HomeMy Public PortalAbout20190617_PC_MINUTES.pdfPLANNING COMMISSION
Demery Bishop
Ron Bossick
Marianne Bramble
Tina Gann
Charles Matlock
David McNaughton
Alan Robertson
Planning Commission Meeting
MINUTES
June 17, 2019
CITY MANAGER
Shawn Gillen
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
George Shaw
CITY ATTORNEY
Edward M. Hughes
Chair Bishop called the June 17, 2019, Tybee Island Planning Commission meeting to order.
Commissioners present were Marianne Bramble, David McNaughton, Alan Robertson, Charles
Matlock and Tina Gann. Ron Bossick was absent.
Consideration of Minutes:
Chair Bishop asked for consideration of the May 20 2019, meeting minutes. Commissioner
Robertson made a motion to approve. Commissioner Matlock seconded. The vote to approve was
unanimous.
Disclosures/Recusals:
Chair Bishop asked if there were any disclosures or recusals. There were none
Old Business:
Chair Demery Bishop asked if there was any old business. Commissioner McNaughton asked
George Shaw where we are on the proposed change related to the casino boat. George Shaw stated he
has had no feedback so far from City Council on that subject. Commissioner McNaughton made a
motion to recommend City Council amend Sec. 4-050 paragraph (L) under uses permitted after site
plan approval and remove the letter L. passenger cruise lines, so they will no longer be permitted.
Commissioner Robertson seconded. The vote was four to one, motion carries.
New Business:
Subdivision of Land: requesting to divide property back into 3 single-family lots —109 Jones
Avenue — Zone R-2 and C-2 — 4-0003-13-021— Thomas A. Smith.
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated the owner applicant of 109 Jones
Avenue would like to recreate the three lots that were originally platted at this property.
Commissioner Bramble asked could a duplex be built on any of these lots. George Shaw stated yes
on one of the lots a duplex can be built. Chair Bishop asked if this re -subdivision currently meets
existing Land Development codes. George Shaw stated yes and the City Attorney does not believe the
sixty -foot rule applies in this case because these lots existed before. Commissioner McNaughton
stated he would like to know if one of these lots is commercial or not. George Shaw stated that was
an error and he would make sure what the zoning is on that lot. Thomas A. Smith approached the
Planning Commission and stated that two of these lots are residential and one is commercial.
Commissioner McNaughton made a motion to continue this item until the July agenda to gather
information on whether one lot is Commercial or not. Commissioner Bramble seconded. The vote to
continue was unanimous.
Discussion only:
Home Base Business and Home Occupation Business — City of Tybee Island
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated that staff is looking for a clear
understanding of what is allowed for home based and home occupation business. One is allowed by
right and one by special review only. For example home based has to be conducted entirely within the
home. Is a shed allowed to be used for home business or not. If customers come to the home which
would that be and if so is there a limit to that. Also if there is inventory or making of products can that
be stored outside or in a garage. Would that be part of the home. Chair Bishop stated an office is a
physical room within the home. An occupation is using that office for that occupation for example
using a laptop. Chair Bishop stated Planning and Zoning needs to figure this out in office. George
Shaw stated that would be good.
Changing to buildable area requirement rather than simply lot size:
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated this is about changing the requirement
to buildable upland area instead of lot size. Commissioner McNaughton made a motion to
recommend City Council adopt a change in the Land Development code that identifies buildable area
as the continuous area of upland soils designated for development of a lot. The area identifies coastal
marshlands are excluded from the buildable area associated with a lot. Areas subject to setbacks
maybe included when calculating buildable area. Commissioner Robertson seconded. The vote was
unanimous.
200 -foot rule:
Commissioner McNaughton moved that we ask City Council to eliminate Sec. 3-090 (1).
Commissioner Robertson seconded. The vote was unanimous. Keith Gay approached the Planning
Commission and asked that Planning and Zoning Commission to take under advisement if you have a
large number of people whose families have owned lots for a long period with the expectation of
building on them consistent with this rule. Properties on the beach side will lose ocean views being
farther back when the other buildings are all forward. The other purpose with this is to have some
conformity with the way the buildings line up on the streets.
Requiring 100 percent (less driveway) greenspace in setbacks:
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated this is about saving greenspace area.
Currently allowed in the setbacks are accessory structures, patio's and pool's. This would eliminate
those in the setbacks. Chair Bishop stated there is a possibility to improve on the setback and he is
not sure one hundred percent is reasonable. Commissioner Bramble stated Tybee is in need of more
greenspace to soak up some of the torrential rains we get. Commissioner Bramble made a motion
that the City Council consider increasing the percentage of greenspace required in setbacks.
Commissioner Gann seconded. The vote was three in favor Commissioners McNaughton, Gann
and Bramble and two opposed Commissioners Robertson and Matlock. Motion in favor carried.
Limiting vacation rental licenses:
George Shaw approached the Planning Commission and stated that the intent was to cap the number
of short-term rentals or limit them only to certain zones. The intent is to not let them keep growing.
Chair Bishop stated in 2010 the City was at 40% short-term and now we are 60% short-term rentals.
Commissioner Robertson stated this is more of an importance that we place on managing density on
this island. Commissioner McNaughton stated that water and sewage issues are being driven by the
vacation rental business, so to lessen the strain on the water and sewage issues, vacation rentals is one
place look. Keith Gay of Tybee Beach Vacation rentals approached the Planning Commission and
stated he feels like this would be an invasion of property rights to not be able to rent your own
property. Keith Gay also stated maybe add some kind of tax or fee to short term rentals that would
provide the funding necessary to enhance water supply, improve roads and increase sewage treatment.
Dusty Church who works for Tybee Vacation rentals approached the Planning Commission and
stated he thinks that there might be unintended consequences if a cap is put on short-term rentals. For
example, what is happening in the Downtown Savannah area as far as values on homes that can or
cannot be rentals? He also stated if Tybee would enforce them more, that would be a good start to
decrease the operating number. Mack Kitchens who lives at 146 S. Campbell Avenue, Tybee Island,
approached the Planning Commission and stated he has a vacation rental next to him with a pool. He
thinks the Planning Commission has an obligation to do something about the short-term vacation
rentals. This Island needs some kind of regulation on short-term rentals. He stated Tybee's season is
getting longer. He would like to see stronger actions taking place on the rentals. Maybe a monetary
penalty would help get a better handle on the problems. Chair Bishop stated the Planning
Commission needs data like information on complaints, studies and fees on the short-term rental
industries to try to look at solutions. Karen Gilbert of 113 Jones Avenue Tybee Island approached
the Planning Commission and stated short-term rentals have impacted on the density of Tybee Island
and the over occupancy that is of certain properties puts a strain on water and sewer uses. Planning
Commission should require an occupancy certificate as part of the short-term registration process.
That would initiate inspections. Monty Parks who lives at 1014 Jones Avenue Tybee Island
approached the Planning Commission and stated he was in the group that was formed in 2014 to study
the short-term rental problems. He stated raising the registration fee could help with the water and
sewer cost. We need help with enforcement. Commissioner McNaughton stated he would like to
volunteer to gather the information needed on short-term rentals. Commissioner Robertson made a
motion to continue short-term rentals to the July Planning Commission meeting and adjourn tonight.
Commissioner Bramble seconded. The vote was unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 9:30pm.
Lisa L. Schaaf