PLANNING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
August 17, 2005
A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, August 17,
2005 in the Council Chambers on the Plaza Level of the Government Center.
Commissioners Present: Vice-Chairperson Mullin, Chris Henson, Joe Alexander,
Berry Henderson, Brad Dodds, Karl Douglass, Bob Crane, and Michael Eddings.
Staff Members: Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator and Tina Trant, Recorder.
Commissioners Absent: Chairperson Derrick Shields
Others Present: Rob McKenna, Robert French, Pastor Jim Swilley, Bettina March.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairperson Mullin called the meeting to order at
9:05 a.m. He explained the rezoning process.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There were no minutes available.
III. NEW REZONING CASES:
1. ZC0507-3: A request to rezone the property located at 375 Farr Road. The
current zoning is General Commercial. The proposed zoning is Residential
Multi-Family 2. The purpose of the rezoning is for apartments. Rob McKenna is
the Applicant.
Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. This case is inconsistent
with the future land use
map of the Comp Plan (Planning District 11), which shows General Commercial.
Policy Statements are not addressed.
It is compatible with existing land uses.
The property does not lie within a studied floodplain and floodway area. The
developer will need an
approved drainage plan prior to issuance of a Site Development Permit, if a
permit is required.
The property is served by all city services.
The proposed project is not expected to have a negative impact on the
transportation network. The current traffic count is 10,180 trips per day and
will increase to 10,644 trips per day. The level of service will remain at D
(11,700 trips per day) for Farr Road.
The site shall meet the codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated
Government for
commercial usage.
This development could average about 2 to 6 children of various ages.
Elementary age students would attend St. Mary?s Elementary, which has 449
students, capacity 425. Middle school age students would attend Rothschild
Middle School, which has 657 students, capacity 725. High school age students
would attend Carver, which has 1,272 students, capacity 1,675.
The proposed project shall have a Category A buffer requirement along all
property lines bordered by the GC zoning district. The three options under
Category A are: 1. 5 feet with a certain amount shrubs / ornamental grasses
per 100 linear feet and a wood fence or masonry wall. 2. 10 feet with a certain
amount of understory trees and shrubs / ornamental grasses per 100 linear feet.
3. 20 feet undisturbed natural buffer.
It is not within Fort Benning?s notification range.
It is not a DRI.
Fifteen (15) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning
request. The Planning
Division did not receive any comments concerning this rezoning request.
No conditions are needed.
Additional information: The applicant is proposing 32 units of which 24 units
will be one bedroom.
Rob McKenna came to the podium. There will be four buildings, 24 units will be
one bedroom, four units will be two bedroom, four units will be three bedroom.
Vice Chairperson Mullin asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Henson
made a motion to approve this rezoning request based on the fact is compatible
with existing land use. Commissioner Eddings seconded. The case was approved
unanimously.
ZC0507-4: A request for a Special Exception Use to operate a day care center
and school at 7300 Whittlesey Blvd, North Highland Assembly of God Church.
Robert French is the Applicant.
Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. The applicant is
requesting a Special Exception Use to operate a daycare center at North
Highland Assembly of God Church. A total of 180 students are expected to
attend the daycare center. The daycare center will consist of young children
ages 0-4 years old. The applicant will utilize an existing structure located
on the site to operate the center. The existing building has twelve
classrooms. The center will operate as a Type III, under the Columbus Unified
Development Ordinance. A daycare center Type III must provide more than 18
clients and be combined with a public facility. This daycare center will be
combined with a place of worship. This type of use is allowed on a
case-by-case basis with a recommendation from the Planning Advisory Commission
and final approval from the City Council.
The current zoning is SFR1. It is in District 2. Land Use Designation shows
Public & Educational.
The property does not lie within a flood plain or floodway area.
North of this property is bordered by SFR1, on the South by SFR3, East by
Residential Office, West by SFR1.
The proposed project is not expected to have a negative impact on the
transportation network. The current traffic count is 529 trips per day for
Whittlesey Blvd. The Level of Service will remain at D (14,200 trips per day)
for Moon Road. The transportation estimate is based on the network only and
does not include intersection or traffic signal impacts. The current daily
traffic count for Moon Road is 14,480.
Forty-five (45) property owners were notified by letter of the special
exception use request. The Planning Division received one comment opposing the
operation of the daycare center.
Whittlesey Blvd. will provide adequate street access to the proposed special
exception use. However, street access from Sweetbriar Way is prohibited.
Sweetbriar Way serves as a residential street for the subdivision behind the
church. Any additional vehicles that travel this route may impede residential
traffic flow within this subdivision. Thus, creating congestion problems,
particularly during peak hours. More than ample traffic capacity exists from
Whittlesey Blvd. City Engineers recommend that the existing gate connecting
Seweetbriar Way and the church property be closed during operating hours of the
daycare center (Monday through Friday). The gate shall be opened during church
ours only.
Egress and ingress is not expected to have a negative effect on the
transportation network from Whittlesey Blvd. The daycare anticipates a
moderate flow of vehicular traffic.
The property is served by all City Services.
The existing structure includes a pick-up and drop-off area, an adequate amount
of parking spaces, lighting and refuse. An existing buffer separates the
daycare center from the residential subdivision.
The primary house of operation will be from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday. An adverse effect may possible occur to residents of
Sweetbriar Way due to traffic congestion. The Planning Division strongly
recommends conditional approval to prohibit street access from Sweetbriar Way
during hours of operation for the daycare center in order to eliminate traffic
through the subdivision behind the church and reduce a negative impact on the
surrounding properties.
No modifications will be made to the exterior of the building. This site is
expected to meet State of Georgia certification requirements and Columbus Code
and Regulations for a daycare center and private school.
Robert French, applicant, came to the podium to present his case. He explained
that they wanted to reopen the day care center and school. There would be
approx. 180 students.
Vice Chairperson Mullin asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner
Douglass made a motion to approve this Special Exception with one condition,
that the existing gate connecting Sweetbriar Way and the church property be
closed during operating hours of the daycare center. Commissioner Crane
seconded. It was approved unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Will Johnson explained about the Georgia Planning Association. He asked if any
members wanted to attend, and to give him their information.
OLD BUSINESS:
VI. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Derrick Shields, Chairperson Will Johnson, Planning
Division Chief
Attachments
No attachments for this document.