CITY OF POOLER

PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES

                      JULY 23, 2007          

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, July 23, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present were Larry Olliff, Charles Archer, Wilson Roberts,  Nannette Ringham, Scotty Fletcher, Mary Louise Lanier and James Reardon.  Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Bruce Allen and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver 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 James Reardon.    Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.

PUBLIC HEARING:

1.      Draft of proposed Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance and Master Plan.

The City contracted with CityScape Consultants to draft a Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance and Master Plan to meet the needs of the wireless industry and minimize the impact of a Wireless Telecommunications Facility (WTF) on surrounding areas by establishing standards for location, aesthetics and compatibility.  The proposed draft is very similar to the one just adopted by Chatham County and the City of Savannah.  A workshop was held on July 19, 2007 with Susan Rabolt of CityScape Consultants to review the draft and master plan. The changes discussed at that meeting should be reflected in the revised draft.  There were no public comments.  Therefore, a motion was made Commissioner Archer, seconded by Commissioner Olliff, to recommend approval of the proposed draft for the Wireless Telecommunication Ordinance and Master Plan.  Motion passed without opposition.

OLD BUSINESS:

2.      Revised Plat for Godley Station Professional Park to enlarge Lot I.

Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the revised plat to the board for their review and recommendation.  The plat was previously recorded and several medical offices have been constructed in the professional park.  The building footprint for Lot 1 is too large for the existing lot, therefore, the plat has been revised to accommodate the proposed building.  With no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval of the revised plat to enlarge Lot 1 in the Godley Station Professional Park. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition. 

3.      Revised Landscape Plan for Wal-Mart Supercenter located at the intersection of Pine Barren Road and Pooler Parkway.  Tom Cetti of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company

presented the revised landscape plan to the board for their review and approval. Mr. Cetti stated that the landscape plan has been revised to address the comments expressed at the last Planning and Zoning meeting.  A traffic calming feature has been added along the perimeter road that

parallels the Pooler Parkway and additional landscaping was added to screen the fence and detention area along Pine Barren Road. With no public comment, Commissioner Ringham made a motion to approve the revised landscape plan for the Wal-Mart Supercenter located at the intersection of Pine Barren Road and Pooler Parkway.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition. 

NEW BUSINESS:

4.      Recombination Plat of Parcel A, Lot 16 of The Williams Tract & Lots 354, 355, 360 and 363 in Garden Acres Estates, Phase XIII.  Ms. Johnnie White, owner of Parcel A, is selling four different property owners a portion of her land that will be combined to each lot.  All four property owners live on Ryan’s Way and their lots are accessed by Ryan’s Way.   With no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval of the recombination plat of Parcel A, Lot 16 of The Williams Tract and Lots 354, 355, 360 and 363 in Garden Acres Estates.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.  

5.      Final Plat for Towne Park Pooler, Phase I, Block B, Building # 37 on Governor Gwinnett Way.  Phil Madhere of Park West Homes presented the final plat for Building # 37 which is a four (4) unit townhome on Governor Gwinnett Way.  The infrastructure is complete and the town homes are platted as they are built.  With no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to recommend approval of the final plat for Town Park Pooler, Phase I, Block B, Building # 37.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

6.      Posting of Maintenance Bond / Final Plat Review for Memorial Boulevard, Phase 2, located at the intersection of Quacco Road and Harmony Boulevard.  Matt Gerkin of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the final plat for Memorial Boulevard, Phase 2 to the board for their review and recommendation.  All improvements are complete and the City of Pooler Public Works Department approves the development to begin the warranty period.  The developer is posting a maintenance bond in the amount of $124,647.00 in order for the plat to be recorded.  With no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to recommend the posting of a maintenance bond and approval of the final plat for Memorial Boulevard, Phase 2, located at the intersection of Quacco Road and Harmony Boulevard.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.

7.      Revised Landscape Plan for LogistiPort on Dean Forest Road for reimbursement (donation of 167 trees) to the City of Pooler.  Jeremy Merklinger of DP Partners appeared before the board with the revised landscape plan for LogistiPort on Dean Forest Road.  They are donating 167 trees to the City of Pooler in the amount of $21,710.00 ($130.00 x 167 trees).  The existing trees that will be left on the site (excluding Pine and Gum Trees) will be 425 trees. An additional 419 preferred trees will be planted at completion of the project.  With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to approve the revised landscape plan and a reimbursement of $21,710.00 to the City of Pooler for a donation of 167 unused trees.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

8.      Acceptance of Performance Bond / Final Plat Review for The Arbors @ Godley Station, Phase 8.  Commissioner Reardon stepped down for the next three items.  Travis Randall of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the final plat for Phase 8 of The Arbors to the board for their review and recommendation.  Phase 8 contains 42 single family lots and is located between Phase 7 of The Arbors and Benton Boulevard.  Commissioner Archer questioned the distance of the existing cell tower from the proposed residential lots and if the tower was designed with a breakpoint.  In response, Mr. Randall stated that he would need to check on the construction design of the cell tower. Commissioner Archer also asked for confirmation from the developer that the area behind Phase 8 would remain jurisdictional wetlands as noted on the plat. With no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend acceptance of the performance bond and final plat approval subject to the cell tower setbacks being met.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

9.      Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Crown Transportation, a proposed 134,400 square foot warehouse located off Dean Forest Road.  Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the site plan for Crown Transportation to the board for their review and recommendation.  He explained the proposed building will back up to the NRS warehouse. When questioned about the location of the dumpster, he stated that it would be located along the loading bay area with a masonry enclosure. He also pointed out to the board that these plans include the construction of the extension of Distribution Drive to the cul-de-sac.  Commissioner Lanier questioned the total number of acres rezoned by ADK.  In response, Mr. Crapps stated that it was approximately 130 acres.  Commissioner Lanier stated that this site has 284 parking spaces and if that figure was expanded at the same ratio, the development potentially could have parking spaces for as many as 1,600 trucks throughout the site.  Mr. Crapps reminded the board that there are a lot of wetlands and open space on the tract that would not be developed. Public comments:  Mr. Ping Tyner asked if Crown Transportation is proposed on Lot 4, 5 or 6.  In response, Mrs. Carver stated with the minor subdivision of Lot 4 proposed in item 10, Crown Transportation would go on Lot 4A. With all of the engineer’s comments addressed and no other public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval of the site plan for Crown Transportation.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.  Regarding the landscape plan, Mr. Crapps stated that 102 preferred trees will be planted on the site and the developer is planning to donate 171 trees to the City of Pooler at a reimbursement in the amount of $12,825.00 (171 x $75.00 per tree).  Commissioner Fletcher once again expressed his concern about the buffer at the entrance not being as dense since the underbrush was removed. Mr. Crapps stated that they have enhanced the buffer on top of the berm and agree to add additional under story plantings in the buffer along Dean Forest Road. Commissioner Lanier is concerned about the overall appearance of the industrial site with the continued reimbursement of trees.  She spoke of the benefit of trees especially on an industrial site as a noise barrier. Mr. Crapps assured her there would be plenty of trees on the site.  Following a discussion on the wide variation of cost proposed for a 2” Live Oak used in the formula for tree reimbursement, Councilwoman Benton and Councilman Allen suggested that council set a price that would be fair to everyone. With no other comments, a motion was made Commissioner Fletcher to approve the landscape plan for Crown Transportation subject to the cost of the 2” Live Oak being set by council.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.    

10.  Acceptance of Performance Bond / Final Plat Review for a minor subdivision of Lot 4 in Dean Forest Business Park, located north of Old Louisville Road and south of the abandoned Central of Georgia Railroad.  Travis Randall of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the minor subdivision plat for Lot 4 to the board for their review and recommendation.  The subdivision creates three (3) lots and the extension of Distribution Drive

that will provide access to lots 5 and 6.  The developer is posting a performance bond in the amount of $313,105.50 to guarantee the completion of the roadway in order for the plat to be recorded.  Public comments: Mr. Ping Tyner showed the board a recorded agreement with Northpoint that gives them an 80’ private access easement for future tie-in to Distribution Drive and a 100’ private access easement across the southern portion of the “future development tract” of the Dean Forest Business Park.  Following some discussion about the proposed access easement, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend acceptance of the performance bond and approval of the final plat for a minor subdivision of Lot 4 in Dean Forest Business Park subject to the 80’ access easement and 100’ access easement being added to the plat prior to review by the council.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.  

Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman & Company appeared before the board requesting the board approve a revision to the landscape plan for Leonard’s Metal Expansion. A motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to add this as item # 11 to the agenda.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

11.  Revised Landscape Plan for Leonard’s Metal Expansion located at 101 Coleman Boulevard.  The request is to move 18 preferred trees from the side of the lot to the rear of the expansion.  He plans to construct a new building expansion on the adjacent lot in the future and would have to move the trees at that time.  With no public comment, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to approve the revised landscape plan for Leonard’s Metal Expansion at 101 Coleman Boulevard.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.   

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Ringham made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:30 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.