Pooler City Council Regular Meeting – September 21, 2026

The Pooler City Council held its regular meeting on September 21, 2026, at City Hall (100 US Highway 80 SW). Mayor Karen Williams called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. The meeting began with an invocation led by Councilmember Shannon Valim. Present were Mayor Pro Tem Aaron Henry and Councilmembers Wesley Bashlor (via teleconference), Michael Carpenter, Tom Hutcherson, Shannon Valim, and John Wilcher. The meeting included a consent calendar, a proclamation, the adoption of a Capital Improvement Element (CIE), several routine planning and zoning items, and a lengthy public hearing and council debate over a major proposed mixed-use development known as "The District."

Proclamation

Mayor Williams read and presented a proclamation declaring September 15 through October 15, 2026 as Hispanic Heritage Month, accepted by Alejandro Del Razo of Migrant Equity Southeast.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent agenda (Items A through Q, excluding Item N) unanimously (6-0). Items included approval of minutes, release of maintenance and performance bonds, alcoholic beverage licenses, special event permits, a quarterly vehicle surplus list, and department reports. Item N (Special Event Permit for Crown Rally South) was pulled from the consent agenda and postponed to the October 5, 2026 meeting because the event had not been coordinated with the property owner, Tanger Outlets.

Ordinances & Resolutions

The council adopted Resolution R2026-09.A to adopt the Capital Improvement Element (CIE) to support the Development Impact Fee Program (6-0). City Manager Heath Lloyd confirmed this is a required step before the impact fee ordinance is presented. A public commenter, Amy Gilliam, questioned whether the fee structure would disproportionately burden new homeowners compared to commercial builders.

Planning & Zoning Items (Routine)

Several routine zoning items were approved unanimously (6-0):

• Item A: Decorative fence at 117 W. Whatley Street.
• Item B: Conditional use for a home occupation (cottage bakery) at 123 Como Drive.
• Item C: Conditional use for a DUI school at 329 SE US Highway 80.
• Item D: Zoning amendment for a martial arts studio at 950 Morgans Corner Road.
• Item E: Zoning map amendment for 1515 and 1600 Quacco Road. Withdrawn by the petitioner.
• Item F: Annexation and rezoning of 1.241 acres off Pine Barren Road (down-zoning from Chatham County IH to City of Pooler I1).

Public Comments & Testimony (Item G: "The District")

The public hearing for Item G was the central focus of the evening, drawing dozens of speakers.

Applicant Presentation: Representatives from the development team (Lamar Wakefield of Nelson Worldwide and Liz Gillespie) presented the vision for "The District," a 116-acre mixed-use project. They argued that planned, concentrated development with 1,060 residential units (capped at 975 apartments with 85 homes) and commercial amenities is preferable to fragmented parcel-by-parcel growth. They emphasized internal trip capture for traffic mitigation, a planned overlay district for city control, and the replacement of planted pines with 2,000 specimen trees.

Residents Expressing Opposition: Dozens of residents urged the council to reject the rezoning or delay the vote, citing significant concerns:

• Pat Lynch: Called it the "wrong location," citing traffic congestion on I-16 and Pooler Parkway.
• Amy Gilliam: Accused the council of having the highest rezone rate in coastal Georgia, leading to deforestation, flooding, and loss of community character.
• Debra Power: Argued the local population base (Chatham County ~331,000) does not support the high-end retail and restaurants seen in the developer's Metro Atlanta projects.
• Uma Nagaraj: Questioned the developer's track record on past projects (Bailey Johnson School, Statesboro student complex) and criticized the lack of a fixed site plan, calling the vote an "entitlement."
• Charlotte Moore (30-year planner): Advised strongly against voting that night due to missing information, including the unreviewed traffic study and the planned overlay text.
• Others: Raised concerns about flooding, loss of wetlands, sewer capacity, schools, tree loss, and the lack of guarantees for the proposed vision.

Residents Expressing Support: A group of residents spoke in favor of the project or its overall concept:

• Pete Chaison: Supported the project, noting the developer has a right to build, and the alternative under existing C-2 zoning could yield a worse outcome, such as traditional strip malls.
• Shirlinia Daniel: Appreciated the developer referencing the city's comprehensive plan and argued for strategic, long-term planning.
• Beth Moraitakis: Shared a positive experience with The Battery development in Smyrna, GA, stating it increased her property equity and provided a community gathering place.
• Carson Stricklin: Urged approval, claiming the Planned Overlay is the right tool to prevent "another Mosaic" and control the outcome.
• Others: Argued the project would provide a needed "third space" and attract new dining and entertainment options to Pooler.

Discussion Items (Council Deliberation on Item G)

Council deliberation revealed a clear division.

• Councilmember Michael Carpenter: Was the most vocal in opposition. He questioned the traffic study timing, population base for retail, need for apartments (citing 2,200 unaffordable units already in the city), and lack of plans for parking garages. He concluded the council is being asked to vote on "a thousand apartment units" and nothing more.
• Councilmember John Wilcher: Echoed Carpenter's concerns about the unknowns and voted against the item.
• Mayor Pro Tem Aaron Henry: Was a key proponent. He visited Avalon and Halcyon, advocating for the walkable, activated spaces the developer proposes. He argued the Planned Overlay is the crucial tool to ensure the city retains control and avoids power centers, but acknowledged the need for the traffic study peer review.
• Councilmembers Wesley Bashlor, Tom Hutcherson, and Shannon Valim: Voted in favor of postponing the item to allow the traffic study to be independently reviewed.

New Business

• City Hall Third Floor Buildout, Phase I: Awarded the contract to Tim Edenfield Construction for $87,462 to create two offices, a conference/training room, and storage rooms. Approved 6-0.
• Geographic Information System (GIS) Services: Awarded a field services contract to Cypress River Designs for $282,300, plus a yearly maintenance fee of $16,000, to establish a city-owned, editable GIS system for water and sewer assets. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda & Routine Items: Approved as presented.
• Resolution R2026-09.A (CIE): Adopted 6-0.
• Item G ("The District"): The council voted 4-2 to postpone the vote until the city's traffic consultant, Kimley-Horn, completes its peer review of the applicant's revised traffic study, with the cost of the review to be borne by the city. Voting to postpone: Councilmembers Bashlor, Henry, Hutcherson, and Valim. Voting against: Councilmembers Carpenter and Wilcher.
• City Hall Expansion: Phase I contract awarded.
• GIS Mapping: Contract awarded.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m. following an executive session.