HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff ReportsSTAFF REPORT
Item: Public hearing and consideration of a rezoning for the New College Station
Business Center consisting of approximately 339 acres and located near the
northeast intersection of State Highway 6 and Greens Prairie Road from C-1, R-1, R-2,
and A-O to M-1, Planned industrial. (00-185)
Applicant: City of College Station
Staff Recommendations: Staff recommends approval of the rezoning.
Item Summary: The City Council recently purchased this property with the intent of
developing a new business park in this location. At this time this proposal does not
match the Land Use Plan for this area. The decision of the Council to purchase the
property is a decision to amend the Land Use Plan. The next small area planning
project will be for this area to determine what adjustments if any will be necessary to the
Land Use and Thoroughfare Plans. Another area of the Comprehensive Plan, the
Greenways Master Plan, is also being addressed with this project. As you can see on
the attached schematic a large portion of the property will be dedicated as greenways.
These areas will also serve a secondary purpose of buffering much of the proposed
business park from surrounding land uses.
Item Background: The subject property was annexed in 1983 and 1995. The property
is currently surrounded by the land fill to the east, residential development and the
existing business center to the south across Greens Prairie Road, SH6 and mostly
vacant land to the west, and a church and undeveloped land to the north.
Commission Action Options: The Commission acts as a recommending body on the
question of rezoning, which will be ultimately decided by City Council. The Commission
options are:
1. Recommend approval of rezoning as submitted;
2. Recommend approval with physical conditions that will mitigate negative impacts;
3. Recommend a less intense zoning classification;
4. Recommend denial;
5. Table indefinitely; or,
6. Defer action to a specified date.
Supporting Materials:
1. Location Map
2. Application
3. Infrastructure and Facilities
4. New Business Center Surrounding Land Use
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INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES
Water: An 18-inch line exists along SH6. This will provide adequate service
for the proposed use.
Sewer: The Spring Creek Impact Fee Line runs adjacent to this property and
will provide adequate capacity for the proposed use.
Streets: SH6 is classified as a freeway and Greens Prairie Road is a major
arterial. These existing streets and those shown on the T-fare Plan as future
streets will meet the future demand in this area.
Drainage: Will be determined at time of master planning, platting and site
plan approval. Conformance with the City of College Station Drainage
Ordinance will be required.
Flood Plain: Portions of the property are in the Spring Creek floodplain.
Floodplain areas will be dedicated as Greenways.
Impact Fees: This property is in the 97-01 Sewer Impact Fee area.
NOTIFICATION:
Legal Notice Publication(s): The Eagle; 11-1-00 and 11-29-00
Advertised Commission Hearing Dates(s): 11-16-00
Advertised Council Hearing Dates: 12-14-00
Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 14
Response Received: None as of date of staff report.
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DraftMINUT ES
Planning and Zoning Commission
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
November 16, 2000
6:30 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
REGULAR AGENDA
Commissioners Mooney, Floyd, Harris, Happ, Horlen, and Williams.
Commissioner Warren.
Council Member Maloney
Economic Development Director Kim Faust Senior ED Analyst
Charles Wood, Staff Planners Jimmerson, Laauwe, Hitchcock and
Hill, Assistant City Engineer Mayo, Graduate Engineer Thompson,
Engineer Vennochi, Transportation Planner Hard, Assistant City
Attorney Anderson, Director of Development Services Callaway,
Neighborhood Senior Planner Battle and Planner Intern Flannery,
City Planner Kee, Development Review Manager Ruiz and Assistant
Development Coordinator George, and Staff Assistant Hazlett.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Public hearing and consideration of a Rezoning for the City of
College Station consisting of 339 acres located on State Highway 6 South and Greens Prairie
Road from A-O Agricultural-Open and R-1 Single Family Residential to M-1 Planned
Industrial. (00-185)
Staff Planner Jimmerson began the staff report by explaining that the City Council recently purchased
this property with the intent of developing a new business park in this location. At this time, the
proposal does not match the Land Use Plan for this area. However, the decision of the City Council to
purchase this property is in effect, a decision to amend the Land Use Plan. Other areas of the
Comprehensive Plan are in compliance. There will be a significant amount of greenway area that is
going to be dedicated and can be used as buffering areas around the property.
Kim Faust, Economic and Community Development Director, explained that the Business Park has
been a success. She stated that there would only be two tracts left in this park once all of the tracts are
consummated by City Council. This should take place within the next year and a half. Ms. Faust said
that in their search for a new Class "A" site the criteria included a site with minimum acreage,
preferable inside the City limits, utilities, cost considerations, and access. An internal staff review was
conducted which resulted in the Highway 6/Greens Prairie Site because of the favorable access,
utilities, size, and developability. The area is also undeveloped with the exception of a Church and the
proposed former Pebble Hills, which is being developed out. She also indicated that there is over 90
acres of greenway buffer surrounding 75% of the property. As a result, the City Council authorized the
purchase of 350 acres of land at Greens Prairie/Highway 6 at a cost of $3.8 million for the acquisition.
The City Council has funded a master plan and phase 1 for the development. It is going to be a Class
"A" design, similar to the existing Business Park. There will be deed restrictions, a Business Center
Advisory Board and design review board. Ms. Faust explained that there is an incentive policy which
has been adopted by the City Council of some targeted industries. The zoning classification that was
decided as being the most appropriate for the Business Park is M-1 Planned Industrial.
P&Z Minutes October 5, 2000 Page 1 of 5
Commissioner Floyd asked what opportunities would the public have for making input during the
master planning of this tract of land.
Jim Callaway, Director, Development Services, explained that during previous developments by the
City such as this, a master plan was made available to the public for viewing and input.
Chairman Mooney asked if the currently existing greenway areas would be maintained.
Ms. Faust stated that was correct and that the City has engaged a surveyor to outline the specific areas
and will be designated for greenway purposes.
Commissioner Horlen, referring to the Thoroughfare Plan, asked if the current streets, Lakeway Drive
that extends through this property, and Pebble Creek Drive, that comes across Greens Prairie and over
to State Highway 6, are currently in the plans to continue or at least in the general area where they will
be.
Ms. Faust stated that there is a plan to build out the transportation plan. There may be some shifting
that would be worked through in the master plan.
Chairman Mooney opened the public hearing.
Mr. Draper, 4911 Firestone Drive, and member of Christ United Methodist Church, stated that the
congregation of Christ United Methodist Church opposes the rezoning of this property. He explained
that the current location of their Church was chosen four years ago because they were informed that the
area would be a major residential area. He said that a M-1 zoning district could encompass a recycling
facility and other industrial types. Also, the infrastructure of the site and the access road once it
becomes a one-way street, would create a negative impact on the area in regards to traffic. In closing,
he asked the Commission, what does it mean for their Church in the future.
Chairman Mooney closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Horlen motioned for approval of the rezoning request.
Commissioner Floyd seconded the motion. He stated that the building of the new road would be
expedited with the development of the new Business Park in the area. Secondly, he explained that a
Business Park next to the landfill will provide an additional buffer and gives us some assurance that the
way this property is going to flow back into our community will be attractive. Finally, the better way
to plan this type of project is through the master planning process with the citizen input to the City
Council.
Commissioner Happ stated that this should be an incentive in comparing this project with the
greenways and walkways developed by the City in other areas such as the business park next to Pebble
Creek Subdivision. He believes this will be an attraction, rather than a distraction.
Chairman Mooney called the question. The motioned passed 6-0.
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