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

May 18, 2005



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, May 18, 2005

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



Commissioners Present: Vice Chairperson Mullin, Chris Henson, Brad Dodds, Karl

Douglass, Bob Crane, Joe Alexander and Michael Eddings.



Staff Members: Will Johnson, Zoning Administrator and Tina Trant, Recorder.



Commissioners Absent: Chairperson Shields, Berry Henderson.



Others Present: April Halstead, Edward French, Jim Woodcox, Steven Cadranel,

Scott Turk, Jeff Williams, W. T. Marrow, Willie Brown, Frank Dillard, Jennifer

Allen, Bruce Hutchens, Nichet Antoine, Barbara Kennon.



I. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairperson Mullin called the meeting to order at 9:10

a.m. He explained the rezoning process. Commissioner Eddings will vote in

place of Vice Chairperson Mullin who is Chairperson today. Commissioner Henson

will vote for Commissioner Henderson, who is absent.



APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None



TABLED CASES:



1. ZC0502-8: A request to rezone 112.73 acres located north of St. Mary?s

Road, bordered by Fort Benning. The current zoning is R-1A (Low Density

Residential) District. The proposed zoning is R-3A (Medium Density

Residential) District and R-4 (High Density Residential) District. The purpose

of the rezoning is for single family residential and multi-family residential.



Kimbrough Properties, L.P, 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). The

future land use map shows Low Density Residential.



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 5,360 trips per day and

will increase to 10,457 trips per day. The level of service will increase to C

(11,800 trips per day) for St. Mary?s Road.



The site shall meet the codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated

Government for commercial and residential usage.



The development could average about 200 to 300 children of various ages.

Elementary age students would attend Dawson Elementary which has 392 students,

capacity 475. Middle School age students would attend East Columbus Middle

School which has 664 students, capacity 675. High school age students would

attend Kendrick which has 978 students, capacity 1,375.



The proposed development shall have a Category B buffer requirement along all

property lines bordered by the SFR2 zoning district. The three options under

Category B are: 1. 15 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 understory trees and shrubs / ornamental grasses per 100

linear feet and a wood fence, masonry wall or earth berm. 3. 20 feet

undisturbed natural buffer.



Fort Benning?s recommendation is pending. The property is not near the firing

range but is near areas where smoke can be a problem.



It is not a DRI.



Forty-one (41) 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: 1. All lighting shall be directed internally. 2. Any

external trash dumpsters / compactors shall be visually obstructed by a

structure that is aesthetically similar to the proposed development. 3.

Screening for air conditioners, refrigeration units and heat pumps shall be

required for all development on the property. 4. No external trash dumpsters /

compactors shall be located along the west property line. 5. The

aforementioned conditions shall only apply to multi-family development on the

property subject to rezoning. 6. A smoke disclosure statement shall be

required in all home sales. The requirement for the disclosure shall be

included in the restrictive covenants of said development. 7. Restrictive

covenants shall be required for any single family development on the property.



There is no additional information.



Linda Dam, 1009 Waterstone Court, representative of Kimbrough Properties, LLC,

came to the podium. Kimbrough Properties has owned this property for over 50

years using it as a farm. They want to develop the property as medium density

residential. They want to construct 250 homes on 77 acres, the remaining 37

acres will be multi family. There will be two entrances and exits at St. Mary?s

Road. Across the street is R-3A and R-4. They are asking for R-3A, not R-3A

and R-4 as previously stated.



Jennifer Allen, Muscogee County School District, came to the podium to address

Commissioner Henson?s concerns about the schools in this area.



W. T. Marrow, 5755 Germantown Road, came to the podium. He is opposed to this

development. He has a petition from the residents in this area. He is

concerned about an emergency in this area and only one way out. He is also

concerned about the rainwater overflowing into the neighbors yard. Mr. Marrow

brought in a video tape showing Tiger Creek flooding after a hard rain and it

was shown to the audience.



Willie Brown, 25 Middleton Place, came to the podium in opposition. The issue

he is concerned with is an emergency happening and being trapped. He stated it

is a nightmare waiting to happen.



Willie Johnson, 5716 St. Mary?s Road, came to the podium in opposition. He is

against this rezoning. He wanted information about the buffer. The only

buffer that is required is along the west property line along St. Mary?s Road.



Bonnie Johnson, 5716 St. Mary?s Road, came to the podium in opposition. She is

concerned about the traffic.



