HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportSTAFF REPORT
Case No.: 95-109
Applicant: Horace. Schaffer
ITEM Public hearing and consideration of a rezoning of.32.72 acres located on the
northeast corner' of the Schaffer and ..Graham Road intersection in the Robert Stevenson
League from A O Agriculture Open to R-2.
ITEM SUMMARY AND STAFF RECOMMENDATION
PROPOSED REZONING
This item has been through the Commission and Council in conjunction with: a request for
the 17 acres of R-l zoning-across the creek to the north. The Council ~.pproved the R-1
zoning but denied the R-2 portion,: due primarily to the opposition voiced by some of the
residents of the area to 'the west.. The applicant has .requested the duplex portion be
reheard and Council agreed.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The subject property is located just to the east of the Schaffer Road, a portion of which is
to be relocated to the east. The Land Use Plan reflects industrial uses west of Schaffer
and low density residential to the east. The existing and proposed zoning and uses are in
compliance with the. Plan. There is a natural- creek that. forms a separation between the
recently approved R-1 to the north. There is vacant agricultural zoning to the south.
Schaffer Road is in a substandard condition, and the. added impact of a duplex
development would negatively impact the Right-of-Way unless it is improved. The
applicant intends o improve Schaffer adjacent to the industrial area and, as a part of the
R-1 development, will abandon. the northern portion of Schaffer adjacent to Edelweis
Estates.
.STAFF RECONIIVIENDATION
The request is in compliance with the Land Use Plan and is considered compatible with
the surrounding :uses by the City's development policies. Staff recommends approval with
the .condition hat Schaffer Road be improved as offered by the applicant.
COUNCIL 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 are geographically and. demographically accessible and serve a diversity of
interests.
Health & Public :Safety -Citizens. benefit from a reasonably safe and secure
environment,
EducationlInformation -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/Prosperity -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'are in bold.
Complies-with Future Land Use Plan Map?: Yes. The Land Use Plan reflects
low density residential.
Development Goals and Objectives:
LAND-,USE
Protection of residential uses: There is new and vacant R-1 zoning
to the north across a creek. The creek could be viewed as a zoning
boundary to separate the .proposed duplexes from the single family.
In .addition, recent changes to the duplex development requirements
in terms : of parking areas and landscaping as well as Streetscape
requirements: will help to ensure that the duplexes are more
compatible with the: R-1 to the north..
The area south- of the creek proposed for R-2 Duplex zoning is
.contiguous-only to A-0 Agricultural Open. districts which and mostly
vacant,- and an M 2 Heavy Industrial district, which is developed as
light manufacturing.
In an effort to protect the. residents of the Edelwies Estates area from
an increase of traffic through -their neighborhood, the applicant is
proposing to'abandon Schaffer Road in than area and will install an
"emergency only" connection in that area; This provision, which was
agreed to at the. time the applicant received the R-t zoning, will
prevent any additional traffic from either the new R-1 area or the
proposed R-2'area from any negative impacts: in terms of traffic.
Encourage. use of vacant land w/services: Utilities will need to be
extended by the developer as a part of,the platting process.
Avoid strip commercial: n/a
TRANSPORTATION
Provide major arterials to prevent congestion: South Graham.
Road, which-is classified as a minor arterial, abuts the property to
the south..
Adequate pedestrian bike movement: • Bikeways and sidewalks
will need to be provided at time of platting.
Ensure safety and ease of maintenance:
Location of streets based on .function:
Driveway access: Access should be restricted to one point off of
Graham and one off of Schaffer. No residential driveways should be
allowed to access Graham on future plats.
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.ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Compatible with environment: No conflict
Encourage retirees: n/a
Encourage tourism: n/a
PARKS AND RECREATION
Link parks by pathways' and natural features: The street
required off of Schaffer would facilitate access between the
Southwood Athletic Complex, the Arnold bicycle/pedestrian route
and Bdelweiss Park.
Combine parks with schools: n/a
HOUSING
Maintain integrity of existing supply: n/a
Encourage diversified housing: Duplex zoned property has
decreased substantially in the recent years, to the point where very
little land is left -for such development
COMMUNITY APPEARANCE
Promote good site design: The recommended conditions will help
ensure proper street layout.
Prevent and eliminate unsightly conditions: See above; also
Streetscape standards will be imposed at the time of platting.
ffiSTORICAL OVERVIEW -
There have. been a few recent duplex rezoning requests, most of which have been denied.
The Carraba tract, located on the south side of Southwest Parkway west of the future
Dartmouth extension was approved a year ago.
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