Auditors question Port Wentworth's planning and zoning practices. Here's how council responded.
As part of Port Wentworth’s overall effort to revamp their planning and zoning practices, the city council voted to completely restructure their planning commission.
A unanimous vote during the Sept. 22 council meeting effectively dissolved the current four-member group, making way for the council to appoint five members of the new nine-member board. Four positions will be held by city employees adding “expertise” to an otherwise all-volunteer group, according to City Manager Steve Davis.
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Assistant City Manager Jason Stewart, who has 17 years of experience in planning and development services, will take over as the planning commission chair. He will only vote to break ties. The other three city positions will be filled by Police Chief Matt Libby, Fire Chief Lance Moore and Public Works Director Omar Senati-Martinez.
Lauree Morris, the only original member who requested to be on the board again, was reappointed, along with John Holland, head of Newport subdivision’s homeowner's association. After a round of discussions, council decided to appoint the remaining three positions at another meeting.
Several council members emphasized that the planning commission needs to be resident-focused.
"They should be residents because there's a difference between what benefits a business and what benefits a resident," said At-large Council Member Jo Smith.
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The planning commission restructure was prompted by an audit of the city’s zoning ordinance from outside auditors Horizon Community Planning. The review revealed major issues, not only with the ordinance itself but also the city's planning commission organization.
"The entire process of planning and zoning needs modernizing and professionalizing,” said Davis. “Our meetings were not being conducted in an optimal manner ... Therefore, we decided to look at other organizational structures that would better fit our fast-growing area.”
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A new model for planning commission
The new structure, a mix of city professionals, residents and business owners, mirrors neighboring city Pooler’s planning and zoning board, which comprises of three city employees, three residents and the city planner as the chair.
The planning commission serves as an advisory group to the city council on matters involving planning, zoning, land use and development. The planning commission recommends whether or not an incoming development or modifications to a development aligns with the city’s zoning laws.
Ultimately, the council is not required to follow the commission’s recommendations.
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Over the years, Port Wentworth residents, as well as council members, raised concerns about the council going against planning commission recommendations. Particularly, residents living in traditionally rural and agricultural communities have railed against major warehouse developments breaking ground within eyesight and earshot of their homes. They directed blame towards city officials, saying they failed to protect their quality of life in the industry-heavy city.
Zoning Moratorium: Port Wentworth issues warehouse moratorium for next six months
Recognizing that industrial growth is encroaching upon residential neighborhoods, Port Wentworth enacted a six-month industrial rezoning moratorium in June, one that the council will likely have to extend until next year, according to the city manager.
The extension will allow the city to complete a reworking of their zoning ordinance. The auditors will then also work with the city in revising their comprehensive plan to match the reworked zoning ordinance.
Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Port Wentworth dissolves planning commission, appoints new board
