Plans for a new Ronald McDonald House suffered a setback Monday when the Macon-Bibb County Planning Zoning Commission denied its application because the agency had not followed normal regulations.
The Ronald McDonald House board had asked zoning commissioners to allow design approval at 755 Orange St. for a second facility in Macon.
The existing Ronald McDonald House on Forsyth Street serves families of children hospitalized for various long-term illnesses. The proposed second Ronald McDonald House would be for families of children who are being treated for cancer.
While the zoning commission approved in August the demolition of an existing building on the proposed site, the demolition permit could not be issued until the Ronald McDonald House board submits a preliminary design and gets approval for zoning compliance.
Monday's vote does not kill the project, but instead requires Ronald McDonald House officials to follow the proper zoning requirements.
Representing the Ronald McDonald House board at the meeting, attorney Brown Edwards said The Medical Center of Central Georgia, which owns the Orange Street property, has agreed to donate the property once the agency has the demolition permit.
"We can't start fundraising until we get the permit," Edwards said.
"Our hands are tied until we get this demolition permit."
Maryel Battin, president of Intown Macon Neighborhood Association, said that while she supports the proposed building, the commission should not allow an exception to its rules.
"If we allow the demolition before they have the building permit .
.. what will stop others?
" Battin asked. "We ask that you require that Ronald McDonald follow standard procedures."
She was supported by others who addressed zoning commissioners, including other representatives of Intown Macon, a resident of the neighborhood as well as Bette-Lou Brown, executive director of Historic Macon.
"It's important that everyone play by the same rules," Brown said.
Commissioner Jimmy Patton said that while he supports following zoning regulations, this project had "some unique circumstances," and that an exception should be made.
His motion to approve the application was denied 3-2.
Commissioner Damon King joined Patton in voting to approve it, but Commissioners Theresa Watkins, Joni Woolf and Lonnie Miley voted against it.
ITEMS DEFERRED FROM NOV. 13, 2006, MEETING:
753 Will Scarlet Way: Variance in parking/storage requirements to allow parking of a recreational vehicle in the front yard, R-1A District.
Jerry Martin, applicant. The applicant was found not to be in violation and his money is to be refunded for the variance application.
5541-5561 Arkwright Road: Proposal to rezone from R-1AA, Single-Family Residential District and R-3, Multi-Family Residential District to PDE, Planned Development Extraordinary District.
The purpose of this rezoning is to allow a mixed-use development (residential and light retail). Nick Laybourn, Larry Brown-PZDM LLC, applicant. Approved.
End of Jabrok Circle/rear of Melton Place subdivision: Proposal to rezone from R-1AAA, Single-Family Residential District to PDR, Planned Development Residential District. The purpose of this rezoning is to allow residential development (gated retirement community with 69 lots). Larry Brown, PZDM LLC, applicant.
Deferred to Jan. 22 meeting.
5928 Moseley Dixon Road: Proposal to rezone R-1AAA, Single-Family Residential District to PDE, Planned Development Extraordinary District.
The purpose of this rezoning is to allow a single-family attached subdivision (58 lots) and a commercial out-parcel. Carreker Development Inc.; Matt Poyner, Hulsey, McCormick Wallace, applicant.
Approved as a PDR district.
1187 Edna Place: Proposal to rezone from R-2A, Two-Family Residential District to R-2, Two-Family Residential District. The purpose of this rezoning is to allow a professional office.
Stansberry Co. LLC, Blair Cleveland, applicant. Approved.
4500 Arkwright Road: Conditional use to allow revisions to a previously approved site plan of an office/warehouse park, PDC District. Arkwright Road Properties LLC, Ralph True, applicant. Approved.
4321 Interstate Drive: Conditional use to allow a wholesale battery office/warehouse in an existing building, PDI District. Steven Sylvester, Voltex Batteries, applicant. Approved.
3528 Yearty Drive: Conditional use to allow a day-care home, R-1A District. Miranda Jones, applicant. Denied.
1014 Gray Highway: Conditional use to allow outdoor display of lawn mowers, C-4 District. David Nesmith, applicant. Approved.
4949 Harrison Road: Conditional use to allow a hotel (121 rooms) with a building height in excess of 35 feet, C-4 District. John Cattano, Macon Valued Partners II LLC, applicant. Approved.
