CONSENT AGENDA, which included holding the Adcock Building right-of-way encroachment, passed unanimously.

TIMELINE FOR REVISION OF CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS AND MORATORIUM EXTENSION

Four citizens spoke in favor of adopting a longer timeline than that recommended by the Planning Commission. JP Schmidt spoke on behalf of AGGC (view his remarks); Scottie Atkinson suggested that the new CS regulations include graphic depictions to help guide design; Jerry Nesmith suggested extending the moratorium to all residential development, and urged that neighborhood representatives be including in the drafting of the new CS regulations; and Linda Schram reminded the Commission that the original CS concept was not meant to bring high-density development into the Greenbelt. Anne Bernstein suggested that the Planning Department postpone working on the rental registration program until after the new CS regulations are adopted; Mayor Heidi Davison reminded everyone that rental registration is not on the agenda and won't be for the next few months.

Commission discussion was brief; Commissioner States McCarter moved to accept a 17-week timeline and concurrent moratorium extension, developed as a compromise between the 9- and 22-week options discussed at the Agenda Setting Session. Commissioner Carl Jordan said he thought the 17 week option didn't allow enough public input. Senior Planner Bruce Lonnee explained that significant public input would occur during the initial research phase as well. Motion passed 7-3, with Commissioners Jordan, Charles Carter, and Harry Sims voting against it.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY - HOLD
Scottie Atkinson, who serves on the Wastewater Advisory Committee spoke, saying she still has some concerns, mainly over odor and noise control, particularly that abatement could be sacrificed if budget isn't met.

Mayor Davison said she wanted to put this item on hold because of issues raised by the community, about which additional information is needed. Commissioner Cardee Kilpatrick said she thought the issue of wetlands treatment had been considered and dismissed; Mayor Davison pointed out that the main issue of concern was Phosphorous treatment.

Commissioner Jordan reminded the Commission that he had asked about economy of scale at the Agenda Setting meeting, and the response shows that this is substantial. For instance, building a new plant at the Cedar Creek location is now estimated to cost $12 million more than what the Commission was told 2 weeks ago. There are many questions, e.g. the $3.50 cost per gallon figure hasn't changed since last June - is it still accurate? Given the magnitude of the project, a month's delay seems reasonable.

Commissioner Kathy Hoard mentioned a communication from Dr. Bruce Beck, an eminent scholar in water resources at UGA, and pointed out that they were fortunate to be able to take advantage of his expertise on this issue.

Commissioner John Barrow's motion to hold passed unanimously.

BICYCLE MASTER PLAN FY04 PROJECTS
Paul Quick spoke on behalf of BikeAthens, urging the Commission to adopt the Commission-defined Option 4. He thanked David Clark and Jason Peek of Transportation & Public Works for meeting with BikeAthens representatives to try to come up with a compromise option; and Commissioner David Lynn for attending the meeting as well.

Commissioner Lynn began the discussion with a brief description of the meeting between BikeAthens and TPW. Both parties agreed on several projects, and agreed to disagree on others. TPW was in favor of striping Sunset, while BikeAthens preferred striping Williams Street instead, because of its connectivity between UGA and the Greenway, and its much heavier volume of traffic. Commissioner Lynn also proposed 2 revisions to the option: reinstating Prince Avenue in the BMP and striping bike lanes on Oglethorpe Ave. from Hawthorne to Mitchell Bridge Rd. Regarding Prince, Commissioner Lynn said that its reinstatement does not set the Commission on any particular course, but allows the Commission to plan and consider its implications for other planning efforts. He also requested staff to investigate putting in crosswalks at non-signalized intersections along Prince; he said that staff disagrees with him on this, but he sees pedestrians struggling to cross Prince every day, and believes crosswalks would help.

Commissioner Tom Chasteen agreed that the restriping of Oglethorpe was a workable solution, and that restoring Prince Avenue to the BMP didn't commit the Commission to any particular solution for that road.

