Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Okay, welcome everybody to the uh city of vacant planning commission meeting for Tuesday, December 9th, 2025. We will begin this meeting with um guidelines for public comments of city of Aen planning commission meetings. Meetings are public forums in which many opinions are expressed in the business of the city must be conducted. As such, discipline, honorable, and professional decorum is paramount. Courteous and respectful communication is required. During public comment periods of the meeting, all questions and statements from the public shall be directed to the chairman. If you wish to speak, please raise your hand and the chairman will recognize you. Please approach the podium and state your name and address. In order to allow an opportunity for everyone who wishes to address the commission, the speaker should limit their comments to the agenda item or the application being discussed. Each speaker will be given five minutes to address an issue and may only address an issue once unless questions from the commission are posed to the speaker.

Our first uh item of business tonight is the approval of the minutes from the November 12th, 2025 uh meeting. Do I have a motion? So move. Second. Okay, we have a motion u and a second. Any discussion? I recuse myself from that vote.

Okay, all those in favor raise your hand. And the motion passes unanimously. Okay, we don't have any old business, so we're going to move right into uh item three, new business. Our first application tonight is application number 26-20009. This is an an annexation request over at 447 East Pine Log Road. Uh this is uh they're in the county and they're coming into the city under residential single family RS10. Is the applicant here tonight to speak on behalf of this application? Any comment for or against this application? Comments? Okay, I'll entertain a motion.

Mr. Chairman, in regards to application 26-20009, annexation request, current zoning RC proposed zoning RS10. I make a motion that we move to city council for approval. Second.

Okay. Motion by Commissioner Clayton, second by Commissioner Herb. Discussion. All those in favor, raise your hand. And the motion passes unanimously. Our second item, item B, this is an application number 26-200010, an annexation request on 215 Silverluff Road, tax parcel number 106-1212-11-018. They are in the county under office residential and looking to come into the city under limited business. Is the applicant here tonight to speak on this application? Any comments for or against this application? Okay, I'll entertain a motion.

Mr. Mr. Chairman, in regards to application number 26-200010, annexation request tax partial number 10612-11-018. I move that we send this to city council and there are no possible conditions.

Okay. Thank you for the motion, Commissioner Matthews. A second, please. Second. [snorts] Uh discussion. Okay. All those in favor raise your hand. And the motion passes unanimously. Item C, uh, this is an application, this is an annexation request for application number 26-200011. This is at 215 East Pine Log Road, tax parcel number 122-09-8-012. They're in the county under residential single family conservation, looking to come into the city under residential single family RS10. Is the applicant here to speak on behalf of this tonight? Any of those four or against or comments on this application? Okay, I'll entertain a motion.

Mr. Chairman, uh for application number 26-200011, uh for annexation request for tax partial 122-9-8-012. Uh I say we approve to send to city council for approval.

Okay. Commission Mr. EPS motion by Commissioner Herb. Discussion all those in favor raise your hand. And the motion passes unanimously. [clears throat] Okay. Item D and E. This is application number 26-60000003. This is a reszone request uh and uh coming in uh from the county under single family residential RS10. And because they're doing that, they're going to have to present a concept plan under the plan residential code. This is that'll be application number 26-220004. This is on Rudy Mason Parkway and Wire Road tax parcel number 12-16-14-00001. and I'll ask the applicant to come in and give us a brief overview of your application tonight. Barrett Fine, 815 Stanton Drive, North Augusta. Um the subject property is located on the northwest corner of Rudy Mason Parkway and Wire Road. Um the overall property consists of two tracks. Um, one is on the north side of Rudy Mason and one is on the south side. Um, this application only involves the northern track which consists of 7.23 acres. [clears throat] Um, the applicant is requesting to reszone the property from RS10 to PR to allow for multif family use. Um the proposed use fits the nature of development along this corridor and um it's expected that following development of this property um surrounding tracks will be developed for commercial use as well. Um

the proposed concept and master plan narrative um describe the design standards for this development. Um the setbacks provided are in accordance with the RH district which um is most suitable for this proposed use and the surrounding uses. [clears throat] Um access will be provided by a single driveway off Rudy Mason and a left turn lane will be cut into the existing median um which we believe will be sufficient to bring full access to the site. Um there's also an emergency access drive that comes from Wire Road which has been coordinated um with the fire department over an initial meeting. Um and they believe this is sufficient to fulfill their secondary access requirements. Um, in in addition to this request, we're also asking for a waiver um from the city's zoning ordinance which requires um 20% of the overall site acreage to be developed as recreational amenities. And we'd like to reduce that number to 8.3% which is what you see here shaded in solid green. Um, we've provided a conceptual amenity program which includes a playground, um, hammock hanging areas, a botchi court, picnic pavilion and fire pit, and several seating areas um, around the site as well as a dog park. [clears throat] Um, the reason for this request is primarily due to the terrain. and we've got about 35 ft of fall across the site. Um, which makes it difficult to fit in substantial amenities on something of

