CITY OF POOLER

PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES

November 12, 2007

 

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, November 12, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present were Wilson, Roberts, Larry Olliff, Charles Archer, Nannette Ringham, Scotty Fletcher, Mary Louise Lanier and James Reardon.  Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Bruce Allen, Zoning Assistant Kimberly Classen and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver 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 previous meeting were approved as printed upon a motion made by Larry Olliff.   Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

1.      Glen Sawyer’s  request for a sign height variance of 70’ to place a 100’ sign at the proposed Denny’s Diner Restaurant at the northwest corner of Governor Treutlen Road and San Drive.  Mike Woolsey presented the variance request to the board for their review and recommendation.  He explained he is representing the contractor/purchaser, REMEC, LLC and the applicant is Franchise Sign Company.  Mr. Woolsey referred to a number of other existing large signs in the area and the purpose of this sign would be for the traveling public to see the sign when exiting I-95. The petitioner conducted a sign test wherein a crane was leased and a piece of 4 x 8 plywood painted red was lifted to different heights for visibility. Chairman Roberts asked if the sign test was conducted at a height lower than 100’.  Mr. Woolsey stated that the sign test was started at an extension of 60’, 80’ and continued to a maximum height of 140’. The Board recently recommended approval of a sign height variance of 50’ in the general vicinity. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to deny the request for the 70’ sign height variance for the proposed Denny’s Diner Restaurant.  Motion to deny died due to lack of a second. A motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to recommend a 50’ sign height variance in lieu of the 70’.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed with Commissioner Reardon opposing. 

 

2.      Mr. & Mrs. Perry Bryan’s request for a 2’ variance on a privacy fence constructed at 1072 Woodland Drive.  The Board decided to discuss this item even though the petitioner was not present. Councilwoman Benton asked if any adjacent property owners were present to speak on the matter.  Chairman Roberts stated that the fence was constructed without a permit.  After a visual inspection, Chairman Roberts stated that the fence was constructed in a way that the top of the fence could easily be modified to meet the 6’ fence requirement with very little expense.  Commissioner Fletcher is concerned about setting precedence if this variance is approved.  There was also some discussion concerning the height of the fence, emergency access, the wind load factor and the size of the dog.  Commissioner Lanier asked if maybe the petitioner did not show up due to the fact of it being a holiday.  Ms. Carver stated that the petitioner was notified a second time by an overnight letter, and it appears that the property owner has since moved to Florida. Mrs. Carver also stated that the board may have to seek legal advice to determine the next steps to be taken.  Councilman Bruce Allen asked if the petitioner still occupies the residence. In response, Mrs. Carver informed the Board that Kimberly Classen checked the computer system and the records state the water was requested to be turned off on October 25, 2007 with the application being submitted on October 15, 2007.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to table this item to seek legal advice from the City Attorney.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.

 

3.      Glen Godbee’s request for a conditional use on 4.34 acres on the northside of Highway 80 between Sangrena Drive and the Pooler Parkway to construct a 3,000 square foot office for boat sales, a boat storage area and a 7,000 square foot shop to service the boats that are purchased.   Toss Allen of Southeast Engineering and Environmental Company presented the conditional use request to the board for their review and recommendation.  Mr. Allen stated approximately 300’ back from U.S. Highway 80 is currently zoned C-1 and the request is to utilize the 4.34 acre  portion for  boat sales, boat storage and a boat service center as a conditional use. Mr. Godbee’s idea initially was to use the residentially zoned portion to the rear of the commercial tract as future boat storage. Councilwoman Benton informed Mr. Allen that he would have to apply for a re-zoning of the property in order to have a boat storage facility on the residentially zoned portion.  Chairman Roberts reminded Mr. Allen that the commercial area can not be accessed from Sangrena Drive nor can the rear portion of the tract be land locked.  The petitioner reminded the board members that this area would be for the storage of new boats and not to be leased for boat storage. There was some discussion concerning the retention pond being placed on the rear portion of the property, since this area is currently zoned residential.   The detention pond would have to be placed on the front in the commercial area.  Mrs. Carver stated that the property has not yet been sub-divided, only 300’ at this time is zoned C-1.   Mr. Allen stated that the reason the detention pond was actually placed on the rear portion is because of the canal that runs through the back of the property and after the water is retained, the water can then be routed to the canal.   Access to the rear portion will be accessed from U.S. Highway 80 through the C-1 zoned area.  Chairman Roberts stated that you are allowed to have the drainage on the residential portion of a tract of land, but you can not have a detention pond on a residential tract coming from a commercial area.  Commissioner Fletcher questioned the distance of the curb cut from the Pooler Parkway red light.  Mr. Godbee stated that it was approximately 250’ at the most, being almost directly across from the automotive store.   Public Comments:   Ms. Billie Stack adjacent property owner appeared before the board to state any improvement over the Cooler Lounge would be a great enhancement.  One of her concerns is the traffic in the area of Sangrena Woods, but she is not in opposition of the proposed boat storage as long as her tenants are not adversely affected by the noise, lighting or drainage.  With no other public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval of the conditional use for boat sales, storage and a service center within the existing C-1 zoning district contingent upon the detention pond being relocated to the C-1 zoned area.   Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.     

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

4.      Minor Subdivision request of a ten (10) acre tract on Canal Bank Road into three (3) lots:  Property owner, Shirley Bamburg, presented the request for a minor subdivision to the board for their review and recommendation. The entire Canal Bank Road property was known as The McDonald Tract years ago and she has owned this particular portion for over thirty years. Her husband recently retired and they wanted to have the property subdivided into three (3) lots for their two (2) children.  Her son presently resides on Lot 2 in a small mobile home and wishes to build a home or replace the existing mobile home with a new double wide.  Prior to annexation by the City of Pooler, Mrs. Bamburg stated that she paid an enormous amount of money for a surveyor to file the necessary paperwork only to find out two years later, the paperwork was never completed.  There was some discussion concerning the easement going through Lot 1, of which Mrs. Bamburg and her husband wish to retain ownership.   Commissioner Archer made a motion to recommend approval of the minor subdivision request of a ten (10) acre tract on Canal Bank Road into three (3) lots, contingent upon the access road being relocated to the western property line to assure access to all three (3) lots.   Mrs. Carver informed the board that a new mylar is needed showing the revised easement and the plat needs to be signed again by the Chatham County Health Department.  Chairman Roberts stated that after the above changes are made, this item can be forwarded straight to Mayor and Council for approval.   Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition. 

 

5.      Plat Revision for Harmony Townes- Phases II & IV located in the Jabot Tract.   James Burchette of Portrait Homes presented the plat revision to the board for their review and recommendation. Chairman Roberts reminded the board that this development was approved by the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting.   The proposed development consists of 130 single family townhome units.  The lot lines are being revised to accommodate changes in buildings 12, 13, 16, 17, 19 & 21.  The changes were made to increase the type of marketable units within each building.  There were no changes made to the building footprints and the number of units remained the same. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to recommend approval of the plat revision for Harmony Townes – Phases II & IV located in the Jabot Tract.   Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.  

 

6.      Sketch Plan Review for Harmony Townes- Tract C located in the Jabot PUD at the end of Quacco Road.  Richard Bailey of HGB&D presented the sketch plan to the board for their review and recommendation.  Mr. Bailey stated that the revisions will be made according to the recommendations discussed by the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting.  Commissioner Archer asked if this sketch plan will be reviewed again.  In response, Mr. Bailey stated that the revisions will be addressed with the preliminary construction plan.  Mrs. Carver reminded the board of the next PUD Review Board Meeting coming up on the 26th of November and the revised sketch plan could be reviewed at that time.   With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to table this item for revisions to include trash compactors, parking places being placed closer to the adjacent townhomes and the enlargement of the amenity area.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.

 

 

 

7.      Morgan Pines – Phase 2 Plat Revision to add a 20’ drainage / utility easement between lots 260 and 261.   Steve Wohlfeil of HGB&D presented the plat revision for Phase 2 of Morgan Pines subdivision to the board for their review and recommendation. Morgan Pines Drive was part of Phase I and some of the infrastructure included drainage outfalls that went to the north into the wetlands.  These were put in and were not platted due to the fact they were actually a part of Morgan Pines, Phase II. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Lanier to approve the plat revision for Phase 2 of Morgan Pines Subdivision to add a 20’ drainage/utility easement between lots 260 and 261.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition. 

 

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Ringham made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:40 p.m.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition.