HomeMy WebLinkAbout00071115MINUTES
Planning and Zoning Commission
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
August 2, 2001
8:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Floyd, Mooney, Happ, Harris, Trapani,
McMath, and Williams.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Hazen.
STAFF PRESENT: Staff Planners Jimmerson and Hitchcock„ Assistant City
Engineer Mayo, Graduate Engineer Thompson,
Transportation Planner Fogle, Assistant City Attorney
Nemcik, Neighborhood Services Senior Planner Battle,
City Planner Kee, Development Review Manager Ruiz,
and Staff Assistant Hazlett.
Chairman Mooney called the meeting to order at 8:02 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1:
None.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2:
None.
Hear visitors
Public Comment for the Record
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Consent Agenda
The following items were approved by common consent.
3.1 Removed the Final Plat for Shenandoah Phase 7-A, consisting of 62 single-family lots
on 16 acres. (01-139)
3.2 Approved the Final Plat for Shenandoah Phase 7-B, consisting of 31 single-family lots
on 10 acres. (01-140)
P&Z Minutes August 2, 2001 Page 1 of 4
berms across the front of the property. All of these changes meet development codes and the intent of
the Wolf Pen Creek Master Development Plan. In addition to the changes proposed to the site, the
applicant is also requesting approval of the sign face to be added to the freestanding sign shared with
Office Max. The existing sign has a vacant section to be used by whomever occupied that pad site.
While researching the minutes from the previous DRB and P&Z meetings, it was discovered that
although the discussion had taken place regarding the signage, approval had not been granted. The
sign face proposed would match the color and style existing on the building. The DRB met on June
13, 2001 to review the revisions and the sign. They recommended approval of the changes to the site
and accepted the sign proposal.
Commissioner Floyd asked which Commissioners were on the DRB. Ms. Jimmerson stated
Commissioners Horlen and Warren with a vote of 6-0 in favor. Commissioner Floyd clarified that the
site plan is in compliance with the Land Use Plan, Development Codes, Wolf Pen Creek Corridor
Study and Master Development Plan with no exceptions. Ms. Jimmerson stated that this is correct and
that all of the changes would have been considered minor and approved by Staff had it not been for the
overlay in this special district.
Commissioner Trapani asked the applicant if he consulted Staff prior to making the changes to the site.
Bob Davis, applicant, stated that he did when the changes to the two islands were made. He stated that
he was unaware of the 180 feet requirement for an island in the ordinance. He also stated that he asked
Staff for permission to widen the driveway and to do the other changes. He reported that the DRB
reviewed all the changes and unanimously approved them all. Mr. Davis also pointed out that he was
required to place 4500 points of landscaping but has actually put in over 30,000 points and an
additional sixteen 30-gallon trees to create a barrier which was requested by the DRB during their first
meeting.
Commissioner Happ motioned to approve, including the freestanding sign. Commissioner Williams
seconded the motion. The motion carried 7-0.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Possible consideration to remove a Conditional Use Permit request
from the table concerning the BY-007 Wireless Telecommunication Transmission Tower located
at 2321-A Texas Avenue South (01-122). The Commission tabled this item on July 19, 2001.
Commissioner Floyd motioned to remove this item from the table. Commissioner McMath seconded
the motion. The motion carried 7-0.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Discussion and possible action on a Conditional Use Permit for the
BY-007 Wireless Telecommunication Transmission Tower located at 2321-A Texas Avenue
South. (01-122)
Commissioner Happ motioned to approve. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion.
Commissioner Floyd expressed concern about the aesthetics of the base of the tower, the developing
surrounding property, and the area that abuts the residential. He stated that he would like additional
landscaping at the discretion of Staffs approval, to be a condition to the granting of the Conditional
Use Permit. He added that the space allowed for the landscaping by the placement of the fence be
looked at by Staff. He also expressed concern regarding the top and the 130-foot height of the tower
and felt that this should also be a condition to the approval of the permit. He proposed these concerns
as amendments to the motion. Commissioners Happ and Williams concurred.
P&Z Minutes August 2, 2001 Page 3 of 4
Commissioner Happ asked if other locations were explored and if the cables will be exposed or placed
inside the tower pole.
Senior Planner Battle stated that the ordinance requires that alternative locations be sought out and to
report such findings to Staff, who then uses this information in determining their recommendations to
the Commission.
Shaun St. John, American Towers, stated that when co-location occurs the next two carriers' cables
would be placed internally. However, if more carriers co-locate on this same tower, which is doubtful,
given the height and location, the structure may not be able to accommodate those cables internally.
He indicated that American Towers accepts the conditions placed on the Conditional Use Permit.
Commissioner McMath asked why the City would not approve the use of the water tower for the
installation of this equipment. Senior Planner Battle said that the Public Utility Department is not
interested in allowing access. It is less ideal for the carrier and there are access issues as well as
liability issues. There is also some concern about communication conflicts. Mr. St. John interjected
that the water tower in question is outside of the search range. He added that their application does
meet all of the City's ordinance requirements and that they have gone beyond those requirements to
make the facility as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Chairman Mooney added a third amendment to the motion; that co-location would be limited to the
capacity of the tower to house cables internally. Commissioners Happ and Williams concurred.
Chairman Mooney called the question. The amended motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit
with added conditions regarding landscape, height, and co-location capacity carried 7-0.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Discussion of future agenda items.
Commissioner Floyd stated that the issue regarding towers being placed on existing public facilities
should be addressed by the City Council rather than Staff.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: Adjourn.
Commissioner Harris motioned to adjourn the meeting and was seconded by Commissioner Williams.
The motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
APPROVED:
Chairman, Rick Floyd
ATTEST:
Staff Assistant, Susan Hazlett
P&Z Minutes August 2, 2001 Page 4 of 4
MINUTES
Planning and Zoning Commission
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
July 19, 2001
7:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Mooney, Floyd, Happ, Harris, Williams,
and McMath.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Trapani.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Massey.
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Manager Brown, Staff Planner Hitchcock,
Assistant City Engineer Mayo, Graduate Engineer
Thompson, Assistant City Attorney Nemcik, Director of
Development Services Callaway, Senior Planner Kuenzel,
Development Review Manager Ruiz, Transportation
Planner Fogle, and Staff Assistant Hazlett.
Chairman Mooney called the meeting to order at 7:13 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Hear visitors
None.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Public Comment for the Record
None.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Consent Agenda
The following items were approved by common consent.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
P&Z Minutes
Approved the Minutes from the Workshop Meeting held on April 19, 2001.
Approved the Minutes from the Workshop Meeting held on May 3, 2001.
Approved the Minutes from the Workshop Meeting held on May 17, 2001.
Approved the Minutes from the Workshop Meeting held on June 7, 2001.
July 19, 2001
Page 1 of 10
Commissioner Floyd verified that the Commission could not be more restrictive than the driveway
ordinance. Assistant City Attorney Nemcik stated that this was correct. Addressing Commissioner
Floyd's concern over the number of entrances along the frontage road, Senior Planner Kuenzel stated
that this particular lot will not require a variance due to the amount of frontage that is involved with
these two lots.
Chairman Mooney called the question. The motion carried 6-0.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Conditional Use
Permit for the BY-007 Wireless Telecommunication Transmission Tower located at 2321-A
Texas Avenue South. (01-122)
Staff Planner Hitchcock presented the staff report. She explained that the proposed 130-ft. tower is off
of Texas Avenue behind Discount Tire and unless the public hearing brings to light new information,
she stated that Staff recommends approval of the site and the use with Staff Comments #3. The Land
Use Plan shows this area to be Retail Regional and the property is currently zoned and surrounded by
C-1 General Commercial. Additionally, the land is platted as part of the Herman F. Krenek
Subdivision. To protect the City's natural beauty and skyline and prevent the proliferation of towers,
Ms. Hitchcock stated that the Zoning Ordinance has a separation requirement for towers of this size
and that the proposed tower meets the separation requirement for WTFs, setback from the right-of-
way, setback from residential structures, and setback from an R-2 Duplexes zoning district as set forth
in the Zoning Ordinance. She added that the new tower would be large enough for the co-location of
other antennas. The area behind the tower will be fenced and screened from the right-of-way with
landscaping. She pointed out the undeveloped tract that is zoned as C-1 and the residential area, which
is 275 feet away from the proposed site.
Commissioner Happ asked how many towers the City has. Ms. Hitchcock estimated seven or eight.
Shaun St. John, American Tower Corporation, shared general information about the company. He
stated that his company provides the infrastructure needed by the telecommunication companies to
deploy their network. He added that they also provide high-speed internet and multiple phone lines
service. Mr. St. John reported that there are currently approximately 10 sites in the B/CS area that are
in the first phase of their project and that three of these sites require new structures, which will be co-
locatable. The subject site will be a 130-ft monopole, surrounded by a wooden fence with landscaping
in the front entrance. It meets all of the ordinance requirements for a WTF.
Chairman Mooney asked about the alternatives for a tower-like structure. Mr. St. John indicated that
the aesthetic issue may be approached in two ways. The first, being a stealth tower which is disguised
as a flagpole or tree. However, this is not a good solution for a multi-user facility. A stealth facility
may have multi-users but not as many and the coverage is usually not as good since the antennas are
housed in a sleeve. Chairman Mooney asked if American Tower builds stealth towers and if the
radius of signal strength weakens with each cell phone user. Mr. St. John stated American Towers
does build stealth towers and that the signal strength does weaken with each user added because each
tower has a limited capacity for users. Commissioner Happ asked clarification about the proposed
tower having only one tenant. Mr. St. John explained that AT&T was the anchor tenant for this tower
and that the tower is designed as a multi-user facility. Commissioner Happ asked how many users
could be placed on this tower at the present height proposed. Mr. St. John stated possibly 3, 4, or 5.
Commissioner Happ asked Mr. St. John if he could provide a drawing that would show the maximum
number of tenants on it and the worst that it can look as opposed to the picture that has been presented
depicting the tower in the best case scenario. Commissioner Happ expressed concern about the
P&Z Minutes July 19, 2001 Page 5 of 10
aesthetics of the tower with it being so near to Texas Avenue. He also asked if there were other
location options that have been or could be considered. Mr. St. John stated that they approached the
City about attaching their equipment to the water tower. The City was not interested in doing so. Mr.
St. John continued by explaining that the search area where the service is needed did not have any
other tall structures that would be made available to them. Therefore, the proposed site is the only
location that would accommodate the tower and provide the needed service. Commissioner Happ
asked if the City gains any revenue from this tower. The Staff stated no.
Chairman Mooney opened the public hearing.
The following spoke in favor of the tower:
Burt Hermann, 2401 Rudder Freeway.
Benito Flores-Meath, 901 Val Verde Drive.
The following spoke in opposition of the tower.
Sherry Ellison, 2705 Brookway Drive.
Chairman Mooney closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Harris asked clarification on the reason the tower will only be 130 feet in height rather
than 150 feet. Mr. St. John stated the City's Ordinance regulates the height of the tower which is three
times the height of the tower away from the center line of a major thoroughfare.
Commissioner McMath asked what the maximum coverage distance from a tower to a home. Mr. St.
John explained that it varies with the carrier since there are different frequencies, but it is
approximately one-half a mile.
