application. 101 00:12:29,460 --> 00:12:29,460 okay. So during the 20 years the previous program was in existence, decatur's ordinances Changed. 102 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,750 is that the case? I believe so. Yeah. We. 103 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:43,800 there's just no documentation about it. But, yeah, I mean, everyone kind of remembers pieces here and there, but with it being a Nonprofit associated with the church, we don't have a clear 104 00:12:53,380 --> 00:12:56,350 business license. But it was there. The interior was rooming houses. 105 00:12:58,810 --> 00:12:58,810 whether they classified it as something separate just because it was still church owned Property, that that kind of predates me in 20 years ago. 106 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:11,170 so we are working in new codes. Okay. Okay. Thank you. 107 00:13:12,340 --> 00:13:12,340 thank you. Are there any other questions for the applicant? 108 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:22,600 just clarifying. So you're going from I think it's 14 bedrooms down to 11. 109 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:30,910 is that correct? Yes. It's 15 bedrooms. Yeah. There's ten bedrooms downstairs and there's five bedrooms upstairs. 110 00:13:35,830 --> 00:13:35,830 the five bedrooms upstairs were used as a workout room and then staff offices for prior Use. 111 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:41,920 and so now what we're looking to do is take down some walls, create a bigger bathroom Downstairs. 112 00:13:48,970 --> 00:13:48,970 and so, there'll be eight rooms downstairs instead of ten, and then two bedrooms Upstairs, one for the ra and then an ada accessible unit. 113 00:13:58,870 --> 00:13:58,870 in addition to expanding the bathrooms to create an ada accessible bathroom as well, and To also add a kitchen because there's currently no kitchen in the home. 114 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:08,800 and are you? I don't know how much you're able to speak to the prior use, but are you Able to speak to how much like the capacity that it typically stayed at in the 20 years 115 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:18,640 that it was in operation? Yeah, from my understanding, it was fully staffed for the ten Men throughout the duration. 116 00:14:32,740 --> 00:14:36,340 last chance for any more questions for the applicant. Are there any other variances around parking or anything else around those lines? 117 00:14:44,050 --> 00:14:46,630 and we don't foresee any parking issues. The previous recovery program. 118 00:14:48,230 --> 00:14:49,900 the men weren't allowed to have a vehicle. Okay. And we're going to hold that kind of same rule. 119 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:56,830 there is parking behind the church, very limited parking. But if needed, we can utilize that parking lot. 120 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:03,520 and if I can just chime in and say, this is darlene schultz, I'm the ceo of georgia Works, that we focused on men when we were launched 121 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:15,970 11 years ago because that was the majority. 70% of the homeless population in downtown atlanta were men at the time. 122 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:21,280 but we have realized that women have a real need for our workforce development program. 123 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:28,000 so in the last couple of months, I have received hundreds of calls from women who need The service. 124 00:15:35,350 --> 00:15:35,350 so, we have an excellent track record at georgia works, and we've graduated over 1100 men From our 125 00:15:44,830 --> 00:15:44,830 program and saving you and I as taxpayers in the state of georgia, over $40,000 per man Per graduated. 126 00:15:53,510 --> 00:15:53,510 so we will hope to continue this with the very first satellite program for georgia works For women. 127 00:16:00,230 --> 00:16:02,210 and we want to we want to extend this. We want to make this the model that we can replicate, you know, throughout the state. 128 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:06,800 and so this would be the first and it would be amazing. 129 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:11,840 thank you. Thanks, darlene. 