Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 1
June 26, 2007
Harlem City Hall
The Planning & Zoning Commission met for a meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 6 p.m. with Chairman Bobby Culpepper presiding.
Present: COMMISSIONERS: Chairman Bobby Culpepper, Vice-Chairman Dale Arnold, Commissioner Tim Farr, Commissioner B.J. Cunningham and Commissioner Franklin Jennings (late arrival); STAFF: City Manager Jean R. Dove, City Clerk Debra E. Moore, Department Head Dee Tapley, and City Attorney Barry Fleming.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Culpepper at 6:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Commissioner Cunningham.
The Pledge was led by Chairman Culpepper.
Approval of May 15, 2007 Minutes: Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve the May 15, 2007 Minutes as written; that motion was made by Commissioner Cunningham; 2nd by Commissioner Farr. Motion carried; all in favor.
Preliminary Plat-Village at Sandy Run Creek Townhome Development: Chairman Culpepper asked Mr. Greene to address the Commission on his plans for the development. Mr. Greene’s engineer Scott Johnson addressed the Commission on this. Mr. Johnson stated that the development would include a private road that Mr. Greene does not expect the City to take over or maintain, the development will be on city sewerage and water and the storm system will be private. The development will have 83 units on 11.73 acres; or 7.1 units per acre. Each unit will be just less than 1200 square feet. The DOT access permit has been applied for and approved; EPD permits have been applied for and approved; the City Engineer has approved the project. Commissioner Cunningham verified with City Manager Dove that this was correct; she responded that yes it was, but that the only concern that Mr. McClellan had pertained to the private road and making sure that the City would get easements for the water and sewer and that the homeowners would be made aware that they are to maintain the storm drain and the street. This information will be provided in the covenants. The covenants are turned in at the time of the final plat approval. Chairman Culpepper asked about fencing; there will be fencing at the back of the units giving each their own private backyard. They are considering putting in a bridge and/or a walking track at the back. Chairman Culpepper questioned whether Mr. Greene had been involved in this type of project before that included covenants; he had not done one himself but has been involved with one before. Chairman Culpepper had concerns with the enforcement of the covenants. City Manager Dove addressed this stating that in most covenants the builder enforces the covenants until 90% to 99% of the properties are sold and then the residents or homeowners association will take over. Until the time that the homeowner’s association is formed, the resident’s could actually enforce the covenants. Commission Farr had a question on who
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 2
June 26, 2007
Continued from page 1
Discussions (cont’d):
would be maintaining the greenspace areas; the homeowner’s association will maintain these areas as well as the commons areas. There were some further comments on different aspects about the development; sidewalks, they would be on both sides; lighting, it would be the decorative lighting. City Attorney Fleming questioned whether the covenants could be required before the preliminary plat is approved; after checking with the approved ordinance, the covenants are not required until the final plat is presented for approval. Mr. Greene stated that he could have the covenants for the Commission’s review within a week or so; Mr. Johnson asked if during that time they would allow them to proceed with clearing operations at their own risk. Commissioner Cunningham was in concurrence with this. Commissioner Arnold expressed his opinion that he felt that they have met the requirements to meet the approval for the preliminary plat as the covenants are not due at this point. Mr. Greene stated that he would get the covenants to City Manager Dove within a week so that the Commission can review them prior to the final plat approval. The final plat will be submitted in about three to four months.
At this time Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve or disapprove the preliminary plat of the Sandy Run Creek Townhome Development. Commissioner Cunningham made to the motion to approve the preliminary plat for said project with an annotation that the Commission receive a copy of the covenants prior to submission of the final plat for their review and any changes they would require; 2nd by Commissioner Farr. Motion carried; all in favor.
Being no further business before the Commission, Chairman Culpepper closed the meeting at 6:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk