The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, December 8, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Members present were, Charles Archer, Larry Olliff, Mary Louise Lanier, Robert Byard, James Reardon and Scotty Fletcher. Mayor Mike Lamb, Zoning Assistant Kimberly Classen and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance. Co-Chairman Larry Olliff called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Charles Archer gave the invocation and Scotty Fletcher led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

1. Richard Estus, on behalf of Dominion Capital Management has petitioned the City of Pooler for a variance to place one (1) Billboard on the south side of I-16 between Pooler Parkway and Quacco Road: 

Mr. Greg Phillips, acting on the behalf of Richard Estus, presented the variance to the board for their review and recommendation. The Mayor & Council approved a variance for three (3) Billboards on January 21, 2003 and only two (2) were built at that time. According to Section 66-58, all signs must be in an area zoned commercial or industrial and located within 1,000 feet of ongoing commercial or industrial activity. The petitioner is again requesting a variance from this requirement of the sign ordinance for the third billboard. Further, the billboard will be the same size and placed in the same location. At the present time, there is no ongoing commercial activity within 1,000 feet of these proposed sign locations. With no comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend approval for a variance to place one (1) Billboard on the south side of I-16 between Pooler Parkway and Quacco Road. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier with Commissioner Archer opposing.

2. John L. White has petitioned the City of Pooler for a variance to leave the parking lot unpaved to operate a Used Car Dealership at 1121 W. Highway 80:

Dean Kicklighter, on behalf of his uncle, Mr. John White, presented the variance to the board for their review and recommendation. According to Appendix A, Article 3, Section D, all parking lot facilities shall have a base of either concrete or asphalt. The petitioner will comply with DOT curb cut, parking and drainage requirements. Mr. Kicklighter stated that in his opinion, the variance is not only needed but allowed under the variance request guidelines found in the Pooler Ordinance. Further, he stated that he feels that all three (3) variance standards are applicable. The lot is narrow as well as shallow, and the lot is a corner lot, which requires a 60’ setback restriction from any street or road right-of-way. Therefore, creating approximately 1600 square feet of developable land, which limits the use of this lot.  During the Planning & Zoning meeting there was some discussion concerning how many cars are going to occupy the proposed used car dealership, the type of surface that will be used, and parking lot layout. Petitioner’s Response: Mr. Kicklighter stated that the property was bought as an investment and the parking requirement would impose an economic hardship on the owner. The proposed lessee is planning to open a used car dealership and currently has no knowledge of the surface that will be used for the parking lot area. Furthermore, the petitioner was not aware he needed any type of site plan layout for the board. Commissioner Reardon stated that regardless of the size of the lot, whether paved or unpaved, the number of cars being parked will not change. Zoning Administrator, Jackie Carver reminded the board that within commercial districts, the 60’ setback, referenced by the petitioner, is a building setback and not a parking setback. In fact, within a commercial zoning district, parking can be as close at 10’ to the street or road right-of-way.   With no further comments, Commissioner Archer made a motion to deny the request for a variance to leave the parking lot unpaved to operate a Used Car Dealership at 1121 W. Highway 80, based on only number one (1) of the three (3) variance standards being met. However, if the decision of the Mayor & Council is to approve the variance, the board would recommend the advice of the City Attorney as to whether a 24 month time line could be imposed on the variance that would state the parking lot will have to be paved within this time frame. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.

NEW BUSINESS:

3. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Daltile, a 12,357 square foot Office/Showroom/Warehouse located at 110 Westside Boulevard:

James Reardon stepped down to excuse himself from any discussion concerning this item. Donald Brown with Kern-Coleman & Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. He stated that the plans have been revised and resubmitted to address the engineer’s comments. There were questions regarding the dumpster location and the type of trees noted on the landscape plan. In response, Mr. Brown stated that the dumpster enclosure would be the same material as the building and several tree types proposed are Moss Elm and Live Oak. With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend approval of the Daltile site plan located at 110 Westside Boulevard subject to all of the engineering comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition. After review of the landscape plan, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to approve the plan. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Byard and passed without opposition. Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat on the board.

4. Posting of Maintenance Bond / Right-of-Way Plat Review for East Haven Boulevard, Phase IV:

 Hal Kraft with HGB&D Engineers presented the right-of-way plat to the board for their review and recommendation. Construction of this project is complete and all punch list items have been addressed. Therefore, a motion was made by Commissioner Reardon to recommend posting of a maintenance bond and to recommend approval of the right-of-way plat for East Haven Boulevard, Phase IV. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition.

5. Final Plat Review of the Right-of-Way for Blue Moon Crossing Extension in Savannah Quarters:

Hal Kraft with HGB&D presented the right-of-way plat for Blue Moon Crossing to the board for their review and recommendation. He further stated that the easement for the Lift Station was added to the Mylar at the end of Blue Moon Crossing next to the Golf Course Maintenance area. This portion of Blue Moon Crossing is a private road, therefore only the utilities will be accepted by the City of Pooler.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend approval of the right-of-way plat for Blue Moon Crossing. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.

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