The Athens Clarke County Commission came into conflict with a Planning Commission decision at this week’s agenda setting meeting.
The county’s Planning Commission is a body appointed by the mayor and commission that meets monthly to make recommendations regarding planning and development matters.
At this month’s meeting, the Planning Commission passed a text amendment to county code that would forbid the county Commission from approving their recommendations with conditions or modifications.
Commissioner Melissa Link of the 2nd District criticized the decision as undemocratic:
“Them being the ultimate decision maker without having that input and connection to the voters that we have is really anti-democratic to me.”
While Commissioner Link disagreed with the text amendment, Commissioner Jesse Houle of the 6th District defended it.
“I don’t think they’re trying to be combative here, I think they’re trying to be thoughtful,” they said.
The Mayor and Commission are expected to vote on the issue on April 2nd.