Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING



March 5, 2003



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, March 5, 2003

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



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Brad Dodds, Co-Chairman Rick McKnight,

Derrick Shields, Shep Mullin, Berry Henderson and Sharon Jamison.



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



Commissioners Absent: Ralph King, Arline Kitchen, and Michael Corradino.



Others Present: Robert George, Janie Nichols, Chuck Davis, Tim Simpson, and

Nixon Maxey



I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Dodds called the meeting to order at

10:10 a.m.



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

February 5, 2003 minutes to be accepted. Commissioner Henderson made a motion

to accept the minutes with amendments. Commissioner Shields seconded the

motion. The minutes were approved unanimously. Chairperson Dodds explained the

rezoning process to the audience. He stated that Commissioners Mullin and

Shields would be voting in place of Commissioners King and Kitchen.



III. REZONING CASES



1) ZC0211-2: A request to rezone the property located at 1423 54th Street. The

current zoning is R-2(Low Density Residential) District. The proposed zoning is

C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping District. The property is to be used for offices.



Robert George, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson read the Finding of Facts for this case. This case came to

the Planning Advisory Commission on December 4, 2002. It was denied. Church

offices were going to go in the property. There were some traffic issues. This

case is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 5), which shows Mixed

Office / Commercial 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. It must meet the Codes and Regulations of the City of

Columbus Consolidated Government for commercial usage. The applicant has

resolved traffic issues with the City Traffic Engineer. 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

line bordered by the R-2 zoning district, and 3) screening for air

conditioners, refrigeration units, heat pumps and dumpsters / compactors shall

be required. There were no comments from adjoining property owners in

opposition. The traffic situation was taken care of by parking in the front of

the building. The original application showed that parking was in the back and

on the side. There wasn?t enough room to turn around and come back out.



Mr. Robert George, the applicant, came to the podium. He purchased this

property and is requesting to rezone it to C-2. He has met with Ron Hamlett

and he has approved the parking spaces in front of the building. This property

will be used as offices. He stated that the church was moving out.



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

Mullin made a motion to approve this case based on the fact that it is

consistent with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive Plan, it is

compatible with existing land-uses, it does not constitute spot zoning, and it

will not have a negative impact on the transportation network. The recommended

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

shields, 2) no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be permitted along

the property lines bordered by the R-2 zoning district, and 3) screening for

air conditioners, refrigeration units, heat pumps, and dumpsters / compactors

shall be required. Commissioner Jamison seconded the motion. This case was

voted for approval unanimously.





2) ZC0302-2: This is a request to rezone the property located at 7700 Veterans

Parkway, 300? southwest of Old Moon Road. The current zoning is R-4 (High

Density Residential) District. The proposed zoning is C-3 (General Commercial)

District. It is to be used for a quick lube and mini-storage.



GML Real Estate, LLC, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson presented the Finding of Facts. This case is not consistent

with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 2, which shows Low Density

Residential and Medium Density Residential for this area. It is consistent

with policy statements, Planning District 2, Commercial Development Policy

Statement # 1. It is compatible with existing land uses. It is served by

public water, sanitary sewer and all City services. The property does lie

within a studied flood plain or floodway area. The Engineering Department will

need to approve a drainage plan prior to issuance of a Site Development

permit. It does not constitute spot zoning. It 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 be as far away from the intersection of Old Moon Road as possible.

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

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

permitted along the property line bordered by the R-2 and R-4 zoning districts,

and 3) screening for air conditioners, refrigeration units, heat pumps, and

dumpsters / compactors shall be required for all development on the property.

There were no comments from adjoining property owners.



Tim Simpson, representing the applicant, came to the podium. He stated that

Chuck Davis, the owner, is also in the audience. Their proposal is to put in

storage units and a Grease Monkey quick lube. They have already done the

engineering study and there is not a flood plain issue where they plan to

build. There is a small wetlands area, which will be undisturbed. Mr. Simpson

stated that they would pipe the creek.



Ms. Janie Nichols, #5 Mossdale Court, came to the podium. She is representing

several homeowners who could not be in attendance. They were told the buffer

would remain in place when she bought her home. Traffic is also a concern.

There is no outlet other than Veterans Parkway for that whole area. Traffic

has increased with Calvary Church being built. The amount of noise and

lighting is also a concern. Ms. Nichols feels the area is already overbuilt.



Mr. Simpson returned to the podium. He stated that he fully intends to meet

the buffer requirements.



Commissioner Shields asked Mr. Simpson how many buildings would be on the

property.



Mr. Simpson stated that there would be 12 actual buildings. Some of the

buildings would have climate control.



Mr. Simpson offered to have the zoning conditioned stating that the 30 feet

undisturbed, natural vegetated buffer option would be used along the property

line bordering the R-2 district.



Chairperson Dodds opened up the floor for discussion and a motion.

Commissioner Shields made a motion to approve this case based upon the fact

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

compatible with existing land-uses, it is served by water, sewer, and all city

services, and it does not constitute spot zoning. The recommended conditions

are: 1) all lighting shall be directed internally using deflector shields, 2)

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

lines bordered by the R-2 and R-4 zoning districts, 3) screening for air

conditioners, refrigeration units, heat pumps, and dumpsters / compactors shall

be required for all development on the property, and 4) the buffer requirement

for the property line bordering the

R-2 zoning district shall be Category C, Option 3 (30 feet, undisturbed,

natural vegetation buffer) of the Buffer Ordinance. Commissioner Henderson

seconded. The case was approved unanimously.



IV. NEW BUSINESS



Commissioner McKnight asked what commissioners were rotating off in March.



Mr. Johnson stated that Ralph King and Arline Kitchen were rotating off on

March 31. He stated that Council was currently going through the nomination

process.



V. OLD BUSINESS



None.



VI. ADJOURNMENT



Chairperson Dodds adjourned the meeting at 10:55 a.m.







___________________________________ ___________________________________



Bradford Dodds, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator