Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 10, 2020 MINUTES Attachment 1—Staff Report Present: Joseph Wren, Chair, Brett Bennett, Kathy Smith, Don Campbell, Gary Davis, George Gates. Absent: Michael McCormick. Staff: Michele Reed, Kevin Mitchell, David Pagliarini, Eddie Bernard, Heidi Moeser, Lynnette Lynes Mr. Wren called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. 1. Approval of the Agenda Ms. Smith moved for approval of the agenda. Mr. Gates seconded the motion. All in favor. 2. Approval of Minutes from February 19th Meeting Ms. Smith moved for approval of the minutes. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion. All in favor. 3. Correspondence All correspondence was included with the agenda and sent to the Commission. 4. General Public Comment Mr. Stuart Hewlett, 1 Darlington Lane, spoke regarding the sketch plan for 915 McCants. He expressed concern with there being a watershed issue and there is flooding in the area. He stated that they are currently working with the Town to install a private system and asked that no additional construction is allowed until the system is installed. Mr. Austin VanOldst, 3567 Backshore Drive, expressed concern with the Carolina Park sketch plan and the extension of Backshore Drive and that it would increase traffic causing child and pedestrian safety issues. He suggested that there is not a benefit for the extension and asked that it be removed.  Special Planning Commission June 10, 2020 Page 2 of 5 Mr. Adam Eeling, Cross Tree Lane, expressed concern with the Backshore Drive extension. He expressed concern with child safety and increased traffic in the area. He stated that there are a number of children that play in the area. He asked that the extension not be included on the sketch plan and not completed. Mr. Michael Baer, 3496 Wilkes Way, stated that there are many citizens here in opposition of Backshore Drive extension. He suggested that interconnectivity can be accomplished through sidewalks and pedestrian path. He stated that there is a petition with over 300 signatures in opposition of the request. Ms. Diane Tideman, 1567 Whiskey Road, expressed concern with the Backshore Drive extension. She stated that the master plan did not show a roadway but only a pedestrian path. She also expressed concern with pedestrian safety. She stated that the proposed football stadium and commercial uses, would increase traffic in the area. Mr. Mike Abrams, 3504 Wilkes Way, expressed concern with the extension of Backshore Drive and suggested that in addition to the safety issues, it would affect the property values. He suggested that it would also increase the traffic. He expressed concern that the extension would increase crime in the area as well. He suggested that the only benefit would be for Oceanside Academy. Ms. Jamie, Steen, 3541 Cross Trees Lane, expressed concern with students walking from Oceanside Academy home. She expressed concern with vehicles speeding in the area that could affect pedestrian safety. She suggested that the extension would affect the safety of the students and residents. She expressed concern with the extension causing additional cut-through traffic. She asked that the request not be approved. Ms. Wendy Sar, 3492 Wilkes Way, expressed concern with child safety and that the extension of Backshore Drive could be detrimental. She suggested that she agrees to all of the previous comments and that the extension should not be approved. She stated that the common area behind her home is frequently used and would like it to remain. Ms. Diana Rason, Backshore Drive, expressed concern with the extension of Backshore Drive. She stated that as a pediatric trauma nurse she is familiar with MVA and expressed concern that the completion of the extension would impact  Special Planning Commission June 10, 2020 Page 3 of 5 child safety. She stated that it is the responsibility of the citizens to consider the environment as well and that the walking trail should be sufficient. Mr. Brian Bowerban, 1417 Darlington Lane, expressed concern with the McCants sketch plan and that additional construction would adversely affect the already exacerbated flooding in the area. Mr. Brian Steen, 3541 Cross Trees Lane, expressed concern with the extension of Backshore Drive. He stated that the addition of Oceanside Academy has different circumstances for the extension. He expressed concern with child safety and cut- through traffic. Ms. Kayla Shwartz, 1587 Old Rivers Gate Road, spoke regarding the extension of Backshore Drive. She expressed concern with child safety and the safety of the community. She suggested that there has not been a traffic study done to justify the necessity of Backshore Drive. She suggested that completion of the road would be a failure on the Town’s part to consider the neighborhood concerns. Mr. Matt Suseen, 3579 Backshore Drive, stated that he supports removal of the extension of backshore Drive. He expressed concern with there being increased traffic, child safety and that the roadway is not wide enough to accommodate on- street parking. He suggested that the extension does not benefit the neighborhood or the Town. Mr. Ned Kelly, 3512 Wilkes Way, expressed concern with the extension of Backshore Drive. He stated that he has been involved in securing the over 300 signatures on a petition in opposition of the extension. He suggested that there is a significant risk of safety issues, increased traffic, etc. Mr. Todd Reel, 1499 Cream Creek Drive, expressed concern with the extension of Backshore Drive. He expressed concern that it is currently not known what commercial uses will be constructed. Mr. Steve Shwartz, 1587 Old River Gates Road, expressed concern with the extension of Backshore Drive and suggested that the existing walkway provides connectivity desired. He suggested that the extension would impede the safety of the many pedestrians and students that are currently using the walkway. He asked that the request not be approved.  Special Planning Commission June 10, 2020 Page 4 of 5 Ms. Carmen Martino, 3533 Cross Trees Lane, expressed concern with the extension of Backshore Drive. She expressed concern with child safety and that the extension would increase traffic in the area. She suggested that the roads are narrow and would pose additional safety issues with the increased traffic that would occur if the extension is completed. 5. Sketch Plans from April Meeting A. Case # SP-01-20, Sketch Plan approval for 710 Sparks Street, a proposal to subdivide one (1) lot (approximately 1.30 acres) into three (3) Single family residential lots. Mr. Mitchell reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Chris Donato, Sitecast, and Mr. Ellis Leisman, Attorney, reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Smith moved for approval. Mr. Wren seconded the motion. Motion passed on a 5 to 1 vote with Mr. Campbell, Mr. Davis, Mr. Gates, Mr. Wren, and Ms. Smith in favor; Mr. Bennett opposed. B. Case # SP-02-20, Sketch Plan approval for 915 McCants Drive, a proposal to subdivide two (2) lots, a total of approximately 0.98 acres, into three (3) Single family residential lots (each approximately 0.33 acres. Also includes a request for a Waiver from the Land Development Regulations to allow access from a private easement. Mr. Mitchell reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Randy Wilkes, owner, Mr. Ben Rope, and Brian Collie reviewed the request with the Commission. Mr. Campbell moved for denial based on flooding issues that should be resolved before approval is granted. Mr. Davis seconded the motion. Motion passed on a 5 to 1 vote with Ms. Smith opposed.  Special Planning Commission June 10, 2020 Page 5 of 5 C. Case # SP-03-20, Sketch Plan approval for 424 Banks Street, a proposal to subdivide one (1) lot (approximately 0.39 acres) into two (2) Single family residential lots. Also includes a request for a Waiver from the Land Development Regulations to allow access from a private easement. Mr. Mitchell reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Dan Swedloff reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Smith moved for approval of the sketch plan and LDR waiver including all staff comments. Mr. Wren seconded the motion. All in favor. D. Case # SP-04-20, Sketch Plan approval for 1435 Six Mile Road, a proposal to subdivide one (1) lot (approximately 0.85 acres) into two (2) Single family residential lots. Also includes a request for a Waiver from the Land Development Regulations to allow access from a private easement. Ms. Smith moved for deferral. Mr. Campbell seconded the motion. All in favor. 6. Sketch Plans from May Meeting A. Case #: SP-05-20, Request approval of a modification to the Sketch Plan for Carolina Park Phase 5B.2. Proposed is to eliminate the requirement for the Backshore Drive Extension. Mr. Mitchell reviewed staff comments with the Commission (attachment 1). Mr. Brian Keels, developer, reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Smith moved for approval as presented without the extension of Backshore Drive. Mr. Wren seconded the motion. All in favor with Mr. Gates abstaining. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:22 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes SpPlanComsn06102020