HomeMy Public PortalAbout20160208_PC_MINUTES.pdf
PLANNING COMMISSION CITY MANAGER
Demery Bishop Diane Schleicher
Ron Bossick
Marianne BrambleCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Tina Gann George Shaw
John King
Charles Matlock CITY ATTORNEY
David McNaughton Edward M. Hughes
Planning Commission Meeting
MINUTES
February 8, 2016
Vice Chair Bishop called February 8, 2016 Tybee Island Planning Commission meeting to order. Commissioners
present were Demery Bishop, Ron Bossick, Marianne Bramble, Tina Gann, John King, Charles Matlock and David
McNaughton.
Planning Commission Oath:
Vice Chair Bishop turned the meeting over to Mayor pro tem Brown to administer theoath. Mayor Pro temBrown
asked Commissioners Demery Bishop, Ron Bossick, Tina Gann and John King to stand and Commenced to
administering the Planning Commission Oath for a two year term that will end January 31, 2018.
Elections:
Vice Chair Bishop then asked if there were nominations for Chair. Commissioner Bossick made a motion to
nominate Commissioner Bishop for Chair, which was seconded by Commissioner Matlock;the vote for Chair was
unanimous. Commissioner Matlock made a motion to nominate Commissioner Bossick for Vice Chairand was
seconded by Commissioner McNaughton;the vote for Vice Chair was unanimous. Chair Bishop then welcomed new
member and old to the Planning Commission.
Consideration of Minutes:
Chair Bishop asked for consideration of January 11, 2016 meeting Minutes. Commissioner Bramblemade a motion
to approve the Minutes of January 11, 2016 and Commissioner Matlock seconded, the vote to approve was
unanimous.
Disclosures/Recusal:Commissioner Gann disclosed that she recognizes Mr. Grainger as a business associate
of her fathers. Chair Bishop so noted the disclosure.
Old Business:
Chair Bishop asked staff if there was a date that the short term rental ordinance would go to Council and is it still
in the ninety day period. Mr. Shaw stated that it is on the agenda for this week February 11, 2016.
New Business:
Site Plan Reviewand Special Review–consideration for new Memorial Park Restrooms
Mr. Shaw approached the Commission statingthe City would like to update the Memorial Park Restrooms because
they are very outdated and the new building will be larger with more room. The plans will need to be considered
and the City Manager Diane Schleicher will answer questionsyou have.Commissioner Matlock asked if adrainage
plan will be consideredfor this project. Mr. Shaw stated we require drainage plans for residential and commercial
buildings, but the Architect was not asked to do a drainage plan and by my observation I don’t think we need one.
City Manager Schleicherstated the drainage was upgraded a few years ago but if we find we need one we will
have one done. Commissioner Bramblestated your addingfourmore stalls wouldn’t that be wiseto do a drainage
plan. Commissioner Bishopstated under our current article A-100from a planning concern if there is a change
doesn’t that mean it needs one and it is in AE zone shouldwe consider. Mr. Shaw stated it will be wet flood
proofed and we will take a look at that to make sure there is no run off. Commissioner Bishop statedthe area will
be larger. City Manager Schleicher statedit is not going to be impacting any other propertyin the area,but we will
have that checked out by the City Engineer. City Manager Schleicher also stated that staff was caught off guard
about the drainage planbecause Planning Commission had not requested a drainage plan for the Pavilion, the
North Beach Restrooms or The Post Theater, so we will have comments from The City Engineerbefore it goes to
council in March. Commissioner Bishop stated he would like that done to ensure no problems later. City Manager
Schleicher also stated that the City does have an updated Survey of the Park and the Bathrooms that are there
now are per 1980”s and Green line will be the architects who is doing the North Beach Restrooms, We will have a
royalrestroom there while under construction. The Building may also slid a little to either side to accommodate
where the sewer lineis and powerlines will come in by trenching with LED lamp. We will also bring it up to dateto
with current FEMArequirements. Commissioner Bramble asked if they are using the existing slab. City Manager
Schleicher stated yes we will be using the current slab. Commissioner Matlock askedMr. Shaw if the drainage plan
can be waived. Mr. Shaw stated the City doesn’t have to build to private property standards but that mightbe
wrong.Commissioner McNaughton stated that there is a state law that has been on the books for years that says
a local government cannot excuse itself from anything that it requires of its citizens. Commissioner Bishop
recommended that it be understood that the City would never waveanything that would affect the Citizens of this
community. Commissioner Bramble made the motionfor approval with staff adding in drainage calculationstoCity
Council packet.Commissioner Matlock seconded the motion and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Variance –consideration of third story addition-Ken Grainger-3 Thirteenth Ln
Mr. Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated that the property at 3 thirteenth Lane is currently a
nonconforminglotin regards to set-backs and wants to add athird floor and that floor will not expand any further
inthe setbacks, he also presented a slide show of the property, he will be going up within the existing footprint.
