Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING





August 7, 2002



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, August 7,

2002, in the Council Chambers of the Plaza Level of the Government Center.



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Ralph King, Vice Chairperson Bradford

Dodds, Rick McKnight, Berry Henderson, Mike Corradino, Arline Kitchen, Derrick

Shields, Sharon Jamison and Shep Mullin.



Staff Members: Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator, and Tina Trant, Recorder



Others Present: David Cummings and Michael Russell



CALL TO ORDER



Chairperson King called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. Chairperson King

explained the rezoning process. Chairperson King asked for a motion on the

July 17, 2002 meeting minutes to be accepted. Commissioner McKnight noted that

there were some errors on Page 4 that needed to be made (changes were made in

the July 17, 2002 minutes on August 7, 2002). Commissioner King asked for a

motion for the minutes to be accepted. Commissioner McKnight made a motion to

approve the minutes with the corrections and Commissioner Jamison seconded the

motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.



Chairperson King stated that Commissioner Henderson would be voting in this

case but has abstained himself in ZC0207-1 and ZC0207-2. That is the reason

ZC0207-3 is being read first.



I. REZONING CASES



1) ZC0207-3: A request to rezone the property located at 10051 Veterans

Parkway. The current zoning is A-1 (Agricultural )District. The proposed

zoning is C-3 (GeneralCommercial) District. The property is to be used as for

office / warehouse.



Mike Russell, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson presented the Planning Division?s Finding of Facts. He stated

that the request is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan P.D. 2, which

shows Agricultural / Undeveloped for this area. He stated that the policy

statements are not addressed. He stated it is compatible with existing land

uses. The property is served by all city services. He also stated the

property does not lie within a studied floodplain and floodway area. The

Engineering Department will need to approve a drainage plan prior to issuance

of a Site Development Permit. Mr. Johnson stated that the request does not

constitute spot zoning. He also stated that the report from Transportation

Planning states that the request will not have a negative impact on the

transportation network. He reported that it must meet the Codes and

Regulations of the City of Columbus Consolidated Government for commercial

usage. Mr. Johnson stated that a Georgia Department of Transportation driveway

permit would be required on Veterans Parkway. A deceleration lane may be

required. There are three special conditions needed: 1) all lighting shall be

directed internally using deflector shields, 2) lighting shall not interfere

with Veterans Parkway traffic, 3) no external trash dumpsters/compactors shall

be located along the property bordered by residential zoning districts. He

stated that he did not receive comments from adjoining property owners.



Mike Russell, the applicant, stated that he did talk to the homeowner next door

and he had no objections. He stated that he wanted to move his tile business

to the site and also have room for another tenant, such as a cabinetmaker.



Commissioner McKnight mentioned that a few months ago they turned down a

commercial use just to the south of this property.



After a brief discussion, Chairperson King entertained a motion. Commissioner

Corradino made a motion to conditionally approve the request based on the fact

that although it is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, it is

compatible with existing land-uses, it is served by city services, it does not

constitute spot zoning, and it must meet the Codes and regulations of the City

of Columbus, Consolidated Government for commercial usage. The recommended

conditions are: 1) all lighting shall be directed internally using deflector

shields, 2) lighting shall not interfere with Veterans Parkway traffic, 3) no

external trash dumpsters/compactors shall be located along the property

bordered by residential zoning districts. He stated that he did not receive

comments from adjoining property owners. Vice Chairman Dodds seconded the

motion. Five Commissioners (Corradino, Dodds, Henderson, Kitchen, and Jamison)

voted for conditional approval and one Commissioner (McKnight) voted for

denial. The vote was carried for conditional approval by a vote of 5 to 1.



Chairperson King announced that Shep Mullin would replace Berry Henderson on

the board for the remaining cases. He also stated that cases ZC0207-1 and

ZC0207-2 would be heard together but would be voted on separately.



2) ZC0207-1: Arequest to rezone the property located at 1101 19th Street. The

property is currently zoned A-O(Apartment-Office) District. The requested

zoning is C-3 (General Commercial) District. The property is to beused for a

medical office.



David Cummings, Applicant



3) ZC0207-2: Arequest to rezone property located at 1105 and 1109 19th Street.

The property is currently zoned R-3A (Medium Density Residential) District.

The requested zone is C-3 (GeneralCommercial) District. The property is to be

used as a medical office.



David Cummings, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson presented the Planning Division?s Finding of Facts. These two

cases have the same results in the Finding of Facts but are separate cases

because the current zoning for ZC0207-1 is different from ZC0207-2. He stated

that the requests are not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan P.D. 8, which

shows Medium Density Residential for this area. They are consistent with a

policy statement Planning District 8, Commercial Development policy statement

#1. He stated it is compatible with existing land uses. The property is

served by public water, sanitary sewer, and all city services. He also stated

the property does not lie within a studied floodplain and floodway area.

Engineering will need to approve a drainage plan prior to issuance of a Site

Development permit. Mr. Johnson stated that the request does not constitute

spot zoning. He states that the request will not have a negative impact on the

transportation network. It must meet the Codes and Regulations of the City of

Columbus Consolidated Government for commercial usage. The driveway must begin

20 feet from the end of the street radii. Mr. Johnson stated that special

conditions are needed: 1) all lighting shall be directed internally using

deflector shields,2) no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be located

along the property lines bordered by residential zoning districts, 3) if the

property is not used as medical offices, then the property shall revert back to

the A-O District for 1101 19th Street and R-3A District for 1105 and 1109 19th

Street. There were comments from adjoining property owners. They left

messages of support but did not leave their names. They both stated that they

owned property in the immediate area.



David Cummings, the applicant, stated that he and a couple of other gentlemen

own a piece of property and are acquiring two adjacent properties so they will

have enough area for a 5,000 square foot office building. He stated that he

did have a problem with Condition #3 and wanted to remove it.



Mr. Johnson stated that Condition #3 was included as a discussion point for the

applicant and the Commission. He stated that the condition would serve no

purpose if the houses were going to be removed, which the applicants planned to

do in the future.



After a short discussion, Chairperson King entertained a motion. Commissioner

Kitchen entertained a motion to conditionally approve ZC0207-1 based on the

fact that it is consistent with a policy statement of the Comprehensive Plan.

The recommended conditions are: 1) all lighting shall be directed internally

using deflector shields and2) no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be

located along the property lines bordered by residential zoning districts. She

stated that Condition #3 would be deleted. Commissioner Jamison seconded the

motion. The vote was carried unanimously for conditional approval.



Commissioner Kitchen also made a motion to conditionally approve ZC0207-2 based

on the fact that it is consistent with a policy statement of the Comprehensive

Plan and it is compatible with existing land-uses. The recommended conditions

are: 1) all lighting shall be directed internally using deflector shields and2)

no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be located along the property

lines bordered by residential zoning districts. She stated that Condition #3

would be deleted. Commissioner Mullin seconded the motion. The vote was

carried unanimously for conditional approval.



II. OTHER BUSINESS



Chairperson King asked Mr. Johnson if the proposed apartments on Arkansas Drive

had gone to Council. Mr. Johnson stated that the case would go to Council on

August 20, 2002.



Chairperson King also asked about the text amendment concerning alternates.

Mr. Johnson stated that it was tabled by Council until further discussion on

the matter took place.











ADJOURNMENT



Chairperson King adjourned the meeting at 10:40 a.m.









___________________________________ ___________________________________



Ralph King, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator