Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

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

Council Members

PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING

December 19, 2007



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

2007 in the Council Chambers on the Plaza Level of the Government Center.



Commissioners Present:

Chairperson Karl Douglass

Vice Chairperson Joe Alexander

Commissioners: Scott Boyce Gladys Ford

Lucy Sheftall Michael Eddings

Cathy Hodge



Staff Members: Will Johnson - Planning Department Chief, Tina Trant ? Recording

Secretary.



Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Ronny Smith, Chris Henson.



Others Present: Roy Drake, Dan Whitaker, Andy Rotenstreich, Jay Sanders.



CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Karl Douglass called the meeting to order at 9:07

a.m. He explained the rezoning process to the audience.



APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None.



III. SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS:



SEU0711-2: A request by TCD Services, LLC, for a telecommunications facility

at 7880 Schomburg Road. Kim Bucciero is the applicant.



TCD Services, LLC submitted an application for the Special Exception Use cited

above. The properties are located in an SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1)

District. The purpose of the Special Exception Use is to construct a wireless

communications facility. The applicant wishes to construct a 150-foot monopole

cell tower. In the residential zoning districts, an antenna, tower or

concealed support structure may only be located on a property approved for

non-single-family residential use, such as a multifamily development, a church

or school. The tower is allowed only on a site-specific basis and with the

approval of the City Council based upon the following criteria and conditions:



(1) Access: Is or will the type of street providing access to the use be

adequate to serve the proposed special exception use?



Access to the property is adequate for the proposed use. Ingress/egress shall

be located off Schomburg Road.



(2) Traffic and Pedestrian Safety: Is or will access into and out of the

property be adequate to provide for traffic and pedestrian safety, the

anticipated volume of the traffic flow, and access by emergency vehicles?



There will be no impact to the transportation system, nor will there be any

impact to pedestrian safety.



(3) Adequacy of Public Facilities: Are or will public facilities such as

school, water, or sewer utilities and police and fire protection be adequate to

serve the special exception use?



N/A



(4) Security: Will all towers and related equipment be enclosed by

decay-resistant security fencing not less than six feet in height, and equipped

with anti-climbing devices as appropriate to prevent unauthorized access?



Yes, the compound will be secured by a six-foot chain link fence, with three

rows of class III barbed wire.





(5) Hours of Operation: Will the hours and manner of operation of the special

exception use have no adverse effects on other properties in the area?



N/A



(6) Height Limitations: Does the height of the proposed structure conform to

the restrictions listed in the UDO?



Yes, the proposed tower conforms to the maximum allowable height of 150 feet

for monopoles in this zoning district.





(7) Proximity to Residential Uses: Does the proposed tower conform to the

minimum distance requirement from residential structures and residential

district boundaries as set forth in the UDO?



Yes, the proposed tower is more than 300 feet from the nearest residential

structure.



(8) Landscaping and Screening: Does the site plan incorporate proper

landscaping and screening of the compound and equipment area?



The site plan submitted for the project does not show any landscaping or

screening of the area.



Sixty-one (61) property owners within 300 feet of the parcel were notified by

letter of the proposed Special Exception Use. To date, the Planning Department

has received one comment opposing the Special Exception Use request.



Andy Rotenstreich, representative of the applicant, came to the podium. This

tower will fill in the gap of coverage for residents in North Columbus. The

building will be brick on the outside. It is a good use for the land.



Dan Whitaker of 8267 Midland Trail came to the podium. He wanted more

information about the tower.



Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Hodge

made a motion to approve this rezoning case. Commissioner Eddings seconded.

It was approved unanimously.





REZONING CASES:



ZC0711-3: A request to rezone 0.14 acres located at 620 Brown Avenue. The

current zoning is Residential / Office. The proposed zoning is General

Commercial. The property will be used as a pest control business. Roy Drake is

the applicant.



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. This property is in

Planning District 8. The Land Use Designation shows Mixed Office / Commercial.



Policy Statements: Do not address.



It is compatible with existing land uses.



The property does not lie within a floodplain and floodway area. The developer

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

Permit.



The property is served by all city services.



The proposed project is not expected to have a negative impact on the

transportation network.



The site shall meet the codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated

Government for commercial usage.



School Impact: None.



Buffer Requirement: The proposed development shall have a Category C buffer

requirement along all property lines bordered by the RMF1 zoning district. The

three 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 or

masonry wall. 3. 30 feet undisturbed natural buffer



Fort Benning Recommendation: None.



DRI Recommendation: None.



Forty seven (47) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning Department did not receive any comments concerning this

rezoning request.



Conditions: None.



Additional Information: This property was rezoned to A-O (now RO) in 1992.



Roy Drake, applicant, came to the podium. This property was used as a pest

control business from 1992 until 2006. He has talked to the neighbors. There

is no opposition to the pest control business.



Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Henson

made a motion to approve this rezoning case based on the fact that it is

consistent with existing uses. Commissioner Hodge seconded. It was approved

unanimously.





V. TEXT AMENDMENTS: None.



VI. NEW BUSINESS: Chairperson Karl Douglass was unanimously approved as the

Chairperson for 2008. Vice Chairperson Joe Alexander was

unanimously approved for Vice Chairperson for 2008.



VII. OLD BUSINESS: None.



VIII. ADJOURNMENT: 9:30 a.m.









_______________________________

____________________________________

Karl Douglass, Chairperson Will Johnson, Planning

Department Chief



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