Commission asks planning commission to study inclusionary zoning and downtown density changes

The Athens‑Clarke County Commission on June 9 adopted a resolution—under suspension of rules—asking the planning commission to study and propose changes to Title 9 concerning inclusionary zoning and commercial district regulations.

Commissioner Hamby described the intent as generating more revenue for the county’s affordable housing fund and allowing flexibility to move residential density within downtown projects. "You might think of this moving of residential density as maintaining the same total potential density within the downtown district, but almost like those balloon animals that you sometimes see at the county fair — you're just moving the air from one place in the balloon to another place in the balloon," Hamby said.

Several commissioners said they welcomed a study but expressed concern about displacement and the effects of taller, denser development on existing residents. "I still think about how it's going to impact the people who are already in place. I don't want to... the most vulnerable who are pushed aside and displaced by the new shiny thing," one commissioner said.

The commission voted to send the issue to the planning commission for review; the planning commission will deliberate and return recommendations to the commission for later action.

(Direct quotes and motion details are drawn from the meeting transcript; the resolution was a referral for study rather than a final regulatory change.)