ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. CALL TO ORDER

 The meeting was called to Order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Stallworth.

 2. ROLL CALL

 Board members present were Chairman Kathie Stallworth, Wesley Summers, Ted Stephens, Harry Weigle and Joe Holt

 Also in attendance was Skip Grkovic, Director of Economic and Community Development, Allison May, Planner and Development Project Coordinator, Christina Anderson, Administrative Secretary for Economic and Community Development and Larry Clark, Comptroller, Taylor Toyota.

 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 Chairman Stallworth asked if the discussion at the last meeting regarding a request to SCDOT to remove the roadway identification and information signage should be included in the minutes. Mr. Grkovic said that the request to SCDOT had already been submitted and that the item should have been included in the minutes. Mr. Stephens noted that the abbreviation for feet (‘) in the discussion regarding the large balloons was incorrectly shown as inches ("). A motion was made by Chairman Stallworth to accept the minutes of March 14, 2000 as amended. The motion was passed unanimously.

 4. Confirmation of Agenda

 There were no additions to the agenda.

 5. Application Number ZV 00-01 A revised request by Taylor Toyota, for a variance from provisions of Section 7.G of the Zoning and Development Standards Ordinance related to the number, size and type of signs which affect the property at 651 Aiken Augusta Highway, tax parcel number 00-019.0-01-035-0000 and 655 Aiken Augusta Highway. These items were tabled at the March 14, 2000 meeting of the Board until April 11.

 Public Hearing – Chairman Stallworth opened the public hearing at 7:05 PM.

 Mr. Skip Grkovic was sworn and then described the request. Mr. Grkovic summarized the information in ECD Memorandum #00-39, which described the recommendations. Mr. Grkovic said that after two discussions with representatives of Taylor Toyota agreement had been reached on a compromise regarding the freestanding signs.

 Chairman Stallworth questioned the display of banners by Taylor Toyota prior to approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Grkovic said that he had spoken to Taylor Toyota about the banners and concluded that Rick Taylor had misunderstood the outcome of the March 14^th meeting.

 Chairman Stallworth closed the Public Hearing at 7:15 PM.

 Mr. Summers asked about the potential to add signs in the future on the adjacent parcel, the parcel of land located at 655 Aiken Augusta Highway between the Taylor Toyota sales lot and Revco Road. Mr. Grkovic explained that the lot is currently used for auto inventory storage, display and sales. This is the parcel where the vacant sign structure (Number 8) is located. Mr. Grkovic stated that Taylor Toyota is using the parcel without a site plan approval. Taylor has stated that they will develop the property according to the City’s development standards as a dealership. In the meantime Taylor will request a temporary site plan approval. At the time the site plan application is processed for approval, the Planning Commission can address new signs on the property.

 After further discussion among the members of the Board, Mr. Summers made a two part motion to allow Taylor Toyota to:

1. Fly 4 foot by 10 foot ‘non-advertising’ decorative banners from the light poles on the property. The banners must be properly maintained and adequately secured to the poles. The banners may be flown at any time and for an indefinite period; and
2. Approve the variance related to the number of freestanding signs on the property by specifically recognizing signs numbered 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 as they currently exist and shown on page A1 attached to ECD Memo Number 00-39. The approval is based on Taylor Toyota permanently removing the vacant sign structure, Number 8, and the changeable copy sign, Number 2. Additionally, Taylor Toyota will permanently remove the illegal portable signs and will be permitted to attach the ‘Express Lube, Castrol GTX’ sign panel to the ‘Parts & Service Entrance’ freestanding sign below the current panel.

 Board and Staff Comments

 Chairman Stallworth asked if there were any applications expected for the May meeting. Mr. Grkovic said he was not aware of any and the application deadline is Wednesday, April 12, so it is unlikely that there will be a meeting on the regularly scheduled meeting date of May 17.

 7. Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
George M. Grkovic
Director of Economic and Community Development