The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Members present were Wilson Roberts, Larry Olliff, Robert Byard, Charles Archer, Mary Louise Lanier, Nannette Ringham, Scotty Fletcher and James Reardon. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Bruce Allen, Councilman Mike Royal, City Manager Robbie Byrd, Planning & Zoning Assistant Kimberly Classen and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance. Chairman Wilson Roberts called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

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

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

PUBLIC HEARING:

1. Dharmendra S. Patel’s request for a sign variance to place a 4’ x  8’      (32 sf.) directional sign at the corner of Moonlight Lane and Blue Moon Crossing:  Rich Heaton of Sign-a-Rama presented the variance request to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. Heaton stated that the proposed sign has been presented to and approved by the Savannah Quarters Architectural Review Board. He further stated that elevation of this particular site is somewhat lower than the elevation of the Pooler Parkway, therefore causing a view hindrance for potential traveling customers.  He also presented an illustration of the proposed sign design along with the construction details.  At the request of Chairman Roberts, Mr. Heaton pointed out the exact location of the sign on the site plan. Referencing the variance standards, Commissioner Olliff stated that a variance is only granted when there are unique physical circumstances or conditions beyond that of surrounding properties.  In response, Mr. Heaton stated that a hardship exists because this site can not be seen clearly from the Pooler Parkway. Commissioner Ringham questioned why the second business is not listed on the existing beacon sign.  Mr. Heaton stated that the BP sign that is currently on site is only a three (3) panel sign and is not large enough to accommodate “Spirit Shoppe”. Public Comments:  Ronald J. Bachner, representing the Homeowner’s Association for Westbrook Villas, appeared before the board to oppose the sign variance.  He stated that he and the homeowners of Westbrook Villas feel there is sufficient access from the Pooler Parkway into the area and the BP Convenience Store is clearly visible without additional signage.  He further stated that the residents of Westbrook Villas would like to maintain a high level of standards and do not believe that additional signage and the addition of unwanted traffic that would be generated would be conducive to their type of community. Jim Anderson, property owner in Westbrook Subdivision, commended the City of Pooler on the sign ordinance and asked the board to please consider opposing the requested sign variance for The Village BP & Spirit Shoppe. Tom Thomas, as well as several other residents of Westbrook appeared before the board to express their opposition to the sign variance request. Petitioner’s Comments:  Mr. Heaton stated that he is requesting a larger directional sign than what is allowed by city ordinance, not an additional principle use sign. He further stated that Mr. Patel has requested an upscale sign to be designed to accommodate the residents of the Savannah Quarters area. He also stated that the sign will be an internally lit sign with only the letters being lit up at night and constructed to match the exterior of the BP building.  Board Comments:  After review of the criteria and failure to meet two of the three standards, a motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to deny the request for a sign variance to place a 4’ x 8’ (32 sf.) directional sign at the corner of Moonlight Lane and Blue Moon Crossing. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

2. MSBP Partners, LLC. has petitioned the City of Pooler to rezone approximately 6.30 acres located directly east of I-95 across from the intersection of Pine Barren Road and A.J. Garcia Road, from R-A (Residential-Agricultural) to I-1 (Light-Industrial):  Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item and the next item on the agenda. Jaime Czismadia with Kern-Coleman & Company presented the rezoning request to the board for their review and recommendation. Ms. Czismadia stated that the subject property is approximately 6 acres and is directly east of I-95 and directly south of Pine Barren Road. She stated that the development of the property would be consistent with the approved use and design standards of the I-1 Zoning District. She further stated that this property is contiguous with several other pieces of property owned by the developer which is already known as The Mega Site Business Park.  Ms. Czismadia also stated that water and sewer is available from A.J. Garcia Road and this site will tie into these lines. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval to rezone approximately 6.30 acres located directly east of I-95 across from the intersection of Pine Barren Road and A.J. Garcia Road, from R-A (Residential-Agricultural) to I-1 (Light-Industrial). Motion was seconded by Commissioner Ringham and passed without opposition. 

3. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Apprentice Shop Building located at 129 Westside Blvd. in the Westside Business Park.  Chad Zittrouer of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Operating engineers is a training facility for union workers to train heavy equipment operators. Mr. Zittrouer stated that Lot 35 has just recently been subdivided and this lot is considered to be Lot 35-B. All of the engineering comments have been addressed and the LDA permit for the entire property has already been issued. Commissioner Fletcher questioned the location of the dumpster. In response, Mr. Zittrouer stated that there would be minimum trash usage and a permanent dumpster pad was not included. Furthermore, if one is required, it could be placed behind the building without an enclosure. With no further comments, Commissioner Archer made a motion to approve the site plan for the Apprentice Shop Building located at 129 Westside Boulevard in the Westside Business Park, contingent upon an annotation being placed on the site plan stating that a dumpster will be located at the rear of the building not visible from Westside Boulevard. Motion was seconded my Commissioner Ringham and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, there was some discussion concerning whether the proposed development met the requirements of the tree ordinance. A motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to approve the landscape plan for the Apprentice Shop Building located at 129 Westside Boulevard in the Westside Business Park. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.  Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat on the board.

4. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Sheppard Station Apartments located on Brighton Woods Drive Extension: John Farmer with HGB&D presented the site plan for Sheppard Station Apartments to the board for their review and recommendation.  Chairman Roberts reminded the board that this property is zoned R-3A, a multi-family zoning district.  Mr. Farmer stated that this development satisfies the Federal Justice Department’s requirement for subsidized housing for the City of Pooler. The proposed development includes a total of 65 units with 33 units being one-bedroom, 32 units being two-bedrooms and the only access to and from the site is Brighton Woods Drive. He further stated that each building will have its own sprinkler system served by a 4” line with a back-flow preventer.  Chairman Roberts questioned the trash collection. Mr. Farmer stated that this site currently has two (2) dumpster pad locations noted on the site plan and the enclosures will be of masonry material and similar in color to the exterior of the buildings. Chairman Roberts questioned if there are any restrictions on the occupancy of these buildings concerning children.  In response, Mr. Farmer stated that he is not aware of any restrictions, but City Manager Robbie Byrd stated that there are age restrictions placed on this development and he would get that information in writing prior to Council. Commissioner Fletcher questioned the location of proposed sidewalks.  Mr. Farmer stated that the only sidewalks proposed are internal sidewalks leading to the community building, shuffleboard, horseshoe and community garden areas. With no further comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend approval of the site plan for Sheppard Station Apartments located on Brighton Woods Drive extension, contingent upon replacement trees being utilized in landscaped islands throughout the parking area with no more than twelve (12) parking spaces per four hundred (400) square feet of landscaped island space, and a note being added to the site plan describing the dumpster enclosure material being of masonry. Regarding the landscape plan, there was some discussion concerning landscaping requirements within a parking area and the number and type of replacement trees. A motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to approve the landscape plan, contingent upon the landscaped islands throughout the parking area being no more than twelve (12) parking spaces per four hundred (400) square feet of landscaped island space, the annotation of tree calculations added to the site plan, and sufficient understory shrubbery to be added within the buffer along the Pooler Parkway.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer, and passed without opposition.

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:37 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Ringham and passed without opposition.