CITY OF POOLER
PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 13, 2006
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, February 13, 2006 at 6 p.m. Members present were Mary Louise Lanier, Wilson Roberts, Larry Olliff, Jim McQueeney and Don Taylor. Assistant City Manager Robbie Byrd, Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Wayne Seay and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance. Chairman Don Taylor called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
Don Taylor gave the invocation and Wilson Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Larry Olliff subject to a change in the motion he made on January 23, 2006 regarding Kasandas Properties encroachment variance into the 60’ front building setback (Item # 1 under public hearings). Mrs. Carver acknowledged the change. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
Chairman Don Taylor introduced Scotty Fletcher as our newly appointed alternate to the Planning and Zoning Board and Councilwoman Rebecca Benton administered the Oath of Office.
Public Hearings:
1. Shannon King’s request for a conditional use to operate a “Family Home Daycare” from her residence at 254 Longleaf Circle. Shannon King and her husband Wilfred were present to answer any questions regarding their request to operate a “Family Home Daycare” from their residence at 254 Longleaf Circle. Chairman Don Taylor is concerned about the proposed parking layout. He pointed out the drawing shows six parking spaces in a tight area. The proposed hours of operation are from 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The board expressed further concerns about cars parking in the street. Commissioner Wilson Roberts recommended adding either a circular driveway or additional parking on the side of the residence. Public comments: Marla Conner of 263 Longleaf Circle, who lives across the street, stated that she has had an on going problem with vehicles parking in the street blocking her driveway and young unsupervised children playing in the street. With no other comments, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to recommend approval of the conditional use request by Shannon King to operate a “Family Home Daycare” at 254 Longleaf Circle subject to additional parking being provided for a maximum of six vehicles. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed without opposition.
2. John Kern, as applicant, has petitioned the City of Pooler for a conditional use to build a “Country Western Night Club” on Lot 1, Pooler Development Park.
John Kern, on behalf of Pat Picone, proposed owner and operator, presented the conditional use request to build a country western night club on Lot 1 to the board for their review and recommendation. In the proposed 10,000 square foot building, 5,000 square feet will be retail and the other half will include activities such as: mechanical bull riding, live bands and dancing. The business hours of operation for the Country Western Night Club will be Tuesday thru Saturday, 5 p.m. - 3 a.m. The building will be insulated to minimize sound transmission. Parking is proposed along the front, side and rear. During heavy traffic volume events, staff will be provided outside to monitor activities and traffic flow. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton asked if they have an approved D.O.T. curb-cut from U. S. Highway 80. In response, Mr. Kern stated they do not, but assume they will be able to obtain one during the site plan submittal process. With no public comments, Jim McQueeney made a motion to recommend approval of the conditional use request to build a “Country Western Night Club” on Lot l, Pooler Development Park. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
Old Business:
3. Conditional Use Request to construct mini storage units in a C-1 zoning on west highway 80 between Pooler Professional Plaza and Pooler Family Dental. At the request of the petitioner, a motion was made Wilson Roberts to remove this item from the agenda. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
4. Site Plan Review for Creative Learning Child Care Center at 112 Morgan Street.
Chairman Don Taylor reminded the board that this item was tabled for engineering plans to be submitted to address drainage concerns. Billie Bazemore, property owner, stated that she had contacted several engineers and had been given quotes from $8,000 to $10,000. Mrs. Bazemore stated that she was hoping the board would waive this request once they were informed as to the cost. Chairman Don Taylor explained that with the pavement proposed, the board needs to know how the property will drain.
Downer Davis of Davis Engineering, Inc. had reviewed the potential site plan and suggested moving the parking area closer to the building. Following some discussion, Wilson Roberts made a motion to table for drainage information and proper site plan and would also recommend to council that the storm water requirements be overlooked for this project. Motion died for lack of a second. Chairman Don Taylor recommends that Mrs. Bazemore hire a surveyor to show existing elevations with arrows showing direction of drainage. Larry Olliff made a motion to table the site plan until additional site plan information has been provided. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed without opposition. For clarification, Chairman Don Taylor stated that a proper site plan is needed where a surveyor does a topo of the site and the proposed improvements including drainage.
New Business:
5. Westbrook Villas – Phase I – Plat Revision. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the revised plat to the board for their review and recommendation. The original Phase I plat was approved on April 11, 2005 and recorded on May 3, 2005. Lot # 125 was removed from Phase I prior to approval because the owner did not want the lot platted without the wetland permit modification being finalized. The wetland permit modification has since been completed and the owner is now requesting that the City re-approve the Phase I plat with Lot # 125 included. With no public comments, Jim McQueeney made a motion to recommend approval of the revised plat for Phase I of Westbrook Villas. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
6. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Longhorn Steakhouse on Pooler Parkway.
