Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING

December 17, 2003



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, December 17,

2003 in the Council Chambers on the Plaza Level of the Government Center.



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

Shep Mullin, Berry Henderson, Sharon Jamison, and Karl Douglass.



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



Commissioners Absent: Michael Corradino, Derrick Shields and Bob Crane.



Others Present: Dianne A. Jones, Demark Jones, Edward Francis, Daisy Foster,

George Foster, Elbert and Evergreen Covington.



I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Dodds called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.

Chairperson Dodds explained the rezoning process to the audience. He also

stated that Alternate Shep Mullin would vote in place of Michael Corradino, who

was absent.



II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairperson Dodds stated that the minutes for

December 3, 2003 are not ready for approval.



III. REZONING CASES:



1) ZC0311-4: A request to rezone the property located at 305 and 307 32nd

Avenue. The current zoning is R-3A (Medium Density Residential) District. The

proposed zoning is C-3 (General Commercial) District. The property is to be

used for a neighborhood detail shop.



Edward Francis, Applicant



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

consistent with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 9),

which shows Medium Density Residential for this area. It is consistent with

policy statements, Commercial Development policy statements #2. 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 a 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. 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-3A zoning district, 3) screening for trash dumpsters /

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

required for all development on the property, 4) driveway access shall be

determined by the City Traffic Engineer. There was one comment from an

adjoining property owner. He called the office and didn?t get to speak to

anyone. We tried to contact him but were not successful.



Edward Francis, applicant, came to the podium. He stated that he lives on the

other end of 32nd Avenue and has for 15 years. He thinks this type business

will be good for the neighborhood. There was one other detail shop in this

area that has gone out of business. There is a vacant house next door to this

property. He would install an overhead shed or whatever meets code.

Mr. Johnson stated that Mr. Francis would have to meet with Michael Burgess in

the Engineering Department to discuss water runoff.



Dianne Jones, 318 31st Avenue, Demark Jones, 318 ? 31st Avenue, George and

Daisy Foster of 317 31st Avenue came to the podium to speak in opposition to

the rezoning. The last detail shop in their neighborhood only opened from

Thursday ? Sunday and cars were parked on both sides of the street. Only after

the residents of this neighborhood decided to clean out drugs did the detail

shop close.



After a discussion about how other property is zoned in the area, Chairperson

Dodds asked for a motion and discussion. Vice-Chairperson McKnight made a

motion to conditionally approve this rezoning based on the fact that although

it is not consistent with the future land use map of the Comprehensive Plan, it

is consistent with policy statements of the Comprehensive Plan, it is

compatible with existing land-uses, it is served by all City services, 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 located along the property line bordered by the R-3A

zoning district, 3) screening for trash dumpsters / compactors, air

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

development on the property, 4) driveway access shall be determined by the City

Traffic Engineer. Commissioner Mullin seconded. The vote was two to approve

and three to deny. Chairperson Dodds called for another motion and vote.

Commissioner Henderson motioned to deny the case based on the fact it is not

consistent with the future land use map of the Comp Plan and several neighbors

are opposed to the rezoning. Commissioner Jamison seconded. The vote was

three to deny and two to approve. This case was tabled until January 7, 2003

because there were not at least four votes to approve or deny.





2.) ZC0311-5: A request to rezone the properties located at 5106, 5110 and

5015 11th Avenue and 4823, 4827, 4831, 5001, 5007, 5011, 5015, 5031, 5127 and

5129 12th Avenue. The current zoning is C-3 (General Commercial) District. The

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

to be used for single family residential.



Community Reinvestment, Applicant



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

consistent with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 5),

which shows Medium Density Residential for this area. It is consistent with

policy statements, Residential Development policy statements #1, 2 & 3. 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

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 residential usage. No special conditions

are needed. There were no comments from adjoining property owners. This is part

of the Beallwood Revitalization Project to provide residential usage of the

commercial properties.



After a discussion Chairperson Dodds asked for a motion. Commissioner Douglass

made a motion to approve this rezoning case based on the facts that it is

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

consistent with policy statements of the Comprehensive Plan, it is compatible

with existing land uses, it is served by all City services, and it does not

constitute spot zoning. Commissioner Jamison seconded. The motion was

approved unanimously.





3.) ZC0311-6: A request to rezone the property located at 4235 St. Mary?s

Road. The current zoning is A-O (Apartment / Office) District. The proposed

zoning is R-1A (Low Density Residential) District. The property is to be used

for single family residential.



Elbert Covington, Applicant



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

consistent with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 11),

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 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. The

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

the transportation network. It must may have to meet the codes and regulations

of the City of Columbus, Consolidated Government for commercial usage. No

special conditions are needed. There were no comments from adjoining property

owners.



Evergreen Covington, owner of the property and the funeral home came to the

podium. She now lives in the house behind the funeral home. She wants to

build a home behind the one they live in now and when they move into the new

house, the old house will be demolished which will be used for the front yard

and additional parking for funeral overflow.



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

a motion to approve this case based on the fact that although it is not

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

with existing land uses, served by all city services, it is not spot zoning,

and will not impact negatively on the transportation network. No special

conditions are needed. Commissioner Douglass seconded. The case was

approved unanimously.





IV. NEW BUSINESS





V. OLD BUSINESS









VI. ADJOURNMENT



The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.







___________________________________ ___________________________________

Bradford Dodds, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator