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POOLER, Ga. — In a significant decision on Monday, the Pooler City Council approved a zoning modification that will permit the construction of warehouses and a bridge near Tom Triplett Park and the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal.
The council’s vote effectively lifted two existing zoning restrictions at 200 Jesup Road, the location once home to the Oglethorpe Speedway. These changes maintain access via Raymond Road while eliminating access from Dublin Road.
This adjustment clears the path for the development of three warehouses adjacent to Tom Triplett Park, as well as a new bridge spanning the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal.
“The site has largely been cleared due to the Speedway,” explained Harold Y., the petitioner representing Georgia Development Acquisition. “Our proposal today concerns the speedway property. We aim to replace the two conditions, which are no longer relevant.”
At a previous city council meeting on March 2, officials requested that developers present more comprehensive details, ensuring all impacted parties were adequately informed. Developers returned over a month later, fulfilling this request with the necessary information.
Council added a total of seven new conditions, along with their vote. The new conditions include a required traffic impact study, restoration of the canal to preconstruction conditions and the creation of a public access road through Georgia Ports Authority Property.
“This is a massive undertaking, this is expensive undertaking,” Harold Y. said. “It is in probably the nature of $12-$15 million, but we’re prepared to create a new road where none exists right now.”
Before the final vote, residents were given the opportunity to voice their concerns and ask questions.
Many residents focused on the potential environmental impacts from a proposed bridge over the historic Savannah-Ogeechee Canal.
“The stone property will cross undisturbed natural habitats and the Savannah Canal,” a volunteer with the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal said. “This road will cause serve aesthetic and environmental degradation. There was no consideration to the number of trees and land disturbances.”
The proposed warehouse will also be located right by Tom Triplett Park. Many residents said this will disturbed the peace in the park as they have already started to hear road noises.
This project will also be located near over 90 residential homes. One resident spoke Monday about the possibility of flooding.
“Water has to go somewhere,” the resident said. “All you do is pour concrete over the entire thing, so now you’ve got water that’s not absorbed in the ground anymore.”
Pooler city leaders said this approval is just the first step. They said developers must return to council for final approval of site plans.