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HomeMy WebLinkAbout00071453MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS September 6, 2001 7:00 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Happ, Hawthorne, Kaiser, McMath, Trapani, and Williams. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Floyd. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Maloney & Garner. STAFF PRESENT: Assistant City Manager Brown, Staff Planners Jimmerson, Hitchcock, and Reeves, Transportation Planner Fogle, Assistant City Engineer Mayo, Graduate Engineer Thompson, City Attorney Cargill, Director of Development Services Callaway, City Planner Kee, Development Review Manager Ruiz, and Staff Assistant Hazlett. AGENDA ITEM NO. 11: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a rezoning of approximately 6.07 acres located at 1267 Harvey Mitchell Parkway South from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-4 Low Density Apartments. (01-179) Staff Planner Jimmerson presented the Staff Report. Ms. Jimmerson opened by stating that Staff recommends approval of the rezoning to R-4. She explained that the applicant is requesting this rezoning in order to prepare the property to develop condominiums. Under the R-4 zoning that is requested, a range of residential projects could be developed, including low density apartments at 16 dwelling units per acres, townhomes, duplexes and single family. Ms. Jimmerson pointed out that the Land Use Plan shows the subject tract and the surrounding area as Single Family Residential - High Density, which is associated with a density of 7-9 dwelling units per acre. However, the development trend for this area has been to infill in the form of apartment complexes. She reported that the surrounding properties are zoned as PDD-H, R-5 and are developed as apartment complexes. Additionally, Ms. Jimmerson stated that the proposed property is not in compliance with the Land Use Plan, but it is in compliance with the development pattern for this area and with the recent City Council actions. She added that the infrastructure is in place to support the proposed development. Also, Ms. Jimmerson explained that Harvey Mitchell Parkway is classified as a freeway/expressway on the Thoroughfare Plan and that access to these roadways should be limited to controlled access points. However, Ms. Jimmerson continued by stating that this property does not have access from any other roadway and therefore one access point will be permitted since the proposed R-4, Low Density Apartment zoning district is a low traffic generator and should not deteriorate the function of Harvey Mitchell Parkway. Given the conditions on this property, Ms. Jimmerson stated that Staff is prepared to use it's authority provided to them in the Driveway Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations to require the safest possible entrance/access point into this property. The difference between R-4 and R-5 zoning districts was discussed as well as the difference in elevation between the property and Harvey Mitchell Parkway. There was some concern expressed regarding the access point on Harvey Mitchell Parkway. Veronica Morgan, Mitchell & Morgan, stated that she concurs with staff and their report. Drainage features and access points and site distance concerns were discussed. Fain McDougal, Real Estate Representative, stated that the property is limited in its ingress/egress options. He added that this proposal is an appropriate use for the property and that it is compatible with the area. He encouraged the Commission to vote in favor of this project. Todd Sullivan, applicant, also encouraged the Commission to vote in favor of this project and stated that the best possible solution to the ingress/egress concerns for this development will be a priority. Commissioner Happ closed the public hearing. Commissioner Hawthorne motioned for approval. Commissioner Trapani seconded the motion. The motion carried, 4-1 with Commissioner Kaiser voting in opposition.