Commissioner McNaughton asked do we know why it was built in setback before. Mr. Shaw stated he was not sure
about that but thought that the set-backs and greenspace rules were probably not in place at the time it was built.
Commissioner Bossick will the post go to ground. Mr. Shaw stated they will be adding post from the ground.
Commissioner Matlock askedwhat will be thetotal height. Mr. Shaw stated it will not exceed the 35 foot height.
Mr. Shaw stated that this applicant applied for this variance in January of 2014and it was approved but he let the
permit expire so that is why he had to apply again. Commissioner Bossick asked ifthere has been a permit value
on this project to consider the 50% rule. Mr. Shaw stated the permit fees were over $2,000.00 and they have
been paidand that 50% rule will be looked at before the permit is issued again. Commissioner Bishop asked if the
encroachments will go vertically and are there any other options. Mr. Shaw stated yes that is correct he will build
verticallynot any further horizontally and there are optionsthat would consider in the 50% rule.Mr.Ken Grainger
approached the Planning Commissionand stated that he lives at 3 Thirteenth Lane and this is his full time
residence and he needs to add onto his home. Mr. Grainger statedthere are ten houses on Thirteenth Lane 7 are
zoned residential with a ten foot set-back and three including mineare zoned residential tourist which is a twenty
foot set-back and that makes it nonconforming. Mr. Grainger also stated that he would just like to go up and not
go out of the existing setbacks. Commissioner Kingasked if this will include the decks. Mr. Grainger stated it does
include the decks, the problem is in the back of the house with the twenty foot setback. Commissioner
McNaughton asked why not come out on the east side three feet instead of getting a variance. Mr. Grainger stated
there is not enough room. Commissioner Bramble asked if there were two variances on this property since 2010.
Mr. Grainger commented yes one for the stairwell and this one. Commissioner Gann has this lot always been
zoned RT. Mr. Grainger stated I’mnot sure when it changed; I purchased the property in 2009.
Commissioner Bossick made a motion to approve the Variance. Commissioner Matlockseconded. Voting in favor to
approve were Commissioner Matlock,Commissioner King, Commissioner Bramble and Commissioner Bossick.
Voting against were Commissioner McNaughton and Commissioner Gann. Voteto approve carried 4-2.
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Minor Subdivision –consideration of making one lot into two lots-8 13TER. EMRICH, LLC
Mr. Shaw approached the PlanningCommission stating that the applicant wants to separate one lot to be able to
build two houses. The lot has plenty of square footage to separate and also one lot will be slightlylarger to save
an old oak tree. Commissioner King asked if the oak tree was a cluster or a single tree. Mr. Shaw stated the
applicant can explain that for you.Commissioner Bossick asked if the 65% rule was considered, and will there be
any vegetation in that driveway easement. Mr. Shaw stated yes the 65% greenspace will be considered, and the
driveway will not be all concrete. Mr. Gerrard approached the Planning Commission and stated he lives at 112
Brandywine Road in Savannah, Ga. And he is the representative for group Emrich properties who is developing this
lot. We are trying to save a few oak trees on that property andthe access road will be what existsthere now. The
footprint will be minimal,no varianceswill be requested and we will followall rules. Commissioner Gann stated she
appreciates this property owner of being mindful of saving the trees.CommissionerBossick asked if there will be
no variances asked for in the future. Mr. Gerrard answered we will not but someone in the future might.
Commissioner Bossickasked if we should state that there will notbe any other variances allowed for those
properties. Mr. Shaw stated that’s a legal question but he thinks future council cannot be held accountablefor
something like that. Commissioner McNaughton made a motion to approve. Commissioner Bossickseconded. Vote
to approve wasunanimous.
