HomeMy WebLinkAboutMiscellaneous`®I CITY OF COLLEGE STATIOI`i
PLANNING DIVISION
Post Office Box 9960 1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, Texas 77842-0960
(409) 764-3570
MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM:. Sabine Kuenzel, Staff Planner
Brett McCully, Engineering Project Manager
DATE: September 8, 1994
RE; Benning parking lot variance to paving and curbing standards for lot located at the
intersection of Boyett and Church
The above referenced proposal is a request to vary from the City standards for pavement and curbing
as contained within he Zoning Ordinance. In order to minimize improvement costs, the applicant
would like to provide a gravel parking lot with railroad ties or concrete blocks for wheel stops. The
property is to be leased rather than bought by the applicant. The site is being proposed as a pay for
parking lot, which is allowed under the current zoning of the property. In return for the variance, the
applicant is proposing to double the minimum landscaping requirements that are normally imposed
for commercial projects.
Staff has concerns with providing gravel as a driving surface for several reasons. Gravel does not
withstand constant traffic loading, tends to "wash away" and would therefore become a high
maintenance item in a high traffic area. The proposed wheel stops would not contain the gravel on
site and are not aesthetically pleasing.
Due to the age of this area, most of the sites in Northgate are nonconforming in many aspects.
Although little code compliance can be found, the City has taken the view that new projects should
meet the minimum standards that are currently in effect city-wide. The Zoning Ordinance provides
for flexibility in the parking requirements as far as the number of spaces is concerned. This flexibility
came about in an effort to allow the existing businesses to continue operation without undue
hardship. But all new parking areas are expected to meet minimum standards relating to materials
and landscaping.
Although the reasoning for providing such a facility is worthwhile, staff has considerable concern
that allowing gravel would set a precedence and would work against Council's Community
Appearance issues. The intent of the materials standards is met by the current ordinance
requirements. No variance has been granted to date. Any existing gravel lots were installed before
the City required paving.
Even if the Planning and Zoning Commission places maintenance conditions on the approval it could
in the long run become a cost burden to the City with regard to enforcement. Staff would therefore
not recommend approval of this variance.