Commissioner Kilpatrick expressed concerns that UGA's plans for that part of campus would soon require Williams St. to be torn up. She went to the SPLOST advisory committee, and they agreed with her opinion that it was important to stripe Sunset rather than Williams. Commissioner Lynn explained again that while both roads are in the BMP, Williams is a higher priority because of its location and heavier use. Commissioner Chasteen agreed.

Commissioner Lynn's motion to adopt Option 4 with the above amendments passed unanimously. For a complete list of projects included, visit www.bikeathens.com/transportation/bike/facilities.html.

BAXTER STREETSCAPE
This 10-week project to improve Baxter is scheduled for May 19 to August 1. Passed unanimously.

OPEN BURNING BAN
Speaking in favor of the proposed ordinance, which would basically extend the summer burning ban throughout the rest of the year, were Dr. Claude Burnett, Director of the Athens Public Health Dept., and Dr. Wayne Middendorf, who both addressed the public health benefits of such a ban, particularly regarding respiratory and cardiopulmonary disease. Mark McConnell also spoke in favor of the ban, citing the many benefits of using leaves as compost rather than burning them.

Commissioner Jordan explained that the only difference between the summer restrictions and this ordinance are the use of air destructor curtains on construction sites and leaf burning, both of which are allowed under the summer ban. This ordinance would not restrict cooking and recreational campfires; open flame devices; silviculture; firefighter training; agricultural crop production and harvesting. Limb burning is not currently allowed by the state.

Commissioner States McCarter recommended removing the word "agricultural" and deleting the requirement to register with the fire department.

Commissioner Charles Carter suggested removing the phrase "in writing" from the notification of the Fire Department. He also reminded the Commission that using leaves for compost is both easy and beneficial, and suggested ACC needs to better publicize this.

Commissioner Kilpatrick worried that the Commission hadn't considered that not allowing the use of air curtain destructors would have a negative effect on the landfill or the county's tub grinder.

Commissioner Jordan said that ordinarily these materials, when ground on site, are used for erosion control; and save the contractor a great deal of money.

Commissioner Barrow's motion to adopt with the removal of the words "agricultural" and "in writing" passed 9-1 with Commissioner Maxwell dissenting.

Read the Ordinance and a Table comparing requirements of the new Ordinance with the State and Summer requirements.

NOISE ORDINANCE
Commissioner Lynn explained that this was an amendment to restrict the use of leafblowers and other mechanized yard equipment in residential areas to the hours of 8am - 8pm, with the exception of the AR zone, where the hours of operation would be from 7am - 9pm. His motion to adopt passed unanimously.

MEETING SCHEDULE CHANGE
There was a lengthy discussion about this proposal. Commissioner Chasteen spoke against it as being too confusing for the public and reducing public access. Commissioner Sims said that the Commission should have discussed this topic in private, not at their Voting Meeting, and that the problem was that people repeated the same arguments over and over. Commissioner McCarter pointed out that there was a work session on this, and that the Manager's office and the Clerk had also been consulted.

Commissioner Hoard expressed concern about removing public input on zoning items from the voting meeting, but said there was validity in going ahead with changing the meeting time, and seeing if it works for 2 months before considering the change of date for zoning input. Attorney Holly Hilton pointed out that the Zoning Hearing date could not be changed until it went through the Planning Commission in any case.

Commissioner McCarter's motion to adopt the change passed 7 - 3, with Commissioners Chasteen, Kilpatrick and Sims dissenting.

OTHER ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Ed Mingledorf, a landlord in the Boulevard neighborhood, asked for a chance to be "at the bargaining table" to represent renters; and not to paint all landlords with the same brush; some of them really care.

Mayor Davison said she would be naming the TDR and NPU committees soon.

Commissioner George Maxwell met with Brooklyn neighborhood last week; they are going to start a community garden, and any gardeners are welcome to help.

Commissioner Kilpatrick wants to look into the regulation of barking dogs.

Commissioner Hoard wants the Commission to address the Growing Sustainably report; and an update on the status of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming program.

Commissioner McCarter wants the Commission to look at the issue of buildable and unbuildable land not only in the CS regulations, but in other districts as well.