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

August 2, 2006



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, August 2,

2006 in the Council Chambers on the Plaza Level of the Government Center.



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Shields, Vice Chairperson Shep Mullin,

Alternate Scott Boyce, Commissioners Chris Henson, Joe Alexander, Brad Dodds,

Karl Douglass, Bob Crane and Alternate Michael Eddings.



Staff Members: Will Johnson, Planning Chief and Tina Trant, Planning Technician



Commissioners Absent: None.



Others Present: Richard Clark, Bobbie Clark, Veronica Skelton, April Seraphin,

Donna Sharp, Fred Green, Ann D?Armond, Marty Flournoy, Tom Calhoun.



I. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Shields called the meeting to order at

9:04 a.m. He explained the rezoning process to the audience.



II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Henson made a motion to approve

the minutes for July 19, 2006. Commissioner Mullin seconded. They were

approved unanimously.



III. REZONING CASES:



ZC0512-2: A request to rezone 9.32 acres located at 6890 River Road. The

current zoning is SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1) and RO (Residential

Office) Districts. The proposed zoning is SFR3 (Single Family Residential 3)

District. The property will be used for single family residential. LRW Group,

LLC is the applicant.



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case.



This case is inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 2.

The Land Use Designation shows Mixed Office / High Density Residential.



Policy Statements are not addressed.



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 residential usage.



School Impact: This development could have a maximum of 48 children of various

ages. Elementary School ? River Road Elementary, 453 students, capacity 513.

Middle School ? Double Churches Middle School, 878 students, capacity 688.

High School ? Northside High, 1,167 students, capacity 1,100.



Buffer Requirement: The proposed development shall have a Category A buffer

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

three options under Category A are: 1 ? 5 feet with a certain amount of shrubs

/ ornamental grasses per 100 linear feet and a wood fence or masonry wall. 2 ?

10 feet with a certain amount of understory trees or shrubs / ornamental

grasses per 100 linear feet. 3 ? 20 feet undisturbed natural buffer.



Fort Benning Recommendation: None



DRI Recommendation: None.



Nine (9) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning Division received one comment concerning this rezoning

request. That was for information only.



Conditions needed: The applicant has conditions that they will impose on the

property.



Additional information: None.



Marty Flournoy, applicant, came to the podium. He wants to build 28 homes

which will cost $350,000 each. They will start at 1800 square feet. They will

be comparable to what is in the area already. There will be two outlets, one

on River Road and one on Mobley Road.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Douglass

made a motion

to approve the rezoning case based on the fact that it is compatible with

existing land-uses and

conditions: 1) a maximum of twenty-eight (28) lots shall be developed, 2) each

building footprint

shall be a minimum of 1,800 square feet, 3) the buffer requirement of the UDO

shall be met for the

development, and 4) all building exteriors shall have stone, brick, stucco, or

similar masonry

materials. Commissioner Crane seconded. The case was unanimously approved.





ZC0607-1: A request to rezone 0.34 acres located at 5111 Armour Road. The

current zoning is RO (Residential ? Office). The proposed zoning is NC

(Neighborhood Commercial). The property will be used for massage therapy

office. Veronica Skelton is the applicant



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

with the Comprehensive Plan for Planning District 5. The Land Use Designation

shows Mixed Office/ Commercial.



Policy Statements are not addressed.



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: 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-two (22) 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: None.



Additional information: None.



Veronica Skelton, applicant, came to the podium. She wants to use this

property for a massage therapy office for her daughters. There will be no

changes to the outside of the building.



Donna Sharp, 2636 52nd Street, is concerned about the noisy neighbors possibly

coming into this NC property later. When you rezone, other things can come in

that she doesn?t want in her neighborhood. She mentioned the Fire House.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Crane made

a motion to approve the rezoning case for apartments based on the fact that it

is consistent with the future land use. Commissioner Mullin seconded. The case

was unanimously approved.





IV. TEXT AMENDMENTS:



ZC0607-2: The Planning Department, at the request of Columbus City Council, is

requesting that the requirements in the UDO for existing, non-conforming

dumpsters be amended.





Rick Jones, Planning Department Director, came to the podium.



