MINUTES
CITY OF GOOSE CREEK
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING
FEBRUARY 10, 2011, 6:30 P.M.
GOOSE CREEK MUNICIPAL CENTER
519 N. GOOSE CREEK BOULEVARD

I. Call To Order -

The Board called the meeting to order. Because there was no Chairperson present, Mr. Volkmar nominated Mr. Monheit to act as Chair Pro-Tem. Mr. Smith seconded. The vote was unanimous.

Chairman Pro-Tem Monheit called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Present: James Fisk, Larry Monheit, Kevin Smith, Thomas Volkmar, and Van Williams
Absent: Butch Clift and Robert Williams
Staff Present: Daniel Ben-Yisrael and Sarah Hanson

Pledge of Allegiance

II. Review of Minutes - December 8, 2010

Motion: Mr. Volkmar made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Mr. Washington seconded the motion.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All voted in favor.

III. Public Hearing - Request for Conditional Use Permit for Multi-Family Use, 117 Red Bank Road, TMS #244-09-02-088

Chairman Pro-Tem Monheit administered the testimony oath to those testifying during the hearing.

Motion: Mr. Volkmar made a motion to open the public hearing. Mr. Smith seconded the motion.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All voted in favor.

Mr. Ben-Yisrael presented the application for a proposed 48 unit apartment community on the 34 acre site, with access to the site proposed to be from East Pandora Drive. He stated Staff has reviewed the application and determined it is inadequate, thereby recommending denial of the application.

Mr. Monheit asked if the applicant was present, and Mr. Ben-Yisrael responded that the applicant was not present. He stated Staff had several conversations with the applicant since the application was submitted, and Staff had requested additional information. However, none of the requests were heeded; thus, Staff is recommending denial of the application.

Mr. Monheit asked if there was anyone who wished to speak.

Ms. Betsy Evans asked if this project would decrease the residents' property values.

Mr. Monheit responded he couldn't answer that question and wished to hear statements from the residents.

Mr. Ben-Yisrael asked to provide more information regarding the specifics of the project that could possibly answer some of the questions the residents might have. He explained the ordinance requires that a Conditional Use Permit be granted for the approval of a multi-family project and that there are specific conditions a project must meet in order for the Conditional Use Permit to be approved. He detailed these conditions as stated in the Zoning Ordinance. He stated that the information from the applicant was considered inadequate in addressing these specific conditions, and his requests for additional information were not returned. Because the applicant has not responded to Staff's request for the additional information even after several requests, he felt the information submitted was inadequate, and he was, therefore, recommending that the application be denied. He stated because the applicant has not withdrawn their application he felt it necessary to still conduct the hearing in the event they did appear.

Mr. Roger Anderson, a resident of West Greenview Acres, stated Pandora Drive would not bear the additional traffic from the project. He asked if this was Section 8 housing, and Mr. Ben-Yisrael explained the differences in the proposed State Low Incoming Housing Tax Credit financing which has been proposed for the project vs. Section 8 housing.

Ms. Eve Johnson asked if the applicant was required to be present, and Mr. Monheit stated the applicant was required to attend, but because they were not in attendance he felt it important to still allow the residents to ask questions and make their comments. Ms. Johnson cited her concern about increased traffic and the increase in crime and drug dealing, the additional noise generated, the appearance of the property, and the effect on their property values.

Mr. Ed Page spoke about his concern about the present number of accidents on Red Bank Road as well as the impact on the area schools. He stated he didn't feel the sewer system is capable of handling the additional units.

Mr. William Thomas stated his opposition to the project and stated his concerns about additional traffic, noise, and crime. He also stated he felt there would be added water runoff problems in the area.

Ms. Barbara Long stated her concern regarding crime. She stated she, too, was concerned about the water drainage and the parking.

Mr. Jim Waulz spoke of the current traffic problems of getting in and out of the subdivision. He asked about wetlands being near the area.

Mr. Bill Peterson stated he was concerned about the electrical lines that crossed right through the property and the health hazards from those.

Ms. Catherine Newman stated her opposition and stated her concern about having a transient population and the increase in traffic being a detriment to the neighbors who walk within the neighborhood.

Motion: Mr. Volkmar made a motion to close the hearing. Mr. Smith seconded the motion.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All voted in favor.

Mr. Monheit asked Staff for their closing statement. Mr. Ben-Yisrael stated Staff recommends they deny the application, as they find it to be inadequate, and it does not adequately addresses the thirteen criteria.

Motion: Mr. Smith made the motion that in the absence of the applicant the request for the Conditional Use Permit be denied in accordance with Section 151.171(C), as the Board cannot determine the thirteen criteria are being met. Mr. Volkmar seconded.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All voted in favor.

IV. Comments from the Board

There were none.

V. Comments from Staff

There were none.

VI. Adjournment

Motion: Mr. Volkmar made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Fisk seconded.
Discussion: There was none.
Vote: All voted in favor.

The meeting adjourned at or about 7:17 p.m.