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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes .p & Z Commission Xinutes June 4, 1981 Page three . No one spoke. The Public Hearing was closed. Commissioner Hall asked Mr. Mayo if this amendment would apply to any construction in R-l, or would it be restricted to duplex and fourplex developments. Mr. Mayo replied it could be used when deemed feasible in any residential area, but the primary goal of the amendment is to improve the appearance and maintenance of rear areas in the duplex and fourplex developments. Commissioner Hall asked would this interfere with any already completed developments. Mr. Ash replied this amendment would be used in multifamily developments rather than single family developments. Mr. Mayo further stated the purpose of this amendment was not to allow a development wherein the driveway went down the side of the property to the garage or carport, but rather, rear access to the site would be required. Upon motion by Commissioner Kelly; second by Commissioner Hazen the amendment to Ordinance No. 850 was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM NO.6, 81-506, Consideration of a request for a Site Plan Permit for the construction of the Brazos House Apartments to be located on the southeast corner of Welsh Blvd. and Balcones Drive in Southwood Valley Section 22-A. ( Mr. Mayo referred to the memo from PRC which required the following: relocation of fire hydrants as recommended; designate fire lanes; provide 15 feet clearance between stairs of buildings; and, provide a landscaping plan to be approved later by staff, and recommended approval subject to these stipulations. Commissioner Kelly asked if the plan had been reviewed by the Fire Marshal and Mr. Mayo replied he had not had that opportunity since receiving the plans two days ago. Commissioner Kelly asked if the developer agreed to these four stipulations when the PRC met, and Mr. Mayo responded affirmatively. Mr. Harry Bostic, representing the applicant, stated the changes had been made on the plans as requested. Commissioner Hazen moved for approval of the request with stipulations by staff; second was given by Commissioner Fleming and the motion was unanimously approved.' AGENDA ITEM NO.7, 81-408, Consideration of a revision to the parking lot plan at Culpepper Plaza for an expansion of Safeway. ( Mr. Mayo presented the revision which encompasses an addition to the Safeway store in Culpepper Plaza (an addition of approximately 9,370 square feet on the south end of the store); which will require at least 49 parking spaces but the construction of which will delete 44 existing spaces. PRC recommendations are as follows: Permanently close the curb cut on Texas Avenue which is presently barricaded; add parking spaces to the drive area adjacent to this curb cut; stripe the designated parking spaces in the rear of Culpepper Plaza according to the original plan; landscape the islands in the parking lot in a manner approved by the P &Z; extend the front fire lane at the addition arrd re- design the curbed area at the addition to cause no conflict with the entrance on Harvey Road; and, hold the certificate of occupancy on the addition until all these conditions have been met and approved by the City. P & Z Commission Minutes June 4, 1981 Page four. Mr ,. Mayo also pointed out to the commission that certain areas shown for "proposed development" (these areas being designated as A, B, C, D and E on EXHIBIT A to these minutes) were not being approved by this commission by their action at this meeting. Chairman Behling stated these were different plans than those reviewed by PRC. Mr. Mayo explained that plans of the entire area had been requested for review by the P & Z. Commissioner Watson asked if after deletion of these parking spaces would the develop- ment be in compliance with the parking requirements, and stated he could not recall that parking lot being filled to capacity even at the busiest seasons. Mr. Mayo answered that the parking would be very close, 'either a few spaces above or below the requirements after the deletion of these 44 existing spaces. Mr. John Culpepper, speaking on behalf of the development, stated the parking require- ments have been met by this development at a 5.66 ratio. Mr. Mayo pointed out to the commission that parking spaces available at the rear of the buildings and not available for customer parking were counted into this ratio. Mr. Culpepper stated the plan shows parking spaces as required by Ordinance. He stated their lease agreements can require tenants to have employees park'in the rear parking spaces thus releasing additional parking areas for customer parking. This has not yet been enforced, but as increased customer traffic it necessary, this portion of the lease can and will be enforced. Mr. Culpepper stated in relation to the curb cut on Texas Avenue which is recommended by staff to be closed, this curb cut was designed by a city employee and approved and was constructed on that basis at quite a large expense. ( Mr. Mayo answered his remark by stating it had not been approved by the P & Z Commission and Mr. Ash stated this curb cut has been of great concern for a long period of time because of the traffic flow hazzards created by its adjacent location to the curb cut at the Exxon station and the left hand turn traffic flow which would exist if the cut was not barricaded at this time. Mr. Mayo stated he and Mr. Ash have discussed this problem thoroughly and the greatest concern to them is the curb cut and the parking is secondary in importance. Commissioner Hall expressed his feelingthat landscaping at the site does not meet with the spirit of the Ordinance. Commissioner Hazen and Chairman Behling explained that certain trade-offs had been made to landscaping requirements in the past because of the necessity of sprinkler systems for maintenance of trees and vegetation. Mr. Culpepper stated the number of trees now exceeded the requirements of the Ordinance, and certain types of desert landscaping were being planned with the hope that an agree- ment could be reached by merchants and the landscaping could be completed. He further expressed his concern over the closing of the curb cut on Texas Avenue and restated that the present location had been approved in the past. ( Chairman Behling remarked he did not believe the P & Z Commission had ever had authority over the location of curb cuts. Mr. Ash pointed out the curb cut is an item which has been under discussion many times. This center has the same frontage as Kroger and less than the regional mall but has so many curb cuts it has been used as an example of problem planning at State Short Schools. P & Z Commission 'Minutes June 4, 1981 Page five. He 'further stated part of the problem (left hand turn) would be solved when the highway department completes their work, but this will not address the dangerous traffic flow created by this cut being next to the cut entering the Exxon station. There are four curb cuts in that small area. Mr. Mayo pointed out that Phase I of Culpepper had never been approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. P & Z worked with Mr. Culpepper on Phase II and everyone has always been concerned about this curb cut. Mr. Ash pointed out that when P & Z reviews a plan, it gives approval for a definite and specific request, but in no way can P & Z give advance approval to anything on the plan that is shmm as "proposed." Mr. Culpepper stated if this is the procedure to be followed, all developers should be made aware of it since it is their feeling that when a plan is presented, approval includes everything shown on the plan, including proposed development. Chairman Behling suggested the possibility of working with Exxon to get their curb cut closed and change the flow of traffic from the center parking area giving direct access to service at Exxon. Mr. Culpepper indicated his willingness to work with Exxon in that area. Commissioner Watson asked if staff felt that would be the answer to the problem. ( Mr. Mayo stated staff would prefer to see both curb cuts closed. curb cut in question has been closed for a very long time and it stand why it should be reopened. He stated that the is difficult to unfter- Commissioner Watson stated his understanding that the Commission made the developer put that curb cut in. Mr. Mayo stated that was not correct, it has never been approved by P & Z because it was developed in Phase I, which has never been approved by P & z. Commissioner Kelly expressed concern over the entrance to Culpepper Plaza being only 35 ft. in width and stated he felt it should be widened. He also expressed concern over traffic flow on the Hwy. 30 side of the development and asked what decisions had been made in that area by the highway department. Mr. Ash reported final decisions rave not been made at this time. He further stated this issue is going to be a problem until it is settled and he feels the main entrance should be widened to at least 44 feet or more and expressed concern over the 55 ft. opening on Highway 30. He indicated serious doubt that Mr. Culpepper would be able to work with Exxon in any way that would address the problem satisfactorily. Commissioner Hazen stated she was not going to vote in favor of this request because she felt the parking requirements have not been satisfied especially since the park- ing spaces in the rear are not accessible to the public and also because the expansion of the Safeway store will probably increase the traffic flow to a 24 hour service and the safe flow of traffic has not been addressed. ( Commissioner Watson asked if it would be possible to grant approval subject to these items being worked out before construction is started; he then formed the following motion for consideration: Be it moved that the request for a reV1Slon to the parking lot plan at Culpepper Plaza for an expansion of Safeway be approved, subject to the parking problems and curb cut P & Z Commission -Minutes June 4, 1981 Page six. problems being satisfactorily worked out between the developer, staff and two or three of the commissioners; second was given by Commissioner Kelly and the motion was approved by the following vote. In favor: Behling, Kelly, Fleming, Watson, Hall. Opposed: Hazen Chairman Behling requested Mr. Culpepper to make himself available to attend the committee meetings and asked staff to also include representatives of the Highway Department in these reviews. AGENDA ITEM NO.8, Consideration of a Parking Arp~ Plan'for a commercial project to be located on the west side of Texas Avenue, approximately 500 feet north of Brentwood Dr. Mr. Mayo reported that PRC had reviewed these plans and had requested to be furnished with the seating capacity of Mr. Gatti's restaurant; but otherwise saw no problem with approval at this time. Upon motion by Commissioner Fleming; second by Commissioner Kelly the request was unan- imously approved. AGENDA ITEM NO.9, 8l-410, Consideration of a Parking Area Plan for a Taco Bell to be located on the south side of Highway 30, approximately 900 feet east of Texas Avenue. Mr. Mayo presented the PRC recommendations as follows: Add a drive at the front of the site connecting the two drives that intersect with Harvey Road. This drive should be set back eight (8) feet from the property line; the dumpster should be relocated so that it will not conflict with parking; if the rear employee parking area is retained, islands should be raised curb, not painted; the radius of the curb cuts should not intrude onto adjacent properties; and, drainage headwalls must be by standards set by the Texas Highway Department. Commissioner Hazen asked if signing could be required which denoted "Entrance" and "Exit" on the drive through area. Mr. Mayo reported that signing could be required as deemed necessary by the Commission. Commissioner Hazen moved for approval of the request with the stipulations of PRC and also that adequate signing be required at the drive through area; second was given by Commissioner Kelly and the motion was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM NO. 10, 81-224, Final Plat - West Ridge Addition. Mr. Mayo informed the Commission that this plat is almost identical to the approved preliminary plat and recommended approval. Upon motion by Commissioner Kelly; second by Commissioner Fleming the motion was unan- imously approved. AGENDA ITEM NO. 11, Other Business. ( Mr. Mayo asked Chairman Behling if the committee appointed to study the rezoning re- quested by Mr. Enloe was ready to report. Commissioner Watson, Chairman of that committee, reported they had met and gone over the materials and information and he was ready to make a decision but Commissioner Hall