Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING



March 19, 2003



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, March 19,

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



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Brad Dodds, Co-Chairman Rick McKnight,

Derrick Shields, Shep Mullin, Berry Henderson and Ralph King.



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



Commissioners Absent: Arline Kitchen, Michael Corradino, and Sharon Jamison



Others Present: Phil Batastini, Michael Majcher, David Cummings, and Dewayne

Jones.



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

10:05 a.m.



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

March 5, 2003 minutes to be accepted. Commissioner McKnight made a motion to

accept the minutes. Commissioner King seconded the motion. The minutes were

approved unanimously. Chairperson Dodds explained the rezoning process to the

audience. He stated that Commissioners Mullin and Shields would be voting in

place of Commissioners Jamison and Kitchen.



REZONING CASE



ZC0302-3: A request to rezone the property located at 3614 Norris Road. The

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

is A-O (Apartment/Office) District. The property is to be used for an assembly

hall.



David Cummings, Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson presented the Finding of Facts. This case is not consistent

with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 7, which shows Low Density

Residential. Policy statements were not addressed. 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 flood plain or floodway

area. The Engineering Department will need to approve a drainage plan prior to

issuance of a Site Development permit. It 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 compactors /

dumpsters shall be permitted along the property line bordered by the R-2 and

R-1A zoning districts, 3) screening for air conditioners, refrigeration units,

heat pumps and dumpsters / compactors shall be required for all development on

the property. There was one comment from an adjoining property owner who had

questions concerning potential uses of the property. He did not oppose or

support the rezoning.



Commissioner Henderson asked Mr. Johnson to explain why it is not spot zoning.



Mr. Johnson stated that R-4 is behind the property to the south. Church use

and the use proposed have similar compatibility as the private school on

University Avenue.



David Cummings, the applicant, came to the podium. Five years ago he sold a

church some land off Double Churches Road to build a new church. After the

land was paid off, they started building a new church. They wanted to sell

their property on Norris Road after the new church was occupied. They looked

around for someone to sell it to. The Mount Herman Masons Lodge wants to buy

this property to hold lodge meetings twice a month.



Phil Batastini, a member of the lodge, came to the podium. After a discussion

about special conditions, he mentioned that there were about 327 members but

only about 19 to 30 show up for the meetings.



Wayne Jones, 3926 Norris Road, came to the podium. He was not opposed to the

rezoning but had concerns about conditions. His main concern centered around

other uses that are allowed in an A-O zone and what may come in if the lodge

decided to sell.



Chairperson Dodds opened up the floor for discussion. Commissioner King made a

motion to conditionally approve this case based on the fact that it is

compatible with existing land uses, it is served by water, sewer, and all City

services, and it does not constitute spot zoning. The recommended conditions

were: 1) all lighting shall be directed internally using deflector shields, 2)

no external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be permitted along the property

lines bordered by the R-2 and R-1A zoning districts, 3) screening for air

conditioners, refrigeration units, heat pumps, and dumpsters/compactors shall

be required for all development on the property, 4) this property shall be used

as an assembly hall only, and 5) no alcoholic beverages, gambling, dancing, or

loud music shall be permitted in the property. Commissioner Henderson seconded

the motion. The case was approved unanimously.





IV. NEW BUSINESS



Chairperson Dodds asked Mr. Johnson to report on the Midtown Project Meeting

held on March 18, 2003.



Mr. Johnson stated that the Museum auditorium was full. The speaker, James

Howard Kunstler, spoke for 90 minutes. He is considered a new urbanist. The

attendees seemed to garner good insight into their progress.



Mr. Dodds stated that two members were sitting for their last meeting, Ralph

King and Arline Kitchen. They are being replaced by Karl Douglas and Derrick

Shields. Bob Crane will join the Commission as an alternate.



V. OLD BUSINESS

Next meeting will be Thursday, April 3, 2003.



VI. ADJOURNMENT



Chairperson Dodds adjourned the meeting at 10:35 a.m.









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Bradford Dodds, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator