JANUARY 22, 2007

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, January 22, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Members present were Wilson Roberts, Larry Olliff, Scotty Fletcher, Mary Louise Lanier, James Reardon and Charles Archer. Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver was also in attendance. Chairman Wilson Roberts called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Charles Archer gave the invocation and Chairman Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed upon a motion made by Charles Archer. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.

Public Hearings:

Proposed text amendment to add “Non-Profit military museum” to the definition section of Article II and Article IV, Section 19 (B) of the zoning ordinance for the City of Pooler. Eric Fulcher of Bouhan, Williams & Levy LLP presented the text amendment to the board for their review and comments. He explained the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Center has plans to add a Columbaria to the gardens at the museum to house the remains of those whose inurnment would further the commemoration of military service. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff, seconded by Commissioner Reardon, to recommend approval of the proposed text amendment to add “Non-Profit military museum” to the definition section of Article II and Article IV, Section 19 (B) of the zoning ordinance. Motion passed without opposition.

Enmark Stations Incorporation has petitioned the City of Pooler for a conditional use to allow construction of a convenience store/gas station at 860 West Highway 80.

Dwight Harrison of Enmark Stations Inc. presented the conditional use request to the board. He introduced property owner Larry Young to tell the board about the meeting that was held with the property owners in the area. Letters were mailed out to all of the residents of Worthington Subdivision and adjacent property owners along Durden Drive. Councilman Bruce Allen and ten residents attended the meeting which was held at city hall from 3 p.m.until 5 p.m. Out of those attending, one opposed and the rest were in favor of the Enmark project. Mr. Young stated that the alternative to this development could be a 10,000 square foot strip center and possible residential development on the rear of the lot. Mr. Harrison recapped the changes made in the original site plan to address the concerns of the adjacent property owners. The dumpster was moved to the west side of the building and the parking area at the rear of the building will be paved with asphalt. The chain link fence has been changed to a 6’ wood privacy fence and has been moved behind the detention area. A concrete road has been added around the east end of the building for fuel tank truck deliveries. Mr. Harrison reiterated that the rear 1.15 acres of the property will remain undeveloped and used as a screen and buffer area between the Enmark Station and the residential neighborhood. Commissioner Fletcher questioned the decel lane as to how it would affect the adjacent property. The decel lane is located within the DOT right-of-way and a curb cut could be acquired when and if the adjacent property is rezoned for commercial development. Public comments: Sandy Glick, adjacent property owner, still has concerns about the fuel tanks being so close to her property line, hours of operation of the potential retail/convenience store, lack of buffering and the proposed location of the decel lane across the front of her property. Robert Folmar of 801 Robin Drive is opposed to this development because of the potential noise and feels it would be detrimental to his property and the rest of the neighborhood. He further requested if the board recommends approval it would be with the building scaled down without the retail portion included. Romanda Talley of 202 Cardinal Street expressed the following concerns from being a former resident around the Gate Station: proposed hours of operation, rodents, decrease in property values and a safety issue with children in the neighborhood. She would not oppose some other commercial use like an office building with decent hours. Johnny and Lucille Dowd of 407 Purple Finch Drive support the proposed development for the following reasons.

Enmark agrees to deed restrict the residential portion to remain an undisturbed buffer and allow no access onto Cardinal or Symons Street. The use is comparable to other existing uses in the area and the Enmark Stations are maintained and kept clean. John Webber of

403 Cardinal Street has mixed feelings about the proposal. He did comment about the time of the meeting stating that most people have to work until 5 p.m. and did not feel that was fair to the neighborhood. Stephen Dowd of 407 Cardinal Street and David Harmon of 103 Wild Turkey Lane appreciate the agreement of Enmark to leave the large Pines and Oak trees to help form an additional buffer for lighting and noise. Danny Clark of 104 Wild Turkey Lane stated that he is not in favor of any commercial development next to residential but he feels the impact would not be as detrimental with the proposed buffering. He confirmed that during the meeting, the developer stated he would be willing to plant additional plantings in the buffer area. Chairman Roberts questioned if Enmark agreed to place additional plantings in the buffer area back towards Cardinal Street. Mr. Harrison stated that a row of shrubs to include Crepe Myrtles are proposed behind the privacy fence but his understanding of the agreement with Larry and Holly Young is that the buffer area is to remain undisturbed. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Lanier to recommend approval of the conditional use to allow construction of a convenience store/gas station at 860 West Highway 80 with the proposed landscaping to include additional plantings in the buffer area. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed with Commissioner Fletcher opposing.

New Business:

Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Flash Foods No. 296 located at the corner of Coleman Blvd. and U. S. Highway 80 (1080 W. Highway 80). Anthony Rentz of Rentz Engineering Design presented the proposed site plan for Flash Foods to the board for their review and recommendation. Most of the comments have been addressed and plans have been resubmitted to Bill Nicholson for his review. Commissioner Olliff questioned the dumpster enclosure and Mr. Rentz stated it will be a concrete masonry material with an opaque fence closing. Commissioner Olliff also questioned the 10’ side setback along the western property line. After reviewing the site plan, Mr. Rentz agreed it should be 10 feet. Commissioner Fletcher questioned the building footprint that is labeled future expansion. Mr. Rentz stated that the owner understands that he would need to go through the site plan approval process for the future building expansion. There was some discussion about whether the “future expansion” should be deleted from the site plan or if a note could be placed on the site plan stating that this approval does not include the “future expansion”. Commissioner Fletcher stated that a note on the site plan would be sufficient. Commissioner Lanier is concerned about traffic congestion at Coleman Blvd. and Highway 80. In response, Mr Rentz stated that customers will have a choice of using Coleman Blvd. or the frontage road that extends in front of the amusement park. Mrs. Carver asked if a fence is proposed around the perimeter of the property to prevent access from the amusement park. Mr. Rentz stated a fence is not proposed at this time. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to recommend approval of the site plan for Flash Foods # 296 subject to the engineer’s comments being addressed, the side setback being changed to 10 feet and a note being placed on the site plan about the “future expansion”. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition. After review of the landscape plan, a motion was made Commissioner Olliff to approve the plan. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.

Minor Subdivision Plat of Tract 3A on Blue Moon Crossing into 2 lots. Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of items 4, 5, 6 and 7. Michael Fell of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the minor subdivision of 26.46 acres into 2 lots to the board for their review and recommendation. The 6.16 acre portion, referenced as Tract 3C on the plat is a proposed future townhome development. With no public comments, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to recommend approval of the minor subdivision plat of Tract 3A on Blue Moon Crossing into 2 lots. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition.

Acceptance of Maintenance Bond / Final Plat Review of Forest Lakes, Phase 2.

Michael Fell of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the final plat for Forest Lakes, Phase 2 to the board for their review and recommendation. This phase contains 67 lots and is located at the intersection of Forest Lakes Drive and Wyndham Way. The developer is requesting to have the subdivision plat recorded under a maintenance bond in the amount of $132,048.50. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend acceptance of the maintenance bond and approval of the final plat for Forest Lakes, Phase 2. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.

Forest Lakes, Phase 3A Revised Subdivision Plat to correct benchmarks.

Michael Fell of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the revised subdivision plat to the board for their review and recommendation. The purpose of the revision is to correct the elevations of existing benchmarks due to the adjustment of fire hydrants during post construction. With no public comments, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to recommend approval of the revised subdivision plat for Forest Lakes, Phase 3A. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition.

Forest Lakes, Phase 3B Revised Subdivision Plat to correct benchmarks.

Michael Fell of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the revised subdivision plat to the board for their review and recommendation. The purpose of the revision is to correct the elevations of existing benchmarks due to the adjustment of fire hydrants during post construction. With no public comments, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to recommend approval of the revised subdivision plat for Forest Lakes, Phase 3B. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition. Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat on the board.

Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Savannah Logistics Park at Morgan Center

Scott Quesinberry, Development Analyst for Oakmont Industrial Group, presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Morgan Center is a 62.87 acre industrial site located at the intersection of Pooler Parkway and S. H. Morgan Parkway. Oakmont Industrial Group is constructing two industrial office/warehouse buildings. All of the engineer’s comments have been addressed. Commissioner Fletcher questioned if a waste facility is needed for this project and the type of enclosure. Following some discussion, Commissioner Archer made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for the Savannah Logistics Park at Morgan Center subject to the placement of two dumpsters on the site plan not visible from the Pooler Parkway and the S. H. Morgan Parkway to include enclosures of the same material as the buildings. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition. After review of the landscape plan, Commissioner Reardon made a motion to approve the plan. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.

Proposed text amendment in Article III. Section 5 (D) (2) to change the parking lot dimensions in Commercial Districts. Chairman Roberts explained there is a discrepancy in the zoning ordinance regarding the width of an automobile parking space in Commercial Districts. The text reads each automobile parking space shall be not less than eight feet wide and the parking lot standards chart states nine feet wide. The text amendment would change the width of an automobile parking space from eight feet to nine feet in Commercial Districts to clear up the discrepancy. With no public comments, Commissioner Reardon made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed text amendment to change the parking lot dimensions in Commercial Districts. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

Proposed change to the Tree Ordinance regarding reimbursement for unused trees.

Chairman Roberts explained that Assistant City Manager Robert Byrd requested the board review the method of reimbursement for unused trees in Commercial and Industrial Districts if determined to be a hardship by the Planning and Zoning Board. Mr. Byrd is recommending changing the reimbursement value of a Live Oak with dbh of six (6) inches to a Live Oak with dbh of two (2) inches. Since the board had some questions about the change, a motion was made by Commissioner Lanier to table this item and request that Mr. Byrd attend the next meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.

Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman & Company on behalf of North Point Realty appeared before the board to request adding the site plan review of the NRS Warehouse on Dean Forest Road to the agenda. Mr. Crapps explained his client is working on a very strict time schedule because he has a contract for the building to be ready for occupancy by the end of December. He has met with Bill Nicholson to review the list of comments and plans have been resubmitted for his review. Following some discussion, Commissioner Archer made a motion that was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher to add the site plan and landscape plan review for the NRS Warehouse on Dean Forest Road as item # 11. Commissioners Fletcher and Archer voted in favor of the motion and Commissioners Lanier and Olliff voted against. Motion passed with Chairman Roberts voting in favor of the motion. Commissioner Reardon stepped down from his seat to excuse himself from any discussion of this item.

Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review of the NRS Warehouse on Dean Forest Road.

Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the project to the board for their review and recommendation. He stated that 35 acres out of the total 159 acres is being disturbed for this development. The spine road off Dean Forest Road will include 11 acres, curb & gutter and storm drainage. Regarding the landscape plan, this is a good example of a prime opportunity where the city could acquire trees to use elsewhere in the community. Because this is a trucking business, all of the trees are proposed on top of the berm, around the detention area and along the spine road. Commissioner Archer questioned having only one handicapped parking space and the location of the dumpster pad. Mr. Crapps explained with this type of facility the dumpster is usually set right outside the last bay and dumped with a forklift as needed. It was determined that more handicapped parking spaces are needed to meet ADA requirements. Commissioner Lanier is concerned that this development will affect the drainage in the area. She reminded the board that council promised the residents in this area a drainage study two years ago. Following some discussion, Commissioner Olliff made a motion to table this item and motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to recommend approval of the NRS site plan subject to all of the engineering comments being addressed, compliance with ADA requirements, confirmation that the conditions have been met that were set forth in the rezoning of this property and the need for a drainage study to be addressed by council. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer. Motion passed with Commissioner Olliff opposing. Regarding the landscape plan, Commissioner Archer made a motion to approve the plan and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher. Motion passed with Commissioner Olliff opposing. Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat on the board.

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Reardon made a motion to adjourn at approximately 8:40 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.