The following summary minutes have not been approved by Simpsonville Planning Commission. An official copy of the minutes will be available after adopted by Planning Commission 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.

SIMPSONVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 5, 2008, 6:30 P.M.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Kirk Leitke, Mike Newman, Mikelene Loe, James Boyd

MEMBERS ABSENT: Hunter Howard III, Caroline Mahaffey, Roy Shelton

CITY STAFF/LEADERS PRESENT: David Dyrhaug

GREENVILLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING STAFF PRESENT: None

CALL TO ORDER/OPENING REMARKS:

Commission Chair Mike Newman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Mr. Dyrhaug held roll call.

Mr. Newman presented the items on the agenda and the hearing rules of procedure.

Mr. Boyd moved to accept the January 2, 2008 Planning Commission minutes.

Mr. Leitke seconded the motion.

Mr. Newman noted some typographical and grammatical corrections to the minutes.

The motion to approve the January 2, 2008 Planning Commission minutes passed unanimously, 4-0.

The January 2, 2008 Planning Commission Hearing minutes were approved.

Z-2008-01, Rezoning Request of Sanchez Properties, LLC, Property along W. Georgia Road

Mr. Dyrhaug presented a petition for a zoning map amendment to the Official Zoning Map of the City of Simpsonville. This petition entails 1 property along West Georgia Road owned by Sanchez Properties, LLC. The applicant has requested rezoning to the C-2 zoning district. This property is presently zoned R-M. The applicant intends to market and develop this property with the two adjacent properties owned by the same property owner. Those other two properties are already zoned C-2. The property owner (of the Bradford Place Apartments) to the east of this property has submitted a letter to the City requesting certain landscape and buffer provisions. The applicant has indicated his willingness to meet their request. Staff supports the requested rezoning to C-2 for the subject property.

Mr. Leitke moved to recommend to the City Council approval of the requested rezoning to C-2 for the property listed in docket number Z-2008-01 on the condition that the applicant provides the buffering standards requested by the property owner of the Bradford Place Apartments and recommended by Staff.

Ms. Loe seconded the motion.

The motion to recommend approval of Z-2008-01 passed unanimously, 4-0.

Z-2008-02, Rezoning Request of Tonda Carter Property at 801 E. Georgia Road

Mr. Dyrhaug presented a petition for a zoning map amendment to the Official Zoning Map of the City of Simpsonville. This petition entails 1 property at 801 E. Georgia Road owned by Tonda Carter. The applicant has requested rezoning to the R-M zoning district. This property is presently zoned R-15. The applicant intends to develop this property for a duplex residential dwelling. Staff supports the requested rezoning to R-M for the subject property.

Mr. Leitke moved to recommend to the City Council approval of the requested rezoning to R-M for the property listed in docket number Z-2008-02.

Mr. Boyd seconded the motion.

The motion to recommend approval of Z-2008-02 passed unanimously, 4-0.

SP-2008-01, A Minor Change to a PD located at 119 Hedge Street

Mr. Dyrhaug presented a request for a minor change to a previously approved planned development located at 119 Hedge Street. Over 8 years ago, this property was rezoned to PD with the intention to develop it with a mixed-use building containing two offices at the ground floor and three dwelling units above. However, the property was never developed following that rezoning. The present property owner desires to construct a single-family residence at this site with a home-based business (photography studio). However, the applicant has been made aware of some sewer issues pertaining to the property and has requested that this item be tabled until he can work those issues out with the Public Works Department.

Mr. Boyd moved to table docket number SP-2008-01.

Mr. Leitke seconded the motion.

The motion to table docket number SP-2008-01 passed unanimously, 4-0.

SP-2008-02, A Request to Clear Trees at the South Street Planned Development

Mr. Dyrhaug presented a request to clear trees at the South Street Planned Development. The requested tree-clearing activity would be at the commercial phase of this planned development. The applicant has indicated that those trees within 40 feet of the centerline of the creek that runs through this property would be preserved at this time. All other trees are proposed to be cleared. Mr. Dyrhaug presented four recommendations from staff that should be adhered to in conjunction with this request to clear trees.

Mr. Mellinger, an authorized representative of the applicant, noted that he would meet staff’s recommended procedures and standards. He noted his intention to clean up the area in and to make the property more marketable.

The Planning Commission engaged in discussion pertaining to the existing tree density of the property and concerns regarding the excessive number of trees proposed to be cleared.

Mr. Leitke expressed significant reservations about disturbing this property. He identified drainage issues throughout Westwood that could be compounded by this tree-clearing request. Denuding this property may add more sediment to the creek bed and cause more flooding problems.

Mr. Newman requested that the applicant make an effort to preserve more trees at this time. Mr. Newman also recommended that the applicant invite a representative from Gray Engineering to any future Planning Commission meetings on this matter.

Mr. Leitke moved to table docket number SP-2008-02.

Ms. Loe seconded the motion.

The motion to table docket number SP-2008-02 passed unanimously, 4-0.

AXZ-2008-01, Proposed Annexation and Rezoning Request of the Tuley & Tuley, Inc. Property along Highway 14

Mr. Dyrhaug presented a request to rezone and annex into the City of Simpsonville a property owned by Tuley & Tuley, Inc. This property is 70 acres in size and is located along Highway 14 between the Summit Place Living Center and the Duke Energy Office. The applicant has requested rezoning to the PD zoning district. The property is currently zoned R-S in the County. The Statement of Intent indicates a mixture of commercial, multi-family residential, and single-family residential uses. Specifically, this development would entail approximately 120,000 square feet of commercial space along the front of the property, 162 single-family dwelling units toward the rear of the property, and 280 multi-family dwelling units nestled between the commercial and single-family residential areas. The single-family residential area would tie in with the existing Heritage Creek Subdivision at two points. Staff supports the proposed annexation and rezoning.

Mr. Newman asked if this property was currently surrounding by the City limits on all sides.

Mr. Dyrhaug responded that this property is surrounded by the City limits on three sides.

Mr. Newman asked if sewer approvals were in place for this project.

Mr. Dyrhaug responded that he had received a memo from the Public Works Department indicating that City sewer is available in the line that serves Heritage Creek.

Mr. Mark Holmes, an authorized representative of this project, noted some positive interactions between this proposed development and the nearby Heritage Park.

Mr. Newman noted that the applicant should bear in mind possible traffic calming methods as the move forward in planning this development.

Mr. Leitke raised his concern that many subdivisions nearby and throughout Simpsonville have not yet built out. In addition, there are a lot of older homes on the market that are not selling. He is concerned that approving more residential developments in the City will hurt the values of existing residential properties in the City and that the market will be overly flooded.

Mr. Rick Tuley, the applicant, responded that they studied the supply and demand of this type of development and have found a strong market for this type of development. He also noted that construction of new homes in the proposed development will not begin until the Heritage Creek Subdivision has built out.

Mr. Boyd moved to recommend to the City Council approval of the requested rezoning to PD for the property listed in AXZ-2008-01.

Ms. Loe seconded the motion.

The motion to recommend approval of Z-2007-04 passed, 3-1 with Mr. Leitke casting the dissenting vote.

Z-2008-03, Rezoning Request of Harnesberger Property at 401 N. Main Street

Mr. Dyrhaug presented a petition for a zoning map amendment to the Official Zoning Map of the City of Simpsonville. This petition entails 1 property at 401 N. Main Street owned by William Harnesberger. The applicant has requested rezoning to the C-2 zoning district. This property is presently zoned C-3. The applicant intends to use this property for the sale of exotic cars. Mr. Dyrhaug noted that just before the meeting, the applicant expressed his desire to have his request tabled.

Ms. Loe moved to table docket number Z-2008-03.

Mr. Boyd seconded the motion.

The motion to table docket number Z-2008-03 passed unanimously, 4-0.

TX-2008-01, A Text Amendment Regarding Child Care Homes

Mr. Dyrhaug presented a text amendment regarding child care homes. The Board of Zoning Appeals has brought to staff’s attention that the City’s current regulations for child care homes and child care centers are not up-to-date and consistent with the State’s regulations. In this text amendment, the correct name of the appropriate State department which regulates child care services has been identified. In addition, this text amendment outlines updated procedures for gaining zoning approving, obtaining a State license, and obtaining a City license. These proposed procedures are consistent with those procedures prescribed by the State. Staff supports this proposed text amendment.

Mr. Leitke moved to recommend to the City Council approval of TX-2008-01.

Mr. Boyd seconded the motion.

The motion to recommend approval of text amendment TX-2008-01 passed unanimously, 4-0.

Preliminary Plat for Stones Throw at Hudders Creek

Mr. Dyrhaug presented an item for preliminary plat review. This plat is for Stones Throw at Hudders Creek. Staff has reviewed this plat for technical compliance with the Simpsonville Land Development Regulations and Zoning Ordinance and has found it to meet the technical requirements therein.

Mr. Leitke moved to approve the preliminary plat for Stones Throw at Hudders Creek.

Mr. Boyd seconded the motion.

The motion to approve the preliminary plat for Stones Throw at Hudders Creek passed unanimously, 4-0.

Other Business

Mr. Dyrhaug shared a memo that he received from the Appalachian Council of Governments. They have taken over the administration of orientation and continuing education required by the State for planning-related officials. In this memo the ACOG identified dates for orientation session and continuing education sessions that they provide.

Mr. Newman recommended that the City work with the ACOG to hold a continuing education session here at City Hall. Specifically, he recommended that the session scheduled for April 28 be held here at City Hall.

Mr. Dyrhaug replied that he will follow-up on this scheduling.

Mr. Leitke noted his recommendation that a workshop be scheduled to get all of the Planning Commission members up to speed on that progress and status of the Design Overlay Districts Ordinance that the City has been working on for some time.

This workshop was scheduled for Thursday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Mr. Leitke moved to adjourn the meeting.

Ms. Loe seconded the motion.

The motion was approved unanimously, 4-0.

Commission adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

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