Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Page 1
May 15, 2007
Harlem City Hall
The Planning & Zoning Commission met for a meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. with Chairman Bobby Culpepper presiding.
Present: COMMISSIONERS: Chairman Bobby Culpepper, Vice-Chairman Dale Arnold, Commissioner B. J. Cunningham, Commissioner Tim Farr, and Commissioner Franklin Jennings; STAFF: City Manager Jean R. Dove, City Clerk Debra E. Moore, City Attorney Barry Fleming and Planning & Zoning Department Head Dee Tapley; VISITORS: Renee Dean, Ken and Murl Meyer, Linda Caldwell, Pat McGhee, Ally Hippenstahl, Larry Prather, Gary Youngblood, and Diane Hawkins.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Culpepper at 7:00 p.m.
The Invocation was given by Commissioner Cunningham.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Culpepper.
Approval of April 19, 2007 Minutes: Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve the Minutes of the April 19, 2007 meeting as written; that motion was made by Vice-chairman Arnold; 2nd by Commissioner Farr. Motion carried; all in favor.
Rezoning Request 410 N. Louisville Street-R-1A Residential Single Family to B-1 Downtown Business District: Chairman Culpepper recognized Renee Dean. Mrs. Dean came before the Commissioner as the potential buyer of the property located at 410 N. Louisville Street. They are proposing to change the property into a restaurant, Bed & Breakfast and a small event center. They are requesting for the property to be rezoned from R1-A Residential Single Family to B-1 Downtown Business District. The Bed and Breakfast is in line with the City’s new 10-year Comprehensive Plan and they intend to follow the historic guidelines of the City as well. She has enclosed a picture of what they would like the property to look like. The only real change would be to enclose an area to have a sun room, but it would be in keeping with the overall look of the original house. They would also follow the fire guidelines of Columbia County. They will be selling some specialty items (bar-b-que sauce, cookbooks, etc.). They will be installing a privacy fence around the property in order to not disturb the surrounding home owners. This is a venture that she will undertaking with her husband and her family.
Chairman Culpepper opened the floor for comments from the public:
Pat McGhee-she lives across from 410 N. Louisville Street. She has concerns with an increase in traffic; she already has problems with getting in out of her front driveway. She would like to know how traffic will be handled.
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May 15, 2007
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Rezoning Request (cont’d):
Dianne Hawkins-she lives on W. Forrest Street which runs along side the proposed piece of property. Ms. Hawkins also expressed a concern with traffic; also, a concern with business extending into the neighborhood as well as what businesses could come in if the proposed business did not prosper.
Ms. Dean addressed the issue by explaining that the parking lots will be in compliance with regulations. One will be exiting on W. Forrest Street and the other on N. Louisville Street. She estimated that any event with any number of people would be well under 100.
Ms. Hawkins felt that this was still a high number of people. She commented that comments were made about keeping in with the integrity and preservation of the City, yet they want to extend the downtown district into the neighborhood. Mr. Meyer commented on the traffic issue stating that the traffic would be no more than when the Church down the road has services and the congregation would be coming and going.
Linda Caldwell-representative from the Laurel and Hardy Museum-she is in support of the Bed and Breakfast. She reported that the visitors at the Museum are always looking for a place to stay.
Gary Youngblood commented that the Commission should be listening to the citizens and take their concerns into consideration.
Commissioner Cunningham questioned how many rooms would there be; Ms. Dean responded that there would be four with one being used as a dressing room in the event of a wedding. Commissioner Arnold asked about the restaurant and it’s time of operation; Ms. Dean responded that initially it would be used for breakfast only with brunch on Sundays. Commissioner Cunningham stated that it appeared to him that the only time there should be any real increase in traffic is when a reception or small event occurs. Commissioner Arnold asked about the surrounding zoning; City Manager Dove responded to this. Commissioner Jennings felt that this fell within the Comprehensive Plan that the City had approved.
Ally Hippenstahl expressed her concerns with the after school kids being able to cross the street. She is in support of the proposed Bed and Breakfast. City Manager Dove will address the crossing issue with Public Safety.
A question came up about a conditional use in zoning. City Attorney Fleming addressed this issue. There is no actual zoning for a bed and breakfast, but there is a conditional use under the R-2 zoning; this is a residential zoning. There is no exact description for a bed and breakfast. City Attorney Fleming recommends to the Commission to rezone the property to R-2 with a conditional use as a Bed and Breakfast; the Commission has the power to modify the requested zoning change (from B-1 to R-2).
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Rezoning Request (cont’d):
Commissioner Arnold made the motion to recommend for approval the zoning change from R-1A to R-2 with a conditional use for a bed and breakfast with a restaurant to provide meals to clients and outside patrons, counter sales and special events; 2nd by Commissioner Farr. Discussion: Renee to do an application with the complete description of the Bed and Breakfast and what will be provided. Mr. Weber will not have to resign the application. Motion carried by a vote of 4-0; Commissioner Cunningham had to leave before the vote was taken.
Final Plat-Ansley Place Subdivision: City Manager Dove reported that all infrastructures are in place; the subdivision has received all inspection approvals and they are ready to proceed with construction. Chairman Culpepper called for a motion to approve the Final Plat for Ansley Place Subdivision; that motion was made by Commissioner Jennings; 2nd by Commissioner Farr. Motion carried; all in favor (4-0) with Commissioner Cunningham not in attendance during this item.
Chairman Culpepper adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra E. Moore
City Clerk