CITY OF POOLER

PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES

September 28, 2009

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, September 28, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present were Larry Olliff, Wilson Roberts, Charles Archer, Mary Louise Lanier, Scotty Fletcher, James Reardon, and Nancy Bachner.  Mayor Mike Lamb, Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver and Planning & Zoning Assistant Kimberly Classen were also in attendance. Chairman Wilson Roberts called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

Charles Archer gave the invocation and Wilson Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The minutes of the August 24, 2009 meeting were approved as printed upon a motion made by James Reardon. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.

 

Chairman Wilson Roberts introduced Nancy Bachner as our newly appointed member to the Planning & Zoning Board and Councilwoman Benton administered the Oath of Office.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

  1. Towne Lake Park of Commerce, LLC petitioned the City of Pooler for an 8’ sign height variance to construct a directory sign with an incorporated clock tower at 125 Southern Junction Boulevard: Travis Burke with Kern-Coleman and Company presented the variance to the board for their review and recommendation.  Mr. Burke stated that this project is located within the South Godley PUD and the current guidelines do not specifically address signage issues as far as height specifications for directory signs, other than stating that the location and the size of the sign must be shown and submitted before the PUD reviewer for approval. Unfortunately, there is no longer an Architectural  Review Board; therefore, this request must now meet the City of Pooler’s development standards. Mr. Burke also stated that when the project began, the ARB was still active, so the hardship is based on the fact that the development standards have now changed through the course of the development with new guidelines. Mr. Burke stated that the top of the structure itself is above the required 30’ maximum height. Further, the structure is an open steel frame design, with a proposed clock and directory signs on three sides of the structure, on a square base over the existing dumpster enclosure. There were concerns from the board regarding the following: whether the request met the variance standards, public safety, the height of the incorporated clock, the total square feet of frontage, and the location of the proposed directory sign.  Public Comments: Donna Fischer, President of Townlake Home Owners Association, expressed her concerns to the board regarding the height of the sign, as well as public safety. Mr. Robert Bryan, Townlake Board of Directors, also reiterated to the board his concerns regarding the height of the sign. Petitioner’s Comments: In response, Mr. Burke stated that the developer is concerned with the proportion of the sign since it was designed to be placed on the existing dumpster enclosure, due to the fact of this being the main corner of the property where two major streets intersect each other. Further, Terry Coleman with Kern-Coleman & Company stated that he would meet with the developer and discuss the possibility of decreasing the height, eliminating or lowering the clock.  With no further public comments, at the petitioner’s request, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to table this item for two weeks. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.

 

  1. Southern Hospitality, LLC petitioned the City of Pooler for a 10’ sign height variance in order to replace the sign located at 1040 East Highway 80 to increase the visibility of the Fun Zone Amusement Park: Bill Norton of Sign Mart presented the variance to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. Norton stated that the larger sign was needed to attract traffic from I-95, and at 30 feet, the sign would be blocked by the Flash Foods Sign when being viewed by westbound traffic. There were concerns from the board regarding the following: whether the request met the variance standards, sign visibility and setting precedence if approved. Commissioner Lanier stated that our current sign ordinance does not address the advertising needs for a large multi activity development with limited road frontage. Therefore, suggesting that the City review the sign ordinance to possibly address this issue, with Commissioner Fletcher concurring.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer, seconded by Commissioner Lanier, to recommend approval of the 10’ sign height variance in order to replace the sign located at 1040 East Highway 80 to increase the visibility of the Fun Zone Amusement Park based on the request meeting #1 and #3 of the criteria. Commissioners Archer, Lanier and Bachner voted in favor of the motion, with Commissioners Fletcher, Olliff, and Reardon voting in opposition, thus creating a tie. Motion passed with Chairman Roberts voting in favor.

 

  1. Southern Hospitality, LLC petitioned the City of Pooler for a 55 square foot electronic message board variance in order to replace the sign located at 1040 East Highway 80 : Bill Norton of Sign Mart presented the variance to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. Norton stated that the current 15 square foot size limitation is so small as to be virtually of no use for advertising along this very busy thoroughfare, not to mention the message center is the most effective way of advertising the activities of the park. Further, a 15 square foot sign, especially when mounted 15 feet above grade, would not be visible until the customer was already on the property. There were concerns by the board regarding the following: whether the request met the variance standards, public safety, and that there is currently no obstruction blocking sign visibility.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Lanier, seconded by Commissioner Archer, to recommend approval of the 55 square foot electronic message board variance in order to replace the sign located at 1040 East Highway 80, based on the request meeting #1 and #3 of the criteria. Commissioners Archer and Lanier voted in favor of the motion, with Commissioners Bachner, Olliff, Reardon, and Fletcher opposing. Therefore, motion was denied by majority vote.

