CITY OF POOLER

PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES

                                                 JUNE 25, 2007         

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, June 25, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present were Larry Olliff, Charles Archer, Wilson Roberts, Scotty Fletcher, Mary Louise Lanier, Nannette Ringham and James Reardon.  Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Mayor Mike Lamb, 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 Charles Archer.  Motion was seconded by James Reardon and passed without opposition.

PUBLIC HEARING:

1.      Jerry Crosby’s zoning map amendment petition to rezone 1121 West Highway 80 from

C-1 (Light Commercial) to C-2 (Heavy Commercial).  Jerry Crosby presented his request to the board for their review and recommendation.  The .45 acre lot is located on the southwest corner of West Highway 80 and the Pooler Parkway.  The property is currently zoned C-1 (Light Commercial) and Mr. Crosby is requesting the zoning to be changed to C-2 (Heavy Commercial) to increase the probability of selling the property.  The size of the lot will limit the use and most inquiries have been for uses permitted in C-2, Heavy Commercial such as auto sales & service, a convenience store, a car wash and a package shop.  Commissioner Archer questioned the distance between the house on the adjacent lot and Mr. Crosby’s residence.  In response, Mr. Crosby stated that it is approximately 300 feet. There was some discussion regarding how the rear lot is accessed. The petitioner described the access as a 50’ wide strip of land that is 300’ long, of which no one claims ownership. Commissioner Ringham pointed out to the board that there are several uses such as a restaurant with or without alcohol sales and a liquor, beer and wine package shop that would be permitted uses in C-2, whereas not permitted in C-1.  Councilwoman Benton asked if the property is rezoned to C-2, would the existing curb-cut from Highway 80 be used.  In response, Mr. Crosby stated that they would use “Demas Road”.  He further stated that he has always used “Demas Road” to access his residence and the drive off Highway 80 is used to access his appliance business. Following some discussion regarding the use and ownership of “Demas Road”, Chairman Roberts stated that this board has no jurisdiction over land title issues. That would be handled through the court system.  Furthermore, the DOT can not take away a curb-cut.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to table this item until the next meeting.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

2.      Conditional Use Request to build a Bowling Center adjacent to Pipe Makers Canal on a portion of Parcel 5A that is located off of Godley Station Boulevard South.  Due to the number of people that showed up for this item, Commissioner Olliff made a motion to discuss item 2 at the end of the agenda.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.  The request was presented by Craig Zuck of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company and Mike Kistler of Development Associates Inc., the owner and developer of the Godley Station Parcel 5A commercial subdivision.  Per request of the Mayor and Council, Mr. Kistler stated a meeting was held with some of the residents to discuss the

concerns expressed at that meeting.   Of course, there are still some residents that do not want a bowling alley in their community.  In attempt to try to work with the residents, the proposed site was moved from Lot 12 to Lots 9 and 10, which are adjacent to the Pipe Maker’s Canal.  This will place the proposed building approximately 750’ from the closest resident in Town Lake Subdivision.  Furthermore, a bowling center was always intended for this area and hopefully will be a positive impact on the community.  The size of the building and the proposed hours of operation have not changed.  Public comments:  John Carter appeared before the board representing a large portion of the residents of the following subdivisions in Godley Village:  Towne Lake, Copper Village, The Arbors and Forest Lakes. In opposition, he stated that the new location is still not acceptable.  Mr. Carter listed the following concerns about the proposed location: potential traffic concerns with no median cut on the Pooler Parkway, whether 150 parking spaces is enough, decrease in residential property values, the overburden of infrastructure, one entertainment center will lead to another, potential increase in crime and vandalism within the nearby residential subdivision, stripped buffer along the Pooler Parkway, nearby detention area is too close to the site and whether another business in the area selling alcohol is needed.  Jay Melvin, resident of 125 Carolina Cherry Court, stated that when reviewing the criteria for the granting of a conditional use, the request does not meet number 2, 3 and 7.  With the potential traffic generated by the bowling center being funneled around the circle at the entrance to Town Lake Subdivision, the adjacent neighborhood would be adversely affected.  Myra Pierce of 113 Manor Row stated that she is not opposed to the bowling alley but would recommend the number of people be restricted and not be allowed to congregate outside the building as well as limiting the hours of operation.  Mike Fowley of 126 Regency stated that he had surveyed 60 homes within The Retreat at Forest Lakes, wherein 57 residents signed a petition opposing the bowling center. There were several residents that spoke in favor of the bowling center.  Response:  Craig Zuck stated that the parking was based on similar facilities that have an average of four (4) parking spaces per alley.  With 150 parking spaces proposed, this project has an average of six (6) parking spaces per alley.  The owner is trying to promote some summer activities for the family and different youth groups in our community. He has also agreed to hire off-duty officers, if needed. Councilwoman Benton asked what the distance would be from the proposed facility to the Pooler Parkway and what would be the route of access if you were headed north toward I-95.  In response, Mr. Zuck stated the distance is approximately 1000’ and you would have to turn left at the Cancun Restaurant.  Mr. Kistler reminded the board that he had requested a median cut across from Monster Storage when the subdivision was proposed, but council denied the request. He would still like to have a median cut and feels this would route the traffic out to the Pooler Parkway from the proposed bowling center as well as other commercial development in this area. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon, seconded by Commissioner Mary Louise Lanier, to recommend the conditional use request to construct a bowling center adjacent to Pipe Maker’s Canal on Lots 9 and 10 be denied.  Commissioners Lanier, Archer and Reardon voted in favor of the motion and Commissioners Ringham, Olliff and Fletcher voted in opposition, creating a tie.  Motion passed with Chairman Roberts voting in favor of the motion to deny the request.   