Commissioner Floyd motioned to table the issue. Commissioner Happ seconded the motion. The
motion carried 6-0.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on an Ordinance
Amendment to create a District PDD, Planned Development District. (01-134)
Senior Planner Kuenzel presented the Staff Report. This item actually contains 4 sub-items, the actual
ordinance recreating a pdd district, an amendment to the Subdivision Regulations to tie platting to the
pdd plans, an ordinance validating the 3 pdd's that were approved earlier this year, and a policy
statement that clarifies how the ordinance is to be used in the future. The Commission received copies
of these at the last meeting. Nothing has changed in what is being presented for consideration tonight
except for a few minor housekeeping items. Staff conducted an administrative review in spring of this
year and discussed how it had been applied over the past 3 years it was in effect. That paper was
submitted to Council and copies went out later to the Commission. In that paper Staff made several
recommendations:
- Clarify submittal requirements through UDC process
- Two-step process
1. Conceptual through CC
2. Specific through Staff
- Mitigation of incompatible use impacts
- Policy
P&Z Minutes July 19, 2001 Page 6 of 10
MINUTES
Planning and Zoning Commission
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
July 5, 2001
7:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Mooney, Floyd, Happ, Harris, Trapani,
and Williams.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner McMath.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Massey.
STAFF PRESENT: Development Services Director Jim Callaway, Senior
Planner Kuenzel, Assistant City Engineer Mayo, Assistant
Development Review Manager George, Assistant City
Attorney Nemcik, Staff Planner Hitchcock, and
Development Services Secretary Tammy Macik,
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Hear visitors
None.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Public Comment for the Record.
None.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Consent Agenda
3.1 Pulled the minutes from the workshop meeting held on April 19, 2001.
3.2 Pulled the minutes from the workshop meeting held on May 3, 2001.
3.3 Pulled the minutes from the workshop meeting held on May 17, 2001.
3.4 Approved the minutes from the workshop meeting held on June 7, 2001.
3.5 Approved the minutes from the regular meeting held on June 7, 2001.
3.6 Approved the minutes from the workshop meeting held on June 21, 2001.
P&Z Minutes July 5, 2001 Page 1 of 3
(proposed State Highway 40). Because the back of the property is not proposed for development at
this time, and as the alignment of the collector from the Crowley tract has not been finalized, the
proposed road is shown on the master development plan but its location on the property is estimated.
Only a portion of the required right of way is shown. When the rear of the property develops, the
entire right of way will be required to be dedicated and built.
To comply with the Driveway Ordinance, proposed lot 1 of Block 1 will receive access from the
existing curb cut and driveway of lot 2. The cross access easement will extend across the front of the
properties. Reserve Tract A has access via a private access easement that follows the existing
driveway through lot 2. Direct access to Reserve Tract A will be available from the future collector
once it is built with the development of the lot and when it is completed on the neighboring properties.
The subject land was annexed in 1983. As previously mentioned, surrounding properties (and a
portion of the subject property) are undeveloped and remain in the A-O holding pattern they have been
in since annexation 18 years ago. The area will be experiencing new growth as the over-300-acre
Crowley tract develops into residential to the south.
This case was scheduled for the May 17, 2001 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting but was
pulled from the agenda by the applicant. At the time, staff was recommending denial of the master
development plan because the other owner of land in the parent tract had not been invited to be a party
to the plan and land use issues had not been addressed. There have been efforts to reconcile these
issues with the current master development plan.
Commissioner Floyd motioned to approve and was seconded by Commissioner Trapani. The motion
passed 6-0.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Public hearing and consideration of a Conditional Use Permit for a
wireless telecommunication transmission tower for American Tower Corp located at 2321 Texas
Avenue South. (01-122)
This item was pulled from the agenda during the workshop.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Discussion of future agenda items.
None.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Adjourn.
Commissioner Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting that was seconded by Commissioner Harris.
The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned.
APPROVED:
Chairman, Karl Mooney
ATTEST:
Staff Assistant, Susan Hazlett
P&Z Minutes July S, 2001 Page 3 of 3