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Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, City of Harlem, GA                    Page 1

February 5, 2008

Harlem City Hall

The Planning & Zoning Commission met for a meeting at Harlem City Hall on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. with Chairman Bobby Culpepper presiding.

Present:  COMMISSION:  Chairman Bobby Culpepper, Vice-Chairman Dale Arnold, Commissioner B. J. Cunningham, Commissioner Tim Farr, and Commissioner Franklin Jennings; STAFF:  City Manager Jean R. Dove, City Attorney Steven Brown, Clerk Penny Salley and Planning & Zoning Clerk Jerry Campbell; VISITORS:  Sam and Linda Jones, Ed Williamson, James Thomas, Jr., Melonie Dappie, Virginia Hoffman, Dan Lindbom, Daniel Cason and Phil Turner.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Culpepper at 7:00 p.m.

The Invocation was given by Commissioner Arnold.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Culpepper.

Approval of December 10, 2007 Minutes:  Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve the Minutes of the December 10, 2007 meeting; that motion was made by Commissioner Jennings; 2^nd by Vice-Chairman Arnold.  Motion carried; all in favor.

Rezoning Requests:

• Samuel R. Jones-515/525 N. Louisville Street, Map and Parcel H02 025, Zoning Change from B-1 Business District to R-2 Residential:  Proposed usage is for Duplex Apartments.  Chairman Culpepper recognized P&Z Clerk Jerry Campbell to address the Commission.  Mr. Campbell presented the request of Mr. Jones stating that this property was formerly an antiques store and that Mr. Jones is requesting to have the zoning changed from business to residential in order to be able to use the property as a duplex apartment.  Chairman Culpepper asked if Mr. Jones would like to address the Commission.  Mr. Jones stated that he had received numerous calls on the property for rent as commercial, but in talking with other citizens of the City he found that there was more of a need for residential buildings than commercial.  This brought about his request.  The building had previously been a triplex; there has been a wall removed and is currently two units; one is 800 sq. ft. and the other is 1600 sq. ft.  The building had previously been zoned residential until Mr. Guy Fleming had it changed to business when he used it for office space.  Mr. Jones stated that he would go along with whatever the Commission decided; that it did not make a difference.  Chairman Culpepper asked for any opposition to the request; being none, Chairman Culpepper called for a motion for a recommendation to Council.  Commissioner Farr made the motion to recommend to Council to grant the request of Samuel Jones to change the zoning of 515/525 N. Louisville Street

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, City of Harlem, GA                 Page 2

February 5, 2008

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Rezoning Requests (cont’d):

• Samuel Jones (cont’d):  from B-1 Business District to R-2 Residential District; 2^nd by Commissioner Cunningham.  Motion carried; all in favor.

• William E. Williamson-370 W. Milledgeville Road, Map and Parcel H03 139, Zoning Change from R1-A Residential to B-3 Commercial:  Proposed usage is for a Used Auto Sales Lot, with conditional use as residential for a period of one year.  This will be for the relocation of Danz Carz from 444 W. Milledgeville Road to 370 W. Milledgeville Road.  Mr. Williamson addressed the Commission stating that his intent is to continue what Dan Lindbom started.  Mr. Lindbom addressed the Commission at this time.  He spoke on his history in Harlem and the support he has given to the local businesses, etc.  Their intent is to comply with any aesthetics required by the City.  They will be a smaller operation; 12-20 cars.  The front of the lot will replicate main street; privacy fencing will be used along the back and anything needed for Ms. Hoffman as well.  His intent is to add to the City not take away; to be a good neighbor.  There are other businesses surrounding the area.  The house will be renovated into an office for the business.  Mr. Williamson is currently residing at the property and will vacate upon approval of the change.  The lighting for the light will be similar to Larry’s; the lights will shine on the cars not on the area residents.  Chairman Culpepper informed Mr. Lindbom about the upcoming vote to be taken on the Historic District and that a moratorium was currently in place on the issuance of permits.  He will have to go before HPC for approval.  Mr. Lindbom stated he was aware that something was up coming and was willing to comply with what was necessary.  City Attorney Brown had some questions on the plats and descriptions of the property in question.  He wanted to know that when the property was purchased was a new plat and description done; their attorney used the existing legal descriptions.  The normal or standard procedure is to have one with a new description.  City Attorney Brown also stated that his understanding is that there are two issues before the Commission:  re-zoning and conditional use permit.  It was pointed out that residential use is not a permitted conditional use for B-3 zoning.  The guidelines for car dealerships are addressed in section 152.069 of the code.  Mr. Lindbom stated that Mr. Williamson will only be a resident of the property until permission or approval of the request is made and when the house becomes an office it will no longer be a residence and he will vacate the property.  Chairman Culpepper asked if there was anyone else who would like to address the Commission.  Virginia Hoffman of 350 W. Milledgeville (property adjacent to) asked to speak in opposition to the request.  She stated that she has been a resident for 67 years and she does not approve of the re-zoning request.  She has spoken with others and they would not like to live next to a car lot either.  She has spoken with Mr. Lindbom and stated that he should have never left his prior place of

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Rezoning Requests (cont’d):

• William E. Williamson (cont’d):  business and felt that he would not want a car lot next to his home either.  Mrs. Hoffman expressed her thanks to the Commission for their consideration of her request to not grant the request.  Chairman Culpepper asked for any discussion from the Commission.  The area is predominantly commercial and is listed as such in the Comprehensive plan.  There is no legal reason to deny the request.  Chairman Culpepper called for a motion for a recommendation to Council.  Commissioner Cunningham made the motion to make the recommendation to Council to grant the request to re-zone the property at 370 W. Milledgeville Road from R1-A Residential to B-3 Commercial; 2^nd by Vice-Chairman Arnold.  Motion carried; all in favor.  Chairman Culpepper informed Mr. Lindbom again about the HPC vote and going to them for approval for any changes to the home

Council will vote on these two items at the February 14, 2008 Council meeting.

Being no further business before the Commission, Chairman Culpepper adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra E. Moore

City Clerk

As taken by Clerk Penny Salley and recorded by digital voice recorder.