Commission Meeting Tuesday, January 16, 2024 02:00 PM Commission Chamber

INVOCATION

• Pastor Claude Harris, Sr., New Life Worship Center

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

RECOGNITION(S)

• A.Congratulations! 2023 November and December Years of Service (YOS) 25–50-year recipients. 

DELEGATION(S)

• B.Mr. Bob Young to discuss the appearance of the city.

• C.Mr. Gregory R. St Ville regarding Keep Augusta Moving 2024; transit and sidewalk.

CONSENT AGENDA

(Items 1-19)

PLANNING

• 1.Z-23-41 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to DENY a petition by Johnathan Thomas on behalf of Demure Properties, LLC requesting a rezoning from zone R-1B (One-family Residential) to zone R-2 (Two-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 0.2 acres located at 2005 Grand Boulevard. Tax Map 072-2-037-00-0. DISTRICT 2

• 2.Z-23-51 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE petition by Carmela Ann Thomas requesting a rezoning from zone R-1C (One-family Residential) and R-MH (Manufactured Home Residential) to zone R-MH (Manufactured Home Residential) affecting property containing approximately 0.33 acres located at 2802 April Drive. Tax Map #094-0-367-00-0.

• 3.Z-23-52 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE petition by Patrick Wells on behalf of PLM of Augusta Properties, LLC, requesting to remove condition number 7 of previously adopted zoning case Z-21-18, which limits the use of the property to a landscaping business only and restricts storage of landscaping-related materials, affecting property containing approximately 10.67 acres located at 2930 Milledgeville Road. Tax Map 070-4-100-00-0.

• 4.Z-23-53 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE petition by Tasha Madison on behalf of Standard Leverett requesting a rezoning from zone R-1A (One-family Residential) to zone R-MH (Manufactured Home Residential) affecting property containing approximately 0.4 acres located at 2016 Merritt Road. Tax Map #055-4-053-01-0.

• 5.SE-23-06 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to DENY petition by Arvind Patel on behalf of Reray Properties, LLC requesting a Special Exception to establish a liquor store per Section 21-2(c) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance affecting property containing approximately 0.29 acres located at 3107 Deans Bridge Road. Zoned B-1 (Neighborhood Business). Tax Map #096-2-205-00-0.

• 6.SE-23-09 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE petition by Brian Byler on behalf of David A. Duffie requesting a Special Exception to construct a private recreational facility per Section 26-1(i) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance affecting properties containing approximately 10.57 acres located at 3805, 3807, and 3819 Wrightsboro Road. Zoned R-3B (Multiple-family Residential). Tax Map #039-0-019-00-0, 040-0-109-00-0 and 040-0-110-00-0.

• 7.SE-23-10 – A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE petition by Rimrock Development Holdings on behalf of Patricia M Reece requesting a Special Exception to construct an extended stay hotel per Section 22-2(d) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance affecting property containing approximately 3.7 acres located at 3731-Wheeler Road. Zoned B-2 (General Business). Tax Map #030-0-230-06-0.

• 8.A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE with conditions a petition by Realty One Group Visionaries on behalf of Laney Walker Development Corporation requesting a rezoning from zone R-1C (One-family Residential) and LI (Light Industrial) to PUD (Planned Unit Development) affecting properties containing approximately 22.21 acres located at 1312, 1314, 1408 and 1409 Steiner Avenue and 1733 Mill Street. Tax Map #059-3-001-00-0, 059-3-029-00-0, 059-3-028-00-0, 059-3-027-00-0 and 059-3-026-00-0

• 9.A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE with conditions this petition by Peter Tuchyna on behalf of Imani Willingham requesting a rezoning from zone R-1 (One-family Residential) to zone R-1B (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 1.41 acres located at 3957 and 3959 Carolyn Street. Tax Map #051-0-251-00-0 and 051-0-252-00-0.

• 10.A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE with conditions this petition by Jonathan Thomas on behalf of Thoai Duy Tu requesting a rezoning from zone R-1C (One-family Residential) to zone R-3C (Multiple-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 0.19 acres located at 1377 Wrightsboro Road. Tax Map #059-1-087-00-0

• 11.A request for concurrence with the Augusta Planning Commission to APPROVE with conditions this petition by Chuck Warbington on behalf of Susan Hardwick requesting a rezoning from zone R-1A (One-family Residential), B-2 (General Business), and LI (Light Industrial) to zone R-1E (One-family Residential) affecting property containing approximately 35.57 acres located at 2014 and 2020 North Leg Road, 1904 and 1914 Wylds Road and 2041 Gordon Highway. Tax Map #055-0-005-00-0, 055-0-005-04-0, 055-0-005-01-0, 055-0-005-02-0 and 069-0-004-00-0.

PUBLIC SERVICES

• 12.Motion to approve New Ownership (Existing Location): A.N. 24-2: A request by Jason K. Shepherd for an on-premises consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Fishbowl Lounge located at 2248 Lumpkin Rd. There will be Dance. District 5. Super District 9.(Approved by Public Services Committee January 8, 2024)

• 13.Motion to approve New Ownership (Existing Location): A.N. 24-3: A request by Lanell Demmons for an on-premises consumption Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Chuck E Cheese located at 3435 Wrightsboro Rd.  There will be Sunday Sales and Kids Arcade.  District 5. Super District 9.(Approved by Public Services Committee January 8, 2024)

• 14.Discussion:  A request by Catrina E. Anderson for a Massage Operator’s License to be used in connection with Beyond Body Massage located at 1835 Central Ave.  District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 8, 2024)

• 15.Motion to approve tasking the Administrator with organizing a tour in the next 60 days of various neighborhoods such as Harrisburg, Laney-Walker and other areas that commissioners may suggest and that commissioners, representatives from Code Enforcement and Engineering Department, the Fire Chief, officials in Magistrate Court and anyone else deemed necessary to be there to see the bad conditions of where people are living in the properties owned by slumlords and absentee property owners throughout the county. (Approved by Public Services Committee January 8, 2024)

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

• 16.Approve setting the qualifying fees for the local elected offices for 2024 Elections (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 8, 2024)

• 17.Motion to approve a contract with Holland & Knight LLP for State Lobbying and Legislative Representation Services (22-300) for a total not to exceed $102,000.00 for 2024. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee January 8, 2024)

FINANCE

• 18.Motion to approve beginning the process for the Commission to receive quarterly reports from the Finance Department regarding statements of general fund dollars and how they are spent. (Approved by Finance Committee January 8, 2024)

PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

• 19.Motion to approve the minutes of the Commission regular meeting held January 2, 2024 and Special Called Meeting held January 8, 2024.

****END CONSENT AGENDA****
AUGUSTA COMMISSION

AUGUSTA COMMISSION
REGULAR AGENDA

(Items 20-24)

PUBLIC SERVICES

• 20.Discuss security, licensing and even possible closing Smart Grocery on Wrightsboro Road after several shootings which a few have been fatal. (Requested by Commissioner Catherine McKnight)

• 21.New Location:  A.N. 24-1:  A request by Jacqueline V. Stephenson for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Family Dollar #21675 located at 2510 Tobacco Rd.  District 4. Super District 9. (Referred from Public Services on January 8, 2024 with no recommendation)

PUBLIC SAFETY

• 22.Motion to approve acceptance of $387,569.00 in new funding and carry over approximately $471,710,00 from ARPA2023.

• 23.Motion to approve the BISDigital sole source bid in the amount of $41,269.76 for the Augusta Judicial Circuit’s Jury Assembly room AV system.

LEGAL MEETING

  A.  Pending and Potential Litigation

  B.   Real Estate

  C.   Personnel

• 24.Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act.