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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00071402STAFF REPORT Prepared by: Jennifer Reeves Date: 08/27/01 Item: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Conditional Use Permit for A&M United Methodist Church located at 300 College Main. (1-0173) Applicant: Morgan, Veronica Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval, with NRB recommended conditions. Item Summary: A & M United Methodist Church is proposing to improve and expand the existing parking lot facilities by replacing the existing gravel parking with an improved asphalt parking lot. There are three main concerns that staff has worked on extensively with the applicant. The issues are driveway access, buffering and adjacent use, and signage. Ken Fogle College Station's new Transportation Planner, has looked at the driveway access. Full compliance with the driveway ordinance is not possible. There are six entrances to the existing gravel parking lot. The proposed plan showing only three entrances is a significant improvement, and is the best possible configuration. The driveway ordinance gives the City Engineer, or his designee, the authority to approve variances if engineering's judgement determines that the specific traffic conditions warrant it. Recently the City adopted a new buffering ordinance. Conditional Use Permits are not included in this new buffering ordinance, but the Commission has the authority to require a buffer if the conditions warrant. According to the current buffer ordinance a buffer is not required between similar uses. Staff generally would recommend a six-foot wooden screening fence between institutional development and multi-family. It's staffs understanding that the applicant has been in contact with the owner of the multi-family building that abuts this parking lot from the north, and he does not want a six-foot screening fence between his building and the parking lot. The applicant is proposing a three-foot brick and wrought iron fence all the way around the perimeter of the parking lot. The church will be planting a vine on the wrought iron part of the fence to help with the screening. Currently there are eleven No Parking/Towing Signs in this parking lot. The applicant is proposing only three No Parking/Towing Signs with the parking lot improvement. The church would like to have a six-inch border at the top of the No Parking/Towing Signs to identify the church and a two-inch border on the Created on 081161014:46 PM Catalogl sides. The Northgate Review Board recommends approval of the three signs with the border and church identification since this would eliminate eight of their existing signs. Comprehensive Plan Considerations: The subject property and surrounding area is shown on the Land Use Plan as redevelopment. It is bounded by College Main, which is considered a major collector, and Church Avenue and Tauber Street, which are classified as residential streets. The proposed accesses will be off of College Main and Tauber. Currently access is taken off of College Main, Church and, Tauber. As the commission is aware when reviewing development in Northgate the NRB uses the Northgate Redevelopment Plan & Northgate Guidelines as a reference. Item Background: The site has been in the city limits since 1938 when the City of College Station was incorporated. The subject property is in the NG-1 Historic Northgate zoning district and is surrounded by NG-1. To the west of the site is the new City owned parking garage, and two small commercial buildings, to the south is A & M United Methodist Church, to the north is Our Saviors Lutheran Church, as well as a multi-family building, and to the east is existing commercial property. 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 below 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 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, Created on 081161014:46 PM 2 Catalogl increased open space, loading and parking requirements, additional landscaping, and additional improvements such as curbing, sidewalks and screening." Unless the public hearing bring to light any new information indicating potential negative impacts, Staff recommends approval with Staff Review Comments. Related Advisory Board Recommendations: The Northgate Review Board met August 22, 2001 to review the site plan for the proposed improved parking lot for A & M United Methodist Church. They are recommending approval of the proposed plan with the following conditions. (1) That they plant vines on the wrought iron part of the fence (2) That the proposed tow away signs be allowed to have a 6" border on top with the Church identification, and 2" border on the sides. They are proposing three signs, one at each entrance. 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. Copy of Site Plan Created on 081161014:46 PM 3 Catalogl INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES Water: Water is only necessary to supply the sprinkler system for the church's proposed landscaping. Drainage: The site plan will be required to meet the drainage ordinance. Flood Plain: Subject property is not within the flood plain. NOTIFICATION: Legal Notice Publication(s): The Eagle; 09-22-01 Advertised Commission Hearing Dates(s): 09-22-01 Advertised Hearing Dates: 09-06-01 Number of Notices Mailed to Property Owners Within 200': 30 Response Received: None as of date of staff report Created on 081161014:46 PM 4 Catalogl