Pooler City Council votes yes on controversial rezoning

POOLER, Ga. (WTOC) -Pooler City Council approved several development items Monday night, including a rezoning request that drew a large crowd of residents concerned about wetlands and flooding.

Inside a packed council meeting, leaders approved a 354-unit multi-family site plan in Godley Station and new retail on the Lowe’s outparcel.

The biggest crowd reaction, however, came during a public hearing on a rezoning for a 303-unit development at 1400 Canal Bank Court, near wetlands neighbors said need protection.

A representative for the developer told council that 90 acres of wetlands would be preserved and said the team is open to meeting with residents about wildlife and historic concerns.

Pooler resident Jenny Watkins said she attended the meeting because she believes it is important for residents to speak up.

“I’m particularly concerned about wildlife. Flora and fauna, both so,” Watkins said. “And so what brought me out is that I decided that it’s important for citizens to get involved and use their voice.”

Watkins said she is concerned about the pace of growth in Pooler and whether development is being planned responsibly.

“Over the years I’ve seen it explode in growth and growth that feels a little bit irresponsible in terms of type of developments,” she said.

Residents raised concerns about flooding and wildlife impacts during the public hearing. Council ultimately approved the rezoning with a condition requiring a 75-foot vegetation buffer on adjacent properties.

Separately, resident Uma Nagaraj, who has raised concerns about how some projects were approved, was not at Monday’s meeting but provided WTOC a statement alleging the city is not following zoning laws and ordinances. Before the meeting, Pooler’s public information officer told WTOC the city could not comment on that matter at this time.

Pooler City Council also approved a conditional use request for a Mana Nutrition manufacturing production facility on Old Louisville Road.