The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, May 23, 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 Bruce Allen and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance. Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
Charles Archer gave the invocation and Dennis Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Dennis Jones. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Nora Clarice Lynch’s request to combine two lots at 1307 South Rogers Street.
Mrs. Carver explained that Mrs. Lynch purchased parcel “D” and needs to combine the two lots into one. With no public comments, a motion was made by Dennis Jones to approve the combination of the two lots at 1307 South Rogers Street. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
2. Minor Subdivision/recombination of Singing Pines Subdivision on Pine Barren Road. Michael Fell of Kern-Coleman & Company presented this request to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. Fell stated the Cliftons have no plans at this time to develop this tract. They just want to provide a future access to the rear tract of land (lot 6-B) and make several property line adjustments. Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts and Commissioner Wilson Roberts have concerns about the residents in Ashwood Subdivision having a road behind the lots that are adjacent to this tract of land. In Phase II of Ashwood Subdivision, a 25’ foot undisturbed buffer was recorded on the rear of the lots adjacent to the Clifton Tract even though it was not required by the City of Pooler subdivision ordinance. Several residents from Ashwood Subdivision appeared before the board to express the following concerns: depreciation of their property if a road is placed behind their lots, additional buffering, drainage concerns and noise from the traffic that would be generated by a future development of this tract. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton asked that the structures in Singing Pines be identified on the plat and she would also like additional information on what is being proposed for this tract. Mr. Fell was questioned as to whether Mr. Clifton would be willing to give a 25’ buffer between the proposed road and Phase II, of Ashwood Subdivision. Following some discussion about whether the adjacent property owners received adequate notification, a motion was made by Charles Archer to table this item to give the developer time to address the above concerns and all of the adjacent property owners to receive proper notification. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
3. Preliminary construction plan review/landscape plan review for Morgan Lakes Subdivision, Parcel I, Phase I. on Jimmy DeLoach Parkway. Mike Hughes of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company and John Binder of D. R. Horton presented the construction plans/landscape plans for this development to the board for their review and recommendation. Phase I of Parcel I is approximately 74 acres with 220 residential homes. Commissioner Jim McQueeney asked about the value of the proposed homes. In response, the following information was provided: townhomes (1200-1400 square feet),
small single family (1400- 2,000 square feet and large single family (2400-3400 square feet). The average front yard lot width is just under 65’. For clarification, Mr. Hughes stated the 10’ rear setback is for the residence but the minimum setback from the alley right-of-way for a garage or accessory building shall be sixteen (16) feet. As for Bill Nicholson’s comments, Mr. Hughes has no problems addressing these comments and resubmitting revised plans. Commissioner Wilson Roberts has problems with all of the double frontage lots with no visual buffers from Jimmy DeLoach Parkway. In response, Mr. Binder stated that a buffer with plantings is proposed along the Jimmy DeLoach Parkway as well as deeper lots and a buffer of trees will be left on the rear of these lots.
Councilwoman Rebecca Benton requested that the front lot widths be shown on the plat. In response, Mr. Hughes stated lot width dimensions would be on the subdivision platthat is recorded. Futhermore, Councilwoman Benton stated that she continually hears comments from Southbridge residents that live next to I-16 and I-95 about the noise from the interstate traffic. With no other public comments, Jim McQueeney made a motion to recommend approval of the preliminary construction plans for Phase I, Parcel I of Morgan Lakes Subdivision subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed with Dennis Jones and Wilson Roberts opposing. Regarding the landscape plan, Charles Archer questioned what type of trees are proposed for planting because they were not specified on the plan. Following some discussion about the tree ordinance requirements, Mr. Hughes stated the plan would be revised to reflect a minimum of three preferred trees on each lot with at least one in the front yard. With no public comments, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the landscape plan subject to the plan being changed to comply with the tree ordinance prior to the construction plans being reviewed by the council. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
Hal Kraft of HGB&D appeared before the board to request adding the approval of a revised plat for Sixteen West Subdivision Phase I Theater parcel to the agenda. Dennis Jones made a motion to add this as item # 4 to the agenda. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
4. Approval of revised final plat for Sixteen West Subdivision, Phase I, parcelization of a portion of Tract ll of the Southwest Quadrant of Savannah Quarters. Hal Kraft of HGB&D explained the plat was recently approved by this board and recorded this past Thursday. That same day, they were informed of a change to parcel “B” that would exclude the log cabin located on the parcel. It appears the log cabin is possibly a historical structure built as early as 1920 that was noted in the wetlands study. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton suggested that the purpose of the revision be noted on the plat. Mr. Kraft stated that on the plat it states that this plat supersedes the plat recorded in Book 30, pages 80A & 80B. With no public comments, Charles Archer made a motion to approve the revised plat for Sixteen West Subdivision, Phase I parcelization of a portion of Tract II of the Southwest Quadrant of Savannah Quarters to exclude the log cabin. Motion was seconded by Jim McQueeney and passed without opposition.
Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver read a letter of resignation from Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts effective June 30th.
There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Tim Lovezzola and seconded by Charles Archer. Motion passed.