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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesAGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Public hearing and consideration of a C-N Neighborhood Business site plan and use, for a convenience store/gas station, Exxon @ Dartmouth Crossing, to be located at 2500 Dartmouth Drive. (00-82) Staff Planner Anderson presented the staff report and stated that this has been before the Commission on February 17`" and April 7`" of this year and in each instance the applicant's request was denied by a vote of 3-3. The site was denied on April 6`" due to opposing Commissioners having continuing concerns that the site would adversely affect the surrounding property owners. The Commission was not satisfied with the level of information provided in relation to canopy, facade, and lighting impact that would affect the surrounding property owners. The applicant is proposing to construct a 5,605 square foot convenience store and four (4) pump gas station at the southwest corner of Dartmouth Drive and Southwest Parkway. The site is proposed to house the following uses: carry-out food store, convenience store, dry cleaners and gas station. The property is currently zoned C-N Neighborhood Business. Convenience stores and gas stations are not expressly permitted in a C-N district, but maybe allowed under the provision listed "other uses to be determined by the Commission." All uses in the C-N district must have their use, location, and site plan approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. The applicant has not changed the site plan with this submittal, but has provided a lighting schematic to show how the light from the canopy will affect the surrounding area. The applicant also provided elevation drawings of the proposed canopy and facade. The canopy is non- traditional in appearance, with a silver gable roof and an off-white front that will contain the gas station's logo. The canopy is shown to have an overall height of 21'6" with 14' clearance for vehicles. The facade drawings indicate a red brick to match the surrounding area. In addition, the facade will have stars similar to the Texas Aggie Credit Union on Southwest Parkway. Ms. Anderson reminded the Commission that Neighborhood Commercial uses must meet the intent of the C-N district. The Zoning Ordinance defines the purpose of this district as, "providing small commercial sites for residential convenience goods and personal service businesses. No use shall be allowed which would adversely affect the health, safety, welfare, or residential character of the neighborhood. The use shall be a low traffic generator and shall not create any noise, light or odors abnormal to the neighborhood." The use must be compatible with the surrounding area that it serves. She said that the FM 2818 Extension Study recommended this intersection as a location for a neighborhood business to serve both the surrounding neighborhood and Central Park. Staff recommended approval of the use, location, and site plan. Chairman Rife opened the public hearing. Rabon Metcalf, Municipal Development Group, was present to represent the application. He explained that during the first consideration of the request, the Commission was concerned with lighting, landscaping, and traffic. He said the proposal exceeds the landscaping requirements. Mr. Metcalf said that he spoke with Tony Michalsky (City's Electrical Department) and asked him about the existing light poles on Southwest Parkway and came up with a lighting schematic for the project (showing the existing street lights, etc.). The lighting provided would be adequate for safety of the patrons while at the gas pumps, but did not feel that there would be adverse impacts on the surrounding areas. Mr. Metcalf said that Dr. Blashke conducted a traffic study when the intersection was developed (the Dartmouth extension to the south), and the study showed that 40-60% of the users for this convenience store would be passer-by traffic. Pedestrian access would be provided for easy and safe access from Dartmouth and Southwest Parkway. Mr. Metcalf said that at the second meeting the Commission expressed concern with the canopy, blending with the neighborhood, and the sign. The color schemes and styles for the surrounding neighborhoods have been matched to make this site aesthetically pleasing and to blend with the surrounding neighborhood. He showed the Commission what the proposed canopy would look like, and said that this too would blend with the neighborhood. He said that the owner recognized that the majority of his customers would be passer-by traffic and pedestrians from neighborhoods, so he did not feel that he would need to attract additional traffic from other roadways. The only sign would be on the canopy since no unattached signs are allowed in this zoning district. Chairman Rife asked if the height of the canopy would exceed the height of the building. Mr. Metcalf said that the peak it would not. Commissioner Mooney asked Mr. Metcalf about security lighting in the rear of the building where the dumpsters would be. Mr. Metcalf said that this issue could be addressed. Commissioner Horlen asked for clarification of where the berms would be placed. Mr. Metcalf said that the ordinance requires screening of parking so they were proposing 2 foot berms with shrubs placed on top of the berms. Commissioner Horlen asked if there was a way to screen the parking in a more natural way instead of the berms beginning and ending at each parking area. Mr. Metcalf felt there could be a way to accommodate this. Denise Bryant, 2604 Clearwood Court, the manager of the Heritage at Dartmouth apartments, told the Commission that this would be convenient to her residents since approximately 1/3 of the residents in this complex were disabled. The applicant is proposing a pedestrian walkway that would make it safe for her residents to get to a store without putting themselves at risk by crossing over Texas Avenue to go to the nearest existing store. She also said that there were times when some of her residents ran out of gas in their cars trying to get to a gas station. Chairman Rife closed the public hearing. Commissioner Mooney moved to approve the request. Commissioner Floyd seconded the motion. Commissioner Floyd asked to amend the motion with the request that security lighting is provided for the rear of the building, and to change the landscaping plans to make the berms look more natural with a mixture of plants instead of the uniformed line formation. Commissioner Horlen seconded the amendment to the motion, which passed unopposed 4-0. Commissioner Mooney said that he had been in support of this development at the past meetings because of the convenience to the neighborhood and upcoming developments in the area. Commissioner Floyd commended the applicant for his cooperation with the concerns the Commission expressed at previous meetings. Commissioner Horlen was previously concerned with aesthetics of the development and he is pleased with this proposal. Chairman Rife called for the vote, and the motion to approve the request passed unopposed 4-0.