Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 17, 2021 DRAFT MINUTES PowerPoint Presentation Present: Joseph Wren, Chair, Michael McCormick, Brett Bennett, Don Campbell, Gary Davis, George Gates, Pam Ireland, Bruce Koedding. Absent: Kathy Smith. Staff: Michele Reed, David Pagliarini, Mac Deford, Liz Boyles, Kevin Mitchell, Heidi Moeser, Jane Yager-Baumrind, Peter Stone, Lynnette Lynes Mr. Wren called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. 1. Approval of the Agenda Ms. Ireland moved for approval of the agenda. Mr. Davis seconded the motion. All in favor. 2. Approval of Minutes from January 20th Meeting Ms. Ireland moved for approval of the minutes. Mr. Koedding seconded the motion. All in favor. 3. Update on Planning Commission Recommendations Ms. Reed updated the Commission on Town Council decisions. 4. General Correspondence All correspondence was distributed to the Commission and linked with the agenda. 5. General Public Comment There being no comments, Mr. Wren continued with the agenda.  Planning Commission February 17, 2021 Page 2 of 5 6. Old Business A. Proposal to amend Sections 156.340 - 156.345 of Chapter 156, Zoning Code, of the Mount Pleasant Code of Ordinances, pertaining to Short Term Rentals. Proposed is to amend the entire ordinance to address several concerns, including but not limited to such things as lowering the maximum number of allowed short term rentals, annual renewal requirements and submittal processes, and violations and penalties for noncompliance. Ms. Reed reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Ms. Laurie Bixler, 144 3rd Ave, thanked staff for their work on this issue. She stated that this is a complex issue. She expressed concern with the changes to the ordinance and that more work is needed to provide better enforcement for the Town. She suggested that enforcement is the main issue that needs to be addressed. There being no further comments, Mr. Wren closed public comment. Mr. Gates moved for denial of the request in order for staff to re-work the issues identified. Mr. Wren seconded the motion. All in favor. 7. Requests A. Request to annex and zone Pepper Tract PD-CD, Planned Development- Conservation Design District, an approximately 4.93-acre tract of land comprised of two parcels located on Chandler Road. Proposed is to designate both parcels as LDSF, Low Density Single Family within the PD. This item was withdrawn by the applicant. B. Zoning Case R-06-21, Request to annex and zone Dunes West PD, Planned Development District, an approximately 9.05-acre tract of land comprised of two parcels located in Covington Subdivision off Bessemer Road. Proposed is to designate the parcels, like Covington Phase 1 and 2, as DW-PD R-3 within the PD, but to utilize the DW-PD R-1 minimum lot size and lot coverage. Ms. Reed reviewed staff comments with the Commission.  Planning Commission February 17, 2021 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Ellis Lesemann, attorney for the applicant, asked for a deferral to allow time to speak with some of the stakeholders. Mr. James Coaxum, 1570 Joe Rouse Rd, expressed concern on how the front properties would be affected by the proposed request. Ms. Yvonne Gilbert, 2844 Wagoner Way, stated that she is opposed to the request. She suggested that the applicant has not met with the existing property owners in Covington regarding the development plans. She suggested that there has been misleading information from Crescent Homes regarding this project. She also suggested that if they move forward with this project there could be legal issues surrounding the development of the property. She expressed concern with the safety of the existing community. Mr. Aaron Ober, 1486 Brightwood, stated that he is opposed to the request. He stated that he agrees with the previous comments made. He suggested that the addition of these phases would impact the neighborhood character and the expansion of Covington in this manner was not previously known. Ms. Raquel Deschler, 2867 Wagner Way, agreed with the previous comments. She suggested that there are other options for access without utilizing the roadways within Covington. She expressed concern with child safety. Mr. Mark Slater, 1483 Brightwood Dr, stated that he agrees with comments that the impression given was that no other phases would be considered. He suggested that this would adversely affect the neighborhood. Mr. Daniel Shaw, 2836 Wagoner Way, suggested that this request is “changing the rules”. He expressed concern with these phases increasing traffic and adversely affecting the safety of the neighborhood. He expressed concern with current construction traffic and that the addition of these phases would exacerbate the issue. He asked that the request be denied. Ms. Jennie Holmes, 2804 Wagoner Way, expressed concern that this request would adversely impact the existing neighborhood. She suggested that there is currently only one way in and out to the neighborhood and that this request would increase traffic.  Planning Commission February 17, 2021 Page 4 of 5 Mr. Clark Dank, 2808 Wagoner Way, expressed concern with child safety and that this request would increase traffic in the neighborhood. He expressed concern with the development standards being changed from what currently exists. He stated that he is opposed to the request. Mr. Jeff Risser, 1511 Hopkins Lane, stated that he is currently building a home in the neighborhood. He expressed concern that the roadway is narrow and that emergency vehicles would not be able to access homes because of on-street parking. He expressed concern with the number of homes that are being built and that the addition of more homes would adversely affect the neighborhood. Ms. Lisa Homes, 2828 Wagoner Way, agreed with all comments. She expressed concern with the request and that it would adversely affect the neighborhood. There being no further comments, Mr. Wren closed public comment. Ms. Ireland moved for denial. Mr. Gates seconded the motion. All in favor. C. SP-01-21, Request approval of Sketch Plan for 38 single family residential lots Ms. Moeser reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Mr. Hampton Young and Brian Keels reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Ireland moved for approval with the condition that the residual of lot 2446 abutting the marsh be designated as HOA space. Mr. Gates seconded the motion. All in favor. D. Request to approve street name for the Town park on Rifle Range Road. Street to be named after fallen Town of Mt. Pleasant Police Officer Vaughn Ed Kee. Ms. Reed reviewed staff comments with the Commission.  Planning Commission February 17, 2021 Page 5 of 5 Mr. Campbell moved for approval. Mr. Davis seconded the motion. All in favor. 8. Other Business A. Adoption of 2021 Rules of Procedure Ms. Reed reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Mr. Wren moved for approval with the inclusion of time limits for applicant presentation and rebuttal; inclusion of receiving correspondence 3 business days before the meeting, and removal of item 2.B.10 except last sentence. Mr. Bennett seconded the motion. All in favor. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:16 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes PlanComsn02172021