The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, August 8, 2005 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Charles Archer, Wilson Roberts, Tim Lovezzola, Mary Louise Lanier, Carl King, Don Taylor and Elinor Minshew. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Larry Olliff, Councilman Michael Royal, Councilman Bruce Allen, City Planner Robbie Byrd and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance. Chairman Don Taylor called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
Charles Archer gave the invocation and Mary Louise Lanier led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Wilson Roberts. Motion was seconded by Carl King and passed without opposition.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Site plan/landscape plan review of a proposed office/warehouse building on lot 38, Westside Business Park. Joe Marchese, General Contractor for 2195 Development Group was present to answer any questions about the proposed project. This is 10,800 square feet of tradesmen shops with roll-up doors in the back and brick veneer on the front of the building. Mr. Marchese summarized how the engineer’s comments were addressed. Following some discussion about the dumpster location, Mr. Marchese stated it would be gated and located within a dumpster enclosure. With no public comments, Charles Archer made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for a proposed office/warehouse on lot 38, Westside Business Park subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, Commissioner Tim Lovezzola questioned the size of the landscaped island in front of the building not meeting the ordinance. There was discussion about reducing the number of employee parking spaces from 28 to 27 and increase the landscape island to the size of two parking spaces. With no other comments, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the landscape plan subject to the size of the island adjacent to the building being increased to two parking spaces and reducing the number of employee parking spaces from 28 to 27. Motion was seconded by Elinor Minshew and passed without opposition.
2. Site Plan Review for additional parking at Fred Williams Design Center. Michael Hussey of Fred Williams Homebuilders presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. All of the engineer’s comments have been addressed. With no public comments, Elinor Minshew made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for additional parking at Fred Williams Design Center. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
3. Final Plat Review of Lot 15-B at Parkway Professional Plaza for Southeast Builders
Toss Allen of Southeast Engineering and Environmental presented the final plat for a subdivision of lot 15-B at Parkway Professional Plaza to the board for their review and recommendation. A building has been constructed on lot 15-B and the owner wants to sell the units individually. All of the related infrastructure is complete. Chairman Don Taylor requested a second benchmark on any future plats presented to this board on this lot. With no public comments, a motion was made by Tim Lovezzola to recommend approval of the subdivision of Lot-15B at Parkway Professional Plaza for Southeast Builders. Motion was seconded by Elinor Minshew and passed without opposition.
4. Decorative Fence Request at 221 Rothwell Street for Brian & Suzette Rewis. Suzette Rewis presented this request for a decorative fence to the board for their review and recommendation. She explained that her two small children play in the front yard and this fence would keep them out of the street. Mrs. Rewis presented a plot plan that shows 12.5 feet dedicated for additional right-of-way. She would like to place her decorative fence 6 feet off the edge of the pavement. There was some discussion as to whether the city could legally allow her to place the decorative fence within this right-of-way. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton stated that if the city does not need this right-of-way possibly they would consider deeding it back to the property owner. The board asked Mrs. Rewis to provide the city with a copy of her deed (with metes and bounds) when she purchased the property and further consideration would be given to her request. Following some discussion, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to recommend approval of the decorative fence provided the fence is placed thirty (30) feet back from the center line of the road right-of-way. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
5. Site Plan Review of a proposed building addition to Floyd Medical Center at 145 Trader’s Way. Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman & Company, LLC. presented the site plan for a proposed 750 square foot addition to Floyd Medical Center to the board for their review and recommendation. Plans have been approved by Bill Dempsey of Dempsey Land Design. With no public comments, Elinor Minshew made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for a proposed building addition to Floyd Medical Center at 145 Trader’s Way. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezolla and passed without opposition.
6. Sketch Plan Review for proposed Office Complex at Lot 17, Pooler Park of Commerce for Roy Patel. Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman & Company, LLC presented a sketch plan for a proposed Office Complex at Lot 17, Pooler Park of Commerce for Roy Patel. This is an irregular shaped lot with roadway on three sides. The property owner is requesting permission to construct a dumpster pad with a separate drive to be located to the side of the building. Commissioner Roberts stated that he was more concerned with the maintenance of the dumpster than the location. The owner is also requesting a 5’ variance to the rear yard building setback line from a 25’ setback to a 20’ setback. Bill Dempsey has no problem with this variance if more landscaping is incorporated on the site. With no public comments, Charles Archer made a motion to recommend approval of a sketch for a proposed Office Complex at Lot 17, Pooler Park of Commerce for Roy Patel subject to approval of AARB of Pooler Park of Commerce and Bill Dempsey of Dempsey Land Design. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
Craig Zuck of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company and Grant Beeson of Abercorn Site, LLC presented the preliminary construction plans for Woodlake Town Homes to the board for their review and recommendation. Reviewing the list of comments from Bill Nicholson, the board has some concerns with item 6, which involves an outfall ditch that is located within the city limits of Bloomingdale and maintained by the City of Pooler. That same item references an ownership/maintenance agreement is needed between the cities so that Pooler drainage can be discharged to a Bloomingdale channel. Public Works Director Robbie Byrd expressed concerns about the City of Pooler maintaining an outfall ditch in the City of Bloomingdale. Clarence McNeil, an adjacent property owner, expressed his concerns about the foundation of his home being disturbed by construction of this project. The board recommended that Mr. McNeil take pictures prior to any construction. Chairman Don Taylor stated that if any defects occurred, Mr. McNeil would need to take that up with the developer. Following some discussion, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to recommend approval of the preliminary construction plan for Woodlake Town Homes subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed particularly those issues concerning item # 6. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
Plans have been submitted to EPD but have not been approved. With no further comments, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to recommend approval of the construction plan for off-site water and sewer extensions to Woodlake Town Homes subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Elinor Minshew and passed without opposition.
There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Elinor Minshew and seconded by Tim Lovezzola. Motion passed.