Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

Post Office Box 1340
Columbus, Georgia, 31902-1340
(706) 653-4013
fax (706) 653-4016

Website: www.columbusga.gov/planning

Staff Report
ZC0403-3

Applicant
David Erickson
Owner
Same
Location
8271 & 8201 Midland Road; 8111, 8091, & 8101 Old Pope Road
Acreage
70 acres
Current Zoning Classification
A-1 (Agricultural)
Proposed Zoning Classification
R-1A (Low Density Residential)
Council District
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Advisory Commission recommends denial based upon the fact that it

is not consistent with a policy statement of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan

(Residential Development policy statement #3: The City should establish firm

neighborhood boundaries to encourage cohesive residential development and to

avoid scattered housing development on potential industrial land) and it will

negatively impact schools.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Denial based on the fact that although it is consistent with the future

land-use map of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan, it is not consistent with a policy

statement of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan (Residential Development policy

statement #3: The City should establish firm neighborhood boundaries to

encourage cohesive residential development and to avoid scattered housing

development on potential industrial land), it does not present a true

transition between Liberty Hall and Country Walk subdivision, and it would be

out-of-character with the surrounding residential properties. The 2003

Comprehensive Plan update, if adopted, will readdress this area as Rural

Residential.
Fort Benning's Recommendation
N/A
DRI Recommendation
General Land use
Property is located in Planning District 4

Land Use Designations: Low Density Residential
Environmental Impacts
The property does not lie within a floodway and floodplain area. The developer

will need an approved drainage plan prior to issuance of a Site Development

permit, if a permit is required.
City Services
Property is served by all city services.
Traffic Impact
The proposed project is not expected to have a negative impact on the

transportation network. The current traffic count is 1,334 trips per day and

will increase to 4,210 trips per day. The Level Of Service will remain at A

(3,900 trips per day) for Midland Road. An existing 60? roadway / easement

exists for Old Pope Road and un-named 60? roadway west of Old Pope Road which

will need to be used to access property as public roads to tie back to Midland

Road.
Surrounding Zoning
North ? A-1 (Agricultural)

South ? M-1 (Light Manufacturing)

East ? A-1 (Agricultural)

West ? A-1 (Agricultural)
Reasonableness of Request
The proposed zoning classification is compatible with existing land-uses

(Garrett Creek) and it is consistent with the future land-use map of the 1998

Comprehensive Plan; however, it would be inconsistent with the future land-use

map of the proposed 2003 Comprehensive Plan update, if approved.
School Impact
This development could average about 80-100 children of various ages.

Elementary age students would attend Mathews Elementary, which has 541 students

(capacity: 450). Middle school age students would attend Midland Middle

School, which has 915 students (capacity: 900). High school age students would

attend Shaw, which has 1,108 students (capacity: 1,200).
Buffer Requirements
The proposed development shall have a Category A buffer requirement along the

southern property line. The 3 options under Category A are:

1) 5 feet with a certain amount of shrubs / ornamental grasses per 100 linear

feet and a wood fence, masonry wall, or earth berm

2) 10 feet with a certain amount of understory trees and shrubs / ornamental

grasses per 100 linear feet

3) 20 feet undisturbed natural buffer.
Attitude of Property Owners
Twenty-seven (27) property owners within 300 feet were notified of the rezoning

request. The Planning Division received several comments opposing this

rezoning request.
Additional Information
None.
Attachments
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