HomeMy Public PortalAbout20220815_PC_MINUTES.pdf
PLANNING COMMISSION CITY MANAGER
Marie Gooding Shawn Gillen
Susan Hill
David McNaughton
Elaine McGruder COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Whitley Reynolds George Shaw
Marie Rodriguez
Martha Williams CITY ATTORNEY CITY ATTORNEY
Edward M. Hughes
Planning Commission Meeting
MINUTES
August 15, 2022
Chair David McNaughton called the August 15, 2022, Tybee Island Planning Commission meeting to
order. Commissioners present were Vice Chair Elaine McGruder, Susan Hill, Whitley Reynolds,
Marie Rodriguez, Marie Gooding and Martha Williams.
Consideration of Minutes:
Chair David McNaughton asked for consideration of the June 13, 2022, meeting minutes. Susan
Hill made a motion to approve. Elaine McGruder seconded. Vote was unanimous.
Disclosures/Recusals:
Chair David McNaughton asked if there were any Disclosures or Recusals. David McNaughton
stated he would recuse himself from the Text Amendment to the Land Development code and Elaine
McGruder will chair during that item.
Public Hearings:
Tree Appeal: 30 Meddin Drive – Tybee Island Historical Society.
George Shaw stated when this property had these thirty four oak trees planted they were planted
to close together for oak trees. They would like to remove fourteen of these trees for the health of
the remaining trees. The arborists agree these do need to be removed. This is not contemplated
in our ordinance, these are significant trees and we don’t allow them to be removed. This is an
appeal and staff recommends approval. Allen Lewis, vice president of the Tybee Island Historical
Society, who lives at 8 Lighthouse Lane, approached the Planning Commission and stated this is
the area behind where the Tybee Farmers Market is located. The trees are eating themselves and
need to be thinned out. Sarah Jones, executive director of the Tybee Island Historical Society,
approached the Planning Commission and stated she would like to add that they are worried
about the weak limbs falling and the vendors that attend the Farmers Market. Hope Barton,
president of the Tybee Island Historical Society, approached the Planning Commission and
stated that live oak trees have an entangled root system that needs to be kept in tack that is why
they need to be cut at ground level. Elaine McGruder made a motion to approve. Marie
Rodriguez seconded. The vote to approve was unanimous. Chair David McNaughton stated
five months ago Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that City Council
change the code to address these kind of issues. He asked the Planning Commissioners shall we
send this again to add to Section 7-060. (The Planning Commission also agreed to resend to
Council a proposed amendment to Section 7-060, the tree ordinance, to add an exception for
removal of significant trees, as follows:
3. In accordance with overall tree conservation objectives detailed in Sec. 7-020 and in alignment with
best practices of the American National Standards Institute’s International Society of Arboriculture
body of knowledge, as recommended by the zoning administrator and a certified arborist.)
Site Plan: 601 US Hwy 80 – Cameron Weeks
George Shaw stated the applicant Mr. Weeks has applied to start a golf cart rental business in
the old Freddy’s garage auto repair shop. That is in the C-2 zoning district. He is not changing
anything on the exterior of the building. They are not adding any additional impervious surfaces.
The site has access to Fifth Avenue so no carts will have to go on Highway 80. There is ample
room for the required parking spaces and staff recommends approval. Elaine McGruder asked
what going to keep people from going onto Highway 80. George Shaw stated the police.
Elaine McGruder stated you going to have a police officer there, I don’t think so. George
Shaw stated no, but the rental agent is required to explain all that to the renters. There is
another golf cart rental on Highway 80 and Campbell. Cameron Weeks, who lives at 605
Miller Avenue, approached the Planning Commission and asked if anyone had any questions for
him. Chair David McNaughton stated he is looking at the survey that was in the package and
where are you going to put the golf carts and how many will there be. Cameron Weeks stated
the golf carts will be stored inside the garage as well as behind it , and there will be thirty golf
carts. David McNaughton asked who will make sure they do not go onto Fifth Avenue and not
Highway 80 and will you provide some kind of map so when they leave they know which way to
go to the correct crossing. Cameron Weeks stated yes they will be read the contract and rules
and a map as well per City ordinance. David McNaughton asked if you have o you have one to
show us tonight. Marie Gooding asked Cameron Weeks to give his business plan a lot of
thought as to the safety issues with ingress/egress to the lot, and make sure his customers follow
your directions. Martha Williams stated she has a couple of concerns. One is underage drivers
and two intoxicated drivers. How will you address people breaking those types of rules, major
infractions? Cameron Weeks stated the cart will immediately be revoked and the contract will
state all those rules. Debbie Kearney, who lives at 1101 Second Avenue, approached the
Planning Commission and asked if there is any precedence to ask the residence around the
property how they feel about a new business on their street. George Shaw stated adjacent
properties are given a notice and there is a sign on the property a week before the meeting. And
we have not had any comments or letters since the post. Dale Williams, who lives at 1101
Second Avenue, approached the Planning Commission and stated he hopes Cameron Weeks
could commit to electric golf carts, but if he uses motorized golf carts he would be strongly
opposed. Whitley Reynolds made a motion to approve. Marie Gooding seconded. The vote
to approve was 4-2. Four to approve and two to deny.
