Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING

AUGUST 18, 2004



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, August 18,

2004 in the Council Chambers on the Plaza Level of the Government Center.



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Brad Dodds, Shep Mullin, Derrick Shields,

Sharon Jamison, Karl Douglass, Bob Crane and Joe Alexander.



Staff Members: Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator and Sean Boles, Recorder.



Commissioners Absent: Vice Chairperson Henderson



Others Present: Sue Anne Rathel, Stephen Cannon, Daniel Blackmon, Cathy

Cotton, Robert Cotton Jr., Russell Morrison, Rosie Morrison, Robert Cotton,

Jr., Betty Cotton, Donna and Marty Roy, Teresa Shaw, James W. Paulk, Rosa

Paulk, Jennifer Allen, Jim Evans, Nixon Maxey, David Cummings, Marie Cordero,

Jacque Jones.



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: None available.



III. REZONING CASES:



1. ZC0407-6: A request to rezone the property located at 5220 Boyd Drive.

The current zoning is R-1A (Low Density Residential) District. The proposed

zoning is R-2 (Low Density Residential) District. The property will be used as

single family residential.



Steve Cannon, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. This case is consistent

with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 6). The land use

designation shows Low Density Residential for this area. Policy Statements are

not addressed.



The property does lie within a studied floodplain and floodway area. The

developer will need an approved drainage plan prior to issuance of a Site

Development Permit. The property is served by all city services. It is not

expected to have a negative impact on the transportation network. The current

traffic count is 3,894 trips per day and will increase to 3,923 trips per day.

The level of service will remain at A (8,200 trips per day) for Warm Springs

Road. The site shall meet the codes and regulations of the Columbus

Consolidated Government for residential usage.



This development could average about 1 to 5 children of various ages.

Elementary age students would attend Gentian Elementary, which has 448 students

(capacity 500). Middle school age students would attend Fort Middle School,

which has 583 students (capacity 600). High school age students would attend

Hardaway, which has 1,274 students (capacity 1,300). There is no buffer

requirement. This is not within Fort Benning?s notification range.

Twenty-four (24) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning Division received several comments supporting and

opposing this rezoning request. There is no additional information.



Steve Cannon, Applicant, came to the podium. He wants to divide the property

into three lots and build three single family houses.



Chairperson Dodds asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Mullin made

a motion to approve this rezoning request. It is consistent with the future

land use map, all city services are provided. Commissioner Crane seconded. It

was approved unanimously.





2. ZC0407-7: A request to rezone the properties located at 7836, 7932, and

7936 Shinn Drive. The current zoning is R-1A (Low Density Residential)

District. The proposed zoning is R-3B (Patio Homes / Zero Lot Line) District.

The property will be used as single family residential.



James Evans, Applicant



Chairperson Dodds stated that he would have to recuse himself, Commissioner

Jamison would preside over the meeting for this case.



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. This case is consistent

with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 2). The land use

designation shows Low Density Residential for this area. It is consistent with

Residential Policy Statement #1. The property does not lie within a studied

floodplain and floodway area. The developer will need an approved drainage

plan prior to issuance of a Site Development Permit. The property is served by

all city services. It is not expected to have a negative impact on the

transportation network. The current traffic count is 6,083 trips per day and

will increase to 6,284 trips per day. The level of service will remain at B

(7,900 trips per day) for Williams Road. The site shall meet the codes and

regulations of the Columbus Consolidated Government for residential usage.



This development could average about 15 to 25 children of various ages.

Elementary age students would attend Double Churches Elementary, which has 847

students (capacity 625). Middle school age students would attend Double

churches Middle School, which has 883 students (capacity 675). High school age

students would attend Northside, which has 1,306 students (capacity 1,200).

There is no buffer requirement. This is not within Fort Benning?s

notification range. Forty-nine (49) property owners within 300 feet were

notified of this rezoning request. There are no special conditions. The

Planning Division did not receive any comments supporting or opposing this

rezoning request. There is no additional information.



James Evans, Applicant, came to the podium. They wants to build single family

homes in the range of 1200 to 1400 sq. ft. Their lots are 4500 sq. ft. which

is more than the requirement of 3500. They will also have a buffer. The cost

will be approx. $120,000.



Rusty Morrison came to the podium. He lives across from this property. He is

against the rezoning. The traffic already is backed up. They do not need or

want any more houses on this street.



Rosie Morrison, 7937 Shinn Drive, came to the podium. She states that she has

talked to Donna Newman and Richard Bishop on numerous occasions about her

driveway. The roads are not big enough for additional traffic. Schools are

overcrowded already. She is opposed to the rezoning.



