CITY OF POOLER
PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
JULY 28, 2008
 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Members present were Wilson Roberts, Larry Olliff, Scotty Fletcher, Robert Byard, Charles Archer and James Reardon. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Bruce Allen, City Manager Robert Byrd, Zoning Assistant Kimberly Classen 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 Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.

PUBLIC HEARING

1. A & B Properties, Inc. has petitioned the City of Pooler for a 2’ fence height variance to place an 8’ black vinyl chain link perimeter security fence around both warehouse sites at 1020 and 1024 S.H. Morgan Parkway:  James Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion regarding this item. Brad Rainey of Matson Global Distribution Services, Inc. presented the fence height variance to the board for their review and recommendation. This request is on a basis of security requirements and C-TPAT planning. There was discussion from the board concerning the need to change the fence ordinance to permit 8’ chain link fences in industrial and commercial areas. Chairman Roberts recommended further discussion of this item at the end of the agenda. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend approval for a 2’ fence height variance to place an 8’ black vinyl chain link perimeter security fence around both warehouse sites at 1020 and 1024 S.H. Morgan Parkway, based on the request meeting numbers 1 and 3 of the variance standards for the City of Pooler. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition. James Reardon returned to his seat on the board.

2. Charles Morrow, representing Quality Truck Sales, LLC. has petitioned the City of Pooler for a conditional use to operate a Truck Sales Office as a conditional use at 315 West Highway 80, Suite B:  Charlie Morrow, owner of Quality Truck Sales, LLC., presented the conditional use request to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. Morrow stated that the business is strictly wholesale, with no trucks on site. He further stated that all of the business will be generated by telephone and/or computer sales. Commissioner Olliff questioned the number of parking spaces available. In response, Mr. Morrow stated that there will only be two people in the office at any given time, therefore the two parking spaces that are available directly in front of Suite B would be adequate. Commissioner Archer questioned why the conditional use request was needed. In response, Mrs. Carver stated that according to the City Attorney, within the conditional use section of the C-1 (Light Commercial Zoning District), “New or used auto sales and services” is listed and he felt “truck sales” should be reviewed in the same manner. With no further comments, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to recommend approval for a conditional use to operate a Truck Sales Office at 315 West Highway 80, Suite B, contingent upon no truck parking on site and this motion is limited to Quality Truck Sales, LLC. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition. 

3. Isaac G. LaRoche, Sr. has petitioned the City of Pooler to rezone the northern portion of Lots 1 and 2, Stofers Subdivision (134 North Skinner Avenue) from R-1A, a Single Family Residential District to R-2C, a Two-Family Residential Dwelling District:  Isaac LaRoche, Sr. presented the rezoning petition to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. LaRoche distributed a drawing of all the existing duplexes within the same area to the board. He stated that his intention is to demolish the two (2) residential homes that currently occupy this lot and place one (1) duplex on each lot which will contain a total of 10,100 square feet per lot. He further stated that the entrance will be off of Skinner Avenue and the buildings will face each other with parking in between the buildings. Chairman Roberts reminded Mr. LaRoche that if the buildings face each other, the rear yard setback is 20’ and if the rear of the duplex faces Rothwell Street, the minimum setback must be 30’. Chairman Roberts also stated that duplexes or residential homes normally do not back up to residential streets. In response, Mr. LaRoche stated that if the area is obtainable, he will place the front of both buildings towards Skinner Avenue. Mrs. Carver reminded the board that the legal description states that this is one lot with one PIN number and if the rezoning is approved, the property will have to be sub-divided. With no further comments, Commissioner Reardon made a motion to recommend approval to rezone the northern portion of Lots 1 and 2, Stofers Subdivision (134 North Skinner Avenue) from R-1A, a single-family residential district to     R-2C, a two-family residential dwelling district. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

NEW BUSINESS

4. Final PUD / Site Plan /  Landscape Plan review for Town Lake Park of Commerce located at 125 Southern Junction Boulevard:  James Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item. Terry Coleman with Kern-Coleman and Company, on behalf of Godley Station Holdings, LLC, presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Chairman Roberts reminded the board that this item was approved by the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting. Mr. Coleman stated that all the engineering comments have been addressed. He further stated that the development will consist of seven (7) buildings ranging from 4,800 sf. to 12,000 sf. and there will be forty-nine units available at final build out. Furthermore, the developers’ desire is to create a park like atmosphere by placing a fountain and benches for employees to relax between the four (4) main buildings. He also stated that the exterior of the buildings will be of masonry as well as all dumpster enclosures with a 100’ undisturbed buffer being maintained between the site and the residential property to the north. The board questioned how the building located in the northeast corner of the site will look from Godley Station Boulevard South. In response, Mr. Coleman stated that a parapet wall is proposed to be more aesthetic. With no further comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend approval of the site plan for Town Lake Park of Commerce located at 125 Southern Junction Boulevard. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, Commissioner Byard questioned the type of trees proposed since there was no tree legend on the plan.  Mr. Coleman pointed out that adequate plantings have been provided for screening of the buildings and dumpsters and a variety of hardwood trees are proposed to meet the City of Pooler’s tree ordinance. With that understanding, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to approve the landscape plan. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.  Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat on the board.

5. Discussion regarding a change in the fence ordinance to permit 8’ chain link fences in commercial and industrial areas: The following items should be addressed in the proposed fence revision:

·    Increase the fence height from six feet to eight  feet in C-2 (Heavy Commercial Zoning Districts), I-1 (Light-Industrial Zoning Districts), and I-2 (Heavy-Industrial Zoning Districts),

·    specify the change in the fence height of eight feet shall be restricted to security purposes only in a C-2 (Heavy Commercial Zoning District),

·    the type of fence should be vinyl coated with a color of black or hunter green,

·    specify no barb wire will be allowed on any eight foot fence,

·    setback restrictions will not apply in Industrial Zoning Districts,

·    Article IV, Section 22-113 (6) should include “or” to address eight foot vinyl chain link fences in a heavy commercial district,

·    fencing in industrial districts will be addressed separately..

With no further discussion, the proposed fence revision will be presented at the next Planning and Zoning Meeting prior to being adopted by Mayor & Council.

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:00 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.