CITY OF POOLER
PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
JANUARY 10, 2000

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board was held on Monday, January 10, 2000 at 6 p.m.   Members present were:   Holly Young, Mark Revenew, Larry Olliff, Joe Harmon and Don Taylor.  Jackie Carver, Zoning Administrator and Tim Inglis, City Planner were also present.  Councilman Wayne Seay, Councilman Travis Cowart, Jr. and Councilwoman Billie Tyler were in attendance.  Chairman Don Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Joe Harmon and seconded by Larry Olliff.   Motion passed without opposition.   

Chairman Don Taylor introduced Larry McKendree as our new alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission and administered the Oath of Office.

PUBLIC HEARING:

1.         Mill Creek at Pooler, L.C. request for a 30’ building setback  variance around Mill Creek Circle.   Ralph Forbes of Thomas & Hutton Engineering, Inc. presented this request to the board to change the building setback from 60 feet to 30 feet around Mill Creek Circle.  Mr. Forbes discussed several issues which would support this request.  The City of Pooler’s Subdivision Ordinance allows a 30 foot setback from the right-of-way for collector and minor streets.  The original Mill Creek Village subdivision plat was recorded  with a 30 foot building setback line.  Also, the Development guidelines for Godley Station within the PUD allow a 30 foot building setback from the right-of-way of all roads except I-95, Pooler Parkway and Benton Drive.  This area is not part of the PUD, but this request would keep Mill Creek within the development guidelines of the surrounding properties.  Mark Revenew made a motion to grant the 30 foot building setback variance around Mill Creek Circle.  Motion was seconded by Holly Young and passed without opposition.  The board also confirmed a 60 foot building setback from the Pooler Parkway, Benton Blvd and I-95. 

NEW BUSINESS;

2.         Flash Foods/Movie Gallery @ 1229 West Highway 80 Site Plan Review   Leland Palmer of Palmer Construction Co., Inc. was present to answer any questions the board may have regarding the proposed project.  Chairman Taylor asked if all the comments had been addressed.  Mr. Palmer stated that he thought we had the revised plans and was not aware of additional comments from Jeff Thornburg and Shawn McNelly.  Craig and Herbert Long were present at the meeting to express several concerns on behalf of their mother, Mrs. Betty Long,  who resides at 1029 West Highway 80.  The first concern is potential damage to the trees along her western property line if existing power lines are moved.  They would prefer that the service be run underground.   Secondly,  they would recommend the placement of approximately 100 linear feet of privacy fence along the western property line beginning just behind the storage building to protect their mother’s privacy.  Commissioner Young stated the Longs are long time residents of the City of Pooler and felt these were legitimate requests.  A motion was made by Mark Revenew to table this item to give the developer time to address all the comments and the above concerns expressed by the Long family.   Motion was seconded by Holly Young and passed without opposition.      

3.         Master Sign Plan for the Wal Mart and Home Depot Development.      Ron Bryson of JDN Development, Inc. presented the elements of the master sign plan for the Wal Mart and Home Depot Development to the board for their comments. Mr. Bryson stated that he agreed to revise the plan to only allow one on premise sign for each outparcel and limit the height to 35’. The City of Pooler’s sign ordinance only allows a directory sign in a group development.  Councilwoman Billie Tyler stated the Planning and Zoning Commission needs to review the sign ordinance and make changes.   Tim Inglis, City Planner, stated that he is proposing a text amendment on the number of signs in a group development. Jack Brewton reminded the board that Mayor and Council had directed Tim Inglis to get with the commission and make a recommendation.    Councilman Travis Cowart, Jr. suggested placing a moratorium on new signs until the sign ordinance is revised.  A recommendation was made by Mark Revenew to approve the proposed Wal-Mart sign along I-95 contingent upon Mr. Bryson reducing the number of out-parcel signs and limiting the signage to a monument type.  The board is also recommending that council place a moratorium on any new signage until the sign ordinance has been revised.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition. 

There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Joe Harmon and seconded by Holly Young.