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

June 7, 2006



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, June 7, 2006

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



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Shields, Vice Chairperson Shep Mullin,

Alternate Scott Boyce, Commissioners Chris Henson, Joe Alexander, Brad Dodds,

Karl Douglass, Bob Crane and Alternate Michael Eddings.



Staff Members: Will Johnson, Planning Chief and Tina Trant, Recorder



Commissioners Absent:



Others Present: Randolph Schmidt, David Erickson, Genevieve Green, Robert

Morrison, Perrin Nicolson, Robert Ashley.



I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Shields called the meeting to order at

9:05 a.m. He explained the rezoning process to the audience. Alternate Scott

Boyce was introduced to the other commissioners and the audience.



II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Vice Chairperson Mullin made a motion to

approve the minutes for May 17, 2006. Commissioner Henson seconded. They were

approved unanimously.

Commissioner Eddings will vote for Commissioner Dodds.



III. REZONING CASES:



ZC0605-2: A request to rezone 0.7386 acres located at 4817 Miller Road. The

current zoning is Single Family Residential 1. The proposed zoning is Light

Manufacturing Industrial. The property will be used for a parking lot. David

Erickson is the applicant.



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

with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 3. The Land Use Designation

shows Mixed Commercial / Industrial.



Policy Statements are not addressed.



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: None.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None



DRI Recommendation: None.



Thirteen (13) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning

Division did not receive any comments concerning this rezoning request.



Conditions needed: None.



Additional information: Mr. Erickson has already zoned three LMI properties

that surround this property.



David Erickson, applicant, came to the podium. He wants to put in a parking

lot and office with storage equipment for a construction company.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Douglass

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

consistent with the future land use map and it is compatible with existing land

uses. Commissioner Alexander seconded. The case was unanimously approved.



2. ZC0605-3: A request to rezone 0.57 acres located at 4013 - 4025 Second

Avenue. The current zoning is Residential Multi-Family 1. The

proposed zoning is

Neighborhood Commercial. The property will be used for a Veterinary

office. Randolph Schmidt is the applicant.



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

inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 5. The Land Use

Designation shows Low Density Residential. It is consistent with the Second

Avenue Redevelopment Plan (2002 Update). Land Use Designation shows Commercial.



Policy Statements: Not addressed.



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 SFR4 Zoning district. The

three options under Category C are: 1 ? 20 feet with a certain amount of

canopy trees, understory trees, 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.



Thirty-seven (37) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this

rezoning request. The Planning Division did receive one comment concerning this

rezoning request. The citizens who live north of this property asked Mr.

Johnson to request that the property only be used for a veterinary office.



Conditions needed: None.



Additional information: None.



Randolph Schmidt, of the Allen Development Group, applicant, came to the

podium. Ms. Carol Goodman is the citizen who made the comments to Will

Johnson. The applicant has spoken to her and they do have a veterinary who

wants to open a veterinary office on this site.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Crane made

a motion to approve the rezoning case based on the facts that it is consistent

with the Second Avenue Redevelopment Plan and there will be no impact on

traffic or schools. Commissioner Mullin seconded. The case was approved by a

vote of five (Crane, Mullin, Eddings, Alexander, Douglass) to one (Henson).





ZC0605-4: A request to rezone parts of 1.28 acres located at 3556 and 3562 St.

Mary?s Road. The current zoning is Single Family Residential 3. The proposed

zoning is General Commercial. The property is to be used for mini-storage

units. Robert Morrison is the applicant.



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. This case is not

consistent with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 10. The Land Use

Designation shows Low Density Residential.



Policy Statements: Not addressed.



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: There is no school impact.



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

requirement along all property lines bordered by the SFR3 zoning district. The

three options under Category C are: 1 ? 20 feet with a certain amount of

canopy trees, understory trees, 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.



Twenty-eight (28) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this

rezoning request. The Planning Division received one letter opposing the

rezoning.



Conditions needed: None.



Additional information: The properties proposed for rezoning are surrounded by

the GC zoning district.



Robert Morrison of 3562 St. Mary?s Road, applicant, came to the podium. He is

the owner of the property and wants to build mini-storage units. Surrounding

property is general commercial, including a trailer park.



Chairperson Shields read a letter in opposition from Mr. Carlton Bledsoe.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Henson

made a motion to approve this case based on the facts that it is compatible

with existing land use and it is served by all City services. Commissioner

Crane seconded. It was approved unanimously.





4. ZC0605-5: A request to rezone 0.36 acres located at 2234 Elm Drive. The

current zoning is Neighborhood Commercial. The proposed zoning is General

Commercial. The property is to be used for plumbing supply and contractor.

Perrin Nicolson is the applicant.



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

inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 7. The Land Use

Designation shows Neighborhood Commercial.



Policy Statements: Are not addressed.



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: None.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None.



DRI Recommendation: None.



Twelve (12) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning

Division did not receive any comments concerning this rezoning request.



Conditions needed: None.



Additional information: The aerial map shows a building on this site. It has

been demolished since the map was made and is a vacant lot.



