HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportREQUEST: Appeal to Section K(2)(g} and K(3)(h) of the Driveway Access Location and Design Policy
regarding access to corner commercial properties and the. adjacent spacing requirements for major arterials.
The applicant requests a variance to retain. the use of an existing gravel driveway on Texas Avenue for a
proposed used car lot. The site also has an existing curb cut on Krenek Tap Road.
APPLICANT: Gerald Lassiter, 1809 Quail Run, College Station, TX 77845
LOCATION: The 1.75 acre tract located on the northeast corner. of Texas Ave. and Krenek Tap Road.
ZONING AND LAND USE
Subject Tract: C-1, Vacant Office Building
North: C-1, .Church
East: C-1, Vacant
South:. C-1, Vacant
West: R-1, City of College Station Cemetary
POLICY STATEMENT
Under .section K(3)(h), the minimum adjacent driveway spacing requirement on major arterials is 275'. The
proposed adjacent right and left spacings are 212' and 123', respectively.
Under section K(2)(g) of the driveway ordinance, staff has the discretion to allow the proposed curb cut if (i)
such access is required to adequately serve .driveway. volumes and is not detrimental or unsafe to traffic
operations on public streets and (ii) if the minimum requirements for corner clearance ....are met.
STAFF COMMENTS
The proposed adjacent right spacing at 212' and adjacent left spacing at 123' do not meet the ordinance
requirement of 275'.
With respect to section K(2)(g){i) above, staff believes that the requested driveway is not needed to adequately
serve the driveway volume. It is the intent of this section to provide special consideration to prime commercial
tracts at the intersection of arterial streets where access would be critical for high traffic generating uses that
are convenience-oriented. Examples would include fast .food restaurants and gas stations. (However, keep in
mind that there are national fast food restaurants in the City located on prime commercial corners that do not
have direct access to a public street.). The proposed use is not a high traffic generator and is not convenience
oriented. For this reason, staff does not feel this section of the ordinance is applicable.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends denial of the request due to the following reasons:
- It does not meet ordinance spacing requirements for major arterials;
- The site and proposed use do not warrant special consideration under section K(2)(g)(i);
- Additional curb cuts to Texas Ave would be detrimental to traffic operations; and,
- The site has. over 500' of available$ontage on Krenek Tap Road from which adequate
access can be taken.