Pooler City Council Regular Meeting – November 2, 2026

The Pooler City Council met on November 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at 100 US Highway 80 SW, Pooler, GA. The meeting covered the consent agenda, two public hearings on conditional use requests, and a major discussion on a proposed PUD amendment for a large mixed-use development known as 'The District'. The council approved a site plan, denied a conditional use for a container storage yard, and voted down the rezoning request for 'The District' after extensive public testimony and council deliberation.

Consent Calendar

• Approved City Council Workshop Minutes and City Council Meeting Minutes from October 19, 2026.

Planning & Zoning Item A: Site Plan Approval (840 Towne Center Boulevard)

• Staff presented a proposal for a 22,602 square foot multi-tenant commercial building with 9,937 square feet of ground-floor retail and approximately 11,000 square feet of second-floor office space within the Godley Station PUD. Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval.
• No speakers from the public or questions from council.
• Motion to approve passed unanimously.

Planning & Zoning Item B: Withdrawn (1114 Forest Drive)

• This item, a conditional use request for a home occupation for a mobile food truck business, was withdrawn by the applicant prior to discussion, despite being scheduled for a public hearing on the agenda.

Planning & Zoning Item C: Conditional Use Request Denial (1485 Pine Barren Road)

• Staff Presentation: The request was for a container storage yard, including container stacking, as an accessory use to the existing DST trailer yard in the I-1 zoning district. A similar request was denied in December 2023. Staff recommended approval with three conditions: maintaining the container storage and stacking area at less than 50% of the area previously approved for the trailer yard, restricting operating hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and requiring a site and landscaping plan for screening.
• Public Hearing:
  • Amy Gillum (3 Redfield Drive) opposed the request, citing increased traffic and safety risks on Pine Barren Road and questioning traffic enforcement.
  • Michael Bartouche (323 Casey Drive) expressed opposition, questioning enforcement of the operating hours and highlighting frequent truck traffic violations on Pine Barren Road, as well as potential hazardous material risks from stacked containers.
  • Pat Lynch (135 Pine View Crossing) objected to the impact of additional trucks on a road not designated for through trucks and noted the road was already deteriorating due to violations.
• The petitioner, Carson Mellinger, stated the containers would be empty and no hazardous materials would be stored. The mayor added that the police department actively patrols the road, but enforcement is challenging due to trucking navigation apps directing trucks there.
• Council Action: Motion to deny. Passed unanimously.

Planning & Zoning Item D: PUD Amendment for 'The District' (Jabot PUD Amendment 20)

• Staff Presentation: The request was to rezone three parcels (totaling 117 acres) from the Jabot PUD to C-2 (Heavy Commercial) with a Planned District Overlay. The proposed 'District' development included 1,060 multifamily residential units, 440 hotel rooms, a 100,000 square foot grocery store, gas stations, restaurants, offices, and an amphitheater. The Jabot PUD currently has only 88 unused multifamily unit allocations remaining. Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial, primarily due to the significant traffic congestion the development would create on Pine Barren Road, Pooler Parkway, Galloway Drive, and Memorial Drive.
• Petitioner Presentation: Liz Gillespie and traffic engineer Amr Alampati presented the project. They stated the city's traffic consultants (Kimley Horn) had accepted their traffic impact study, and they committed to implementing its recommended improvements, including signalization and turn lanes. They acknowledged the Pooler Parkway widening is a system improvement and committed to coordinating with the city.
• Public Comment (Limited to 3 minutes each as the public hearing was held on September 21, 2026):
  • Amy Gillum (3 Redfield Drive) spoke against the project, citing 38.43 acres of wetlands on the site and previous flooding in the area. She read a prepared statement criticizing the council for perceived disrespect of public time, lack of communication with residents on safety issues, and fiscal irresponsibility regarding redundant studies.
  • Pat Lynch (135 Pine View Crossing) urged the council to deny the request, arguing the location was wrong and that the city has already reached a tipping point for traffic and development without sufficient answers from the applicant.
  • David Brown (102 Wayview Gardens) expressed support for the project, stating he was proud of the city and hopeful the project would be approved.
  • Joshua Soviy (210 Silverbrook Circle) expressed opposition, raising concerns about gridlock and the developer's reliance on state road expansion projects (Pooler Parkway, I-16) facing long delays. He reported a hostile interaction with a developer representative after the previous meeting.
  • Stephen Aspel (Richmond Hill, representing GeoVista Federal Credit Union) asked for approval to facilitate their branch relocation from Godley Station to Pooler Parkway.
  • Kristen Wilson (137 Pine View Crossing) opposed the project, stressing that area schools are already overcrowded and cannot accommodate the additional students generated by 1,060 residential units.
  • An un-named resident questioned the developer's financial track record (citing bankruptcies and failed projects) and asserted that community amenities like the amphitheater would rely on taxpayer funding.
  • Carson Strickland (122 Jumpson Way) spoke in favor, calling the project an asset to Pooler.
  • Lee Yochum (2405 Points Set Way) spoke in favor, comparing the project to similar successful developments in other cities and arguing that concerns should not be a reason to block progress.
  • Michael Bartouche (323 Casey Drive) spoke against the project, criticizing the density of apartments, the lack of funding secured for parking structures and the amphitheater, and the absence of the Pooler Parkway expansion from the state's 15-year plan.
  • Curtis Faircloth (former Pooler resident) spoke in favor, stating the project would raise the tax base, bring jobs, and create opportunities for small businesses.
• Council Discussion:
  • Mayor Pro Tem Henry questioned the petitioner on funding for parking garages (no funding secured, concept plan available) and the amphitheater (a placeholder requiring future feasibility and funding).
  • The Mayor consulted the City Attorney regarding enforceable conditions. The attorney advised that tying residential phasing to commercial development is not enforceable under the current city code, but a condition requiring compliance with the accepted traffic study is legally viable.
• Key Outcomes:
  • Motion 1 (Henry/Bashler): Approve the PUD amendment with a condition requiring compliance with the Kimley Horn Traffic Impact Study memo dated October 28, 2026.
    • Vote: 2 Ayes (Bashler, Henry), 4 Nays (Carpenter, Wilcher, Vallum, Hutcherson). Motion Failed.
  • Motion 2 (Wilcher/Vallum): Deny the PUD amendment and rezoning request.
    • Vote: 4 Ayes (Wilcher, Vallum, Hutcherson, Carpenter), 2 Nays (Bashler, Henry). Motion Passed.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned following a unanimous vote.