Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING



September 4, 2002



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, September 4,

2002, in the Council Chambers of the Plaza Level of the Government Center.



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Ralph King, Vice Chairperson Bradford

Dodds, Rick McKnight, Derrick Shields, and Shep Mullin.



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



Staff Members Absent: Sharon Jamison, Arline Kitchen, Berry Henderson and Mike

Corradino.



Others Present: Doug Jefcoat, Developers-Investors, Inc., Director of

Residential

Development.





Chairperson King called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Chairperson King

asked for a motion on the August 7, 2002 meeting minutes to be accepted. Vice

Chairperson Dodds made a motion to approve the minutes and Commissioner Mullin

seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously. Chairperson King

explained the rezoning process.





I. REZONING CASE



1) ZC0208-2: A request to rezone the property located at the west end of

South Stadium Drive. The current zoning is R-1 (Low Density Residential)

District. The proposed zoning is R-4 (High Density Residential) District. The

property is to be used for apartments.



Developers-Investors, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson presented the Planning Division?s Finding of Facts. He stated

that the request is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan P. D. 2, which

shows Medium Density Residential for this area. He stated that the policy

statements are not addressed. He stated it is compatible with existing land

uses. The property is served by all city services. He also stated the

property does not lie within a studied floodplain and floodway area. A portion

of this property may lie within the limits of a watershed flood control

structure. Additional information is needed to determine the full impacts. No

construction will be allowed within the limits of the flood plain. The

Engineering Department will need to approve a drainage plan prior to issuance

of a Site Development Permit. Mr. Johnson stated that the request does not

constitute spot zoning. He also stated that the report from Transportation

Planning states that the request will not have a negative impact on the

transportation network. He reported that it must meet the Codes and

Regulations of the City of Columbus Consolidated Government for commercial

usage. There are two special conditions needed: 1) all lighting shall be

directed internally using deflector shields, 2) a permanent standard cul-de-sac

shall be constructed at the end of South Stadium Drive. He stated that he did

not receive comments from adjoining property owners.



Mr. Johnson asked the Commissioners if they had the letter from Mr. Tommy Davis

agreeing to Condition #2. Mr. King stated that they would put a standard

cul-de-sac at the end of South Stadium Drive and they will enter and exit off

that. Mr. King asked Doug Jefcoat to come

forward to tell about his case.



After a brief discussion with Doug Jefcoat about the entire Maple Ridge project

and the apartments, property owners next to this property, maps showing what

the property will look like. Chairperson King asked if there were any questions

from the Commissioners. Chairperson King entertained a motion to approve the

request. Commissioner McKnight made a motion to conditionally approve the

request based on the fact that although it is not consistent with the

Comprehensive Plan, it is compatible with existing land-uses, it does not

constitute spot zoning, The recommended conditions are: 1) all lighting shall

be directed internally using deflector shields, 2) a permanent standard

cul-de-sac shall be constructed at the end of South Stadium Drive.

Commissioner Dodds seconded. The vote was carried for conditional approval

unanimously.





II. OTHER BUSINESS



Chairperson King asked Mr. Johnson if the economy was slow and why we didn?t

have many cases. Last year there were 11 cases for September and 10 cases for

August. Mr. Johnson stated that you could not pinpoint it to one factor.

Commissioner McKnight asked Mr. Johnson about a case that had come before them

a few months before. Then it went to Council and was amended. The question was

should it have gone back before the PAC Commissioners. Mr. Johnson stated that

the PAC gives recommendations, not decisions. It is Council?s decision as to

whether or not it should be remanded to the PAC.





ADJOURNMENT



Chairperson King adjourned the meeting at 10:15 a.m.









___________________________________ ___________________________________



Ralph King, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator