Columbus, Georgia

Georgia's First Consolidated Government

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

Council Members

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS





REGULAR MEETING - 2:00 P.M. ? September 3rd, 2008





The Regular Meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals was held Wednesday,

September 3rd, 2008, at 2:00 P.M., on the 1st Floor of the Government Center

Annex in the conference room, 420-10th Street. Mr. Ralph King, Board Chairman,

called the meeting to order. The board members present were:



Mr. Wright Wade

Mr. Willie Lewis, Jr.

Mr. Bill Hart



Also present representing the Inspections and Code Enforcement Department was

Mr. Danny Cargill, Secretary of the Board, and Mrs. Ami Musselman, Recording

Secretary.





CASE NO. 08-V064-GRANTED

Mr. Curtis Weeks of Weeks Construction Co, for a variance from the zoning

ordinance for 620 Baxley Way, to request that the side yard setback be reduced

from 8 feet to 5 feet in order to erect a carport. The property is zoned SFR2.



Mr. Weeks requested the variance in order to erect an 11x20 open carport over

the existing driveway. He stated the same type materials would be used, as

well as have the same pitch as the current roof. There would be no gutters;

however, the water drainage would not change. Mr. Weeks said that the

neighbors were not opposed to placing the carport over the existing driveway.



There was no opposition present for this appeal



Mr. Wade made a motion to grant this request due to the fact the carport would

be placed over an existing driveway as well as be open and not enclosed. Mr.

Lewis seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 08-V065-GRANTED

Mr. Terry Hilyer of Hilyer Construction Co, Inc., for a variance

from the zoning ordinance for 3705 Willis Road, to reduce the separation

between buildings from 20 feet to 14 feet. The property is zoned RO.



Mr. Hilyer was present on behalf of Dr. Chastain who owns the property. He

stated the unit could be off set without a variance; however, they did not wish

to proceed that way. Mr. Hilyer stated they wanted to maintain the looks of

the complex by placing the unit in a section that would require the additional

feet necessary in the variance.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Wade made a motion to grant this request stating that the unit could be

moved back without opposition or a variance necessary. Mr. Lewis seconded the

motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 08-V066-GRANTED

Mr. Stefan Newsome on behalf of Action Buildings, for a variance from the

zoning ordinance for 4027 Creek Bend Ridge, to reduce the rear setback from 25

feet required to 5 feet. The property is zoned RE1.



Mr. Newsome stated a variance was granted for 4051 Creek Bend Ridge and

therefore would appreciate a variance being granted for this property as well.

The variance is necessary due to the preservation of the wetlands located

behind the property. Mr. Newsome further stated that the structure would line

up with another building that had previously obtained a variance.



Mr. King stated there was one opposing phone call for this appeal. Mr. Cargill

was asked for the callers name; however, it was not given. The caller stated

they lived on Travelers Way, with their property backing up to Mr. Newsome?s

property in question, but left no name.



Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant this request due to the fact there was a

previous variance granted for the same street due to the wetland preservation.

Mr. Hart seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.





CASE NO. 08-V067-GRANTED

Mr. Dale Smith of Ray M. Wright, Inc., for a variance from the zoning ordinance

for 6039 White Pine Drive, to reduce the right side setback from 8 feet to 7

feet, 1 inch. The property is zoned SFR3.



Mr. Smith stated the reason for the variance was due to a bay window in the

dining area. He stated there was a little room on the opposite side should he

need it. However, the 7 feet, 1 inch should suffice. The property is located

in Garret Pines subdivision.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Wade made a motion to grant this request due to the fact the only problem

for this property was the bay window. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion

carried unanimously.







CASE NO. 08-V068-GRANTED

Mr. Mercer Graddy of St. Mary?s Hotel, LLC, for a variance from the zoning

ordinance for 3930 St. Mary?s Road, to increase the sign height from 35 feet

allowed to 100 feet. The property is zoned GC.



Mr. Graddy explained the research that went into requesting the 100 feet

variance. They placed a boom truck in the spot and lifted a sheet of plywood

to various heights in order to determine where the sign would be best viewed

from the interstate. Mr. Graddy stated most of their guests come from

travelers on Interstate 185; therefore, it was necessary to raise the sign to

the 100 feet in order for them to be able to get off the interstate in time.

He stated the sign would be lighted but will not be a LED sign.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Wade made a motion to grant this request due to the height research that

was done. The new height is necessary in order for the travelers to get off

the interstate on time. Mr. Hart seconded the motion.







CASE NO. 08-V069-GRANTED



Mr. Warren Mason representing James Clark, III, for a variance from the zoning

ordinance for 5401 Whittlesey Boulevard, to increase the number of required

parking spaces from 41 to 54. The property is zoned GC.



Mr. Mason stated the additional spaces were needed due to the nature of the

business. The landscaping will meet and exceed the requirements.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant this request due to the fact it was only

increasing the number of spaces by 13 spaces, as well as exceed the existing

landscape requirements. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. Motion carried

unanimously.







CASE NO. 08-V070-GRANTED



Donna Langer on behalf of Cougar Village, for a variance from the zoning

ordinance for 4712 Milgen Road, to erect a wall sign, which is not permitted in

residential districts. The property is zoned RMF2.



Ms. Langer stated the wall sign would help to identify the address in emergency

situations, as well as improve the looks of the property. The complex is

rather large and does not have an entrance sign. She stated there were other

apartment complexes that were allowed wall signs. However, this property was

zoned residential, which is why the variance is necessary. She was also issued

a citation and told a variance would be required.



Ms. Patrice Holt was in attendance regarding the sign variance. Ms. Holt

stated she worked at Cooper Creek Pet Care and often used the sign as a

landmark giving directions to her office. She is not opposed to the wall sign,

in fact would like to see it allowed.



Mr. William Bray, in the audience, spoke up in support of the wall sign. His

office is located nearby and he would have no problem with the sign being

allowed.



Ms. Lisa Davis spoke in opposition of the sign variance. She stated the sign

would be unattractive.



Mr. Wade made a motion to grant this request due to the fact there were two (2)

people in favor of the wall sign. He further stated the sign would help

identify the property and also used the same logo of the Columbus State

University Cougars. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.



CASE NO. 08-V071-GRANTED



Mr. Wylie Gray on behalf of Edgewood United Methodist Church, for a variance

from the zoning ordinance for 3969 Edgewood Circle, to increase the square

footage of a ground sign from 15 feet allowed to 42 feet shown. The property

is zoned RMF2.



Mr. Gray stated the church was left a bequeath and they wished to use it for a

sign. The sign will be internally lit and not a LED. Mr. Gray also stated the

sign pole would be cut down to 3 feet, will not face any residences and would

not obstruct traffic. If so desired, they are willing to put the sign?s light

on a timer. Mr. Gray mentioned the church would be willing to put the sign

closer to the church if necessary once it is evaluated.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant this request due to the fact the sign will be

lit and will replace the existing sign. Mr. Hart seconded the motion. Motion

carried unanimously.



CASE NO. 08-V072-GRANTED



Warren Mason on behalf of Moon, Meeks, Mason & Vinson, Inc., for a variance

from the zoning ordinance for 4809 Armour Road, to reduce the front yard

setback from 25 feet required to 12 feet; reduce the side yard setback from 12

feet required to 5 feet; rear yard buffer from 10 feet required to 3 feet;

reduce the corner side yard setback from 25 feet required to 4 feet; and reduce

the street buffer from 5 feet required to 4 feet.



Also present was Mr. Marcus Coyle, the property owner, as well as Mr.

Stephens.



Mr. Mason stated that Mr. Coyle owned the parcel at the rear of 4809 Armour

Road. Mr. Coyle would like to place the building in the front with the parking

in the rear. Mr. Mason stated they had tried to place the parking in front,

however, that did not leave enough space for the building. Mr. Mason also

stated that they would keep the building off Armour Road as much as possible.

There is currently a landscape buffer.



There was no opposition present for this appeal. However, Mr. Coyle mentioned a

neighbor may have an issue with blocking his sign but the neighbor was not

present. Duck Ruddy, who is next door, thinks the building will improve the

area and did not oppose the setback reductions.



Mr. Wade made a motion to grant this request due to the fact that the engineer

played with the location and found the best fit was with the building in front

and parking in rear. He further stated that since Mr. Coyle owned the parcel

to the rear of the property there wouldn?t be an encroachment issue. Mr. Lewis

seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.



CASE NO. 08-V073-GRANTED



Mr. William Bray on behalf of Endocrine Consultants, for a variance from the

zoning ordinance for 2425 Brookstone Centre Parkway, to increase the number of

parking spaces from 37 to 83. The property is zoned CO.



Gina, the office manager at Endocrine Consultants, was also in attendance.



Mr. Bray stated the additional parking spaces were needed in order to alleviate

parking traffic. Currently the parking spills over into the cul-de-sac. On

any given day the office will see between 325-475 patients. Mr. Bray advised

the owner had purchased the parcel in the rear of this property for future

expansion. However, at this time a building expansion was not planned.



There was no opposition present for this appeal.



Mr. Hart made a motion to grant this request due to the fact the owner

purchased the parcel behind the building in order to expand his business. Mr.

Hart further explained the increase in parking spaces was due to their need.

Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.



Mr. King made a motion to accept the minutes from the July 2008 meeting as

written. Mr. Wade seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.



Other Business



Mr. King made a motion to excuse Mr. Borom from the meeting due to being out of

town on business. Motion was seconded and all members were in agreement. Mr.

Borom was excused from the September meeting.







There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned

at 3:00 p.m.













____________________ ________________

Ralph King William L. Duck, Jr.

Chairperson Secretary





_____________________ __________________

Wright Wade Danny Cargill

Vice Chairperson Acting Secretary





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