The Planning Department, at the request of Columbus Council, is requesting that

the requirements in the UDO for existing, non-conforming dumpsters be amended.

The current regulations state:



All existing nonconforming dumpsters in the Columbus Consolidated Government

jurisdiction shall be in compliance with these regulations, with the exception

of the requirement for materials as described under paragraph B.2.C of this

section, no later than 18 months from the effective date of the UDO. Materials

used for the screening of these dumpsters shall consist of either concrete,

fieldstone, brick, stucco, or wood picket fence to provide for an opaque design

to screen the dumpster from the public?s view.



1. Uses with Nonconforming Dumpsters

A use with a dumpster that does not conform to the requirements of this

Section shall not cause

the use, structure or property to be considered nonconforming.

2. Effect of Expansion or Improvements

Any use or structure that undergoes renovation, expansion or

similar improvement in an amount

equal to or in excess of 50 percent of the value of improvements shall comply

with the requirements of this Section.



The Planning, Codes & Inspections, and Public Services Departments have met

with waste company personnel and affected property owners concerning this

issue. Comments from affected individuals have been considered and changes

have been made to the section. The proposed changes are attached.





C. Nonconforming dumpsters

All existing nonconforming dumpsters in the Columbus Consolidated

Government jurisdiction shall be in compliance with these regulations, with the

exception of the following:



1. Applicability

The requirements of this subsection shall apply to all trash areas,

dumpsters, recycling bins, compactors, outdoor storage areas and similar

facilities visible from any public street or from adjacent residential uses or

zoning districts.

2. Minimum Screening

Dumpsters shall be screened on a minimum of 3 sides.

3. Materials

Materials used for the screening of these dumpsters shall consist of

either concrete, fieldstone, brick, stucco or wood picket fence to provide for

an opaque design to screen the dumpster from the public's view. Landscaping or

planted vegetation shall be permitted per approval by the City Arborist or his

designee.

4. Orientation

All dumpsters shall be screened from public view, from public

rights-of-way, and from adjacent residential uses or zoning districts.

Un-gated dumpster screens shall be faced away from the public right-of-way.

5. Effective Date

All existing nonconforming dumpsters shall be in compliance no later

than June 30, 2007.

6. Uses with Nonconforming Dumpsters

A use with a dumpster that does not conform to the requirements of this

Section shall not cause the use, structure or property to be considered

nonconforming.

7. Effect of Expansion or Improvements

Any use or structure that undergoes renovation, expansion or similar

improvement in an amount equal to or in excess of 50 percent of the value of

improvements shall comply with the requirements of this Section.





Marty Flournoy, 2520 Wynnton Road is opposed to the text amendment. His

concern is that the members of the review committee did not review this part of

the UDO. It was put in at the last minute by City Council.



Fred Green, Property Manager for Waddell Realty is opposed to the text

amendment. How will it affect residential properties. All properties now

should be grandfathered in. There will be rats, drainage problems, trash,

etc.



Ann D?Armond, Rowe Realty, is opposed to the text amendment. Council stuck

this in at the last minute.



Tom Calhoun, is opposed to the text amendment. The cost of screening,

inspectors to inspect them, unsanitary conditions, complaints from consumers

will be prohibitive.



Larry Caldwell, is opposed to the text amendment. Who will get the citation,

the owner or the leasee?



Keith Paul, Sandman Waste, Inc. is opposed to the text amendment. The

ordinance now is not being enforced.



Richard Clark, Harris County, received no notice from the City for his property

in Columbus.



Arch Arnold, Columbus Realty Company, has 65 tenants and 15 dumpsters. If the

increased cost of dumpsters is passed on to them, they will not be able to

afford to pay rent. These properties should be grandfathered in.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. After much discussion

Commissioner Douglass made a motion to deny the text amendment change because

the amendment needs to be readdressed by City Council. Commissioner Dodds

seconded. It was not voted on. After more discussion, Commissioner Douglass

made a motion to deny the text amendment change and recommend that all existing

dumpsters be grandfathered in. Commissioner Dodds seconded. It was approved

unanimously.





V. SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE: None.



VI. NEW BUSINESS: None.



VII. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 a.m.





______________________________ _______________________________

Derrick Shields, Chairperson Will Johnson, Planning

Division Chief

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