Vice-Chairperson Mullin asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner

Douglass made a motion to deny this request. It is inconsistent with the

future land use map. Commissioner Crane seconded. The vote was unanimous to

deny this case.





ZC0504-1: A request to rezone 1.5 acres acres located at 5031 Milgen Court.

The current

zoning is LMI (Light Manufacturing Industrial) District. The proposed zoning

is GC (General Commercial) District. The purpose of the rezoning is for

offices.



The Wright Building Co., Applicant



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

with the future land use

map of the Comp Plan (Planning District 7), which shows mixed commercial /

industrial.



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 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 9,543 trips per day and will increase to 9,723 trips

per day. The level of

service will remain at C (9,700 trips per day) for Milgen Road.



The site shall meet the codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated

Government for

commercial usage.



There will be no school impact.



The proposed development shall have a Category C buffer requirement along all

property lines

bordered by the LMI zoning district. The three options under Category C 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, masonry wall. 3. 30 feet undisturbed natural buffer.



It is not within Fort Benning?s notification range.



It is not a DRI.



Eight (8) 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.



There is no additional information.



Scott Turk, representative of the applicant, came to the podium. The building

they want to rezone has been there a long time. They want to use the building

for a real estate firm and mortgage company.



Vice-Chairperson Mullin asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Dodds

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

with the future land use map and it is compatible with existing land uses, and

no conditions are required. Commissioner Douglass seconded. It was approved

unanimously.





IV. SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE CASE:



3. SEU0504-02: A request for a Special Exception Use for Our Redeemer

Christian School to operate a daycare facility and private school at 6036

Buena Vista Road. The zoning is SFR-4 (Single Family Residential ?4).



Nichet Antoine, Applicant





Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. The applicant has

submitted a Special Exception Use application to construct and operate a day

care and private school. A total of 200 students are expected to attend the

daycare center and private school. The daycare center will consist of young

children ages 0-4 years old, The private school will serve students from

kindergarten to eighth grade. The proposed structure will include eleven

classrooms, one library and a cafeteria.



There are two zoning classifications on this 5.08 acres, SFR4 and GC. It is

currently undeveloped.

The SFR4 requires a Special Exception to have a school and daycare center.

This is consistent with the future land use plan.



Fifty (50) property owners were notified by letter of the special exception use

request. The Planning Division has not received any comments opposing the

construction and operation of the daycare center or school.





Special Exception Use Criteria



PAC MEETING

MAY 18, 2005

PAGE 8







Is or will the type of street providing access to the use be adequate to serve

the proposed special exception use?



The lot consists of an existing 60-foot access easement (TV Tower Road), which

extends to a local television station and cable tower site on the rear of the

property. This access easement is properly paved without curb and gutter and

complies with minimum right-of-way width requirements. For this reason, the

type of street will provide adequate access to the proposed use.





Is or will access into and out of the property be adequate to provide for

traffic and pedestrian safety, the anticipated volume of traffic flow, and

access by emergency vehicles?





The proposed project will provide proper egress and ingress onto the site.

The proposed site is not expected to have a negative effect on the

transportation network. The private school/daycare anticipates a moderate flow

of vehicular traffic.



Are or will public facilities such as schools, water or sewer utilities and

police or fire protection be adequate to serve the special exception use?



The property is served by all city services.



Are or will refuse, service, parking and loading areas on the property be

located or screened to protect other properties in the area from adverse

effects as noise, light, glare or odor?



The proposed structure shall include a pick-up and drop off facility, which is

required under Section 3.2.24 of the Columbus Unified Development Ordinance.

The applicant is proposing 50 parking spaces. This amount meets the number of

off-street parking spaces required for a private school. The proposed project

must comply with the buffer and screen requirements highlighted in Article 5 of

the Columbus Unified Development Ordinance.



Will the hours of manner of operation of the special exception use have no

adverse effects on other properties in the area?



The primary hours of operation will be from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm (Monday ?

Friday). Therefore, the proposed hours of operation are not expected to have a

negative impact on surrounding properties.



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 structure will be compatible in character to other existing

non-residential uses surrounding the proposed site. Non-residential uses

include a church and local television station. The height and size of the

building is not expected to cause an adverse impact on surrounding properties.

This site is expected to meet State of Georgia certification requirements and

Columbus Code and Regulations for a daycare center and private school.



