Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING



June 4, 2003



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, June 4, 2003

in the Council Chambers on the Plaza Level of the Government Center.



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Brad Dodds, Vice Chairperson Rick McKnight,

Shep Mullin, Derrick Shields, Berry Henderson, Sharon Jamison, Michael

Corradino, Karl Douglass, and Bob Crane.



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



Commissioners Absent: None



Others Present: Rev. David Jacobs and David Fox.



I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Dodds called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.

Chairperson Dodds explained the rezoning process to the audience.



II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairperson Dodds asked for a motion for the May 21,

2003 minutes to be accepted. He stated that Commissioner Mullin would be

voting for Commissioner Douglass, who was absent at the beginning of the

meeting (Commissioner Douglass came in after Mr. Johnson read the Finding of

Facts for the first case). Commissioner Mullin made a motion to accept the

minutes. Commissioner Henderson seconded the motion. The minutes were

approved unanimously.



III. REZONING CASES:



1.) ZC0305-1: A request to rezone the property located at 2744 Warm Springs

Road. Thecurrent zoning is R-1A (Low Density Residential) District. The

proposed zoning is A-O (Apartment / Office) District. The property is to be

used for a physician?s office with parking.



Columbus Cardiology Associates, Applicant





Mr. Will Johnson read the Finding of Facts for this case. This case is not

consistent with the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 8), which shows Low Density

Residential for this area. Policy statements are not addressed. It is

compatible with existing land uses. It is served by public water, sanitary

sewer, and all City services. The property does not lie within the studied

floodplain and floodway area. The Engineering Department will need to approve

a drainage plan prior to issuance of a Site Development permit. The request

does not constitute spot zoning. It will not have a negative impact on the

transportation network. Traffic Engineering reports that driveways must

conform to commercial standards and there will be no significant impact to

surrounding properties or streets. Special conditions are needed: 1) all

lighting shall be directed internally using deflector shields, 2) no external

trash dumpsters / compactors shall be permitted along the property bordered by

the R-1A zoning district, 3) any external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be

visually obstructed by a structure aesthetically similar to the proposed

development, and 4) screening for air conditioners, refrigeration units and

heat pumps shall be required for all development on the property. There were

no comments from adjoining property owners.



Rev. David Jacobs, Pastor of Calvary Assembly of God (property owner), came to

the podium. The church will sell the property to Columbus Cardiology

Associates, which is next door. They want to expand their office space and

parking. They want to move to a larger property.



The applicant did not come to the meeting. After a discussion about the

applicant not being present, Chairperson Dodds entertained a motion on how to

address situations where the applicant is absent but the owner or other

interested party is present. Mr. Dodds noted that the applicant for the second

case was also absent. Vice Chairperson McKnight made a motion, as a matter of

policy, to not hear these or future cases unless the applicant and / or

representative is present. Commissioner Jamison seconded the motion. The vote

on the policy matter was a tie, three (McKnight, Jamison, and Shields) to three

(Henderson, Corradino and Mullin). Due to the tie, a new vote was called for

and Chairperson Dodds would have to vote. The vote on the policy matter passed

by a vote of four (Dodds, McKnight, Jamison, and Shields) to three (Henderson,

Corradino and Mullin). The case was tabled until June 18, 2003.



2.) ZC0305-2: A request to rezone the properties located at 5151 and 5163

McCaghren Drive. The current zoning is R-1 (Low Density Residential) District.

The proposed zoning is R-3 (Medium Density Residential) District. The property

is to be used for single family residential.



Perry Carlin, Applicant



Because of the previous vote to not hear a case unless the applicant or his

representative was present, this case was not heard. It was tabled until June

18, 2003.



IV. NEW BUSINESS



The issue of voting to cancel the July 2, 2003 PAC meeting was discussed.

Commissioner Henderson made a motion to cancel the meeting. Commissioner

Jamison seconded. The commission voted unanimously to cancel the July 2, 2003

PAC meeting.



V. OLD BUSINESS



Mr. Johnson stated that he contacted the Georgia Planning Association

concerning the Community Planning Institute (CPI). The CPI is an introductory

course for planning commissioners, elected officials, et al. The course will

be offered in the fall of 2003.



VI. ADJOURNMENT



Chairperson Dodds adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m.













___________________________________ ___________________________________



Bradford Dodds, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning

Administrator