HomeMy Public PortalAbout20181119_PC_MINUTES.pdfPLANNING COMMISSION
Demery Bishop
Ron Bossick
Marianne Bramble
Tina Gann
Charles Matlock
David McNaughton
Alan Robertson
CITY MANAGER
Shawn Gillen
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
George Shaw
Planning Commission Meeting
MINUTES
November 19, 2018
CITY ATTORNEY
Edward M. Hughes
Chair Bishop called the November 19, 2018 Tybee Island Planning Commission meeting to order. Commissioners
present were Tina Gann, Marianne Bramble, Alan Robertson, David McNaughton and Ron Bossick. Charles
Matlock was absent.
Consideration of Minutes:
Chair Bishop asked for consideration of the October 15, 2018 meeting minutes. Alan Robertson made a motion to
approve. Vice Chair Bossick seconded. The vote to approve was unanimous.
Disclosures/Recusals:
Chair Bishop asked if there were any disclosures or recusals. Marianne Bramble stated she would like to disclose
that she is a neighbor of item one under E on the agenda, which is the Minor Subdivision at 303 Third Street, and
she stated that would not have an impact on her decision and not require her recusal.
Old Business:
Site Plan Approval: Modify site for an office and parking spaces — 3 Old Hwy 80 — 4-0024-02-001 — Shannon
Hollar (Cruises to Nowhere LLC).
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated this petitioner has been in front of this commission
before and was asked to gather more information. We have received the requirements the petitioner was asked to
provide for this site plan which are in your packet. However, our site plan requirements do not address some serious
concerns, that is the safety of the bridge which is the only way on and off the island. In addition the traffic at
Highway 80, which is off the property, but is a concern. Chair Bishop asked if the City Engineer reviewed the site
plans drainage and why there is not a full rendering with regards to all the items that were raised previously as being
in compliance or not in compliance. George Shaw stated yes he was satisfied with the site drainage, he generally
just reviews storm water, erosion & sedimentation and parking. Chair Bishop stated that is not specified in our code
section. Vice Chair Bossick stated he is concerned with the walkway in the marsh buffer and the railroad ties they
will be placing in front of the parking places. He feels they will hinder access to the dumpster, fuel tank and the
refrigerated equipment on the property. George Shaw stated the owner, Mr. Mathews, has stated he will be moving
the stuff in the marsh buffer before this plan will be completed. David McNaughton stated that the owner states
there will be 150 passengers, but the boat capacity is 360 passengers, so which number was used to determine the
amount of parking for the parking requirements. George Shaw stated he asked the Coast Guard and they stated this
vessel would only be classified for 150 passengers. Patrick Connell of 33 Bull Street, Suite 590, Savannah, who is
the representative for the petitioner approached the Planning Commission and stated this site plan has been in
process for the last five months. He also stated that there are a lot of areas that the Coast Guard will address and has
already began to address. These certifications are done at different times, and in addition, the Coast Guard will not
give a total certification without an approved site plan. This is an existing commercial dock slip on a navigable river
that is navigable by this boat, the Coast Guard will go out and test the 20 -year Coast Guard trained pilot on whether
or not he can get it in and out of Lazaretto Creek and under the bridge. This is about a site plan that is zoned for this
use in Tybee Island. All the petitioner wants to do is utilize this existing piece of property with existing parking to
board on and off a cruise boat. All other concerns will be addressed accordingly and if something needs to move, it
will be done. This petitioner is hoping to bring a boon to this community. He also stated this process has gotten off
the rails and that Mr. George Shaw has already stated that this meets the requirements of the code. Chair Bishop
stated he finds Mr. Connell's remark to this Commission as "off the rails" extremely offensive and they take what
they do very seriously, their questions are valid and represent the concerns of the Planning Commission with input
from the citizens of this community. Patrick Connell stated he certainly meant no offense to the Planning
Commission; he was referring to the process. Shannon Hollar approached the Planning Commission and stated he
lives at 1007 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island. He stated he came to Tybee without the boat to talk to Planning and
Zoning and he was told by George it would be an easy process. He then had Pat Mathews get the site plan drawing
done while he went to Texas to get the vessel. When he got back, he was told he needed to go to Planning
Commission and City Council. George Shaw stated the petitioner must have misunderstood him. He informed the
