Planning Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA PLANNING COMMISSION DECEMBER 13, 2023 MINUTES PowerPoint Presentation Present: Kathy Smith, Chair, Garrett Lacy, Brett Bennett, Adam Ferrara, Pam Ireland, Gary Davis, Bill Smyth, Michelle Mansour, Bruce Koedding. Staff: Michele Reed, David Pagliarini, Liz Boyles, Kevin Mitchell, Peter Stone, Katie Gerling, Lynnette Lynes Ms. Smith called the meeting to order at 5:01 pm. 1. Approval of the Agenda Ms. Ireland moved for approval of the agenda. Mr. Bennett seconded the motion. All in favor. 2. Approval of Minutes from October 18th Special Meeting and Regular Meeting Mr. Lacy moved for approval of the minutes. Mr. Smyth seconded the motion. All in favor. 3. Update on Planning Commission Recommendations Mr. Stone reviewed Town Council decisions with the Commission. 4. Correspondence All correspondence received was linked to the agenda. 5. General Public Comment Mr. Daniel Brownstein, newly elected Town Council member introduced himself and thanked the Commission for their service. There being no other comments, Ms. Smith continued with the agenda.  Planning Commission December 13, 2023 Page 2 of 6 6. Requests A. Zoning Case: R-13-23 , Request to Rezone CC, Community Conservation a 1.25- acre incorporated parcel, located on Joseph Glover Road, identified by TMS# 583-00-00-276. Property is currently zoned CO, Conservation- Open Space District. Mr. Stone reviewed staff comments with the Commission. The applicant not being present, Ms. Smith moved to the public hearing. Mr. Jonathan Ford, Philips Community, stated that they are not in favor of any zoning that would not be compatible with settlement community. There being no further comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Ireland moved for approval. Mr. Lacy seconded the motion. All in favor. B. Zoning Case: R-14-23 , Request to Annex and Zone R-2, Low-Density Residential District, an approximately 3.45-acre parcel, at the terminus of Ida Road, identified by TMS No. 577-00-00-090. Further Indicated on a plat recorded by the Charleston County ROD Office in Plat Book ED, Page 949. Mr. Stone reviewed staff comments with the Commission. Mr. William Wallace, Engineer for applicant, reviewed the request with the Commission. Ms. Cassandra Johnson-Davis, 1593 Hamlin Rd, Hamlin Board secretary, stated that she is opposed to the rezoning request. She stated that it is a settlement community and the Town is working with the Gullah Geechee Heritage to have the community designated as a historic settlement community. She suggested that the R-2 zoning would not be in alignment with the current character of the community and would negatively impact the traffic in the area. She suggested that the property should be developed in keeping with the community.  Planning Commission December 13, 2023 Page 3 of 6 Ms. Myra Snipe Richardson 2755 Earl Johnson Lane, acting president of Hamlin community, stated that the community is opposed to the rezoning request. She suggested that the development would negatively affect the neighborhood by causing drainage issues. She suggested that adjacent property would be affected because the proposed development would require an easement to connect to sewer. She suggested that a more detailed plan should be provided before approving the request. Mr. George Freeman, 4050 Bowman Rd, suggested that there was an agreement between the county and the Town to help preserve this historic community. He suggested that the agreement should be upheld and the lots should remain as 12,500 square foot lots. Ms. Kelly Hall, 1522 Boston Grill Rd, expressed concern that the development would increase traffic. There being no comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for denial of the request. Ms. Ireland seconded the motion. All in favor. C. Zoning Case: R-15-23 , Request to Rezone R-2, Low-Density Residential District, an approximately 0.45- acre parcel, located at 242 6th Avenue, identified by TMS No. 514-10-00-033. Further indicated on a plat recorded by the Charleston County ROD Office in Plat Book D, Page 180. The property is currently zoned R-1, Low-Density Residential District. Mr. Stone reviewed staff comments with the Commission. The applicant declined the opportunity to provide a presentation. Mr. Ed Lee, 150 6th Avenue, stated that he is opposed to the request. He stated that the request would not be in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and how it was originally designed. He suggested that this would set a precedent for other lots to request similar zoning. He also suggested that there have been instances where property has been taken from owners and suggested that all claims should be carefully reviewed prior to any requests being reviewed.  Planning Commission December 13, 2023 Page 4 of 6 Ms. Jacquelin Gore, 308 6th Ave, stated that the Scanlonville neighborhood is the original settlement community and asked the Commission to preserve the layout of the neighborhood as it was originally designed as half acre lots. Ms. Evetta Richardson, 228 6th Ave, stated that she is opposed to the rezoning request. She suggested that the character of the neighborhood has been changed by installation of landscaping and fencing. She suggested that both the main home and ADU are rented. Mr. Eric Vincent, owner, clarified that they do live in the main home. He suggested that they have tried to maintain the property to help preserve the aesthetics of the property and maintain the character of the neighborhood. Ms. Diane Vincent, owner, stated that there is not a fence or bamboo in the front of the home. She suggested that they would like to provide a home for themselves when not visiting their children. Ms. Cynthia Vanderhorst, 243 6th Avenue, suggested that it appears that the owners have only recently been parking their vehicles on the property and possibly living there. She suggested that it has been used as a short-term rental with multiple vehicles on the property. She suggested that the property was purchased strictly for profit. Ms. Cassandra Johnson-Davis, 1593 Hamlin, stated that she is opposed to the rezoning as it would mean that the property could possibly be sold off. There being no further comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for denial of the request. Mr. Lacy seconded the motion. Mr. Stone noted that as allowed under the Commission’s by-laws, the applicant does have an opportunity for rebuttal. Ms. Smith asked the Vincents if they would like to provide any final comments. Mr. and Ms. Vincent clarified that they are living on the property and that the art school is no longer located on the property. Mr. Vincent stated there have been few occasions where a number of vehicles on the property.  Planning Commission December 13, 2023 Page 5 of 6 Ms. Smith called for a vote on the motion. All in favor. D. Proposal to Extend the Building Permit Allocation System, and amend Section 156.070, of the Town of Mt. Pleasant Code of Ordinance. Proposed extension will be for a period of 5 years, beginning in January 2024. Mr. Stone reviewed staff comments with the Commission. There being no comments, Ms. Smith closed the public hearing. Ms. Smith moved for approval to extend the building permit allocation system with no permits allowed to be rolled over. Ms. Ireland seconded the motion. All in favor. E. Approval of street name for a previously approved Sketch Plan, located at 1374 Rifle Range Road. Approval was for the creation of 5 residential lots. The street name approved by the County is Kingston Place Road. Ms. Smith moved for approval of the request. Mr. Koedding seconded the motion. All in favor. F. Proposal to amend Chapters 152 and 155 of the Mount Pleasant Code of Ordinances, pertaining to newly established land development standards to encourage building and development practices for subdivisions of land, and for construction of new homes. Specifically proposed is to establish in the Land Development Regulations a 10’ setback from the perimeter of the subdivision that would prohibit fill and grading, that could cast stormwater on to adjacent properties. Also proposed is an amendment to the Flood Damage Prevention regulations that would modify Building Practices in Flood Zones and Low-Lying Areas, prohibiting the construction of slab on grade type of foundations for new residential construction. Mr. Mitchell and Ms. Gerling reviewed staff comments with the Commission.  Planning Commission December 13, 2023 Page 6 of 6 Ms. Smith moved for approval. Ms. Ireland seconded the motion. All in favor. 7. Other Business A. 2023 Development Agreement Presentation Mr. Stone reviewed the annual Development Agreement report with the Commission. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:19 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes PComsn12132023