CITY OF POOLER
PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
AUGUST 14, 2000

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, August 14, 2000 at 6 p.m.   Members present were:  Larry Olliff, Fleta Pepper, Debbie Ryan Watts, Holly Young, Judson Trapnell, Joe Harmon, Larry McKendree and Don Taylor. City Planner Tim Inglis, Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver, Councilwoman Billie Tyler were also in attendance.  Chairman Don Taylor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

 The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Larry Olliff.   Motion was seconded by Joe Harmon and passed without opposition.   

 Old Business:

1. Discussion on change in zoning ordinance regarding model sales office in a major residential subdivision and a manufactured home park.   The City Attorney submitted some changes for the board members to discuss.  Chairman Taylor stated that item # 3 is confusing as to what is happening to the platted lots.  The board agreed that adequate off-street parking should be added to the list and recommended at least six spaces.  The board also favored allowing the developer/builder to apply for an extension after the eighteen months.  Debbie Ryan Watts questioned the fairness of a 90% build-out.  Mrs. Carver recommended that the City Attorney review these changes and further discussion take place at the next meeting.

2. ACT Holding Company revised conceptual site plan of a proposed Car

Dealership/Mini Storage across from Coleman Blvd.  John Kern of John Kern’s Engineering Company presented the revised conceptual site plan to the board for their review and comments.  Mr. Kern explained by acquiring additional acreage, the developer was able to change the Savannah Tire building location on the site for better visibility.  He further stated the tree ordinance and landscape requirements would be addressed on the site plan.  Attorney Rebecca Benton questioned the location of the sixty-foot access road.  She also stated that it was the City’s fault in errors and omissions because the developer was not required to present a master plan with infrastructure and road improvements.  Mr. Kern’s explained the access road will be in place but that a row of vehicles would be parked fronting next to U.S. Highway 80.  Following some discussion, a motion was made by Joe Harmon to approve ACT Holding Company revised conceptual site plan.  Motion was seconded by Debbie Ryan Watts and passed without opposition.       

      New Business:

3. Sandra Durden’s minor subdivision request on Tietgen Street.  The 2.32 acres is bounded on the north by Tietgen Street, on the east by Rogers Street, on the south by Whatley Street and on the west by Newton Street.  Mrs. Durden explained her parents would like to subdivide the 2.32 acres into two lots.  Chairman Taylor requested that building setback lines be added to the plat.  A motion was made by Larry Olliff to approve the Durden-Heintzman minor subdivision plat contingent upon the addition of building setback lines to the plat.  Motion was seconded by Larry McKendree and passed without opposition.

4. Pooler Park of Commerce, Phase I Final Plat Review & Approval.  Steve Byrd of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the final subdivision plat of Phase I, Pooler Park of Commerce at Godley Station.  The developer is posting a bond to cover improvements to the subdivision.  Chairman Taylor stated the subdivision plat meets all of the subdivision requirements. Joe Harmon made a motion to approve the final subdivision plat of Phase I, Pooler Park of Commerce.  Motion was seconded by Holly Young and passed without opposition.

5. Discussion of proposed changes in C-1 and C-2 Zoning classifications The board was

given copies of some proposed changes in the C-1 and C-2 zoning ordinances.  Some of the changes included limiting the square footage of grocery stores, furniture stores, retail and hardware stores.  Several permitted uses in C-1, such as new or used auto sales,

service station, mini-warehouses and garages were deleted from C-1 zoning and added to C-2 zoning. The board expressed their concerns about down zoning in C-1 and property owners’ vested rights.  The board members agreed that the City of Pooler should not make any changes in the commercial zonings.  Instead, the City of Pooler should look at increasing the size of buffers and consider other means of dimensioning the commercial effects on adjacent residentially zoned properties.  Following some discussion, a motion was made by Holly Young to not make any changes in the commercial zonings at this time.  Motion was seconded by Larry McKendree and passed without opposition. 

6.            Discussion of proposed changes in the subdivision ordinance.  Tim Inglis, Public Works Director, informed the board members that Jeff Thornburg has been working on these proposed changes to the subdivision ordinance.  He stated that these changes deal mainly with utilities and easements in proposed subdivisions.  Chairman Taylor recommended that a requirement to add square footages on subdivision lots be added to the list of proposed changes.  The board was asked to review these changes for further discussion at the next meeting.  

            There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was

made by Joe Harmon and seconded by Larry Olliff.