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Planning Commission - Jan 26, 2009 |
(Draft) Minutes McClellanville Planning Commission January 26, 2009 - 7:00 PM The McClellanville Planning Commission met on the above-noted date. Notice of the meeting had been published in the town newsletter and the Charleston Post and Courier. Commission members present were: Chair Ginny Prevost, Kathy Livingston, Ted Dawson, and Oliver Thames. Commissioner Hayden Geer was absent. Also present were Zoning Administrator Kathryn Basha, Bill and Nathan Youngman. Chairwoman Ginny Prevost called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM. The first order of business was consideration of the minutes from the November 17, 2008 meeting. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as written. The motion carried (4-0-1 absent). Chairwoman Prevost opened a public hearing on the proposed amendment(s) to Articles V and X of the Ordinance to provide for an administrative review of certain development proposals in the historic and highway commercial districts. Ms. Prevost explained the premise of the proposed amendment to Mr. Youngman and Mr. Youngman and why the Commission was holding a second public hearing on the draft language. The Commission discussed the pros and cons of posting the property that an administrative review was pending for public awareness versus appeal of the Zoning Administrator's decision once construction had begun. * Bill Youngman stated that the process under the proposed amendment was much better than the existing process even with the posting requirement. * Nathan Youngman expressed concern that neighbors could abuse the purpose of the posting and complain without any substance or basis. * Oliver Thames expressed concern that out -of-town neighbors wouldn't know that a project had been proposed and approved without written notice, only to come to Town and see a change they were opposed to and had not had an opportunity to comment upon. * Ms. Prevost asked Ms. Basha to verify whether the Zoning Administrator would send an application through the standard review, with written notice to adjacent property owners, if any comments were received during the 5-day posting period. After closing the public hearing, the Commission decided that it still strongly recommended a posting notice and/or written notice to adjacent property owners. A motion made by O. Thames, then seconded by T. Dawson, passed (4-0-1, Geer absent) to recommend adoption of the amendment(s) as drafted with the addition of either the property posting or written notice or both. Zoning Administrator Basha updated the Commission on the progress and status of several initiatives: The Town is moving forward on acquiring 3 acres of property at the intersection of Pinckney Street and Old Cemetery Road with County Greenbelt funds. Now that an appraisal and Phase I Environmental and all other reports had been filed with the County's attorney, only a closing date is needed. The Town made an offer, via certified mail, to purchase the property on Cassena Street with County Greenbelt funds for the appraised price. The current property owner had not picked up the offer as of yet. Ms. Basha had attended a workshop on applying for SC Parks and Recreation Trail grants to use for construction of the boardwalk across the first property. The application is due March 30th. Ms. Basha explained that the Town would need to have approximately $12-$15,000 as the required match. It is anticipated that there will be approximately $8,000 left from the Greenbelt funds towards the match. The Town has also included the boardwalk as a proposed project on its list for funding through the County's transportation (Roadwise) projects and Ms. Basha will watch for opportunities to apply for SCDOT Enhancement money. Ms. Basha reminded Commission members that Charleston County Roadwise and the consultants were holding a public meeting on pedestrian/parking/streetscape improvements on Thursday, February 12th and encouraged them to all attend. A notice of the meeting will be in the February town newsletter. It is rumored that Dollar General did get approval for their septic and well sites, but no new plans have been submitted for formal review to address Ms. Basha's comments on the initial site plan submission. It was noted that amendments suggested for the Zoning and Land Development Ordinance will be consolidated into an annual amendment process, including consideration of Paul Field's proposal that building height be measured from the freeboard one foot above base flood rather than base flood elevation. This improve the efficiency of processing multiple amendments. Ms. Prevost asked if any response had been received from the state or county about the drainage ditches running parallel to Highway 17. Ms. Basha said she would check with the Town Administrator. An inquiry was made as to whether or not the US Forest Service had been contacted about staying in Town. It was suggested that the same letter sent to Henry Brown be sent to Lindsay Graham, including a quote from the Forest Service mission statement about supporting local economies. It was noted that the relocation would have a big impact on the local economy and the Town should be speaking out against it. It was reported that as of two weeks ago a comment was made by the USFS local director that the relocation is still not a "done deal" and it should be pointed out that it doesn't make sense economically. Ms. Prevost reviewed the public notice of intent to sell the facility in Town. As requested, Ms. Basha researched the timelines for various Planned Developments approved to date. Mouzon's Bluff and Pinckney Street Docks were approved as conditional uses under the old Ordinance, possibly before there was vested rights legislation, but without timelines for starting the projects. The Carolina Seafood Highway Commercial PD and Pinola were both approved under the new Ordinance and are subject to vested rights legislation. Per Section 6-29-1510, these developments have to begin making improvements such as infrastructure, etc. within 2 years of approval with the option of requesting an annual extension up to 5 times. The Highway Commercial PD was approved in January 2005, and infrastructure improvements have been made. Pinola was approved in March 2008, thus must be initiated by March 2010. Ms. Basha distributed copies of the input consolidated by Charleston County from it's Highway 17 corridor planning initiative. She also polled the Commission about potential continuing education programs. It was decided to show the Complete Streets DVD from APA early this year. It was noted that the Commission does need to begin working on an update of the Town's Comprehensive Plan. It was decided to use the Town newsletter to disseminate summaries of existing plan elements, then to hold public input meetings in late Spring. The first of the newsletter series will explain what a comprehensive land use plan is and what the Town needs to do this year. It was discussed whether highlights and summaries of the elements could be reviewed jointly with Town Council. Ms. Basha will bring a proposed strategy to next month's meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:24 PM. The motion was carried unanimously. Respectively submitted, Kathryn Basha Town Zoning Administrator Page 2 of 3 Meeting Minutes January 26, 2009 PC meeting |