Planning Commission Minutes February 24, 2009

Members attending: Chairman Darrin Moore, Vice-Chair Jerry Zeller, Members David Cannon, Bob Sandifer, Karen Yeargin, Laurie Sanders and Linda Tilby

Staff attending: Building Code Administrator Patrick Brown and Zoning Administrator Gus Gusler

Vice Chair Zeller made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Member Sandifer provided a second and the vote was unanimous to approve.

Maritime Zoning District: Member Tilby stated that the committee has met and after discussion everyone was asked to review their sections for any changes that may need to be made and that we will meet again. She continued by saying that it is still a work in progress.

Chairman Moore said that he and Building Code Administrator Patrick Brown have spoken with Ms. Kozack of the Low Country Council of Governments. It has been determined that…

Ms. Kozack will complete a rough draft of the Comprehensive Plan (which will take her approximately 4-6 weeks) and submit this to the Committee for review.
After receipt of the rough draft, the Committee will meet and make any changes they feel are necessary.
Ms. Kozack will then get together with the Committee to discuss these proposed changes and thus proceed to submit the final document.

The plan is to have this in a format ready to send to Town Council by late April.

Chairman Moore stated that Mr. Jack Rail wants to put a sandwich shop/catering prep location for At Your Service Events in Whaley’s detached building where the old Blimpie’s was located. This change in “use permit” requires that the Planning Commission verify zoning and recommend to Town Council. He stated that the Building Department has verified the parking. Member Sanders made a motion to approve, followed by a second from Vice Chair Zeller and the vote was unanimous to approve.

Chairman Moore explained that the Commission has received a request from the owners of The Pavilion to put the Enterprise Pavilion pier on this month’s agenda. The Rules of Procedure require that the Commission take a vote in order to do this. Chairman Moore reminded the Commission that all the Commission members are required to do is to verify the zoning, use and parking for the Pier, just as they had for Joezs on the Go. Vice Chair Zeller made a motion to approve placing this item on the agenda, followed by a second by Chairman Moore and the vote was unanimous to approve.

Vice Chair Zeller stated that he had made a trip to the Pavilion and completed a seating /parking count, coming up with numbers very close to what is noted on the plan before the Commission. Member Sanders asked if the Building Department had also verified the seating/ parking. Building Codes Administrator Patrick Brown assured the Commission that they had and referred them to the updated parking diagram that is included in the request packet. He also noted that the zoning and use comply with the ordinance.

Member Sandifer stated that the Commission usually follows the lead of the Building Department, that the numbers are correct as far as what is required for the restaurant, bar, gift shop, tackle shop and so forth and the pier itself. He further stated that what he believes they would be endorsing (if they approve and send this on to Council) is the Building Department’s interpretation of this. He reminded the Commission that Patrick has stated that the parking requirements listed here are correct.

Member Cannon commented on the attachment from Bob Doub, Utilities Director, that verifies that the Town has the capacity to add the Pavilion onto the Town sewer system and asked if the Pavilion intended to connect. Patrick Brown replied that it would be a requirement in order for the certificate of occupancy to be issued.

Chairman Moore asked Building Code Administrator Brown for the Building Department’s recommendation. Mr. Brown stated that the Pier would be an approved use in this zoning district; the parking is in place and recommended that it be approved and sent to Town Council. There was discussion that only 67 parking spaces are required and noted on the plan, yet 68 available spaces were noted on the parking diagram. It was thought by several members of the Commission that this number be changed to the required 67 spaces, thus Town Council can see that what is available is what was approved. Mr. Brown assured the Commission the required parking spaces and available parking spaces will be properly denoted on the site plan before it gets to Town Council.

Chairman Moore again reminded the Commission that the Commission’s job is only to verify use, zoning and parking and then asked for a motion. Vice Chair Zeller made a motion to approve the pier based on the zoning, parking and use. Member Yeargin provided a second and the vote was unanimous to approve.

Chairman Moore asked if there were any more business in front of the Commission. There being none he asked for a motion to adjourn. Member Yeargin made the motion, Member Tilby provided a second and the vote was unanimous to adjourn at 5:35 pm.