 |
 |
 |
|
| The following summary minutes have not been approved by Simpsonville City Council. An official copy of the minutes will be available after adopted by City Council at City Hall 118 NE Main St. Simpsonville. Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, notice of this meeting date, time, place and Agenda was posted on the bulletin board at City Hall and faxed to the newspapers, radio stations, television stations and any concerned citizens. |
|
 |
MINUTES SIMPSONVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, February 6, 2007 SIMPSONVILLE CITY HALL , COUNCIL CHAMBERS 6:30 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: D. McDowell, M. Newman, J. Boyd, D. Witkowski, K. Leitke, R. Shelton
MEMBERS ABSENT: K. Wright
CITY STAFF/LEADERS PRESENT: Al Spain
GREENVILLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Kevin Robinson
CALL TO ORDER/OPENING REMARKS:
Commission Chair Dick Witkowski called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
Mr. Spain held roll call.
Mr. Boyd motioned that the text amendments to the Tree and Landscaping Ordinance be removed.
Mr. Newman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Witkowski addressed all other remaining agenda items to be discussed.
APPROVAL OF JANUARY MINUTES:
Mr. Newman requested to change misspelling in Mr. Leitke’s name and motioned approve the minutes from January’s hearing.
Mr. Boyd seconded the motion.
The minutes from the January hearing were approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Robinson summarized the amended rules of procedure for Planning Commission.
Mr. Leitke expressed concern over the 3 minute time limit for individual discussion and that pertinent information could be left out of discussion.
Mr. Shelton attested that extra time could be given to an individual by Planning Commission if warranted.
Mr. Boyd said that the time limit was fair and that it ensured that no one is denied the right to speak.
Mr. Leitke motioned to approve the amended Planning Commission Rules of Procedure.
Mr. Newman seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Witkowski and Mr. Leitke signed the ordinance. It was collected by Mr. Spain .
TX0701 Historic Preservation District Ordinance
Mr. Robinson summarized the details of the Historic Preservation Ordinance to create voluntary historic properties.
Mr. Leitke addressed Greenville ’s historic districts and inquired about how successful this ordinance would be if the properties were designated voluntarily.
Mr. Shelton mentioned how previous attempts to pass ordinances to create involuntary historic districts had been unsuccessful in Simpsonville.
Mr. Witkowski mentioned that this ordinance would benefit the Cotton Mill and other future designated properties and would be good for downtown
Mr. Tommy Moore, resident of 215 Winterbrook Ln. Simpsonville and developer of Cotton Mill Place , spoke in favor of the ordinance and assured that there were no city, state, or local incentives available to his property and that historic designation would allow for Federal tax credits only. He mentioned that Simpsonville could become only the 13 th Certified Local Government, or CLG, in South Carolina once the ordinance is in place and the city is granted status.
Mr. Moore mentioned that his partner had gone through the same procedure in Lansing Michigan .
Mr. Leitke mentioned several examples of historic properties that were poorly redeveloped and expressed concern for Cotton Mill place.
Mr. Newman asked Mr. Moore if Brad Sauls wanted the Department of Interior Standards in the ordinance.
Mr. Moore said state standards would be different.
Mr. Shelton asked about what benefits would be gained by designated properties.
Mr. Moore said it would be a 10% Federal tax credit.
Mr. Shelton recommended several changes to the ordinance to remove “districts”, and to keep the application for designation of these properties voluntary.
Mr. Witkowski requested that the appropriate changes be made to the ordinance and be brought back for vote at the March hearing
Mr. Newman motioned to table the ordinance
Mr. Shelton seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously Z-2007-01 412 Stokes Place Planned Development
Mr. Robinson presented the property. Staff recommended approval with the contingency that Commission approved tree survey and a stub out connection be made to allow for future connectivity in the area with other vacant parcels.
Ms. Evelyn Evangeletti addressed Planning Commission to represent the proposed planned development. She agreed that a tree survey would be appropriate, and also mentioned that the adjacent property to the west may connect and share the road at a later time, but said that requiring a stub out at the end of the cul-de-sac was not necessary and would allow too much through traffic in the neighborhood. She also mentioned that homes in the neighborhood would be in the $300,000 price range and that they should not have to contend with traffic. It was also mentioned that the county does not currently require extra connectivity on parcels less than 5 acres.
Mr. Witkowski asked what advantage a rezoning to Planned Development would serve the developer and why it was being requested.
Ms Evangeletti said that a mistake had been made when the parcel was requested to be rezoned to R-12 and that it should have been a Planned Development to begin with.
Mr. Leitke said he saw a need for connectivity and that these new neighborhoods should not be “islands unto themselves”.
Mr. Shelton asked Ms. Evangeletti if the property would attain the highest and best use and be the most beneficial to the city without a stub out.
Ms. Evangeletti said yes.
Mr. Shelton followed this by saying that this was not Hilton Head Island , but a small neighborhood and that this design would be more valuable and more secure.
