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
ZC0404-2

Applicant
River Island Group
Owner
Steele Properties
Location
6910 River Road
Acreage
13.5 acres
Current Zoning Classification
A-O (Apartment-Office) w/ conditions
Proposed Zoning Classification
A-O (Apartment-Office) w/ amended conditions
Council District
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Advisory Commission recommends conditional approval based on the

fact that it is consistent with the future land-use map of the Comprehensive

Plan, it is compatible with existing land-uses, and there will not be a

negative impact on traffic. Conditions #6 of Ordinance 99-34 shall be amended

to read: 6) the property shall be used as apartments, medical services, and

professional and business offices only.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Division concurs with the recommendation of the Planning Advisory

Commission.
Fort Benning's Recommendation
N/A
DRI Recommendation
General Land use
Property is located in Planning District 2

Land Use Designations: Mixed Office / High 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 9,543 trips per day and

will increase to 11,089 trips per day. The Level Of Service will remain at C

(11,800 trips per day) for River Road. The Spring Harbor development could

generate an additional 243 trips per day, bringing the total to 11,332 trips

per day (still a LOS C).



The design for improvements to the Mobley Road-River Road intersection has been

completed.
Surrounding Zoning
North ? A-O (Apartment-Office)

South ? A-O (Apartment-Office)

East ? R-1A (Low Density Residential)

West ? C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping)
Reasonableness of Request
The proposed zoning classification is compatible with existing land-uses and it

is and would be consistent with the future land-use map of the proposed 2003

Comprehensive Plan update, if approved.
School Impact
This development could average about 15-20 children of various ages.

Elementary age students would attend Double Churches Road Elementary, which has

829 students (capacity: 625). Middle school age students would attend Double

Churches Middle School, which has 820 students (capacity: 625). High school

age students would attend Northside, which has 1,067 students (capacity:

1,200).
Buffer Requirements
The proposed development shall have a Category C buffer requirement along the

eastern property line for all office development. The 3 options under Category

C are:

1. 20 feet with a certain amount of canopy trees, understory trees, and

shrubs / ornamental grasses per 100 linear feet

2. 10 feet with a certain amount of shrubs / ornamental grasses per 100

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

3. 30 feet undisturbed natural buffer.



The apartments proposed on the northern part of the property would require a

Category B buffer along the northeastern property line.
Attitude of Property Owners
Twenty-one (21) property owners within 300 feet were notified of the rezoning

request. The Planning Division received several comments opposing this

rezoning request.
Additional Information
The Planning Advisory Commission conditionally approved this case by a vote of

four (Shields, Henderson, Mullin, and Alexander) to two (Douglass and Crane).
Attachments
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