The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Mary Louise Lanier, Charles Archer, Wilson Roberts, Tim Lovezzola, Jim McQueeney and Dennis Jones. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Larry Olliff, Councilman Michael Royal, Councilman Bruce Allen, Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver and City Planner Robbie Byrd were also in attendance. Commissioner Dennis Jones chaired the meeting in the absence of the Chairman and Co-Chairman. The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m.
Charles Archer gave the invocation and Wilson Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Charles Archer. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Landscape plan review of Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Savannah Quarters.
At the request of the petitioner, Tim Lovezzola made a motion to table this item. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
2. Review and recommendation of preliminary construction plans for “The Grove” at Brighton Woods Subdivision. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the revised construction plans for the “The Grove” to the board and noted changes that were made as a result of comments from the meeting two weeks ago. Several lots were widened to meet the 80’ lot width requirement at the building setback line. One of the main issues at that time was traffic. A traffic study has been conducted by a traffic engineer indicating that the new project would not overload Brighton Woods Drive. Another issue of major concern at that meeting was drainage. Several changes were made to the drainage plan to address some of the concerns. The existing ditch from the north behind Shearouse Lumber Company has been routed directly into the detention area instead of tying into the existing ditch behind Brighton Woods Subdivision. Another change proposed is increasing the culvert size at the end of Brighton Woods Drive from 24” to 30”. Mr. Kraft has also run a model for a 25 year storm and the lagoons are adequate to handle the water for a 25 year storm. Lot 1 has been eliminated to increase the open space and detention pond size. The entire pond along with some additional grassed areas, Oak Trees and picnic tables meet the 5% open space requirement. Mr. Kraft stated that he feels the plan meets the requirements of the City of Pooler’s Subdivision Ordinance and would request that this board forward the plan on to City Council for their review and consideration. Commissioner Wilson Roberts strongly recommends a neighborhood grading and drainage plan be required for this subdivision. Also, if this is not a requirement he would recommend that the City of Pooler do a text amendment that would include the storm water design to a 25 year storm. Secondly, Wilson Roberts asked if the subdivision is developed in this so called swamp area will there still be standing water on this tract. In response, Mr. Kraft stated there would not be on the individual lots but may be some in the existing wetlands. Mrs. Stuckey of Winskie Road stated the drainage ditches are not being maintained, the pipe under Winskie Road is blocked and the canals cannot handle any additional run-off. Chairman Dennis Jones assured Mrs. Stuckey the Public Works Department would be notified of these concerns. Robert Morgan, another resident of Winskie Road is concerned about water quality in the detention area and the possibility of chemical run-off from Shearouse Lumber Company. He recommends the plans be reviewed by EPD. Gloria McArthur of 14 Hayden’s Court expressed the following concerns: overflow parking in Brighton Woods Subdivision during funerals, elderly neighbors that would have difficulty leaving their home during flooding like the one in 1994, the safety of neighborhood children with traffic and the large detention area proposed with this development. Tommy Shearouse opposes any development in this area due to potential flooding like what occurred in 1994. He requests a copy of the minutes of this meeting. If the board approves this development, he requests that the developer be required to place a 25’berm between Shearouse Lumber Company and this development. G. U. Davis, resident of Winskie Road stated this tract is nothing but a swamp land, unsuitable for development. In response, Attorney Josh Walker representing the developer, acknowledged the concerns of the residents. He further stated that the plans meet the requirements of the subdivision ordinance. Therefore, he is requesting a recommendation from this board. Following some discussion, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of the preliminary construction plans for “The Grove” at Brighton Woods Subdivision subject to submittal of a neighborhood grading and drainage plan. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed with Mary Louise Lanier and Tim Lovezzola opposing.
3. Landscape plan review for “The Grove” at Brighton Woods Subdivision for compliance with the City of Pooler’s Tree Ordinance. Hal Kraft of HGB&D recapped the landscaping plan as to how it meets the tree ordinance with three (3) preferred trees proposed on each lot. The board noted that there are some significant Oak Trees located on some of these lots that may have to be removed with construction of a residential home. Even though the developer stated his intent is to save as many of these trees as possible, the board would prefer to have these significant trees identified. Linda Fields of Winskie Road is concerned about the effect the removal of these trees will have on wildlife particularly rare species of birds and woodpeckers that are known to habitat on this tract of land. Following some discussion, Charles Archer made a motion to approve the landscape plan subject to a tree removal plan being resubmitted to this board once the developer has had a chance to review the proposed house layouts in relation to the location of these significant Oak Trees. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed with Mary Louise Lanier opposing.
NEW BUSINESS:
4. Minor Subdivision request of Fred Williams to subdivide lot 3 out of lot 2, Villages Commercial Tract on Pine Barren Road. Michael Hussey of Fred Williams Homebuilders presented this request to the board for their review and recommendation.
The property is currently zoned C-P and the owner needs the parcel subdivided out for financing. The use will be restricted to an office use only. Parking requirements will be addressed during the site plan submittal. No further subdividing is proposed at this time.
There was some discussion about the need for cross parking easements. In response to how the board could legally restrict the use of this property, Councilwoman Rebecca Benton suggested that restrictive covenants be recorded along with the subdivision plat. With no public comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve the minor subdivision subject to restrictive covenants being recorded along with subdivision plat restricting the parcel to professional office use only. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
5. Decorative fence request for Mattie Cross at 1209 S. Rogers Street. Mrs. Mattie Cross installed a decorative fence in the front setback unaware she needed approval from Council. Upon notification, Mrs. Cross filed an application. According to Section 22-111, the fence meets all of the criteria for a decorative fence. Therefore, a motion was made by Charles Archer to recommend approval of the decorative fence for Mrs. Mattie Cross at 1209 S. Rogers Street. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
6. Review of proposed Office Warehouse site plan and landscape plan for Kole Management at 115 Coleman Boulevard. Chad Zittrouer of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. All of the engineer’s comments have been addressed and plans have been resubmitted for Bill Nicholson’s review. There was some discussion regarding building setback lines, lot lines and a common drive easement along the southern property line where trucks would enter the rear parking lot. Dennis Jones questioned the location of the detention area being outside the property line. Mr. Zittrouer stated that they have submitted a copy of the private easement agreement between the adjacent property owner and Grand K, LLC (Kole Management). Following some discussion, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to recommend approval of the office warehouse site plan for Kole Management subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed, adjusting the southern property line to include the common drive easement within the property and the drainage easement for detention being reviewed by the City Attorney prior to going to council. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, the board had the following comments: landscaped islands are needed to meet the tree ordinance and trees around the detention area could not be counted towards tree replacement since that area is not part of this lot. Following some discussion, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to table this item to give the developer time to rework the landscape plan to meet the tree ordinance. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed without opposition.
7. Review of Entrance Features in Southwest Quadrant of Savannah Quarters at intersection of Easthaven Blvd. and Pooler Parkway. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the entrance features to the board for their review and recommendation. The entrance signage meets the guidelines set up in the Savannah Quarters PUD Development Standards for Phase I and Phase 2. Commissioner Charles Archer stated he would prefer to see Pooler identified on the sign similar to the other entrance sign in Savannah Quarters. With no other comments, Mary Louise Lanier made a motion to approve the entrance features proposed for the intersection of Easthaven Blvd. and Pooler Parkway.
Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
Commissioner Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend that council upgrade the ten-year storm event standard to a 25 year storm event standard. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition. Secondly, Commissioner Roberts made another motion to add the requirement in all residential subdivisions that a neighborhood grading and drainage plan be submitted and approved in conjunction with the construction plans. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Tim Lovezzola and seconded by Mary Louise Lanier. Motion passed.