petitioner that the site plan process is not difficult if he submits all the materials needed. David McNaughton asked
if the petitioner has considered any solutions on the impact of traffic on and off Highway 80 and if they have
discussed any of this with the DOT. Patrick Connell stated yes they have considered those concerns and it would be
around forty cars, four times a day, and on weekend's maybe up to seventy-five. He stated he is not sure how many
cars can affect that road without a traffic study. Andy DeYoung approached the Planning Commission and stated
she lives two hundred yards south of this gambling boat and her main concerns are water and sewer support and
weather this vessel can go under the Lazaretto Creek Bridge at extremely high or low tides. Brian Gilbert who lives
at 113 Jones approached the Planning Commission and stated he started a petition called deport the boat and there
are about 800 signatures so far that are against the boat doing business at Tybee. Russell Gross who lives at 503
Fifth Street approached the Planning Commission and stated he is concerned with the amount of alcohol happy
people getting off their cruise and pulling onto Highway 80. Karen Gilbert who lives at 113 Jones Avenue
approached the Planning Commission and stated she is concerned with the parking plan and if the spaces are
compliant with the code. In addition, the petitioner has submitted false information concerning the certificate from
the Coast Guard. She stated she would like to ask the Planning Commission to deny or continue this application until
all of the concerns can be satisfactorily addressed. Doug McKay who lives at 1510 Fifth Avenue approached the
Planning Commission and stated the owner's actual plan for sewage disposal is not documented. He requested the
Planning Commission to have this denied or continue until that is completely satisfied. Fidelia Fowler who lives at
7B Village Place approached the Planning Commission and stated she is concerned with the vessel hitting the bridge
and there should be a traffic study done before the Planning Commission can make a decision. Frank Wooldridge
who lives at 1508 Fifth Avenue approached the Planning Commission and stated he is concerned with the disposal
of the raw sewage that will be dumped by this vessel in our shallow waters. Anna Burgard who lives at 817 First
Street approached the Planning Commission and stated she is concerned about how many ports this boat has been to
in the last eight years and what the reasons were for them to leave the other ports. Pamela Wiley who lives at 7
Shipwatch Circle approached the Planning Commission and stated she is concerned about taking away the history of
the area where they want the parking for this vessel. Fran Galloway who lives at 153 Lewis Avenue approached the
Planning Commission and stated she would like to read the opening sentence from Tybee Island's Master Plan "The
vision of Tybee Island's Master Plan is as concerned citizens of the City of Tybee Island, we will be conscientious
stewards of our unique historic and cultural heritage environment." She thinks this vessel will take away from the
historic fishing village that is protected by our Master Plan. Judy Compton who lives at 6 Moore Avenue
approached the Planning Commission and stated she is not sure this vessel will be of any advantage to Tybee
because the people will go straight to the boat and then home. Anna Butler who lives at 1212 Fifth Avenue
approached the Planning Commission and stated she would like the site plan to show the septic systems before it can
be approved. In addition, she would like to know the benefits this vessel would bring to the City. Nick Smilek who
lives at 1209 Jones Avenue approached the Planning Commission and stated he is concerned about that vessel
hitting the bridge. Laura Messenger who lives at 13 DAV Island Road approached the Planning Commission and
stated she would like to know what measures, if any, are set in place if the bridge is hit. Finecia Butler who lives at
151 South Campbell Avenue approached the Planning Commission and stated she feels the size of this vessel will be
a safety issue for the smaller businesses that operate in the Lazaretto Creek. Allen Lewis who lives at 8 Lighthouse
Lane approached the Planning Commission and stated he is sure that customers from other businesses around that
property use the same area for parking. In addition, he is concerned about the amount of people that will be coming
to all of those businesses during the height of the season. Patrick Connell stated he and his client, Shannon Hollar,
want to do right by Tybee to make sure of the safety of everyone. David McNaughton made a motion to continue
until the January or February Planning Commission meeting with a list of specific requirements to be delivered to
the applicant by December 15. The list will be put together by Planning and Zoning Department. Marianne
Bramble seconded. Vote to continue was unanimous.
