Council committees set March hearings for Hugh White Honda annexation, advance Dairy Lane rezoning linked to 3:17 board housing

Athens City Council’s Planning and Development committee voted Tuesday to schedule a public hearing on annexing the Hugh White Honda parcel and to advance discussion of a Dairy Lane rezoning tied to a supervised housing project.

The committee reviewed a planning commission recommendation that the Hugh White parcel be annexed and zoned B-3 (Business 3). The planning commission voted 4–0 to recommend approval. Committee members agreed a public hearing is required for annexation; Clerk Kirk Walker was asked to publish notice and set the hearing for March 16. The committee said the request will proceed through the council’s three-reading ordinance process.

The Dairy Lane item would rezone roughly 3+ acres from E-1 (educational) to R-3 (multi-family) so the 3:17 board can develop supervised housing near existing supportive services. Members said the developer missed an earlier expedited paperwork deadline, so the project will follow the standard timeline rather than the accelerated track. Committee staff recommended first reading on March 2, a public hearing on March 16 and final consideration in early April.

The committee discussed funding and supervision: a speaker said about $2,000,000 is associated with the project, and members noted the site’s proximity to the Clem House and existing 3:17 offices. Council members emphasized community notice and the value of allowing time between the public hearing and a vote so residents can comment.

What happens next: both items will appear on the council’s calendar for readings and hearings. The Hugh White annexation will require the public-hearing notice and the three readings before a final vote; Dairy Lane’s timeline was set to allow review and necessary public engagement.