Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING



October 15, 2003



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, October 15,

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, and Karl Douglass.



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



Commissioners Absent: Sharon Jamison and Bob Crane



Others Present: Katheryn A. Gnas, Louis Glazer, John Sharpe, Rob McKenna,

Allen Kamensky and Gary Johnson.



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

10:13 a.m. Chairperson Dodds explained the rezoning process to the audience.

He also stated that Alternate Shep Mullin would vote in place of Sharon Jamison

who was absent.



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

October 1, 2003 minutes to be accepted. Commissioner Douglas made a motion to

approve the minutes and Commissioner Shields seconded the motion. The minutes

were approved unanimously.





III. REZONING CASES:



1.) ZC0309-3: A request to rezone the property located at 3857 St. Mary?s

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

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

used for expansion of the hardware store.



Paula Johnson, 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. 10),

which shows General Commercial for this area. It is consistent with policy

statements, Commercial Development policy statements #2. It is compatible with

existing land uses. It is also 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) screening for air conditioners, refrigeration units, and heat pumps shall be

required for all development on the property, 3) driveway access shall be

determined by the City Traffic Engineer, and 4) deceleration lanes shall be

required as determined by the City Traffic Engineer. There were comments from

adjoining property owners in opposition to this case.



Alan Kamensky, representing the applicants, Gary and Paula Johnson, came to the

podium. He stated that the Johnson?s currently operate Home Hardware next to

the property to be rezoned on St. Mary?s Road. The property subject to

rezoning was owned by the Johnson?s neighbor, who is now deceased. The

property has been on the market for over a year. The owners asked the

Johnson?s if they wanted to buy this property for the appraised value. The

current plans for Home Hardware is to expand the hardware store, put in a

storage facility and a plant nursery. He stated that they are willing to leave

a 30? natural, undisturbed buffer on the north and west property lines, next to

the single family residential areas.



Katherine Gnas, 125 Sycamore court, came to the podium. She represents a group

of homeowners adjacent to the property. She has a petition signed by the

group. Most of the residents in the area have been there for 30 years or

more. They have improved their homes and kept them up. She states that a 30?

buffer is nothing. She stated that the property should be converted to green

space or kept as single family residential.



Vice-Chairperson McKnight stated that the only way to guarantee that the

property would stay as is would be to buy the property. He stated that the

residents have had the opportunity for over a year.



John Sharpe, 3759 Ida Drive, came to the podium. He stated that he did not get

a notice. He does not live within the 300? requirement for a notice.



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

made a motion to approve this rezoning based on the fact that it is consistent

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

policy statements of the Comprehensive Plan, and it is does not constitute spot

zoning. There should be five conditions instead of four as read by Mr.

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

2) screening for trash dumpsters / compactors, air conditioners, refrigeration

units, and heat pumps shall be required for all development on the property, 3)

driveway access shall be determined by the City Traffic Engineer, 4)

deceleration lanes shall be required as determined by the City Traffic

Engineer, and 5) the property must comply with Category C, Option 3 of the

Buffer Ordinance. Commissioner Shields seconded the motion. It was approved

unanimously.



IV. NEW BUSINESS



Mr. Will Johnson stated that he would try to get the Comp Plan to the

commissioners before the Nov. 5, 2003, PAC meeting.



V. OLD BUSINESS





VI. ADJOURNMENT



The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.





___________________________________ ___________________________________



Bradford Dodds, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator