CITY OF MORROW, GEORGIA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
June 22, 2004
PRESENT AT MEETING: ALSO PRESENT:
Jim Millirons, Mayor John J. Lampl, II, City Manager
Thomas J. LaPorte, Mayor Pro Tem
C. R. Huie, Councilman
Virlyn Slaton, Councilman
Charles O. Sorrow, Councilman
Mayor Jim Millirons called the regular meeting of the Morrow City Council to order at 7:30 p.m. The meeting took place in the Council Chambers of the Morrow Municipal Complex, 1500 Morrow Road, Morrow, Georgia 30260.
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Councilman Sorrow gave the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Work Session - June 8, 2004
Regular Meeting - June 8, 2004
Councilman Sorrow made the motion to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Councilman Huie. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Item 1: Public Hearing for an ordinance to amend the 1986 Zoning
Ordinance of the City of Morrow concerning Article IX, Schedule of
District Regulations, MU Mixed Use Development replacing the
previously zoned designations of:
Section 906 RMA Multiple-family residence district
(apartments),
Section 907 RMC Multiple-family residence district
(condominiums),
Section 908 OI Office/ Institutional district, and
Section 909 BN Neighborhood business,
to clarify the intent of these provisions, and for other purposes
The Mayor asked for comments. There being none, he proceeded with the regular council meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Item 1: Second Reading of an Ordinance 2004-15 to amend the City of
Morrow Sign Ordinance, Title 8, Chapter 5 to conform with recent
court decisions, to repeal conflicting ordinances, and for other
purposes
Councilman LaPorte made a motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Councilman Sorrow. The vote to approve was unanimous.
Item 2: Second Reading of an Ordinance 2004-16 to adopt the 2004-2005
Fiscal Year Budget to allocate Revenues and Expenditures for that
period for the operation and enhancement of the various services
delivered by the City to its citizens, for the health and well-being
of the residents and businesses of the City of Morrow, and for
other purposes
Councilman Slaton made a motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Councilman LaPorte. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 3: Second Reading of an Ordinance 2004-17 to amend Title 8,
Chapter 3, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control to protect the
public health, safety, environment and general welfare; to
provide a collection of structural practices and vegetative
measures which, when properly designed, installed, and
maintained, will provide effective erosion and sedimentation
control; and for other purposes
Councilman Huie made a motion to approve the ordinance, seconded by Councilman LaPorte. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Item 1: Petition for Rezoning of a tract of land contiguous to Interstate 75
with frontage on Meadowbrook Lane (the boundary line follows
the stream that runs through the center of the property) from RS-
80 to RS-30. Lloyd N. Bell, Attorney, Petitioner for the Bell family
property
Mayor Millirons noted that the Planning and Zoning Board had recommended the petition be approved. He then made a motion to approve their recommendation, seconded by Councilman Slaton. He then asked for discussion.
Mr. Leonard Horton of 1926 Argonne Drive asked for clarification on the motion and the extension of Argonne Drive into the property. The Mayor explained that RS-30 zoning is fee-simple town houses on a smaller lot but with the same square footage dwelling as RS-80, and that RS-80 type housing would not fit on this portion of the property. He stated that this action is to authorize zoning only. When development plans are submitted, other issues will be addressed at that time.
Mr. Lloyd Bell presented his petition, asked for its approval, and asked if there were any questions from the council.
Councilman Huie asked Mr. Bell for the name of the councilman he was referring to in a statement he had made at the Planning and Zoning meeting regarding working with the city manager and a councilman pertaining to the RS-30 zoning ordinance. Mr. Bell replied that he had not talked to a councilman concerning this issue and did not remember making the statement, but if he had made such a statement, he had misspoken.
In answer to Councilman LaPorte’s question, Mr. Bell speculated the property could handle between 60 and 120 town homes on the RS-30 portion. The intention of the Bell family is to sell the entire property (the RS-80 portion and the RS-30 portion) to the same developer.
In answer to Councilman Slaton’s questions, Mr. Bell stated the following: Of the entire 37 acres, approximately half is developable. The other portion is in the flood plain which would remain green space. Homeowner’s Associations are required under the City of Morrow development requirements.
Several members of the audience living on Argonne Drive stated they do not believe this zoning would be the highest and best use of the property, does not meet the City’s motto of “Geared for Quality Growth,” would result in more traffic congestion, and would benefit one family (the Bells) at the expense of all the families in the neighborhood.
Councilman LaPorte noted that after the July 13 council meeting a new ordinance will be passed eliminating the current apartment zoning classification in the City. (The first reading of the ordinance will be tonight.)
The motion to approve passed with Councilmen Slaton and Sorrow voting in favor, Councilman Huie opposing, and Councilman LaPorte abstaining.
Note: A letter opposing the rezoning was delivered by residents of the Argonne Drive neighborhood to City Hall asking that the letter be made a part of the record. The letter is being filed with the working papers for the council meeting.
Item 2: First Reading of an Ordinance to amend the 1986 Zoning
Ordinance of the City of Morrow concerning Article IX, Schedule
of District Regulations, MU Mixed Use Development replacing the
previously zoned designations of:
Section 906 RMA Multiple-family residence district
(apartments),
Section 907 RMC Multiple-family residence district
(condominiums),
Section 908 OI Office/Institutional district, and
Section 909 BN Neighborhood business,
to clarify the intent of these provisions, and for other purposes
This being the first reading, no action is required at this time.
Item 3: Approval to enter into a contract with Southlake Property
Associates, Ltd. for a temporary, non-exclusive license to park
automobiles on the existing parking lot of Southlake Professional
Plaza
Councilman LaPorte made a motion to approve the contract, seconded by Councilman Slaton. The vote in favor was unanimous.
Item 4: Resolution adopting certain amendments to the Fiscal Year 2003 -
2004 Budget of the City of Morrow, Georgia
Councilman Slaton made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Councilman Sorrow. The vote in favor was unanimous.
Item 5: Update on the progress of the Governor’s Office of Highway
Safety Grant
Mr. Lampl gave the update required of the City at every council meeting informing the public of the grant’s progress.
COMMENTS:
Citizens:
None
City Manager:
None
Mayor and Council:
Mayor Millirons announced that Major Charlie Sewell had been appointed the new Police Chief.
ADJOURNMENT:
The council meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
_______________________________________________
JIM MILLIRONS, MAYOR
____________________________________________
THOMAS J. LaPORTE, MAYOR PRO TEM
_______________________________________________
C. R. HUIE, COUNCILMAN
_______________________________________________
VIRLYN SLATON, COUNCILMAN
________________________________________________
CHARLES O. SORROW, COUNCILMAN
ATTEST:
________________________________
Renee Abernathy, City Clerk