A regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, July 14, 2003 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Wilson Roberts, Debbie Ryan Watts, Dennis Jones, Tim Lovezzola, Larry Olliff, Charles Archer and Don Taylor. Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver, City Planner Robbie Byrd, Councilwoman Billie Tyler and Councilman Stevie Wall were also in attendance. Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. The PUD Review Board held a called meeting prior to the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.
The minutes of the June 23, 2003 meeting were approved as printed upon a motion made by Larry Olliff, seconded by Tim Lovezzola, with no opposition.
The minutes of a called meeting held on Monday, June 30, 2003 were approved as printed upon a motion made by Charles Archer, seconded by Larry Olliff, with no opposition.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Brenda Shearouse’s request for a variance and a conditional use to operate a beauty shop from her home located at 304 Brady Street. Brenda Shearouse presented her request to the board for their review and recommendation. Due to health problems, Mrs. Shearouse is restricted from working outside the home. She plans to have only one chair, limited hours of operation and open only three days of the week. According to Section 18 (A) (8) a home occupation cannot be within 1000 feet of an existing home occupation. Mrs. Shearouse is also requesting a 124’ variance on this distance requirement. She is only 876’ from a beauty shop on Pinewood Drive. Jackie Carver, Zoning Administrator, announced that the City Attorney Steve Scheer has questioned the legality of ownership regarding the variance request. He will review this issue prior to Monday night’s council meeting. During the public hearing, several residents appeared before the board to express their opposition to this request. Grady Smith of 411 Holly Street opposes any type of home business in a residential neighborhood. Harry Penfield of 407 Holly Street stated that he is against any business in a residentially zoned area and more importantly the area is already congested due to the high volume of traffic created by the existing Pooler Elementary School. A letter was also received from Bill and Lillian South, owners of 405 Holly Avenue opposing this request. Following some discussion regarding the traffic issues, Charles Archer made a motion to deny Brenda Shearouse’s request for a variance and a conditional use to operate a beauty shop from her residence at 304 Brady Street. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed with Tim Lovezzola and Wilson Roberts opposing.
2. Glen Sawyer’s request to rezone 4.73 acres located south of U.S.Highway 80 and west of Governor Treutlen Road from R-3A, a multi-family zoning district to C-2, a Heavy Commercial Zoning district. Attorney Robert Brannen, Jr., Glen Sawyer of Sawyer Enterprises, Inc., and Paul Simonton of P.C. Simonton & Associates, Inc. presented this rezoning request to the board for their review and recommendation. In March 2003, Mr. Sawyer purchased 10.46 acres near the intersection of Highway 80 and Governor Treutlen Drive from Central of Georgia Railroad for the purpose of a hotel and restaurant development. He plans to put three franchise restaurants along Highway 80, and two franchise hotels along Governor Treutlen Drive. This property was part of a much larger tract containing about 70 acres that Central of Georgia Railroad had previously placed under a wetlands conservation easement prohibiting its development. Of the 10.46 acres purchased by Mr. Sawyer, 5.73 acres is zoned C-2 and the remaining 4.73 acres is zoned R-3A. Mr. Sawyer is requesting that the map be amended to change the 4.73 acres from R-3A to C-2. The commercial development would be less intrusive than an apartment complex as allowed under the current zone. During the public hearing, several property owners expressed their concerns about potential bars and nightclubs. Johnny Doonan stated that he needed a substantial buffer placed between his daughter’s property and this commercial development. He is proposing a berm twenty feet high. Fred Gretsch of PV Shopping Center Partnership is concerned with safety issues involved with the number of driveways exiting onto Governor Treutlen Road. Lawrence Laxton who owns Burger King Restaurant stated he is not willing to grant access through his property to parcel B as indicated on the drawing. Even though an access easement was granted to the Central of Georgia Railroad in 1987, the road has never been used, the railroad property has been sold and the access easement has been abandoned. Mr. Sawyer stated that a limited service motel is proposed on parcel D, no bar or nightclub. Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approving the rezoning 4.73 acres from R-3A to C-2 with the following conditions: Parcel D would not be used for a bar or nightclub and an approved buffer would be placed adjacent to the residentially zoned area prior to any development, a minimum of 16’ high. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS:
3. Bridgewater Subdivision Phase IV Revised Subdivision Plat. During the construction of this phase, HGB&D engineers saw a need to add a 20 foot drainage easement along the back lot lines between lots 159 and 165 and realign a 20 foot utility easement between lots 151 and 152. The lots affected by these changes have not been sold. Therefore, a motion was made by Dennis Jones to approve the revised plat of Phase IV, Bridgewater Subdivision. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
4. Rolland Keller’s Ministorage, Phase II Site Plan/Landscape Plan Review (108 Sharon Court). Rolland Keller presented the second phase of his development to the board for their review and approval. The first phase of this development was completed in April 2000. All of the engineer’s comments have been addressed. Therefore, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve the site plan for Phase II of Rolland Keller’s Ministorage. Motion was seconded by Dennis Jones and passed without opposition. The landscape plan was approved in March 1999 when the original site plan was approved for Phase I. Mr. Keller stated that the landscape plan has not changed. Therefore, Charles Archer made a motion to approve the landscape plan contingent upon confirmation that the plan approved in 1999 is the same as the one resubmitted to the board for their review and approval. Motion was seconded by Dennis Jones and passed without opposition.
5. Final PUD Review of Godley Station Multi-Family Tract. (Alta Town Lake Apartments on the corner of Godley Station Blvd North and Forest Lakes Drive. Mark Randall, Rick Mercer of Wood Partners, Inc. and developer Jack Wardlaw presented the project to the board for their review and recommendation. This will be a gated community with 330 units to be built in two phases. The proposed project meets the PUD requirements regarding density, buffering and setbacks. Therefore, a motion was made by Don Taylor to grant Final PUD Approval of the Godley Station Multi-Family Tract. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
6. Concept Plan Review of Alta Town Lake Apartments located at the corner of Godley Station Blvd. and Forest Lakes Drive. The proposed project is a gated community with 330 units to be built in two phases. The ground floor apartments will be adaptable to meet ADA requirements. The apartments will have their own amenities which will include a pool and a playground. The project meets the PUD requirements regarding density, buffering and setbacks. With no public comment, Don Taylor made a motion to approve the concept plan of Alta Town Lake Apartments. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
7. Pooler Amusement Park Landscape Plan (tree ordinance compliance). John Kern of Kern-Coleman & Company stated this was a conceptual landscape plan for the issuance of the LDA. The board suggested moving the handicapped parking spaces closer to the park entrance. Mr. Kern agreed this was needed. The plan meets the tree ordinance. Therefore, Dennis Jones made a motion to approve the landscape plan. 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 Charles Archer.