Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING



June 5, 2002



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, June 5, 2002,

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



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Ralph King, Vice Chairperson Bradford

Dodds, Rick McKnight, Sharon Jamison, Berry Henderson and Shep Mullin



Commissioners Absent: Mike Corradino, Arline Kitchen, and Derrick Shields



Staff Members: Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator, and Janell Price, Principal

Planner



Others Present: Wanda Lybarger, Dan Holley, Bette Schroeter, Elizabeth Pitts,

Betty Tapley, Dorothy Jolley, Robert Kelly, Randy McGee, David McGee, Jim Moye,

Lon Marlow, John Myers, Robert Duvall, Ken Lancaster, Isabel Triplitt,

Elizabeth Hackel, Rosemary Franklin, Kitty Tompkins, Kathleen Collier, Ray

Eastburn, Sybil Eastburn, Dorothy Cheves, Betty Kruggel, George Hill, Marge

Hall, Sid Dykes, and Dick Norman.



CALL TO ORDER



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

explained the rezoning process to the audience. Chairperson King announced that

Shep Mullin would be voting in place of Arline Kitchen. Chairperson King asked

for a motion on the May 1, 2002 meeting minutes. Vice Chairperson Dodds made a

motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Mullin seconded the motion. The

minutes were approved unanimously. Chairperson King asked for a motion on the

May 15, 2002 meeting minutes. Vice Chairperson Dodds made a motion to approve

the minutes. Commissioner Mullin seconded the motion. The minutes were

approved unanimously.



I. TABLED CASES



1) ZC0203-6: Arequest to rezone the property located at the southwest corner of

Forest Road and Alta Vista Road. The property is currently zoned R-1A(Low

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

Residential) District or R-3 (Medium Density Residential) District. The

property is to beused for single family residential.



D. F. Holley Builders, Inc., Applicant



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

the R-2 district. He stated that the request is consistent with the

Comprehensive Plan P.D. 7, which shows Low Density Residential for this area.

He stated that the request is not consistent with the policy statements P.D. 7,

Residential Development policy statement #3. 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. Engineering 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 off-street parking and curb cuts must

meet the Codes and regulations of the City of Columbus Consolidated Government

for residential usage. It must meet the Codes and regulations of the City of

Columbus, Consolidated Government for residential usage. Mr. Johnson stated

that special conditions are needed: 1) joint-use driveways shall be required

and 2) each lot shall require a private property turn-around so that traffic

can exit forward onto Forrest Road. He stated that he received comments from

adjoining property owners: one resident opposed the rezoning and two residents

supported the rezoning.



Mr. Johnson read the Finding of Facts concerning the R-3 district. He stated

that the request is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan P.D. 7, which

shows Low Density Residential for this area. He stated that the request is not

consistent with the policy statements P.D. 7, Residential Development policy

statement #3. 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. Engineering 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 off-street parking and curb cuts must meet the Codes and regulations of

the City of Columbus Consolidated Government for residential usage. It must

meet the Codes and regulations of the City of Columbus, Consolidated Government

for residential usage. Mr. Johnson stated that special conditions are needed:

1) joint-use driveways shall be required and 2) each lot shall require a

private property turn-around so that traffic can exit forward onto Forrest

Road. He stated that he received comments from adjoining property owners: one

resident opposed the rezoning and two residents supported the rezoning.



Mr. Johnson prefaced the applicant?s presentation by stating that the Planning

Division would support either zoning. The only difference between the two is

the number of lots. The R-2 zoning would create five lots and the R-3 zoning

would create six lots. The number of curb-cuts for both zonings would be two

on Forrest Road and one on Alta Vista Drive.



Dan Holley, the applicant, stated that he would prefer the R-3 zoning district

because he could create an additional lot and still keep the curb-cuts to a

minimum.