Mr. Leitke motioned to approve the rezoning to Planned Development with staff recommended contingencies.
There was no second. The motion did not pass.
Mr. Shelton motioned to approve the Planned Development without the contingency for stub-outs.
Mr. McDowell seconded the motion.
The vote was 5 to 1 in favor of the motion. Motion carried. Planned Development approved.
Z-2004-03 Extension and Amendment to South Main Place Final Development Plan
Mr. Robinson presented the property including the zoning history and the proposed changes to the Final Development Plan by the developer.
Mr. Shelton had some concerns about the definition of “semi-gated” entrance.
Mr. Darren Anderson, resident of 102 Laughing Tree Court , Fountain Inn , SC , and owner of the property defined the semi gated entrance as wrought iron and open to foot traffic.
Mr. Shelton said that he liked the walkability of the downtown area and the development.
Mr. Bruce Larson, came forward to present the changes to the property. He was involved with the property when it was originally approved as a Planned Development. He assured Commission that the changes would improve the area and that it would connect the Cotton Mill and downtown. Mr. Larson also informed Commission the railroad right of way would become a trail if city gained ownership of it, the detention pond will have a fountain and will be open from all sides for public access, and sidewalks were to be included on both sides of the road instead of only one and would include pervious pavers. He also passed out packets with renderings of representative houses for the development.
Mr. Spain explained to Commission that the SC Vested Rights Law requires expiration of final development plans after 2 years and that after that time approval from Planning Commission must come before they can be changed or developed.
Mr. Newman asked if this could be denied.
Mr. Robinson said that the changes to the final development plan and extension for the original can be denied.
Mr. Newman asked about the availability of sewer.
Mr. Larson said all necessary infrastructure was in place, pavers were on site for sidewalk construction, and that the whole development would be complete within 12-15 months of approval.
Mr. Newman asked about the driveway configuration and the availability of on-street parking.
Mr. Larson said that some driveways would be shared with detached garages for some houses and that there would be no on-street parking, Driveways should be sufficient. He also noted that some of the lots extend onto the other side of Main St. for extra parking.
Mr. Newman asked about the privacy fence.
Mr. Larson said that Leland Cypress trees would be included for screening and there will be a 6 ft privacy fence on two sides of the development.
Mr. Larson also said the design would be complimentary and appealing to downtown.
Mr. Shelton agreed that this was a positive contribution to the city and that this infill development would increase the tax base with little burden to city infrastructure.
Mr. Witkowski mentioned that pervious concrete should be used in the streets.
Mr. Spain said that the asphalt hadn’t been approved for Simpsonville.
Mr. Anderson mentioned that the pavers to be used around the storm water runoff and detention pond areas would get 100 % permeability.
Mr. Witkowski recommended a light be included at the entrance and that all lighting should be ornamental and should match that of Simponville’s downtown.
Mr. Anderson said there would be one light at the entrance and possibly more in the development.
Mr. Newman motioned for approval of the time extension and amendment to the final development plans for South Main Place with the mentioned contingencies.
Mr. Shelton seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.
Other Business
Mr. Robinson notified Planning Commission that minutes will be available for posting starting on March 1 st .
Mr. Newman said before an ordinance is pursued to for Check Cashing/Pay Day Loan institutions that Mr. Spain should speak with Mr. David Holmes to determine the legal definitions of financial institutions.
Mr. Spain said that he would check on these and address them at the next workshop meeting.
Mr. Witkowski recommended that a date be set for a workshop to discuss the Georgia and Fairview Rd. overlays.
February the 22 nd at 6:30 pm was set as the next workshop date.
Mr. Witkowski asked that Ms. Karen Wright’s phone number be changed online.
Mr. Newman commented about the Shadow Creek Planned Development. He expressed concern that it was originally 3 lots and was approved that way, but then went to 4 lots and at the time of approval of the Final Development Plan that it contained 5 lots.
Mr. Witkowski said that the Final Development Plan had 5 parcels, but that neither the acreage nor anything else changed accordingly in the plans.
Mr. Newman said that the presentation given by staff included only the 3 parcels. He expressed disappointment because the “big picture” could not be seen ahead of time and the development created a un annexed island.
Mr. Newman also addressed concerns with storm water issues in Duffie Woods.
Mr. Spain said there are no storm water issues within Duffie Woods, but that flooding is occurring there from runoff from Shadow Wood.
Mr. Newman said DHEC requires specific procedures and that it be should be inspected although this is not happening.
Mr. Newman presented pictures to Mr. Spain as well as DHEC regulations and asked that he speak with DHEC about the issue.
Mr. Spain said that Mr. Russell Hawes, City Administrator, had been in contact with state officials about the matter.
Mr. Shelton motioned to adjourn.
Mr. Witkowski seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously, hearing adjourned at 8:40 pm.
ADJOURN
|
|
|
| 118 N E Main Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681 |
|
