City of Pooler City Council Meeting Summary - January 5, 2026

The City of Pooler City Council held its regular meeting on January 5, 2026, beginning at 6:01 p.m. and adjourning at 7:51 p.m. The meeting included a consent calendar, two public hearings on unfinished business (a golf cart rental conditional use and a contentious variance request for the Lanier Tract commercial development), approval of a new subdivision phase, and a public comment period.

Consent Calendar

• Council unanimously approved (6-0-0) the December 15, 2025 meeting minutes and alcoholic beverage license applications for Jim 'n' Nick's Bar-B-Q, ALDI #89, Logan's Roadhouse #522, Costco Wholesale #1485, and Ruby Tuesday #4274. All applications were for existing licenses with changes in ownership or licensees.

Unfinished Business

Conditional Use Request – Golf Cart Rental (Approved)

• Council approved (6-0-0) a conditional use request for Low Country Lubricants to allow rental and leasing of golf carts within a C-2 (Heavy Commercial) district at 1018 West US Highway 80, Suite 501. The approval was contingent on a condition—no outdoor parking or storage of golf carts—which the petitioner accepted on the record. Council found the request met all applicable criteria.

Variance Request – Lanier Tract Buffer Requirements (Denied)

• The Issue: A developer sought a variance to construct stormwater detention facilities and underground drainage infrastructure within the required 50-foot undisturbed zoning buffer along the rear property line of a proposed multi-building commercial development (the "Lanier Tract," 1323 East US Highway 80) adjacent to Tom Triplett Park and the Seaboard Coastline Railroad.
• Staff Position: City Manager Heath Lloyd reported that staff recommended denial, as the request did not meet two of the three required criteria for a variance (unique physical circumstances, undue hardship). Planning and Zoning failed to reach a recommendation, which the city code deems as a recommendation of approval.
• Petitioner's Position: Petitioner Ben Wall and Engineer Greg Coleman argued the property's unusual linear and shallow shape, combined with significant drainage challenges, constituted unique physical circumstances. They proposed a compromise: reducing the buffer from 50 feet to 15 feet, installing an 8-foot opaque fence, and planting over 500 Leland Cypress trees to create a superior visual and sound buffer. They also claimed the previous council (2023) implied the buffer was not required during the initial rezoning.
• Public Testimony (Opposition): Eleven residents and park advocates spoke in strong opposition. Key arguments included:
  • Protection of Tom Triplett Park: Described as the "crown jewel" of the community, citizens argued the buffer is essential for preserving the park's natural, quiet character.
  • Environmental Concerns: Speakers cited a significant loss of tree canopy in Pooler, risks of increased flooding to Pipe Makers Canal, and the lack of studies on local flora and fauna.
  • Procedural Concerns: Allegations of improper campaign contributions, ex-parte communications, and a violation of quasi-judicial ethics were raised.
• Council Deliberation and Vote:
  • Councilmember Carpenter (mover) and Mayor Pro Tem Henry (seconder) moved to deny the variance, arguing the staff criteria were not met and that granting the variance would undermine the city's buffer ordinance.
  • Councilmembers Hutcherson, Valim, and Bashlor voted against the motion to deny, signaling support for the developer's compromise.
  • Mayor Williams cast the deciding vote, breaking a 3-3 tie and voting in favor of the motion to deny, resulting in a final vote of 4-3-0 (AYES: Carpenter, Henry, Wilcher, Williams. NAYS: Bashlor, Hutcherson, Valim).
• Key Clarification: The council emphasized this denial is specific to this variance request. The property remains zoned C-2, and the developer retains the right to develop the land with a different site plan that meets the existing buffer requirements.

New Business

Major Subdivision Plan – Forest Lakes Phase 13 (Approved)

• Council unanimously approved (6-0-0) the final plat for Forest Lakes Phase 13, consisting of 54 single-family residential parcels.
• Approval was contingent on a life safety condition (petitioner agreed): Certificates of Occupancy for any dwelling units in this phase shall not be issued until the Forest Lakes Access Road project is complete. This requires establishing a secondary fire apparatus access road connecting the subdivision to Jimmy DeLoach Parkway, in accordance with the International Fire Code.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cindy Fear (Davenport neighborhood) requested the city formally advocate to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for the installation of sound barriers along I-16/I-95 in the Southwest Quadrant. She cited an existing state plan and an online petition. Mayor Williams and City Manager Lloyd committed to following up.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals:
  1. Consent Agenda (Minutes, 5 Liquor Licenses) – Passed 6-0.
  2. Conditional Use Request for Golf Cart Rental (1018 West US 80) – Passed 6-0.
  3. Major Subdivision Plan for Forest Lakes Phase 13 (54 homes) – Passed 6-0.
• Denial:
  1. Variance Request for Lanier Tract Stormwater Buffer – Denied (4-3-0). The developer is encouraged to revise the site plan and return to council with a proposal that meets current code.
• Next Steps: The petitioner for the Lanier tract was advised to engage with city staff to redesign the project without encroaching on the 50-foot buffer.