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| 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. |
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SIMPSONVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007, 6:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Caroline Richardson-Mahaffey, Dick Witkowski, Mike Newman, Roy Shelton, James Boyd
MEMBERS ABSENT: Donnie McDowell, Kirk Leitke
CITY STAFF/LEADERS PRESENT: David Dyrhaug
CALL TO ORDER/OPENING REMARKS:
Commission Chair Dick Witkowski called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. Dyrhaug held roll call.
Mr. Witkowski presented the items on the agenda and the hearing rules of procedure.
Mr. Witkowski asked for an update regarding AXZ-2007-04 which was scheduled to be heard before City Council in October. This was a r ezoning and annexation request for several properties on W. Georgia Road .
Mr. Dyrhaug indicated that this item was tabled at the City Council meeting so that the City Attorney could present an opinion regarding a legal matter that was raised. Mr. Dyrhaug has been informed that the City Attorney found in favor of the annexation proceeding forward as presented. He did not find anything to support the arguments that were against the annexation proposal. It will be reconsidered on first reading at Council this upcoming week.
Mr. Boyd moved to accept the October 2, 2007, Planning Commission minutes.
Mr. Newman seconded the motion.
The motion to accept the October 2, 2007, Planning Commission minutes were approved unanimously, 5-0.
SP-07-03, Final Development Plan Review for Stokes Landing Subdivision
Mr. Dyrhaug presented SP-07-03, Stokes Landing Subdivision Final Development Plan for review. This project was annexed and rezoned to PD in May, 2007. The site is 24.4 acres. The proposed development consists of single-family residential dwellings with a total number of 81 lots. The proposed density of this project is 3.32 units per acre. Staff offered the following recommendations regarding this final development plan review:
Staff recommended conditional approval of the project with the contingencies that were just identified.
Mr. Klein, a representative from Gray Engineering Consultants, Inc., indicated that Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority and the City are working together to do some upgrades and maintenance of the sewer line as it ties into this subdivision.
Mr. Newman said there was to be a new line installed along Putnam Street so it could tie into a trunk line that took it to Western Carolina .
Mr. Klein stated that the applicant is working with Jay Crawford in Public Works on this matter. The developer will do whatever they decide needs to be done.
Mr. Dyrhaug expressed that the necessary letters must be presented to the City before permits can be issued. If the applicant needs to modify their final plan in order to get permission from DHEC and/or WCRSA, then they will have to come and get approval from the Planning Commission regarding these proposed modifications.
Mr. Shelton expressed concern that the City has not yet received DHEC and Sewer approval letters.
Mr. Klein stated that the sewer issue is between Western Carolina and the City of Simpsonville not the developer.
Mr. Dyrhaug expressed that no one present here tonight is a professional on sewer or storm water-related issues. For this reason the City relies on WCRSA and DHEC to review these plans separately. In this meeting, the Planning Commission is reviewing the overall site plan and design of the site. In our review we must assume that WCRSA, DHEC, and Public Works will approve the project. Their review has no direct bearing on the design of the site at this present time. If one of the afore-mentioned agencies does not approve this project and the applicant needs to modify the site plan, then the Planning Commission will review those modifications. No construction activity, including grading, may begin until approval letters are received.
An additional contingency was suggested that the City Arborist review the tree survey with the developer and that he is involved in deciding what trees remain on that property.
Ms. Mahaffey moved to conditionally approve SP-07-03, Final Development Plan for Stokes Landing Subdivision, with the contingencies identified by staff and the additional contingency required the City Arborist to review the tree protection/preservation plan.
Mr. Boyd seconded the motion.
The motion to conditionally approve SP-07-03, the Final Development Plan for Stokes Landing Subdivision, passed unanimously, 5-0.
Z-2007-04, Rezoning Request for Heritage Crest
Ms. Mahaffey recused herself from discussing and voting on this matter.
Mr. Dyrhaug presented a request to rezone a project identified as Heritage Crest. This is a rezoning from I-1 (Industrial) to PD (Planned Development). The site is 162 acres. The reason for the rezoning request is to develop a mixed use community consisting of mixed residential uses and non-residential uses. Staff does not have any major concerns regarding the preliminary concept for development of this site. While staff does have some recommendations and comments regarding the preliminary design of the site, these are comments that can be handled at the time of final development plan review. These comments have been provided to the applicant. Staff recommends they forward to Council a recommendation of approval for this project.
Mr. Mark Holmes, a representative of the developer, Land Development Holdings, indicated that there is a lot of flexibility in the plan. There are also on-going discussions regarding access points. There are 27 acres by Parachem that they believe they will reach an agreement on for an entrance/exit.
Mr. Shelton moved to recommend to the City Council approval of the requested rezoning to PD for Z-2007-04.
Mr. Newman seconded the motion.
The motion to recommend to the City Council approval of the requested rezoning passed unanimously, 4-0.
AXZ-2007-05, Rezoning Request of Helen Richardson Property
Ms. Mahaffey recused herself from discussing and voting on this matter.
Mr. Dyrhaug presented a request to annex into the City and rezone a property owned by Helen Richardson. The property is located along Neely Ferry Road. The current zoning is S-1 (Service) and the zone being requested is PD (Planned Development). The acreage of the property is 25.2 acres. At this time there are no preliminary conceptual plans for the property. This property will be marketed for a mixed use development. This property is located behind the Givens Property on Neely Ferry down from the Blooms Shopping Center . The Givens property is zoned C-2. Staff recommends approval to Council for this project. Patton Park has already been established as a PD down the road with plans to do mixed development at that location. This is a natural transition to be next to the Givens property.
Mr. Shelton moved to recommend to the City Council approval of the requested rezoning to PD for AXZ-2007-05.
Mr. Boyd seconded the motion.
The motion to recommend to the City Council approval of the requested rezoning passed unanimously, 4-0.
SP-07-04, Minor Change to Final Development Plan for South Street Apartments
Mr. Dyrhaug presented a request for a minor change to the final development plan for the South Street Apartments. This property was rezoned to PD in May 2007. The final development plan was approved in September 2007. This is a 13.2-acre site. The applicant is requested a change in which a fence and gates will be constructed around the perimeter of the site and across accessways. Creating a gated apartment community meets the applicants intent to establish a premiere apartment development. The gates located across the ingress/egress from South Street will be set back well into the development. However, staff has some concerns regarding the proposed gate across the ingress/egress from Corporate Drive . The stacking distance for vehicles at this gate location is minimal. There is not a lot of room between the gate location and Corporate Drive . There’s only about 20 feet between the gate and where Corporate Drive is located. Staff recommended there be at least 40 feet of stacking distance. Staff also recommended that the gates should not swing outward to prevent issues where the gate is swinging into or towards the right of way. Gate openings should be at least 2 feet wider than access way. The Fire Department has requested a Knox Key Switch installed at each gate that gives them access in case of emergency. They have also requested a battery back-up installed at each gate. The Fire Department requires clear width of 20 feet be provided at each gate location for passage of emergency vehicles. Overall staff recommends conditional approval for this request if they meet the contingencies.
Mr. Klein, representing the applicant, indicated that there will not be a gate between the apartment and retail areas.
Mr. Witkowski indicated opposition to the proposed gates.
Mr. Klein noted that pedestrian access to the site will not be interrupted. In addition, non-residents would have no reason to be walking into the development other than at the front or rear entrances. This proposal will give the appearance of a gated community for marketing reasons. The gates will typically be open all day long.
Mr. Newman asked about the provision of a deceleration lane and questioned if the proposed fence would conflict with the provision of a deceleration lane.
Mr. Dyrhaug noted that the decision regarding the provision of a deceleration lane was deferred until the rest of the development was underway. South Street is a state right-of-way and DOT will have to make a decision on that road.
Mr. Witkowski stated he felt the streets within the community were city streets and therefore they could not deny access to anyone in the City with gates.
Mr. Dyrhaug stated all the streets within this development will be privately owned by the property – they will not be streets that are dedicated to the City.
Mr. Newman moved to conditionally approve SP-07-04, a minor change to the final development plan for the South Street Apartments, with the contingencies recommended by staff.
Mr. Shelton seconded the motion.
The motion to conditionally approve SP-07-04 was approved by a vote of 4-1 with Mr. Witkowski casting the oppositional vote.
TX-2007-04, A Text Amendment to Regulate Outdoor Storage Containers
Mr. Dyrhaug presented a text amendment regarding the regulation of outdoor storage containers. At previous meetings, the Planning Commission expressed their desire to avoid situations where storage containers were used for on-site storage and remained on the property for an indefinite period of time. The main requirements of this ordinance would be: strictly prohibited on streets; permitted only on the driveway; and they should not impair or obstruct the vision of motorist; restriction regarding length of time to 14 days. Language grants extension of time for extenuating circumstances which are identified in the ordinance.
Mr. Shelton moved to recommend to the City Council approval of TX-2007-04.
Mr. Witkowski seconded the motion.
The motion to recommend approval of TX-2007-04 passed unanimously, 5-0.
TX-2007-05, A Text Amendment Modifying the Screening Standards for Service Areas
Mr. Dyrhaug presented a text amendment that would amend the screening standards for service areas. Staff has experience situations in which it is hard to apply this section of the ordinance. Therefore, staff is proposing some minor adjustments by, first, replacing the term “unenclosed material storage” with “outdoor storage”; second, that there’s a consistent standard of 6 feet that is applied to the required screen height; and, third, that the ordinance should identify activities which would be exempt from the screening requirements. He recommended approval of the text amendment.
Mr. Boyd moved to recommend to the City Council approval of TX-2007-05.
Mr. Newman seconded the motion.
The motion to recommend approval of TX-2007-05 passed unanimously, 5-0.
Other Business
Mr. Witkowski indicated that several Planning Commission members terms will expire on December 31 st – those of Donnie McDowell, Caroline Mahaffey, and himself. Mr. McDowell has indicated he will not apply for reinstatement. Caroline Mahaffey is filling out the expired term of a former member and she will be reapplying. Mr. Witkowski’s term expires and he does not intend to apply for reappointment. This is Mr. Witkowski’s last meeting with the Planning Commission and the December meeting will be handled by Mr. Newman. In January the Planning Commission will need to elect new members. Need to have a Chairman and Vice-Chairman. He does not feel they will need to elect a secretary with having a full time Planning Director.
Mr. Witkowski stated it was a pleasure for him to be on the Planning Commission the past 4 years but he feels it’s time for other people to get involved and he hopes City Council will appoint qualified people such as Caroline. He stated it was very enjoyable for him to have her as a new member and taking on the roll as she has, as well as the other members who have been a great help to him and the City. He stated the City was lucky they had people who lived in the community that take on this roll. It is not an easy task. They spend a lot of hours working on the submissions. He thanked everybody for their dedication to the City.
Mr. Newman moved the meeting be adjourned.
Ms. Mahaffey seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously, 5-0. |
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| 118 N E Main Street, Simpsonville, SC 29681 |
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