HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
BUFFER WAIVER
STAFF REPORT
Project Manager: Crissy Hartl, Staff Planner Report Date: April 18, 2007
E-mail: chartl@cstx.gov Meeting Date: April 27, 2007
For
NATIONAL TIRE & BATTERY (07-00500067)
Location: 504 Earl Rudder Freeway South
Applicant: Veronica Morgan, Agent for the Owner
Item Summary: This item is for consideration of a waiver to Section 7.6.F Minimum Buffer
Standards.
Item Background: The subject property is currently zoned C-1 General Commercial and is
under site plan review for a proposed National Tire and Battery retail use. The property abuts
R-1 Single Family Residential to the north and west, which contains Burton Creek floodplain and
associated wetlands. Section 7.6 Buffer Requirements of the Unified Development Ordinances
requires developing commercial uses abutting a single-family residential zoned property to
provide 15-feet of buffer plantings and a 6-foot masonry wall between the uses. This buffer
would be required along the north and west property lines.
The applicant is requesting a waiver to this requirement. Ms. Morgan states that while the
buffer ordinance is intended to protect residential properties from the impacts of commercial
projects, the surrounding properties are encumbered with floodplains making it difficult to
reclaim and develop into such uses.
Administrator Recommendations: Staff recommends denial of the request. Buffer yards are
intended to not only provide a visual barrier between different zoning districts, but also to
mitigate any negative impacts of adjacent land uses on developing properties. It is the opinion
of staff that the negative impacts from the retail use should be protected from the floodplains on
the adjacent properties.
Issues/Items for Review:
1. Relationship of buildings and site to adjoining area
2. Landscaping / Buffer
Attachments:
1. Application
2. Small Area Map &Aerial Map
3. Buffer plan