Planning Commission discuss officer elections

On Monday, March 8, the City of Perry Planning Commission held their meeting for March at the Perry Event Center. The commission discussed multiple issues.

Shortly after a brief invocation, the commission held an election for the offices of Chair and Vice Chairman. It was moved to maintain both Eric Edwards and Lawrence Clarington as Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively. The commission then voted in favor of this action unanimously.

Within the new business portion of their meeting, the commission discussed a variation in ordinance for Jennifer Santelli, the applicant. This adaptation would allow Santelli to build a new Chick-Fil-A at 1600 Sam Nunn Boulevard and allow the use of an awning over any drive-thru lanes. According to Holly Wharton, Perry’s new Community Planner, “due to its open air design,” this structure would not obstruct the view of this building, or any surrounding buildings, and thus, she was “recommending approval of this variance request.” The commission approved this variance without much discussion, and Chairman Eric Edwards ended the discussion by jokingly saying, “That’s the most exciting news I’ve heard all night.”

The commission also talked over old business, discussing the approval of a Special Exception for Thomas C. Carter. Carter intends to use two adjacent lots that he owns at 508 and 510 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive for the purposes of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The property at 508 MLK Drive will be used as a parking lot.

After a brief instance of deliberation, the commission moved to approve this special exception with the understanding that, while this meeting place would be used daily, the number of attendees would not typically surpass 20 participants, the meetings would be completed by 10:30 p.m. and each meeting would not typically surpass two hours in length.

The commission then moved on to discuss all new business, the first of which being a potential amendment to the Land Management Ordinance in order to minor clarify some rulings and make additional revisions. The commission approved this amendment unanimously.

The board also discussed approving the preliminary plans of a new subdivision called Notting Hill. This new housing sector would be located on Langston Road and would use a 102.5-acre lot to build 170 new homes. After a short discussion, the commission approved this application.

After completing their discussion of old and new business, the commission then went into a discussion regarding Gravel Parking Lots, and how the city should begin limiting their use. As of this meeting, no conclusions or proposals were made, however, Planning Commission Staff will be writing an official proposal within the next few months.

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