Pooler City Council Regular Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Pooler City Council held its regular meeting on November 17, 2025, at 6:01 p.m. at 100 US Highway 80 SW, Pooler, GA. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including budget approval, zoning variances, site development plans, and a major subdivision. Key decisions included approval of the FY2026 budget (4-2), denial of a 75-foot buffer reduction for an industrial building (6-0), and conditional approvals for several development projects.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved (6-0) the Consent Agenda, which included: City Council Workshop Minutes of November 3, 2025; City Council Meeting Minutes of November 3, 2025; Release of a Maintenance Bond in the amount of $157,518.80 for Westbrook Area I-3, Blue Moon Crossing; and Department Reports (Public Works, Finance, Fire-Rescue, Police, Recreation, Planning & Development).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Budget (FY2026): Multiple residents commented. Latricia Brown questioned the drastic decrease in tree canopy maintenance revenue from $488,085 in 2023 to $1,500 in the proposed budget. Amy Gilliam raised concerns about DDA funding, tree budget, and firefighter retention due to low salaries and short staffing. Andrew Wegener requested a pause to research hybrid police vehicles. Abhishek Seshappa argued that $100,000 for a contract grant writer is reasonable based on market rates. Uma Nagaraj criticized the lack of budget transparency and alleged attempts to chill free speech, urging a vote against the budget as written.
• Variance – 1901 Pine Meadow Drive: Multiple residents (Dean Kicklighter, Amy Gilliam, Latricia Brown, Kevin Moon, Andrew Wegener, Jenny Watkins, Uma Nagaraj, John Boutwell) opposed the buffer reduction, citing environmental impacts, wetland/flooding concerns, historical significance of the Savannah Ogeechee Canal, and the need to preserve green space. County Commissioner Dean Kicklighter stated that funds have been allocated for recreational use of the canal and that the city has the legal right to enforce its buffer ordinance.
• Variance – 1323 East US Highway 80 (Lanier Tract): Residents (Amy Gilliam, Beverly Waters, Kevin Moon, Uma Nagaraj, Dean Kicklighter, John Boutwell) expressed concern about loss of tree canopy, encroachment on Tom Triplett Park, safety issues from industrial uses near a park, and the need for public transparency. Commissioner Kicklighter urged denial, arguing the developer knew of buffer requirements and the park is a valuable community asset.
• Cross Creek Phase 3 Subdivision: Residents (Uma Nagaraj, Kevin Moon, Amy Gilliam, Abhishek Seshappa) raised concerns about enforceability of open space protection via HOA covenants (noting HOAs can be dissolved by majority vote), ongoing construction impacts on existing roads, speeding on local streets, and the stripping of land before building. Suggestions included the city acquiring a conservation easement.
• General Public Comment: Uma Nagaraj requested increased police presence and speeding enforcement in school zones, offering specific financial data on allowable speed trap percentages. Another resident suggested a "shadow day" program for citizens to understand council responsibilities.

Discussion Items

• Resolution R2025-11.A – FY2026 Budget Approval (Second Reading): City Manager Heath Lloyd presented a balanced budget highlighting $1.8M for public safety fleet capital, $250K for green space, $200K for community events, $500K for stormwater basin modeling, $100K for grant programming, $400K for park modernization, and $200K for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Extensive public comment and council discussion ensued, particularly regarding DDA funding, tree budget cuts, police vehicle mix (hybrid vs. traditional), and grant writer costs. Councilmember Valim stated she was not against a DDA but opposed the $200K appropriation for it, citing lack of information. Councilmember Wilcher argued the tax increase and new spending would put the city back in a deficit. Mayor Williams noted the city has the lowest millage rate in Chatham County at 4.197. The budget was approved 4-2.
• Variance Request – 1901 Pine Meadow Drive (75-foot buffer reduction): The petitioner argued that no buffer is required because the adjacent canal property is zoned industrial and not actively used for recreation. Staff and Planning & Zoning recommended denial, citing excessive reduction and alternative site configurations. Councilmember Carpenter moved to deny after reviewing criteria. The motion passed 6-0.
• Conditional Use Request – Animal Crematory at 1151 Old Louisville Road: The petitioner described the proposed aquamation process as environmentally friendly, with no fumes or visible emissions, fully contained indoors. Staff and P&Z recommended approval with conditions that only aquamation be used and that it take place inside. Council approved 6-0 with those conditions.
• Variance Request – 1323 East US Highway 80 (Lanier Tract): The petitioner requested postponement to work through issues with staff. Council voted 5-1 to open the public hearing, then unanimously (6-0) postponed the item to the January 5, 2026 meeting, with the petitioner bearing readvertisement costs.
• Site Development Plan – Wells Fargo Bank at 439 Pooler Parkway: Approved 6-0. The existing Dairy Queen will be converted into a Wells Fargo bank, relocating from Highway 80. Tesla superchargers will remain operational during construction.
• Site Development Plan – Home Depot Tool Rental Center at 190 Pooler Parkway: Approved 6-0 with a condition that the stormwater maintenance agreement be recorded prior to the pre-construction meeting.
• Site Development Plan – Childcare Facility at 15 Commons Way (Foundations at Blakely Commons): Approved 6-0. The 11,500 sq ft facility complies with recently approved PUD standards.
• Major Subdivision Plan – Cross Creek Phase 3 (88 lots): After extensive discussion about permanent open space protections, Council approved 4-3 (Mayor Williams breaking the tie) with a condition requiring a pavement condition evaluation of existing streets from Pine Barren Road to the Phase 3 entrance. The condition holds the developer responsible for repairs due to construction traffic.
• Agreement with Coleman Company – Signalization at Benton & Mulberry: Approved 6-0 for an amount not to exceed $35,250, subject to city attorney approval and state-required consultant agreement. The signal has been long-delayed since 2017; funds from two developments support it.

Key Outcomes

• FY2026 Budget Approved (Resolution R2025-11.A): Passed 4-2 (Bashlor, Carpenter, Henry, Hutcherson in favor; Valim, Wilcher opposed). The budget includes significant allocations for public safety fleet, green space, stormwater modeling, parks, and DDA startup.
• Variance Denied at 1901 Pine Meadow Drive: Passed 6-0. The 75-foot buffer reduction (from 100 feet to 25 feet) was denied.
• Conditional Use Approved for Animal Crematory at 1151 Old Louisville Road: Passed 6-0, with conditions limiting the process to aquamation for animals only, performed inside the building.
• Variance Postponed at 1323 East US Highway 80: Postponed to January 5, 2026, with new public hearing and costs borne by petitioner.
• Site Development Plans Approved (6-0 each): Wells Fargo bank, Home Depot tool rental addition, and Foundations at Blakely Commons childcare facility.
• Cross Creek Phase 3 Approved with conditions: Passed 4-3. Condition requires pavement condition evaluation and developer repair responsibility.
• Signalization Agreement Approved (6-0): $35,250 for bidding, contract administration, and closeout services for the Benton and Mulberry intersection signal.