HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportSTAFF REPORT
Case No.: 96-106
Applicant: Paul Clarke for Real Alchemy, Inc.
ITEM
Public hearing. and consideration of a rezoning request. for 2.26 acres located at the
eastern intersection of Colgate and Eastmark Drive, Lots 13R and 14R, Block B of
Eastmazk Phase II from C-1 General Commercial to WPC. Wolf Pen Creek.
ITEM SUNIMARY AND STAFF REC011g~NDATION
The request involves two acres of the 8.6 acres that are proposed for phase two of the
University Commons Apartments.. The two acres, which consist of two lots, are not
currently zoned for apartment development. Lot 15 R-1, located just to the north of
the subject. lots, is included in the development proposal and is already in the proper
zoning classification. The requested rezoning is for the WPC district, which allows
for both apartment and retail commercial-type uses, and has additional aesthetic
requirements that are designed to assure that development is compatible with the
district.
The permitted uses within the WPC are fewer in number than in the C-l. The
proposed zoning .will add .apartment uses to the list of permitted uses for the property,
but it will eliminate uses .such as mini-storage warehouses and automobile sales &
service. .
The request will shift the zoning line between the .WPC. and C-1 to the south by two
lots. It wih bring the two lots into the same zoning district as Lot 15 R-Land facilitate
the development of phase 2 of University Commons. Staff recommends approval.
COUNCII, POLICY ENDS STATEMENTS -The following Ends Statements .may or
may not be met with the approval of this request. Council will decide, based on the
information in the staff report and any staff presentations, whether these Ends
Statements will be met with this request.:
Transportation/Mobility -Citizens benefit. from the ability to move into, out
of, and within College Station in a safe and efficient manner.
Parks & Recreation -Citizens benefit from parks. space and recreational
activities .which aze geographically .and demographically accessible and serve a
diversity of interests.
Health & Public Safety. - Citizens benefit from a,reasonably safe and secure
environment.
Education/Information - Citizens benefit from access to broad based
information and knowledge.
Quality Service -Citizens benefit from a reasonable tax revenue for the value
and quality of service delivered.
Cultural Arts -Citizens benefit from participation in the arts.
Employment/Prosperty - Citizens benefit from an environment that is
conducive to providing diverse employment opportunities.
Civic Pride -Citizens benefit from well planned, attractive residential -and
.commercial areas.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN -The following are Goals and Objectives from the City's
adopted Comprehensive Plan. Applicable ones aze in bold.
Complies with Future Land Use. Plan Map?: Yes. The. Land Use Plan shows
:......:...the Wolf Pen .Creek area surrounded by retail commercial.
Development Goals and Objectives:
LAND USE
Protection of residential uses: The WPC district does not permit
single family uses, therefore, there will be no future
single family in the immediate azea.
Encourage use of vacant land w/ services:
Avoid strip commercial: n/a
TRANSPORTATION
Provide major .arterials to prevent congestion: The pending
development of the property has brought up
discussions relating to the extension of
Colgate through the subject property. The extension
is shown on the T-fare plan but cannot be required of
the development due to the fact that the property is
already platted, and the change in zoning is not
significant enough to warrant the exaction.
Therefore, if the road is to be extended in compliance
with the plan, the; City Council must make a decision
at this point to purchase the ROW through the area.
This decision is not so much related to the rezoning
as it is to the actual development of the property.
The rezoning decision is not related to the Council's
decision regazding the future extension because the
existing- street infrastructure is adequate to support
both the existing and the proposed zoning.
Adequate pedestrian bike movement: May be addressed if
Colgate is extended. Also, with the development of
the site, pedestrian and bike .access to the creek azea
and the park will need to be provided.
..Ensure safety and ease of maintenances Will be addressed by
the Design Review Board: (DRB) during review of the
site plan.
Location of .streets based on function: Eastmazk is a local street
with Colgate intended to function as a collector.
Driveway access: Must be in compliance with the ordinance and
will be coordinated with the site plan.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Compatible with environment: n/a
Encourage retirees: n/a
Encourage tourism: n/a
PARKS AND RECREATION
Link parks by .pathways and natural .features: Wolf Pen Creek
is intended to become a linear park linked by
pathways.
Combine parks with schools: n/a
HOUSING
Maintain integrity of existing supply: While there has been
some concern raised recently about the number of
new multi-family units that have been added to the
market, Staff is not aware of a study that supplies
adequate information as to whether or not there is a
glut in the market.
Encourage diversified housing: The proposed development
would add onto an existing apartment complex that
offers a type of student. housing that, according to the
owner, seems to be well-received.
COMMUMTY APPEARANCE
Promote good site design: Will be addressed at DRB
Prevent and eliminate unsightly conditions: Will be addressed
by DRB
LAND USE RELATIONSHIPS. -AREA ZONING AND LAND USE
.Subject Tract: C-l General Commercial; vacant
North: WPC Wolf Pen :Creek; ~ vacant .and intended for
apartment development
East: WPC; developed as Wolf Pen Bowling Alley
South: C-1; vacant
West:. WPC;. developed as University Commons Phase I
Proposed use: University Commons Phase II
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Two years ago, there was a similar rezoning when the property for the southern portion
of University Common was rezoned from A-P to WPC for the purposes of constructing
that complex..
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There have been several .recent .cases where property was rezoned to allow for the
construction of apartment complexes -most were "clean-up" rezonings, where much of
the property was already in the appropriate zoning classification.
ENGINEERING `COMMENTS .AND IlVIPACT STUDIES
Water: Water is available to these two lots through an 8" line
on Eastmark. The impact of the rezoning from C-I
to WPC on the waterline would be insignificant.
Sewer: Sewer is available through a 6" sewerline along
Eastmark. If the property is consolidated as planned,
there will also be access to a 15" sewerline that runs
through Lot 15R. Like water, the impact of the
rezoning from G 1 to WPC on .the sewerline would be
insignificant.
Streets: See Transporation comments, above
Flood Plain: There is an extensive amount of floodplain and
floodway located on Lot 15 R-1, which is not
included in this request because it is already
appropriately zoned. However, consolidating the
subject .property into the .proposed complex. will
.facilitate development of the entire property.
Parkland Dedication: Will be required at building permit if the
property` develops residentially.
NOTIFICATION:
Legal Notice Publication(s): 3-6-96
Advertised Commission Hearing Date(s): 3-21-96
Advertised Council Hearing Dates: 4-11-96
Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 5
Response Received: No response to date
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