The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, November 22, 2004 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Charles Archer, Tim Lovezzola, Dennis Jones, Larry Olliff, Mary Louise Lanier, Debbie Ryan Watts and Don Taylor. Mayor Mike Lamb, 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.
Dennis Jones gave the invocation and Larry Olliff led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Larry Olliff. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts stated that a request was made by Michael Willoughby to add an item to the agenda. A motion was made by Don Taylor and seconded by Larry Olliff to add as item # 5 the final plat review and approval of Parkway Professional Center.
1. Troy Davis has petitioned the City of Pooler to rezone 25.6 acres on the west side of the Pooler Parkway and 850’ south of U. S. Highway 80 from R-1A/R-3A to a R-4 zoning district. Ryan Thompson of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company is representing Tidal Construction who has the property under contract subject to the rezoning. He is requesting a rezoning of the 25.6 acres to R-4, a new townhome and condominium district. The project includes 146 townhome units and an amenities package. The majority of the property is currently zoned R-1A (a single-family residential zoning district), with a small portion on the southern tip that is zoned R-3A (a multi-family residential district). The site will be accessed from U. S. Highway 80, via the existing Wildcat Dam Road and a new 60 public road right-of-way that will be constructed within the former 200’ right-of-way of the Central of Georgia Railroad.
A 20’ buffer will be provided on all property lines adjacent to neighboring properties with single-family uses. Also, a 50’ natural right-of-way buffer will be preserved along the Pooler Parkway. The sketch plan of the proposed project meet the criteria adopted in the new R-4 zoning district. Bernell and Clarence McNeil appeared before the board to oppose the rezoning because of the number of houses proposed and the amount of traffic that would be generated from 146 townhomes. They recently built a house on a one acre tract on the south side of the Central of Georgia Railroad property with the assumption the land around them would be developed with single family residences. Adjacent property owner, Henry Morgan asked for clarification on two issues: First, did Mr. Davis purchase the strip of Central of Georgia Railroad right-of-way and secondly, is the developer paving that portion of Wildcat Dam Road that extends from U. S. Highway 80 to the entrance of the Old Central of Georgia Railroad right-of-way. In response, Mr. Thompson stated Mr. Troy Davis has purchased the strip of railroad property and the portion of Wildcat Dam Road referenced above would meet city standards. Robert Ambrose, who owns property to the north of this tract, stated that Demas Road is a private road and not a public right-of-way. Furthermore, Mr. Ambrose stated that he and Mr. Jerry Crosby have maintained Demas Road for twenty-five years. He would oppose any attempt to use Demas Road to access this development. Since Mr. Ambrose pointed out that Demas Road is a private road, Councilwoman Rebecca Benton strongly recommended that this road be deleted from the developer’s sketch plan. The board recommended the legality of Demas Road be resolved prior to the official site plan submittal. Commissioner Charles Archer expressed his concerns regarding if the proposed development would have a negative impact on the existing wells and septic tanks in the area. In response, Mr. Thompson assured Commissioner Archer that it would not. With no other public comments, Dennis Jones made a motion to recommend approval of the rezoning of 25.6 acres on the west side of the Pooler Parkway from R-1A/R-3A to a R-4 zoning district.
Motion was seconded by Don Taylor and passed with Larry Olliff and Charles Archer opposing.
NEW BUSINESS:
2. Review and recommendation of amendment to Forest Lakes PUD Master Plan.
Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts abstained from any discussion of this item. Co-Chairman Dennis Jones reminded the board members that the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting reviewed this item with a favorable recommendation. Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman & Company, LLC stated the proposed changes will increase the entire development by 65 lots but will still meet all of the PUD development standards. With no public comments, Charles Archer made a motion to recommend approval of the amendment to the Forest Lakes PUD Master Plan. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition. Chairman Debbie Watts returned to her seat.
3. Conceptual site plan review and recommendation of Pine Barren Plaza (a 9.48 acre tract in the northeast corner of Pooler Parkway and Pine Barren Road). Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman & Company, LLC asked the board for their approval of the conceptual plan for Pine Barren Plaza. Chairman Debbie Watts stated this item was also discussed earlier during the PUD Review Board meeting and asked if there were further questions. Commissioner Archer asked about the status of the proposed red light at the intersection of Pooler Parkway and Pine Barren Road. Mayor Lamb stated he hoped it would be in by the end of the year. With no other comments, Larry Olliff made a motion to recommend approval of the conceptual site plan for Pine Barren Plaza. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
4. Final Plat Review/Approval of Godley Station Professional Park, Phase II. Steve Wohlfeil of HGB&D presented the final plat of Godley Station Professional Park, Phase II for the board’s review and recommendation. The tract is located in the northeast intersection of Godley Station Boulevard north and Town Center Boulevard. A portion of the infrastructure is not complete and the developer will post a performance bond in order for the plat to be recorded. With no public comments, Don Taylor made a motion to recommend approval of the final plat for Godley Station Professional Park, Phase II. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition.
5. Final Plat Review/Approval of Parkway Professional Center @ 130 Canal Street.
Michael Willoughby of Southeast Engineering and Environmental presented the final plat of Parkway Professional Center to the board for their review and recommendation. Commissioner Dennis Jones stepped down abstaining from any discussion of this item. The project is located on Lot 15 of the Pooler Park of Commerce. Southeast Builders is the property owner and plans to subdivide the land for 6 office/retail buildings. His plan is to sell each individual lot with a building pad on it and let the new owner build the building. All of the infrastructure is complete and will remain privately owned. Therefore, according to the city engineer a bond would not be needed to record the plat. With no public comments, Don Taylor made a motion to recommend approval of the final plat of Parkway Professional Center subject to benchmark datum being added to the plat. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer 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 Larry Olliff. Motion passed.