MINUTES
CITY OF SUGAR HILL
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020 – 7:00 PM
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5039 WEST BROAD STREET
SUGAR HILL, GA. 30518
OFFICE: 770-945-6734
WORK SESSION: 6:45 PM
Present were: Chairman Jeremy White, Vice Chairman Julie Adams, Commission Member Jason Jones, Phil Olsen and Rosemary Walsh. Also present were: Planning Director Kaipo Awana, City Attorney Frank Hartley and Planning Technician Kimberly B. Landers.
CALL TO ORDER at 7:03 pm led by Chairman Jeremy White.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG led by Chairman Jeremy White.
ELECT CHAIRMAN, VICE CHAIRMAN, AND SECRETARY FOR 2020
Commission Member Rosemary Walsh nominated Jeremy White for Chairman. There were no other nominations. Commission Member Phil Olsen made the second. Motion approved 5-0.
Chairman Jeremy White nominated Julie Adams for Vice Chairman. There were no other nominations. Commission Member Jason Jones made the second. Motion approved 5-0.
Chairman Jeremy White nominated Kim Landers for Secretary. There were no other nominations. Vice Chairman Julie Adams made the second. Motion approved 5-0.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Commission Member Rosemary Walsh made a motion to approve the agenda. Vice Chairman Julie Adams made the second. Motion approved 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of the January 21, 2020 minutes as written.
Vice Chairman Julie Adams made a motion to approve the January 21, 2020 minutes as written. Commission Member Jason Jones made the second. Motion approved 4 for, 1 abstained (Chairman Jeremy White).
NEW BUSINESS
- RZ-20-001 PUBLIC HEARING Primrose Creek – Change in conditions.
Planning Director Kaipo Awana went over the staff recommendation for the change in the existing conditions to the Primrose Creek Subdivision. Kaipo Awana indicated that this requested change was not an attempt by the developer to get more lots. This was thought through with the City and developer, after further consideration it was determined that the additional entrance off South Richland Creek Road could allow more cut through traffic of heavy trucks and therefore was not in the best interest for the residents of Primrose Creek Development nor the citizens of Sugar Hill. The Public Hearing was opened. Citizens and guest who spoke included; Gilberto Canino, Dina Rodriguez, James Danser, Edward McGrail, Juan Maisonet, Jennifer Somero, Jeffrey Frankish, Todd Morillo, Jay Petillo, Junior Maloney, Kathryn Furgeson, and citizens and guest that registered comments but did not speak included; Min Trinh and Ann Bui, Oscar Murillo, and Ana Rios. Comments included not wanting the third access through the subdivision to connect to South Richland Creek Road, there were concerns with the proposed trail, location and maintenance of proposed trail/greenway. There was also support for the building of the greenway. Since Hillcrest Drive was opened up by the Developer in the new phases, there has been more through traffic, strange people on foot cutting through the ROW area from South Richland Creek Road, more crime/home invasions, suspicious activity, excessive speeding which raises safety issues, thru traffic not stopping at the stop sign at the three way at Hillcrest Road and Primrose Park Road, and damage to the streets. The Public Hearing was temporarily closed and Planning Director Kaipo Awana indicated the map was not intended to be “current to date” but was provided to show the area of the ROW on Hillcrest Road to South Richland Creek Road. The police issues with suspicious activity, cutting through from South Richland Creek, and other traffic issues can all be discussed with Major Greg Adams out of the North Precinct who attends the Sugar Hill Council Meetings. Mr. Adams is very responsive to concerns of this nature and can coordinate additional patrols in the area. The developer has obligations to meet with the current conditions as written which includes installing the road through to South Richland Creek Road, the City has determined these changes in conditions as proposed by staff to be in the best interest of the residents of Primrose Creek Subdivision as well as the city has a whole. The greenway is already in the planning stages and will be constructed, the city is not going to build something unsafe to the residents of Sugar Hill, but the exact location has not been determined at this time. The public hearing was reopened and there was more discussion from the citizens and guest on the same topics of concern. The public hearing was closed. Commission Member Phil Olsen made a motion to approve the change in conditions as recommended by staff with one change; condition #21, fourth (4th) sentence which shall read; “The trail shall connect the city right-of-way to the most logical termini along South Richland Creek Road due west and the total trail length shall not exceed 3,900 feet.” All other changes in conditions are to the be the same as recommended by staff. Vice Chairman Julie Adams made the second. Motion approved 4 for, 1 against (Chairman Jeremy White).
OLD BUSINESS
- Public Hearing ZOA-2019-003 Short term rentals – Moratorium until 3-31-20. Tabled from December Planning Commission, January City Council, and January Planning Commission.
Planning Director Kaipo Awana indicated that staff’s recommendation was to table this request indicating no immediate plans to bring it back. Chairman Jeremy White made a motion to table this request. Vice Chairman Julie Adams made the second. Motion approved 5-0.
Public Hearing ZOA 2019-004 Tobacco, Vape and Cannabidiol sales – Moratorium until 3-31-20. Tabled from January City Council.
Planning Director Kaipo Awana went over the staff recommendation for approval. The public hearing was opened. Chairman Jeremy White excused himself from the meeting at 8:50 pm. The public hearing was closed, there were no public comments. Commission Member Jason Jones made a motion to approve this request as recommended by staff. Commission Member Rosemary Walsh made the second. Motion approved 4-0.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
CITIZENS COMMENTS
STAFF COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Commission Member Rosemary Walsh made a motion to adjourn. Commission Member Phil Olsen made the second. Motion approved 4-0.
Meeting adjourned 8:53 pm.
