CITY OF POOLER

PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES

November 23, 2009

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present were Larry Olliff, Wilson Roberts, Mary Louise Lanier, Scotty Fletcher, James Reardon, Don Taylor and Nancy Bachner. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver and Planning & Zoning Assistant Kimberly Classen were also in attendance. Chairman Wilson Roberts called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

Don Taylor gave the invocation and Wilson Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The revised minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed upon a motion made by James Reardon. Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

  1. Richard and Tiffany Wissmach have petitioned the City of Pooler to rezone 23.38 acres located on Quacco Road from an R-A (Residential-Agricultural District) to an R-3A (Multi-Family Residential Dwelling District):  Mr. Richard Wissmach presented the rezoning petition to the board for their review and recommendation. Included in the PowerPoint presentation was a conceptual site plan illustrating the proposed seven (7) buildings with a total of ten units in each building, and the existing pond, the existing wetlands, the proposed nature trail, the recreation area, and the proposed relocation of the existing canal. Mr. Wissmach also illustrated and explained in his presentation his profession, previous completed projects which include residential amenities, marinas, equestrian facilities, and various exclusive custom homes designed by his firm, Wissmach Architects. Further, the multi-family development will be of a two-story design, with two (2) three-bedroom floor plans, two (2) one-bedroom floor plans, and six (6) two-bedroom floor plans.  Public Comments: Mr. Hickman Bamberg, resident of 33 Canal Bank Road stated that he is concerned with the existing drainage canal, traffic, the impact this proposed development will have on Quacco Road, as well as the impact on the adjacent property owners. Mrs. Shirley Bamberg, resident of 33 Canal Bank Road stated that she is concerned with flooding, drainage, traffic and privacy. Mr. George McDonald, resident of 1511 Quacco Road stated that he is concerned with standing water on the property and the amount of wetlands that is present. Sandra McDonald, resident of 1513 Quacco Road stated that she is concerned with the amount of traffic that will be added to an area that is already over populated with two (2) proposed churches, and the proposed RV Park that will need access to Quacco Road. Petitioner’s Response:  Mr. Wissmach stated that he is aware of the current drainage issues, but the same engineering firm is going to handle both projects, the proposed multi-family development and the proposed RV Park, and he assures the adjacent property owners that these two developments will only improve the problems with standing water by adequate culvert pipes, proper drainage design, and fewer units per acre will generate less traffic on Quacco Road. There were concerns from the board regarding the following: buffering next to existing canal, the maximum allowed number of cars per unit, market potential for the proposed multi-family development, property changing ownership after rezoning is approved, and conditions being placed on the rezoning to limit the density. In response, Mr. Wissmach stated that according to a recent study, multi-family will be the first to come back when the economy begins to improve and  this is a desirable location within a natural environment that includes walking trails around the entire pond. Zoning Administrator, Jackie Carver stated that conditions can be placed on the rezoning to limit the number of units per acre and to address particular drainage issues. With no further comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to recommend approval to rezone 23.38 acres located on Quacco Road from an R-A (Residential-Agricultural District) to an R-3A (Multi-Family Residential Dwelling District), contingent upon the maximum density being limited to three (3) units per acre. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Don Taylor and passed with Commissioners Bachner and Lanier opposing.

 

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Bachner made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:00 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.