CITY OF POOLER

PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES

                                                 JUNE 11, 2007        

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, June 11, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present were Larry Olliff, Charles Archer, Wilson Roberts, Scotty Fletcher and James Reardon.  Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Wayne

Seay, Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver and Zoning Assistant Kimberly Classen were also in attendance.  Chairman Wilson Roberts called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

Charles Archer gave the invocation and Wilson Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed upon a motion made by Larry Olliff.  Motion was seconded by James Reardon and passed without opposition.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

1.      Coastal Living Homes, Inc. is requesting a 2 ½’ variance encroachment for Lot 32, located in The Harmony ~ Phase I.  In view of the fact that the petitioner was not present, Commissioner Olliff made a motion to discuss items 1 and 4 at the end of the agenda.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.  The 2 ½’ rear setback variance encroachment is needed due to the fact a property pin was not properly located; therefore the house was built too close to the side property line with the porch encroaching into the rear building setback.  With no public comments, Commissioner Archer made a motion to approve the 2 ½’ variance encroachment for Lot 32, located in The Harmony, Phase I.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition. 

 

2.      Westside Station, LLC is requesting a 25 sq. ft. Message Board variance located at the intersection of Highway 80 and Westside Boulevard at the main entrance to Westside Business Park.  Jeb Brees presented the variance request to the board for their review and recommendation.  He stated that Westside Station is a 20,000 square foot office/retail building located at the intersection of Highway 80 and Westside Boulevard at the main entrance to Westside Business Park.  The developer is requesting a 25 square foot variance to install an electronic message board that is 40 square feet in size.  The City of Pooler Sign Ordinance limits the size of an electronic message board to 15 square feet.  Chairman Roberts stated instead of a variance he would recommend that the city review the sign ordinance and consideration be given to increasing the square footage of a message board.  Commissioner Fletcher agreed with Chairman Roberts and felt the board may be setting a precedent for other variance requests, if the variance was approved.  Commissioner Olliff is concerned about the potential problem of pedestrians trying to read several message boards of this size located in a row.  Public comments:  Greg Tsiopanas, property owner, who built a similar size building across the street, stated if the variance is approved that he may also apply for a sign variance.   After reviewing the criteria for granting a variance, the board determined that the request does not meet the variance standards; therefore a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend denial of the variance request and also recommend that the board review the section of the sign ordinance pertaining to the 15 square foot limitation on electronic message boards. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

3.      Savannah Quarters Phase 11 ~ Final PUD Master Plan Revision for construction of 200 single-family detached units.  Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item. Chad Zittrouer of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the request to the board for their review and recommendation.  He reminded the board that the PUD Review Board recommended approval provided that the petitioner coordinates buffering requirements with the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society prior to the construction plans being submitted for review. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval of Savannah Quarters, Phase ll, Final PUD Master Plan Revision for construction of 200 single-family detached units with the condition that the petitioner coordinates buffering requirements with the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.  Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat.   

 

4.      Recombination of Lots 31 and 32, located in The Harmony ~ Phase I, to eliminate side yard setback encroachment.  In view of the fact the petitioner was not present, Commissioner Olliff made a motion to discuss items 1 and 4 at the end of the agenda.    Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.  A property pin was not properly located; therefore the house was built too close to the side property line.  Mrs. Carver explained the purpose of the recombination is to shift the lot lines to meet the side yard setback requirements.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to approve the recombination of Lots 31 an 32, located in The Harmony, Phase I, to eliminate the side yard setback encroachment.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition. 

 

5.      Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for reconstruction of a 7,000 sq. ft. Office Building for the Estate of Phillip Clifton, Sr. located @ 1535 East Highway 80. Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item.  Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation.  This is the reconstruction of a 7,000 square foot building that recently burned at the corner of Highway 80 and Old Dean Forest Road.  Plans have been revised to address the engineer’s comments and resubmitted for his review.  Mrs. Carver reminded the board that the parking area extends into an adjacent lot and a recombination of these lots are needed.  There was some discussion about the proposed wooden dumpster enclosure and the location of the dumpster being outside of lot 10.  In response, Mr. Crapps stated that he would be glad to change the dumpster enclosure to a masonry material.  With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend approval of the site plan for reconstruction of a 7,000 square foot office building for the Estate of Phillip Clifton, Sr. subject to a recombination plat, engineering comments being addressed, a masonry dumpster enclosure and DOT approval for a drainage encroachment permit.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.  Since the landscape plan meets the requirements of the tree ordinance, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff, seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, to approve the plan.  Motion passed without opposition.   Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat.

