Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 22, 2023 MINUTES PowerPoint Presentation Present: Kathy Smith, Chair, Brett Bennett, Michael McCormick, Pam Ireland, Gary Davis, Bill Smyth, George Gates, Bruce Koedding, Garrett Lacy Staff: Michele Reed, David Pagliarini, Peter Stone, Kevin Mitchell, Julie Wright, Lynnette Lynes Ms. Smith 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 February 15th Meeting Ms. Smith moved for approval of the minutes. Mr. Bennett seconded the motion. Ms. Ireland moved to amend the motion to correct the minutes as follows: ➢ Page 4, item 7E, 3rd paragraph—"…there should be a minimum amount of commercial use required, and there should be a maximum number of units allowed in addition to a maximum number of bedrooms allowed.” Mr. Bennett seconded the amendment. All in favor. Ms. Smith called for a vote on the amended motion. All in favor. 3. Update on Planning Commission Recommendations Mr. Stone reviewed the Town Council decisions with the Commission. 4. Correspondence All correspondence received was linked to the agenda and distributed to the Commission.  Planning Commission Agenda March 22, 2023 Page 2 of 5 5. General Public Comment Ms. Nancy Zettler, 712 Natchez Circle, expressed concern with there not being diversity on the Commission or diversity of those attending the meeting. She expressed concern that there is not enough attainable housing, and asked that attainable housing be considered for the Bowman Road project and for all future residential projects in the Town. There being no further comments, Ms. Smith closed public comment. 6. Requests A. R-01-23, Request to amend the Patriots Point PD, Planned Development, specifically pertaining to the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, located on approximately 23-acres fronting the Charleston Harbor at the terminus of Patriots Point Rd. Proposal to allow for an additional 133 hotel units for a total of 350 hotel units development wide. The subject properties are further identified by TMS Nos. 517-00-00-002, 517-00-00- 119, 517-00-00-106 and 517-00-00-107. Mr. Stone reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Ms. Abigail Richardson, Seamon, Whiteside, and Associates, and Mr. Oliver Rufus, Charleston Harbor Resort, reviewed the request with the Commission. There being no comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Ireland moved for denial based on the findings that there are other approved hotel units nearby, there are concerns regarding additional traffic in the area, there is no economic hardship, and the area cannot accommodate additional traffic. Mr. Gates seconded the motion. Motion passed on a 6 to 3 vote with Mr. Bennett, Mr. Koedding, Mr. Davis, Mr. Gates, Ms. Smith, and Ms. Ireland in favor; Mr. Smyth, Mr. Lacy, and Mr. McCormick opposed. B. R-02-23, Request to Rezone NC, Neighborhood Commercial District, a 1.57- acre tract of vacant land, located on the corner of Bowman Rd and Hospital Dr. Property is currently Zoned OP, Office Professional. Property is further  Planning Commission Agenda March 22, 2023 Page 3 of 5 identified by TMS No. 559-00-00-070 and indicated on a plat recorded by the Charleston County ROD Office in Plat Book L11, Page 0222 Mr. Stone reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Mr. Matt DeMeyers reviewed the request with the Commission. There being no comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for approval of the zoning request with no drive-thru allowed. Mr. Lacy seconded the motion. Mr. Pagliarini noted that the zoning requests cannot be conditioned and therefore, it is not an appropriate or valid motion. Ms. Smith moved for approval of the zoning request. Mr. Lacy seconded the motion. All in favor. C. R-03-23, Request to Rezone AB-2, Areawide Business-2 District, a 0.64-acre property, located at 479 Long Point Road. Property is currently Zoned AB, Areawide Business District. Property may be further identified by TMS No. 537-00-00-006 and may be referenced on a plat recorded by the Charleston County ROD Office in Plat Book BJ, Page 65 Mr. Stone reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Mr. TJ Watkins, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Andrea Parco, Mustard Seed and Longpoint Grill owner, stated that the restaurant closed due to the lack of employees able to work following COVID. She stated that the property has not been properly utilized and has been used as a dumping site. She suggested that the proposed zoning is appropriate for this property. There being no further comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for approval. Mr. Gates seconded the motion. All in favor.  Planning Commission Agenda March 22, 2023 Page 4 of 5 D. R-04-23, Request to Annex and Zone AB, Areawide Business District, a 1.51- acre parcel, located on Ira Rd. Property is currently unincorporated in the County, with a commercial designation. This parcel is further identified by TMS No. 559-13-00-004 and may be referenced on a plat recorded by the Charleston County ROD Office in Plat Book F, Page 95. Mr. Stone reviewed the request with the Commission. Mr. John Dangerfield, Engineer, reviewed the request with the Commission. There being no comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for approval. Mr. Bennett seconded the motion. All in favor. E. SP-04-23, Review of Sketch Plan for 638 Royall Ave and 532 Reid Street. Request to modify two lots, totaling approximately .94 -acres. There is no proposal for a net gain of lots. Property is currently zoned R-1, Low Density Residential District. Further identified by TMS Nos. 532-09-00-135 and 532-09-00-165 Ms. Wright reviewed the staff comments with the Commission. Mr. David Verbance, owner, reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Smith moved for denial of the LDR waiver as the request does not sufficiently meet the criteria for a LDR waiver. Ms. Ireland seconded the motion. Motion passed on a 7 to 2 vote with Mr. Smyth, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Koedding, Mr. Gates, Ms. Smith, Mr. McCormick, and Ms. Ireland in favor; Mr. Lacy and Mr. Davis opposed. F. SP-05-23, Review of Sketch Plan for 642 Sparks St. Request to subdivide an approximately 1.44 -acre parcel, providing an access easement, requiring a LDR Waiver. Property is currently zoned R-2, Low Density Residential District. Further identified by TMS No. 535-04-00-011 Mr. Mitchell reviewed staff comments with the Commission.  Planning Commission Agenda March 22, 2023 Page 5 of 5 Ms. Helen Harleston, owner, reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Smith moved for approval of the LDR waiver and sketch plan addressing all staff comments, with the caveat that the waiver for the easement is granted only for the original parcel being subdivided into three lots. Mr. Bennett seconded the motion. Motion passed on a 8 to 1 vote with Mr. Smyth, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Koedding, Mr. Lacy, Mr. Gates, Ms. Smith, Mr. McCormick, and Ms. Ireland in favor; Mr. Davis opposed. G. EDS Presentation- Water Quality, A presentation by the Town’s Environmental Manager, highlighting the importance of water quality and the Town's monitoring efforts and results. Ms. Wright provided a presentation for the Commission. The Commission received this as information. 7. Other Business a. Adoption of 2023 Rules of Procedure Ms. Smith moved for approval of the rules of procedure as presented. Mr. Smyth seconded the motion. All in favor. Ms. Reed stated that staff would like to schedule a special Commission meeting the week of April 5th to review the draft zoning changes. Ms. Smith noted that this is Mr. Gates’ last meeting as he is resigning and thanked him for his service on the Commission. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes PlanComsn03222023