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CITY OF POOLER PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES AUGUST 13, 2007
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Members present were Larry Olliff, Charles Archer, Nannette Ringham, Scotty Fletcher, Mary Louise Lanier and James Reardon. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Bruce Allen, Zoning Assistant Kimberly Classen and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance. Co-Chairman Larry Olliff called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Charles Archer gave the invocation and James Reardon 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. William Deuster’s request for a 15’ privacy fence encroachment variance into the side yard setback at 200 Pine Forest Lane. William Deuster presented the variance request to the board for their review and recommendation. He explained they had moved from Florida and was unaware of the need for a fence permit. The fence was approved by the Architectural Review Board and met the criteria as outlined in the covenants for Morgan Pines Subdivision. The fence was installed on the property line encroaching 15 feet into the side yard setback. Mr. Deuster reviewed the list of criteria for granting a variance. He stated with only a .19 acre lot, he would lose l/4 of his backyard if the fence was moved in 15 feet. By fencing within the utility easement, Mr. Deuster knows he is responsible for any repairs to his fence caused by the utilility companies. Jerry Konter, developer of Morgan Pines, stated that he only reviews the architectural design and location of a proposed fence. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to recommend approval of the 15’ privacy fence encroachment variance into the side yard setback at 200 Pine Forest Lane. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed with Commissioners Archer and Fletcher opposing.
NEW BUSINESS:
2. Jay and Shelley Hildebrand’s decorative fence request at 116 Longleaf Circle. Mr. Hildebrand stated he was unaware he needed to get a permit. He had all of the utilities located prior to constructing the fence. He has since cut the fence down to 36 inches to comply with the decorative fence criteria. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Lanier to recommend approval of the decorative fence at 116 Longleaf Circle. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.
3. Robin Shaw’s decorative fence request at 1236 Homer City Way. Robin Shaw presented the decorative fence request to the board for their review and recommendation. This is a natural colored wooden split rail fence section 36” high and 11’ long. The fence will serve as a back drop for landscaping along the side property line. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to recommend approval of the decorative fence at 1236 Homer City Way. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.
4. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for an out parcel gas station for North Point located in the Dean Forest Business Park (aka ADK Tract). Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item. Co-Chairman Olliff stated that the owner has requested that this item be tabled to make plan modifications and resubmit at a later date. With no discussion, Commissioner Archer made a motion to table. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition. Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat on the board.
5. Sketch Plan Review for a major commercial subdivision located northwest of the intersection of U. S. Highway 80 and Dean Forest Road. Wes Sherrod of EMC Engineering Services, Inc. presented the sketch plan to the board for their review and recommendation. A five (5) lot major commercial subdivision is proposed with a gas station on the corner and various retail establishments on the other lots. Co-Chairman Olliff asked how far the western entrance is from Old Dean Forest Road. In response, Mr. Sherrod stated that he was not sure of the distance. Ms. Carver asked about the status of an agreement with Garden City for water and sewer connections. In response, Mr. Sherrod stated that plans have changed and Mr. Patel will be seeking water service from the City of Pooler and possibly sewer from Garden City. Other items of concern discussed at the meeting included dumpster location, minimum two (2) acre requirement, GDOT’s approval of entrances and permitted uses. Commissioner Lanier is very concerned about the proposed Dean Forest Road exit because of existing tractor trailer congestion on Dean Forest Road at the U. S. Highway 80 intersection. Furthermore, she would like to see how many traffic accidents (total number from Garden City, City of Savannah and City of Pooler) have occurred at this intersection. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Lanier to recommend approval of the sketch plan for a major commercial subdivision located in the northwest corner of the U. S. Highway 80 and Dean Forest Road intersection subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed with construction plans and traffic data compiled of the total accidents that have occurred at this intersection. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.
