Pooler City Council Regular Meeting - April 6, 2026

The Pooler City Council held its regular meeting on April 6, 2026, starting at 6:02 p.m. and adjourning at 9:32 p.m. The meeting included a variety of routine approvals, public hearings on zoning and development, and unanimous support for letters to Congress regarding FEMA's flood insurance program. Significant discussion centered on a proposed industrial warehouse development at 200 Jesup Road, which drew extensive public comment opposing the project due to environmental and flooding concerns. The council approved the zoning condition changes for this project with seven stipulations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from March 16, 2026 (Workshop, Meeting, Executive Session)
• Approved alcoholic beverage license for Publix Super Markets, Inc. #1364
• Approved alcoholic beverage license for CGNPM, LLC DBA 509 Vibes
• Approved release of performance bond ($2,588,955.83) and acceptance of maintenance bonds for Forest Lakes, Phase 12, subject to City Attorney approval
• Approved release of maintenance bond ($209,255.75) for Forest Lakes, Phase 10, subject to City Attorney approval

Public Comments & Testimony

• 200 Jesup Road Industrial Warehouse (Unfinished Business B): Approximately 18 members of the public spoke, most opposing the project. Speakers included residents, representatives of the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society, and a state house candidate. Key concerns included environmental degradation of the historic canal, loss of wildlife habitat, increased flooding, noise and visual pollution, and lack of adequate studies. Many urged the council to deny the request or require further evaluation. One speaker representing the property trust argued that the canal in the area is not navigable and lacks water. The petitioner's attorney responded, noting the property is already zoned industrial and the proposal merely changes access conditions. The public hearing lasted approximately 45 minutes.
• Outpost Bay Subdivision Amenity Center (New Business B): One member of the public, Latricia Brown, commented, asking about penalties for developers who build without prior approval.
• 9-Lot Subdivision on Canal Bank Road (New Business C): Two members of the public (Wendy Sevenandt and Dana Kuhn) commented, asking about access and wetland permits.
• Private School at Rothwell Baptist Church (New Business E): Two members of the public commented: John Boutwell asked about capacity; Glenn Smith expressed concerns about traffic on Highway 80.
• 1322 Quacco Road Zoning (New Business G): Two members of the public commented: Latricia Brown questioned a pattern of developers seeking forgiveness rather than permission; Pat Lynch asked about storage of trailers and equipment.
• Public Comment Period (End of Meeting): Uma Nagaraj criticized the council's procedural handling of public hearings and suggested recall petitions. Latricia Brown commended the council for thorough questioning and support for penalties on violators. Another resident thanked the council for their composure.

Discussion Items

• 200 Jesup Road (Unfinished Business B): City Manager Heath Lloyd explained the request to remove two existing zoning conditions from the 2022 rezoning and add five (later six) new conditions to allow industrial warehouse buildings and a new access road. The new road would cross the Savannah Ogeechee Canal, connecting to the Georgia Port Authority mega site. The petitioner's attorney, Harold Yellin, argued the previous conditions were impractical for the current project. Councilmember Wesley Bashlor recused himself. After extensive public comment and council questions, Councilmember John Wilcher moved to approve with six conditions, and Mayor Pro Tem Aaron Henry added a seventh condition to restore any disturbed canal portions to existing condition plus a bridge. The motion passed 5-0.
• 123-Room Hotel and Restaurant (New Business A): Site plan approved for a 123-room hotel and 5,630 sq ft restaurant at 200 Suri Avenue in Savannah Quarters PUD. City Manager noted stormwater infrastructure was already in place. Approved unanimously.
• Outpost Bay Subdivision Amenity Center (New Business B): Site plan approved for an amenity center at 161 Jetty Circle. Condition required relocation and reconstruction of an unapproved shade structure before the 21st Certificate of Occupancy. Mayor Williams expressed frustration with developers building without approvals and requested staff draft a penalty ordinance. Approved unanimously.
• 9-Lot Single-Family Subdivision on Canal Bank Road (New Business C): Major subdivision plan approved for nine lots on 51.88 acres. Access is via Canal Bank Road (City of Savannah right-of-way). Conditions requiring third-party permits had been fulfilled. Approved unanimously.
• Private School at Rothwell Baptist Church (New Business E): Conditional use approved for a private school (pre-K through 5th grade, max 117 students) operating 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. within the existing church building. Petitioner proposed traffic mitigation measures including right-turn-only entrance and staggered dismissal. Approved unanimously.
• 303 Multi-Family Development at 1400 Canal Bank Court (New Business F): Petitioner requested postponement to May 4, 2026, agreeing to pay readvertisement costs. Motion carried 5-1 (Councilmember Wilcher dissenting).
• 1322 Quacco Road Zoning (New Business G): Zoning map amendment to remove existing condition and allow limited uses: building construction contractor's office, other specialty contractor's office, and landscaping business, including ancillary equipment, trailers, and vehicles. Petitioner D.J. Desai noted the property currently has a landscaping business that had been operating without approval. Approved 5-1 (Councilmember Wilcher dissenting).
• Letters to Congress in Support of FEMA CRS (New Business H): Planning Director Nicole Johnson explained that FEMA defunded the Community Rating System program, jeopardizing Pooler's Class 6 status (20% flood insurance discount). Letters to Rep. Rick Allen, Sen. Raphael Warnock, and Sen. Jon Ossoff were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Special Events (Pollinator Palooza, Children's Market, Motors for Moms Car Show & Wing Fest, Love & Soul Family Festival): All four approved unanimously with fee waivers.
• 200 Jesup Road Zoning Conditions: Approved 5-0 (Bashlor recused) with seven conditions including traffic impact analysis, new southern access road, no CO until road completion, pavement condition evaluations, and canal restoration.
• Hotel & Restaurant Site Plan: Approved unanimously.
• Outpost Bay Amenity Center: Approved unanimously, with condition on shade structure relocation.
• 9-Lot Subdivision: Approved unanimously.
• Private School at Rothwell Baptist Church: Approved unanimously.
• 303 Multi-Family Development: Postponed to May 4, 2026, by a vote of 5-1 (Wilcher dissenting).
• 1322 Quacco Road Zoning: Approved 5-1 (Wilcher dissenting), limiting uses to contractor offices and landscaping with ancillary equipment.
• FEMA CRS Letters: Approved unanimously.
• Meeting Adjourned at 9:32 p.m.