130 00:16:17,150 --> 00:16:20,210 you can just open the public hearing. Yeah. Oh, okay. 131 00:16:23,330 --> 00:16:26,570 so if there are no other questions for the applicant. Thank you very much for your time. 132 00:16:27,860 --> 00:16:27,860 thank you, guys. We'll open the public hearing portion of tonight's meeting. 133 00:16:33,860 --> 00:16:33,860 first, we'll hear from applicant people who wish to speak in support of the applicant. 134 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:41,240 when you approach the podium, please state your name and address. 135 00:16:47,780 --> 00:16:50,360 good evening, I'm rob johnson. I am the board president of a home for everybody in the cab, which is one of the Collaborating partners. 136 00:16:58,250 --> 00:17:00,530 I live at 14. Little closer address. 137 00:17:02,630 --> 00:17:04,640 I'm sorry, sir. Your address? Can you share? Yes. Our address is 1424 tucksworth circle here in decatur. 138 00:17:10,190 --> 00:17:14,000 thank you. 30033. A home for everybody in dekalb has been around. 139 00:17:16,580 --> 00:17:16,580 we started way back in 2018, just as an ad hoc group helping to fill some gaps in Homeless services here in dekalb county. 140 00:17:26,210 --> 00:17:26,210 and our first couple of winners, we were helping several churches open up because dekalb County had no cold weather shelters. 141 00:17:35,570 --> 00:17:35,570 when the temperature got below 35 degrees, city of atlanta did another. 142 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:40,760 but four years ago, we incorporated. 143 00:17:44,790 --> 00:17:44,790 we are continuing to work on cold weather shelter, so we collaborate, and we are part of The overall dekalb cac 144 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:53,640 program. But we collaborate right now very closely with the city of decatur and the County on these cold 145 00:18:03,540 --> 00:18:03,540 weather and now warm weather shelters, particularly with frontline response. 146 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:07,920 and our main issue of cold weather is we give out round trip marta tickets to get people Moved out so they can get there. 147 00:18:17,580 --> 00:18:17,580 but we noticed right from the beginning that there were a lot of single women our downtown Streets, who had no 148 00:18:27,450 --> 00:18:27,450 place to stay. And they were walking around with their bags and their suitcases, and we Began a year ago thinking 149 00:18:37,170 --> 00:18:37,170 we need something like a women's dormitory where at least these women have a place during The day, that they can store their stuff and have a 150 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:48,690 secure place at night. That's when we got in touch with georgia works that we knew very well. 151 00:18:54,210 --> 00:18:54,210 and began looking at can we collaborate some way? 152 00:18:59,430 --> 00:18:59,430 georgia works was eager at some point to replicate their men's workforce transition with Women. 153 00:19:08,820 --> 00:19:12,750 and when we approached them, darlene's eyes lit up. And let's look at this. 154 00:19:14,070 --> 00:19:14,070 so with a very sophisticated property management company, good places we started looking Around and we got in 155 00:19:23,940 --> 00:19:23,940 touch with oakhurst baptist church and their affiliated nonprofit. 156 00:19:29,670 --> 00:19:33,330 so we've been exploring this for about six months. Bottom line is we're finalizing mous on how this is going to work. 157 00:19:39,810 --> 00:19:39,810 but as we're starting out a home for everybody in dekalb that already bought a house. 158 00:19:45,750 --> 00:19:48,540 snapfinger road for three and a half years. We bought a house and have three men living there who've been homeless, and we've Transitioning them, so we've got some experience with that. 159 00:19:58,440 --> 00:19:58,440 but our agreement is we're pretty confident we can essentially, after we get all of this Approved early in january, kick off a capital 160 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:08,280 campaign, and we are going to raise the money to finish the renovations that are needing On that house. 161 00:20:15,360 --> 00:20:15,360 we are also going to provide first year operating expenses for georgia works. 162 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:22,440 and I will say we already have pledges for about half of the money that we're going to Need to do the capital campaign on. 163 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:31,080 so we're very, very confident that come january, if we kick this off with georgia works That has been renovating 164 00:20:40,980 --> 00:20:40,980 the oddfellows building in downtown decatur, and they were getting ready to move their Offices and their men's program. 