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, Robert Byard, Charles Archer and Mary Louis Lanier. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Bruce Allen, Mayor Mike Lamb, 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 Larry Olliff. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.

1. Mike Altman with Cortland Partners, on behalf of Henry Morgan, has petitioned the City of Pooler for a parking variance of .35 parking spaces per unit due to the irregularity of parcel 5-C located off Pine Barren Road. This would reduce the number of parking spaces by 88:  Mike Altman with Courtland Partners presented the parking variance to the board for their review and recommendation. According to Article III, Section 5C, a minimum of 2 (two) parking spaces per unit shall be required on all multi-family residential districts. However, the parking plan for this proposed development is designed with a parking ratio of 1.65 spaces per unit.  The development is for the Morgan Tract, Parcel C-1, which is approximately 14.1 acres of land and is located at the intersection of Pine Barren and Wild Cat Dam Road and will consist of ten, three-story apartment buildings (250 units) with the peripheral amenities. The property is bounded by wetlands to the north, Morgan Pines subdivision to the east, single-family residential development to the west and south. The parcel is classified as multi-family, which is consistent with the proposed use. Mr. Altman stated that the intent of the overall design concept is to protect and preserve a number of old Live Oak Trees that currently exist. He further stated that this parking variance met all three (3) of the City of Pooler’s Variance Standards and is petitioning the parking variance based on the parking count within other municipalities as well as to benefit the surrounding neighborhoods with the overall wetland system and tree canopy. Furthermore, he stated that the developer’s objective is to feel out the environmental integrity of this project and the impact on the land. He further stated that this project was designed according to the surrounding atmosphere and not to replicate other apartment complexes, the idea of a Spanish Colonial Architecture design was created. Further, he provided details concerning the proposed conceptual master plan which illustrated the location of the main entrance which will be off of Wild Cat Dam Road, with a large Live Oak tree being transplanted from one area of the site to the center island in front of the main building. Further, the front of the buildings will have a very ornate facade, a center arcade that leads to the resort style swimming pool that will lead out to the proposed Live Oak Grove. Mr. Altman stated that decreasing the number of  parking spaces is not only due to the  irregularity of the parcel, but with the Live Oak Grove design and the tremendous size and age of the proposed undisturbed trees, also have an immense effect on the unit to parking ratio.  There was discussion from the board concerning the height of the buildings, the number of bedrooms, the number of covered garage spaces along with the location of the garages, the distance from parking spaces to the buildings, parking lot island coverage, emergency vehicle access, bus transportation in and out of the complex, public safety, sidewalks, and the type of curbing being proposed. With the board concerned about setting precedence, Chairman Roberts recommended an amendment to the Morgan Family PUD Development Standards to change the allowable parking ratio in a multi-family development.  With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend tabling this item in order to further discuss the possibility of amending the Morgan Family PUD Development Standards regarding the parking ratio and also reminded the petitioner to keep in mind the requirements for landscaping islands throughout a multi-family development. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition.

2. Site Plan Review of a proposed 1690 SF addition to Pooler Family Dental Center located at 91 Brighton Woods Drive:  In view of the fact the petitioner was not present, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to move this item to the end of the agenda. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition. At the end of the meeting, the board again considered review of this item. Since the addition did not include utilities, the drainage and parking was not affected, there was little to review. Therefore, a motion was made by Commissioner Byard to recommend approval of the site plan of a proposed 1690 sf addition to Pooler Family Dental Center located at 91 Brighton Woods Drive. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition.

3. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Christ Presbyterian Church located at 1765 Quacco Road:  Jay Maupin with Maupin Engineering, on behalf of Christ Presbyterian Church, presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation.  Mr. Bill Cox, Construction Administrator, with Gunn Meyerhoff Shay Architects, PC was also available for comments. Mr. Maupin stated that there are three (3) engineering comments that need to be addressed which include, the technical issues regarding the hydrology report, the access off of Spanton Crescent, and the church parking lot. Further, the Spanton Crescent access is gravel and is currently being used as a construction entrance for the adjacent development. The Spanton Crescent right-of-way has not been dedicated to the City of Pooler. Mr. Maupin further stated that he has received a letter from Savannah Quarters on August 11, 2008, granting approval to use the right-of-way on Spanton Crescent (in front of the church site) for accessing the construction site of Christ Presbyterian Church. However, this is an unimproved street with improvements not beginning until August of 2010. Further, the construction of the church may take anywhere from 12 to 14 months to complete, therefore; the church will need to utilize this unimproved corridor during this time frame. During the Planning & Zoning meeting, there was some discussion concerning the parking surface, accessing the construction site, size of sanctuary, and handicap parking surface.  With no further comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to table this item until further clarification can be received from the City Engineer concerning comment 1 (b) from the letter dated August 5, 2008. Motion died for lack of a second. Following further discussion concerning the engineering comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend approval of the site plan for Christ Presbyterian Church located at 1765 Quacco Road, subject to all of the engineering comments being addressed with the exception of the comment regarding the issue of the paved driveway from Pooler Parkway to the entrance of the proposed church being resolved by Mayor and Council. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Byard and passed without opposition. After review of the landscape plan, a motion was made by Commissioner Byard to recommend approval of the landscape plan for Christ Presbyterian Church located at 1765 Quacco Road. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.

4. Review of proposed amendments to Article IV – Fence Ordinance:  The proposed amendments to Article IV of the Fence Ordinance was presented to the Planning & Zoning Board Members for discussion and recommendation for approval. There was some discussion regarding allowing 6’ galvanized fences with three strands of barbed wire and 8’ vinyl coated fences in both, C-2 (Heavy Commercial) and all Industrial Zoning Districts. The board also recommended any galvanized fencing with or without barbed wire will need approval of both, the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council. A motion was made by Commissioner Archer to table this item for further discussion at the next meeting. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Lanier made a motion to adjourn at approximately 8:10 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Byard and passed without opposition.