HomeMy WebLinkAbout00070606STAFF REPORT
Prepared by: Molly Hitchcock Date: March 7, 2001
Item: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Conditional Use
Permit for the City of College Station Lick Creek wastewater treatment plant
expansion located in the Lick Creek Park. (01 -027)
Applicant: City of College Station (Dale Schepers, Water/Wastewater Division
Manager)
Staff Recommendation: Unless the public hearing brings to light any new
information indicating potential negative impacts, Staff recommends approval
with Staff Comments #2.
Item Summary: The subject property consists of 22.96 acres within the 515 -acre
Lick Creek Park. There is currently a small "package" water treatment plant on
the property that was built in 1987 to treat the wastewater from the Pebble Creek
Subdivision and other developments in southern College Station. Recent and
projected growth in this area necessitates a larger wastewater facility. This plant
will not only be upgraded for greater service capacity, but will also employ a
safer and more effective effluent treatment method than currently exists.
Located approximately 2000 feet back inside of the heavily wooded park, the
wastewater treatment plant is not visible from the road. The facilities will be
contained within a (chain link and barbed wire) fenced area except for a portion
of the Operations /Maintenance Building (the only building that will be occupied).
This building will have a metal and block exterior, while other buildings will have
metal facades. Vegetation will help screen the facilities. The area is heavily
forested and large stands of existing canopy and non - canopy trees will be
preserved.
Two gates will restrict vehicular access to the plant, one at the service road
entrance and one at the facilities entrance. No curbing exists on the site and
none has been requested of the expansion. There are no parking requirements
in the Zoning Ordinance for municipal uses such as this, so the Planning and
Zoning Commission will make the determination when the Conditional Use
Permit is considered. Five spaces are proposed for the occupied building, and
several driveways leading up to treatment areas are large enough to park a
service vehicle.
Comprehensive Plan Considerations: The Land Use Plan shows this area to
be Park. Although this will be an expansion of wastewater facilities, the
expansion will be contained within the current area designated for wastewater
facilities. Access will be via a private service road through the park from Rock
Prairie Road, a major collector at this point.
As stated in the Comprehensive Plan, one of the goals of the City of College
Station is to "provide the highest level of sanitary sewer service ". Because of the
growth in south College Station, expanded wastewater treatment facilities are
needed to reach the objective of serving "all developed parcels within the city
limits with City sanitary sewer service ".
Item Background: Lick Creek Park was established as a "nature park" in 1987,
the same year the Lick Creek wastewater treatment plant was erected. The land
has remained A -O Agricultural Open since it was annexed into the City in 1988.
The Pebble Creek residential development borders on the park, but is still
approximately 5700 feet away from the treatment plant at its closest point.
Staff Analysis: Section 14 of the Zoning Ordinance authorizes the existence of
conditional uses. The Commission may permit a conditional use subject to
appropriate conditions and safeguards, when after public notice and hearing the
Commission finds that:
(Staff comments are in italics)
1. "The proposed use meets all the minimum standards established in the
ordinance for the type of use proposed." Staff conducted a technical review
and found general compliance with development regulations with the
exception of the items listed in Staff Comments #2.
2. "That the proposed use meets the purposed and intent of the ordinance and
is in harmony with the development policies and goals and objectives as
embodied in the Comprehensive Plan for Development of the City. The
request is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.
3. "That the proposed use will not be detrimental to the health, welfare, and
safety of the surrounding neighborhood or its occupants, nor be substantially
or permanently injurious to neighboring property." The public hearing is an
opportunity for the Commission to measure the potential impact on
surrounding land uses.
The Commission may impose additional reasonable restrictions or conditions to
carry out the spirit and intent of the ordinance and to mitigate adverse effects of
the proposed use. These requirements may include, but are not limited to,
increased open space, loading and parking requirements, additional
landscaping, and additional improvements such as curbing, sidewalks and
screening."
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Commission Action Options: The Commission has final authority over the
Conditional Use Permit and associated site plan. The options regarding the use
permit are:
1. Approval as submitted;
2. Approval with conditions relating to specific site characteristics or with time
limitations;
3. Denial with specified reasons for denial;
4. Table; or,
5. Defer action to a specified date.
Supporting Materials:
1. Location Map
2. Application
3. Infrastructure and Facilities
4. Copy of Site Plan
INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES
Water: Water service is adequate for the proposed use. A new 8"
waterline is being run from an existing waterline in the Pebble Creek
Subdivision to the plant.
Sewer: Sewer service is area adequate for the proposed use.
Streets: The park and wastewater treatment plant have access off of
Rock Prairie Road, which is a major collector. The plant entrance road is
being improved with this project.
Off -site Easements: None —the new 8" waterline is within the existing
easements.
Drainage: The project will have to comply with the City's Drainage
Ordinance. No detention is required.
Flood Plain: Floodplain exists on a small portion of the site. There will
be no additional encroachment by new development.
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NOTIFICATION:
Legal Notice Publication(s): The Eagle; 2 -28 -01
Advertised Commission Hearing Dates(s): 3 -15 -01
Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 3
Response Received: None as of date of staff report.
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