165 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:50,830 they expect to be done with that later in the spring. So as of right now, our target is to get this all renovated and up and running, you know, Around early summertime. 166 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,050 so we will have plenty of time. And last thing I'll say is, to the credit, really appreciate casey and her help in Gathering stuff. 167 00:21:10,180 --> 00:21:10,180 but the oakhurst people who had very, very strong support the last 20 years from the Oakhurst neighbors with their men's program 168 00:21:20,890 --> 00:21:20,890 we very carefully during oakhurst porchfest, we had fliers for all the people in Oakhurst. 169 00:21:30,340 --> 00:21:32,320 hey, here's what we're planning on doing. And the church itself had a town hall meeting the beginning middle of november invited Everybody in the 170 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:45,400 neighborhood to come and hear about it. November 2nd. November 2nd. 171 00:21:47,320 --> 00:21:51,220 so did reach out to the community just to let them know. And I think what I'm hearing not living in oakhurst, but we're very expectant that the Oakhurst neighbors are going to be very supportive 172 00:22:01,180 --> 00:22:01,180 of this and themselves will end up volunteering and being resourced. 173 00:22:06,310 --> 00:22:06,310 so. Thank you. 174 00:22:15,010 --> 00:22:15,010 are there any other audience members who would like to speak in support of the applicant? 175 00:22:20,710 --> 00:22:24,490 I'll say something briefly. My name is jim holmes. 176 00:22:26,650 --> 00:22:26,650 I am a resident of tucker, but I am a member of oakhurst baptist church. 177 00:22:33,670 --> 00:22:36,310 could you just share your street number and street? Oh 3984 foxglove road. 178 00:22:40,750 --> 00:22:43,840 thank you. Right off of brocket road. And I am. 179 00:22:45,610 --> 00:22:45,610 the reason I'm here is not only as a member of oakhurst. 180 00:22:49,690 --> 00:22:53,560 I'm also an employee of the oakhurst center for community. I'm the building manager for the tenants that are operating the building. 181 00:22:59,110 --> 00:22:59,110 and I've also been trying to maintain or keep the get the property ready for renovation. 182 00:23:07,810 --> 00:23:07,810 and so, I've been very intimately involved in the last year in getting the house up to at Least a safe thing. 183 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:17,440 we had a little problem a year ago, and we've gotten that all fixed. 184 00:23:23,980 --> 00:23:23,980 and oakhurst repair repaired that it was a mold issue as what I'll share. 185 00:23:30,820 --> 00:23:30,820 but we've gotten that all straightened out, and so we're ready to move on this. 186 00:23:36,610 --> 00:23:36,610 I'm very excited that we're finally getting this house getting going towards occupancy Because it's been sitting 187 00:23:46,010 --> 00:23:46,010 idle, and I'll just maintain that our I just had, I had some homeless people move in Around the 188 00:23:56,930 --> 00:23:56,930 hvac unit of the church, and I said, it's such a, it's so ironic that we're that we're Asking 189 00:24:06,710 --> 00:24:10,700 them to, to move out of there. And we have this house that is still empty. So, I am very glad that we're finally moving on this and getting, getting advancement on This. 190 00:24:16,100 --> 00:24:18,140 and I hope you'll consider this. Thank you. Thank you. 191 00:24:24,500 --> 00:24:24,500 are there any members of our audience here who would also like to speak in support of the Applicant? 192 00:24:33,860 --> 00:24:33,860 are there any audience members online who wish to speak in support of the applicant. 193 00:24:42,140 --> 00:24:45,560 I'll say something really briefly. Can you all hear me? Okay. 194 00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:50,510 yes. Okay. I'm melanie von caldwell. I'm a pastor of oakhurst, along with ashley robinson, who's also on the call. 195 00:24:56,660 --> 00:24:56,660 and I have been at oakhurst 17 years now and actually was there as an intern 196 00:25:06,350 --> 00:25:06,350 when the men's program first moved into the house next door. 197 00:25:10,940 --> 00:25:10,940 so I just wanted to say that both for the church and for the neighborhood that the Oakhurst recovery program and the men's program 198 00:25:20,750 --> 00:25:20,750 there did, as several people have already said, really enriched our connection to the Community through volunteerism and 199 00:25:31,070 --> 00:25:31,070 a sense of community engagement with the residents who lived there. 