this nature. Um, the parking provided is also in accordance with the city's code um at 1.5 spaces per unit and I'm happy to answer any questions you all may have. Okay. Thank you, sir. Comm uh questions from the commission. I want to make sure I heard you correctly. You are requesting the 8%. 8.3 the 8.3. We would like to request that waiver um but are open to any suggestions you all may have. Um

it's it's desired by the developer to adhere to that um waiver request. Um we are willing to increase it slightly. Um what is that slightly number? Yeah, because we're gonna we're going to vote up or down what you request. Okay. We we'd be willing to to increase it by 5%. Um so a total of 13% of the property which is if you look at the project information on the concept plan. Um there's a building coverage area which is 13%. So, we would be providing amenities equivalent to the building coverage on the site if we

So, let me make sure I understand you correctly, sir. Um, that'd be 13.3% then. Is that right? We would like to hold it at 13%. 13%. Okay. So, you're asking for a waiver from 20% to 13%. You'd be willing to do that? Yes, we'd be willing to do that. Okay. Are you aware of the other conditions listed on the application? These are pretty standard conditions. I just want to make sure you're aware of them. We are aware. Traffic study, um,

entrance sign on a sanitary sewer easement, um, the sidewalk, uh, the crosswalk, um, and the, u submitted a revised concept plan within 180 days. You okay with those? Yes, we are okay with them. Um we would like to ask that um we have the opportunity to coordinate some potential pedestrian improvements with staff um okay prior to meeting with council. Okay. Other questions for the comments for the applicant? Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody in the audience uh that want to speak in favor on this application? Is there anybody against this application? Any comment? You have a comment? Please approach podium. Please state your name and address for the record, please, if you don't mind. Speak do it in the microphone so we can record. I'm Debbie I'm at 1440 Smith's Lawn Drive. Thank you.

I don't live in the city. I live in the up the street up wire road in the county. You know, I'm not against this, but I'm looking at it and that intersection of Wire Road and Ry Mason is, I think, notorious [snorts] for um having a lot of accidents. And there's a considerable amount of development going on on going north on Wire Road such that the there's planned roundabout to handle all the traffic that's going to be coming from the large developments going up wire road. There's already some major residential developments around this site and I would urge that the planning [clears throat] planning office and traffic study be very careful not to make this intersection worse than it already is.

Thank you. They are located in a roadway identified as part of a high injury network by the city just so you're aware. So they are going to be required or going to work with staff to try to improve some of the area of the intersection based on their development. So that has been recognized. But thank you for for your comment. All right. Any other comments? All right. I'll entertain a motion.

Mr. Chairman, in regards to application 26-6003, reszoning and application 26-220004 concept plan uh current zoning RS10 proposed zoning PR. Um, I make a motion that we move to city council for approval with the addition of the sixth condition of 13% open space waiver. Second. Okay. Uh, Commissioner Clayton with a motion with adding an additional possible condition number six for the uh 13% minimum. If I if I could. Um,

yes, I'm opening up for discussion now. So, go ahead. you know, because of the topography of that land. Um, I think we ought to be on record just to state that's why we're kind of in agreeance with that 13% lower than the 20. So, I just wanted to bring that. I mean, the lot is pretty I think you said a 35 foot difference and uh that does make it difficult. So, but I just wanted that on there for the record.

Understood. Uh, any other comment concern from the commission? Okay. So, we have a motion uh to approve this application to send the city. I just want to make a quick note just for clarity because we have a condition number one basically stating that the minimum amount of recreation space shall be provided just to make it clear if you so desire to maybe amend condition one. Mr. Chairman like to amend my uh motion to remove item six and instead amend item one. Okay, I agree with that. 13% open space. Okay, Commissioner I mean Commissioner Herb, are you are you Absolutely.

Can you second that? Okay. Thank you. All right. Any other discussion? Um we changed um we didn't all we did was just change the language to modify condition one without adding an additional condition. Everything else as is. So the motion is to approve this application for city council and has been seconded. Any other comments? All right. All those in favor raise your hand. All right. The motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Thank you. You are free to leave if if you so wish.

[clears throat] All right, we will continue. Uh, application number 26-50001. This is a city service request on tax parcel number 135-13-01-002. [snorts] This is on Gun Range Road in the rural development. Um, all they are asking for here is city water. Uh, and this is for a proposed recreational vehicle campground with 24 campsites. Is the applicant here tonight to speak on this? Yes, sir. Would you like to address and summarize what you're asking for? Please state your name and address for the record.

