Sunday, May 21, 2023–12:22 p.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

A rezoning application for a wood transfer station on Technology Parkway will be back before the Rome City Commission Monday night.

The applicant is seeking a change from Light Industrial to Heavy Industrial for the operation, which uses an enclosed machine to burn wood debris, as opposed to open burning. The logs or chips are brought in by commercial trucks to be incinerated. 

The planning commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval back in March.

However, due to the omission of a letter from Berry College, opposing the project, the Rome City Commission voted to send the matter back to the planning commission. That letter from Berry general counsel Danny Price cited a restrictive covenant for the land on Technology Parkway.

The application comes back to the city commission with a recommendation to approve because a motion to recommend denial failed by a split vote during the planning commission meeting earlier this month.

Also headed for a public hearing and vote Monday is a rezoning request for property at 1219 E. Second Avenue, which is behind Dean Street. The applicant wants to move his wholesale coffee roasting operation from Kentucky to Rome. The plan is to deliver and sell his product in local coffee shops.

An annexation request for 7 Billy Pyle is also on the agenda.

Commissioners will also consider the transfer of property at Billy Pyle Road andf Coker Drive to the Rome-Floyd County Land Bank Authority.

The land bank authority has received interest from the public, including a nearby church, to purchase the parcel currently owned by the City of Rome.

The parcel must be transferred in order to accept and review any offers for purchase by the public.

City departments have agreed to the transfer, with an understanding that a 40’ strip be surveyed out of the parcel and transferred back to the City before any sale to the public.

Second reading of an ordinance to close Park Court is also on the agenda for the commission meeting.

This closing is necessary due to the residential units being constructed on 2nd Avenue at the site of the former AT&T building.

Commissioners will also present certificates of appointment and recognize BRIDGE Academy graduates during the meeting which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Rome City Hall.

The caucus will start early at 4 p.m. so commissioners can meet in an executive session.