ACC AGENDA SETTING MEETING - OCTOBER 15, 2002

Notes from discussions of agenda items for the November 6th Business Meeting

CONSENT AGENDA:

#3 SPLOST project resolution and description - Athens Multimodal Transportation Center, approval of funds.
Commissioner Jordan removed this item from the consent agenda to the discussion agenda. He will be examining the plans more closely and talking to experts over the next couple of weeks. He will probably have comments to make and he does not think that there has been enough discussion on the project to reach any conclusions.

#4 SPLOST 2000 #14 - Project description, bid, and award of Memorial Park Operations Center.
Commissioner Jordan asked to move this item to the business (discussion) agenda because of the large amount of money involved but it was kept on the consent agenda.

#6 Memorandum of Understanding between ACC and UGA for hazardous materials response team services. (ACC firemen make up the Haz-Mat team)
Commissioner Jordan asked why the police are not part of the Haz-Mat team instead of only firemen. Police could respond to general emergencies with training. Manager Reddish replied that firehouse emergency management traditionally handle these calls and that enough firemen will be in reserve to respond to community emergencies. In addition, complications and confusion could arise if two departments (police and fire) are on the team. Commissioner Jordan replied that the police would be able to respond more quickly to emergencies. Commissioner Barrow asked if UGA will reciprocate in supporting accidents off campus.

#10 Items to discuss with local legislative delegation at work session on 11/12:
Item D. Discuss payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) by UGA (Ford)
Commissioner Barrow: We may want to explore having UGA repay ACC "in kind" by helping out in other ways besides money. Commissioner Barrow stated that two items that he presented were not put on the list.
#10 was placed on the discussion agenda.

NEW BUSINESS AGENDA:

#13 Request from Bogart and Winterville for funding assistance for LARP projects within their jurisdictions (It appears that LARP is a program to obtain state money for local road improvements) $50,000 will come from ACC contingency funds.
Commissioner McCarter asked why the funds they are asking for were not included in the LARP funding.
Manager Reddish replied that this is for prep work not covered by LARP. Winterville applied for and received their own money from LARP because they are a rural municipality but they still need to get the prep work done.
Commissioner Jordan stated that the improvements they are targeting were ranked low in priority on the ACC list and he asked what roads will we be taking money from to do the Winterville roads now. He would like this information before the vote. Commissioner Kirkpatrick asked if Winterville is seeking enhancements of their roads over other ACC roads. ACC representative replied that DOT made the assessments on the improvement priorities.

#14 Bids on fire apparatus, recommendation to be made before 11/6.
Commissioner Jordan had concerns about the bidding process and now has more info he would like to share. Gwinnett County has not bought a "custom" apparatus since 1996 and they have many more purchases (ACC plans to purchase new "custom" pumpers). Our exact specifications leave little room for saving money. The low bid is over the expected cost and will be more than $300,000/pumper. Can some of the current pumpers with lower mileage be upgraded? Commissioner Barrow asked why ACC can't get the options we need in a production assembly model, why only in a custom. This would save money.

#15 Support of ACC resolution with reference to undermining the tax system. (the Governor wants to cap all property tax increases at 5%, ACC is not happy)
Mayor Eldridge: This is election year politicking. Commissioner Barrow: The tax directive is in response to not keeping up with the homestead exemption. There has been a substantial shift of tax liability from commercial to residential properties in recent years making it more difficult to make the homestead exemption equable.
Commissioner Kirkpatrick: County control over taxes is being undermined by this type of legislation. The counties need control over property taxes.

PLANNING AND ZONING AGENDA:

#16 Request to rezone from E-I (Employment Industrial) to AR (Agricultural Residential) on 289 acres on Spring Valley Road. Proposed use is a conservation subdivision.
Planning Department (Brad): The property was zoned AR before the Land Use Plan (1992). The owners have a contract pending for a residential purpose. Staff does not recommend the change but the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. The change is not in compliance with the Land Use Plan and industrial development is surrounding most of the property. Recommended changes include a redesign of the residential plan as a conservation subdivision with a large property buffer due to the concerns about the neighboring industrial zone. In addition, no minor subdivision of property will be allowed in the future.

Commissioner Chasteen asked for particulars on the conservation subdivision. Answer: 50% of the land will be undeveloped with 250 units planned for the other 50%. 70% of the open space must be contiguous although this can mean that the contiguous areas can meander throughout the property and can be used for a buffer around the property.

Commissioner Ford: I thought that the change to the zoning was simultaneous with a Land Use change.
Brad: Another motion is needed to change the Land Use Plan but this must be done when the zoning is changed.

Commissioner McCarter asked if residential development at this site is shortsighted and if ACC is compromising future economic development by changing the zoning. He also questioned whether we are scrutinizing conservation subdivisions closely enough.

Commissioner Barrow stated that contiguous open space is a joke and that there is no respect being given to preserving the natural aspects of the land. In addition, this zoning change comprises more than 7% of the economic zoning and he asked if we are selling out now instead of waiting for a high-end economic development.

Commissioner Jordan thought this is a good area for residential development since there is water and sewer, a nearby school, many good access roads, and some residents may even work in the nearby industrial areas. There is already a conservation subdivision nearby and the neighboring properties on one side are already rezoned AR.

Commissioner Carter: It is a good idea to have people living where they are working.

Mayor Eldridge asked to see the 1992 rezone vote to E-I and also a record of the property taxes (E-I vs. AR) before the November voting meeting.

Brad pointed out that there is a large pond in the middle of the property that limits the potential for industrial development.

Commissioner Barrow stated that without making some provisions the zoning change would revert to pre-1992 restrictions on the property (no restrictions).

#19 Request by American Tower/Verizon Wireless for special use on 23 acres at 3190 Atlanta Hwy. to construct a telecommunications tower. (planning commission recommendation is to deny)
Brad: There did not seem to be a need for more coverage in this area. The tower is designed to improve cell phone service in residences. Planning is concerned about the high visual impact from the Atlanta Hwy. Mayor Eldridge: Is there a "crumple" zone as was decided previously for new towers? Brad: There is not a "crumple" zone (room for the tower to fall) because it is planned in the middle of a shopping center. Commissioner Jordan thought that if 3 communications companies are buying into the tower it must be needed. This area is already ugly with numerous billboards and transmission lines so it would be a good place for another tower. He also thought there is no real danger from collapse since towers are strong and are designed to fall inward.

#23 Proposed text amendment to zoning with reference to planned development "Sunset Clause" provision. There will be a gap in PD zoning from 12/20 to 2/7/03. Commissioner Barrow expressed concern about the open loophole in development zoning during this period. Recommendation is to approve.