After a short discussion, Chairperson King entertained a motion. Commissioner

Mullin motioned to conditionally approve the case for R-3 district based on the

fact that it is compatible with existing land-uses and it does not constitute

spot zoning. The recommended conditions are: 1) joint-use driveways shall be

required and 2) each lot shall require a private property turn-around so that

traffic can exit forward onto Forrest Road. The vote was carried unanimously

for conditional approval.



2) ZC0204-4: A request to rezone the northwest side of Arkansas Drive, the

northwest corner of Arkansas Drive & Anglin Road, and the southwest corner of

Claymore Road and Anglin Road. The property is currently zoned R-1A(Low

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

Residential) District. The property is to be used for apartments.



Randy McGee, 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. 7, which

shows Low Density Residential for this area. He stated that the request is

consistent with the policy statements P.D. 7, Residential Development policy

statement #2. 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. Engineering 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 off-street parking and curb cuts must meet the Codes and regulations of

the City of Columbus Consolidated Government for commercial usage. A

deceleration lane may be required. Mr. Johnson stated that special conditions

are needed: 1) all lighting shall be directed internally using deflectors and

2) no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be located along the property

lines bordered by the R-1A zoning district. He stated that he received comments

from adjoining property owners



The case was tabled due to lack of voting members on the Commission. Mr.

Johnson told the applicant and the opposition that new notifications would be

mailed out concerning this case.



II. REZONING CASES



1) ZC0205-1: Arequest to rezone the property located at the northern portion of

6721 Macon Road. The property is currently zoned R-1A(Low Density Residential)

District. The requested zoning is C-3 (General Commercial) District. The

property is to beused for office / warehouse / retail.



Artisan Properties, Inc., 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. 3, which

shows Low Density Residential for this area. He stated that the request is

consistent with the policy statements P.D. 3, Commercial Development policy

statement #1. 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. Engineering 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 off-street parking and curb cuts must meet the Codes and regulations of

the City of Columbus Consolidated Government for commercial usage. Mr. Johnson

stated that special conditions are needed: 1) all lighting shall be directed

internally, 2) no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be located along

the property lines bordered by residential zoning districts, and 3) no outside

storage shall be permitted. He stated that he did not receive any comments

from adjoining property owners.



Dick Norman, representing the applicant, stated that their plans are to have

offices and businesses that may cater to the East Columbus Industrial Park.

Mr. Norman presented the Commission with a publication that included various

information on this development. He mentioned to the Commission that he

offered concessions to the Cottonwood Plantation Homeowners Association that

they accepted. He stated that he would like the concessions to be additional

conditions.



Mr. Robert Kelly, representing the president and vice-president of the

Cottonwood Plantation Homeowners Association, stated that the Association was

pleased with the developers and their effort to reach a compromise.



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

McKnight made a motion to conditionally approve the request based on the fact

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

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

The recommended conditions are: 1) all lighting shall be directed internally,

2) no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be located along the property

lines bordered by residential zoning districts, 3) no outside storage shall be

permitted, 4) existing trees adjacent to Lots 38 to 44 (5704 to 5752 Ironstone

Court) shall be retained. A 100 feet undisturbed, natural buffer shall be

required along the eastern property line. A 6 feet high wooden privacy fence

shall be placed along the eastern edge of the 100 feet undisturbed, natural

buffer; 5) a detention pond shall be placed at the north end of the property,

and 6) the permissible uses currently granted in Sec. 22-22, C-3 General

Commercial District, shall be further restricted to preclude the following:

Sections (B)(2)(c); (B)(3)(e); (B)(6)(b); (B)(6)(e); (B)(6)(f); (B)(11)(b);

(B)(11)(n); (B)(13)(a); (B)(14)(f.1); (B)(14)(o); (B)(15)(d); (B)(15)(e);

(B)(21)(a); (B)(21)(c). Commissioner Jamison seconded the motion. The vote

was carried unanimously for conditional approval.



2) ZC0205-2: Arequest to rezone the property located at 6800 Macon Road. The

property is

currently zoned R-1A(Low Density Residential) District. The requested zoning

is M-1 (Light

Manufacturing) District. The property is to beused a staging area for a

construction company

working on the Southern Natural Gas pipeline.



Dykes Development Co., Applicant



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

that the request

is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan P.D. 7, which shows Industrial /

Warehouse for this

area. He stated that policy statements are not addressed. He stated that 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. Engineering 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 off-street parking and curb cuts must meet the Codes and regulations of

the City of

Columbus, Consolidated Government for commercial usage. A DOT permit will be

required to

access Macon Road. Access to Schatulga Road will require a variance because

the radii will

extend beyond the property line. This section of Macon Road is part of Project

NH-8013 (8);

therefore, review the construction plans and incorporate the improvements into

your site plans.

Mr. Johnson stated that special conditions are needed: 1) all lighting shall be

directed internally

using deflectors, 2) no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be located

along the property

lines bordered by residential zoning district, and 3) if the property is not

used as a staging area for

a construction company working on the Southern Natural Gas pipeline then the

property shall

revert back to the R-1A zoning district. He stated that he received several

comments from

adjoining property owners.



Sid Dykes, representing the applicant, stated that Southern Natural Gas has

been looking for property that has good access to Hwy. 80, Manchester

Expressway, and I-185. He stated that the property would be used for this use

for only 12 to 18 months.



After a short discussion, Chairperson King entertained a motion. Commissioner

Dodds made a

motion to conditionally approve the request based on the fact that it is

consistent with 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, 2) no external

trash dumpsters /

compactors shall be located along the property lines bordered by residential

zoning districts, and

3) if the property is not used as a staging area for a construction company

working on the

Southern Natural Gas pipeline then the property shall revert back to the R-1A

zoning district.

Commissioner McKnight seconded the motion. The vote was carried unanimously for

conditional approval.



3) ZC0205-3: Arequest to rezone the property located at 2012 10th Avenue. The

property is currently zoned A-O(Apartment-Office) District. The requested

zoning is C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping) District. The property is to beused for

medical offices.



Flowers Construction Co., Applicant



Chairperson King stated that this case would be tabled until the June 19, 2002

meeting. He stated that there was an error on the application that identified

the wrong piece of property.



III. TEXT AMENDMENT



ZC0205-7: A text amendment to change the Off-Street Parking requirements

(number of parking spaces required) for commercial, general business or

personal service establishments that cater to retail trade but not including

food stores. The current requirement is 5? spaces per 1,000 square feet of

gross floor area.

Planning Division, Applicant



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

that the City Manager asked the Planning Division to check into the feasibility

of reducing the number of parking spaces required for commercial, general

business or personal services establishments that cater to retail trade but not

including food stores. The Zoning Ordinance requires five and one-half (5?)

spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area. The current

industry standard is four (4) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of

gross floor area. Mr. Johnson stated that a reduction in the amount of

required spaces would reduce building costs and asphalt. The parking space

reduction would give commercial developers more flexibility in complying with

the proposed Tree Ordinance. Also, due to the current requirements, the Board

of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is inundated with parking requirement variances. A

change in the ordinance would help to alleviate pressures on the developers,

the BZA, and the eventual enforcers of the Tree Ordinance. He stated that the

Planning Division is supporting a reduction of 5? spaces to 4 spaces.



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

Henderson made a motion to approve the request. Commissioner Dodds seconded

the motion. The vote was carried unanimously for approval.



IV. OTHER BUSINESS



Chairperson King informed the Commissioners of his meeting with the City

Manager concerning PAC procedures and opened the floor for discussion. On a

separate matter, several Commissioners voiced their displeasure concerning

absenteeism.



ADJOURNMENT



Chairperson King adjourned the meeting at 10:58 a.m.

















___________________________________ ___________________________________



Ralph King, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator