The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, October 28, 2002 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Larry Olliff, Debbie Ryan Watts, Wilson Roberts, Don Taylor and Glenda Champion. Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver, Councilman Jack Brewton and Councilwoman Billie Tyler were also in attendance. Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Wilson Roberts. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts introduced Charles Archer as our new alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilwoman Billie Tyler administered the Oath of Office.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. A.M. Wall’s request for setback variances on six different tracts of land located on Pine Meadow Drive and the west side of Dean Forest Road. Attorney Harold Yellin representing Mr. Wall, presented the request for setback variances on six different tracts of land located on the west side of Dean Forest Road and both sides of Pine Meadow Drive. According to Appendix A, Article 3, Section 6(B) the minimum setback requirements for I-2, a Heavy Industrial Zoning is 80’ front yard setback and 40’ side and rear yard setback. Attorney Yellin, referencing the standards for granting a variance, listed the following reasons he believes the board should approve Mr. Wall’s variances: most of the tracts are irregular shaped, property would be difficult to develop with such restrictive setbacks and granting the variance would not cause substantial detriment to the public good. Commissioner Roberts stated he would prefer to see a buffer along the Savannah Ogeechee Canal. He further stated that buildings along Dean Forest Road appear to be located at least 80 feet back from the right-of-way. He would recommend maintaining an 80’ building setback along Dean Forest Road and keeping a 40’ setback along the Savannah Ogeechee Canal. Commissioner Taylor stated that with such large tracts of land he fails to see how Mr. Wall is hindered from developing these properties. He agrees on some tracts 80’ may be too restrictive but is not in favor granting a blanket approval of all the variances as requested. With no public comment, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve Mr. Wall’s request for setback variances with the following exceptions: tracts 2, 3, 4 and 6 will maintain an 80’ front building setback along Dean Forest Road and a 40’ building setback will be maintained along the Savannah Ogeechee Canal within tracts 5 and 6. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed with Don Taylor opposing.
2. 2195 Developers, Inc’s request to rezone 59.21 acres on the north side of U.S. Highway 80 from C-2, a Heavy Commercial Zoning to I-1, a Light Industrial Zoning. John Kern of Kern-Coleman & Company representing the 2195 Developers, Inc. presented this rezoning request to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. Kern explained that a Commercial/Industrial Business Park is planned for the entire 112 acres. The frontage along U.S.Highway 80 to a depth of approximately 800 feet will remain C-2, a Heavy Commercial Zoning. The area proposed for Industrial Zoning is located behind the Heavy Commercially zoned area extending northward to the Central of Georgia Railroad. The main access to the Light Industrial zoned portion of the business park would be from Coleman Boulevard. Mr. Kern has suggested a fifty foot buffer from adjacent residential areas. The Department of Transportation has assured the developers of four curb cuts along U.S. Highway 80. Following some discussion, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to recommend approving the rezoning of 59.21 acres on the north side of U.S.Highway 80 from C-2, a Heavy Commercial Zoning to I-1, a Light Industrial Zoning. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
3. Realty Partnership’s request for an 18’ sign height variance to place a 48’ pylon sign at 9 Mill Creek Circle (Hargray Wireless). A motion was made by Larry Olliff to accept the petitioner’s withdrawal of this variance request. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS:
4. Cancun Mexican Restaurant Site Plan/Landscape Plan at Pooler Park of Commerce. Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman and Company presented this request on behalf of property owner Hector Lopez. All of the engineer’s comments have been addressed. With no public comment, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve Cancun Mexican Restaurant Site Plan. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition. The landscape plan met the tree ordinance. Therefore, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the landscape plan. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
5. Site Plan/Landscape Plan Review of “The Pooler Commons” located on east Highway 80. Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman and Company and Ron Walker presented the site plan to the board for their review and comments. Revised plans have been resubmitted to HGB&D addressing all of the comments. Commissioner Larry Olliff questioned the discrepancy in the number of acres referenced on different sheets of the plans. Commissioner Charles Archer questioned the location of the handicap parking spaces across from the building. Mr. Coleman stated they could be moved next to the building. With no public comments, Charles Archer made a motion to approve the site plan contingent upon moving the handicap parking spaces closer to the building. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve the plan contingent upon the number of acres and the number of required trees is verified. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
6. Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 3D Final Plat Review and Approval. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the final plat of Westbrook, Phase 3D for review and approval. The developer would like to bond the remaining improvements in order to record the plat. Downer Davis, secondary review engineer for the City of Pooler, has approved the bond estimate for this project. Commissioner Don Taylor questioned if this was the latest plat. Mr. Kraft presented a copy of the revised plat to the board members. With no public comments, Don Taylor made a motion to approve the final plat of Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 3D contingent upon signatures being placed on both mylars. Motion was seconded by Wilson Roberts and passed without opposition.
7. Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 4A Preliminary Construction Plan Review.
Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the construction plans for Phase 4A of Westbrook for the board’s review and recommendation. Phase 4A contains 99 single family lots with associated roads and utilities. This project was included in the Phase 5 Final PUD approved by City Council on May 20, 2002. Plans have been revised to address all of the comments from Downer Davis. With no public comments, a motion was made by Don Taylor to approve the preliminary construction plans of Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 4A contingent upon receiving confirmation that all of the engineer’s comments have been addressed. Motion was seconded by Glenda Champion and passed without opposition.
8. Discussion of proposed changes in Appendix A., Article III regarding non-conforming uses. Following some discussion, the board agreed that B (3) which references a nonconforming use that has been changed to a conforming use being converted to the original nonconforming use would need the approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Aldermanic Board. A motion was made by Charles Archer to proceed with the proposed zoning text amendment pending review by our City Attorney and the Mayor and Council. Motion was seconded by Glenda Champion and passed without opposition. Steve Wohlfeil of HGB&D approached the board regarding two projects that missed agenda deadlines due to a misunderstanding about bond estimates. Mr. Wohlfeil explained that the two Westbrook projects are similar to Phase 3D that was approved earlier in the meeting. All the paperwork was submitted at the same time and the review material would have basically been the same as Westbrook, Phase 3D. Therefore, Mr. Wohlfeil asked that Westbrook, Phase 3B-2 and Phase 3C-2 be added to the agenda. Don Taylor made a motion to add Westbrook, Phase 3B-2 to the agenda based on the fact it is similar to Phase 3D. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition. Don Taylor also made a motion to add Westbrook, Phase 3C-2 to the agenda based on the fact it is similar to Phase 3D. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
9. Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 3B-2 Final Plat Review and Approval. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the subdivision plat for Phase 3B-2 to the board for their review and approval. After reviewing the plat, Don Taylor made a motion to approve the Westbrook Subdivision Plat, Phase 3B-2 subject to bond approval and signature blocks being added to both mylars. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.
10. Westbrook Subdivision, Phase 3C-2 Final Plat Review and Approval. Hal Kraft of HGB&D presented the subdivision plat for Phase 3C-2 to the board for their review and approval. After reviewing the plat, Charles Archer made a motion to approve the Westbrook Subdivision Plat, Phase 3C-2 subject to bond approval and signature blocks being added to both mylars. Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed without opposition.
Mrs. Carver announced that the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Monday, November 11, 2002 at 6 p.m. This is a holiday for city employees but a meeting will be held to work with developers in keeping construction schedules.
There being no further business to come before the board, a motion of adjournment was made by Larry Olliff and seconded by Glenda Champion.