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Planning Commission backs rezoning for 515 North Bel Air Road but rejects requested variances
Summary
The commission recommended rezoning the split-zoned parcel at 515 North Bel Air Road to C-2 but voted to recommend disapproval of two variance requests tied to the same application.
The Columbia County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning request that would consolidate a split zone at 515 North Bel Air Road to C-2, but the commission recommended disapproval of related variance requests addressing drive-through placement and a maximum front setback.
Will (planning staff) presented the request and said staff recommended approval of the rezoning to C-2, noting the property sits in an Evans Town Center character area and that consistent zoning across the parcel would simplify future development. Gerald Chichester, attorney for applicant Evans Out Parcel Station LLC, said the applicants had worked with staff and distinguished the rezoning from the separate variance requests.
Gerald Chichester, attorney for the applicant, told the commission, "we respectfully submit that we do meet the criteria for a variance." Engineer Joel Dolly Carpini said the bank drive-through shown on the plan functions as an ATM and that stacking capacity is approximately "2" cars. Developer Quinn Gatto of Phillips Edison and Company said the team had reduced the number of variance requests after about a year of coordination and that landscaping and screening are proposed to address visibility.
Staff opposed the variances, citing topography and the site's current scraped condition and saying there was no constraint forcing the development to the requested layout. Staff also flagged Evans Town Center design requirements that aim to limit highly visible elements such as enlarged ponds at the principal corner.
The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of rezoning file RZ250501 (515 North Bel Air Road). On the associated variance application (VA205501) — which asked to allow a drive-through between a building and the public road and to remove the maximum front setback on part of the site — the commission voted to recommend disapproval. The transcript records voice votes and the motions carried; no roll-call tallies were recorded.
The rezoning recommendation and the variance recommendation will be forwarded to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for final action.
