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

3/26/2002
Honorable Mayor and Councilors
City Manager
City Attorney
Clerk of Council

Subject: (ZC0201-1) Request to rezone approximately 7.525 acres of property located at

7401 Whitesville Road



In January 2002, an application was submitted by Brian Grier, Inc. to rezone

the above properties from R-1 (Low Density Residential) District to R-2 (Low

Density Residential) District as outlined in the attached report. Thirteen

(13) property owners within 300 feet were notified of the rezoning request.

The Planning Division received 3 comments opposing this rezoning request.



The Planning Advisory Commission recommends that the request be approved based

upon the fact that it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and a policy

statement (?The City should use zoning regulations to maintain?Whitesville

Road? as a residential area suitable for new housing construction.?); and will

not have a negative impact on the transportation network.



The Planning Division recommends denial based on the fact that it is not an

appropriate use of the property. The

property is bordered on three sides by adjacent properties that are large lot

single family residential. The current R-1

zoning designation allows a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. The

proposed R-2 zoning designation would

lower the minimum lot size by half, to 7,500 square feet. The R-2 zoning would

be bordered on the east, west, and

south by single family lots that are all over 1 acre in size. Those lots would

be bordered by a development that would

create approximately 26 lots confined to 7.525 acres. The applicant has failed

to show why the property

cannot be developed under the current zoning.



Respectfully,

Department of Community & Economic Development

Planning Division
Post Office Box 1340 Columbus, Georgia 31902-1340
Telephone (706) 653-4116 Fax (706) 653-4120

Staff Report
Applicant
Brian Grier, Inc.
Owner
Same
Location
7401 Whitesville Road
Acreage
7.525 acres
Current Zoning Classification
R-1 (Low Density Residential)
Proposed Zoning Classification
R-2 (Low Density Residential)
Current Use of Property
Single family residential
Proposed Use of Property
Single family residential
General Land use
Property is located in Planning District 2

Land Use Designation: 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 Level Of Service will remain at C.
Surrounding Zoning
North ? C-2 (Neighborhood Shopping)

South ? R-1A (Low Density Residential)

East - R-1 (Low Density Residential)

West - R-1A (Low Density Residential)
Reasonableness of Request
The proposed zoning classification is consistent

with

the Comprehensive Plan.
Attitude of Property Owners
Thirteen (13) property owners within 300 feet were notified of the rezoning

request. The Planning Division received 3 comments opposing this rezoning

request.
PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Advisory Commission recommends approval based upon the fact that

it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and a policy statement ("The City

should use zoning regulations to maintain...Whitesville Road...as a residential

area suitable for new housing construction."); and will not have a negative

impact on the transportation network.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Denial based on the fact that it is not an appropriate use of the property.

The property is bordered on three sides by adjacent properties that are large

lot single family residential. The current R-1 zoning designation allows a

minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. The proposed R-2 zoning designation

would lower the minimum lot size by half, to 7,500 square feet. The R-2 zoning

would be surrounded on the west, south, and east by single family lots that are

all over 1 acre in size. Those lots would be bordered by a development that

would create approximately 26 lots on 7.525 acres. The applicant has failed to

show why the property cannot be developed under the current zoning.
Additional Information
The applicant presented his case to PAC on February 6, 2002. The PAC denied

the case by a vote of 3 to 2. The reason for denial was that the proposed

street, which was further north on the original site plan, would cause

potential congestion at the intersection of Double Churches Road and

Whitesville Road. The proposed street would have been close to the driveway

for the proposed commercial development on the southwest corner of that

intersection. The applicant amended the application and presented a new site

plan to the PAC. The new site plan moved the proposed street further south

along Whitesville Road. On March 6, 2002, the PAC voted to approve the request

by a vote of 5 to 2. The applicant will also have to obtain a variance from

Council concerning the distance between intersections. The Subdivision

Regulations states that intersections with arterial streets shall be at least

eight hundred (800) feet apart measured from centerline to centerline. The

proposed street will not meet that criteria.
Attachments
Maps & Photos
Photos \n \n \n \n
Engineering Floodplain Report
Memorandum
Date
1/17/2002
To
Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator
From
Donna Newman, Assistant Director of Engineering
Subject
REZONING AT 7401 Whitesville Road

The Engineering Department has reviewed the above referenced rezoning application(s). Our comments to the requested zoning as regarding the Floodplain Ordinance are as follows:

  • Any apparent impact concerning the Floodplain Ordinance.

  • Floodplain/Floodway Boundary

    1. Property(s) lie within a floodplain.
    2. Property(s) lie withing a floodway.
    3. Property(s) is outside of a studied area, and requires an Engineer to show that it will not be flooded by storm water.

  • Stormwater Runoff Impact

    1. Any apparent impact. Yes
    2. Impact difficult to determine. Yes
    3. Detention requirements will be determined based on impact to existing conditions. Yes
    4. Development will change the runoff from sheet flow to point discharge. Developer should show on his development plans how he intends to address this impact. Yes
  • Other

    These comments are based upon the limited information available at this time.

    More detailed plans may indicate other conclusions.

Traffic Engineering Division Zoning Comments
Zoning Case #ZC0201-1
Date: 3/26/2002
Prepared By: R Riley
Name Of Company Or Persons
Brian Grier, Inc.
ADDRESS OR SITE LOCATION
7401 Whitesville Road
PROPERTY CURRENTLY ZONED
R-1
PROPERTY REQUESTED ZONING
R-2
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Comments
1. Property access: current (r-1), proposed (r-2)



a) Site must conform to current requirements for

R-2 (LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL) District Zoning.



b) Driveways must conform to RESIDENTIAL standards.





2. Traffic Circulation and off-street parking:



a) Off-street parking requirements must meet the Codes and regulations

of the City of Columbus section 22-32.

b) Traffic circulation will be changed by this zoning request.





3. Traffic Impact:

The layout must meet the standards set forth for subdivision design:

intersection with arterials 800 feet or greater.





4. Roadway/Area Lighting:



Additional lighting will be needed.

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