Jerry Johnson, Engineering Director for Rare Hospitality, was present to answer any questions about the proposed Longhorn Steakhouse. Mr. Johnson stated the building should be under construction the later part of March and hopefully opened on or by Labor Day. The construction plans have been revised to address all of the engineer’s comments and resubmitted to Bill Nicholson for his final review. With no public comments, Larry Olliff made a motion to recommend approval of the Longhorn Steakhouse site plan subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition. The landscape plan meets the tree ordinance. Therefore, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the landscape plan as submitted. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
7. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Operating Engineers 474 on Lot 35-A, Westside Business Park. John Kern of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. The proposed building is a union hall with no more than two people in the office. Commissioner Roberts asked where the dumpster was located. In response, Mr. Kern stated that a dumpster is not needed at this time but he would be willing to place a service yard enclosure around the garbage cart. With no public comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for Operating Engineers 474 on Lot 35-A, Westside Business Park subject to the addition of the service yard enclosure around the garbage cart. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, Commissioner Olliff questioned the number of required trees needed for this tract. Following some discussion, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the landscape plan for Operating Engineers 474 on Lot 35-A, Westside Business Park. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed without opposition.
8. Jabot Tract Spine Road Clearing, Grading & Tree Protection Plans for issuance of LDA. Dana Hornkohl of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the clearing plan to the board on behalf of client 929 Properties, LLC for their review and recommendation. This submittal is actually a part of the approval by the council regarding The Harmony Project, wherein a time schedule was placed on beginning construction of this Jabot Spine Road by summer of ‘06. This is selective clearing where no significant trees are removed except in the proposed spine road right-of-way.
He has received approval from NRCS and is now seeking approval from this board for issuance of the LDA. With no public comment, Jim McQueeney made a motion to approve the clearing, grading and tree protection plan for the Jabot Tract Spine Road for issuance of LDA. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
9. McGert’s minor subdivision of Lot 16 into Parcels A & B – off Skinner Road.
Robert and Rosalyn McGert and Johnnie White were present to answer any questions about the proposed minor subdivision. The twenty (20) acre tract is part of the estate of Simon Cuthbert and is being equally divided between the above property owners. Each lot will be served by a private well and on-site septic tank. There was some discussion about the access to this property. There is an existing 20’ access easement on the rear of lots 322 and 321 in Garden Acres Subdivision and also a prescriptive right-of-way (Skinner Road) from Pine Barren Road. Chairman Don Taylor questioned the use of Skinner Road with no easement to this property. Following some discussion, a motion was made by Jim McQueeney to recommend approval of the minor subdivision of Lot 16 into parcels A & B. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
10. The Gates, Phase 1B, preliminary construction plan / landscape plan review – Savannah Quarters. Jacob Lang of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the construction plans to the board for their review and recommendation. Phase 1B consists of 91 lots and associated infrastructure situated on 31 acres. The Gates is a semi private residential development with the streets and open space being owned and maintained by the developments homeowner’s association. All of the engineer’s comments have been addressed. Therefore, a motion was made by Jim McQueeney to recommend approval of the preliminary construction plans for The Gates, Phase lB. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, a tree plant back exhibit has been submitted showing up to 3 trees per lot. Since the plan meets the requirements of the tree ordinance, Jim McQueeney made a motion to approve the landscape plan for The Gates, Phase lB. Motion was seconded by Scotty Fletcher and passed without opposition.
11. Discussion about the creation of a Historic District. Councilman Wayne Seay explained discussions about creating a Historic District have been going on for the past two years. This will give Planning and Zoning and Council more say-so regarding architecture and other aspects of development in the too-be designated Historic District.
There is grant money available at the state level but we are looking at creating a district at the local level. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton stated the first step is to define the geographical area and Councilman Seay is presently searching through his old maps and documents for some information to help define this area.
12. Discussion of revisions to the sign ordinance. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton stated that she had requested that this item be placed on the agenda because of all the phone calls she has been receiving about the temporary signs popping up all over the city. Assistant City Manager Robbie Byrd stated that the city is currently reviewing sign ordinances and is considering whether the existing sign ordinance will be amended or a new one adopted. The board strongly recommends that any changes to the sign ordinance include prohibiting temporary signs.
There being no further business to discuss, Mary Louise Lanier made a motion to adjourn at approximately 8:15 p.m. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed without opposition.