At a meeting Tuesday night, Commissioners got into an at times personal debate about a resolution to improve the prosperity of Black people and people of color in Athens-Clarke County.
As proposed, the resolution would have stated the local government’s intent to promote housing security, economic empowerment, and youth safety to communities of color in the area. The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement authored the document.
While dozens of community members spoke in support of the resolution, several commissioners refused to support it as written. Commissioner Ovita Thornton of the ninth district, who is often reluctant to vote for resolutions, asked to push the decision for 60 days. During that period, she said she hopes policy will be written to achieve the resolution’s goals. Commissioner Tiffany Taylor of District 3 was in agreement:
“As a born and raised and grown Athenian, we deserve better. We deserve better. This resolution is a push toward what we deserve. I want to see impact. I don’t want this to just be another document.”
Thornton’s substitute motion passed 6 to 3, but not before Thornton launched thinly veiled criticism at a colleague. After Melissa Link voiced support for the resolution as written and called for the University of Georgia to do more for the community, Thornton criticized her for a vote she made in 2022. Commissioner Thornton:
“I remember when a group of Black elderly people came here and begged us not to allow a development in their neighborhood on Knottingham. I remember certain commissioners explaining why it would be better. Now don’t nod your head, because I’m trying not to call your name, Melissa.”
Thornton was referring to a zoning change approved on June 7, 2022, which opened the way for a cottage courtyard development on Oglethorpe Avenue. Neighbors in the predominantly Black neighborhood of Knottingham turned out to oppose the denser housing plan, predicting that it would raise property values and price residents out of their homes. However, the zoning change passed 6 to 4.
The property at 1010 Oglethorpe Avenue remains for sale on the real estate site Zillow, and the cottage courtyard complex has not yet been developed.
Mokah Jasmine Johnson, the Executive Director of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement, wrote on Facebook that she was disappointed by the Commission’s decision.
Also on the agenda was a move to channel half a million dollars, which were donated by the Quiktrip Foundation, to Athens-Clarke County’s Real Time Crime Center. It passed unanimously.
Several downtown-adjacent rezoning requests passed nine to one, with Commissioner Tiffany Taylor voting no.