Special Review: 3 Ocean View Court – Daniel & Ann Iyer.
George Shaw stated this home is next to the dunes and the landward side of the dunes Is currently
under their house. They would like to build a retaining wall ten feet back from where the current toe of the
dune is located. Staff recommends approval. Daniel Iyer, who lives at 3 Ocean View Court, approached
the Planning Commission and stated they would like to redo their home and the dunes need
a barrier to keep from cracking the foundation. David McNaughton asked if he was demolishing the
house to build a new one. Daniel Iyer yes it will be in the same area, and the problem will still remain.
The house will not be able to go exactly where the house is now, but we have accounted for that with the
New plans. David McNaughton asked if he had an engineering opinion of whether the dune
encroachment threatens the integrity of the home. Daniel Iyer stated before he bought the home an
engineer stated based on the flood waters it will be an issue. David McNaughton asked if eight foot is
necessary. Daniel Iyer stated yes that would still keep the dunes intact. Susan Hill stated this is a huge
undertaking and she hopes it works out for you. Elaine McGruder made a motion to approve. Whitley
Reynolds seconded. The vote to approve was unanimous.
Text Amendment: Land Development Code –4-050(A) (2) -4-050(A),(B), (C) -5-
020(A) -5- 040(B) -City of Tybee Island
George Shaw stated there are three text amendments that the City Attorney has labeled Z1, Z2 & Z3. Z1
is creating a process to allow owner occupied short term rentals in the R1, R2 & R-1-B districts. Z2 is
various potential changes that could create a method for creating a cap in the future. Z3 is the
requirement for one parking space per bedroom. City Council would like comments, suggestions or a vote
on these. Elaine McGruder stated she would still like to have a workshop on this. And she doesn’t feel
comfortable with any of these amendments without a workshop. Whitley Reynolds stated these could
be handled by code enforcement or the police. There is more problem with weekend visitors. Marie
Gooding stated a workshop would be very helpful for more information of what are we trying to
accomplish. Susan Hill stated Tybee has raised the bar since the past and a workshop is needed to
understand and develop a balance.
Speakers on Text Amendment:
Steve Buckner, 8 Rosewood Avenue. Dale Williams, 1101 2nd Avenue. Larry Phillips, 1310 2nd Avenue.
Debbie Kerney, 1101 2nd Avenue. Tony Leschak, 40 Captains View. Brian Sheilds, 5 11th terrace. Tonya
Huff, 52 Captains View. Ruth Wilson, 1304 Venetian Drive. Roger Huff, 52 Captains View. Mary
McLemore, 3 Ally 3. Neil Estroff, 716 Jones Avenue. Ginny Van Oostrom, 1807 Butler Avenue. Loren
Schroder, 152 Rendant Avenue. Trena Brown, 11 5th Avenue. Keith Gay, 117 Catalina Avenue. Beth
Sheffield, 1601 Chatham Avenue. Cody Gay, 2 6th Avenue. Amy Gaster, 129 Eagles Nest Drive. Jenny
Rutherford, 1202 US Hwy 80.
Marie Gooding made a motion on Z1 and Z2 to continue. Whitley Reynolds seconded. Until a
workshop is scheduled. The vote to continue was 3-2. Whitley Reynolds, Marie Gooding and Elaine
McGruder to break tie voted yeah and Marie Rodriguez and Susan Hill voted nay.
Marie Gooding made a motion on Z3 to deny. Whitley Reynolds seconded. The vote to deny was 3-2.
Whitley Reynolds, Marie Gooding and Elaine McGruder to break tie voted yeah and Marie
Rodriguez and Susan Hill voted nay.
Adjournment: 8:30pm
Lisa L. Schaaf