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Ave. and Hwy 80
Site Plan Review –consideration of an RC Car track/Park–Ed –5
Mr. Shaw approached the commission stating that the applicant wouldlike to develop a remote control car track
park on this empty parcel that is uniquebecause of the way it startles 2 zoning districts theC2 and the R1B. The
applicant intends to have the track on the C2 portion and the public park would have some picnictables. Mr. Shaw
also stated that when this was first submitted it was hisunderstanding this would be allowable, but then he was
informed by the City Manager and the assistant City attorneythat our ordinance states this is only to be for City
run Parks and Recreations and he was also informed that the ordinance needs to be changed. It is not allowed by
right without a text amendment change to include the RC tract. Commissioner McNaughton asked where that
leavesus. Mr. Shaw stated this cannot get approvedwithout the change,we should not have approved this
application but the applicant wants to argue a different point himself today. Commissioner Bishop asked staff so a
text amendment would be required in order to move forwardand should we not vote. Mr. Shaw stated the
Commission could vote on which interpretationof the ordinance should be believed the City Attorney or the
applicant.Commissioner Bramble asked if talking will do the applicant any good.Commissioner Matlock stated
they do not want to do this twice. Commissioner Bishop asked the Commission if they should table this or let the
applicant speak. Commissioner Bramble stated theyshould open to the applicant. Commissioner McNaughton
made a motion tolet applicanttalk and then table till legalgrounds to consider.Commissioner Bossickseconded.
Voting in favor to approve were Commissioner Bramble, Commissioner McNaughton, Commissioner Gann
Commissioner King and Commissioner Bossick. Voting against was Commissioner Matlock. Vote to approve carried
5-1.Ms. Livingston and applicant Mr. Alexander approached the Commission and stated they are residents of
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Tybee Island and live at801 1street. Ms. Livingston stated that they did not know about this dispute thing until
around 3:30 this afternoon so they are not as prepared as they would like to be. And also stated theythink this is
allowable because of the way it is written with the fact that the terms directlyunder the supervision of the City or
owned by the City are not stated in the ordinance. The intent in section 1-030 on the LDC for the purpose it reads
in part “the land developmentregulations in zoning districtsare here and set forth and have been made for the
purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morels, general well fair, convenience and prosperity of the
citizens of the City”. Ms. Livingston went on to state that Mr. Alexander has talked with neighbors around the area
they are very much for this and they are on a dead line to get this done before the season starts. Ms. Livingston
also asked the Commission to please rethink this and look at the letter of the law. Mr. Alexander statedhe thought
this would be something good for the City and all the cars will be electric not gasoline so they will not be as noisy.
Commissioner Bramble stated as much as she agrees with the applicant that something is needed for 21 and
under age on Tybee, but their hands are tied and it needs to go back to asking for a text amendment. Ms.
Livingston stated that she understands but still thinks this fits in to the C2 districtand accordance with this.Ms.
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Avenue and is aresidentof Tybee
Trina Brownapproached the Planning Commission and stated she lives at 11 5
Island and she just heard about this application from someone. Ms. Brown asked the staff if there were any
notices or signs sent and isit posted on the website and what are the pros and cons of this type of project and
she would like for the applicant to do more research on this type of project before he applies again. Mr. Shaw
stated that we do make every effort to contact the public and he is sorry if she did not receive her letter yet. Mr.
Jim marsh approached the Planning Commission and stated he lives at 9 North Avenue and he is a resident of
Tybee Island. Mr. Marsh stated shares some of the same concerns as Ms. Brown and he stated there to many
questions about this proposal and it should have never been put in front of you at this time and wasted your time
if the City is not in a legalpositionto even act on it. We were not contacted and new nothing about it and the
scope of the project has not been detailed, like parking. Commissioner King asked Staff if the issue isfor the
residential area or the R/C Park. Mr. Shaw stated it is for the R/C Park on the commercial use. Commissioner
McNaughton made a motion to tableuntil there are legal grounds to move forward. Commissioner Bramble
seconded. Vote to table was unanimous.
Commissioner Bramble made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner King Seconded. Vote to adjourn was
unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm