HomeMy Public PortalAbout20170619_PC_MINUTES.pdfPLANNING COMMISSION
Demery Bishop
Ron Bossick
Tina Gann
John King
Charles Matlock
David McNaughton
Alan Robertson
Planning Commission Meeting
MINUTES
June 19, 2017
CITY MANAGER
Shawn Gillen
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
George Shaw
CITY ATTORNEY
Edward M. Hughes
Chair Bishop called the June 19, 2017 Tybee Island Planning Commission meeting to order.
Commissioners present were: Charles Matlock, Alan Robertson, David McNaughton, John King
and Tina Gann. Ron Bossick was present by phone through the approval of minutes then shortly after
was disconnected.
Consideration of Minutes:
Chair Bishop asked for consideration of the May 15, 2017 meeting minutes. Commissioner Matlock
stated that there is a sentence by Vice Chair Bossick in the last paragraph that did not read right and
needed to be corrected. Staff stated it will be corrected. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to
approve with Commissioner Matlock's correction and was seconded by Commissioner Gann. The
vote was four to approve Vice Chair Bossick, Commissioner Matlock, Commissioner Robertson
and Commissioner Gann. Commissioner King and Commissioner McNaughton did not vote since
they were not present at the May 15th meeting.
Disclosures/Recusals:
Chair Bishop asked if there were any disclosures or recusals. Commissioner Robertson disclosed
that the first agenda item 701 Railwood Avenue is located on Wrenwood Drive that is owned by the
Seashore Colony Home Owners Association of which he is President. He stated he could be objective
in his deliberation.
Old Business:
Chair Bishop asked if there was any old business for discussion. There was none.
New Business:
Variance: Sec. 3-070. —Permissible structures per lot; accessory structures (C) Location of
detached accessory structures on residential lots — Ralston Forbes — 701 Railwood Avenue —
Zone R1.
Mr. Shaw stated the applicant is requesting to put a pool in the front yard. Staff considers pools to be
accessory structures and Sec 3-070 states no accessory structures other than a carport can extend
beyond the front face of a residential building. Staff recommends denial of the petition.
Commissioner McNaughton stated that the applicant is not stated on the settlement document as an
owner. Mr. Shaw stated he assumed he was an owner and will check into that. Commissioner Gann
asked staff if this is going to be a primary residence or a rental. Mr. Shaw stated the application
implies that Ms. Witter will be living there whether that's full time or not he does not know.
Commissioner Gann asked if this was the only place the pool could go, it looks like there might be
space next to the garage. Commissioner Matlock stated he did go to the back of the property and it is
all driveway and he could not tell if there might have been some area behind the garage. He also asked
if the neighbors were notified and was there any feedback from them. Mr. Shaw stated they were
notified and he has not heard from anyone. Commissioner McNaughton asked if the property would
still meet the greenspace requirement if this pool is approved. Mr. Shaw stated that he does not think
that would be an issue.
Mr. Britt approached the Planning Commission and stated he was a neighbor that lives at 703
Railwood Avenue, and he was not notified other than seeing the variance notice in the driveway of
701 Railwood Avenue. He stated he has met Mr. Ralston and his wife and the property is a rental
property. They put it up for rent every week in the summer and one week for themselves so he does
not believe this will be a primary residence. Mr. Britt also stated that he speaks against this request
for himself and two neighbors; Donna Stafford at 705 Railwood Avenue and Jaseet Sidhu at 707
Railwood Avenue. Mr. Britt stated that he and the other neighbors embraced the standards of Officers
Row when they built their homes to preserve that beauty and they would not like to have a pool in the
front yard of one of those houses. Mr. Britt stated there is a standing water problem between the
properties with which he is concerned. He showed the Planning Commission a few pictures he
brought. With these concerns he hopes that the Planning Commission will deny this variance.
Commissioner McNaughton asked Staff if this is a short term rental and is there proper signage. Mr.
