The regularly scheduled meeting of the Pooler Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Monday, December 22, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Members present were, Wilson Roberts, Charles Archer, Mary Louise Lanier, Robert Byard, Larry Olliff, James Reardon and Scotty Fletcher. Mayor Mike Lamb, Councilwoman Rebecca Benton 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 presented upon a motion made by James Reardon.  Motion was seconded by Larry Olliff and passed without opposition.

1. The Fairways at Savannah Quarters is requesting a 23 SF directional sign variance to be placed at 930 Morgans Corner Road. 

Gary Turnbull, representing The Fairways at Savannah Quarters, LLC presented the directional sign variance to the board for their review and recommendation.  He stated that the location of the proposed directional sign is in front of 930 Morgans Corner Road.  Further, he hopes that the signage would increase visibility and sales at the new Fairways Town Home development.  According to the Sign Ordinance, Article I, Section 66-1, a directional sign cannot exceed ten square feet per sign face and not more than (5) feet high.  Mr. Turnbull is proposing a directional sign that is 33 SF, requiring a 23 SF variance.  He complained about all of the illegal signs along the Pooler Parkway and the lack of code enforcement to remove them.  After review of the variance standards, Commissioner Olliff stated that he does not see how the request meets two (2) out of the three (3) standards.  With no other comments, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to recommend denial of the 23 SF directional sign variance based on the request not meeting two (2) out of the three (3) standards.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition. 

2. The Fairways at Savannah Quarters is requesting a 23 SF directional sign variance to be placed on Parcel 6B-Pooler Parkway at Quacco Road. 

Gary Turnbull, representing The Fairways at Savannah Quarters, LLC presented the directional sign variance to the board for their review and recommendation.  He stated that the location of the proposed directional sign is Parcel 6B-Pooler Parkway at Quacco Road.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend denial of the 23 SF directional sign variance based on the request not meeting two (2) of the three (3) standards.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olliff and passed without opposition.

3. The Augus Corporation is requesting a parking lot surface variance for Lot 7 of The Dean Forest Business Park located at Distribution Drive to allow a granite surface rather than the required concrete or asphalt. 

Commissioner Reardon stepped down from his seat to excuse himself from any discussion of this item and the next two items. Jeff Jepson of North Point Real Estate, presented the parking lot surface variance request to the board for their review and recommendation.  He spoke on behalf of the petitioner because he sold the Angus Corporation the land approximately eight (8) months ago unaware of the new FEMA Flood Maps that were later adopted in September of 2008 placing the front portion of the lot in the floodway.  He further explained that when the tract was rezoned to Light Industrial a 150’ buffer was proposed along with the condition that all surfacing in all developments be hard surface.  In reviewing the variance standards, Mr. Jepson stated that the floodway encroachment imposes unique physical circumstances peculiar to the development of this particular property, thus meeting standards one (1) and two (2).  Chairman Roberts reminded Mr. Jepson that when the tract was rezoned, it was a very controversial issue with dust being a major concern.  Councilwoman Benton stated that the City of Pooler is contesting the new FEMA Flood Maps and along with Chatham County has contracted with Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung to restudy the Pipe Maker Canal, hopefully resulting in a LOMR, Letter of Map Revision.  Public Comments:  William Hunter, an adjacent property owner, expressed the following concerns:  disputes location of proposed wetlands on Lot 7, the granite surface would create severe dust problems and questions the location of the 30’ unopened road.  He further read aloud a letter requesting that this petition be tabled until all questions have been resolved between the Angus Corporation and all adjacent property owners.  Holly Young, representing Mr. William Hunter, stated that the City of Pooler should table the variance request until the floodway issue is resolved.  She further questioned why the 30’ unopened road, which is Mr. Hunter’s only access, is not shown on the drawing.  Adjacent property owners, Ping Tyner and Michael Hayman reiterated about the agreement with the North Point Developers that any parking would have to be asphalt or concrete.  Petitioner’s response:  In response, Mr. Jepson stated that the wetlands have not changed but the location of the floodway has changed with the revised FEMA Maps.  The 30’ unopened road, in question, is an easement that is on the recorded plat but is not shown on this plan.  Following some discussion about the variance standards, Commissioner Archer made a motion to recommend denial of the parking lot surface variance for Lot 7 in The Dean Forest Business Park located on Distribution Drive based on the request meeting only one (1) of the three (3) standards.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fletcher and passed without opposition. 

4. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for D.S.Waters Office/Warehouse located at 90 Columbia Drive. 

Mark Crapps of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the site plan to the oard for their review and recommendation.  He stated that the future tenant will be Crystal Springs Water Distribution Company.  Further, he identified the two dumpster locations and assured the board that they would have masonry enclosures.  There were no public comments and all of the engineering comments have been addressed.  Therefore, a motion was made by Commissioner Olliff to recommend approval of the site plan for D. S. Waters office/warehouse located at 90 Columbia Drive.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Byard and passed without opposition.  Regarding the landscape plan, Commissioner Olliff made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Byard to approve the plan.  Motion passed without opposition.

5. Site Plan / Landscape Plan Review for Iron Workers Local 709 Office Building located at 131 Westside Boulevard. 

Chad Zittrouer of Kern-Coleman and Company presented the site plan to the board for their review and recommendation.  All of the engineering comments have been addressed.  With no public comments, a motion was made by Commissioner Fletcher to recommend approval of the site plan for Iron Workers Local 709 office/warehouse building located at 131 Westside Boulevard.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Archer and passed without opposition.  Regarding the landscape plan, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to approve the plan.

Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lanier and passed without opposition.

       Commissioner Reardon returned to his seat on the board.

There being no further business to discuss, Commissioner Fletcher made a motion to adjourn at approximately 7:12 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Byard  and passed without opposition.