City Commission To Tackle Etowah Terrace Rezoning Request — Again
The rezoning request remains the same, as does the property it concerns and the major “players” that stand in favor or in opposition to the request.
The fate of property along Etowah Terrace in south Rome has remained in controversy since the South Rome Redevelopment Agency (SRRA) announced earlier this year plans to develop the property, in conjunction with Mercy Housing Southeast of Atlanta, into a senior living apartment complex.
The Rome City Commission on Monday will consider a rezoning request of the property.
SRRA has requested that close to five acres of property at 1 Etowah Terrace be rezoned from Community Commercial (C-C) and High Density Traditional Residential (H-TR) to Urban Mixed Use (UMU) for office and multi-family residential units on the property.
The property is owned by SRRA, 119 South Broad Street.
The rezoning request has already come before the Rome City Commission and was approved by the commission in April of this year.
Rome City Commissioner Kim Canada was the only commission member to vote against the rezoning request then.
In May, a complaint for declaratory judgment, appeal of rezoning and equitable relief was filed in Floyd County’s Superior Court listing the City of Rome, Mercy Housing Southeast, SRRA and South Rome Redevelopment Corporation (SRRC) as defendants.
Plaintiffs in the complaint are Randolph Michael, Wanda Michael, Save Etowah Terrace (SET) and the Mount Aventine Community Association.
Since then, city attorneys have decided it best to go through the rezoning request process again.
That way, it was explained, if any parts of the process are rendered null or void, the decision concerning the more current rezoning request would prevail.
Opponents to the rezoning contend that the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) prevents a rezoning request from being considered more than once in a six-month period.
Nonetheless, the process has been repeated, and the public hearing concerning the rezoning request of the property along Etowah Terrace will be held during Monday evening’s meeting of the Rome City Commission.
During the first public hearing in April for the property, City Hall witnessed a record-number turnout for a public hearing as the Commissioners’ Chambers seating was filled to capacity, while other attendees stood and filled the outer hallways and a portion of the stairways on both sides of the chambers.
A large crowd is also expected for Monday’s meeting.
In other business, the Rome City Commission is expected to:
Hear a flood control presentation.
Declare a portion of the East Rome area as a slum area. The East Rome Area is defined as generally bounded by East Sixth Street and East Second Avenue on the north; Highway 27 on the east; Highway 4ll on the south; and the Norfolk Southern railroad on the west. The declaration states that portions of the East Rome area may require acquisition, clearance and disposition.
Hold a public hearing for an annexation request for property located at 215 Harrison Road in the city of Rome with no change in zoning.
Ratify a loan agreement with the United States Marine Corps for the cannon at the Marine Armory. The cannon would be on loan to the city from the National Museum of the Marine Corps in 2009 and 2010.
Review the proposed 2009 millage rates. A recommendation from the Finance Committee will be presented, which will then be placed for a vote at the July 20 meeting of the city commission.
The Rome City Commission meets on Monday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall. The city commission caucus begins at 5 p.m. in the Sam King Room of City Hall.
This property along Etowah Terrace has been requested rezoned by the South Rome Redevelopment Agency. Staff Photo by Dawn Treglown.
