The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, March 26, 2001 at 6 p.m.   Members present were:  Larry Olliff, Joe Harmon, Tim Lovezzola, Holly Young, Fleta Pepper, Debbie Ryan Watts, Craig Brewer and Judson Trapnell.   Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver and Councilwoman Billie Tyler were also in attendance.  Chairman Holly Young called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

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

New Business:  

  1. Minor Subdivision at the northwest corner of Towne Commerce Drive and Pooler Parkway.

Craig Brewer excused himself from any discussion on this item due to a conflict of interest. Steve Byrd of Thomas & Hutton presented the minor subdivision to the board for their review and comments. Mr. Byrd stated that access to lots 10 and 11 would be thru Traders Way.  With no public comments, Larry Olliff made a motion to approve the minor subdivision. Motion was seconded by Judson Trapnell and passed with no opposition.    

  1. Parkway Loop Connector Road Construction Plans.  Steve Wohlfeil of HGB&D reminded the board that this road was approved in June of last year on a master plan of the approved median cuts along the Pooler Parkway. Chairman Young questioned the road being located within an access easement and the need for tracing wire over the storm lines.  Mr. Wohlfeil confirmed that the road would be located within an access easement and would be a private road with no water and sewer lines.  Mr. Wohlfeil stated that tracing wire is not required by the current city ordinance but he could justify the need for tracing wire if the road would be dedicated to the City of Pooler at a later date.  Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to approve the construction plans for the Pooler Parkway Loop Connector Road contingent upon adding tracing wire to the plans.  Motion was seconded by Joe Harmon and passed without opposition.  
  1. Landscape Plan of Premier Fabricators, Inc. on Eason Drive.  Harold Walker of Walker Consolidated Industries, Inc. and Patrick Burk of Stevenson & Palmer presented the landscape plan to the board for their review and comments.  The only question the board had was if the proposed oak tree was on the list of preferred trees.   Mr. Burke was not familiar with the type of trees noted on the landscape plan but confirmed that the trees would be from the list of preferred trees.  Mr. Harold Walker stated he has plans to double the size of the proposed building at a later date.  He further stated that forcing him to meet the tree ordinance was limiting the use of his property.  He felt the board should make an exception because of requirements placed on his project by the Chatham County Health Department regarding septic tanks.  The board sympathized with Mr. Walker but felt they could not exempt him from meeting the tree ordinance.  Following some discussion, a motion was made by Joe Harmon to approve the landscape plan for Premier Fabricators, Inc. pending confirmation that the designated trees are from the list of preferred trees as noted in the City of Pooler’s Tree Ordinance. Motion was seconded by Debbie Ryan Watts and passed with no opposition.
  1. Discussion of ordinance change regarding shipping containers.  Councilwoman Billie Tyler explained to the board that Mayor and Council had issued a temporary permit to Wal-Mart for three containers to stock spring inventory.  Wal-mart asked if the City of Pooler could set a policy regarding container use by businesses on a seasonal basis.  Mayor and Council have again requested the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the ordinance and recommend some changes.  The board had been given a list of some suggestions from staff to review for further comments during the meeting. Commissioner Larry Olliff recommended that the “number of containers” in suggestion  #2 be changed to read “total square footage of containers”.  Commissioner Judson Trapnell questioned if “out of view of the general public” in suggestion #3 included pedestrian traffic along I-95. Attorney Brandon Galloway recommended some clarification on # 3 regarding the placement of containers behind the business and out of view of the general public. He suggested referencing traffic in the area as opposed to the general public   Mr. Galloway also recommended changing # 2 so allowances would be made for businesses too small to meet the square footage requirement but could meet all the other listed criteria.  He also suggested changing # 5 to charge a penalty per container instead of a penalty per day for the violation.  Councilwoman Tyler didn’t have a problem with the $25.00 application fee but she questioned the need to charge for each container permitted.  She also suggested that some type of clause be added to allow containers during an emergency such as hurricanes, etc. where supplies would need to be stockpiled quickly for the public.  Chairman Young suggested that storage buildings behind commercial businesses be addressed in this proposed ordinance.  Chairman Young also expressed her concern about the amount of revenue the City is missing by not requiring these businesses to build additional buildings for storage.  Mrs. Carver stated that she would contact some surrounding municipalities to see if they restrict containers and storage buildings on commercial properties.  Fleta Pepper made a motion to table this item for further discussion.  Motion was seconded by Debbie Ryan Watts 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 Judson Trapnell.