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Chairman Hawthorne. expressed concern with the lack of buffering in the east and west
parking areas to the adjacent properties. _
City Planner Kee. stated. that there is no screening proposed in those areas but there is room
for some trc;es, shrubs or a combination.
Applicant Jimmy Goodson approached the Commission and showed a video of a similar
project in Alabama. He .presented .color samples of a rose colored brick that will be used
with a beige or grey split faced masonry block around the pool deck area. The landscape
architect for the project is currently working on benches with .pockets of landscaping around
them to be located throughout the site. Mr. Goodson stated that an underground pipe will
be installed 'instead of the .proposed open channel from the cul-de-sac to the creek to
prevent further eroding of the channel.
Commissioner Gribou expressed .concern with the conflict between the parking lot lighting
and interior lighting fixtures. He suggested that the lighting fixtures be more consistent with
the overall site.
Commissioner Hall expressed concern with not installing a sidewalk along the ;south side of
Colgate. Considering the use of he property, a sidewalk is essential. Once Colgate is
extended the pedestrian traffic in the area will only increase. Without additional sidewalks,
pedestrians are being forced into the street.
Chairman Hawthorne agreed .that ..requiring the sidewalk along the south side of Colgate
would be more consistent and utilized by the residents of the site as well as the pedestrians
in the overall neighborhood.
Mr. Goodson stated that an internal pedestrian sidewalk is provided that meanders through
the site down to the creek. An additional sidewalk .along the south side of Colgate would
not be utilized.. There is also a substantial elevation .difference between Colgate and the
site, approximately 7'. If a sidewalk is required, a retaining wall may have to be installed to
maintain the regwred slopes.
Commissioner Gribou moved to approve the site plan with the following conditions:
(1) All staff and Design Review Board comments and recommendations be met;
(2) A sidewalk is required along the south side of Colgate Drive; and,
(3) Staff has the discretion to approve the final drainage. plan including the
aesthetics of the proposed underground pipe from the cul-de-sac to the creek.
Commissioner Lane seconded the motion which passed unopposed (6 - 0).
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Establish parking requirements for a manufacturing facility
located at 512 F.M. 2818, previously Texas Digital Systems. (94802)
Staff .Planner Kuenzel presented the staff report and stated that while it would be beneficial
from a timing aspect to determine a parking requirement for all manufacturing uses, the
diversity within the industry makes such a determination difficult, if not impossible.
Therefore, it may be better in the long run for each individual new site or additions to
existing sites to come before the Commission. In thin manner, the individual company can
present the circumstances surrounding the use, and the Commission can condition the
parking requirements on the use remaining similar to the one approved.. If conditions
change, they will then need to come back before the Commission for additional parking
requirements.
P & Z Minutes June 16, 1994 Page 3 of S
Chairman Hawthorne expressed concern with the arbitrary. phrase, "as long as they are
similar". He also expressed concern with. the Commission being required to determine what
is or is not "similar" in a particular case and the precedent that it will set for future cases.
Chairman Hawthorne stated that he would feel more comfortable basing the requirement on
something more.. definitive such as the square footage of the. building. The applicant should
be able to know what is expected of .them when they develop in College Station, including
the amount of parking they will have to provide. It seems that there would also be a legal
concern in establishing parking requirements based on "similar" uses.
Commissioner Gribou agreed that the City needs a more consistent. policy in determining
parking requirements. It does not seem practical for the City to keep track of the number
of employees fora specific facility to see if they are in' compliance with the Zoning
Ordinance. With manufacturing uses, it seems more reasonable to base the parking
requirement on the square footage of the building.
Chairman Hawthorne stated that he would prefer the: variance process to ~ establishr~
standard'~instead of he proposal to determine requirements on a case by case basis. These
variances could come before the Commission instead of 'the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Commissioner Hall stated that this problem will keep.. reoccurring once the Business Park
begins to develop. The City needs to make a determination now before more .requests are
received for M-1 development.
Bob Bower, the owner of Texas Digital Systems. approached the Commission andl explained
that he is ,proposing to add. five parking spaces. He stated that until the Commission
approves the request, his business is at a stand still. He cannot submit a .site plan. to be
reviewed by the .City until the. parking is determined. Mr. Bower stated that customers
rarely visit the site and the .professional staff travels extensively .selling the products. Parking
has never been a problem in the past.
Commissioner Gribou stated that he does not have a problem with this particular request
and the proposed parking is reasonable based on the square footage of the building.
However, a standard policy should be established for similar requests in the future.
Chairman Hawthorne sugge Yed that the Commission make-a decision on the Texas Digital
case tonight and direct staff ~ recommender a clear policy Ito establish
parking requirements for these manufacturing a~seS:
u5~e5.
Commissioner Gribou moved to approve the proposed parking requirement for. a
manufacturing facility located at S 12 F.M. 2818 as per the proposed five additional parking
spaces with a total of .twenty parking spaces for the facility. Commissioner Gribou also
directed staff to look further into establishing parking requirements for manufacturing
facilities. Commissioner Lightfoot seconded the motion which passed unopposed (6 - 0).
AGENDA ITEM N0. 6: Consideration of a variance to .the Driveway Access anti Location
Ordinance for a proposed mini storage. facility to be located along Manuel Drive at Cornell,
lot 5, block 1 of the KF.O. Addition. (94406)
Transportation Planner. Hard presented the staff repor
variances for both driveway spacing dimensions since du
existing driveways, the spacing requirements of the ordi
Project Review Committee requested that the: applicant
distances between the proposed driveways and existing
to address this area both m the revised .site. plan and
recommended approval of the throat length variance
since the :required dimension cannot physically be m
building.
t and recommended approval of the
e to the size of the subject: tract and
nance cannot physically be met. The
provide .information on the spacing
driveways. The applicant has failed
in the letter of appeal. Staff also
for the driveway on Manuel, again
et without reducing the size of the
P & Z Minutes June 16, 1994 Page 4 of S