The Statesboro City Council met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. At the meeting the Mayor and council members recognized First Baptist Church, Safe Haven and employees Jimmy Murray and Layne Phillips.
Recognitions/Public Presentations:
A) Presentation of a key to the City to First Baptist Church of Statesboro for 140 years of ministry in our community.
B) Presentation of an award to retiring Water and Sewer Crew Leader, Jimmy Murray for his 21 years of service to the City of Statesboro.
C) Presentation of a 3CMA Savvy Award to Public Information Officer Layne Phillips for the City’s employee newsletter the ‘Boro Bulletin.
D) Presentation of a Proclamation to Safe Haven recognizing October as Domestic
Violence Awareness month.
Consent Agenda
APPROVED: Approval of 10-04-2022 Council Minutes
Public Hearings
APPROVED: Public Hearing & Consideration of a Motion to approve application for an alcohol license in accordance with The City of Statesboro alcohol ordinance Sec. 6-13 (a): Family Dollar #20383
2538 Northside Dr W
Statesboro, Ga 30458
License Type: Package Sales – Beer and Wine only
Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve:
APPROVED: APPLICATION RZ 22-09-02: Jarret Walden requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the R-15 (Single-Family Residential) zoning district to the O (Office) zoning district to expand the existing dental office on 0.24 acres of property located at 703 East Grady Street.
Public Hearing and Consideration of a Motion to Approve:
APPROVED: A) APPLICATION AN 22-09-03: The Parker Companies request Annexation of the three properties totaling 3.8 acres in order to construct a Parker’s Kitchen located on the intersection of Burkhalter and Highway 67, commonly known as 17241 GA Highway 67.
APPROVED: B) APPLICATION RZ 22-09-04: The Parker Companies requests a Zoning Map Amendment from the R-40 (Single-Family Residential) zoning district to the HOC (Highway Oriented Commercial) zoning district in order to construct a Parker’s Kitchen located on the 3.8 acres of property at the intersection of Burkhalter and Highway 67, commonly known as 17241 GA Highway 67.
Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinances:
APPROVED: 2022-06: An Ordinance amending Article XXV-A of the City Code of Ordinances section 2506-A revising amount of amenity space required and the types of outdoor areas that qualify as such.
Ordinance 2022-06:
Section 2506-A Open Space – Original Language
At least 5% of the site acreage, calculated based on the total lot area before development, must be dedicated as amenity space. Amenity space is defined as any at-grade outdoor area of at least 100 square feet intended for use by the residents of the development and their guests, but not for the exclusive use of an individual dwelling unit. Amenity space specifically excludes required sidewalks, stream buffers, zoning buffers, stormwater facilities, and natural water bodies. Amenity space may include, but is not limited to, the following spaces: playgrounds, pool areas, tennis courts, basketball courts, other sports courts, community lawns, community gardens, hardscape areas improved for pedestrian enjoyment, and wooded areas.
Sec. 2506-A. Amenity Space- Proposed Amendment
For developments equal to or exceeding 5.0 acres at least 10% of the site acreage, calculated based on the total lot area before development, must be dedicated as amenity space. For developments smaller than 5.0 acres at least 5% of site acreage must be dedicated as amenity space. Amenity space is defined as any at-grade outdoor area of at least 100 square feet intended for use by the residents of the development and their guests, but not for the exclusive use of an individual dwelling unit. Amenity space specifically excludes required sidewalks, stream buffers, zoning buffers, stormwater facilities, and natural water bodies. Amenity space may include, but is not limited to, the following spaces: playgrounds, pool areas, tennis courts, basketball courts, other sports courts, community lawns, community gardens, hardscape areas improved for pedestrian enjoyment, splash pads, walking trails, dog parks, and wooded areas.
APPROVED: 2022-07: An Ordinance amending Article XIV of Appendix A of City Code of Ordinances adding requirement of mixed use concurrency in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).
Section 1404 –Mixed Use Concurrency Requirements:
A. At least 20% of the total gross floor area of the completed PUD development shall be devoted to residential uses and at least 20% of the total gross floor area of the completed PUD development shall be devoted to non-residential uses.
B. No more than 75 residential units shall be issued a certificate of occupancy in a PUD development until such time as at least 20,000 gross square feet of non-residential floor area has been issued a certificate of occupancy. Any mixed-use concurrency requirements beyond the first 75 residential units may be required by conditional zoning.
C. No certificate(s) of occupancy shall be issued for more than 100,000 gross square feet of non-residential floor area in a PUD development until such time as a certificate of occupancy has been issued for at least 20 residential units. Any mixed-use concurrency requirements beyond the first 100,000 gross square feet may be required by conditional zoning.
City Managers Comments
Members of the Georgia High Low Trail, met the Mayor and City Manager Charles Penny asking for support to get a master plan of trails that would connect Athens to Savannah.
According to Penny, the Bulloch County Development Authority approved paying $1,600 toward the master plan. Visit Statesboro contributed and Morris Bank has contributed $7,500. The city was asked for $3,300 to support the effort. They are asking for each county impacted to contribute $15,000 total to cover their share of the master plan cost. Mr. Penny will place this on the next meeting agenda for consideration.
Mr. Penny reminded the council about the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant American Community Celebration next Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
APPROVED: The city has received a Fair Road and Northside Drive safety audit by GDOT which shares the need to improve the roads. GDOT would like approval from the City to allow them to move forward with beginning to develop plans for the improvements. The improvements will allow them to create a median on Fair Road from Wendy's toward the University. GDOT will fund the median improvements but there is also a need for a right turn lane near Dunkin Donuts and Zaxby's. This would have to be funded by the city. In addition, they would like to place a median on Northside Drive in the mall area. There is also a need for a turn lane which would have to be funded by the city. The council will send a letter accepting GDOT's offer to assist with improvements. This will start the process for improvements.
Public Comments
Blake Robinson a GS student wanted to discuss his GS Civic Engagement Efforts. They are pushing to get students to VOTE. He wants to remind council about early voting on campus. They are also hosting a debate night party and an election watch party on campus and would like to invite the council to attend. The election night watch party will be held in the lobby of the Information Technology building on November 8th from 6 to 9 pm.
Robinson also brought up the homeless issue with students and in the community. He is wondering what the city is doing about our homeless population in Statesboro.
"We are having conversations with two local churches regarding the homeless issue. This population is also dealing with addiction and mental health issues in addition to homelessness. We have also looked at funding sources. We don't have an immediate solution, but we have started the conversation," Mayor McCollar.