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

September 5, 2007



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, September 5,

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, Chris Henson, Gladys Ford, Cathy Hodge, Ronny

Smith, Lucy Sheftall, Michael Eddings.



Staff Members: Will Johnson - Planning Department Chief, Lynda Temples ?

Recording Secretary.



Commissioners Absent: None.



Others Present: Van Gray, J. B. Chastain, M.D., Rodney Milner, Dorothy Moore,

Robyn Walker, Jane Ellison Creech, Ted Whealton.



I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Karl Douglass called the meeting to order at 9:00

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



II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 15, 2007. Commissioner Henson made a motion

to approve the minutes. Commissioner Hodge seconded. They were approved

unanimously.



III. TEXT AMENDMENT:



ZC0702-9: Request that amendments be made regarding the Planning Adivsory

Commission (PAC) pertaining to alternates.



The Planning Department is requesting that amendments be made regarding the

Planning Advisory Commission (PAC). In January 2007, the Columbus Council

requested that staff review and research issues pertaining to PAC, such as

senate district residency, gender, and organization, to name a few. The

research was completed and 5 options were presented to Council on August 28,

2007. The Council chose Option C, which was to maintain the status quo with an

exception regarding alternates. Those positions would be eliminated from the

ordinance and converted to voting positions.



To be amended:



Section 9.2.3. Planning Advisory Commission.



B. Composition, Appointment and Compensation

1. Composition. The Planning Advisory Commission shall consist of

nine members appointed by the Council.

Delete all further references to alternate members.

The Planning Department recommends approval.





Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Henson

made a motion to approve

this text amendment. Commissioner Sheftall seconded. It was approved

unanimously.











REZONING CASES:





ZC0708-1: A request to rezone .32 acres located at 2701 Waverly Avenue and

1143 & 1145 27th Street. The current zoning is RMF1 (Residential Multi Family

1) zoning district. The proposed zoning is NC (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning

district. The property will be used as retail. TJ Realestate, LLC 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 8. The Land Use

Designation shows Medium Density Residential.



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:

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

shrubs/ornamental grasses per 100 linear feet.

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

and a wood fence or masonry wall.

30 feet undisturbed natural buffer.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None.



DRI Recommendation: None.



Twenty-six (26) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning Department did receive one phone call for information

concerning this rezoning request.



Conditions: None.



Additional information: None.



Dorothy Moore, of TJ Realestate, came to the podium. She stated that the

future business on this property will be a store or restaurant. It is across

the street from Ashley Station. Commissioner Smith asked Ms. Moore about the

house next door and if this house would be torn down. Chairperson Douglass

asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Boyce made a motion to approve

this rezoning case because it is compatible with existing land uses.

Commissioner Henson seconded. It was approved unanimously.





ZC0708-3: A request to rezone 1.1 acres located at 3705 Willis Road. The

current zoning is SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) zoning district. The

proposed zoning is RO (Residential Office) zoning district. The property will

be used as multi family residential. J. B. Chastain is the applicant.





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

with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 8. The Land Use Designation

shows Mixed Office /High Density Residential.



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 SFR2 zoning district. The

three options under Category C are:



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

shrubs/ornamental grasses per 100 linear feet.

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

and a wood fence or masonry wall.

30 feet undisturbed natural buffer.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None.



DRI Recommendation: None.



Sixteen (16) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning Department did receive one phone call opposing this

rezoning request.



Conditions: None.



Additional information: None.



Dr. J. B. Chastain, applicant, came to the podium. He wants to build 18

townhouses on this property. He showed pictures to the members. He does not

believe it will be spot zoning.



Ted Whealton, property owner on Willis Road, came to the podium. He also

passed out pictures to the PAC members. He says the street is too narrow and

the sewer line may not be large enough to handle the additional load. He has

concerns about parking. He is also concerned about traffic issues.



Jane Ellison Creech, 3703 Willis Road, came to the podium. She is against the

rezoning. The road is outdated and not able to handle traffic. She is

concerned about the neighborhood being overcrowded already. Commissioner

Smith asked the board to look at denying this request to rezone.



Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Boyce

made a motion to approve this rezoning case because it is compatible with

existing land uses. Commissioner Alexander seconded. It was approved four

(Boyce, Alexander, Eddings, Hodge) to two (Smith, Sheftall).





ZC0708-4: A request to rezone 1.00 acre located at 7519 Fortson Road. The

current zoning is NC (Neighborhood Commercial) zoning district. The proposed

zoning is GC (General Commercial) zoning district. The property will be used

as retail. Rodney Milner 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 2. The Land Use

Designation shows Low Density Residential.



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 SFR1 zoning district. The

three options 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.



Twenty-four (24) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this

rezoning request. The Planning Department did receive one phone call for

information concerning this rezoning request.



Conditions: None.



Additional information: This is the site of the former Fortson Road BBQ.



Rodney Milner, applicant, came to the podium. He wants to rezone this property

for retail. The old restaurant on this property may be torn down. There is a

garden center down the street. There is a garage and a fence company. Further

down there is a lumber company.



Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Eddings

made a motion to approve this rezoning case because it is compatible with

existing land uses. Commissioner Alexander seconded. It was approved

unanimously.







NEW BUSINESS:



V. OLD BUSINESS: None.



VI. ADJOURNMENT: 10:45 a.m.







_______________________________

____________________________________

Karl Douglass, Chairperson Will Johnson, Planning

Department Chief



Attachments


No attachments for this document.

Back to List