The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, December 13, 2004 at 6 p.m. Members present were: Charles Archer, Tim Lovezzola, Larry Olliff, Mary Louise Lanier and Wilson Roberts. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Michael Royal and Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver were also in attendance. Commissioner Larry Olliff called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. in the absence of Chairman Debbie Ryan Watts and Co-Chairman Dennis Jones.
Charles Archer gave the invocation and Tim Lovezzola led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved upon a motion made by Charles Archer. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Daniel Brown’s request to subdivide 1.36 acres into two lots on the corner of Chatham and Morgan Streets. Tommy Brown presented this request to the board and explained the subdividing was necessary to carry out the wishes of his mother who passed away in May. Her will was to divide the property between her two sons. With no public comments, Commissioner Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve Mr. Brown’s minor subdivision. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
2. Review and recommendation of revised site plan and landscape plan for the proposed Pooler Family Dental Office. Commissioner Roberts excused himself from any discussion of this item. Dan Gay of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented the revised site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. The site plan for this project was previously approved for construction on October 4, 2004. The plans have been revised to include the following: 5 additional dental chairs, 10 additional parking spaces, the number of employees increased from 10 to 13 and parking spaces for employees have been added behind the building. Garbage carts are proposed instead of a dumpster. Under public comments, Donnie Harper and Diane Laroe, who own the resident next to this site had questions regarding the drainage, buffering and trees. Mr. Gay stated that the drainage has been studied all the way to Symons Street and the proposed project would not adversely affect the adjacent properties. He further stated that all of the pines trees would be removed but the 20’ landscaped buffer would be maintained. With no other public comments, Commissioner Tim Lovezzola made a motion to recommend approval of the revised site plan of the Pooler Family Dental Office contingent upon all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition. The landscape plan meets the requirements of the tree ordinance. Therefore, Commissioner Charles Archer made a motion to approve the landscape plan for the proposed Pooler Family Dental Office. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mary Louise Lanier and passed without opposition. Commissioner Wilson Roberts returned to this seat on the board.
3. Sketch Plan review of Roy Patel’s proposed commercial subdivision on east highway 80. Dan Fisher of EMC Engineering Company presented the sketch plan to the board for their review and recommendation. He is representing Roy Patel who plans to purchase the property. The property is accessed by two existing curb-cuts off U. S. Highway 80 and Mr. Patel plans to market the property as C-2, a Heavy Commercial Zoning District. Wilson Roberts questioned the distance between the two curb-cuts and if the DOT would approve both curb-cuts. Mr. Fisher stated the curb-cuts are 600’ apart and they would have to be approved by DOT. Zoning Administrator Jackie Carver stated for the record that there is a master plan showing an extension of that frontage road into this tract. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton concurred and asked if the developer would object to a frontage road. Mr. Fisher stated that he had discussed this with the potential buyer and he was not interested in extending the frontage road. He further stated that he has addressed all of Mr. Nicholson’s comments. With the uncertainty of the number of curb-cuts and possible frontage road requirement, Wilson Roberts made a motion to table this item until January 10th. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
4. Review and recommendation of site plan and landscape plan of a proposed office building for Daniels Accounting Services, Lot 9, Pooler Park of Commerce.
Commissioner Tim Lovezzola excused himself from any discussion of this item. Robert Daniels presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation. He stated that all of the engineer’s comments have been addressed. Wilson Roberts recommended paving a walkway to the garbage cart pad. Mrs. Carver reminded Mr. Daniels that the plans need to be approved by Scott Martins with the Architectural Review Board of the Pooler Park of Commerce. With no other comments, Mary Louise Lanier made a motion to recommend approval of the site plan for a proposed office for Daniels Accounting Services, Lot 9, Pooler Park of Commerce contingent upon Scott Martin’s approval. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, Charles Archer and Wilson Roberts questioned if the Live Oak proposed in the middle of the parking lot would survive. Following some discussion, Wilson Roberts made a motion to approve the landscape plan subject to the Live Oak being changed to another approved tree or the area around the Live Oak being enlarged and the plan is approved by Scott Martins. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition. Tim Lovezzola returned to his seat on the board.
