The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, September 13, 2004 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Charles Archer, Mary Louise Lanier, Dennis Jones, Wilson Roberts, Larry Olliff and Don Taylor. Councilman Bruce Allen, 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.
Charles Archer gave the invocation and Mary Louise Lanier led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Larry Olliff. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
1. 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. George Weeks of D. J. Development was also present to answer any questions regarding the development guidelines proposed in the new R-3D zoning classification. Mr. Yellin reminded the board he was before them a few weeks ago to discuss the proposed text amendment. He explained that a text amendment is needed to develop Park West Pooler that is located in the southwest quadrant of U. S. Highway 80 and I-95. This amendment would provide for multi-family development that would include condominiums, apartments and town homes. Ten units per acre are proposed for this zoning classification which is less than R-3A, R-3B and R-3C. Mr. Yellin reviewed the proposed text that addressed the following concerns discussed at the last meeting: buffer requirements, building setbacks, building separation, off-street parking and maximum units per building. Following some discussion about the wording of the proposed text amendment, Mr. Yellin summarized the following changes recommended by the board: (A) (i) Density shall be limited to ten (10) units per net acre. Buildings shall have a maximum of five (5) dwelling units per building, (iv)…and 20’ side yard (measured from building to building, building to improvements or building to property line, as the case may be). With no public comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed text amendment to include the above changes recommended by the board. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
OLD BUSINESS:
2. 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 revised landscape plan to the board. The board tabled the approval of the landscape plan two weeks ago pending clarification on the 20’ drainage easement. Mr. Zittrouer stated that the 20’ drainage easement was labeled incorrectly and was in fact a 20’ building setback line. Therefore Don Taylor made a motion to approve the landscape plan for Roy Patel’s office building on lots 31 and 32 in the Pooler Park of Commerce. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS:
3. Minor Subdivision/Recombination at 306 Old Pine Barren Road for Del Ferguson, Manager of DMP Properties, LLC. Del Ferguson presented this request to the board for their review and recommendation. He is subdividing an eighty-foot strip out of one lot that he owns to provide access to a 23.39 acre tract to the north that he owns. He has no plans at this time to develop the property. With no public comment, Larry Olliff made a motion to recommend approval of the minor subdivision/recombination at 306 Old Pine Barren Road. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
4. Site Plan/Landscape Plan review of Pooler Family Dental Clinic (location 512 West Highway 80. Commissioner Wilson Roberts recused himself from any discussion on this item. Dan Gay of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Dr. John Howard, property owner, was also present to answer any questions. The project includes a 2600 square foot dental office with 21 parking spaces. Also included in the information provided is a recorded access easement for access across Doctor Howard’s adjacent lot. A 20’ landscaped buffer is proposed from the adjacent residential area. Mr. Gay showed a proposed diagram of a concrete lot swale proposed along the north side of the property. With no other comments, Charles Archer made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for Pooler Family Dental Clinic contingent upon all of the engineer’s comments being addressed including the proposed lot swale design. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, Larry Olliff made a motion to approve the landscape plan. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition. Commissioner Roberts returned to his seat on the board.
5. Site Plan/Landscape Plan review of Fortune Plaza – corner of Skinner Avenue and eastbound Highway 80. Attorney Jennifer Dickinson and Stephen Staley, Engineer, addressed the Planning and Zoning Board with a revised site plan for Fortune Plaza. The site plan has been modified to address all of the engineer’s comments and accommodate the curb cut off Highway 80, removing all access from Skinner Avenue. A buffer of conifers are proposed along Skinner Avenues to screen vehicle headlights from shining into the residence across the street. Commissioner Wilson Roberts reminded the owner that the number of parking spaces were designed for an office/shopping center and if a restaurant is proposed, parking requirements will have to be met prior to the issuance of a business license. The board questioned the location of the large Oak tree that was to be saved at the request of Council. Ms. Sherry Ward stated that the large Oak tree closest to Skinner Avenue was the one referenced by council. Ms. Dickinson stated they understood that it was the large 38” Oak tree in the center of the property. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton stated that the minutes reflect the large Oak tree nearest Skinner Avenue. Ms. Dickinson asked that the record show that Ms.Ward circled the large Oak on the tree survey so everyone was in agreement as to which tree was to be saved. Engineer Stephen Staley stated that this tree is located where storm drain piping is proposed, but he could try to redesign around the 38” Large Oak tree. The board agreed the 38” large Oak tree was worth trying to save. Don Taylor made a motion to table the Fortune Plaze site plan and landscape plan to address the following issues: additional wax myrtles to be added along Skinner Avenue for screening, show dumpster enclosure and save the 38” Oak tree nearest Skinner Avenue (one circled on the tree survey). Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
6. Construction plan approval of Southwest Quadrant East Spine Road. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the construction plans to the board for their review and recommendation. The road, water and sewer infrastructure will be owned and maintained by the City of Pooler. The east Spine Road will provide access to the Centex development. With no other comments, a motion was made by Charles Archer to approve the construction plans for the Southwest Quadrant East Spine Road subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
7. Preliminary construction plan review/approval of Forest Lakes, Phase III. Travis Burke of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the construction plans for Forest Lakes, Phase III to the board for their review and recommendation. The plans have been revised to address some of the comments but not all of them. The board questioned the width and size of some of the proposed lots. After reviewing the amendment to the PUD Master Plan for Forest Lakes, the average lot size approved was 60’ x 125’. Mr. Burke stated it was not a problem meeting this development standard. With no other comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve the preliminary construction plans for Forest Lakes, Phase III contingent upon all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
8. Approval of Plat Revision for Sixteen West, Phase I. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the revised plat to the board for their review and recommendation. The Sixteen West Phase I subdivision plat was approved by Planning and Zoning at the August 9, 2004 meeting. Since that approval, further work has been done on the overall site layout and changes to the plat were needed to meet the needs of the various parties involved in the development of the project. Mr. Kraft pointed out the following changes on the plat: On lot 1, adjustments were made to the proposed roads, parking areas and building location. On lot 2, the proposed theater owner requested that the lot lines be adjusted so that the theater parking contained within the lot was more contiguous. The access for lot 2 was also revised to extend to Pooler Parkway, instead of Quacco Road. There was only a slight adjustment to the property line on lot 3 and no changes on lots 4 and 5. With no public comment, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of Sixteen West, Phase I plat revision. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Charles Archer and seconded by Larry Olliff. Motion passed.