Nichet Antoine, applicant, came to the podium. The current school where

Ms. Antoine is teaching

is closing. A few of the teachers decided to get together to open up another

school.



Vice Chairperson Mullin asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Crane

made a motion to approve this Special Exception Use. Commissioner Eddings

seconded. This case was approved unanimously.



V. NEW REZONING CASES:



4. ZC0504-5: A request to rezone 11.16 acres located on the Southside of

Whittlesey Blvd. The current zoning is GC/RO (General Commercial and

Residential Office) Districts. The proposed zoning is RO/GC (Residential

Office and General Commercial) Districts. The purpose of the rezoning is for

office/ residential and commercial.



George M. Adams Co., Applicant





Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. The zoning on these two

properties will be

swapped. This case is consistent with the future land use map of the Comp Plan

(Planning

District 2), which shows mixed office /commercial.



It is consistent with Policy Statements ? Commercial Development

Policy Statement #1 ? Sub-

statements #1 and #2. 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.



A traffic study was conducted in 2000 for the original zoning of these tracts

and the others in the

development. The traffic study included these two tracts. Numerous traffic

improvements have been

made for the overall development.



The site shall meet the codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated

Government for

commercial usage.



There will be no school impact.



There will be no buffer requirement. A 200 feet wide buffer was required along

Weems Road as a

zoning condition in 2000.



It is not within Fort Benning?s notification range.



It is not a DRI.



Eighteen (18) 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.



There is no additional information.



Steven Cadranel, representative of the applicant, came to the podium. He is

the President of Ben Carter Properties. They were also the developers of the

Columbus Park Crossing. What they want to do is consolidate like uses in the

same location. They have updated a traffic study. All the improvements have

been made.



Frank Dillard, #4 Claire Court, Adams Park Subdivision, just across from this

property. He is concerned about the buffer. He also stated that Ben Carter

Properties has done an exceptional job in the Columbus Park Crossing

development and with Whittlesey Parkway.



Bruce Hutchins, 2911 Charlotte Drive, came to the podium. He is opposed to

this rezoning. His house backs up to Weems Road. He is concerned about the

buffer zone. When it is cloudy at night, the lights from the shopping center

are reflected on his house.



Vice-Chairperson Mullin asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner

Alexander made a motion to approve this rezoning request based on the facts

that it is consistent with the future land use map, it is compatible with

existing land use. Commissioner Crane seconded. Commissioner Dodds recused

himself. The vote was unanimously approved.









ZC0504-6: A request to rezone the property located at 1372 Celia Drive. The

current zoning is

SFR-2 (Single Family Residential -2) District. The proposed zoning is SFR-3

(Single Family Residential ? 3) District. The purpose of the rezoning is for

residential.



Kennon Realty Services, Inc., Applicant



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

with the future land use

map of the Comp Plan (Planning District 11), which shows low density

residential.



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 1,380 trips per day and will increase to 1,409 trips

per day. The level of

service will remain at A (3,900 trips per day) for Celia Drive.



The site shall meet the codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated

Government for

residential usage.



This development could average about 2 to 6 children of various ages.

Elementary age students

would attend Eastway Elementary, which has 520 students, capacity 500. Middle

school age

students would attend Rothchild which has 656 students, capacity 725. High

school age students

would attend Kendrick, which has 978 students, capacity 1,375.



There will be no buffer requirement.



It is not within Fort Benning?s notification range.



It is not a DRI.



Thirty (30) 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.



There is no additional information.



Barbara Kennon, Kennon Realty Services, applicant, came to the podium. They

want to tear down

one sub-standard house and build three new ones. The houses will be in the

range of 1200 to 1600

sq. ft. Price range will be from $80,000 to $125,000. They will be three

bedroom, two bath with

greatroom.



Vice Chairperson Mullin asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner

Eddings made a motion

to approve this rezoning request based on the facts that it is consistent with

the future land use map.

Commissioner Henson seconded. It was approved unanimously.







NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Douglass stated that the BZA, BHAR and Uptown Fa?ade all have

authority to make binding decisions. He wants the Planning Advisory Commission

to have authority to make binding decisions also. Macon-Bibb County is the

only government in Georgia that has this authority.



VII. OLD BUSINESS:



ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m.









______________________________ _______________________________

Derrick Shields, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning

Administator

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