PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES APRIL 23, 2001

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, April 23, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present were:  Larry Olliff, Joe Harmon, Debbie Ryan Watts, Craig Brewer, Holly Young, Judson Trapnell and Tim Lovezzola.  Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver, City Planner Tim Inglis, Councilwoman Billie Tyler and Councilman Travis Cowart, Jr. 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. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS:  

  1. John Water’s request for a rear setback variance for installation of a swimming pool.  Mr. John Waters of 143 Village Lake Drive presented the variance request to the board for their review and consideration.  He would like to install a 14’ x 28’ swimming pool 5 feet from the rear property line.  With only 26 feet from his house to the rear property line it would be difficult to install the pool and leave 10 feet from his rear property line.  The rear of his lot abuts a 100’ buffer that will remain in its natural state.  Commissioner Larry Olliff asked about the width of the deck around the pool.  Mr. Waters stated that the deck would extend from the house down 10’ on each side of the pool and all the way to the fence on the rear.   Mr. Waters stated that he became aware of the 26’ distance in his backyard when he received a copy of his site plan.  He is unable to shift the pool closer to the house because this may undermine the foundation.  City Planner Tim Inglis reminded the board members that when Jerry Konter approached Mayor and Council with the smaller lots in Towne Lake he assured them that swimming pools would not be an issue. John Carter of 150 Village Lake Drive sympathized with Mr. Waters but stated that he is concerned about run-off onto adjacent properties.  Chairman Young stated that with other small lots in Towne Lake, this would certainly set a precedent for other variances.  Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to deny Mr. Water’s request for a 5’ rear setback variance for installation of a swimming pool.  Motion was seconded by Joe Harmon and passed without opposition.

OLD BUSINESS:  

  1. Williams Hollow Final Plat Review/Approval.   At the request of Attorney Wiley Ellis, a motion was made by Judson Trapnell to table this item.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
  1. Discussion of ordinance change regarding shipping containers.  The board had been given copies of the changes proposed at the April 9th meeting.  Mrs. Carver and Councilwoman Billie Tyler had invited representatives from Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Cracker Barrel for their input on the proposed ordinance regarding shipping containers.  Jerry Jackson from Wal-Mart expressed the following concerns.  He needs a minimum of 90 days on each permit. He does not want to be held to only two permits if the need arises for containers at other times of the year. With the volume and success of the Pooler Wal-Mart, he will need more containers than the 5% will allow.  He’s fine with the $25.00 application fee but has a problem with the $50.00 per container charge and the $250.00/per container/per day penalty charge.  Commissioner Debbie Ryan Watts asked Mr. Jackson how the absence of containers would impact the citizens of Pooler. In that case, stock items would be low and citizens would go elsewhere to purchase these items. Councilman Travis Cowart, Jr. reminded the board that Mayor and Council has granted Wal-Mart a 90-day permit for containers on two different occasions. Mr. Cowart recommended changing the verbiage to read, “two nonconsecutive permits per year”.  Chairman Young stated that the board doesn’t want businesses like Wal-Mart to use containers as a tool to avoid building a warehouse nearby. 

Mr. Jackson stated that Wal-Mart is willing to put a fence or whatever is necessary to hide the containers from view of adjacent property owners.  City Planner Tim Inglis suggested a natural landscaped screening instead of a fence.

Chairman Young thanked Mr. Jackson for taking the time to come and give his comments.  This item was tabled for further discussion. 

  1. Hargray Wireless Landscape Plan .  Jeffrey Carr of P.C. Simonton & Associates, Inc. was present on behalf of Hargray Wireless to answer any questions regarding the landscape plan.  City Planner Tim Inglis questioned the location of the proposed Dogwood Trees next to the road in full sun.  Joe Harmon made a motion to approve the landscape plan for Hargray Wireless contingent upon the owner planting a more suitable tree next to the road.  Motion was seconded by Judson Trapnell and passed without opposition. 
  1. Terefenko Center Landscape Plan Review.  John S. Kern of Kern, Coleman &

Company presented the landscape plan to the board for their review.  Mr. Kern stated that the owner, Mr. Paul Terefenko is proposing four office buildings with five units per building on lot 16 and 17 in Phase II of the Pooler Park of Commerce.  City Planner Tim Inglis reminded Mr. Kern that sidewalks needed to be shown on the site plan.  Mrs. Carver also reminded Mr. Kern that the plans have to be approved by the ARP of the Pooler Park of Commerce.  Larry Olliff made a motion to approve the Terefenko Center Landscape plan contingent upon receipt of the developer’s approval of the landscape plan.  Motion was seconded by Joe Harmon and passed with no opposition.    

  1. Sawyer Enterprises Landscape Plan Review for issuance of LDA.  Jeffrey Carr of P.C. Simonton & Associates, Inc. presented the landscape plan to the board for their review.  The owner has no use in mind for the property at this time.  Since the plan meets the tree ordinance, a motion was made by Tim Lovezzola to approve the landscape plan contingent upon the replanting of the trees be completed within six months after the issuance of the LDA permit. Motion was seconded by Judson Trapnell and passed without opposition.
  1. Southwest Quadrant Phase Two PUD Master Plan Review/Approval.

Steve Wohlfeil of HGB&D had presented this plan to the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting.  The board agreed this is a beautiful project and should be well received by the community.  With no other comments, Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to approve the Southwest Quadrant Phase Two PUD Master Plan.  Motion was seconded by Joe Harmon and passed without opposition. 

  1. Master Sketch Plan Review of Treutlen Business Park Subdivision located

at the end of Governor Treutlen Road.    John S. Kern of Kern, Coleman Engineering Company presented the master sketch plan of Treutlen Business Park to the board for their review and comments. The owner is proposing a commercial business park with small lots to attract small business owners. The only concern expressed by Mr. Kern is the narrow existing dirt road located next to the ditch.  Mr. Kern is proposing some type of barricade or traffic barrier next to the ditch.  Water and sewer is adjacent to the site and the owner is looking for a general approval of the sketch plan so the engineers can proceed with development plans.

Governor Treutlen Road is presently a 60 right-of-way and the owner plans to widen the right-of-way to 80 feet.  The owner is planning to have a homeowner’s association. and covenants for the subdivision.  Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to approve the master sketch plan of Treutlen Business Park contingent upon covenants being recorded along with the subdivision and confirmation of Governor Treutlen Road being a dedicated street.  Motion was seconded by Judson Trapnell and passed with no 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.