Columbus, Georgia

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING



October 2, 2002



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, October 2,

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



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Ralph King, Shep Mullin, Derrick Shields,

Berry Henderson, Bradford Dodds, Arline Kitchen, and Rick McKnight.



Staff Members: Janell Price, Principal Planner and Tina Trant, Recorder



Commissioners Absent: Sharon Jamison and Mike Corradino



Others Present: Nancy Jones, Donald Bowles, Jeffrey B. Jones, Ralph A. Cavedo,

Bob Walden, Dorothy Morgan, Sherlonda Lewis, Carl Holland and Lynnette Gross.





Chairperson King called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. He stated that Shep

Mullin would vote in Mike Corradino?s absence, and Derrick Shields would vote

in Sharon Jamison?s absence. Chairperson King asked for a motion on the

September 18, 2002 minutes to be accepted. Berry Henderson mentioned that the

wording should be changed in the first paragraph of Mr. Will Johnson?s Finding

of Facts for ZC0208-3 which states that ?the policy statements are not

addressed?. The sentence should read ?the request does not address policy

statements.? On the second page, first paragraph, ?members? was changed to

?member.? Tina Trant made the changes in the minutes. Commissioner Henderson

made a motion to approve the minutes with the changes made and Commissioner

Shields seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.

Chairperson King explained the rezoning process.





I. REZONING CASES



1. ZC0209-1: A request to rezone property located at 4907, 4909, 4763,

5015, 5110, and 5106 11th Avenue; 4801 Ingram Avenue; 4803, 4826, 4806, 4732,

4728 and 4726 13th Avenue; 5127, 5129, 5031, 4714, 4749, and 4751 12th Avenue;

1120, 1114 and 1110 48th Street; and 4602 Gilbert 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.



Department of Community Reinvestment, CCG - Applicant



In Will Johnson?s absence, Janell Price presented the Planning Division?s

Finding of Facts. She stated that this case is consistent with Comprehensive

Plan (P.D. 5), which shows Low Density Residential for this area. The request

does not address the policy statements. It is compatible with existing land

uses and is served by public water, sanitary sewer, and all city services. She

also stated that the properties do not lie within a studied floodplain and

floodway area. Ms. Price stated that the request does not constitute spot

zoning. She also stated that the report from Transportation Planning states

that the request will not have a negative impact on the transportation

network. There are no problems with off-street parking or curb cuts. She

reported that it must meet the Codes and Regulations of the City of Columbus

Consolidated Government for residential usage. No special conditions are

needed. There are no comments from adjoining property owners.



Lynnette Gross, representing the Department of Community Reinvestment, Columbus

Consolidated Government, stated that most of the properties were purchased with

the Community Development Block Grant funds.



After a brief discussion Chairman King entertained a motion. Commissioner

Kitchen made a motion to approve the request based on the fact that it was

consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, it is compatible with existing

land-uses, it is served by public water and sanitary sewer, it does not

constitute spot zoning, and there were no comments from adjoining property

owners. Commissioner Dodds seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously.





2. ZC0209-2: A request to rezone properties located at 711 and 719 Winall

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

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

to be used for single family residential.



Donald Bowles, Applicant



Ms. Price gave the Finding of Facts which state that this case is not

consistent with the Comprehensive Plan (P. D. 11), which shows Low Density

Residential for this area. It is consistent with policy statements, P.D.11,

Residential Development policy statement #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 the studied floodplain and floodway

area. The request does not constitute spot zoning. It will not have a

negative impact on the transportation network. There are no problems with

off-street parking or curb cuts. No special conditions are needed. There were

two comments from adjoining property owners. The comments list was handed out

to the Commissioners at the beginning of the meeting.



Mr. Donald Bowles, the applicant, stated that he wants to build four, 1300-1400

sq. ft. homes on these two properties; two on each lot. He wants to keep the

homes in the $80,000 range and dividing the lot will allow this. He is taking

the frontage from 75 feet to 50 feet. He states that there is a need for this

size lot in town. He states that there is a development off Buena Vista Road,

which is a ? mile to the north, and all 16 homes sold there in less than a

year. He states that he did notice on the tax maps that there is R-3 on the

street directly to the left of this proposed rezoning and there are numerous

50? lots throughout that area that are not zoned R-3.



Ralph A. Cavedo, 735 Winall Drive, stated that he is opposed to the rezoning.

He stated that he is opposed to putting four houses on one lot. He would

rather see one house on one lot. He also received his letter post marked on

September 26, 2002. He stated that it was short notice to go around to talk to

the neighbors. The letters were not post marked seven days before the meeting.



Chairman King stated that Mr. Johnson called him to inform him of the lateness

of the letters. He stated that the case should be tabled.



Ms. Nancy Jones Priest, 712 Parkhill Drive, stated that her property backs up

to 711 Winall Drive. Her mother, who lives next door to her, did not receive

a letter. She stated that the property values in this area would be lowered if

Mr. Bowles is allowed to put four houses on two lots. She stated that there

would be more possibilities of fire because the houses would be closer

together.



Mr. Bob Walden, 830 Wilder Drive, stated that on either side of Mr. Bowles

property, the lots are 100 feet, as well as across the street. He is opposed

to the rezoning.



Mr. Jeffrey Jones, 720 Parkhill Drive, stated that he is opposed to the

rezoning. He stated that there is a certain uniformity to the area. You can

tell just by looking at the map. All you have to do is ride out in the area.

It just will not look right if two houses go on one lot.



Commissioner King asked if there were any other comments from the audience or

from the Commissioners. Commissioner King asked if anyone wanted to make a

motion. Mr. McKnight asked if the case should be tabled. After a long

discussion about the lot sizes, prices of homes, and the post mark issue, it

was agreed to table the case until October 16, 2002. However, new letters

would be mailed out and the Planning Division will provide larger maps to the

Commissioners.





NEW BUSINESS



No new business



ADJOURNMENT



Chairperson King adjourned the meeting at 11:05 a.m.







___________________________________ ___________________________________



Ralph King, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator