CITY OF POOLER
PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
OCTOBER 14, 2002
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, October 14, 2002 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Larry Olliff, Fleta Pepper, Tim Lovezzola, Don Taylor and Glenda Champion. Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver, Councilman Wayne Seay, Councilman Stevie Wall, Councilman Jack Brewton and Councilwoman Billie Tyler were also in attendance. Co-Chairman Larry Olliff called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Fleta Pepper. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Edward Coy III’s request to expand his conditional use as a car care center located at 224 East Highway 80 to include “Car Detailing”. George Kelly, the manager of the Car Care Center at 224 East Highway 80 presented this request to the board. There would be no new construction. Cars will be cleaned on the left side of the existing building in parking area. Councilman Brewton questioned water run-off and proper drainage in the area. Following some discussion regarding drainage and the number of parking spaces, Don Taylor made a motion to approve Mr. Coy’s request to expand his conditional use as a car care center to include “Car Detailing”. Motion was seconded by Glenda Champion and passed without opposition.
2. Rebecca Benton’s request to rezone approximately 180 acres located south of Pipemakers Canal, west of I-95 and east of Benton Drive from R-1A to C-2. Attorney Harold Yellin of Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C. represented Rebecca Benton on this rezoning. (Attorney Yellin had previously submitted a three page document to Mrs. Jackie Carver to be made verbatim part of the minutes.) Mr. Yellin explained the reason for the rezoning is that the property cannot be developed for residential purposes. Ms. Benton has been unable to market her property for residential use because of the present location of the Savannah Airport. Mr. Yellin passed out copies of the Savannah International Airport Part 150 Noise Abatement Study. The study indicates the best use of Ms. Benton’s property is not residential, but Commercial or Light Industrial. Mr. Yellin believes C-2, a Heavy Commercial Zoning is the best zoning for the property. It is compatible with the C-2 zoning on the north side of Pipe Makers Canal and property to the east along I-95. He further stated the only access to Ms. Benton’s property is from U.S.Highway 80. Don Taylor asked about a master plan and expressed the following concerns: the safety of our children and the fact the residential streets are not capable of handling truck traffic. Corey Westgate of 421 N. Second Street presented a petition with 80 signatures from residents in this area that oppose the rezoning. The residents listed the following reasons for opposing the rezoning: decrease in property values, increase in crime rates and more importantly, the safety of their children with the amount of traffic that would be generated by commercial businesses. Ron Coleman, a resident of Jerome Street stated that it would be a great injustice to the residents of this area to rezone this property to commercial. Donald Koffroth of 613 Benton Drive stated that these roads are not wide enough and they were not built for commercial truck traffic. Mr. Koffroth encouraged the board members to think of the good of the people in making their decision. C. D. Clark is concerned about property values, drainage and inadequate streets as the only access to this property. Dan Sapp of 218 Remeta Street reminded the board members about the standards for which a zoning map amendment decision is based. He feels this rezoning would adversely impact adjacent or nearby properties in terms of items H(1), (2) and (3) as listed in the criteria for considering a zoning change on property. Vera Lamb reminded the board members that these residential streets were not built for commercial use. Phil Ward, a resident of 406 Stuart Street, is concerned about what the rezoning would do to the traffic in the area and the quality of life that is known by the citizens of Pooler. With no other public comments, Don Taylor made a motion to deny the rezoning of Rebecca Benton’s 180 acres located south of Pipemakers Canal from R-1A to C-2. Motion was seconded by Glenda Champion and passed without opposition.
3. Charles H. Huss’ request to rezone 4.299 acres on the east side of north Morgan Street from R-1A to C-2. Charles Huss presented his request for rezoning to the board for their review and recommendation. John Rickman, who lives at 617 N. Morgan Street and several other residents spoke in opposition of the rezoning. Their main issue of concern is the safety of the children in the neighborhood. After reviewing the standards for considering a zoning map amendment, Don Taylor made a motion to deny Charles Huss’ request to rezone 4.299 acres on the east side of north Morgan Street from R-1A to C-2. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS:
4. Preliminary Construction Plan/Landscape Plan Review of the Northern Tract, Phase 2, of the Villages at Godley Station. Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the construction plans for Phase II of the Villages at Godley Station.Mr. Crapps stated that plans have been revised to reflect the engineer’s comments.With no public comments, Don Taylor made a motion to approve the preliminary construction plans contingent upon all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Fleta Pepper and passed without opposition. The landscape plan met the requirements of the tree ordinance; therefore, a motion was made by Don Taylor to approve the landscape plan. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
5. The Crossing at Godley Station Landscape Plan. Bryant Stowe of LS3P Associates LTD presented the landscape plan for the “The Crossing” at Godley Station. Mr. Stowe stated that this plan covers the clearing of the road rights-of-way and the replanting of trees along this right-of-way. Design guidelines will be set in place prior to any of the lots being developed. Commissioner Don Taylor requested that these guidelines be submitted for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. With no public comments, a motion was made by Don Taylor to approve the landscape plan for “The Crossing” at Godley Station. Motion was seconded by Glenda Champion and passed without opposition.
6. Site Plan/Landscape Plan review of new warehouse at Savannah Steel on Old Dean Forest Road. Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the site plan and landscape plan to the board for their review and comments. The proposed 7500 square foot building would be used by Savannah Steel and not leased. The project will not have city water and sewer but storm water and tree ordinance requirements have been met. With no public comment, Tim Lovezzola made a motion to approve the landscape plan and the site plan subject to the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
7. The Shoppes at Godley Station Site Plan/Landscape Plan. Steve Byrd and Abby Ayers of Thomas & Hutton Engineering presented the site plan to the board for their review and comments. The Shoppes at Godley Station is located northwest of Pooler Parkway and Benton Boulevard across from Home Depot. The storm drainage and utilities have been constructed as part of the infrastructure for the Towne Center Master Plan. Tim Lovezzola questioned why all of the handicap parking spaces are located on one end of the building. Don Taylor suggested that Mr. Byrd meet with Chief Jimmy Fields about the location of the Fire Department connection. With no further comments, a motion was made by Don Taylor to approve “The Shoppes” site plan subject to addressing all of the engineers comments and Chief Fields concerns as well as reviewing the location of handicap parking spaces on the site plan. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition. Since the landscape plan met the tree ordinance, Don Taylor made a motion to approve the landscape plan. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
8. Albert M. Wall’s major subdivision of five tracts on Dean Forest Road. Dale Yawn of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the subdivision plat to the board for their review and comments. With no public comments, a motion was made by Fleta Pepper to approve the major subdivision on Dean Forest Road. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
9. Sheffied & Shore, LLC sketch plan of a Retail Center on lot 4, Phase I, Pooler Park of Commerce. At the request of the owner, a motion was made by Don Taylor to table this item for two weeks. Motion was seconded by Glenda Champion and passed without opposition.
10. Minor Subdivision of Out-Parcel 3 of Mill Creek Center. Ralph Forbes of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company stated that out-parcel 3 is located in the northeast quadrant of the Pooler Parkway and Benton Boulevard between C & S Bank and Arby’s. With no public comments, Tim Lovezzola made a motion to approve the minor subdivision of out-parcel 3 of Mill Creek Center. Motion was seconded by Glenda Champion and passed without opposition.
11. Vera Lamb’s site plan for a new building at 108 East Highway 80. Don Taylor excused himself from any discussion on this item. Vera Lamb was present to answer any questions the board may have regarding this item. Ms. Lamb stated that she plans to demolish the existing building and build a new one with adequate parking. She stated that parking has been an ongoing problem. With no further comments, Glenda Champion made a motion to approve Vera Lamb’s site plan for a new building at 108 East Highway 80 contingent upon all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola 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 Don Taylor.