Pooler City Council Regular Meeting - October 20, 2025

The Pooler City Council met on October20, 2025 at 6:05 p.m. at City Hall (100 US Highway80 SW). Mayor Karen Williams presided with Councilmembers Wesley Bashlor, Michael Carpenter, Aaron Henry (Mayor Pro Tem), Tom Hutcherson, and Shannon Valim present; John Wilcher was absent. The nearly two-hour meeting included a consent agenda, three proclamations, two special event permits, a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update, first readings of two ordinances, two site development plans, public comments on flooding, and an executive session.

Consent Calendar

• Items Approved (5-0): Workshop and regular meeting minutes of October6, 2025; alcoholic beverage license for 1980 K-POCHA LLC dba Byul Bam (change of ownership); release of a $60,412.50 sidewalk performance bond for Westbrook Phase5 / Reunion Remainder; department reports from Public Works, Finance, Fire-Rescue, Police, and Recreation.

Proclamations

• Italian-American Heritage Month (October2025): Mayor Williams read the proclamation and presented it to the Scandura family and other Italian-American community members.
• Georgia Retired Educators Day (November2, 2025): Mayor Williams read the proclamation and presented it to Dr. Brenda Roberts.
• Diwali and the Hindu Community (October20, 2025): Mayor Williams read the proclamation; Neil Sharma accepted, noting that nearly 2% of Pooler's population is Hindu/Indian and nearly 40% of the community resides in Pooler. He invited the public to a Diwali celebration on October22 at the BAPS temple in Savannah.

Special Events

• Live Tree Sale (No Alcohol) at Costco (200 Mosaic Circle Drive, November17–December24, 2025): A Costco representative stated the sale would be open to Costco members only, offering 7-8 foot Fraser fir trees for $59.99. Approved (5-0).
• Birthday Party (Dispensing Alcohol) at 301 Governor Treutlen Drive (December6, 2025): Approved (5-0).

Public Hearings

Comprehensive Plan Update

City Planner Marcy Benson presented the update process: the existing "Pooler2040" plan is being updated per state law (every5 years). A community survey will launch on November3, 2025 via the city website, Facebook, and City Hall. The plan includes nine elements (community profile, vision, economic development, land use, transportation, housing, natural resources, quality of life, short-term work program). Public comments:

• Amy Gilliam (Hunters Ridge): Expressed disappointment that the city has not followed the community's 2021 vision.
• Linda Ambrose (Chestnut Street): Called for more affordable housing for young families and seniors; noted median home prices (~$350,000) are out of reach as starter homes.
• Jenny Watkins (Savannah Quarters): Raised concerns about increased flooding after tree removal along Pooler Parkway and asked about impact studies; also noted nonprofits (e.g., Fishes, Children's Museum) struggle to find affordable operating space.
• Renee Higgins (Pine Barron Road): Cited survey data showing 69% of residents prioritized preserving tree canopy, 46% wanted more single-family housing and only3% wanted apartments; accused the council of removing the tree board and allowing tree buffer stripping in wetlands and floodplains. No action was taken; the hearing was closed.

Ordinances – First Readings

Ordinance O2025-09.A – Short-Term Rental Amendment

City Manager Heath Lloyd outlined four updates: (1) incorporating state-mandated landlord residency requirements (HB399); (2) defining short-term rentals as27 days or less; (3) clarifying inspections require probable cause and compliance with the Fourth Amendment; (4) ensuring denial of applications follows due process. Planning & Zoning recommended approval. Public comment:

• Josue Paizan (112 East Watley Street): Requested an exemption from the 500-foot distance requirement for hosted (owner-occupied) short-term rentals, arguing he was denied due to timing but intends to rent a portion of his home. He noted most STR certificates are for whole homes, not hosted ones. Vote: 4-1 (AYES: Bashlor, Carpenter, Henry, Hutcherson; NAYS: Valim). Passed.

Ordinance O2025-09.B – Planning & Zoning Meetings and Site Plan Processes

Heath Lloyd proposed: (1) reducing Planning & Zoning Commission meetings from two per month to one; (2) delegating final site plan approval to the city manager or designee (technical review, not zoning action). P&Z recommended approval. Public comment:

• Renee Higgins: Supported fewer meetings but expressed concern that non-residents (staff) approve site plans, arguing residents would consider local impacts. City Manager noted state law prohibits requiring municipal employees to live in the city, and decisions are professional.
• Thomas Hall (212 Grasslands Drive): Supported the sentiment, linking it to flooding issues he planned to raise later. Vote: 5-0 (all present in in favor). Passed.

New Business

Site Development Plan – Revisions to Multi-Tenant Commercial Building at 780 Pooler Parkway (Godley Station PUD)

Alec Metzger of EMC Engineering presented a revised plan changing the previously approved single-story building to a two-story (approx. 14,000 sq ft total, 7,000 sq ft per floor) with retail/office uses on 1.62 acres. Council asked about stair/elevator access, and Metzger confirmed external stairs and an elevator. Staff and P&Z recommended approval. Vote: 5-0 (passed).

Site Development Plan – Two-Story Multi-Tenant Commercial Building at 129 Pipemakers Circle (Godley Station PUD)

Alec Metzger presented a 21,600 sq ft office building on 1.66 acres. City Manager confirmed that Planning & Zoning's condition (removing parking from the setback buffer) had been met. The site is currently a cleared lot. Vote: 5-0 (passed).

Public Comments & Testimony

Speakers addressed flooding issues, particularly in the Serengeti/Grasslands area:

• Thomas Hall (212 Grasslands Drive): Alleged that flooding began only after a build-to-rent development started; disputed City Manager's suggestion that beavers could be causing the problem; demanded an independent civil engineering study (paid for by the developer) and warned of potential legal action if homes are damaged.
• Dan Blumenfeld (Winchester Drive): Reiterated that flooding began after vegetation removal; asked to see lighting and site plans for the development behind his house (picnic tables, gating concerns).
• Unnamed resident (Hunt Club): Reported new flooding in his backyard in August after 12 years without issues; criticized inadequate drainage infrastructure.
• Another resident: Stated residents have no confidence in the city manager and urged action.
• Josue Paizan (112 East Watley Street): Noted that while he also experienced flooding, the city (especially superintendent Chris Costa) responded quickly; encouraged use of the new Pooler Connect 311 app.
• Unnamed resident (Gleason Heights): Said flooding has worsened since a drainage project in 2017 and water now reaches her house.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and special event items passed unanimously (5-0).
• Short-term rental amendment passed on first reading (4-1).
• Planning & Zoning ordinance passed on first reading (5-0).
• Both site development plans passed unanimously (5-0).
• Flooding concerns were documented; no formal action was taken during the meeting, but the City Manager noted the new Pooler Connect system for tracking issues.
• The council entered executive session at 7:26 p.m. to discuss real estate, personnel, litigation, and/or cybersecurity, returning at 7:53 p.m. and immediately adjourning at 7:54 p.m.