6. Posting of Performance Bond / Final Plat review of a major subdivision of Lot 5 for the Wal-Mart Supercenter site and out parcels. Tom Cetti of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the final plat to the board for their review and recommendation. The bond estimate letter was submitted to Bill Nicholson and the City of Pooler. Councilwoman Benton questioned if the performance bond would include both traffic lights. In response, Mr. Cetti stated that it does include the traffic light proposed on the Pooler Parkway but the internal traffic light is still under consideration. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend posting of the performance bond and final plat approval of a major subdivision of Lot 5 for the Wal-Mart Super center site and out parcels. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.
7. Final PUD Review / Preliminary Construction / Landscape Plan Review for Hunt Club, Phase 3 located on the south side of Jimmy DeLoach Parkway. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the construction plans for Hunt Club, Phase 3 to the board for their review and recommendation. Co-Chairman Olliff reminded the board that this development was approved by the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting. Commissioner Archer reiterated an earlier comment during the PUD Review Board meeting wherein he suggested a walking path be designed across the wetlands for access to the amenity site and if sidewalks are proposed on both sides of the access road or just one side. Mr. Kraft stated that he would need to check with the owner and check the wetlands permit as to what was approved. Regarding the landscape plan, Mr. Kraft stated that a typical lot layout should be on the plan. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to recommend Final PUD and preliminary construction plan approval for Hunt Club, Phase 3 located on the south side of Jimmy DeLoach Parkway subject to a walking path being designed across the wetlands for access to the amenity site. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition. A motion was also made by Commissioner Ringham to approve the landscape plan for the Hunt Club, Phase 3. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.
Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman & Company appeared before the board to request adding an item to the agenda. Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item. A motion was made by Commissioner Archer to add the construction plan for HD Supply Waterworks to the agenda. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.
15. Construction Plan / Landscape Plan Review for HD Supply Waterworks. Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman Engineering Company presented the construction plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Dick Knowlton, property owner, was also present to answer any questions regarding the proposed development. The 15.05 acre site is zoned I-1 (Light Industrial) and is located east of I-95 and south of Pine Barren Road. The construction plan is for a 15,000 square foot office/warehouse called “HD Supply Waterworks” for distribution purposes. All of the engineer’s comments have not been addressed. Mr. Coleman stated that most of the comments are minor with the exception of number 5 and 8 that mention the vehicular and utility access issue and whether the road is in a right-of-way or is part of the entire site. The Department of Transportation has not yet determined if the road will be completed and utilized for the use of HD Supply Waterworks. Mr. Coleman stated that he has had several conversations with the Department of Transportation and will schedule a meeting to resolve these issues. A 10” water line and a 4” sewer line will be installed to cover the entire 15.05 acre site, but Lot 1, consisting of only a three (3) acre portion is being developed at this time and Lot 2 is to be developed at a later date. During the Planning & Zoning Meeting there were concerns about the required set backs. Mrs. Carver stated that when the sketch plan for HD Supply Waterworks came before the Planning & Zoning Commission the front parking setback requirement was overlooked. According to Article III, Section 5 (E) of the Code of Ordinance of The City of Pooler, no parking, except herein authorized, shall be provided within any required front setback with the exception that in planned industrial parks, two-axel vehicles shall be allowed to park within said setback so long as no parking shall occur within 20’ of the right-of-way. Under no circumstance shall any vehicle over two axles be allowed in the front setback. The side setback requirements for the proposed office/warehouse should be 20’. Mr. Coleman stated this error would be corrected to illustrate a 20’ side setback on the north and south side. Commissioner Archer stated the clarification of an Industrial Park needs to be defined. Commissioner Lanier asked if the wording “Industrial Park” needs to be included in the given business name. With no public comments, Commissioner Lanier made a motion to approve the preliminary construction plan for HD Supply Waterworks, subject to all of the engineering comments being addressed, resolution of the Industrial Park designation and the plan being revised to show the correct side and rear setback requirements. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition. After review of the landscape plan, Commissioner Archer made a motion to approve the plan. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.
There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Lanier made a motion to adjourn at approximately 8:47 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.
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