The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, August 23, 2004 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Tim Lovezzola, Mary Louise Lanier, Dennis Jones, Wilson Roberts, Larry Olliff and Don Taylor. Councilman Mike Royal, Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, City Planner Robbie Byrd and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance. Co-Chairman Dennis Jones called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
Don Taylor gave the invocation and Larry Olliff led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Larry Olliff. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
1. Richard F. Brown, Trustee is requesting a zoning map amendment to change the zoning of 4.28 acres on south Rogers Street from R-3A, a multi-family zoning to R-2C, a two-family zoning. Marlon Jackson, engineer for the project presented the petition for rezoning to the board for their review and recommendation. The property owner is proposing to build 10 single story duplex units on the 4.28 acres, which would be a down zoning from the current R-3A zoning. Average size of each unit will be 1500 square feet with two bedrooms/two baths and an attached carport. Several adjacent property owners expressed their concerns regarding this rezoning. Rick Colby of 802 South Rogers Street is concerned about the entrance to this project being directly across from his driveway. He stated that he already has a problem getting out on Rogers Street in the morning due to the congestion in this area. Getys Davis of 508 Winskie Road is concerned about children trespassing onto his property. He stated that this development is a misuse of the city’s infrastructure. With no other public comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of Richard Brown’s request to rezone 4.28 acres on South Rogers Street from R-3A to R-2C. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
2. Proposed Zoning Text Amendment to create a new zoning classification (R-3D) for multi-family development. Attorney Harold Yellin of Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn presented this text amendment to the board for their review and recommendation. This amendment would provide for multi-family development that would include condominiums, town homes and patio homes. Mr. Yellin stated that numerous variances would be needed to develop this project under existing zoning regulations. He is requesting that since several of the dimensional requirements do not apply, a project under this new zoning classification would be considered a “site specific” development. Ten units per acre are proposed for this zoning classification which is less than R-3A, R-3B and R-3C. There was some discussion about the differences in condominiums, town homes and patio homes. The board expressed the following concerns: buffer requirements, setbacks, building separation, off-street parking and maximum of five (5) units per building. Don Taylor recommended deleting town homes and patio homes from the proposed text. The board was not confortable making any recommendation at this time. Therefore, a motion was made by Don Taylor to table this item until September 13th. The motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS:
3. Proposed conceptual plan for Hamilton Inn & Suites – corner of Parsons Avenue and Gray Street. Don Taylor excused himself from any discussion on this item. Jay Maupin of EMC Engineering presented the new conceptual plan for the Hamilton Inn & Suites. The site is now larger with the additional lot, the number of rooms have increased from 37 to 72 units and 16.5 feet has been dedicated to widen Parsons Avenue. Mr. Maupin questioned a comment from the city engineer regarding the allowance of bus traffic. With the widening of Parsons Avenue and a minimum inside radius of 20’ this should not be a problem. Adequate buffering will be provided and addressed in more detail on the final site plan. With no public comments, Wilson Robert made a motion to recommend approval of the conceptual plan for Hamilton Inn & Suites. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition. Don Taylor returned to his seat on the board.
4. Site plan/landscape plan review for Coldbrook Properties – commercial building on a 1.29 acre tract next to the Waffle House. Stephen Staley of HGB&D presented the site plan and landscape plan for this project to the board for their review and recommendation. The proposed project is a single story retail strip located between the Waffle House and Ramada Inn on east Highway 80. Mr. Staley stated that EPD approval is needed and a DOT encroachment permit is needed for this project. Furthermore, that cross access easements for dumpster use and parking are also needed. Commissioner Tim Lovezzola recommended deleting two parking spaces on the east end of the building for better access to the dumpster pad. With no public comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for Coldbrook Properties subject to DOT encroachment permit and cross access easements being obtained. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, Commissioner Wilson Roberts recommended adding a couple of islands in front of the building to break up the parking area. With no other comments, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the landscape plan subject to landscape islands being added in front of the building at approximately 1/3 points (in relationship to the face of the building). Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
5. Site Plan/landscape plan review for Roy Patel’s Office Building at lots 31 and 32, Pooler Park of Commerce. Chad Zittrouer of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the site plan and landscape plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Plans have been revised to address all of the engineer’s comments. With no public comments, Tim Lovezzola made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for Roy Patel’s office building on lots 31 and 32, Pooler Park of Commerce. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, the board questioned the landscaping located in the 20’ drainage easement. Mr. Zittrouer stated the drainage easement is not being utilized. City Planner Robbie Byrd stated if this is a city easement he does not want plantings within the easement. At the request of the petitioner, Wilson Roberts made a motion to table the landscaping portion of the site plan for clarification on the 20’ drainage easement. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
6. Review and recommendation of Amendment # 1 (including development standards) to the Morgan Family PUD master Plan – Pine Barren Road. Co-Chairman Dennis Jones reminded the board this item was reviewed and approved by the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting. Commissioner Wilson Roberts recused himself from any discussion on this item. Jim Woods of Jim Woods, Inc. explained the Morgan Family is requesting an amendment to their PUD Master Plan that would change the zoning of 36.41 acres from multi-family to single family. He reviewed the proposed development standards and changes requested regarding Spine Road and right-in, right-out access to the Pooler Parkway. With no other comments, Don Taylor made a motion to recommend approval of Amendment # 1 to the Morgan Family PUD Master Plan. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition. Wilson Roberts returned to his seat on the board.
7. Review of land clearing plan for Southwest Quadrant I-16 Berm. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the land clearing plan to the board for their review and recommendation. This project includes the construction of a 25’high berm 2600’ along the I-16 right-of-way in the Southwest Quadrant of Savannah Quarters. The berm will provide noise and visual screening for residential development from the I-16 traffic. Commissioner Wilson Roberts asked if the proposed berm would adversely impact the drainage in this area. Mr. Kraft assured him that it would not. Therefore, Mary Louise Lanier made a motion to approve the land clearing plan for the Southwest Quadrant I-16 berm. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Larry Olliff and seconded by Mary Louise Lanier. Motion passed.