Public Hearing: YES ☒ NO ☐ Department: Planning & Sustainability
SUBJECT:
Title
COMMISSION DISTRICT(S): Commission District 02 Super District 06
Application of Ryan Jones, PE to rezone properties from O-I (Office Institutional) (conditional) to NS (Neighborhood Shopping) Zoning District to allow construction of a medical office with a drive-through, at 1799 Clairmont Road.
Body
PETITION NO: N4. Z-22-1245545 (2022-1472)
PROPOSED USE: Medical office with a drive-through.
LOCATION: 1799 Clairmont Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033
PARCEL NO. : 18-103-03-017, 18-103-03-018
INFO. CONTACT: Brandon White, Planning Manager
PHONE NUMBER: 404-371-2155
PURPOSE:
Application of Ryan Jones, PE to rezone properties from O-I (Office Institutional) (conditional) to NS (Neighborhood Shopping) Zoning District to allow construction of a medical office with a drive-through. The property is located on the east side of Clairmont Road opposite Mason Mill Road at 1799 and 1805 Clairmont Road in Decatur, Georgia. The property has approximately 200 feet of frontage along Clairmont Road and contains 0.64 acre.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Denial.
PLANNING COMMISSION: Two-Cycle Deferral.
PLANNING STAFF: Two-Cycle Deferral.
STAFF ANALYSIS: The NS (Neighborhood Shopping) Zoning District request and the proposed use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The intent of the Commercial Redevelopment Corridor (CRC) Character Area is to “promote the redevelopment of declining commercial corridors and to improve the function and aesthetic appeal of more stable commercial corridors.” CRC commercial zoning options include: OI (Office-Institutional), OIT (Office-Institutional-Transitional), NS (Neighborhood Shopping), C-1 (Light Commercial), C-2 (General Commercial), and OD (Office-Distribution). The proposed rezoning would facilitate redevelopment of the subject properties and provide medical services that are consistent with the character of uses in the vicinity. Moreover, if approved, the rezoning proposal aligns with a number of CRC character area guidelines including streetscape enhancements along its frontage, improved signage, and contemporary building design. The appropriateness of a drive-through use at this location is unclear at this time. The site may accommodate the proposed use, in a traditional manner, however, a centralized drive-through feature may exacerbate some of the site development challenges that exist. The proposal has a number of zoning compliance deficiencies (buffers, loading/stacking, drive-through supplemental regulations, etc.) that need to be address in conjunction with access management concerns and internal circulation issues. Additionally, stormwater management needs to be contemplated as part of the redevelopment proposal. More details regarding these concerns may alleviate some of the concerns raised by community members. Staff recommends a “Two-Cycle Deferral to the September 2022 zoning agenda”. However, in the event this proposal is approved, the Department of Planning and Sustainability recommends the attached conditions.
PLANNING COMMISSION VOTE: Two-Cycle Deferral 5-0-2. Jana Johnson moved, Gwendolyn McCoy seconded for a Two-Cycle Deferral to the September 2022 zoning agenda, per Staff recommendation. Lauren Blaszyk and Edward Patton abstained.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL VOTE/RECOMMENDATION: Denial 10-0-0. CC-2 board voted for denial because the use is "vehicle-based", the site plan does not incorporate buffers, and there were neighborhood concerns about traffic and congestion.