1265 Sixth St.: Conditional use to allow a concrete batching facility, M-2 District. Choice Concrete Co.
LLC, Charles Wolf Jr., architect, applicant. Approved.
3607 Hillcrest Ave.: Conditional use to allow a day-care home, R-1 District. Angela Brown, applicant.
Approved.
1706 Arlington Park: Conditional use to allow a trade shop (upholstery) in an existing building, C-2 District. George Seabrooks Jr.
, applicant. Approved with no outside storage or display.
4652 Ayers Road: Conditional use to allow an addition to an existing school with increase in enrollment, R-1A District.
Covenant Academy, McLees, Boggs Selby, architects, applicant. Approved.
165 Woodfield Drive: Conditional use to allow a contractor's office/warehouse, PDE District.
Prince Service Manufacturing Inc., Alan Lischer, applicant. Approved.
3695 Mercer University Drive: Conditional use to allow a shopping center with variance in parking requirements, C-2 District. Widner Associates, applicant. Approved.
3182 Houston Ave.: Conditional use to allow a day-care center (60 children) with variance in development standards, C-2 District. Samuel Hugley, applicant.
Approved.
5284 Bloomfield Road: Conditional use to allow revisions to an existing multi-family development, R-3 District. Colony West Partners LP, George Greer, applicant.
Approved.
2536 Lake Helen Court: Conditional use to allow a detached cluster subdivision (30 Lots), R-1AAA District. Danny Harrison, applicant.
Approved.
3306 Bloomfield Drive: Conditional use to allow revisions to a previously approved detached cluster subdivision, PDE District. PZDM, applicant.
Approved.
5315 Bowman Road: Conditional use to allow final site plan approval on an office park (Lakeside Commons, Phase II), PDE District. Jim Huffstetler, SPP Commercial Group LLC, applicant.
Approved.
Bass Pro Parkway at Bass Road/New Forsyth Road: Conditional use to allow revisions to a previously approved conceptual plan and mass grading of property prior to final site plan approval, PDE District. Southern Civil Engineers Inc.
, Gregory Avedissian, applicant. Approved.
576-584 Poplar St.
/504-546 Second St.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of exterior modifications, CBD-1 District. Poplar Street Investors, applicant.
Approved.
546 Poplar St.: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of exterior modifications, CBD-1 District.
Poplar Street Investors, applicant. Approved.
2393 Clayton St.
: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of an addition to a single-family dwelling, HR-1 District. David Dozier, applicant. Approved.
947 Highland Terrace: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of a proposed single-family dwelling with a detached garage, HR-3 District. Michael Syphoe/New Generation Homes LLC, applicant. Approved.
965 Highland Terrace: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of a proposed single-family dwelling with a detached garage, HR-3 District. Michael Syphoe, New Generation Homes LLC, applicant. Approved.
956 Highland Terrace: Certificate of Appropriateness to allow design approval of a proposed single-family dwelling, HR-3 District. Michael Syphoe, New Generation Homes LLC, applicant. Approved.
3747 Vineville Ave.: Variance in sign location, sign area and sign height requirements to allow a business identification sign, R-2 District. Stephen Jones, JoBest Mortgage Co.
, applicant. Approved.
4949 Harrison Road: Variance in sign area and sign height requirements to allow a freestanding sign for a proposed hotel, C-4 District.
John Cattano, Macon Valued Partners II LLC, applicant. Approved.
2525 Second St.
: Variance in setback requirements to allow a monument sign, C-2 District. Daniel Peters, Southern Graphic Design, applicant. Approved.
120 Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard: Variance in side yard setback requirements to allow a freestanding sign, C-2 District. Macon Signs Inc.
, applicant. Approved.
660 North Ave.
: Variance in sign area requirements, C-4 District. Bank of America, Macon Signs Inc., applicant.
Denied.
1673 Wesleyan Drive: Variance in sign area to allow a residential identification sign, R-3 District. Joseph Boland, applicant.
Approved.
2930 Victoria Circle: In violation of Section 4.11 [3] (a) of the Comprehensive Land Development Resolution-failure to meet fence design requirements, R-1AAA District.
Frederick Brauneck. Found in violation - owner has up to 60 days to correct it.
5300 Bowman Road: Request for rehearing of a previously denied conditional use application to allow final site plan approval of a proposed motel (building design only) PDE District.
John Dukes, Bowman Road LLC, applicant. Rehearing granted.
Morris, call 744-4223 or e-mail .
News RSS