HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportSTAFF REPORT
Item: Public Hearing and Consideration of a Rezoning for Fairfield Residential, Inc. for property
located on University Drive west and adjacent to the Gateway Subdivision. Request is to rezone 4.45
acres from C-B Business Commercial to R-5 Apartments Medium Density (99-120).
Applicant: Stanley D. Rosenburg
Item Summary: This area is shown for mixed use development on the land use plan.
The 4.45 acre parcel under consideration is part of a 25 acre property that was originally part of a larger
65 acre tract at the corner of University and the East By Pass. The large 65 acre tract was rezoned in
1995 as part of the proposed Lowe's development. Forty acres were zoned C B and 24 acres were zoned
R-5 with several conditions. Prior to the conditions being met, in 1997 5,68 acres of the R-5 was
converted to C-B on the western most end of the property. Now the request is to change 4.45 acres of C-B
back to R-5 for amulti-family development proposed for the north and west sides of the original property.
Item Background: As this propertyhas moved through various zoning processes over the past few years,
there have been. several conditions imposed. Conditions imposed on the original "Cowes's" request were:
(1) that access be limited along Universityand the By-Pass, (2) that cross access be provided, (3) that a
landscape buffer be provided between the C-B zoning and existing R-1 to the north along. the By-pass, (4)
that a sewer impact,study be completed at the time of development, and (5) that a tree survey be conducted
and submitted for the purposes of native tree preservation.
At the time of the second rezoning: of the smaller tract in 1997, the following conditions were offered: (1)
access would be limited to one drive off of University, (2) cross. access would be provided to the R 5 and
A-P tracts through this subject tract, (3) the sewer impact study would be done, {4) the tree survey would
be completed; and (5) a 100' landscape bufferbetweenahis siteand the future R-5 would be provided.
At the time of the most recent rezoning the 100' buffer was offered by the applicant. The C-B properly
was deep enough at that time to provide for this buffer.. The present request reduces the depth of the C-B
tract to just over 200'. In-addition there. is a 24 foot landscape reserve and a 40 foot building setback.
These setbacks in combination with the. buffer .leave some 60 feet.. of developable. area. This buffer is
important and called for in the City's development policies. It could be reduced from 100 feet to one of
those required in the R&D district. These.-range from 40 feet to 25 feet depending onthe' amount of
landscaping. The 25 buffer has the most. intense andscaping as well as a brick fence required.
However, even..with an adequate buffer. the. shallow depth of the tract does not meet the City's land use
policy to avoid strip commercial. Shallow commercial properties are to be avoided in order to provide
adequate space for on-site parking and circulation. The previous C-B tract had adequate depth to avoid
the. impacts of strip: commercial :development. This request reduces. the C-B to what is a classic strip and
staff cannot support this. request.
.Staff Recommendations: Staff recommends against this request. If the. Commission recommends
approval it should. include a buffer condition between this tract and the R-5 and should include. all
previous applicable conditions.
Commission Action Options: The Commmission acts' as a recommending body on the question of
rezoning, which will be ultimately decided by City Council. The Commission options are to recommend
approval of rezoning as submitted, recommence. approval with physical conditions that will mitigate
negative impacts, recommend a less intense zoningclassification, recommend denial, table indefinitely, or
defer action to a specified date.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES
Waters Water will be extended from. University Drive.
Sewer: Will be provided through existing lines and a proposed 8-inch line.
Streets: The properly fronts on;University. University:Drive is shown as a major on the City's
Thoroughfare Plan. The .property will not be allowed access directly to University Drive but
will. share an access easement with the R-5 property to the north.
Off-site Easements: N/A
Drainage: Detention will be determined at the time of site plan review
Flood Plain: Some floodplain exists on the property and willbe mapped at final plat stage.
Oversize request: NA
Sidewalks: At this time, because of the impending widening of University Drive by TXDOT,
the- developer will not be required to install sidewalks on University Drive. The TXDOT
.project will .include sidewalks on both sides of University Drive.
NOTIFICATION:
Advertised Commission Hearing Dates(s): 8-5-99
Advertised Council Hearing Dates: 8-26-99
Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 11
Response Received;: None as of date of staffreport
Supporting Materials:.
1. Location.Map
2. Application