CITY OF POOLER
PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
AUGUST 28, 2000

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, August 28, 2000 at 6 p.m.   Members present were:  Larry Olliff, Fleta Pepper, Debbie Ryan Watts, Holly Young, 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. The only change recommended by the board was changing the “City of Pooler” in item 5 to “Mayor and Council”.  A motion was made by Holly Young to recommend approval of the above changes to the zoning ordinance.  Motion was seconded by Fleta Pepper and passed without opposition.
  1. Discussion of proposed changes in the subdivision ordinance.   Chairman Don Taylor stated that he had reviewed the proposed changes and requested a requirement to add square footages on subdivision lots be added to this list.  Holly Young made a motion to approve the proposed changes in the subdivision ordinance contingent upon the addition of the square footage requirement on subdivision lots.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition. 

PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. Robert W. Lee’s request for setback variances @ 118 N. Skinner Street.  James R. Massey, property owner, and David Nelson were present to answer any questions.  Mr. Nelson explained the house had been torn down and plans are to construct a new single-family residence on this corner lot.  The petitioner is requesting a 3’6” variance from Skinner Street and a 24’ variance from Carver Street.  If the house is constructed in compliance with the City of Pooler’s ordinance, four large trees would have to be removed and there would only be 16’9” from adjacent residence.  Due to the right-of-way of Carver Street, the house will appear to sit farther back from Carver Street than the drawing indicates.  Following some discussion, Larry McKendree made a motion to grant the setback variances as requested.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed with Joe Harmon opposing.
  1. JCB’s request for a variance to relocate one of the billboards on their property.  Gary Shuman of HGB&D presented this request to the board for their consideration.  The petitioner is requesting to relocate the southern most sign south along the I-95 right-of-way to a point approximately 400’ north of the southwest property corner.  The board questioned if another sign could be placed at that location.  Melvin Johnson, Outdoor Advertising Coordinator with the Department of Transportation, stated because of the relocation of the on-ramp, the limit of three billboards per quadrant, he doubted if another billboard would meet the distance requirement.  Attorney Rebecca Benton asked that the board give her the same consideration if she requested a variance to move one of the billboards located on her property along I-95.  Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to approve the variance to allow JCB to move one of their billboards to the other end of their property.  Motion was seconded by Joe Harmon and passed without opposition.    
  1. The Villages, Phase V Preliminary Construction Plan/Landscape Plan Review.  At the request of Michael Hussey of Stevenson & Palmer Engineering Inc., Holly Young made a motion to table this item for two weeks.  Motion was seconded by Debbie Ryan Watts and passed without opposition.
  1. Mighty Eighth Air Force Chapel Site Plan Review.   Since the petitioner was not  present to answer any questions, a motion was made by Larry Olliff to table this item. Motion was seconded by Larry McKendree and passed without opposition.
  1. Hendrix Machinery Expansion Site Plan Review.   Janet Lewis of Bailey & Bailey Associates presented the site plan to the board for their review and comments.  Mrs. Lewis furnished the board with a copy of the septic tank approval for this project from Chatham County Health Department.  She further confirmed that Saussy Engineering has no problem addressing the other comments submitted by Bill Nicholson of HGB&D.  Tim Inglis reminded Mrs. Lewis that a Land Disturbing Activity Permit is needed along with a landscape plan that meets the tree ordinance.  Mrs. Lewis assured the board that she would notify Mark Boyles of Saussy Engineering of this requirement.  Debbie Ryan Watts made a motion to approve the Hendrix Machinery Expansion Site Plan contingent upon all the engineers’ comments being addressed prior to review by the Mayor and Council.  Motion was seconded by Fleta Pepper and passed without opposition. 

8.   ACT Holding Company Site Plan /Landscape Plan Review.    John Kern of John Kern’s Engineering Company presented the site plan and landscape plan to the board for their review and comments.  In addressing the comments from the Fire Chief, Mr. Kern has no problem increasing the water line from 8” to 10”, but questions the need to loop the water system.  Chairman Taylor asked for a copy of the lease agreement between SEPCO and the property owner since the plan shows an encroachment into this right-of-way.  Attorney Rebecca Benton is still concerned with the drainage in the area and the proposed frontage road.  Following some discussion, a motion was made by Joe Harmon to approve the landscape plan and the site plan contingent upon the engineer’s comments being addressed.  Motion was seconded by Debbie Ryan Watts and passed without opposition.     

9.  Dozier Cook’s Landscape Plan/Tree Ordinance compliance on lot 18 Pine Barren Road.  Mr. Dozier Cook explained the reason he plans to clear this lot is to store heavy equipment. The 2.37-acre lot is located across the street from his business on Pine Barren Road.   The board questioned why he was saving so many gum trees and only around the perimeter of the site.   Mr. Cook stated he needed a clear area in the middle of the lot because it would be difficult to maneuver heavy equipment around trees. The board explained about the type of preferred trees listed in the tree ordinance and how in an industrially zoned area replacement trees should be planted in landscaped islands throughout the parking area.  The board requested that Mr. Cook revise his landscape plan and resubmit by the next meeting.  A motion to table this item was made by Joe Harmon and seconded by Holly Young.  Motion passed without opposition.

Commissioner Holly Young reminded the board that this was Don Taylor’s last meeting.The board applauded Mr. Taylor for time served on the board and assured him he would be truly missed.   Mrs. Carver invited the board members to attend council meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 2000 where Don Taylor will be recognized for his service on the Planning and Zoning Commission. 

The board nominated Holly Young as Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission and Larry Olliff as Co-Chairman.  The board approved these nominations.

There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Joe Harmon and seconded by Larry Olliff.