HomeMy WebLinkAbout00070938STAFF REPORT
Prepared by: Molly Hitchcock Date: April 10, 2001
Item: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Conditional Use
Permit and site plan (CUP) for the City Of College Station for a Municipal Service
Facility (water transfer pump station) to be located at 100 Tarrow. (01-080)
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: A conditional use permit was requested for a water transfer
pump station at this location on February 1, 2001. The Commission denied the
use permit because of concerns varying from the maneuverability of large trucks
in the driveway to the compatibility of the proposed brick structure to future
facades on the property. There was a consensus that the transfer pump was
necessary for the health, welfare, and safety of residents.
The cities of College Station and Bryan conducted an engineering evaluation of
their respective water distribution systems and determined the subject easement
to be the best location to construct the transfer pump station. It is anticipated that
this pump will be used on a limited basis, with the exception of this summer. The
City of College Station is undergoing infrastructure improvements which will not
be completed by the summer of 2001. It is believed that water demands will
necessitate frequent use of the pump this summer.
The subject property is a public utility easement of varying size within an
undeveloped lot zoned A-P Administrative Professional. Water/Wastewater staff
met with the owners of the A-P lot about the pump station. The new site plan
shows the pump in the same location. To mitigate negative visual and noise
impacts, the facility will be enclosed by a brick structure. It has been estimated
that because of the size of the pumps and the brick screening, a person standing
15-20 feet from the facility will not be able to tell if the pumps are running.
Xeriscaping has also been added to the plan to reduce the visual impact of the
facility.
The driveway width has been expanded in this submittal. The applicant has
stated that the expanded width will allow enough space for large trucks to turn
around in the driveway so they may leave the facility moving forward. Since this
will be an unmanned facility, traffic to/from this site will be limited.
The site is in an A-P zoning district at the College Station city limits. West of the
A-P district is developed R-1 Single Family Residential. To the north is a single
family residential zoning district in the City of Bryan. Across Tarrow to the east
and south is R-4 Apartment/Low Density.
Comprehensive Plan Considerations: The Land Use Plan designates the area
Residential Attached (10-20 dwelling units per acre). Private access will be taken
from Tarrow, a major collector.
As stated in the Comprehensive Plan, one of the goals of the City of College
Station is to "continue to provide the highest level of water service". The water
transfer pump station is seen as a necessity at this location to maintain consistent
water supply and pressure to the nearby homes and businesses. As water will be
able to be transferred both to and from the City of College Station, this facility will
also benefit the nearby residents of the City of Bryan. The cities have worked
together on this project and are sharing the costs, which meets another goal in
the Comprehensive Plan, that "College Station should continue to work
cooperatively with the City of Bryan... regarding proposed future plans". The
mutual benefit of the transfer pump station addresses the objective that the cities
should "continue to work closely together to determine creative and innovative
solutions that benefit all parties."
Item Background: The City of College Station currently has one water
interconnection with Bryan (at the subject site) and two with Texas A&M
University (non-pumped). There are two large pump facilities (on Dowling Road
and Sandy Point Road) and one at the corner of University and Tarrow. The
University/Tarrow pump was erected last year as a temporary solution until the
subject facility was built. It will be removed when the new transfer pump station is
completed.
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 the staff recommendation.
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
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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."
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. Application letter from Dale Schepers
4. Peak Daily Demand vs. Maximum Production graph
5. Copy of Site Plan
6. Staff Review Comments #2
7. P&Z Minutes from February 1, 2001
NOTIFICATION:
Legal Notice Publication:The Eagle; 04-04-01
Advertised Commission Hearing Dates: 04-19-01
Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200% 19
Response Received: One person called to inquire about the project.
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