       

6.      Site Plan / Landscape Review for The Fairway Townhomes @ Savannah Quarters, located at the end of Blue Moon Crossing.   Pat Livingston of Ward Edwards presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation.  The subdivision consists of 41.57 acres within Parcels 2A and 2B of Savannah Quarters.  The development includes 196 townhomes with associated infrastructure, a clubhouse and a pool area.  A 50’ buffer is proposed from Blue Moon Crossing along with a 25’ undisturbed wetlands buffer to the rear of the site. The project has received approval from EPD for utility extensions and NRS for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control.  Chairman Roberts reminded the board that the PUD Review Board had issues with the way the development addressed garbage collection.  At the time, trash compactors were recommended instead of individual garbage carts.  In response to the request, the board was given a copy of an e-mail that stated the developer’s position on this issue.   He anticipates the homeowner in this development will be in the age range of 70 to 90; “empty nesters” and retirees looking to down size from larger homes.  Furthermore, trash compactors generate unpleasant odors and no matter where they are placed, some residents are going to have a very long walk.  Chairman Roberts stated that with the number of proposed units, individual garbage carts would cause congestion unless they are stored in a designated area. The board further recommended a designated area along the road like a paved slab for collection purposes.  Public Comments:  Bill Gilbert, representing Savannah Quarters, stated that this development will target a certain group and they will have their own covenants.  He would also recommend a designated storage yard at each townhome for the garbage carts as well as a designated area along the road like a paved slab for collection purposes. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to recommend approval of the site plan for The Fairway Townhomes at Savannah Quarters subject to all of the engineering comments being addressed, a storage area for garbage carts at each townhome unit being provided and an area to be designated along the road like a paved slab for collection purposes.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, the Homeowner’s Association would be responsible for maintaining all the exterior landscaping within this development.  Since the plan meets the tree ordinance, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon, seconded by Commissioner Olliff to approve the landscape plan.  Motion passed without opposition.

 

7.      Sketch Plan Review for six (6) Medical/Professional Offices on Lot 1B, Godley Commons, located on Tract 8, South Godley PUD.  Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item.  Travis Burke of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the sketch plan for six (6) Medical/Professional Offices on Tract 8, in the South Godley PUD to the board for their review and recommendation.  Mrs. Carver stated for the record that one of the conditions placed on this tract at the time of rezoning was that no building would begin on tracts 1 thru 5 before January, 2008.  In response, Mr. Burke stated that this is only a sketch plan and construction plans will not be submitted before that date and no land disturbing activity will occur before then.  As an adjacent property owner, Councilwoman Benton questioned if the right-of-way for the connector road was ever dedicated to the City of Pooler.  Mr. Burke stated that they are currently working on the plat and the bonding for the road.  With no other comments, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to recommend approval of the sketch plan for Godley Commons located on Tract 8 within the South Godley PUD, subject to the engineering comments being addressed with the development of construction plans. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.   Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat.

 

8.      Minor Subdivision of Parcels 28A, 28B and 29, being a portion of Tract 12 in the Southwest Quadrant of Savannah Quarters. Ryan Smith of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the minor subdivision to the board for their review and recommendation.  Mr. Smith stated that the same owner is developing both tracts. The tract is located at the end of East Haven Boulevard and is bordered by the Savannah Ogeechee Canal on the south. Councilwoman Benton asked if the developer has met with the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society on buffering requirements along the canal.  In response, Mr. Smith stated that this is a boundary subdivision plat for transfer of property and they would do so prior to development of Parcel 28B. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval of the minor subdivision of a portion of Tract 12 into Parcels 28A, 28B and 29. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition. 

 

9.      NRS/Landscape Waiver ~ Tree reimbursement located off Dean Forest Road.  Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item. 

Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the request for tree reimbursement to the board for their review and approval.  The project has been approved and under construction at this time. Since this is a large industrial site, the property owner is requesting a modification to the landscape plan. With ample landscaping proposed on the site, the owner is proposing to allocate funds to the City of Pooler in the amount of $19,275.00 for trees that would not be properly maintained once planted due to the character of the development.  These trees could be better utilized within city parks and recreational areas.  Commissioner Fletcher is concerned that the removal of the underbrush within the 100’ buffer along Dean Forest Road no longer provides a solid 100’ buffer that was requested and approved for the residents living across the street from the industrial park.  Mr. Crapps stated that he could plant Wax Myrtles at the entrance to thicken the visual effect but would request the board address additional plantings when Lot l is developed.  Mr. Crapps stated that the triangular piece of property located adjacent to Dean Forest Road may be dedicated to the City of Pooler.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend approval of the NRS/Landscape Waiver for tree reimbursement located off Dean Forest Road.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition. Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat.

 

10.  Acceptance of Maintenance Bond / Final Plat Review for major subdivision of Tract “A”, located between Medical Park Drive and Godley Station Blvd. ~ Live Oak Plaza.

Steve Wohlfiel of Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung Engineering Company presented the final plat to the board for their review and approval. All of the infrastructure is complete.  The developer is requesting to have the subdivision plat approved and recorded under a maintenance bond.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to accept the maintenance bond and recommend approval of the final plat for a major subdivision of Tract “A”, located between Medical Park Drive and Godley Station Blvd., known as Live Oak Plaza. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.