The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, September 26, 2005 at 6 p.m.  Members present were: Charles Archer, Wilson Roberts, Tim Lovezzola, Mary Louise Lanier, Don Taylor and Elinor Minshew. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Larry Olliff, Councilman Michael Royal, Councilman Bruce Allen, City Planner Robbie Byrd and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance.  Chairman Don Taylor called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.  

Charles Archer gave the invocation and Don Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance.   

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Charles Archer.            Motion was seconded by Elinor Minshew and passed without opposition. 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

  1. Richard Barrow’s petition to rezone 14.06 acres off Pine Barren Road from R-A to I-2, a Heavy Industrial Zoning.  Richard Barrow, along with Bill Saxmon presented this rezoning request to the board for their review and recommendation.  The site is accessed by the frontage road that extends from Pine Barren Road to the mega site and bordered to the southeast by the Savannah Ogeechee Canal.  The tract is currently undeveloped and would be used for warehousing and logistics.  With the close proximity to the mega site, the board believed this to be an appropriate zoning for this tract as well as the surrounding lands with a possible comprehensive rezoning.  Following some discussion about potential allowable uses, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of Parcel # 2 (Pin # 5-1010-03-003), a 14.06 acre tract off Pine Barren Road from R-A to I-2, a Heavy Industrial Zoning.  Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.

NEW BUSINESS: 

  1. Recombination of lots 1, 2, and 3 on Bluffton Road for Jeanette Jeffers.

The lots have been combined into one lot in order to place a single family residence.  Several board members stated they would like to see the front building setback line added to the plat as well as the address of the lot.  Therefore, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the recombination of lots 1, 2 and 3 on Bluffton Road contingent upon the front building setback line and address being added to the plat.  Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition. 

  1. Site plan/landscape plan review for a Retail Business Strip Center on Lot 1, Pooler Business Development Park.  Clay Loyless of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and comments.  T & M Commercial Development LLC is proposing to construct a 15,650 square foot building to support nine retail businesses.  All of the engineer’s comments have been addressed.  Therefore, Elinor Minshew made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for a retail business strip center on lot 1, Pooler Business Development Park.  Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.  The landscape plan meets the requirements of the tree ordinance.  Therefore, a motion was made by Elinor Minshew to approve the landscape plan for this project.  Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
  1. Preliminary construction plan/landscape plan review for Harmony Townes Development located on Tract B of the Jabot Tract.  Jeff Carper of HGB&D presented the preliminary construction plans for Harmony Townes to the board for their review and recommendation.  The proposed development consists of 203 single family townhome units on Tract B of the Jabot Tract. The project meets all current PUD requirements for setbacks, minimum building width and units per building.  A 75’ undisturbed buffer is proposed between this development and Interstate 16.  There was some discussion about the storage of roll-out garbage carts for the individual units.  In response, Dana Coble of Portrait Homes stated this would be addressed with the Homeowners Association (HOA) guidelines.  With no other comments, a motion was made by Mary Louise Lanier to recommend approval of the preliminary construction plans for Harmony Townes Development on Tract B of the Jabot Tract contingent upon all of the engineer’s comments being addressed.  Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.  Regarding the landscape plan, the board questioned if any trees would be planted on the rear of the lots.  In response, Mr. Carper stated that there are trees proposed on the rear of the lots.  Since this is a PUD, the owner can be more creative with the landscape plan.  With no other comments, Tim Lovezzola made a motion to approve the landscape plan for Harmony Townes Development.  Motion was seconded by Elinor Minshew and passed without opposition.   
  1. Final plat approval for Park Lane Duplexes on South Rogers Street.   Chairman Don Taylor stepped down to abstain from any discussion of this item.  Co-Chairman Charles Archer chaired the meeting for item # 5.  Anthony Hampton presented the final plat for the Park Lane Duplexes on South Rogers Street.  The number of lots was decreased from 10 to 7 duplex units because of some wetlands that were impacted by this development.  The units will be owned and maintained under one ownership. Commissioner Mary Louise Lanier commended the developer on marketing the units to seniors.  Mr. Hampton also reiterated to Mr. Rick Colby, the property owner across the street, that signage at the entrance to the development will be addressed according to what was approved by the Mayor and Council.  He also assured the board that he will present revised plans to the city if they decide to gate this development.  With no other comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of the final plat for the Park Lane Duplexes on South Rogers Street subject to the 5’ right-of-way dedication being added to the plat.  Motion was seconded by Elinor Minshew and passed without opposition.  Chairman Don Taylor returned to his seat on the board.
  1. Preliminary construction plan/landscape plan review for Phase I of The Harmony.

Christy Lawrence of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co. presented the construction plans to the board for their review and recommendation.  Phase I of the Harmony is a 159 single family residential development that was approved under the Jabot PUD.  Access to the site will be from Quacco Road, and Pooler Parkway (once the commercial access road is constructed).  Chairman Don Taylor questioned the width of the buffer between this development and Barrington Estates Subdivision to the north.  In response, Ms. Lawrence stated a 25’ buffer is proposed and  will remain wooded except where drainage swales are proposed.   There has been no change in the plan from the sketch plan that was approved.  Regarding the construction access road from the Pooler Parkway, the owner of the commercial tract, by contract, has to begin construction of the spine road within 18 months (and complete within 12 months thereafter).  With no other comments, Tim Lovezzola made a motion to recommend approval of the preliminary construction plan for Phase I of The Harmony subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed.  Motion was seconded by Elinor Minshew and passed without opposition. After reviewing the landscape plan,  Elinor Minshew made a motion to approve the plan and motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts.  Motion passed. 

  1. Recombination of lots 39, 40, 41, 48, 49 & 50 for Neal & Patti Simmons at 323 East Mell Street.  Mr. & Mrs. Simmons are combining the lots for some tax relief.  Currently, they receive a separate tax bill for each lot.  Commissioner Wilson Roberts asked that the building setback line from Manden Road be added to the plat.  With no public comment, a motion was made by Tim Lovezzola and seconded by Elinor Minshew to approve the recombination of lots 39, 40, 41, 48, 49 and 50 subject to a thirty foot building setback line from Manden Road being added to the plat.  Motion passed without opposition.

There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Tim Lovezzola and seconded by Elinor Minshew.  Motion passed.