Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY 22, 2020 MINUTES Attachment 1—Staff Report PowerPoint Presentation Present: Joseph Wren, Chair, Michael McCormick, Brett Bennett, Rodly Millet, Kathy Smith, Don Campbell, Gary Davis, George Gates, Roy Neal (entered at 5:20 pm). Staff: Jeff Ulma, Lee Cave, Kent Prause, Michele Canon, Kevin Mitchell, Eddie Bernard, Lynnette Lynes Mr. Wren called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm. 2. Approval of the Agenda Ms. Smith moved for approval of the agenda. Mr. Millet seconded the motion. All in favor. 3. Approval of Minutes from December 18 Meeting Ms. Smith moved for approval of the minutes with the following correction: ➢ Page 3—hyperlink Mr. Millet’s notice of recusal to the minutes. Mr. Millet seconded the motion. All in favor. 4. Update on Planning Commission Recommendations Ms. Canon reviewed Town Council decisions with the Commission. 5. Correspondence All correspondence was hyperlinked to the agenda. 6. General Public Comment There being no comments, Mr. Wren continued with the agenda. 1. Requests  Planning Commission Agenda January 22, 2020 Page 2 of 5 A. R-1-20 Request To rezone eighteen (18) parcels in the development known as Sullivan’s Point located on Ben Sawyer Boulevard. All parcels are currently zoned AB, Areawide Business District. The request is to rezone three (3) parcels to TH, Townhouse District, thirteen (13) parcels to R-4, Medium Density Residential District, and two (2) parcels to R-3, Medium Density Residential District. Also included is a request to reinstate the overlay district known as the UC-CBS, Coleman-Ben Sawyer Urban Corridor Overlay District then in effect at the time of permit issuance to render the properties compliant with permitted uses and development standards of the same, located at 950, 952, 954, 956, 962, 964, 966, 968, 970, 972, 974, 976, 978, 980, 982, 984, 992 and 994 Key Colony Court. TMS Nos: 532-15- 00-207, -206, -205, -204, -202, -201, -200, -199, -198, -197, -196, -195, -194, -193, -192, -191, -188 and -187. Ms. Canon reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Ms. Lucy Gordon, 1551 Ben Sawyer, stated that the 50% rule is more restrictive than other surrounding municipalities and she understands the reason for the request. She stated that under the boulevard corridor standards, the buffer between boulevard corridor property and non-boulevard corridor property would be greater than currently allowed. She expressed concern that under the 50% rule, the buffer would have to be increased and could render the property unbuildable. Roll Call. Present: Michael McCormick, Brett Bennett, Rodley Millet, Kathy Smith, Joseph Wren, Don Campbell, Gary Davis, George Gates, Roy Neal. Mr. Neal entered at this time. Mr. Edward Cocciadiferro, 950 Key Colony Court, stated that he understands the reason the zoning was changed, but the reality is that the homes could not be rebuilt if there was damage more than 50%. He stated that this is also an issue of concern when trying to sell the homes. There being no further business, Mr. Wren closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for approval of the rezoning as requested and to include the properties in the Boulevard Overlay District. Mr. Millet seconded the motion.  Planning Commission Agenda January 22, 2020 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Smith moved to amend the motion to include that the Urban Corridor development standards in place when the subdivision was permitted are maintained. Mr. Millet seconded the motion. All in favor. B. Proposal to amend various provisions in sections 156.318 (Boulevard Overlay District) and 156.320 (Waterfront Gateway District) of Chapter 156, Zoning Code, of the Mount Pleasant Code of Ordinances pertaining to the reduction of existing building height limits in portions of the Boulevard Overlay District and the Waterfront Gateway District. Affected areas are (1) near the base of the Ravenel Bridge (in the vicinity of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Wingo Way, Magrath Darby Boulevard, Mathis Ferry Road and Houston Northcutt Boulevard) and (2) near the US Highway 17/I-526 interchange (Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Bowman Road, and Stuart Engals Boulevard). Proposed approximate new building heights include the following: • 80’ height for a portion of the “Medical Zone” at East Cooper Medical Center; • 65’ for portions of Hospitality and Medical Zones; • 55’ for McGrath Darby/Houston Northcutt area; • 45’ for Bowman/Stuart Engals area; • 40’ near Chuck Dawley and Bowman Road; and • 55’ for remainder of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard corridor. Also includes a request to amend the official Building Height Plan Map to correspond with the proposed height reductions. Ms. Canon reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Trenholm Walker, attorney for Miller family, expressed concern with the change in height. Ms. Pam Ireland, 820 Fiddlers Point Lane, expressed concern with Wingo Way area as it is overburdened with traffic. She suggested that there can be economic development without having taller buildings. She suggested that waiting for a special area plan could mean that it would be too late and some projects could be vested that would have higher height. Ms. Gordon suggested that the Comprehensive Plan was not unanimously approved by the citizen group. She suggested that there was concern from  Planning Commission Agenda January 22, 2020 Page 4 of 5 citizens with allowing taller buildings. She suggested that additional height is not necessary. Ms. Clydie DeBrux, Miller property owner, suggested that the Miller property building height should not be changed. She stated that they have had difficulty in redeveloping the property due to changes in the development standards such as density and height. Ms. Pat Sullivan, 1002 Plantation Court, suggested that building heights have fluctuated over the past seven years. She suggested that the draft Comprehensive Plan should be allowed to move forward and not allow any other changes until such time the Comprehensive Plan is adopted. Ms. Sally Jacob, 1152 Village Creek Lane, agreed that the Comprehensive Plan should be approved and implemented before considering changes to height. There being no further comments, Mr. Wren closed the public hearing. Mr. Neal moved for denial of the request based on the fact that the Comprehensive Plan has not been approved and are not taking into consideration of hubs near the Miller property and the mid-town property. Ms. Smith seconded the motion. All in favor. C. Request: Approval of street name for Liberty Hill Farms CCRC, Continuing Care Retirement Community. Street names to be approved include: Heron Bay Loop; Cooper Bay Drive; Wando Bay Drive; and Liberty Midtown Drive. Ms. Smith moved for approval. Mr. Millet seconded the motion. All in favor. D. Request To discuss an ordinance amendment pertaining to managing vines and all invasive species in the buffer areas. Mr. Bernard and Mr. Mitchell reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). The Commission agreed to further discuss at the next meeting with a potential public hearing at the March meeting.  Planning Commission Agenda January 22, 2020 Page 5 of 5 8. Other Business A. Adoption of Bylaws Mr. Neal moved for approval with correction of typographical error on last page. Mr. Millet seconded the motion. Mr. Neal withdrew his motion; Mr. Millet withdrew his second. Mr. Neal moved for approval with correction of typographical error on last page and removal of item III.4. Witnesses. Mr. Bennett seconded the motion. All in favor. B. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman The Commission elected Mr. Wren as chair and Ms. Smith as vice-chair by secret ballot. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:28 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes PlanComsn01222020