200 00:25:36,110 --> 00:25:36,110 and we had totally for all of those years that it functioned positive experiences with That program being on the church 201 00:25:46,100 --> 00:25:46,100 property. So we're very excited for this new opportunity with women and really looking Forward to it and really looking forward to 202 00:25:55,880 --> 00:25:55,880 being in community with the residents of the home as well as continued community with the Oakhurst neighborhood. 203 00:26:02,390 --> 00:26:02,390 so thank you very much for considering this. 204 00:26:06,470 --> 00:26:06,470 thank you. Are there any other members of our online audience who wish to speak in Support of the applicant? 205 00:26:15,470 --> 00:26:19,310 yeah, I will. I would like to second my colleague melanie. I'm ashley robinson, I'm one of the pastors at oakhurst baptist. 206 00:26:23,060 --> 00:26:23,060 and part of my purview is community engagement. 207 00:26:27,230 --> 00:26:27,230 and so I've spent a lot of time getting to know the neighborhood and welcoming folks into Our building. 208 00:26:33,590 --> 00:26:33,590 and part of the reason we are partnering with the oakhurst center for community is so That the community can get involved in our 209 00:26:43,260 --> 00:26:43,260 love for justice and loving our neighbor without religious language attached. 210 00:26:49,890 --> 00:26:49,890 and one place that I have seen that kind of playing out is at the oakhurst porchfest, Where people come into our building. 211 00:26:59,280 --> 00:26:59,280 and the thing that I heard over and over was, I'm so glad y'all are here. 212 00:27:04,590 --> 00:27:04,590 so while I cannot speak for the neighborhood at large I do feel like they would be very Invested in this 213 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:14,400 opportunity to welcome these new neighbors into the neighborhood. 214 00:27:19,620 --> 00:27:19,620 and I think they would be very invested in helping us love them and care for them. 215 00:27:26,010 --> 00:27:26,010 I have seen that in the way that our neighborhood has gotten to know us as a church, and Hopefully we'll continue to get to know us as a center for community. 216 00:27:37,590 --> 00:27:41,550 thank you very much. Any other online participants who wish to speak in support of the applicant? 217 00:27:47,830 --> 00:27:51,750 I would like to just say one brief little bit. My name is laura johnson, and I also am a member of the oak ridge baptist church, but Also the former director of the center 218 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:03,570 for the center for community. And I also wanted to, I wanted to put an exclamation point on everything that's already Been said. 219 00:28:09,870 --> 00:28:09,870 but I also wanted to let you guys know that we did have community involvement and had a Had a meeting that said, you know, just explain to 220 00:28:19,860 --> 00:28:23,340 the neighborhood about what we're going to do. And it was overwhelmingly appreciated and supported. 221 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:31,530 so there was no one there that was against it. And so I just wanted you all to know that, too, that we have done due diligence in trying To let the community know this as well. 222 00:28:39,670 --> 00:28:42,280 in many different avenues. Thank you. Thank you. 223 00:28:50,740 --> 00:28:50,740 are there is there another member of our online audience who wishes to speak in support Of the applicant? 224 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:01,960 hearing none. I think we can then move on to anybody in here present who wishes to speak in opposition To the 225 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:11,760 applicant. No. 226 00:29:17,290 --> 00:29:17,290 okay. That was a pretty easy process of elimination. 227 00:29:23,140 --> 00:29:23,140 is there anybody in our online audience who wishes to speak in opposition to this Application? 228 00:29:32,320 --> 00:29:34,060 no. Okay. That's that would close our public portion, our public forum portion of the meeting. 229 00:29:43,540 --> 00:29:43,540 and now we can have our discussion here amongst the commissioners. 