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 4, 2005



A meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission was held Wednesday, May 4, 2005

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



Commissioners Present: Chairperson Derrick Shields, Brad Dodds, Karl Douglass,

Joe Alexander and Michael Eddings.



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



Commissioners Absent: Chris Henson, Shep Mullin, Berry Henderson and Bob Crane.



Others Present: Calvin Copenny, Bob Deslaurius, Bob Nolan, Edward Garrett,

Matt Stahl, Eugene Scriven, Ozeal Lewis, Rodney Milner, Alina Martinez, David

Evans, W. T. Marrow, John Flory, Linda Dam, Edward Granch, Larry Hagan, George

Corradino, Marty Flournoy, Jennifer Allen, Robert McKenna, Lazenza McGill,

Theresa Jones, Barbara Reynolds, Gary White, Linda Kennedy, John Kennedy.



CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Shields called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

He explained the rezoning process.



APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None



TABLED CASE:





1. ZC0502-1: A request to rezone the property located at 5336 Minnie Lee

Drive. The current zoning is R-1A (Low Density Residential) District. The

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

the rezoning is for single family residential.



Calvin Copenny, 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 4,100 trips per day and

will increase to 4,899 trips per day. The level of service will remain at A

(4,700 trips per day) for Steam Mill Road.



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

Government for residential usage.

The development could average about 25 to 50 children of various ages.

Elementary age students would attend Dawson Elementary which has 397 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.



There is no buffer requirement.



Fort Benning has recommended conditional approval.



It is not a DRI.



Forty-two (42) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning Division did not receive any comments concerning this

rezoning.



Conditions needed: 1. Restrictive covenants shall be required for the

development. 2. 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.



There is no additional information.



Mr. Calvin Copenny of 5336 Minnie Lee Drive, applicant, came to the podium. He

wants to build a road and build single family houses. He expects to build 24

lots on this property. They will build the houses themselves as they have a

construction business. The houses will range from $180,000 to $250,000.



Ozeal Lewis Street, came to the podium. She owns property at 5530 Minnie Lee

Drive. She wants to make sure that she will not be land locked.



Commissioner Dodds asked Mr. Copenny why he wants to rezone to R-3 when he can

get 24 lots on R-1A. Mr. Copenny stated that he wanted to build larger houses

on smaller lots. That is the trend. He also stated that he may add more lots

later.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Eddings

made a motion to deny the request because there is adequate space for 24 lots

at the current zoning, there is not a site plan available, they need more

information.



After a discussion, Commissioner Eddings restated his motion to deny. It is

inconsistent with the future land use for Planning District 11. Commissioner

Dodds seconded. It was denied unanimously.



Mr. Copenny asked if he could table his case until a further date. Mr. Johnson

stated that he could send us a letter requesting to table for no more than six

months.





III. NEW REZONING CASES:



2. ZC0502-5: A request to rezone 26.40 acres at the southwest corner of

Buena Vista Road and Asa Drive. The current zoning is R-1A (Low Density

Residential) District. The proposed zoning is R-2 (Low Density Residential)

District. The purpose of the request is to amend a condition imposed on the

property by PAC on March 16, 2005.



Matthew Stahl, 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). The

future land use map shows Low Density Residential.



It is consistent with Residential Policy Statement #2, Sub-statement #1.



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 14,678 trips per day and

will increase to 16,145 trips per day. The level of service will remain at B

(18,600 trips per day) for Buena Vista Road.



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

Government for residential usage.



The development could average about 25 to 60 children of various ages.

Elementary age students would attend Georgetown Elementary which has 500

students, capacity 500. 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.



There is no buffer requirement.



Fort Benning has recommended conditional approval.



It is not a DRI.



One hundred three (103) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this

rezoning request. The Planning Division received a petition and phone calls

opposing this request.



Conditions needed: 1. Restrictive covenants shall be required for the

development. 2. 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. 3. A minimum of 10 acres shall be preserved as

greenspace.



Zenos Drive was never constructed and the lots along Zenos Drive were never

developed.



This case was heard at the PAC on March 16, 2005. The PAC conditionally

rezoned the property. One of the conditions stated that the development was

limited to 40 lots. The applicant is requesting that the aforementioned

condition be amended. Preliminary engineering has shown that the site layout

presented to PAC in March is unfeasible.