 

  1. The Estate of Annie Pearl Rahn petitioned the City of Pooler to rezone 2.26 acres located at 5146 Old Louisville Road from an RA-L (Residential-Agricultural, Limited District) to an R-A (Residential-Agricultural District): Jackie Tatum presented the rezoning request to the board for their review and recommendation. Ms. Tatum stated that she is interested in purchasing the property to open a “Doggie Daycare” business and this is not an allowable use in the RA-L (Residential-Agricultural, Limited District) zoning district. There were concerns by the board regarding the fact that if the zoning is changed, manufactured homes would be an allowable use.   Public Comments: Mr. Tyner, resident of 5210 Old Louisville Road, stated that he is concerned with dog waste, no city sewer service available,  improper drainage and the fact that if the rezoning is passed, the entire area will eventually turn into a mobile home park. Mrs. Rhonda Pippin, resident of 5138 old Louisville Road stated that she is the adjacent property owner and is against the rezoning due to the fact of noise, increasing traffic, and the odor of animal waste. Further, she stated that if the rezoning is approved she is requesting that a privacy fence be installed along the entire property line and is also requesting that the City not allow crush-n-run to be used in the driveway. John Doonan, Trustee of Bible Baptist Church, stated that they are concerned with the increase of traffic, and the potential mobile home use if rezoned. Petitioner’s Response: Ms. Tatum responded to the comments by stating that there is a private septic tank that serves this property, the proposed doggie day care facility is approximately 170’ from the ditch, a privacy fence will be installed as proposed on the drawing, the driveway will be of a dust free material, and she will have a contract with Waste Management to remove dog waste. Dr. Karen Cauld, co-investor with Ms. Tatum, reiterated to the board that all of the public comments have already been addressed. With no further comments, after reviewing Section 10, # 8 of the standards for zoning ordinance, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher, seconded by Commissioner Olliff to deny the rezoning request of  2.26 acres located at 4156 Old Louisville Road from an RA-L (Residential-Agricultural, Limited District) to an R-A(residential-Agricultural District). Motion passed with Commissioners Archer and Lanier opposing.

 

  1. Jackie Tatum petitioned the City of Pooler for a 12’ side setback variance required to meet regulations for a proposed animal boarding “Doggie Daycare” at 5146 Old Louisville Road:  Chairman Roberts stated that since item 5 is contingent on item 4, there was no need for further discussion.

 

Chairman Roberts acknowledged that Commissioner Lanier stepped down from her seat on the board for the remainder of the meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. Sketch Plan review for a proposed Walgreens site located at the northwest corner of Pooler Parkway and Godley Station Boulevard: Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the sketch plan to the board for their review and recommendations. Mr. Kraft stated that the lot is currently vacant and cleared with an existing Goodyear across the street facing Trader’s Way. Further, this is only a sketch plan and before Walgreens finalizes the agreement with the developer, comments and suggestions are needed from the City of Pooler concerning the proposed layout. Mr. Kraft also stated that the engineering comments have been discussed with Downer Davis and an adjustment can be made to comment # 1 regarding the south entrance nearest Godley Station Boulevard needing to be adjusted due to its proximity to the entrance. Mr. Kraft stated that there is a possibility that the developer could stripe off some of the additional paving to force vehicles into more of a single lane of traffic. There were concerns by the board regarding the possibility of mirroring the driveway of the existing Goodyear store or a driveway onto Godley Station Boulevard. In response, Mr. Kraft stated that a driveway from Godley Station Boulevard was not considered an option due to the fact they did not think this would be allowed and the other two entrances mainly facilitate the truck traffic. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend approval of the sketch plan for a proposed Walgreens site located at the northwest corner of Pooler Parkway and Godley Station Boulevard. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.

 

  1. Site Plan / Landscape Plan review for Savannah Tire located at 120 Foxfield Way: Travis Burke of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Commissioner Archer had questions concerning the placement of the handicap parking spaces. In response, Mr. Burke stated that this is the nearest accessible route to the entrance of the building because there will be no parking available directly adjacent to the building. Further, there are no proposed side walks on the other side of the building.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to recommend approval of the site plan for Savannah Tire located at 120 Foxfield Way, contingent upon engineering comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition. After review of the landscape plan, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to approve the plan. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.  

 

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Reardon made a motion to adjourn at approximately 8:35 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bachner and passed without opposition.