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CITY OF POOLER PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES November 26, 2007
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Members present were Wilson, Roberts, Larry Olliff, Charles Archer, Nannette Ringham, Scotty Fletcher, and James Reardon. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Cit y Manager Robbie Byrd, 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 James Reardon and passed without opposition.
Chairman Wilson Roberts introduced Robert Byard as our newly appointed alternate to the Planning and Zoning Board. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton administered the oath of office.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. Northpoint Industrial VIII, LLC. request to rezone approximately 3.214 acres also known as Lot 2, Dean Forest Business Park from I-l (Light Industrial) to C-2 (Heavy Commercial). Phillip McCorkle presented the rezoning request to the board for their review and recommendation. He stated that this is a part of a large tract of land that was rezoned about a year ago from various zones to light industrial. He is requesting that this portion of land be rezoned from light industrial back to heavy commercial. Mr. McCorkle stated that the land is going to be donated to the City of Pooler for a well site before the end of the year. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval to rezone approximately 3.214 acres also known as Lot 2, Dean Forest Business Park from I-1 (Light Industrial) to C-2 (Heavy Commercial). Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.
OLD BUSINESS:
2. Mr. & Mrs. Perry Bryan’s request for a 2’ variance on a privacy fence constructed at 1072 Woodland Drive. Mrs. Gloria Bryan presented the variance request to the board for their review and recommendation. Mrs. Bryan stated that the fence was installed to insure their English Mastiff dog would be secured within the area due to the size of this type of dog. Mrs. Bryan stated that the fence was approximately 80% complete when she was informed she needed to apply for a permit and she was not informed of the maximum height requirement at that time. Chairman Roberts stated that the main reason a 6’ maximum fence height was adopted is the fact of wind load bearing during a hurricane and the ability to allow an outside breeze to adjoining neighbors, not to mention emergency access to the rear of the property. Commissioner Fletcher stated that this variance does not meet any of the required standards in order to grant a variance and is concerned about setting precedence if this variance is approved. City Manager Robbie Byrd reminded the board that Mrs. Gloria Bryan no longer owns the home and is concerned this is now a burden on the new homeowner. Chairman Roberts asked how Mrs. Bryan can apply for a variance if she is not the current property owner. Mrs. Bryan stated that the variance request was applied for before the house sold. Commissioner Ringham asked the petitioner if the new homeowner was aware of the noncompliance. Mrs. Bryan stated that the purchaser was aware before the closing that the fence was higher than the required height limit and the seller would be responsible for any cost if this variance was denied. Mrs. Carver stated that the conversation she has had with the City Attorney, she understood the property owner should be cited that a fence was installed without a permit and the fence should be cut off to the meet the height requirement. Councilwoman Benton stated that she feels very uncomfortable with the current owner not being present. Mrs. Bryan stated that the new home owner was aware of the meeting but was not able to attend. Mrs. Bryan also stated that the contract includes a clause stating that if the fence has to be cut off to meet the required height, she would be responsible for any cost incurred. With no public comments and failure to meet the criteria for granting a variance, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to deny the request for a 2’ variance on a privacy fence constructed at 1072 Woodland Drive, contingent upon current property owner authorization. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Ringham and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS:
3. Posting of Maintenance Bond / Final Plat Review of Old Town Subdivision located west of Rogers Street between Tietgen Street and Whatley Street. Steve Wohlfeil of HGB&D presented the final plat to the board for their review and recommendation. All of the improvements are complete and the City of Pooler Public Works Department approves the development to begin the warranty period. The developer is posting a maintenance bond in the amount of $5,108.00 in order for the plat to be recorded. Ms. Helen Hostetler, adjacent property owner, appeared before the board to state that the drainage issues have not been fully addressed. She expressed concerns that the lots are built up too high and will cause water to drain onto her property and asked who will be responsible for maintaining the swales located behind her rear property line. Furthermore, she is asking for some kind of assurance that her lot will be protected from the water run off coming from the proposed subdivision. In response, Mr. Wohlfeil stated that he is aware of Ms. Hostetler’s drainage concerns and believes the improvements have helped the situation, but not cured it. He also stated that the low points existed before the new proposed subdivision was put into place and the developer has done all that can be done to eliminate the water from the existing low areas. Mr. Wohlfeil stated that the developer has agreed to hire a survey crew to shoot spot elevations in Ms. Hostetler’s yard, ditches, and swales to identify any problem areas. If for some reason a high spot is detected that may block the drainage, the developer will correct the problem. Commissioner Ringham questioned the location and maintenance of the proposed shrubbery located on the rear of Lots 1 and 4. In response, Mr. Wohlfeil stated that the proposed shrubbery will be low growing to eliminate the open space view of the drainage swales and will be maintained by the homeowners of Lots 1 and 4. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend the posting of a maintenance bond and approval of the final plat for Old Town Subdivision, subject to a spot elevation survey being conducted and the developer taking care of any minor modifications that would hinder the drainage flow. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.
4. The Retreat at Forest Lakes, Phase 2 Plat Revision to change eight (8) duplex lots to seven (7) townhome lots. James Burchette of Portrait Homes presented the plat revision to the board for their review and recommendation. The revision will eliminate one unit and change eight (8) single story duplex units to seven (7) two-story townhome units with garage parking. The three-story Alta Towne Lake Apartments, located adjacent to this development, has become a huge deterrent for consumers. Therefore, the increase in height of the townhome units will act as a buffer from the apartments. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to recommend approval of the plat revision for The Retreat at Forest Lakes, Phase 2. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition.
5. Site Plan/Landscape Plan Review for Avala at Savannah Quarters, aka Westbrook Apartments, a 256 unit multi-family development. Hal Kraft with HGB&D presented the site plan 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 parking meets all of the PUD Standards. The existing berm on I-16 will remain in place and the 75’ buffer to the west of the property will remain as a 25’ undisturbed buffer with the remaining 50’ to be used to build a smaller berm, approximately 8’ in height. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend approval of the site plan for Avala at Savannah Quarters, aka Westbrook Apartments, contingent upon the developer addressing the need for a “tot lot” in the amenities. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition. Stella Wiggins with JM Woods, Inc. presented the green space plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Ms. Wiggins stated that she calculated approximately 14.83 acres of disturbed area and the site contains no wetlands. According to the tree ordinance, a total of 223 preferred trees are required. The landscape plan exceeds the requirements of the tree ordinance with 254 proposed trees. With no comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to approve the landscape plan for Avala at Savannah Quarters, contingent upon it being flexible enough to allow a “tot lot” or an expanded amenity package. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.
6. Preliminary Construction/Landscape Plan Review for Somersby Subdivision, Phase 2 located off Pine Barren Road. Commissioner Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion of this item. Travis Burke of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the preliminary construction plan to the board for their review and recommendation. Chairman Roberts reminded the board that this development was tabled by the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting. Phase 2 consists of 167 lots with the average lot size being 60 x 155’. During the Planning & Zoning meeting, there was some discussion concerning a second access to Phase 2 and the possibility of acquiring adjacent property to provide connectivity. Mr. Burke stated that he will discuss this issue with the owner. He also stated that an emergency access point could be proposed at the cul-de-sac fronting on Pine Barren Road in Phase 1. Commissioner Fletcher questioned if the traffic study will include the proposed subdivisions within the area of Somersby. Mr. Burke stated that the extent of the traffic study was not specified and the impact study will more than likely only include Somersby Phases 1 and 2. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to table the preliminary construction plan for Somersby Subdivision, Phase 2 located off Pine Barren Road, contingent upon the traffic study results being reviewed. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Ringham and passed without opposition.
7. The Arbors, Phase 8 – Plat Revision to revise finished floor elevations: Travis Burke of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the plat revision to the board for their review and recommendation. He explained that during the design of this phase they had surplus material from pond excavations from previous phases. Therefore, the finished floors were designed to be higher in an effort to get rid of the fill material left over. Due to the fact of not having as much earth fill left over as planned, the floor elevations had to be revised. Mr. Nicholson of HGB&D has reviewed and approved the revised drainage plan. He also stated that all of the finished floors are at least 1’ above the back of the curb as well as the lots that drain from back to front. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Larry Olliff to approve the revised plat for The Arbors, Phase 8. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition. James Reardon returned to his seat on the board
8. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for New Harvest International Ministries located on Quacco Road. Ken Terrell, Pastor of New Harvest International Ministries, presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. The board had questions concerning the parking requirements, the dumpster location, the type of dumpster enclosure, and the size of the landscape islands within the parking area. Mr. Terrell stated that he was not aware of the fact his engineer would not be attending the meeting. Therefore, he was unable to answer most of the questions presented by the board. Commissioner Olliff questioned the status of the water main. Mr. Terrell stated that the community water is located in the next subdivision which is Homestead Place and a 6” line was located to serve this property. Mr. Terrell further stated that the church has a 10-year period until the water has to be changed over to the City of Pooler, since the city does not currently serve this area. With no other comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to approve the site plan for New Harvest International Ministries located on Quacco Road, contingent upon the dumpster location, type of dumpster enclosure, landscaping islands and all of the engineering comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Reardon and passed without opposition. With the landscape plan based on tree points and a problem with the plat ledger, a motion was made by Commissioner Ringham to table the landscaping plan. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Byard and passed without opposition.
There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:42 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Ringham and passed without opposition.
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