Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, City of Harlem, GA Page 1
March 4, 2008
Harlem City Hall
The Planning & Zoning Commission met for a hearing at Harlem City Hall on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. with Chairman Bobby Culpepper presiding.
Present: COMMISSION: Chairman Bobby Culpepper, Vice-Chairman Dale Arnold, Commissioner B.J. Cunningham, and Commissioner Franklin Jennings; STAFF: City Manager Jean R. Dove, City Clerk Debra E. Moore, City Attorney Steven Brown, and P & Z Clerk Jerry Campbell; ABSENT: Commissioner Tim Farr; VISITORS: Fred Fischer, Angela Lokey, Joe Lokey, Jerry Hogan, and Duane Starrenburg.
The hearing was called to order by Chairman Culpepper at 7:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Commissioner Cunningham.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Culpepper.
Approval of January 8, 2008 and February 5, 2008 Minutes: Chairman Culpepper pointed out a typographical error on page two of the February 5, 2008 minutes. The correction is to change “be for HPC for approval” to “before HPC for approval”. Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve the Minutes of the January 8, 2008 and February 5, 2008 meetings after the correction is made; that motion was made by Commissioner Cunningham; 2nd by Vice-Chairman Arnold. Motion carried; all in favor.
Request for Conditional Use Permit-Joe and Angela Lokey: P&Z Clerk Campbell presented the request to the Commission. The request is for the property located at 280 W. Forrest Street. The property is currently zoned R1-A; the request is for the zoning to remain R1-A with a conditional use permit for a personal care home.
Chairman Culpepper recognized Angela and Joe Lokey and asked them to address the Commission with further information. Mrs. Lokey reported that the property would house six clients and that her and Mr. Lokey would reside there as well. In order to meet state guidelines there was some construction to be done; this is on going. The parking area is adequate and would accommodate four to six vehicles at one time (visitation). They normally service clients with dementia or Alzheimer’s; they can not be bed ridden, but they must be supervised. The clients may or may not be elderly. There will be a registered nurse that will come in monthly to check on the clients. Medications will be monitored but not administered.
Chairman Culpepper opened the floor for any support or opposition from the visitors. Being none, he asked for any advice from City Attorney Brown. Mr. Brown stated that he had no opposition that the request was within the guidelines for conditional use under the R1-A zoning. Chairman Culpepper stated that this request would not have to go before Council for approval that the decision the Commission makes is the final
Planning & Zoning Commission Hearing, City of Harlem, GA Page 2
March 4, 2008
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Request for Conditional Use Permit (cont’d):
decision. P&Z Clerk Campbell did report that if the Lokey’s moved or closed the home that it would automatically revert back to R1-A Residential only.
As there was no further discussion, Chairman Culpepper called for a motion on the request. Commissioner Jennings made the motion to approve the request for the conditional use permit for a personal care home; 2nd by Commissioner Cunningham. Motion carried; all in favor.
Monthly Meetings: Chairman Culpepper presented this to the Commission. He had had a conversation with Mr. Campbell pertaining to setting up a regular monthly meeting to avoid having a meeting several times a month. The Commission discussed several times. City Manager Dove stated that due to the Council meeting on the third Monday of the month it would be advantageous to have the meeting date set prior to that time in the event there is a recommendation that needs approval/disapproval by Council. There was a question on whether the deadlines for advertising could be met; the advertising has to be done 15-45 days prior to the meeting and felt that this would be fine. When the applications are made, we would now be able to inform applicants of the exact date when it would go before the Commission. It was decided that the meetings would be held on the second Tuesday of the month, except for April. Due to falling during Masters Week and the Chairman and Clerk being unavailable that week, the meeting will be scheduled for the third Tuesday in April at 7 p.m. The Commission was in agreement.
Being no further business before the Commission, Chairman Culpepper closed the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk