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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportCITY OF COLLEGE STATION Home of Texas AeaM University® REZONING REQUEST FOR 1301 UNIVERSITY DRIVE EAST 11-00500054 REQUEST: A-P Administrative -Professional and OV Overlay District to C-1 General Commercial, A-O Agricultural -Open, and OV Overlay District SCALE: 0.39 acres of proposed C-1 General Commercial and OV Overlay District and 0.91 acres of proposed A-O Agricultural -Open and OV Overlay District LOCATION: 1301 University Drive East APPLICANTS: David Scarmardo, JBS Gateway, LLC PROJECT MANAGER: Lauren A. Hovde, Staff Planner Ihovde@cstx.gov RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the rezoning request based on its consistency with the abutting commercial development, and the protection of the floodway through an A-O Agricultural -Open designation. Planning and Zoning Commission May 5, 2011 Page 1 of 5 Planning and Zoning Commission May 5, 2011 Page 2 of 5 Planning and Zoning Commission May 5, 2011 Page 3 of 5 NOTIFICATIONS Advertised Commission Hearing Date: May 5, 2011 Advertised Council Hearing Dates: May 26, 2011 The following neighborhood organizations that are registered with the City of College Station's Neighborhood Services have received a courtesy letter of notification of this public hearing: None Property owner notices mailed: 19 Contacts in support: None Contacts in opposition: None Inquiry contacts: None ADJACENT LAND USES Direction Comprehensive Plan Zoning Land Use North Urban R-3 Townhome and Duplexes and R-4 Multi -Family Gateway Villas Apartments South Major Arterial N/A University Drive East General Commercial C-1 General Vacant commercial and Natural Areas- Commercial property and floodway Reserved West Urban R-3 Townhome Du lexes DEVELOPMENT HISTORY Annexation: February 1971 Zoning: 1981- R-3 Townhome 1986- A-P Administrative -Professional 1992- OV Overlay District Final Plat: N/A Site development: Vacant REVIEW CRITERIA Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Character Map shows the proposed A-O Agricultural -Open portion as General Commercial and the proposed C-1 General Commercial portion as Natural Areas -Reserved. The proposed rezoning would designate approximately 75% of the property as A-O Agricultural - Open thus protecting that portion of the floodway against future intense development. A portion of the proposed C-1 property is located within the floodplain; however, development may occur in that areas at any time due to the current zoning. Though the request is not entirely consistent with the future land use and character provisions of the Comprehensive Plan, the floodway was zoned R-3 Townhome and later rezoned to A-P Administrative - Professional, which allows development to occur in this location by right. Planning and Zoning Commission May 5, 2011 Page 4 of 5 2. Compatibility with the present zoning and conforming uses of nearby property and with the character of the neighborhood: The proposed C-1 and OV zoning districts are compatible with the abutting Gateway commercial development. The applicant is proposing to include this property with the commercial development of Gateway Subdivision Phase 3. The A-O and OV will act as a buffer between the proposed commercial development and the existing duplexes along April Bloom Drive. Staff believes the proposed zoning to be compatible with the surrounding uses and zoning districts. 3. Suitability of the property affected by the amendment for uses permitted by the district that would be made applicable by the proposed amendment: The proposed A-O district is more appropriate for the floodway and floodplain than the current A-P zoning. This will limit development on this portion of the property to low -density uses only. The suitability of C-1 is no less than the current A-P district when considering that the area is 0.39 acres. 4. Suitability of the property affected by the amendment for uses permitted by the district applicable to the property at the time of the proposed amendment: The current A-P zoning district is not suitable for the floodway and floodplain portion of the property, which comprises the majority of the area. 5. Marketability of the property affected by the amendment for uses permitted by the district applicable to the property at the time of the proposed amendment: The marketability of the subject is possibly limited by its acreage and floodplain/floodway that take up most of the property. However, this site could be developed in its current state with a small office building that would likely utilize the floodplain and floodway areas of the property. 6. Availability of water, wastewater, stormwater, and transportation facilities generally suitable and adequate for the proposed use: The subject tract is located adjacent to a 12-inch water main which runs along University Drive. The subject tract is located adjacent to both an 8-inch and a 12-inch sanitary sewer main which are located along the eastern and western property lines, respectively. The subject tract is located in the Burton Creek drainage basin and is encroached by a FEMA-regulated Special Flood Hazard Area, Zone AE. The proposed zoning is reserving the floodway as A-O Agricultural -Open. Development of the subject tract will be required to meet the City Storm Water Design Guidelines. The subject tract will share joint access to State Highway 60 (University Drive) with the adjoining property to the east. University Drive is classified as a 6-lane major arterial, urban context on the City's Thoroughfare Plan. The joint access to University Drive must be permitted by TxDOT. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the rezoning request based on its consistency with the abutting commercial development, and the protection of a portion of the floodway on the property through an A-O Agricultural -Open designation. SUPPORTING MATERIALS Application Rezoning map (provided in packet) Planning and Zoning Commission May 5, 2011 Page 5 of 5