Uh, Steven Vasser, 404 Siml Street. Um, just trying to get water service for the RV park. And you have uh, are you on a septic out there? Septic? Yes, sir. Okay. Questions for the applicant? Thanks. Uh are you aware of the possible conditions? Come again. Are you aware of the conditions? What he means by that, sir? Is there some conditions for this approval? You'll have to abide by that. You'll have to get Oh, yes. You know about those? Yes, I read through it. Okay. You have any concern question about those? Yes, sir. Okay. Shouldn't be a problem. That was just clarification. Just making sure.

Okay. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. Uh any of those here to speak in favor of this application? Do we have anybody against this application? Any comment? All right, I'll entertain a motion. Uh, Mr. Chairman, for application 26-50001 for city service request for tax partial 135-13-1-2. I say we move to city council for approval.

Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Herb, seconded by Commissioner Matthews. Uh, any discussion from the commission? All those in favor raise your hand. And the motion passes. Thank you, sir. Okay, we are at our last application for the evening. This is application number 26-5002. This is city another city service request for tax partial number 135-18-01-00001 from our friends at the county of Aken on Wire Road. Um, and I know the applicant is here tonight to give us a summary of your application.

Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, Mark Cosner, 7114 Hiddenfield Court in Aken, South Carolina. Um, I'm representing Aken County tonight. Um, Tilden Hilderbrand is here as well, and the sheriff is here to answer any questions. Um, our application is for, um, water and sanitary sewer for the new headquarters is what the application's about. Um what we'd like to request um is three simple waivers if the um commission will consider it. Um these three are um a waiver of the tree requirements and a tree survey. Um Mr. Chairman, this is a 198 acre parcel that's um that the current Aken County detention center and the coroner's office and other county um facilities sit on. We're going to clear about 5% for this new headquarters and the rest of 75% of this wooded parcel is going to remain wooded. And so we're asking um our so it's it'll be a rural setting and we we're asking for a waiver on that tree requirement and tree survey. Um number two, we're asking for a waiver on shrubs on the project. Um any kind of shrubs that uh would create a hedge. um primarily um the requirement from the city of a hedge between the parking area and the street. That's a security concern for visibility. Um and then any kind of shrub or hedge requirement around the existing detention pond. That detention pond was um built about 26 years ago, 25 years ago, and it has quite a natural um hedge around it. Um so we're asking for a waiver on that. Um and then the third item is a waiver on concrete curbs and islands on the back of the house um for the site. So this particular site has security fence. Um we have operations at the back of the site that are non-public

access and we're asking for a waiver on that. Uh really two reasons. Uh probably the main reason is um when the deputies get a service call um and they lie they um hop in the the vehicles and they leave back of the house they are really moving depending on the nature of that emergency. So any kind of curbs or anything that they're trying to avoid in the back of the house um does create a safety issue. It's very similar to what happens with Aken County schools and the bus parking lots. There are no curbs there for this very same reason. you'll tear your vehicle up. Um the other is just a a reason of some savings to the taxpayer because it's all back of house. Front of house we plan to do curbs and islands just like you see in every other um commercial building. So those were our three um waiver requests

and that's all I had unless there specific questions. Questions from Okay. So just so I'm clear Mark, you want we got the so so I get this right. We want a waiver on the tree survey and and that'll encompass the 8.8 acres, the tree survey for the 8.8 acres that you're developing. Correct. Yes, sir. Okay. Then the shrubs. Then the shrubs. You want a waiver on the shrub requirement which is under the city landscaping ordinance. That is the front at the front parking lot area. Correct. Yes, sir. And around the detention

around the detention pond. Okay. Um, and then the third is the omitting the concrete curb and islands at the back of the house and and when can we change the just the and all that is behind the gates. Correct. Yes sir. So Mark just for if you'll just if you don't mind walking over there showing what back of the house when you say back of the house just for clarity. So back to the house for clarification. This is one of the control. [snorts]

And that's where that's where we're emitting the curb. [snorts] He can get out quick. Got it. Okay.

All right. Something would that came up as far as the um typically we also require a perimeter trees. So the question is that also a waiver you would request? Yes ma'am. Um that's a great question. And so on on that first waiver, it it's not just the tree survey, it's the tree requirements is is what we're asking for um the waiver on survey and requirements. Yes, sir. Thank you for bringing that up, Maria. But I think it's important that the public understands it's just in that area that you're building. We're not going through the remaining 150 acres or whatever it is. Yes, sir. Um the other um 150 acres stays natural.

Will stay natural. Okay. Question. Any more comments, questions? Thank you, Mark. Appreciate it. Thank you. All right. Anybody here to speak in favor of this application? Those again, anybody against this wants to speak against this application comments? Okay. I'll entertain a motion. Um, yeah. Go ahead, Jos. Go ahead. No, I I had a question though. I mean on the tree, but also in regards if they do go through and if the city requests that you make the uh the contribution to the tree, do we need to put that in here as well?

