Back

Called Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia                                                           Page 2378

August 13, 2007

Harlem City Hall

The City Council of the City of Harlem, Georgia met for a Called Meeting on Monday, August 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Harlem City Hall with Mayor Scott Dean presiding.

Present:  COUNCILMEMBERS:  Mayor Scott Dean, Councilman Tom Blalock, Councilwoman Robin M. Root, and Councilman John Thigpen; STAFF:  City Manager Jean R. Dove and City Clerk Debra E. Moore; ABSENT:  Mayor Pro tem Dixon and City Attorney Barry Fleming; VISITORS:  James Thomas, Jr., David W. Simoneau, Charles Cunningham, William P. Dozier, Bobby Culpepper, Tim Farr and Phil Turner.

Purpose:                       Variance Requests:

                                                James Thomas Jr.-210 Stone Street

                                                William P. Dozier-325 W. Milledgeville Road

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dean at 7:00 p.m.

The Invocation was given by Councilman Blalock.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Thigpen.

Variance Request-James Thomas, Jr.-210 Stone Street: 

• Eight foot side yard variance-the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission is that the eight foot side yard variance request be granted.  Mayor Dean called for a motion to approve the request; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2^nd by Councilwoman Root.  Motion carried; all in favor.
• Variance for Accessory Structure Material-there is no action required on this item as the home owner agreed at the Planning and Zoning meeting to build the structure with like materials as the existing main structure (vinyl).

Variance Request-William P. Dozier, Jr.-325 W. Milledgeville Road: Ten foot rear property variance-Planning and Zoning is making the recommendation to deny the variance based on the following:  No one present at Planning & Zoning hearing, lack of curbing on S. Hatcher Street (green space), deceleration lane/turn lane on W. Milledgeville Road (east bound), retention pond, and aesthetics of the property (fencing).

Bobby Culpepper, Planning & Zoning Chairman, addressed Council with the Commission’s concerns.  Mr. Culpepper stated they had concerns with the retention pond being at the front of the property, the aesthetics at the back of the building (fencing), truck traffic on S. Hatcher Street and paving to paving on that same side.  There was no one available at the P & Z hearing to address their issues.  Mr. David Simoneau and William P. Dozier were both present to address these issues.  Mr. Simoneau presented Council with an enlarge version of the plan for the new grocery store and property.  He pointed out that the deceleration lane is in existence.  The retention pond is at the front

Called Meeting, City of Harlem, Georgia                                                           Page 2379

August 13, 2007

Continued from page 2378

Variance Request-William P. Dozier (cont’d):

due to the only outlet for drainage is located at Milledgeville Road.  There will be no fencing around the retention pond.  The water will not be permanent; expected to be a dry pond. The “paving to paving” on the S. Hatcher side is preferred so they will be able to utilize all of the parking.  The main delivery route will be from the W. Milledgeville Road (Hwy. 78) entrance through the area in front of the store.  The compressors will be located at the rear of the stored and will be screened in; screening is preferred to privacy fence.  The loading dock is on the side of the building.  Mr. Simoneau expressed his apologies for not being in attendance at the Planning and Zoning meeting.  City Manager Dove stated that the City Engineer recommends curbing on the S. Hatcher side as far as a public safety issue; not necessarily a full length curb, but islands.  Councilman Blalock had some questions concerning the access on S. Hatcher Street and the retention pond.  Mr. Simoneau addressed these.  Mr. Simoneau expects that the retention pond will go dry within 24 hours.  As yet, landscaping has not been discussed with IGA/Flowers, Inc.  The retention pond will be grassed; not against shrubbery.  The depth of the pond will be 3’x45’x160’.  When they are ready for design, they will come back to the City for directions as to what is wanted or required.  Mayor Dean stated that right now they would definitely want shrubbery at the road and grass in the islands.  Mayor Dean questioned Planning and Zoning Chairman Bobby Culpepper if all items had been addressed to his satisfaction; he answered to the affirmative.  Councilwoman Root questioned again what the decision was on the privacy fencing at the back; no there would not be.  The compressors would be screened in. 

Mayor Dean called for a motion to allow for the passage of the Variance Request with the agreement of complying with the screening/fencing, grassing/planting and curbing on S. Hatcher being part of the final approval per Planning and Zoning rules.  The curbing is so that there will not be a “free for all” on S. Hatcher and would alleviate any safety issues.  There will also be no access for trucks on S. Hatcher.  Councilman Thigpen made that motion; 2^nd by Councilwoman Root.  Discussion-Councilman Blalock wanted clarification of the motion.  Mayor Dean clarified by proposing the approval of the Variance with three conditions:  screening of compressors, plantings of shrubbery around the pond and curbing on S. Hatcher.  Councilman Blalock wants to make sure that they do comply with the required 20% greenspace.  Motion carried; all in favor.

Mayor Dean called for a motion to adjourn the meeting; that motion was made by Councilman Thigpen; 2^nd by Councilwoman Root.  Motion carried; all in favor.  The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Debra E. Moore

City Clerk