Pooler City Council Regular Meeting - October 5, 2026

The Pooler City Council held its regular meeting on October 5, 2026, at 6:01 p.m. at 100 US Highway 80 SW, Pooler, GA. The meeting included the inaugural Pledge of Service for the Pooler Youth Council, approval of a consent agenda, first readings of ordinances on impact fees and special events, adoption of the Comprehensive Plan update, and two planning and zoning items. All votes were unanimous (6-0). The meeting recessed to executive session at 6:57 p.m., reconvened at 7:10 p.m., and adjourned.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes (workshop, meeting, executive session) from September 21, 2026.
• Release of Sidewalk Performance Bond ($270,187.50) for Outpost Bay, 0 Jimmy Deloach Parkway.
• Release of Maintenance Bond ($167,491.23) and Sidewalk Performance Bond ($145,863.00) for Westbrook Area K-4/Holloway Hill.
• Alcoholic Beverage License for Apple Georgia, LLC dba Applebee's (existing license, change of licensee) at 160 Tanger Outlets Boulevard.
• Five Special Event Permits: (1) Temporary alcohol service for Panda Fest (Oct 16-18) at Tanger Outlets; (2) Polk's Fall Festival (Oct 17, no alcohol); (3) Trunk or Treat at West Chatham YMCA (Oct 17, no alcohol, fee waiver requested); (4) PBC Trunk or Treat (Oct 28, no alcohol, fee waiver requested); (5) Foodees Fest (Nov 13-15, no alcohol) at Tanger Outlets.
• Note: During the meeting, it was noted that the motion approved the consent agenda as printed but two items (I and J) required fee waivers. After discussion, council allowed the motion to stand as approved with no changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Impact Fees (Ordinance O2026-03.C): Grace Porterfield, representing Savannah Area Realtors, urged the council to reconsider the proposed impact fee rates, stating they would be the highest in Chatham County and could increase construction costs and discourage affordable housing. She suggested a phase-in period. Joshua Soave (210 Silverbrook Circle) echoed concerns, noting that residential fees appeared higher than commercial/industrial, potentially discouraging housing development.
• Zoning Map Amendment (Baxley Road): Joshua Soave spoke in favor of the rezoning, stating it was positive to return industrial-zoned properties to residential use for homeowners who want to make improvements.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance O2026-03.C – Impact Fees (First Reading): City Manager Heath Lloyd presented the ordinance, which establishes impact fees under the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act. Fees are structured per square foot for residential (e.g., $2,100 per 1,000 sq ft) and per 1,000 sq ft for non-residential (e.g., $8,800 per 1,000 sq ft for commercial). Funds will be used for parks, police, fire, and streets. The council discussed the long-term need for infrastructure investment. Councilmember Michael Carpenter noted that larger commercial developments like Walmart would pay over $1 million in fees. The motion passed unanimously.
• Ordinance O2026-08.A – Special Events (First Reading): This amendment streamlines the special event permitting process by allowing administrative approval and adds an appeal process. No public hearing was held as it is not a zoning action. Passed unanimously.
• Resolution R2026-09.B – Comprehensive Plan Update: The resolution adopts the 2026 update to Pooler's Comprehensive Plan, which covers goals for growth, land use, transportation, and more. The update was approved by the DCA on July 31, 2026. Adoption is required by October 31, 2026, to maintain Qualified Local Government status. Passed unanimously.
• Conditional Use Request – Wholesale Trade with Storage (78 Columbia Drive Unit D): The applicant seeks to operate a distribution business for cigars, cigarettes, and vape products in the I-1 Light Industrial district. No walk-up sales will occur; only storage and distribution. Staff and Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval. Passed unanimously.
• Zoning Map Amendment – 175, 183, and 189 Baxley Road: A rezoning from I-1 (Light Industrial) to R-A-2 (Residential Agriculture) to allow for new single-family homes and alterations to existing homes. The properties were part of a larger 2022 rezoning for a warehouse project that did not proceed. The surrounding area remains residential. Staff and Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval. Petitioner Greg Chafin stated his daughter wants to build a single house on a vacant lot. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All six agenda items passed unanimously (6-0).
• The consent agenda was approved including fee waivers for items I and J.
• First readings were approved for Impact Fees and Special Events ordinances; second readings will occur at a future meeting.
• The Comprehensive Plan update resolution was adopted.
• Both planning and zoning items were approved.
• The council entered executive session at 6:57 p.m. and reconvened at 7:10 p.m., then adjourned.