Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING

September 1, 2004



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, September 1,

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



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

Sharon Jamison, and Karl Douglass.



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



Commissioners Absent: Vice Chairperson Berry Henderson, Bob Crane, and Joe

Alexander



Others Present: Tommy Davis, Robert George, Eugene Maddox, Lucile Pearce,

Imogene Thornton, Doug McLeod, Judith Tucker, and Patricia McNeer.



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. NEW REZONING CASE:



ZC0408-2: A request to rezone the property located at 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308,

1310, 1318, & 1320 16th Street; 1541 14th Avenue; and the west end of 1538 13th

Avenue. The current zonings are C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping) District and R-3A

(Medium Density Residential) District. The proposed zoning is A-O

(Apartment-Office) District. The properties will be used as a medical office

complex.



D R Properties, LLC, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. This case is not

consistent with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 8).

The land use designation shows Medium Density Residential for this area. East

Highland Revitalization Plan Land-Use Designation: C-2 - Mixed Office /

Neighborhood Commercial, R-3A ? Single Family Residential. Policy Statements

are not addressed.



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 8,506 trips per day and will increase to 9,088 trips per day.

The level of service will remain at C (11,800 trips per day) for 13th Avenue.

The site shall meet the codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated

Government for commercial usage. There will be no school impact.



The proposed development shall have a Category C buffer requirement along the

east property line of 1320 16th Street and along the north and south property

lines of 1541 14th Avenue. The three options under Category C 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 within Fort

Benning?s notification zone. One hundred two (102) property owners within 300

feet were notified of this rezoning request. The Planning Division received

several comments supporting and opposing this rezoning request.



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. 3) screening for trash dumpsters / compactors, air

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

development on the property, 4) a deceleration lane shall be required as

determined by the Traffic Engineer and 5) only one ingress / egress shall be

permitted to 16th Street. There is no additional information.



Tommy Davis came to the podium. DR Properties now owns this property. He

represents a group of physicians who want to build a medical office complex on

these properties. There will be three buildings proposed on the property,

apprx. 35,000 sq. ft.



Judith Tucker, President of the East Highland Improvement Association. She is

here to voice her disapproval of this rezoning. This is direct contradiction

of the East Highland Revitalization Plan. She does not want any further

encroachment into her neighborhood. They are trying to upgrade houses and

maintain their properties.



Ann McNeer, came to the podium. She has owned the property at 1518 13th Avenue

since 1989. She has operated a business at that location since then. She is

very familiar with the area. She is in favor of a large part of the proposed

development.



Robert George, of Calvary Christian Life Ministries came to the podium. They

own a lot of property in the area and are here to support the rezoning

request.



Tommy Davis says he has not received any calls concerning this rezoning. The

rezoning sign has been up for several weeks. He didn?t know there would be any

opposition.



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

a motion to deny this rezoning classification because it is inconsistent with

the planning policy. No one seconded. The motion fails. Chairperson Dodds

asked for another motion.



Commissioner Douglass made a motion to approve 1302, 1304, 1306 and 1308 16th

Street and the west end of 1538 13th Avenue from C-2 to A-O; also to deny 1310,

1318, & 1320 16th Street and 1541 14th Avenue from R-3A to A-O. Commissioner

Shields seconded. It was approved unanimously.





IV. NEW BUSINESS:



V. OLD BUSINESS:



VI. ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 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

Administator