CITY OF POOLER

PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES

December 14, 2009

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.  Members present were Larry Olliff, Wilson Roberts, Mary Louise Lanier, Scotty Fletcher, Charles Archer, Don Taylor and Nancy Bachner. Councilwoman Rebecca Benton, Councilman Bruce Allen, 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.

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 Charles Archer and passed without opposition.

PUBLIC HEARING:

1. Guy Davidson on behalf of Town Lake Park of Commerce, LLC has petitioned the City of Pooler for a text amendment within Appendix A (Zoning Ordinance), Article IV, Section 19, to add schools as a conditional use in the C-2, Heavy Commercial Zoning: Terry Coleman with Kern-Coleman & Company presented the text amendment to the board for their review and recommendation. The current ordinance does not permit schools in commercially zoned areas as a permitted use nor as a conditional use. The proposed text amendment would permit the location of a school within a commercial-retail area of the Godley Station PUD.   The following comments were expressed by the board regarding the proposed text amendment:

·         should the amendment be addressed by the Godley Station PUD,

·         who has the authority to amend the Godley Station PUD Master Plan and Development Standards,

·         should the amendment apply to the entire City or just within Planned Unit Developments, and

·         State and Local Law on distance requirements between schools and alcoholic beverage sales.

With no further comments and subject to the approval of The City Attorney, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend approval for the text amendment within Appendix A (Zoning Ordinance), Article IV, Section 19, to add schools as a conditional use in the C-2, Heavy Commercial Zoning, contingent upon the commercial area being located within a Planned Unit Development (PUD). Motion was seconded by Commissioner Taylor and passed without opposition.

2. Guy Davidson on behalf of Towne Lake Park of Commerce, LLC has petitioned the City of Pooler for a conditional use to build classroom buildings for a Preparatory Academy at 125 Southern Junction Boulevard: Terry Coleman of Kern-Coleman & Company presented the conditional use to the board for their review and recommendation. Mr. Coleman introduced Mr. Marc Boese,  a Director of West Chatham Preparatory Academy. Mr. Boese stated that this is not a typical high school, for the reason that parents must apply for their children to attend, it is very restrictive with zero tolerance, and they have the ability to set their own code of conduct.  Further, out of the 200 letters of intent already received, approximately 98 of the letters are students within the 31322 Zip Code with the Westside being their target area. Public Comments: James Barker, resident of 115 Manor Row, expressed his concerns to the board regarding the inadequate buffer, suggesting that a privacy fence be installed behind the buildings, and the maximum number of students at build-out.  Donna Fischer, resident of Towne Lake Subdivision, expressed her concerns to the board regarding increase in traffic and potential noise with the proposed school. Ms. Fischer recommends a privacy fence and some type of noise barrier. Nolan Edge, resident of Godley Station, spoke in favor of mixed uses within a PUD. Myra Pierce, resident of 113 Manor Row, also expressed her concerns to the board regarding the dangers of increasing traffic in this area, and the inadequate buffer, suggesting a privacy fence and a heavy vegetated buffer. Petitioner’s Comments:  In response, Mr. Coleman stated that traffic should improve because the set school hours are before and after the normal work hours. Further, the site plan has not changed and has already been approved by Mayor & Council with the established 100’ buffer along with approved landscaping plan, the proposed lighting has not changed, buses are limited to a drop off area on Southern Junction Boulevard, and the afternoon noise will be restricted due to school dismissal being before 4 o’clock p.m. In addition, the developer is willing to plant additional understory plantings, such as Wax Myrtle’s. There were questions from the board regarding the following: method of criteria for selecting students, state funds, busing, the number of students driving to school, physical education, sports, and State and Local Law distance requirements between schools and alcoholic beverage sales. With no further questions and subject to approval of  the text amendment in item # 1, a motion was made by Commissioner Archer to recommend approval for a conditional use to build classroom buildings for a Preparatory Academy at 125 Southern Junction Boulevard, contingent upon additional understory plantings being added in the 100’ buffer area. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher, with Commissioner Lanier opposing.

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:20 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Bachner and passed without opposition.