5. Site Plan and Landsape Plan review of proposed office complex for Joseph Coppola at 1370 east Highway 80. Commissioner Mary Louise Lanier stepped down from her seat on the board because she is an adjacent property owner. Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman & Company, LLC presented the site plan and landscape plan to the board for their review and recommendation. He stated the plans have been revised and resubmitted addressing all of the engineer’s comments. He has received verbal approval from GDOT on the entrance permit. He has also received Chatham County Health Department approval for the septic system and an approved wetlands mitigation plan. Wilson Roberts questioned the turning radius for an 18-wheeler backing up to the loading dock. Mr. Crapps stated that he placed a template to make sure there is adequate turn-around radius. The existing ditch thru the property has been rerouted to the front of the lot in a 40’ right-of-way dedication. A Homeowner’s Association will maintain the dry detention pond. Several adjacent property owners appeared before the board to express their concerns. Mr. Easterling, a former truck driver, stated it would be difficult for an 18-wheeler to turn around behind the building. Mary Louise Lanier is still very concerned about the drainage in the area. In response, Mr. Crapps stated that post development run-off cannot exceed pre-development run-off and on-site detention is required. Mrs. Lanier also reminded Mr. Crapps that when the rezoning came before Council, she requested a 20’ undisturbed natural buffer with additional plantings to compensate for the loss of winter foliage. Mrs. Carver stated that she would pull the minutes from that meeting and fax to Mr. Crapps. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton suggested that Ms. Lanier check with the city manager about the status of the proposed drainage study for that area. With no other comments, a motion was made by Wilson Roberts to approve the site plan for a proposed office complex at 1370 east Highway 80 contingent upon the dumpster pad and loading ramp being redesigned and all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition. Regarding the landscape plan, Mr. Crapps stated that the plan shows a 50’ vegetative buffer along the rear of the property, a 20’vegetable buffer along the west side of the property and islands within the parking area that meet the tree ordinance requirements. With no public comments, Charles Archer made a motion to approve the landscape plan subject to Mrs. Carver’s findings regarding additional plantings along the west side of the property. Motion was seconded by Tim Lovezzola and passed without opposition. Mary Louise Lanier returned to her seat.
6. Conceptual Master plan review of Parcel 5A in the South Godley PUD/also requesting approval of a new median break along the Pooler Parkway. Ryan Thompson of Thomas & Hutton Engineering Company presented these requests to the Planning and Zoning Board for their review and recommendation. These requests were discussed before the PUD Review Board wherein concerns were expressed regarding the design of the master plan and the proposed median cut on Pooler Parkway. Mr. Thompson discussed more in detail why the median cut was needed. Further, Mr. Thompson stated this is an irregularly shaped parcel and other designs were considered. Following some discussion, Charles Archer made a motion to recommend approval of the conceptual master plan for parcel 5A contingent upon all of the engineer’s comments being addressed. Motion was seconded by Mary Louise Lanier and passed with Wilson Roberts opposing. Regarding the second request, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of a new median break along the Pooler Parkway. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed with Tim Lovezzola opposing.
7. Sketch plan review of “The Retreat” at Forest Lakes (Originally presented as “The Enclave”). Jeff Carper of HGB&D presented the sketch plan to the board for their review and recommendation. The proposed development consists of 103 single family townhome units located within the gated community of Forest Lakes. The sketch plan was reviewed and approved by the PUD Review Board prior to this meeting. With no other comments, Tim Lovezzola made a motion to recommend approval of the sketch plan for “The Retreat”. Motion was seconded by Charles Archer and passed without opposition.
8. The Arbors, Phase 6B Final Plat Review and Approval. Mark Crapps presented the final plat to the board for their review and recommendation. All of the improvements and infrastructure are complete in Phases 6A and 6B. The developer has posted a maintenance bond in the amount of $642,529.55 so the final plat for Phase 6B can be recorded. With no public coments, Wilson Roberts made a motion to recommend approval of the final plat for The Arbors, Phase 6B. 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 Mary Louise Lanier. Motion passed.