About Lake Oconee news. (Greensboro, GA) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2017)
Page A2 Lake Oconee News Friday, November 17,2017 MORGAN COUNTY The city council meeting room was packed with interested Madisonians last Monday night. T. Michael Stone/Staff -1251 x224 for more information. |MA disonIB j Notice to Public Edward Good on behalf of Friesen Real Estate Holdings, LLC requesting a map amendment to rezone 622 Foster Street (M20 081) [R2] from Medium Lot Residential District (R2) to Small Lot Residential District (R4) and portions of498 5. Main Street (M20 071) [R1/R2] from Medium Lot Residential District (R2) to Small Lot Residential District (R4). PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION July 20, 2017 - 5:30 p.m. and MAYOR & COUNCIL November 13, 2017 - 5:30 p.m. at Public Safety Building - Meeting Hall 160 N. Main Street, Suite 400 Madison, GA 30650 T. Michael Stone/Staff False advertising? The public hearing on the Foster Park rezoning did not happen - and not for the first time. Developer, opponents smoke peace pipe T. Michael Stone/Staff This property might soon be home to 19 families if a compromise in the works between residents of the historic district and developer Edward Good is implemented. T. Michael Stone mlchael@lakeoconeenews.us Thebattlelines were clearly drawn, the combatants had assembled, and it appeared the war was about to start when a few of the generals decided that a truce might be in order. In other words, the big showdown over the Foster Park rezoning scheduled for Monday night’s Madison City Council meeting failed to materialize when both sides agreed that a compromise might be the best solution. Before the meeting started, city attorney Joe Reitman couldbe seen palaveringwith attorneys Elizabeth Bell and James Orr, two of the most vocal opponents of the pro posed rezoning, and attorney Kathryn Zickert who was on hand representing developer Edward Good and Freisen Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Those conversations apparently yielded some surprising results. Council had barely called the meeting to order when Reitman rose, walked to podium and asked to make a change in the agenda. “You may have noticed that I had few little sidebars there j ust before the meeting began,” Reitman said. “The gist of it is as I understand it, there has been some dis cussion between the appli cant, Mr. Good, and several members of the opposition group about withdrawing the [zoning] application from tonight’s docket, amending the application and taking out the R4 [zoning] compo nent and making it an R2 situation not to exceed 19 houses.” “We’re trying very much to resolve this matter, and we would like to keep it R2 if at all possible,” Zickert said, indicating that the acreage wouldhave 19 lots on the back and two lots on South Main Street. “To do that, we’re going to need variances.” Those variances will go through Madison’s lengthy vetting process once again with the Historic Preservation Commission reviewing the new appli cation on Dec. 12 and the Planning and Zoning Commission taking a loot at it on Dec. 21. The applicant has until Nov. 21 to deliver to the city. The City Council will next take up the matter on Jan. 8. Good first proposed a “Planned Residential District” for the 12 acres of property last summer that would have involved nearly 40 residences, but that was met with stiff opposition and rejected by all three gate keepers of Madison zoning. Good returned with amended plan earlier this year and asked that the property be rezoned for R2 to R4 so that 24 homes could be constructed on a cul de sac with houses on both sides of the street. This plan was also met with stiff opposition on the grounds that it would be detrimental to the tax base of the city and not be consistent with existing neighborhoods. Attorneys representingthe developer have argued that denying the zoning request amounts a violation ofGood’s constitutional rights. No documentation has yet been filed with the city con cerning the newest iteration of Good’s plan, but oppo nents seem amenable to it. “We’ve talked to several of the abutting neighbors who are more than willing to try and work this out at the R2 level,” Bell said, thankingthe many residents who have maintained opposition to the previous development plans. “Thelastyear andhalf has been extremely difficult, and we appreciate the oppor tunity to keep this property zoned as it should be.” At the conclusion of the discussion, applause broke out in the council chamber. On Wednesday morn ing The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation released its 2018 list of 10 “Places in Peril” in the state of Georgia, and the Foster-Thomason-Miller House located adjacent to the proposed development in Madison is on it. According to the press release, “Places in Peril” is designed to raise awareness about Georgia’s significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, includ ing buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural land scapes that are threatenedby demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy. The press release says that the house, which was built in 1883, “is a major contributing building to Madison’s National Register Historic District and an outstanding example of the Aesthetic Movement in the South. In 2001, a fire broke out in the back of the house and severely damaged a rear addition. Although it did not spread into the his toric structure, the original house suffered significant smoke and water damage. The property was sold to new owners, but no visible efforts have been under taken to stabilize or restore the structure. The expansive property is also threatened by proposed insensitive development, with plans to build37 additionalhouses on the surrounding eight acres.” The proposed develop ment has been reduced to 19 houses as described in the story above. The Trust encourages “owners and individuals, organizations and com munities to employ proven preservation tools, financial resources and partnerships in order to reclaim, restore and revitalize historic prop erties that are in peril.” 'AND WIN ^ BIG * Participate To Win S100 In Madison Downtown Dollars! Join us to celebrate Small Business Saturday in Downtown Madison on November 25, 2017. Show your support for the small independent businesses that make up our great Downtown. When you spend $25 with one of our merchants-stores, salons, spas, or restaurants-your name will be entered* into a drawing to win one of two $100 Downtown Dollar prizes. To celebrate, Downtown Madison will feature carolers, street musicians, and free Christmas gift wrapping from 1-3:00 p.m. Come out and join the fun! Drawing winners will be posted on the Main Street Madison Georgia Facebook page by Firday, December 1, 2017. ma in yg m iniuia^i \ streets w Online: MainStreetMadisonGA.com Facebook: Main Street Madison Georgia Phone: (706)342-1251 x206 Shop downtown first! CBLAKEOCONEE.COM CBCLAKECOUNTRY.COM COLDWELLBANKERLUXURY.COM When you’re selling a property.. "Tbu need to be seen online. Get noticed. Call Coldwell Banker. 92% of Buyers search online, so Coldwell Banker creates a unique website for your property AND syndicates your listing to over 900 websites for maximum exposure. JBHJ LAKE COUNTRY COLDUUeL*. BANKER CO LX) UJ (ELL GLOBAL BANKGRQ LUXURY M0m Youjffl ^Zillow ■fir ?truUa realtor.com Homes.com