NEW BUSINESS:

3.      Savannah Quarters Phase 4 – Final PUD Revision to change another one of the multi-family parcels to a single-family designation.   Chairman Roberts reminded the board that this item was approved by the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting.  The parcel is designated as Tract 6 on the master plan, but is planned to be developed as Westbrook, Phase 8. 

With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend approval of the Savannah Quarters Phase 4 Final PUD Revision.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.

4.      Preliminary Construction Plan / Landscape Plan Review of Old Town Subdivision located between Tietgen and Whatley Streets.  Steve Wohlfeil of HGB&D presented the construction plans to the board for their review and recommendation.  The 1.83 tract is surrounded by public rights-of-way, public water and sewer and drainage facilities.  The three (3) lots fronting on Whatley Street will be served by a 6” water line along Whatley Street but the sewer plan was changed per request of the public works department to tie the sewer into a manhole at the corner of Rogers and Whatley Streets.  Water and sewer utilities are easily accessible for the (3) lots facing Tietgen Street.  Public Comments:  Helen Hostetler of 306 S. Newton Street and William Griffin of 304 S. Newton Street appeared before the board requesting that the City of Pooler guarantee that this development will not drain water back onto their lots creating additional drainage problems.  Ms. Hostetler would also like a ditch dug on her property.  Mr. Griffin stated that any clear cutting of the tract would decrease or eliminate the tree buffer behind his lot. In response, Mr.Wohlfeil stated that the property owner was aware of these drainage problems on the lots facing Newton Street and requested that the engineer address this in the drainage plan.  A sizable drainage swale has been designed on the rear of the proposed lots to drain water from the low areas on Mr. Griffin’s Lot and Ms. Hostetler’s lot.   Following some discussion, Commissioner Fletcher recommends approval of the preliminary construction plan for the Old Town Subdivision contingent upon the drainage (ditches) being extended through to Newton Street. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition. The landscape plan meets the requirements of the tree ordinance.  Therefore, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to approve the plan contingent upon the developer working with the homeowners on the type of vegetative buffer proposed between their lot and this development.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.

5.      Acceptance of Maintenance Bond / Final Plat Review for right-of-way dedication of the R-8 Spine Road (McCormack Drive).  Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item. Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the final plat for the right-of-way dedication of the R-8 Spine Road to the board for their review and recommendation.  The improvements are complete and the developer is posting a maintenance bond in order for the plat to be recorded.  Mrs. Carver asked that the plat title block reference the dedication of the right-of-way for the R-8 Spine Road (McCormack Drive).  With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend acceptance of the maintenance bond and approval of the final plat for the right-of-way dedication of the R-8 Spine Road (McCormack Drive), subject to the road being designated on the plat.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Ringham and passed without opposition.

Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat on the board.

6.      Revised Plat for Godley Station Professional Park to enlarge Lot 1.

The petitioner was not present. Therefore, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to table this item for two weeks.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Archer made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7.40 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.