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

November 7, 2007



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

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

Ronny Smith Gladys Ford

Lucy Sheftall



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

Secretary.



Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Michael Eddings, Cathy Hodge.



Others Present: Sandy Harris, April Hocutt, Scott Pearson, Elizabeth Pearson,

Todd Reaves, George Lotz, Carolyn Lotz, Sue Ann Holmes, Lizzie Adams, Ruben

Eason, Kristy Dugan, Don Langford, Gary Lisle, Andy Robinson, Hugh White.



I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Karl Douglass called the meeting to order at 9:04

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



II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 19, 2007. Commissioner Henson made a motion

to accept the minutes. Commissioner Smith seconded. They were approved

unanimously.



III. ZONING CASES:



ZC0710-1: A request to rezone property at 1300 6th Avenue. The current zoning

is Light

Manufacturing Industrial. The proposed zoning is General Commercial.

The reason for this request is

Zoning Compliance. Todd Reaves, George Mize are the applicants.



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 / 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: None.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None.



DRI Recommendation: None.



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

rezoning request. The Planning Department did not receive any comments

regarding this rezoning request.



Conditions: None.



Additional information: The current offices are legal, existing, nonconforming

uses.



Todd Reaves, applicant, came to the podium. The current use for the building

is nonconforming. The reason for rezoning is for zoning compliance.



Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Boyce

made a motion to approve this rezoning case based on the fact that it will not

have a negative impact on the transportation network. Commissioner Alexander

seconded. It was approved unanimously.





ZC0710-2: A request to rezone 1.5 acres located at 1500, 1502 & 1512 Dixon

Drive / 1507 Wells

Drive. The current zoning is Residential Multi-Family 2 and Single Family

Residential 2. The proposed zoning is Residential Multi-Family 2. The

property will be used for multi-family residential. April Hocutt is the

applicant.



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

in Planning District 8. 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 B buffer

requirement along all property lines bordered by the SFR2 zoning district. The

3 options under Category B are:

15 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 understory trees and shrubs / ornamental

grasses per 100 linear feet and a wood fence or masonry wall.

20 feet undisturbed natural buffer.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None.



DRI Recommendation: None.



Fifty - nine (59) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this

rezoning request. The Planning Department received several comments regarding

this rezoning request.



Conditions: 1. The property on Dixon Drive is already zoned RMF2 and there

shall be no more than 32 units.



Additional information: None.



April Hocutt, applicant, came to the podium. The current building at 1500

Dixon Drive will be demolished There have been vagrants and vandals in the

building. There will be 23 one bedroom apartments and 8 two bedroom

apartments. This will be a gated community, maybe wrought iron fencing. The

units will be brick and stucco. The one bedroom apartments will be

approximately 1000 sf. The two bedroom apartments will be approximately 1500

sf.



Teresa Tomlinson, Chairman of Midtown, Inc. came to the podium. It is

compatible with the Midtown Masterplan. They do have some concerns about the

design, variances, and setbacks.



George Lotz, Dixon Drive, came to the podium. He is opposed to the rezoning.

He plays with his kids on this property and does not want it developed. There

will not be enough parking for the tenants. There will be too much traffic.

Dixon Drive will become a cut through street.



Sue Ann Holmes, 1513 Wells Drive, came to the podium. She stated she did not

get a letter. The letter was sent to John J. and Sue Ann Holmes, 1513 Wells

Drive, Columbus, Georgia 31906. She is also opposed to the rezoning.



Tim Spain owns a duplex at 1518 Dixon Drive, which is next to the property to

be rezoned. He is undecided if he is opposed to the rezoning or is in favor of

it. He is concerned about the traffic.



Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Alexander

made a motion to approve this rezoning case with one condition: there will be

no more than 32 units. Commissioner Henson seconded. It was approved

unanimously.





ZC0710-3: A request to rezone 1.00 acre located at 1510 & 1516 22nd Street /

2008-2010 & 2002 15th Avenue. The current zoning is Residential Multi-Family

1. The proposed zoning is Residential / Office. The property is and will be

used for the Pastoral Institute. They are expanding. April Hocutt is the

applicant.



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

in 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: None.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None.



DRI Recommendation: None.



Seventy-nine (79) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this

rezoning request. The Planning Department did not receive any comments

regarding this rezoning request.



Conditions: None.



Additional Information: None.



April Hocutt, applicant, came to the podium. The Pastoral Institute is

expanding. They will demolish the structures there now and build new buildings

to make a more cohesive campus.



Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Henson

made a motion to approve this 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. It was approved unanimously.





ZC0710-4: A request to rezone 9.03 acres located at 6890 River Road. The

current zoning is Residential / Office and Single Family Residential 1. The

proposed zoning is Residential / Office. The property will be used for an

office park. The LRW Group, LLC is the applicant.



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

in Planning District 2. 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

3 options under Category C are:

20 feet with a certain amount of canopy tress, 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.



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

request. The Planning Department received comments regarding this rezoning

request.



Conditions: None.



Additional Information: The southern portion of this property was rezoned to

RO in 1996. The conditions expired in 2006.



Hugh White, 3412 Hilton Avenue, applicant, came to the podium. He is one of

three owners. The others are Gary Lisle and Andy Robinson. They want to

rezone this property for a medical and business office ark. Part of this

property was rezoned 10 years ago. They have talked extensively to the

surrounding property owners. They are in favor of the rezoning.



Alan Kamensky came to the podium. He is in favor of this rezoning. The

applicant has contacted him and explained everything to him.



Don Langford, 6811 Creekview Court, came to the podium. 16 out of 28 people in

his subdivision are in favor of this rezoning. This is the most compatible

planning he has seen for this property.



Chairperson Douglass asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Alexander

made a motion to approve this rezoning case. It is compatible with land uses,

and it is the best use of the property.

Commissioner Boyce seconded. It was approved unanimously. Conditions are

listed below. TEXT AMENDMENT:





ZC0710-5: A request to amend three major changes in the UDO: 1. Bed and

Breakfast Inns ? Owner Occupancy, remove this requirement; 2. Exterior Finish

Installation, remove this section, it is basically unenforceable; 3. Need to

add language to permit portable signs for use with non-profit organizations.





Section No. Change Error Correction Needed Comments

3.2.13.B Major Bed and Breakfast Inns - Owner Occupancy Remove this requirement Major change. City

Attorney's office has ruled that this requirement is unconstitutional.

4.2.14.3 Major Exterior Finish Installation Remove this section. Section is basically

unenforceable Major change. Enforcement of this requirement has the potential for creating

problems between property owners.

4.4.7.B.4 Major Need to add language to permit portable signs for use with nonprofit

organizations Add the following to this section: "Such signs may be allowed on residentially

zoned property when associated with special events sponsored in whole by

religious, charitable, nonprofit or public service groups, and shall only be

allowed with the approval of the Inspections and Code Department 30 days prior

to the event and must be removed within five following the event." Major change. Would

allow religious organizations and other the right to display a portable sign in

residential zones.

















V. SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS:



6. SEU0710-1: A request by Green Acres Cemetery, Inc. for an expansion of the

cemetery office and maintenance facility. This request is for Zoning

Compliance. Ronald Hale is the applicant.



Seven property owners were not notified. Therefore, this case is tabled until

the next PAC Meeting, which will be December 5, 2007. There are some citizens

here for the case and they will be heard.



Barrington Gibson, 6935 Cove Circle came to the podium. He was upset because

he did not get a letter. He is outside the 300? notification line. He is

opposed to the Special Exception. He will be looking out his back door at a

cemetery.



Abraham Fluellen is also opposed. He says he emailed Mr. Johnson but did not

get an answer back. Mr. Johnson stated he did not get an email from Mr.

Fluellen. Mr. Johnson gave him his email address and asked him to resend his

email. Mr. Fluellen is opposed to the rezoning.



William Rutledge lives across from the cemetery. He is opposed to the rezoning.



This case will be approved or denied at the PAC meeting on December 5, 2007.







VI. NEW BUSINESS:



VII. OLD BUSINESS: None.



VIII. ADJOURNMENT: 10:55 a.m.







_______________________________

____________________________________

Karl Douglass, Chairperson Will Johnson, Planning

Department Chief



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