PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, August 27, 2001 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Debbie Ryan Watts, Larry Olliff, Fleta Pepper, Tim Lovezzola, Holly Young and Craig Brewer. Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver and Councilwoman Billie Tyler were also in attendance. Chairman Holly Young 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 Fleta Pepper and passed without opposition.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Attorney James B. Blackburn, Jr. presented the variance request to the board on behalf of his client, Connie Rowland. Mrs. Rowland obtained a fence permit and placed the fence posts thirty feet from the street instead of thirty feet from her property line. The fence posts are approximately 12’ from her property line and 30’ from the street curbing. Attorney Blackburn stated that this is a unique situation because the lot is a double frontage lot having frontage on two streets. The adjacent property owner who would be most affected has written a letter in support of the variance. A petition was also submitted to the board with signatures of surrounding property owners that have no objections to the granting of this fence variance. Councilwoman Billie Tyler is concerned about the fence post being located within the drainage & utility easement.
Ms. Rowland stated that she understands that if the fence had to be taken down because
of repairs, the city would not be responsible for putting it back up. Attorney Blackburn
reviewed the list of criteria for granting a variance. There was a lot of discussion as to
whether the variance request met two of the three standards needed to grant the variance.
Commissioner Craig Brewer stated that he disagreed with Attorney Blackburn that a corner lot has unique physical circumstances beyond that of surrounding properties.
Following some discussion, Commissioner Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to deny Connie Rowland’s request for a side yard fence variance at 1265 D.J.’s Way. Motion was seconded by Craig Brewer and passed without opposition.
at 14 Lisa’s Court. Mrs. Reid explained that she is requesting a conditional use to operate a “Family Home Daycare” from her residence at 14 Lisa’s Court. Mrs. Reid stated that she would like to care for three but not more than six children at her home.
Mrs. Reid presented a petition with seven signatures from neighbors in favor of her “Family Home Daycare”. Mrs. Reid stated that she has a fenced area in the back yard where the children would play. Several residents appeared before the board with their concerns. Ron Carrol of 12 Lisa’s Court is concerned about increased traffic in the cul-de-sac if more than one daycare is allowed. the resident of 8 Lisa’s Court stated the quiet cul-de-sac was the main reason she chose this house. She doesn’t think there is enough room in the driveway for six vehicles. She questioned who would monitor the number of children and if another “Family Home Daycare” could be approved on the same cul-de-sac. Increased traffic is a concern of Mrs. Remppel as well as parking in the cul-de-sac because the mailman cannot deliver mail. Pamela Braswell of 15 Lisa’s Court spoke in favor of granting Mrs. Reid’s conditional use to operate a “Family Home Daycare”. She stated that Mrs. Reid takes good care of the children she keeps, they stay in the backyard within the designated fenced area and they do not run the neighborhood. In response, Mrs. Reid stated that at no time would there be six vehicles at her home and if additional space is needed they have an estimate on widening the driveway. After reviewing the criteria for granting a conditional use, Commissioner Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to deny Shanda K. Reid’s request for a conditional use to operate a “Family Home Daycare”at 14 Lisa’s Court. Motion was seconded by Fleta Pepper and passed with Larry Olliff opposing.
NEW BUSINESS:
Craig Brewer excused himself from any discussion on this item due to a conflict of interest. Dale Yawn, Land Surveyor, presented the minor subdivision to the board for their review and approval. Mr. Yawn stated that there is one curb-cut for both lots and
it will be designed according to D.O.T. specifications. The wetlands have already been delineated in a rear conservation easement. Mr. Ken Reddick, potential buyer for lot A showed the board a conceptual plan for some commercial offices on this lot. Mr. Dale Yawn confirmed to Rebecca Benton that the sixty-foot access easement would remain as road frontage across lots A & B. With no other public comment, a motion was made by Debbie Ryan Watts to approve the subdividing of 7.44 acres into lots A & B. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezolla and passed without opposition.
do not regulate fencing, nor require fence permits. The board agreed that a better definition is needed along with design criteria and height restrictions. This item was tabled for further discussion at the next meeting.
There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Tim Lovezzola and seconded by Craig Brewer.