CITY OF BERKELEY LAKE
4040 SOUTH BERKELEY LAKE ROAD
BERKELEY LAKE, GEORGIA 30096
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
MEETING and PUBLIC HEARING
FULL MINUTES
August 28, 2008

Those in attendance at the meeting were as follows:

Commission members:   Bob Herb, Chair
                                 Sally Rich-Kolb    
                                 Rodney Hammond
                                 Dan Huntington
                                 Craig Belt

Deputy City Administrator:  Leigh Threadgill

Citizens present:    Barbara Carroll

I. CALL TO ORDER:

Herb called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. at 4040 S. Berkeley Lake Road.

II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Herb reviewed the Agenda as advertised and there were no suggested changes.

III. MINUTES of May 20, 2008

Hammond made a motion to approve the Minutes of the May 20, 2008 meeting. Huntington seconded the motion. Kolb, Hammond and Huntington voted in favor with Belt abstaining and the motion carried.

IV. NEW BUSINESS

a.) Variance Public Hearing– 4040 S Berkeley Lake Road

Threadgill described the variance request, which is to reduce the front setback by 12.2 feet due to topography along the rear of the site.

There was discussion about the city hall use in a residential district.

Huntington motioned to approve the variance as requested. Hammond seconded the motion.

There was question about the need for additional variances if a new deceleration lane is required by Gwinnett County.

There was further discussion about whether the proposed use was permitted in the R-100 zoning district and the impact of the proposed city hall on adjacent residences. Hammond expressed a desire for a code modification to address the development of civic uses in residential zoning districts.

Kolb, Hammond and Huntington voted in favor. Belt voted in opposition. The motion carried.

b.) Consideration of Code Amendment to Section 78-317, Building permit required – Public Hearing

Herb described the proposed changes.

Huntington motioned to approve the changes as proposed. Hammond seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried.

c.) Consideration of Code Amendment to Section 78-89, Accessory uses or structures – Public Hearing

Herb described the proposed changes.

There was discussion about the proposed height allowance of 20 feet and proximity of accessory structures to the rear lot line in terms of the visual impact on neighboring properties.

It was clarified that each accessory structure could be 550 square feet provided that the total square footage of all structures on the lot does not exceed 15% of the area of the lot.

There was discussion about spas and the proposed height restrictions. It was determined that the proposed height restrictions were for freestanding spas not attached to a deck.

There was discussion about the regulation of the amount of area of a boathouse that can be enclosed. It was decided to revise the proposed section 78-89(g)(7) to allow an enclosed area of 100 square feet rather than 50 square feet. There was further discussion about the visual impact of boathouses on views from the lake and shoreline clutter.

It was decided to revise section (h) to require accessory structures in the front or side yards to have exterior finishes consistent with the primary residence.

Huntington motioned to approve the proposal with the above changes. Belt seconded the motion.

There was further discussion.

All were in favor. The motion carried.
 
d.) Consideration of Code Amendment to Section 78-196, Permitted uses – Public Hearing

Herb described the proposed changes.

There was discussion to add Civic Institutions to the list of uses permitted in the R-100 zoning district. Staff was directed to look at proper verbiage to allow civic uses in R-100.

Kolb motioned to approve the changes as proposed. Huntington seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried.

e.) Consideration of Code Amendment to Section 78-197, Area, yard coverage, height and supplementary regulations – Public Hearing

Herb described the proposed changes.

Kolb motioned to approve the proposed changes. Huntington seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried.

f.) Consideration of Code Amendment to Section 78-198, Floor space requirements for R-100 single-family residence district

Herb described the proposed changes.

Hammond motioned to approve the proposal. Kolb seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion carried.

VI. CITIZEN COMMENTS

There were none.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Huntington made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Belt seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Herb adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.