Teresa Shaw, of 7919 Shinn Drive, and Donna Roy of 7925 Shinn Drive, came to

the podium. Lloyd Road and Shinn Drive need to be improved. This is not a

good area for additional homes.



Commissioner Jamison asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Douglass

made a motion to deny this case, even though it is consistent with Land Use

Designation, there is a significant and excessive school impact that must be

considered. Commissioner Crane seconded. The motion carries.





IV. TEXT AMENDMENT



ZC0408-1: A text amendment allowing wedding consultants / planners as

?Services (legal and professional)?, a principal use, in the H zoning district.



Jacque Jones, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. Jacque Jones, owner of

memorable Affairs, a wedding consultant business, is seeking to open an office

in the Historic District. She wants to locate her office in Sia Etemadi?s

office building. The office uses allowed in the H zoning district are specific

in their uses. An office for a wedding consultant / planner does not fit into

any category in the H District. The applicant has requested a text amendment

change concerning a wedding consultant / planner office. The text change shall

be listed as a principal use under ?Services (legal and professional)?. The

proposed use shall be as an office use only.



Jacque Jones, Applicant, came to the podium. She explained that her business

(wedding planner consultant, corporate events planner) will be an office only,

no events will be held there.



Chairperson Dodds asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Jamison made

a motion to approve this Text Amendment, the change being ?for use as

consultant services? and that the proposed use shall be as an office only.

Commissioner Douglass seconded. It was approved unanimously.





V. TABLED CASE:



4. ZC0407-4: A request to rezone the property located at 4001 Macon Road. The

current zoning is R-1A (Low Density Residential) District. The proposed zoning

is C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping) District. The property will be used as retail.



David Cummings, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. This case is consistent

with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 7). The land use

designation shows general commercial for this area. It is consistent with

Policy Statements, Commercial Development Policy Statement #1. The property

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

need an approved drainage plan prior to issuance of a Site Development Permit.

It is served by all city services. It is not expected to have a negative

impact on the transportation network. The current traffic count is 16,821

trips per day and will increase to 17,031 trips per day. The level of service

will remain at C (20,400 trips per day) for Macon Road. The site shall meet

the codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated Government for

commercial usage. Only one driveway shall be permitted on Primrose Drive. A

deceleration /acceleration lane shall be required. There will be no school

impact. The proposed development shall have a Category C buffer requirement

along the north property line. The three options are: (1) 20 feet with a

certain amount of canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses

per 100 linear feet. 2.) 10 feet with a certain amount of shrubs, ormamental

grasses per 100 linear ft. and a wooden fence, masonry wall or earth berm. 3).

30 feet undisturbed natural buffer.



This is not in the Fort Benning notification range. Nineteen (19) property

owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning request. The Planning

Division did not receive any comments concerning the request to rezone.

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

deflector shields, 2) any external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be

visually obstructed by a structure that is aesthetically similar to the

proposed development and 3) screening for trash dumpsters / compactors, air

conditioners, refrigeration units, and heat pumps shall be required for all

development on the property. There has only been one traffic accident in the

area this year. In 2003 there were four accidents there. Three were caused by

cars trying to turn left from Macon onto Primrose. In 2002, there were five.

In 2001, there was one. In 2000, there were four. In 2003 there were 290 left

turns in a single day at the intersection.



David Cummings, Applicant, came to the podium. He was not anticipating a

traffic problem with this site. This is a good location for the proposed

business. They will only have one curb cut, it will be moved further away form

the intersection.



Daniel Blackmon, 9 Primrose Court, came to the podium. He does not want

additional retail in this area. Complained that only a few residents were

notified. It is not a safe place for additional traffic. He has a petition

with 10 names from the neighborhood.



Mr. Will Johnson stated that at peak times there are 290 left turns onto

Primrose from Macon Road.



Chairperson Dodds asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Shields made

a motion to approve the request based on the facts that it is consistent with

the future land use map, it is addressed Commercial Development Policy

Statement #1 and special conditions are needed: 1) all lighting shall be

directed internally using deflector shields, 2) any external trash dumpsters /

compactors shall be visually obstructed by a structure that is aesthetically

similar to the proposed development and 3) screening for trash dumpsters /

compactors, air conditioners, refrigeration units, and heat pumps shall be

required for all development on the property. Commissioner Mullin seconded.

It was approved unanimously.





VI. NEW BUSINESS

The UDO Ordinance is going before Council Tuesday. A special meeting will be

called.



VII. OLD BUSINESS



VIII. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.







NOTE: Please contact Will Johnson or Tina Trant at 653-4116 if you have any

questions or need any information.





______________________________ ______________________________

Bradford Dodds, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning

Administrator