230 00:29:54,850 --> 00:29:54,850 anybody have anything they want to discuss, or any follow up questions? 231 00:30:03,940 --> 00:30:03,940 yeah, I think overall, I mean, I'm in support of both of the proposals, the one regarding Zoning, I do I do have some 232 00:30:13,930 --> 00:30:17,830 proposed language changes, I think. And I'll talk about why. 233 00:30:19,660 --> 00:30:22,060 so, the first the first one, no issues. You know, we have to change the land use and from rl to rm from a zoning standpoint, We're going to change from rl [inaudible] 234 00:30:33,310 --> 00:30:33,310 . So that does change how much? 235 00:30:38,320 --> 00:30:40,690 how big the building can be. It changes setback and it also changes tree canopy coverage. 236 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:48,970 it goes from 60% to 45%. Since the applicant is not seeking to make any external changes, I feel like what I'm Proposing probably would sit very well with them is basically 237 00:30:58,870 --> 00:30:58,870 the setback requirements, those aspects that are the exterior of the building still Comply 238 00:31:08,650 --> 00:31:11,560 with rs 60 or r 60. After we rezone. 239 00:31:13,150 --> 00:31:16,810 so it will be rezoned to allow for the rooming house. But if they were to change the exterior of the building, they have to meet the setbacks Of r 60. 240 00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:23,680 if they were, the lot coverage has to meet their current lot coverage, which is 52.5% per The plat. 241 00:31:32,210 --> 00:31:32,210 they have to maintain that that's actually slightly above what they're allowed, but we'll Just keep it at 52.5 so it doesn't create a non -- what would you call a case. 242 00:31:41,450 --> 00:31:45,190 a nonconforming. Yes. We don't want to create a nonconforming. Yeah, we don't create this. So, rezoning can't be greater than 52.5. 243 00:31:47,860 --> 00:31:47,860 their tree canopy requirement is still 60%. 244 00:31:52,820 --> 00:31:52,820 so that would since we're not looking at rezoning everything on eastlake, everything else Is staying r-6. 245 00:32:00,310 --> 00:32:00,310 yeah, I think this keeps it in character with the rest of the street. 246 00:32:05,120 --> 00:32:05,120 it doesn't really impact their ability to do what they want to do. 247 00:32:10,370 --> 00:32:10,370 and in the event that at some point in the future that the property gets sold, the new Owner has to comply with these conditions that we're setting 248 00:32:19,790 --> 00:32:19,790 here. And so the conditions you're proposing in, in a sense, just maintains the property As if 249 00:32:29,720 --> 00:32:29,720 the structure is the only conforming use in going forward. 250 00:32:35,300 --> 00:32:35,300 yeah. And it doesn't precluding the, yeah, it doesn't say they can't change the Structure. 251 00:32:40,100 --> 00:32:40,100 they just have to meet the setback in size and height requirements of r 60. 252 00:32:45,890 --> 00:32:47,000 yeah, they can still change. I mean, anybody can still change the structure, but they have to meet the setback of our 60 so they don't go from 10ft to 3ft of their next door neighbor. 253 00:32:56,990 --> 00:32:56,990 and then the number of dwelling units grows to a large extent if the building were to be Replaced with another one. 254 00:33:06,290 --> 00:33:06,290 correct. So that's my and casey passed around the, we worked before the meeting to come Up with the right kind of the. 255 00:33:15,160 --> 00:33:17,990 oh, she corrected me. Yeah. I just wanted to make sure. Sometimes we go back and forth with talking through these. 256 00:33:20,990 --> 00:33:23,930 casey was able to put this in print while you were speaking. Yeah. Yeah. It's amazing. 257 00:33:26,540 --> 00:33:27,710 same wavelength. Yeah. It's your pleasure on how you want to do it, but just so you could see the language. 258 00:33:31,580 --> 00:33:31,580 I think sometimes we get caught up in talking about it and crafting it kind of Wordsmith. 259 00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:36,320 yeah, but I think it's a great applaud the applicant for 260 00:33:46,130 --> 00:33:48,650 everything they're doing for the community. Absolutely. I think the proposed use is very well in line with, you know, the mission of Georgia works, the church and the use of the 261 00:33:58,400 --> 00:33:58,400 property and the house in historically. 