Public Hearing: YES ☒ NO ☐ Department: Planning & Sustainability
SUBJECT:
Title
COMMISSION DISTRICT(S): 5 & 7
Application of JVCL, LLC to request a rezoning from R-85 (Residential Medium Lot-85) to C-1 (Local Commercial) District to allow a range of commercial uses, at 5021 Covington Highway.
Body
PETITION NO: N9. Z-21-1244398 2020-1541
PROPOSED USE: To Be Determined
LOCATION: 5021 Covington Highway, Decatur, GA 30035
PARCEL NO. : 15-162-04-007
INFO. CONTACT: Brandon White, Current Planning Manager
PHONE NUMBER: 404-371-2155
PURPOSE:
Application of JVCL, LLC to request a rezoning from R-85 (Residential Medium Lot-85) to C-1 (Local Commercial) District to allow a range of commercial uses. The applicant is seeking commercial zoning of the subject property in order to renovate the existing structure and redevelop the site for commercial use. The applicant has not declared a specific land use or concept plan. However, the applicant states in the letter of intent, “[t]he intended use of the property will be consistent with the allowed land use outlined in the DeKalb County Code of Ordinance, including minor automobile service, offices, and retail.”
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Approval with conditions.
PLANNING COMMISSION: Approval with conditions.
PLANNING STAFF: Approval with conditions.
STAFF ANALYSIS: The C-1 (Local Commercial) Zoning District request or a less intense commercial zoning classification (i.e. NS (Neighborhood Shopping), OI (Office-Institutional), OIT (Office-Institutional-Transitional)) would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Suburban Character Area Policy 3 states, “non-residential development in suburban areas shall be limited to small-scale convenience goods/services to meet the needs of the surrounding residents. Small scale nonresidential development shall be limited to qualifying intersections (collector roadway and above).” C-1 zoning presents a wide latitude of uses, however, lot size and applicable zoning development standards will limit the intensity of most redevelopment options. Moreover, the subject property could be a catalyst for the development of a residential office corridor as other older residential structures along this portion of Covington Highway are converted to commercial use and/or as infill development comes along.
PLANNING COMMISSION VOTE: Approval with Conditions 9-0-0. Approval with staff recommended conditions along with an amendment to condition #4 to include the following prohibited uses: pawn shops, tattoo parlors, check cashing establishments, adult entertainment business, title pawn and payday loan establishments, dollar stores and night clubs.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOTE/RECOMMENDATION: Approval with Conditions 9-0-0. Approval with the condition that no auto/truck repair, sales, or service; alcohol outlet; convenience store; or gas station uses be allowed.