Um, so the question mark would be Yeah, come on up. If the qu the question is So Mario, would you explain for the public what we're talking about here? So turn this. So, uh, typically when you have a tree survey and you you say you're taking out x amount of trees, but because of the site and the number of buildings, there's no way to replant those trees, which is typical of a tree survey and tree preservation. The other um other thing that we offer is if you're unable to do that, then you can also pay into the tree fund and it reads that there's a maximum of 500 per acre.

Yes, ma'am. Um, one of the things we're asking for this waiver when we ask for the waiver on the tree requirements and the tree survey, we're asking for a waiver on that paying into the tree bank. We we can um it's just a trying to preserve as many tax dollars into bricks and mortar on the on the sheriff's headquarters as possible, but we could we could make that contribution if we needed to, but I'd like to keep it in bricks and mortar over there for the sheriff. Understood. question. Um, yes. Is the $500 that's a maximum or No, it's per acre. Per be times 8.8 acres.

That is No, say is that the minimum per acre or can it be reduced if need be? Does it always have to be to $500 or uh It's just the way the language reads. It would be minimum 500 maximum per acre. Yeah, we could omit it. Yeah. What he's saying is whatever the number is, whether it's $500 or $5,000, it's coming from the taxpayers's dollars, right? That that was that's what he's suggesting. So, I didn't want to you we have the option to go either way. Okay. That would So, they're willing to pay uh is what I heard, but they'd rather not.

That's our tax dollar. And also, you know, it's a different animal. being that facility and not a housing, you know. I I just think it's And they have what 190 some acres. Yeah. There's And it's all all trees. Yeah. 150 acres will stay. It'll stay all wooded. Yeah. I don't We're what we're trying not to do is set a precedent here. So, every developer comes in and says that we granted the waiver for these guys, why don't they get it? but but also understanding that this is the county and the sheriff and they're trying to improve the safety of our county and our community. So I I certainly understand

maybe it's only an exception for the sheriff and that's the only reason. Um okay, thank you Mark. Actually that's what I was trying to get to. So when we go to city council we all on the same page that we also um waving the we are waving the the required f uh fee. I'm getting to Yes. I understand. I'm good with that. I understand. All right. [snorts] Okay. So, um, do I have a motion? Well, I I wouldn't mind making a motion. I just need to know with the, um, tree survey, tree requirements out, the the waiverss and the shrubs, uh, due to the safety and the security. Be specific, Sam. The shrubs at the park the front parking and the detention pond.

Correct. Well, I mean, I'm just Does that need to be into the conditions? Yes, sir, it does. Okay. Okay. Yes, sir. Um, right. So, it's four for that. I'm just trying to get this right so I make the motion right. Okay. But I have lots of help up here, too. So, that's good.

I will attempt this. So for application number 26-5002 uh city service request for tax partial 135-18-01-00001 I um say we move this for city council for approval with the possible conditions with the conditions um one through five with four being altered to a waiver to about the tree to waiver the tree survey and the tree requirements and not include the $500

per acre fee per acre fee. Um as and that is only in the not in the public area of the it's within the 8 acre development area.

Correct. And then the curbs and islands in the back portion behind the gates be um not required for the safety of the officers when they are leaving for a call. Is that is that accurate? Yes, sir. And what else did I forget? The shrubs, the wave bone shrubs on

Well, the shrubs I thought were in with the trees. The shrubs in the front of the public area also be wavered due to safety and security include include the detention pond as well and around the detention pond because it is existing and they are uh mature. That is correct. Was that clear on everything? Very much so. You sure you got it? Okay, you got it. Second.

Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Matthews. So, we have I'm just reiterate this so we're clear. We have a um motion to approve the city council for services requested um for possible conditions 1 through five as listed in the application. However, item four is being uh modified to provide a waiver on the tree survey and uh requirement tree requirements per city code around the 8.8 development area. Uh in addition to uh not requiring the tree fee correct

to be paid the next condition a new condition um I'm sorry about back to number four it will also include the waiver of the hedge row requirement around the public the the parking lot and the detention pond. The next new item will be the emission of the cur concrete curbs and islands required at the back of the house which is defined as the area not in the public sector. Only um officers and staff can access these areas. Uh also to emit them for safety of the cruisers that'll be speeding out of there for emergency response. Is that correct? That is correct.

Okay. And that's been seconded by Commissioner Matthews. Any other discussion? Okay. All those in favor raise your hand. And the motion passes. And that is our last application for the night. I'll ask for a motion of adjournment. So move. Second. Okay. All those in favor. And we are ajourned. Thank you all for coming.