Barnesville council grants variance to downtown redevelopment with parking, safety conditions

The Barnesville City Council voted 4–1 to approve a variance that will let developer Zach Westerfield convert 215 Main Street into a mixed-use building with two storefronts and seven apartment units.

Westerfield, representing Southern Venture Partners, told the council he bought the historic storefront property last month and plans to restore the ground-floor storefront to its original appearance while creating “high end downtown apartments that cater to young professionals and not college students.” He asked the council to reduce the minimum apartment size from 650 square feet to 370 square feet so the project would be financially viable.

Council members pressed him on parking and fire-safety measures. “I own seven storefronts downtown and I don't see too many people wanting to spend money downtown,” Councilmember Bill Claxton said, citing long-term vacancy and on-street parking limits. Councilmember Joseph Sims said most existing downtown businesses opposed the variance because of parking and safety concerns.

Westerfield said he is negotiating a lease for parking across from United Bank and that he is working with Fire Chief Kelvin Chute to ensure the building meets code. The council’s approval required no zoning change — staff said multifamily uses are allowed in the commercial district — but it does permit a lower unit-size minimum and reduced ground-floor commercial percentage than normally required.

The motion to grant the variance passed 4–1, with Sims the lone dissenting vote. Councilmembers who supported the variance emphasized the potential to bring more residents downtown and the developer’s willingness to work with fire and police on compliance. City staff will record conditions of the variance in the permit and monitor compliance during renovation.

The council’s action means construction planning can proceed, but permits and any required site improvements — including formalized parking agreements — remain outstanding. The council did not change downtown zoning in connection with this vote.