Perrin Nicolson, applicant, came to the podium. He represents James Gallops,

who wants to build a plumbing and supply business.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Alexander

made a motion to approve this case based on the facts that it is compatible

with existing land uses and it is served by all City services. Commissioner

Dodds seconded. It was approved unanimously.



V. TEXT AMENDMENT:



ZC0605-6: Text Amendment to allow university or college use in Residential

Office zoning district as a special exception.



Genevieve Green of the George C. Woodruff Company is requesting that

universities or colleges be permitted in the RO (Residential Office) zoning

district as a Special Exception use. The Special Exception Use requirement

allows for staff and PAC to have review oversight and Council to have

approval/denial authority of a university or college in an RO zoning district.

Universities and colleges are only permitted in the GC zoning district. The

Planning Department supports the text amendment. The proposed location is

North Lake Drive.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Alexander

made a motion to approve this Text Amendment. Commissioner Henson seconded.

This case was approved five (Mullin, Henson, Dodds, Alexander, Crane) to one

(Douglass).



VI. SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE:



SEU0605-1: Special Exception Use request to operate a university or college at

7200 North Lake Drive. George C. Woodruff Company is the applicant.



The George C. Woodruff Company submitted an application for the Special

Exception Use cited above. The property is located in an RO

(Residential-Office) District. The proposed text amendment will allow

universities and colleges as Special Exception Uses in RO zoning districts.

The purpose of the Special Exception Use is to operate a university or college

as a Special Exception Use. If the text amendment is approved by Council,

universities or colleges shall be permitted in an RO zoning district only on a

site-specific basis upon approval of the 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 onto North Lake Drive.

This street connects to a 4-way intersection at Double Churches Road, which

provides excellent access to Fortson Road, Double Churches Road, Veterans

Parkway, and JR Allen Parkway.



(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?



Peak time morning traffic on Double Churches Road should not be affected.

However, afternoon peak time may cause delays. The proposed use is expected to

adequately meet requirements for ingress and egress, internal circulation

(traffic and pedestrian), traffic volume, and public safety access. Pedestrian

traffic along North Lake Drive is good due to the low traffic volume and wide

sidewalks along said road. Public safety access is not a problem.



(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?



The proposed use is served by all city services. There will be no school

impact.



(4) Protection from Adverse Affects: Are or will refuse, service, parking and

loading areas on the property be located or screened to protect other

properties in the area from such adverse effects as noise, light, glare or odor?



The proposed use is not expected to adversely affect neighboring properties.

Issues dealing with parking, loading, external dumpsters / compactors, and

light are addressed in the UDO. Noise impacts are addressed in the City Code.



(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?



The university/college will be open daily from approximately 9 AM to 10 PM. The

neighboring properties should not be affected by the proposed use.



(6) Compatibility: Will the height, size, or location of the buildings or other

structures on the property be compatible with the height, size, character, or

location of buildings or other structures on neighboring properties?



The proposed use is in the back of an office complex and will be adjacent to

Hamilton Station apartment complex, which has multi-story units. The proposed

structures should not have a detrimental effect on neighboring properties.



Four (4) property owners within 300 feet of the parcel were notified by letter

of the proposed Special Exception Use. To date, the Planning Division has not

received any comments about the Special Exception Use request.



Genevieve Green, applicant, came to the podium. They want a special exception

use to operate a private college at 7200 North Lake Drive. It will be similar

to the University of Phoenix.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Vice Chairperson Mullin

made a motion to approve this case based on the information in the staff

report. Commissioner Henson seconded. It was approved unanimously.





ZC0604-4: A request to rezone 0.49 acres located at 3918 Fairview Drive. The

current zoning is Single Family Residential 2. The proposed zoning is Single

Family Residential 3. The property will be used for single family

residential. Rick Norris is the applicant.



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

inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 7. The Land Use

Designation shows Low Density Residential.



Policy Statements: It is compatible with Policy Statement ? Residential

Development Policy Statement #3.



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 residential usage.



School Impact: This development could have a maximum of 5 to 10 children of

various ages. Elementary age students would attend Reese Road Elementary,

which has 483 students, capacity 513. Middle school age students would attend

Fort Middle School, which 547 students, capacity 600. High school age students

would attend Hardaway, which has 1,350 students, capacity 1,250.



Buffer Requirement: There will be no buffer requirement.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None.



DRI Recommendation: None.



Thirty-two (32) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning Division received one comment concerning this rezoning

request.



Conditions needed: None



Additional information: Another property across Hiddenwoods Drive, at 3900

Reese Road, was rezoned by Mr. Norris last year.



Robert Ashley, representative of Rick Norris, came to the podium. Mr. Ashley

states that the front portion of 3918 Reese Road is already zoned SFR3. They

want to rezone the back part. Our maps do not show this as being SFR3 but we

will check it out.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Douglass

made a motion to approve this case based on the facts that it is consistent

with the future land use map, it is compatible with existing land use.

Commissioner Henson seconded. It was approved unanimously.





VII. NEW BUSINESS: None



OLD BUSINESS: None



IX. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.







______________________________ _______________________________

Derrick Shields, Chairperson Will Johnson, Planning

Division Chief

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