Call to Order

The West Columbia Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 6:02 pm. Members present included Chairman William Etheredge, W.J. "Buck" Buchanan, Preston Cantrell, and Billy Lynn Williams. Nadine Lann, Harold Prater and Gary Prince were absent. Public hearing

Zoning Administrator Brian E. Carter presented the city's case evaluation on a map amendment to rezone property at 817 Meeting Street to the commission. He explained that the property was currently vacant. Steve Littlejohn, the applicant and owner of the property, would like to market it. Littlejohn has a potential buyer, Wade Caughman, who wants to turn the property into studio lofts. Carter noted the area around Meeting Street was made of primarily businesses and medium density uses. The property is currently zoned C2/GOLD (General Commercial/Gateway Overlay District), and the applicant seeks to change the zoning to C3/Gold (Restricted Commercial/Gateway Overlay District). Carter noted this would allow first floor residential use and fits into the city's general plan for the area.

After Chairman Etheredge and Commissioner Buchanan discussed the history of the property, Caughman went over his plans for the location. He said that he would create four residential condos for the property. Caughman wanted to rename the location, Bus Station Lofts, since the property was once a bus terminal. He showed the commission his general plans and said that one loft would be 2,200 square feet and the other lofts would be 1,600 square feet.

The commission voted unanimously to recommend that the West Columbia City Council approve the map amendment.

Adjournment

Having no further business, the commission adjourned at 6:19 pm. The planning commission's next meeting is February 23, 2009 at 6 pm.