Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 20, 2018 MINUTES PowerPoint Presentation Present: Joseph Wren, Chair, Roy Neal, Kathy Smith, George Gates, Tripp Cuttino, Peter Lehman, DeAudre Gregg. Absent: John McNeill, Rodly Millet. Staff: Jeff Ulma, David Pagliarini, Lee Cave, Kent Prause, Liz Boyles, Michele Canon, Eddie Bernard, Kevin Mitchell, Marissa Poultney, Austin Rutherford, Lynnette Lynes Mr. Wren called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. 1. Approval of Minutes from May 23, 2018 Meeting Mr. Neal moved for approval of the minutes. Ms. Smith seconded the motion. All in favor. 2. Approval of the Agenda Mr. Neal moved for approval of the agenda. Ms. Smith seconded the motion. All in favor. 3. Update on Planning Commission Recommendations Ms. Canon reviewed Town Council decisions with the Commission. 4. Correspondence and Public Comments There being no comments, Mr. Wren continued with the agenda. 5. Staff Update on the 2018 Comprehensive Plan Process Ms. Boyles updated that the Commission on the Comprehensive Plan process. She stated that there is a survey available on the Town’s website until July 9th. She stated that the open house on June 5th was successful and provided information on the land uses and Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the public. She stated  Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 2 of 8 that staff and the consultants will draft the plan over the summer, with the Comprehensive Plan Forum reviewing the draft plan at their August 7th meeting. Mr. Neal expressed concern with the lack of response from the public and if the HOAs have been contacted. He suggested that more effort should be made to inform the public that the survey is available. Ms. Boyles stated the information is on the Town’s website, and has been included on the Town facebook pages, contact lists, etc. She stated that staff would continue to make every effort to reach as many of the public as possible. Mr. Wren thanked staff for their work and stated that the open houses have been well attended. 6. Requests A. R-12-18, Request to amend the Pepper Tract PD, Planned Development District Ordinance (Ordinance No. 11048, as amended), by removing the square footage limitations on buildings associated with specific uses as identified in “Attachment E: Permitted uses for RC and I Zoning Classifications”, located along Darrell Creek Trail/US Highway 17 N. and Chandler Road / known as the Pepper Tract Development. TMS No.: 615- 00-00-044 and 615-00-00-173 Mr. Rutherford reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Wren asked if there is a height restriction. Mr. Rutherford answered that he is not sure if there is a different height restriction from the Town’s 35 feet. Mr. Tim Cook, representative for the applicant, reviewed the request with the Commission. Mr. Gates asked the reason for waiting two years to amend the PD. Mr. Cook answered that after trying to market the property, it was evident that this would be needed and the better approach would be to amend the PD as opposed to requesting variances for each individual parcel. Mr. Neal asked how many potential sales were lost. Mr. Cook answered that there is currently no commercial for the requested area. Mr. Neal asked what  Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 3 of 8 types of uses are being considered. Mr. Cook answered that they have had inquiries for various uses including a professional swim facility that would need an approximately 10,000 square foot building. Mr. Wren asked the height restriction. Mr. Cook answered that he is not positive, but suggested that it is 45 feet. Mr. James Lawrenceson, 46 State Street, stated that they have had several inquiries, but once the information is provided, they do not follow up. He stated that as currently zoned, most businesses wanting to locate on the property would have to request a variance. Mr. Neal asked if a commercial use would require DRB approval. Mr. Rutherford answered in the affirmative. Mr. Steven Cadelono expressed concern with what types of businesses would locate on the property. Mr. Cook stated that there are no definitive types of uses proposed for the property at this time, but that the allowed uses are not proposed to change. He stated that the request is to only allow the additional square footage. There being no further comments, Mr. Wren closed public comment. Ms. Smith expressed concern with removing the square footage requirements for all use types. Mr. Neal suggested that much of the property is restricted. He stated that the property would still be capped at 195,000 square feet of commercial use. Mr. Gates asked if the current infrastructure supports commercial uses. Mr. Rutherford answered that the entire PD is served by Mount Pleasant Waterworks (MPW). Ms. Gregg asked if the PD would have to be further amended if more square footage of commercial was desired. Mr. Rutherford answered in the affirmative.  Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 4 of 8 Mr. Neal moved for approval of the request. Mr. Lehman seconded the motion. Motion passed on a 5 to 2 vote with Ms. Gregg, Mr. Wren, Mr. Lehman, Mr. Neal, and Mr. Cuttino in favor; Mr. Gates and Ms. Smith opposed. B. SP-03-18, Request approval of Sketch Plan for Carolina Park Phase F1, consisting of 34 single family residential lots zoned PD, Planned Development District, located off Goodwater Street. TMS No.: 540-00-00- 022 Mr. Mitchell introduced Ms. Poultney, staff engineer and stated that she would review staff comments. Ms. Poultney reviewed the staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Wren asked what some of staff concerns were. Ms. Poultney answered that there were some minor checklist items that needed to be addressed, but nothing of major concern. Mr. Pagliarini noted that this is a sketch plan and the Commission has approval authority. Mr. Curt Sandis, Seamon, Whiteside, and Associates stated that he is available for any questions. Mr. Gates asked if Mr. Brian Keels is a member of the LLC. Mr. Sandis answered in the affirmative. Mr. Neal moved for approval including all staff comments. Mr. Cuttino seconded the motion. All in favor. C. R-13-18. Request to amend the Dunes West PD, Planned Development District Ordinance (Ordinance adopted 9-4-90, as amended), by rezoning 33 parcels from R-1, Low Density Residential District, to Dunes West PD, located off Bessemer Road/Known as Covington at Park West. TMS No.: 583-00-00-003, 583-03-00-254 thru -281, and 583-03-00-286 Ms. Canon reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1).  Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 5 of 8 Mr. Gates asked about the setbacks. Ms. Canon clarified that the side setback is measured between the building lines and not from the property line. Ms. Smith asked the reason for the request. Ms. Canon answered that it would provide more flexibility on the placement of the structure on the lot. Mr. Chris Donato, representative for the applicant, reviewed the request with the Commission. He stated that the setback change would allow for a different building form and would be consistent with the other lots in the PD. Ms. Smith asked if it would provide footprint flexibility. Mr. Donato answered in the affirmative and stated that the lots would be consistent with the remainder of the property in the PD. Ms. Gregg asked the reason for requesting a lesser setback than the Town’s R-3 zoning. Mr. Donato answered that the setbacks requested would be consistent with the remainder of the R-3 lots in the PD. Mr. Wren asked the number of R-3 units available. Ms. Canon answered that there are approximately 300 units remaining in the DW-PD. There being no comments, Mr. Wren closed the public hearing. Ms. Gregg asked how long the units have been constructed on Brightwood. Ms. Canon answered that it has been approximately eighteen months. Mr. Wren expressed concern with adding units to an existing PD and the potential ramifications from this. He stated that as previously seen, this has been a concern, particularly for this area. Mr. Neal moved for approval of the request. Ms. Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Wren stated that he is not in favor of the request because of a concern with making a change to the PD. Ms. Smith stated that she is not in favor of increasing land in this area and suggested that the desired outcome can be accomplished with the existing zoning.  Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 6 of 8 Ms. Gregg expressed concern with the Comprehensive Plan recommending community conservation zoning and the request is for R-3 zoning. She suggested that this should be considered as well and if necessary changes should be made with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Wren called for a vote on the motion. Motion failed on a 2 to 5 vote with Mr. Neal and Mr. Cuttino in favor; Ms. Gregg, Mr. Gates, Mr. Wren, Ms. Smith and Mr. Lehman opposed. D. R-14-18, Request to amend the Johnson Development PD-MU-SU (Ord. No. 14084, as amended) also known as Indigo Square, with regards to the allowable land uses as identified in Section III. PD Land Uses, Program and Maximums (A.) Land Uses, specifically adding Workout Studios, including Dance, Yoga, Barre, Pilates, and the like, located at Highway 17 N./Indigo Market Drive/Known as Indigo Square. TMS No.: 558-00-00-933 Ms. Canon reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Stuart Whiteside reviewed the request with the Commission. Mr. Gates asked if another building would be added. Mr. Whiteside answered in the negative. Mr. Neal asked how parking would be affected. Mr. Whiteside answered that the use would be considered a retail use. There being no comments, Mr. Wren closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for approval. Mr. Gates seconded the motion. Ms. Smith suggested that this is an appropriate location for this type of use. Mr. Wren called for a vote on the motion. All in favor. E. Proposal to amend Chapter 156, Zoning Code, pertaining to Signs by adding political signs to Section 156.151, Definition of Sign and adding a new paragraph (Q) to section 156.162 prohibiting signs located within the public right-of-way and providing for their removal by authorized officials.  Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 7 of 8 Mr. Prause reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Neal asked how this would be enforced, particularly during election time. Mr. Prause answered that political signs are referenced in another section of the Code of Ordinances. He stated that the amendment would allow the code enforcement officer jurisdiction. Mr. Lehman asked if there is a fine for a violation. Mr. Prause answered in the affirmative. Mr. Cuttino asked if there is a fine for not picking up political signs. Mr. Prause answered in the negative. Mr. Wren asked if there has been consideration of imposing a fine for not removing a political sign. Mr. Prause answered in the negative. He stated that the Town is working with the County on an intergovernmental agreement for policing political signs that are on county property. Mr. Pagliarini stated that this would allow for better enforcement of the sign regulations. There being no comments, Mr. Wren closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for approval of the request. Mr. Neal seconded the motion. All in favor. F. Proposal to amend Chapter 156, Zoning Code, pertaining to Telecommunications Towers by adding a new section 156.121 regulating Small Wireless Facilities. Mr. Prause reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). He stated that after consulting with legal counsel, it was suggested that more work should be done prior to implementation. He reviewed the options available to the Commission regarding with the public hearing. Ms. Smith suggested that the public hearing should remain open.  Planning Commission June 20, 2018 Page 8 of 8 Mr. Jack Mitchell, AT&T, stated that they desire the amendment to allow the small cell communication towers. He suggested that the model ordinance has been vetted by several cell companies and the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC). He stated that the small cell towers would allow better capacity and faster service for mobile devices. He stated that he would be willing to work with staff on this issue. Mr. Gates asked if the Town has the right to deny a tower. Mr. Prause answered that it is a matter of permitted use and a cell tower can co-locate on existing towers and structures. Mr. Gates asked if the Town can deny co-location. Mr. Prause answered that the requirements are currently outlined in our existing ordinances. Mr. Wren suggested that the public hearing be kept open. Mr. Neal asked if a motion was needed to keep the public hearing open. Mr. Pagliarini answered in the negative. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes PlanComsn06202018