The Columbus Consolidated Government
Planning Department
Post Office Box 1340 Columbus, Georgia 31902-1340
Telephone (706) 653-4116
Fax (706) 653-4120
Website: www.columbusga.org/planning
STAFF REPORT
REZN-3-14-0607
Applicant: The Planning Department
Owner: Development Authority of Columbus GA
Location The North East Portion of 6087 Technology Parkway
Acreage: 43 acres
Current Zoning Classification: HMI (Heavy Manufacturing Industrial)
Proposed Zoning Classification: RO (Residential Office)
Current Use of Property: Undeveloped
Proposed Use of Property: Business/Professional Office (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Georgia)
Council District: District 6 (Allen)
Planning Advisory Commission's Recommendation: Conditional Approval based on the fact that the
request is compatible with existing land uses. The recommended condition is as
follows: Parking shall be restricted to 2,100 parking spaces. Any request for
parking changes shall be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).
Planning Departments Recommendation: Conditional Approval based on the fact that the request is
compatible with existing land uses. The condition is the same as the one
recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission.
Fort Benning's Rcommendation: Fort Benning has no objections to the proposed rezoning request.
DRI Rcommendation: N/A.
General Land Use: Inconsistent
Planning Area E
Land Use Designation:
Park/Recreation/Conservation/Heavy Industrial
Environmental Impacts: The property does not lie within the floodway and floodplain
area. The developer will need an approved drainage plan prior to issuance of a
Site Development permit, if a permit is required.
City Services: Property is served by all city services.
Traffic Impact: This rezoning request does not anticipate generating a negative impact
on the transportation network.
This site shall meet the Codes and regulations of the Columbus Consolidated
Government for commercial usage.
Surrounding Zoning: North ? HMI (heavy Manufactuing Industrial)/RE1 (Residential Estate
1)
South ? HMI (heavy Manufactuing Industrial)
East ? HMI (heavy Manufactuing Industrial)
West ? HMI (heavy Manufactuing Industrial)
Reasonableness of Request The request is compatible with existing land uses.
School Impact No school impact.
Buffer Requiremnts
The site shall include a Category c buffer along all property lines bordered by
the HMI zoning districts. The 3 options under Category c are:
1) 20 feet with a certain amount of canopy trees, under story 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.
Attitude of Property Owners: Four (4) property owners within 300 feet of the subject
properties were notified of the rezoning request. The Planning Department has
not received any comments in regards to this case.
Additional Information: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) is planning to
relocate their offices to this location, but the current zoning does not allow
for office uses. Rezoning to RO is needed in order for them to open their
business here. This parcel is located at the Muscogee Technology Park.
BCBSGA is planning to build a 3-story building with 235,000 sq. ft. and 1,850
parking stapes for employees and visitors. They are planning to have multiple
entrances.
Final development plans must comply with all Tree and Landscape requirements of
the UDO, in particular with parking lot requirements. Tree Density requirements
must be based on entire lot size. Any existing trees that are counted for
saving must be sustainable. Tree Landscape and Buffer plans produced by a
separate entity from civil engineer must accompany civil plan. All Street
Buffer requirements of the UDO must be met in final development design.
Attachments: Aerial Land Use Map
Future Land-Use Map
Fort Benning Notification Map
Site Plan
Traffic Analysis
Attachments