The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, October 8, 2001 at 6 p.m.   Members present were:  Debbie Ryan Watts, Larry Olliff, Tim Lovezzola, Craig Brewer, Fleta Pepper and Holly Young.  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.

 

Councilwoman Billie Tyler introduced Glenda Champion as our new alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission and administered the Oath of Office.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

  1. Vimal Enterprises, L.P. request for a directional sign variance on height and square footage.  Mahesh A. Desai, owner of Country Hearth Inn at 301 Governor Treutlen Road has changed their name to “Comfort Inn & Suites”.  To better advertise the location, the owner is requesting a variance on the height and size of a new directional sign at the southeast corner of Governor Treutlen Road and U.S.Highway 80.  This sign would replace an existing directional sign already located on the corner of the Burger King property.  According to City of Pooler Sign Ordinance, a directional sign cannot exceed ten square feet per sign face and not more than five feet high.  The request is for a directional sign located on Hardee’s property that is ten feet high and twenty-five square feet per sign face.  Following some discussion regarding the list of criteria for granting a variance, Fleta Pepper made a motion to approve Vimal Enterprises, L.P. request for a  directional sign variance on height and square footage.  Motion was seconded by Craig Brewer and passed with Tim Lovezzola and Larry Olliff opposing.

 

OLD BUSINESS: 

 

       2.  Discussion of Decorative Fences.  Mayor and Council had requested that the Planning and Zoning Commission review the ordinance on decorative fences.  The board drafted some changes in the proposed ordinance and presented them to Mayor and Council during their regular council meeting on September 10, 2001.  Council members     expressed concern over regulations regarding types of material and limiting colors of decorative fences.  The board members agreed with most of the comments but felt the height of decorative fences should be restricted to 36 inches.  The other issues regarding easements, fire hydrants and aesthetics would be addressed with a list of criteria/checklist to be completed and submitted along with the decorative fence permit application.  Mrs. Carver presented a list of criteria for the board’s review and discussion.  Chairman Young read the checklist item by item.  Commissioner Larry Olliff suggested changing the wording  “sectional drawing” to “front elevation and cross-sectional” of the proposed decorative fence.  These changes will be presented to the Mayor and Council for their review and consideration during the October 15th meeting.     

 

  NEW BUSINESS:

 

3.      Westbrook Subdivision Phase 2 Greenspace Plan Review.   Hal Kraft of Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung, Inc. presented the greenspace plan for Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 2 to the board for their review and approval.  The site is currently wooded, but due to the past timbering and replanting, the site consists mainly of cut-over pines.  Due to this fact, a variance is being requested to waive the tree survey requirement for this project.  A greenspace plan has been developed to meet the City of Pooler’s Tree Ordinance requirements.  The required tree cover for the project is 405 trees (27.0 acres x 15 trees per acre).   Street trees, from the list of preferred trees, will be planted long the roadways and around the residential cul-de-sacs. The remaining 364 trees will be addressed on a per lot basis at 13 trees per lot for the 28 lots in the subdivision.  The board requested that the developer present a typical landscape plan for a residential lot prior to the issuance of the Land Disturbing Activity Permit. The Inspections Department will enforce this requirement at the time of home construction.  A motion was made by Debbie Ryan Watts to approve the greenspace plan for Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 2 contingent upon a typical landscape plan being submitted for individual lots prior to the issuance of the LDA.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed with no opposition.

 

4.      Proposed changes in the shipping container ordinance.   Councilwoman Billie Tyler explained to the board that Jerry Jackson, Manager of Wal-Mart, appeared before Mayor and Council on October 1st.   regarding the city’s ordinance on storage containers.  Mr. Jackson stated that he did not understand the 30 day period required between permits being issued.  Further, that there were several containers on site, which were still full of merchandise from the spring/summer that were in violation of the permit issued in July.  Council agreed to waive the 30 day period required between issuance of permits, to allow Wal-Mart’s second permit to be issued for a 75 day period and to waive the penalty for the containers currently in violation of the ordinance.  Due to the problems and misunderstanding of the newly adopted shipping container ordinance, the following changes are being proposed:  permits will be valid for ninety (90) days instead of seventy-five (75) days, the thirty (30) day requirement between permits will be deleted and the paragraph on fees will be rewritten for clarification.  No action was taken since these changes were for information only.

                  

There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Tim Lovezzola and seconded by Craig Brewer.