An old auto repair shop nestled on a downtown block will get new life as a residence, courtyard and offices with the blessing of the Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning Commision.
BTBB architect Bob Brown’s design will transform the 1984 concrete block building at 570 Pine St. into a two-bedroom living space with a kitchen, workout room, two offices and a conference room.
The former home of the European Auto Clinic will allow Brown’s client to live and receive customers for his investment advisory business.
Last week, one member of the Design Review Board balked at the modern metal elements proposed for the building in the Central Business District 2, but they reached a compromise to require Brown to use cementitious siding instead of tongue and groove architectural aluminum planks, which are currently not allowed in that district.
“My fear for this board is setting a precedent and where are the boundaries for any future cases?” Lauren Mauldin asked her colleagues. “My concern is a slippery slope.”
Board member Carrie Robinson said the design is a “vast improvement” for the area.
“I think it looks great,” Robinson said.
P&Z staff and the board also questioned the use of fabric screening along the fence to screen the private courtyard along Second Street Lane, so they required that it always be maintained in good condition.
Although Mauldin voted against the plan in the March 17 review board meeting, P&Z put it on their consent agenda for approval after no members of the public signed up to speak against it Monday.
The Commission also approved widening and enhancing a private alley that connects College and Tattnall streets. Russ Barber plans to add brick elements on the alley between 1021 and 1035 College St.
At 278 Madison St., Valencia Littleton received a certificate of appropriateness to replace wood siding with cement fiber board as long as the spacing is consistent with the original planks. Littleton also plans to keep the existing metal awning and railing across the front of the home in the historic district.
The homeowner at 155 Castlegate Road will have to wait until next month to learn whether P&Z will grant a variance for his two-story building that went up without a permit.
Luis Garcia, who is a building contractor, replaced an existing playhouse with a larger building with a bedroom and bathroom on the second floor and storage space below.
He was summoned to P&Z in February because the new building appears to be too close to the property line.
Garcia has not yet secured the required survey to determine where the property line falls so P&Z can determine whether a variance will be granted.
He told commissioners that the surveyor plans to do it this week, so his application will be back on the agenda for April 14.
For more information on these projects check Monday’s agenda.
— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at fabian_lj@mercer.edu or 478-301-2976.
