The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, May 9, 2005 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Mary Louise Lanier, Charles Archer, Wilson Roberts, Tim Lovezzola, Debbie Ryan Watts, 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. Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
Charles Archer gave the invocation and Mary Louise Lanier led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Wilson Roberts. Motion was seconded by Dennis Jones and passed without opposition.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Landscape plan review of Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Savannah Quarters.
John Mendrala, Jr. of Cogdell & Mendrala Architects, P.C. and Mike Hinderberger of the church building committee presented the landscape plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Since the last meeting, Mr. Mendrala met with City Manager Dennis Baxter who agreed that the intent of the tree ordinance is based on disturbed area and not developable area. Commissioner Dennis Jones expressed his opposition because he feels the tree ordinance plainly states developable area. Following some discussion, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve the landscape plan as submitted. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed with Dennis Jones opposing.
2. Review of revised landscape plan for a proposed office warehouse for Kole Management at 115 Coleman Boulevard. Chad Zittrouer of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the revised landscape plan to the board for their review and recommendation. The trees around the detention area have been relocated on the site and trees have been added in the landscaped islands to meet the tree ordinance. A copy of the drainage easement for the detention area has been submitted to the city for review by the city attorney. With no public comments, a motion was made by Charles Archer to approve the landscape plan for the proposed office warehouse at 115 Coleman Boulevard. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
3. Review of revised landscape plan for “The Grove” at Brighton Woods Subdivision.
Hall Kraft of HGB&D presented the revised landscape plan for the “The Grove” to the board and noted changes that were made as a result of comments from the meeting two weeks ago. The board had recommended that a tree removal plan be submitted once the developer has had a chance to review the proposed house layouts in relation to the location of these significant Oak Trees. The board expressed concerns as to how these significant trees would be protected. In response, Mr. Kraft stated that protection zones would be established and maintained for each tree preserved in the right-of-way and utility easements. Commissioner Archer questioned how the significant trees on the individual lots would be protected. Mr. Kraft felt this issue would be addressed at the time the house was constructed. City Planner Robbie Byrd suggested these significant trees be designated on the plot plans. Commissioner Dennis Jones stated that he feels the tree ordinance needs to be changed to reflect what was allowed earlier in item l regarding developable area and also requiring the significant trees be designated with protection zones on the lots within a residential subdivision. Following some discussion, Charles Archer made a motion to approve the landscape plan subject to the plot plans showing the same significant trees as approved on this landscape plan along with protection zones. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS:
4. Minor subdivision plat of lot 35 in Westside Business Park into 3 lots.
Chad Zittrouer of Kern-Coleamn & Company presented the minor subdivision of lot 35 to the board for their review and recommendation. He stated three different unions will locate on these lots. They would like to be in the same vicinity because they participate in many joint activities. With no public comments, Tim Lovezzola made a motion to recommend approval of a minor subdivision of lot 35 in the Westside Business Park. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
5. Review of site plan/landscape plan for union hall and training facility for Operating Engineers on lot 35, Westside Business Park. Chad Zittrouer of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the site plan and landscape plan for the union hall and training facility for Operating Engineers on lot 35 to the board for their review and recommendation. Commissioner Roberts recommended staggering the islands with odd numbers. Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for the Operating Engineers facility on lot 35 in Westside Business Park. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition. Following some discussion about staggering the islands with odd numbers instead of even numbers, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the landscape plan subject to the center island being shifted to the north two to three spaces. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
6. Minor Subdivision plat of 11.54 acres out of the Morgan Tract adjacent to West Chatham Elementary School on Pine Barren Road. Jim Woods, authorized agent for the Morgan family is requesting to subdivide 11.54 acres out of the Morgan Tract adjacent to West Chatham Elementary School on Pine Barren Road. The property is zoned R-3B, a multi-family zoning and is currently undeveloped. The Morgan Family has plans to sell the parcel. This tract is not part of the Morgan Family PUD Master Plan. With no public comments, Dennis Jones made a motion to recommend approval of the minor subdivision. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
7. B & M Land Development request to subdivide 12.94 acres on Old Louisville Road into two (2) equal tracts. Billy Dorsey, representing Danny Mitchell, along with Paul Broach, partner in B & M Development, presented the request to subdivide this 12.94 acre tract on Old Louisville Road to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Broach bought the tract together and now want to subdivide the land into two equal tracts for future development. Both parcels front Old Louisville Road and Parcel “B” also has frontage on Sheftall Road. Charles Archer and Wilson Roberts recommend that some additional right-of-way be dedicated for the widening of Old Louisville Road. At this end of Old Louisville Road, there is only a 40’ right-of-way. Therefore, the board would recommend a ten foot dedication for road widening. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton has serious issues regarding access onto Old Louisville Road, the narrowest road in Chatham County. Following some discussion, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to recommend approval of the minor subdivision subject to a 10’ right-of-way dedication for future widening of Old Louisville Road. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
Dennis Jones stepped down from his seat on the board to abstain from any discussion of items 8 and 9.
8. Revision to Parkway Professional Plaza plat to change addresses. Toss Allen of Southeast Engineering presented the revised plat to the board. The only change on the plat was street addresses. With no public comments, a motion was made by Charles Archer to recommend approval of the revised Parkway Professional Plaza plat. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
9. Stephen Mock’s request to subdivide lot 15-A of the Parkway Professional Plaza in the Pooler Park of Commerce into 4 individual units to sell. Toss Allen of Southeast Engineering presented the major commercial subdivision. A building has been constructed on lot 15-A and the owner wants to sell the units individually. With no public comments, a motion was made by Tim Lovezzola to recommend approval to subdivide lot 15-A of the Parkway Professional Plaza in the Pooler Park of Commerce. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed without opposition.
Dennis Jones returned to his seat on the board.
10. Final plat for Sixteen West Subdivision Phase I parcelization of a portion of Tract II of the Southwest Quadrant of Savannah Quarters. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the final plat for Sixteen West Subdivision, Phase I parcelization to the board for their review and recommendation. Ryan Cronk of Premier Properties, who is joint developers of this tract, discussed the potential sale of Parcel B to Cobb Theaters and the time frame proposed for the project. To meet access requirements for subdividing property, Parcel “A” has access from Pooler Parkway and Parcel “B” has access from Quacco Road. Mr. Kraft pointed out to the board that a boundary change is needed on the plat, as a result of an earlier meeting held with Ryan Cronk of Premier Properties. With no public comments, a motion was made by Charles Archer to recommend approval of the final plat for Sixteen West Subdivision Phase I parcelization subject to the plat being corrected prior to the council meeting on Monday. Motion was seconded by Dennis Jones and passed without opposition.
Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts read a letter of resignation from Dennis Jones. His family will be moving to Effingham County on June 17, 2005.
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.