Planning and Zoning approves new Downtown Code

Published 2:15 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2023

THOMASVILLE- The City of Thomasville Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on Monday night to discuss the proposed Downtown Code changes. 

The proposed Downtown Code changes help the City establish a Unified Development Ordinance, otherwise known as a UDO. 

In 2017, the City of Thomasville conducted an audit of their current development codes and found nearly 100 items of concern within their existing ordinances, many of which have had a negative impact on new development and redevelopment in the downtown district. 

Based on the audit, community feedback and the Blueprint 2028 Comprehensive Plan, the City determined a UDO would be the best way to begin the process, starting with the Zoning Code downtown. 

Based on feedback from community members, the proposed changes were designed to protect the historic character of downtown, promote quality new development and preserve the existing buildings and businesses within downtown. 

With this in mind, the new Downtown Code requires retail storefronts on Broad and Jackson Streets “on the bricks”, requires all buildings to have doors and windows that face the street, sets a limit on how tall buildings can be, controls density through building form and height restrictions, modifies off-street parking requirements, protects on-street parking along Broad and Jackson Streets, requires a plan for all vacant commercial buildings, encourages small businesses over chain stores and allows more flexible reuse of existing downtown buildings. 

Nearly 40 people were in attendance at the public hearing to hear the proposed changes, many of who were in favor of them. 

Nancy Tinker, Executive Director of Thomasville Landmarks was one of the public participants who spoke in favor of the new Downtown Code changes. 

“At our request, Kenny (City Planner) came and spoke at our board meeting and presented this plan to our Board of Directors,” Tinker said. “I also had the opportunity to speak with him individually and members of his staff. My board has voted unanimously to support the overlay and ask your support in doing so. We especially like the reference to the historic district, the historic character and the core of our downtown.” 

Tinker went on to say they also liked the code’s approach to vacant buildings and lots, before thanking the city for the hard work that went into developing the plan. 

While Tinker and her board were in favor of the adoption, Ian Quinton was opposed to some of the code’s frivolous rules. 

“I hope you have had read this document, and I mean really read it,” Quinton told the Planning and Zoning Commission. 

Quinton explained he has an acre and a half of land on the corner of Jefferson and Oak Street in the downtown core. 

“According to this document, I have responsibilities on the sidewalk to provide 26 pieces of either bike racks, public art, planters or trashcans around my property and around the right of way,” Quinton said. “Also, according to this document I can go seven stories high on my building and not have a single parking requirement.” 

Quinton went on to say when he moved to Thomasville approximately 15 years ago, he always understood that properties in the downtown core, especially properties that have an overlay, have a restrictive covenant by the Historic Preservation Commission. 

“This isn’t something that gets reinvented and dropped on top of you after you’ve already bought the property,” he said. “Virtually everything in this document can be overruled by the HPC (Historic Preservation Commission), so my question is why would you go to the downtown core and create conflict with the HPC on day one?” 

Quinton told the Planning and Zoning Commission the reason people travel to Thomasville is so they can see the historic charm of the downtown core. 

“I’m telling you to read this document, there is stuff in here that will allow wealthy people to take advantage of Downtown Thomasville,” Quinton concluded. 

Haile McCollum, who previously served on the Planning and Zoning Board was excited with the new Downtown Code. 

She said she currently owns two properties that she has been unable to develop due to the rules on the setback. 

“I am in complete favor of this new code, so I can do something finally,” she said. “I do want to point out that there has not been a new build in 20 years, because the code we currently have renders buildings unbuildable. There is a desire in Thomasville to utilize the second floor, but that is not currently possible with the downtown code.” 

Mayor Jay Flowers was also in attendance and echoed McCollum’s statements. 

“We are here because downtown truly matters,” Flowers said. “Thank you for all the effort you’ve put into this.” 

The Commission heard from one final individual, who was also in favor of the changes proposed. 

Following the final statement, the Commission voted to approve the Downtown Code changes, pending a legal review of the language. The approval of the changes will now be taken to City Council for adoption.