Shaw stated he was not sure what kind of rental it is and if it is a short term rental there should be
adequate signage. Mr. Britt stated he has seen some renters and has not noticed any signs. Mr. Shaw
stated he could check on that. Mr. Boswell approached the Planning Commission and stated he is an
engineer and lives at 103 Nassau Drive. He is the representative for the applicant and owner of 701
Railwood Avenue. Mr. Boswell stated they tried to structurally alter a part of the house to get the pool
in but that was not sturdy enough. Behind the garage there is a very steep hill and it would not work
there. The driveway does not work because of cars having to park. The only space that would work is
the space in the front. He stated that questions about greenspace and drainage are still in the design
stage and they will have to satisfy Tybee's engineering and drainage requirements. Commissioner
McNaughton stated there is nothing in the application that states a medical necessity, but there are
two letters from doctors, so could the pool be sized down to a spa. Mr. Boswell stated that a spa is a
possibility. Commissioner Gann asked if anything can encroach in a drainage easement. Mr. Shaw
stated yes it can be done if it is not an access easement and as long as the drainage still works.
Commissioner McNaughton made a motion to deny the Variance request, Commissioner Gann
seconded, and the vote to deny was unanimous.
Site Plan: Sec. 5-080 — Site Plan Approval — Adding Hallway to connect 2 Buildings — 27
Tvbrisa, LLC - 27 Tvbrisa St. & 1604 Butler Ave.
Mr. Shaw stated the applicant owns 27 Tybrisa and the building behind it at 1604 Butler. They are
requesting a site plan approval to join the buildings together to add approximately 150 square foot of
hallway. The drainage design works and has been approved for this addition. The design did not meet
a threshold that required parking. Staff recommends approval of this project.
Mr. Boswell approached the Planning Commission and stated he is an Engineer and lives at 103
Nassau Drive and he is the representative for the applicant. He stated that the project will be connected
with a roof and walls. Commissioner Robertson made a motion to accept staff's recommendation to
approve the Site Plan, Commissioner Matlock seconded and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Amendment: Sec. 3-090. Schedule of development regulations. (A) (2) second egress
encroachment.
Mr. Shaw stated City Council has asked for this ordinance change to come before Planning
Commission. It is an effort to let new construction have the same advantage as existing elevated
structures with a single exit. Currently staff can approve a second egress in a setback on existing
structures with one exit. If someone is designing a new structure the two egresses are not allowed in
the setback at all. Staff feels this would risk more drainage problems and less greenspace. Staff
recommends denial of this proposal. Commissioner Robertson asked if two egresses are allowed
now and do they ever have to go into the setbacks and he does not understand the motivation of this
request. Mr. Shaw stated the thinking is to allow new construction to be able to do the same as
existing buildings. Chair Bishop stated that he does not see a need for new construction to be able to
build in the setback, older homes yes. Commissioner McNaughton made a motion to deny the text
amendment. Commissioner Robertson seconded, and the vote to deny was unanimous.
Quit Claim: Request to purchase a portion of City right of way — adjacent to 29 Meddin Drive
PTG LLC — PIN 4-0002-10-001
Mr. Shaw stated that Jennifer Mafera is the representative for the applicant and is requesting a small
piece of land to be purchased because when they built their pool part of the deck went beyond the
property line. They are asking to purchase enough of the unopened right of way from the city to allow
them to have the entire pool deck within their property lines. They are trying to sell the property and
this came up a number of times. Staff recommends approval of the request. Commissioner
McNaughton asked if it is the deck or part of the pool. Mr. Shaw stated yes the side of the pool is too
close to cut that area out. Commissioner Matlock made a motion to approve the Quit Claim request.
Commissioner King seconded, and the vote to approve was unanimous.
Standing Agenda Item:
Review of Short Term Work Program
Commissioner Robertson stated that he is the Chair of the new Master Plan Implementation
Committee and led a conversation on the role of the Planning Commission in planning. He highlighted
the things that came to his attention, for example what people considered most and least important in a
public survey as part of the Master Plan process. He thinks it would behoove the Planning
Commission to have input on issues within the Master Plan. Commissioner King stated that the
Planning Commission's recommendations can be strengthened by referencing the Master Plan with
their recommendations. Commissioner Robertson stated the various committees and groups on this
Island could be coordinated to help with staying on task. Chair Bishop stated that he wants to make
sure the Planning Commission stays consistent with the Master Plan and he feels dialog and feedback
are very important in planning. Mr. Shaw stated that a part of the south end pedestrian plan was to
have public meetings and at least one of them could be in front of Planning Commission. Chair
Bishop stated in the past Planning Commission placing certain items on City Council agenda created
significant issues so this would need be to be cleared by City Council first. Chair Bishop asked
Commissioner Robertson to pick an item to start with at the next meeting and give the information to
Staff.
Adjournment:
Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.
Lisa L. Schaaf