|
Planning Commission - November 21, 2005 |
Minutes McClellanville Planning Commission November 21, 2005 – 7:00 PM The McClellanville Planning Commission met on the above-noted date with a quorum of Commission members present, including Chairwoman Priscilla Baldwin and members Ginny Prevost, Ted Dawson, and Oliver Thames. Town Clerk Mary Duke, Zoning Administrator Dorothy Small, AICP Planner Kathryn Basha and Malcolm Baldwin were also present. Notice of the meeting had been advertised, as required by law. The Commission first reviewed the minutes of the October 17, 2005 meeting. Ginny made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Oliver seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by unanimous vote. The Commission next held a public hearing on a preliminary plat showing partial subdivision of the approximately 40 acre “Sullivan Tract,” with frontage on Society Road, TMS No. 764-00-00-166. The preliminary plat showed subdivision of six residential lots from the parent tract. The Commission noted that each of the proposed six lots met the size and lot width requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Priscilla asked whether SC DHEC had approved the proposed lots for onsite wastewater management systems. Malcolm said that that they had been approved for alternative “mound” systems. Priscilla said that she felt that, as soon as DHEC septic system approval letters were on record, the plat of the proposed subdivision could be approved. The Commission members indicated by consensus their agreement that the plat could be approved upon receipt of the necessary DHEC documentation. The Commission held a second public hearing on a preliminary plat showing the subdivision of an approximate 24 acre tract with frontage on Kitt Hall Road, TMS No. 744-00-00-030. The preliminary plat showed the subdivision of 11 residential lots and two easement lots from the parent tract. Malcolm Baldwin told the Commission that, of the 24 acres, approximately 8 acres were marshland. He added that lots 3 and 4 indicated on the plat did not have approved septic sites, therefore lot 3 would use lot 3A as a septic easement and lot 4 would similarly use lot 4A for offsite septic disposal. Malcolm said that lots 8, 9, 10, and 11 had been approved for standard septic systems, and that lots 5, 6, and 7 had been approved for “mound” systems. Malcolm told the Commission that lots 1 – 8 might share a community dock and that lots 9, 10, and 11 could have individual docks. He said that gravel roads were planned for the area. Dorothy said that a resident had asked whether the Town could require the developers of this property to observe a setback from the OCRM critical line. The Commission agreed that they would like to see at least a 35 foot buffer between the critical line and any development, if not a 50 foot buffer as required by the County. Malcolm said that he would propose this suggestion to the property owners. Ginny asked whether there were significant trees located on the property, and Malcolm said that there were several live oaks along the water. After discussion, the Commission agreed that the plat could be approved upon receipt of documentation from SC DHEC that the lots had been approved for wastewater management systems. The Commission asked that Malcolm remind the developers of the Town’s tree ordinance requirements and their request for buffers from the critical line. Priscilla then asked Malcolm whether he knew of any plans to provide for more affordable housing opportunities in Town. Malcolm said that he had been considering some options for providing some more affordable housing in the 13 acre section of the recently-approved Highway Commercial PDD that fronts on S. Pinckney St. He said that he thought some mixed-use buildings with residential uses located over commercial uses might be appropriate there, and that these should be more affordable that single-family residences. Ted said that he felt the townhouses might also be appropriate and practical for more affordable housing. The Commission next discussed progress toward seeking approval from Charleston County on joint Town/County planning input proposals, including an overlay district adjacent to the Town’s HCD. Kathryn gave the Commissioners copies of a letter for Charleston County Planning that she had drafted, requesting establishment of the overlay district as well as a formal process for input from the Town’s Planning Commission to insure implementation of the County’s comprehensive plan policies for rural zoning/development within a five mile radius of the Town. She also distributed copies of a map showing the proposed overlay area. Kathryn said that if Planning was comfortable with the letter, she would email it to Mary to be printed on the Town letterhead and mailed to County Planning. Ginny Prevost said that, regarding item no. 2 in the letter, the formal input process, she felt that the Commission needed to decide what form the input would take and how our Commission could have representation in planning discussions and decisions for the area in question. She said that perhaps the language in that section should be strengthened. The map of the overlay district was approved by consensus of the Commission, and Kathryn said that she would order larger copies to provide for the County. Dorothy reminded the Commission that Town Council had held a first reading on an annexation ordinance for the Wells Morrison property on Hwy. 17, TMS No. 764-00-00-019, at their Nov. 7 meeting and had requested that the Planning Commission make a recommendation as to zoning for the property. Kathryn asked whether the Commission wanted to consider having all new annexations receive a default zoning of R1 at the time of annexation, with application for any desired zoning change to be made after annexation. Mary and Dorothy said that they understood that the town attorney preferred the process whereby Council requested Planning’s recommendation as to zoning after holding first reading on an annexation ordinance. The Commission agreed that, for the present, they would continue this process for determining zoning of annexed properties. Priscilla asked for a recommendation for zoning of the Wells Morrison property. Ginny Prevost made a motion to recommend to Town Council that the property be zoned Highway Commercial District. Ted seconded this motion, and the motion was carried unanimously. Kathryn next reviewed with the Commission the information she had compiled with regard to updating the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. With regard to the “Community Facilities” section, the Commission noted that the Arts Council had expanded its facilities recently to include the old firehouse building on Pinckney Street. Also, they noted that the County Services building on Hwy. 17 had recently opened to provide upgraded fire, EMS, and County Magistrate Court facilities. Concerning the “Population Element,” the Commission suggested that the words “post- Hurricane Hugo” should be added to the first sentence of comments after the chart on housing occupancy rates, prior to the words “…repairs at the time the 1990 census was conducted.” In the summary for the “Cultural and Natural Resources Element,” the Commission agreed that wording should be added to address maintaining the quality of life in the area. Kathryn told the Commission that she did not feel that conditions in Town had changed enough to require extensive revision to the Comp Plan. The Commission agreed to continue this review at the next meeting. Mary asked whether the Commission would like to schedule a meeting in December, and the Commission agreed that they would prefer to postpone the regular meeting until the third Monday in January, January 16th. Mary reminded them that they should also convey at the December 5 or January 9 Council meeting their recommendation regarding the zoning for the property proposed for annexation. There being no further business, a motion was then made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM. Mary S. Duke Secretary McClellanville Planning Commission |