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Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 1 September 7, 2006 Harlem City Hall
The Planning and Zoning Commission met for meeting at City Hall on Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. with Chairman Bobby Culpepper presiding.
Present: COMMISSION: Chairman Bobby Culpepper, Commissioner Dale Arnold, Commissioner Tim Farr, Commissioner Donnie Head and Commissioner Franklin Jennings; STAFF: City Manager Jean R. Dove, City Clerk Debra E. Moore, City Attorney Lee Bennett and Planning & Zoning Administrative Assistant Deidre Tapley; VISITORS: James Thomas, Jr., Andre and Gayle Miller, J.M. Lonergan, Jr., Charles Crawford, Pierce Crawford, Jerry and Wanda Maddox, Donald Green, Scott Johnson (engineer for Don Green), Adam and Austin Green.
The Meeting was called to order by Chairman Culpepper at 7:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Chairman Culpepper.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Culpepper.
Approval of June 20, 2006 Minutes: Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve the June 20, 2006 Minutes as written; that motion was made by Commissioner Jennings; 2nd by Commissioner Farr. Motion carried; all in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Election of Vice-Chairman: Due to Rich Wingate’s moving outside the City limits, a replacement for Vice-chairman is needed. His replacement on the Commission was Dale Arnold. Chairman Culpepper opened the floor for nominations. Commissioner Jennings nominated Dale Arnold for the position for Vice-chairman. Chairman Culpepper asked if there were any other nominations; as there was not, Chairman Culpepper called for a second on Commissioner Arnold’s nomination; that was made by Commissioner Farr. Motion carried; all in favor.
Variance Request-Harlem Baptist Church: Harlem Baptist Church is requesting a Rear Yard Variance of 15 feet on the rear property line requirement. The property is located at 115 S. Louisville Street, legal map and parcel H04 084. Chairman Culpepper opened the floor for questions or comments, pros or cons. He invited Mr. Lonergan to speak on behalf of Harlem Baptist Church. Mr. Lonergan presented that the building they want to build is just over the 25 foot buffer zone on the rear of the building; this would be located next to the Huddle House parking lot. Commissioner Head asked what the narrowest point of the property was and if emergency vehicles would be able to pass through; Mr. Lonergan stated that the narrowest point was 12 to 14 feet and that emergency vehicles would be able to get through the area. Mr. Lonergan stated that he had a discussion with Mr. Green of the Huddle House and they had no problems. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 2 September 7, 2006
Variance Request-Harlem Baptist Church (cont’d): Mr. Lonergan asked for the Commission’s approval. Chairman Culpepper asked if there were anymore questions or comments. City Manager Dove responded that she had not received any opposition to the request. Being as there were no further comments, Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve or disapprove the request of Harlem Baptist Church. Commissioner Head made the motion to send a recommendation to Council to approve the variance request of Harlem Baptist Church; this was 2nd by Commissioner Jennings. Motion carried by a vote of 4-0 with one abstention by Vice-chairman Arnold due to the fact that he is a member of the church. City Manager Dove told Mr. Lonergan that the final approval or disapproval would be done by Council at the September 18, 2006 Regular Council meeting.
Rezoning Request-Donald, Ashlee, Adam, and Austin Greene: The Greene’s are requesting a change to the zoning classification on a 5.83 acre tract of land situated on the east of South Louisville Street, legal map and parcel H060 08A. The zoning change would be from R1-B (Residential District), R1-C (Residential District) and A-1 (Agricultural District) to R-4 (Townhome Development). Chairman Culpepper opened the floor for comments or questions, pros or cons. Scott Johnson, engineer for Donald Greene, produced a drawing of what the proposed development would look like. The homes would consist of two bedrooms and would have a garage. There would be a total of 85 units; which is in compliance with current regulations. Mr. Thomas of 210 Stone Street asked if there would be some type of barrier between the back of the homes and the properties located on Stone Street; Mr. Johnson responded that each home would have a privacy fence enclosing the back yards. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Greene confirmed that the development would comply with the current standards of installing sidewalks, decorative lighting and street signs. Chairman Culpepper asked if there were anymore questions or comments; as there were none, Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve or disapprove the zoning request of the Greene’s. Commissioner Jennings made the motion to make the recommendation to Council to approve the zoning request made by the Greene’s; that motion was 2nd by Vice-chairman Arnold. Motion carried; all in favor. City Manager Dove told Mr. Greene that the final approval or disapproval would be done by Council at the September 18, 2006 Regular Council meeting.
Request for Approval of Preliminary Plat-S. Louisville Street/Stone Street-Wanda Maddox: City Manager Dove reported that the property is currently zoned R1-B and that the property is located at the corner of S. Louisville Street and Stone Street; this is the property that has the old house that is falling down. Ms. Maddox is planning on removing the house and then is proposing to divide the lot into four separate lots; the property is large enough to do this and falls under the R1-B zoning guidelines. The infrastructure is already in place (water, sewer, gas, etc.). Commissioner Farr asked if what she was planning on building would be in compliance with the area; City Manager Dove responded that she would be. Chairman Culpepper wanted to know what zoning change she was requesting; City Manager Dove responded that she was not requesting a Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 3 September 7, 2006
Request for Approval of Preliminary Plat-S. Louisville Street/Stone Street-Wanda Maddox (cont’d): zoning change that the R1-B zoning covers her request. When the house is removed, the lots would meet the zoning requirements for R1-B; the lot can be broken down into the four separate lots. The plat enclosed in the packets is her preliminary plat. Ms. Maddox is proposing to build a patio home on each lot. They are currently taking care of the lot clearing, etc. and would possibly start building on one of the lots when done. A recommendation came from City Attorney Bennett that the house that has to be demolished should be taken down prior to any building permits being issued for new construction on the lots. After some further discussion on the look of the homes, sidewalks, signs and lighting (in compliance with current standards), Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve or disapprove the preliminary plat presented to the Commission by Ms. Maddox. A motion was made by Commissioner Head to approve the request of Ms. Maddox contingent upon that the house is destroyed and removed prior to any permits being issued for the new construction; a 2nd was made by Commissioner Jennings. Motion carried; all in favor. City Manager Dove reported that this request would not have to come before Council for approval as it was not a zoning request and that the Commission approves the preliminary plats. Chairman Culpepper asked Ms. Maddox if she understood that they approved the request contingent upon the demolition of the house prior to any new construction permits being issued; Ms. Maddox responded that she did and that she had the equipment in place and would be getting her demolition permit to take the house down.
Chairman Culpepper stated that if there was no further business before the Commission, a motion was called for to adjourn the meeting. That motion was made by Commissioner Jennings; 2nd by Vice-chairman Arnold. Motion carried; all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore City Clerk |