Planning board approves Creekside Phase 3 with eight-foot privacy fences over 20-foot buffer in 3–1 vote
May 14, 2024 | Effingham County, Georgia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Effingham County Planning Board on May 14 approved Creekside Phase 3 with a condition that the developer substitute eight-foot board-on-board privacy fences for a 20-foot vegetated buffer behind certain townhomes, and to pursue a planned-development (PD) text amendment to document the exception.
The board’s approval was contentious: Ryan Thompson opposed the motion, saying he was concerned about removing the 20-foot buffer. Alan Zipperer moved for approval with staff recommendations that instead require an eight-foot fence where specified and that the applicant work with staff to address the PD unit overage; Brad Smith seconded. The motion passed 3–1.
During the review Rusty Windsor (agent for the applicant) and Talon Wagon (Dreamfinders) said the project needs tighter unit configuration and proposed the fence in place of the buffer to preserve lot yield. Wagon described the proposed fence as a “board-on-board fence eight feet with post caps and then painted Charleston Green” and said the developer will remove and replace encroaching fences where necessary. Staff told the board that if the PD text is amended the eight-foot fence can be written into the PD text for specific lots.
Planner Samantha Easton told the board that the 10% unit flexibility rule discussed by the applicant applies to conventional R zonings, not PDs, and that PDs are treated by exact unit counts unless amended in the PD text. Director Steve Candler suggested specifying which lots would receive the fence (for example, “behind lots 101–105”) so the exception is clear in the PD text.
The board’s action requires the applicant to submit the PD text amendment and work with staff on the documentation of the fence exemption and the increase from 400 to 406 total units reported by the applicant. The item will be presented to the Effingham County Board of Commissioners at its June 4 public hearing as part of the normal process.
The vote was 3 in favor, 1 opposed (Thompson); votes were recorded on the motion by Alan Zipperer, seconded by Brad Smith.
The board’s approval was contentious: Ryan Thompson opposed the motion, saying he was concerned about removing the 20-foot buffer. Alan Zipperer moved for approval with staff recommendations that instead require an eight-foot fence where specified and that the applicant work with staff to address the PD unit overage; Brad Smith seconded. The motion passed 3–1.
During the review Rusty Windsor (agent for the applicant) and Talon Wagon (Dreamfinders) said the project needs tighter unit configuration and proposed the fence in place of the buffer to preserve lot yield. Wagon described the proposed fence as a “board-on-board fence eight feet with post caps and then painted Charleston Green” and said the developer will remove and replace encroaching fences where necessary. Staff told the board that if the PD text is amended the eight-foot fence can be written into the PD text for specific lots.
Planner Samantha Easton told the board that the 10% unit flexibility rule discussed by the applicant applies to conventional R zonings, not PDs, and that PDs are treated by exact unit counts unless amended in the PD text. Director Steve Candler suggested specifying which lots would receive the fence (for example, “behind lots 101–105”) so the exception is clear in the PD text.
The board’s action requires the applicant to submit the PD text amendment and work with staff on the documentation of the fence exemption and the increase from 400 to 406 total units reported by the applicant. The item will be presented to the Effingham County Board of Commissioners at its June 4 public hearing as part of the normal process.
The vote was 3 in favor, 1 opposed (Thompson); votes were recorded on the motion by Alan Zipperer, seconded by Brad Smith.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