Text Amendment to Land Development Code: Sec. 4-050 Zoning Districts (0) South End Business Overlay
District.
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated that this item has been pared down from various
meetings and workshops and now it is a text amendment that is just a limit on demolition and relocation of historic
buildings in the South End Overlay District. Staff recommends approval. Alan Robertson made a motion to
approve. Vice Chair Bossick seconded. The vote to approve was unanimous.
New Business:
Minor Subdivision: Move lot line to make two lots — 303 Third Street — Zone R-2 — 4-0004-17-005 — Kitty B.
Williams.
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated the applicant would like to split her single lot into
two lots. The two lots will have the required amount of square footage for single family dwelling in the R-2 District.
Staff recommends approval. Alan Robertson made a motion to approve. Tina Gann seconded. The vote to approve
was unanimous.
Zoning Variance: Sec. 5-090 (B) Height for a light monitor above the required 35 foot height —1809 Chatham
Avenue — 4-0009-13-009 —Zone R-2 — Josh W. Bull, AIA representative for Kelly Parker.
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated the applicant is asking for a five foot two inch height
above the thirty five foot height limit for Tybee Island. This monitor will be in the middle of the building and would
bring more natural light in the house with windows on all four sides. Staff recommends denial. Josh Bull who lives
at Twenty Eight E. 35th Street Savannah approached the Planning Commission and stated that this is a light monitor
that will sit in the middle of the house, at the top and would be five foot two inches above the thirty five foot height
limit. The light monitor is to allow natural daylight to enter the center of the building and allows passive ventilation
through the house. There will be no lights in the monitor. He showed a few elevation views of the house showing the
monitor. Doug Mckay who lives at 1510 Fifth Avenue approached the Planning Commission and stated Tybee has
the thirty five foot height limit for a reason and if we allow one, there will probably be more to follow. Larry
Sprague who lives at 40 E. 45th Street Savannah approached the Planning Commission and stated he and his wife,
Mary Ellen, own the property behind this property, 1811 Chatham Avenue, and they are in support of the monitor on
this house. Sarah Jones who is with the Tybee Island Historical Society at 30 Meddin Dr. stated that a beautiful
one -hundred -year-old cottage was demolished at this site and she thinks this is a total disregard for the city
ordinances and Tybee's history to now ask for a variance against the height limit for the new home to go in its place.
Alan Robertson made a motion to deny. Tina Gann seconded. The vote to deny was unanimous.
Discussion only: Sec. 3-020 — Continuance of nonconforming uses/structures.
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated that Councilman Barry Brown felt this ordinance
should be approved at staff level instead of going to council. He stated Councilman Barry Brown would like
Planning Commission to discuss this. Alan Robertson stated he feels it is very important that ordinance approval
continue going through Planning Commission and City Council because he feels over time the City would lose some
of the character of the island and he would be very opposed to this. Vice Chair Bossick stated we should not keep
allowing structures to rebuild nonconforming structures in the footprint. Demery Bishop stated Planning
Commission discussed this item and now are not in favor. In addition, Planning Commission would like to discuss
additional iterations with the intent of providing feedback to the council on this issue.
2019 Planning Commission meetings.
Lisa Schaaf approached the Planning Commission and stated the first three Mondays of 2019 that will fall on the
normal Planning Commission nights are holidays, so there needs to be a decision on whether to schedule the
meetings for the Mondays before or the Mondays after these meeting dates. Planning Commission made the
recommendation to schedule for the Mondays before which will be the second Monday of January, February and
March of 2019.
Standing Agenda Item:
MPIC Update.
Alan Robertson stated this standing agenda item could be removed.
David McNaughton made a motion to Adjourn. Marianne Bramble seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 10:00pm.
Lisa L. Schaaf