262 00:34:04,100 --> 00:34:07,130 yeah. Yeah. And I appreciate all the outreach that you guys did. It's a testament that nobody's here in opposition. 263 00:34:09,050 --> 00:34:11,450 yeah. Yeah. Having the meeting on november 2nd was a very positive thing. 264 00:34:15,170 --> 00:34:15,170 and thank you for doing that. 265 00:34:24,920 --> 00:34:24,920 well, I'm fully in support of your proposed conditions on the zoning ordinance? 266 00:34:34,470 --> 00:34:37,050 probably have to be the first ordinance. Yeah. We will. Yeah. Well, I'm not sure you, decatur, some municipalities have ordinances in place that In a single family zoning, there would only be a certain number of unrelated 267 00:34:46,650 --> 00:34:48,540 people being housed. If it's classified as a single family house. 268 00:34:50,940 --> 00:34:50,940 that's my only concern. This this is not classified as a single family house. 269 00:34:54,990 --> 00:34:54,990 so once this rezoning happens and it is for the rooming house, that's exactly what it's For. 270 00:35:01,020 --> 00:35:01,020 it may still look from appearance wise from the street as a single family house. 271 00:35:06,450 --> 00:35:06,450 but technically it is functioning as a what we call a rooming and a boarding home. 272 00:35:13,440 --> 00:35:13,440 but then that's not so looking under the r 60 zoning, and it permits detached houses, Carriage houses, duplexes, walkup flats and civic buildings. 273 00:35:23,640 --> 00:35:25,020 so which one of those is it? No. So they are asking to rezone it from the r 60 to the rm 22. 274 00:35:31,350 --> 00:35:32,580 with those. So that's what john and I worked on, is it's really just setting the footprint. 275 00:35:38,310 --> 00:35:38,310 okay. So we're not we're not saying you're rm 22 and you have to follow all of single Family. 276 00:35:44,580 --> 00:35:46,620 it's just setting the footprint. I misunderstood; I thought you were trying to keep it under 60. 277 00:35:49,040 --> 00:35:50,700 right. I understand if that makes sense. Yeah. The only. Yeah, actually, there's a couple of tweaks to the language that you have In front of you. 278 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:54,480 so the maximum number two, the maximum lot coverage rather than say shall be 53% shall be No greater than 279 00:36:03,870 --> 00:36:07,860 52.5%, which is the current lot coverage for the. And that way we don't want to make somebody have to do to go up to the maximum. 280 00:36:13,080 --> 00:36:15,720 right. So, they want to take out pavement. They can. So shall not exceed 53%. 281 00:36:18,180 --> 00:36:19,230 yeah. Yeah. So we can say shall, shall, shall not exceed 53% or 52.5. 282 00:36:23,100 --> 00:36:25,710 it's, it's we're splitting hairs at that point. So 53 is fine 53? 283 00:36:28,620 --> 00:36:28,620 that's the only change. 284 00:36:33,530 --> 00:36:33,530 all right. 285 00:36:38,980 --> 00:36:38,980 are there any other discussion items, or does anyone wish to say anything more? 286 00:36:49,680 --> 00:36:49,680 I'd like to just ask the applicant if that changed or what we're proposing here. 287 00:36:54,240 --> 00:36:56,070 is that good? This is good. Thank you. 288 00:36:59,700 --> 00:37:01,590 okay. Well, the. With the applicant's acceptance. 289 00:37:04,650 --> 00:37:04,650 are we ready to consider the two ordinance amendments? 290 00:37:15,480 --> 00:37:17,160 yes. Yes. Okay. First, we'll consider the land use plan amendment. 291 00:37:22,920 --> 00:37:22,920 and I'll read the text of it. 292 00:37:28,210 --> 00:37:28,210 this is an ordinance amending the comprehensive land use plan for the property. 293 00:37:33,240 --> 00:37:33,240 whereas the decatur city commission. 294 00:37:39,160 --> 00:37:41,620 yeah. We didn't attach any conditions to that one. So you can just read it from the application. 295 00:37:44,020 --> 00:37:44,020 and then that's the ordinance that will forward to city commission. 296 00:37:48,550 --> 00:37:48,550 so the amendment proposes the land use designation for the property located at 232 east Lake drive and otherwise known as 297 00:37:58,390 --> 00:37:58,390 parcel number 15 212 01066, is changed from rl low residential, low density residential To rm 298 00:38:08,110 --> 00:38:11,830 medium density residential. Do we have a motion to approve the ordinance for the amendment as stated? 299 00:38:17,460 --> 00:38:20,350 move to approve. We have one motion to approve. Do we have a second? Second. 300 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:22,000 okay. All in favor say aye. 301 00:38:26,170 --> 00:38:28,960 aye. Any opposed? None. I believe the amendment passes unanimously. 302 00:38:32,830 --> 00:38:32,830 okay. We'll consider the second amendment, the amendment for the zoning 303 00:38:42,340 --> 00:38:42,340 map. And as we have modified it, it reads as such. 304 00:38:48,790 --> 00:38:48,790 the property located at 232 east lake drive and otherwise known as parcel number 15.212-01066 305 00:38:58,870 --> 00:38:58,870 is rezoned from r 60 single family residential to rm 22 multiple family residential with The following 306 00:39:08,320 --> 00:39:08,320 conditions. Condition one the site setbacks shall be front setback 25ft, side setback ten Feet on the 307 00:39:18,130 --> 00:39:21,430 north side and seven feet on the south side. Rear setback 30ft. 308 00:39:24,200 --> 00:39:25,670 condition two. The maximum lot coverage shall not exceed 53%. 309 00:39:30,770 --> 00:39:32,360 and condition three. Future additions and or improvements shall meet the minimum tree canopy requirements Identified for single family 310 00:39:39,350 --> 00:39:39,350 residential in 9.1.5d1-4. 311 00:39:46,940 --> 00:39:48,270 so moved. I have a motion to accept the amendment as modified. 312 00:39:51,530 --> 00:39:52,910 do we have a second? Second. Second. 313 00:39:55,610 --> 00:39:58,640 all in favor of accepting the amendment? Say aye. Aye. 314 00:40:01,190 --> 00:40:02,390 any opposed? None. So that also passes unanimously. 315 00:40:06,710 --> 00:40:06,710 and that concludes this particular case. 316 00:40:13,340 --> 00:40:16,700 thank you all for your participation tonight. Thank you. Thank you. 317 00:40:18,080 --> 00:40:20,960 and thank you. We can move on to. 318 00:40:22,700 --> 00:40:22,700 thank you to everybody who participated online as well. 319 00:40:26,960 --> 00:40:26,960 georgia works is really grateful for the support. 320 00:40:32,450 --> 00:40:32,450 like I said, you're going to be you're going to be the footprint of what can happen for The rest of atlanta, georgia and the united states. 321 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:44,890 I'm telling you, you're going to be at the footprint. Great. Thank you for all the work you do. 322 00:40:51,800 --> 00:40:51,800 our final piece of business is to announce the date of the next meeting, which will be January 14th, 2020. 323 00:41:00,170 --> 00:41:02,090 currently, we don't have any items. Okay. So we would look forward and ahead to february. 324 00:41:10,430 --> 00:41:13,250 that's correct. And I'll email you as normal. So you know, and then I didn't put it on but I you will be coming off our board. 325 00:41:19,850 --> 00:41:22,490 correct. That's right. Two of us. So, greg and rachel will be leaving this board. 326 00:41:25,610 --> 00:41:25,610 their terms are up, so I want to thank them for all their hard work, their time, their Dedication. 327 00:41:36,380 --> 00:41:36,380 one last time and I wish rachel could be here with me because she's put in her 328 00:41:45,800 --> 00:41:45,800 time and efforts, and we basically came in together and we're leaving together. 329 00:41:55,130 --> 00:41:56,450 she's been a wonderful colleague. It has been an honor to serve the city of decatur. 330 00:42:01,940 --> 00:42:01,940 and meet all of the commissioners who preceded me and all the commissioners who are now Moving 331 00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:15,710 this board forward after my departure. Thank you all for volunteering your time and expertise. 332 00:42:21,450 --> 00:42:21,450 the city is always very well served by the citizens who volunteer for the planning Commission. 333 00:42:28,170 --> 00:42:28,170 and thank you to all of the applicants who have passed through this room in the last six Years. 334 00:42:33,270 --> 00:42:35,370 we've had such fun. Yeah, we've had some very interesting hearings. 335 00:42:39,870 --> 00:42:39,870 it's a very vigorous, robust hearings. 336 00:42:46,110 --> 00:42:46,110 we've heard many different points of view and it just shows the health of our community When so many people are willing to come out and voice 337 00:42:56,070 --> 00:42:56,070 their thoughts and visions for what our future shall be. 338 00:43:00,420 --> 00:43:02,760 so thank you all for that. I appreciate having been able to be here. 339 00:43:06,930 --> 00:43:10,170 thanks. Thank you, thank you. All right. So, with that, I think we can bring this meeting to the to a close and Adjourn. 340 00:43:17,400 --> 00:43:17,400 oh, there we go. Good night.