The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, October 11, 2004 at 6 p.m.   Members present were: Charles Archer, Tim Lovezzola, Wilson Roberts, Larry Olliff, Mary Louise Lanier, Debbie Ryan Watts and Don Taylor.  Councilman Bruce Allen, Councilman Mike Royal, Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, City Planner Robbie Byrd and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance.  Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. 

Charles Archer gave the invocation and Tim Lovezzola led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS 

1.      The Morgan Family has petitioned the City of Pooler to annex 29.90 acres on Pine Barren Road:  16.28 acres will remain a multi-family zoning and 13.62 acres will be zoned from multi-family (City of Bloomingdale) to a single-family zoning within the City of Pooler.  J. M. Woods of J. M. Woods, Inc., presented the request for zoning of the 29.90 acres proposed for annexation from the City of Bloomingdale.  With no public comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of the following zoning for the 29.90 acres to be annexed into the City of Pooler from the City of Bloomingdale:  16.28 acres will remain a multi-family zoning and 13.62 acres will be zoned from multi-family to a single-family zoning.  Motion was seconded by Dennis Jones and passed without opposition.    

  1. Clyde Edward Daniels’request for a Zoning Map Amendment to rezone 19.6 acres on the north side of U. S. Highway 80 from (C-1, R-3A, R-1A) to C-2, a Heavy Commercial Zoning.  Commissioner Tim Lovezzola excused himself from any discussion of this item.  Attorney Phillip McCorkle presented the request for rezoning to the board for their review and recommendation.  The front portion of the tract is presently zoned C-1, a Light Commercial zoning, the rear eastern half is zoned R-3A, a multi-family zoning while the rear western half is zoned R-1A, a Single Family Residential zoning.  The Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center is located to the west of this tract.  Mr. McCorkle’s client, American Commercial Developers are proposing a shopping center with out-parcels fronting on U. S. Highway 80 and a small commercial office park on the rear of the property.  In order to do this, a C-2, Heavy Commercial zoning is needed.  Regarding buffering from the residentially zoned area to the east, the developer is proposing a fifty (50’) natural buffer (thick tree line), along with a 6’ privacy fence located 10’ off the property line.  This more than exceeds the City of Pooler’s buffer requirement of only twenty (20) feet.  Mr. McCorkle stated that he is requesting a rezoning of the entire 19.6 acres to a C-2, Heavy Commercial zoning restricting the allowable uses to all the uses allowed in a C-1, Light Commercial zoning and only the following six uses in the C-2 zoning:  shopping centers with total floor space exceeding 10,000 square feet, any sales facility exceeding 10,000 square feet of floor area, liquor, beer and wine package shops, restaurants with or without alcohol sales, service stations and mini-warehouses.  Patty Clark, resident of Worthington Subdivision is concerned about how the drainage and buffering will affect her.  Following some discussion, Mr. McCorkle stated as a condition to the rezoning, they are willing to extend the buffer all the way to the lagoon.  With no other public comment, Dennis Jones made a motion to recommend approval of Clyde Daniels’ request to rezone 19.6 acres on the north side of U. S. Highway 80 from (C-1, R-3A, R-1A) to C-2, a Heavy Commercial zoning with the following conditions: that the buffer is extended all the way to the lagoon, all the permitted uses in C-1 would be allowed and only the following six uses out of the C-2 zoning would be allowed: shopping centers with a total floor space exceeding 10,000 square feet, any sales facility exceeding 10,000 square feet of floor area, liquor, beer and wine package shops, restaurant with or without alcohol sales, service stations and mini-warehouses.  Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition. 

Commissioner Tim Lovezzola returned to his seat.        

NEW BUSINESS: 

  1. Review of conceptual subdivision plan for 1.8 acre site on south Rogers Street.

Larry Olliff made a motion to accept Karen Thornburg’s request to withdraw this item from the agenda.  Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.

  1. Approval of Amendment # 2 to the Morgan Family PUD Master Plan.

Jim Woods presented the amendment to the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting. The request is to change the zoning of 25.74 acres of multi-family to a single-family zoning. With no public comments, Dennis Jones made a motion to recommend approval of amendment # 2 to the Morgan Family PUD Master Plan.  Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.

5.      Review of Minor Subdivision Plat of Lot 5, Towne Center @ Godley Station.

Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the minor subdivision on behalf of property owner, Savannah Tire and Hurley Cook.  Parcel 5A is currently under contract with United Community Bank.  There was some discussion as to why a 15’ pavement setback was deleted from the subdivision plat between lots 5A and 5B and why the access easement is not named.  Mr. Coleman submitted a letter from Bill Dempsey and Branigar approving the pavement setback deletion because the two lots will be sharing a driveway and curb-cut. With no public comments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve the minor subdivision of lot 5, Towne Center at Godley Station contingent upon a cross access easement agreement being obtained.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.

6.      Conceptual plan of United Community Bank, Lot 5A, Towne Center.   Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the conceptual plan for United Community Bank to the board for their review and comments.  The plan meets the building setbacks, parking, and landscape requirements.  Commissioner Don Taylor questioned if the ATM awning is encroaching into the building setback.  Mr. Coleman stated that could easily be corrected. Therefore, a motion was made Larry Olliff to approve the conceptual plan for the United Community Bank subject to all of the engineer’s comments being addressed and the ATM overhang being corrected.  Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.

7.   Review of clearing plan for Barren Pointe, a 336 lot single family residential project proposed on 145 acres located on Pine Barren Road that was recently approved in the Jabot PUD.  Cristy Lawrence of Thomas & Hutton presented the clearing plan for Barren Pointe on Pine Barren Road.  The developer is trying to get an LDA permit to clear the tract.  The tract has mainly planted pines and the significant trees have been designated on the clearing exhibit.  With no public comment, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve the clearing plan for Barren Pointe.  Motion was seconded by Dennis Jones and 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 Charles Archer.  Motion passed.