Marty Flournoy, representative of the applicant, came to the podium.

Their survey did

not work out like they wanted. The land out toward Buena Vista Road is not

suitable.

A new site plan was shown. The number of lots will be changed from 40 to 57.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Alexander

made a motion to approve this amendment. The number of lots would be limited

to 57, also conditions: 1. Restrictive covenants shall be required for the

development. 2. 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. Commissioner Dodds seconded. It was approved

three (Dodds, Alexander, Eddings) to one (Douglass).





3. 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 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 R-1A 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 liner 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.



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.



Alan Kamensky, representative of Kimbrough Properties, L.P. They want to build

houses and apartments. They are depending on Fort Benning for this development.



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

development. He asked about the notification time for residents. He is

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

another project being built in this area. That will add to the congestion.

This area is overpopulated now. He is also concerned about the rainwater

overflowing into the neighbors yard.



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

the rezoning because of the one way in and one way out. There is a lot of

traffic already. No more is needed.



Dwight Copeland, 5708 St. Mary?s Road, came to the podium. He is also

opposed. He wants this case tabled until more neighbors could come to the

meeting to voice their opinion. The meeting time of 9 a.m. is inconvenient.



Mr. Kamensky came back to the podium. There will be 250 single family lots on

77 acres. There will be 17 acres of multi family, which will be up to 280

units. 19 acres will be used for the R-3 town houses, duplexes and quadplexes,

up to 275 units.



Commissioner Douglass had to leave the meeting. Mr. Kamensky asked

Commissioner Douglass to state his opinion before he leaves. Commissioner

Douglass stated that the issue that concerns him is the traffic issue.



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

about the traffic.



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

a motion to approve this request. Even though it is inconsistent with the

future land use map, it is compatible with existing land uses, it is served by

all city services, the impact to traffic will only be to level C. conditions

needed: 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. Commissioner Alexander

seconded. The vote was two (Dodds, Alexander) to approve and two (Shields,

Eddings) to deny.



Commissioner Dodds stated that with the tie vote, the case should be tabled

until the next meeting.



Mr. Kamensky asked that there be a re-vote and asked that all commissioners

vote to deny the request. Chairperson Shields stated that however, under the

circumstances this should not happen.



Mr. Kamensky insisted that the commission re-vote to deny this case, that the

Planning Advisory Commission is ?moot anyway?.



After clarification from Mr. Johnson, another vote will be possible. Again,

Mr. Kamensky asked

that the commission deny this request so they can go on to Council since PAC is

not binding

anyway.



Commissioner Eddings made a motion to deny this case due to the fact that it is

inconsistent with

the future land use map. Commissioner Shields seconded. The vote was two

(Eddings, Shields) to deny the case and two to approve the request (Dodds,

Alexander). This case is tabled until June 1, 2005.



Mr. Kamensky says that this is the reason why he has been saying for the last

18 years that this commission is no longer needed. The PAC has lost site for

the reason of this committee. He has been criticized for 18 years for taking

this position. What happened here today has simply shown the community that

this commission is a waste of the tax payers money.





4. ZC0503-2: A request to rezone 12.654 acres located at 7855 and 7865

Cooper Creek Road, and a landlocked property southeast of 7855 Cooper Creek

Road. The current zoning is SFR1 (Single Family Residential 1) District. The

proposed zoning is RMF2 (Residential Multi-Family 2) District. The purpose of

the rezoning is for apartments.



Deluxe Properties, Inc., Applicant



Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. 7855 Cooper Creek Road

is consistent with the

future land use map of the Comp Plan (Planning District 2), which shows high

Density Residential.

7865 Cooper Creek Road is inconsistent with 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 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 8,820 trips per day and will increase to 9,288 trips

per day. The level of

service will remain at B (7,900 trips per day) for Moon Road.



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

Government for

commercial usage.



The development could average about 10 to 15 children of various ages.

Elementary age students

would attend Midland Academy which has 772 students, capacity 575. Middle

School age students

would attend Blackmon Road Middle School which has 907 students, capacity 775.

High school age

students would attend Northside which has 1,265 students, capacity 1,100.



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

property lines

bordered by the SFR1 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 liner 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.



It is not within Fort Benning?s notification range.



It is not a DRI.



Thirty-two (32) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning

Division received several 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 permitted

along the north, south and east property lines. 5. The property shall be used

for apartments only.

6.A deceleration lane shall be required as determined by the City

Traffic Engineer.



There is no additional information.





Rob McKenna, representative for the applicant, came to the podium. They are

requesting RMF2 for

this property. They are proposing 132 units. The units will be 1200 sq. ft.

Most of the traffic will

enter on Moon Road.



Linda Kennedy, 7908 Cooper Creek Road, came to the podium. She is opposed to

the traffic coming

in and out of this complex on Cooper Creek Road. She says it will not be safe.



Lazenza McGill, 3365 Cooper Branch Road, came to the podium. She has a

petition opposing the

rezoning.



George Corradino, 7810 Cooper Creek Road, came to the podium. He is concerned

about the traffic and also green space. He would like the entrance and exit

on Moon Road only.



Joel Bruner, 5370 Kent Rock Road, Loganville, GA, came to the podium. He owns

property near Cooper Creek Road. Does not want the clubhouse and pool near his

property. He won?t build a house on this property if a clubhouse is built.



David Evans, 3376 Cooper Branch Road, came to the podium. His backyard will be

next to the apartment complex. Mr. Evans asked about the buffer.



Alina Martinez, 3352 Cooper Branch Road, came to the podium. She is concerned

about the exit and entrance onto Cooper Creek Road.



Teresa Jones, 3371 Cooper Branch Road, is concerned about the buffer and also

greenspace. Does not want the trees cut down.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner

Dodds made a motion to

approve this rezoning case based on the fact part of the property is consistent

with the future land use

map, and even though part of the property is not consistent with the future

land use map, it is

compatible with existing land uses, and 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 permitted along the north, south and east property lines. 5. The property

shall be used for apartments only. 6.A deceleration lane shall be required as

determined by the City Traffic Engineer and 7. No access shall be allowed onto

Cooper Creek Road. Commissioner Alexander seconded. This case was approved

unanimously.





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 liner 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.



The applicant was not available, the case was tabled until May 18, 2005.







6. ZC0504-2: A request to rezone 1.4 acres located at 1267 Alta Vista

Road. The current zoning is SFR2 (Single Family Residential 2) District. The

proposed zoning is CO (Commercial - Office) District. The purpose of the

rezoning is for a Knights of Columbus lodge.



Knights of Columbus, Applicant





Mr. Will Johnson read the Staff Report for this case. This case is not

consistent with the future land

use map of the Comp Plan (Planning District 7). The future land use map shows

low density for this

area.



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 4,339 trips per day and will increase to 4,360 trips

per day. The level of

service will remain at A (4,700 trips per day) for Forrest 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 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,

masonry wall, or earth berm. 3. 30 feet undisturbed natural buffer.



It is not within Fort Benning?s notification range.



It is not a DRI.



Thirty-one (31) property owners within 300 feet were notified of this rezoning

request. The Planning

Division received a letter opposing this rezoning request.



Conditions are 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

permitted along the north and south property lines. 5. The property shall be

used as a lodge /

meeting hall only.



There is no additional information.



Rodney Milner, 115 Broken Rock Road, one of the owners of the property, came to

the podium. He

wants to sell this property to the Knights of Columbus. The church on this

property has been burned.

They want to build a lodge. Parking will be the same.



Robert Deslauries, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, came to the

podium. They are a

Catholic organization that does their work for charity. They have a yard sale

once a year and

barbeques.



Chairperson Shields asked for discussion and a motion. Commissioner Eddings

made a motion to

approve this rezoning case based on the facts that even though it is

inconsistent with the future land

use map for Planning District 8, it does not affect the current use of the

property and conditions:

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

permitted along the north and south property lines. 5. The property shall be

used as a lodge /

meeting hall only. Commissioner Dodds seconded. The vote was unanimously

approved.





NEW BUSINESS:



OLD BUSINESS:



ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.









______________________________ _______________________________

Derrick Shields, Chairperson Will Johnson, Zoning

Administator

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