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HomeMy WebLinkAboutProject Review CommitteePROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE (PRC) MEETING May 3, 2000 TO: Mr. James Boedeker, H&M Wholesale, Inc., Via Fax - 260-6949 Mr. Bill Scarmardo, WCS Architects, Via Fax - 774-4616 FROM: PRC Review Committee: Wayne Rife, P&Z Commissioner Richard Floyd, P&Z Commissioner Joe Horlen, P&Z Commissioner Staff Attending: Natalie Ruiz, Development Coordinator Bridgette George, Asst. Development Coordinator Jane Kee, City Planner Edwin Hard, Transportation Planner Jessica Jimmerson, Staff Planner Shauna Anderson, Staff Planner Molly Hitchcock, Staff Planner Sabine Kuenzel, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Max Texaco & H&M Wholesale - Consideration of a variance to the City's Driveway Ordinance to retain both existing access points on the South Highway 6 frontage road as part of the re-development of a site located at the corner of Barron Road and the South Highway 6 frontage road. Transportation Planner Hard stated that this is a redevelopment site and the applicant is not changing the parking area that already exists. The applicant initially wanted to add a warehouse to this site, and the City informed him that the Driveway Ordinance would take effect if the warehouse were built and he would have to close one of the existing driveways. The spacing requirement in the Ordinance requires a spacing of 275 feet between driveways on the frontage road, and a spacing of 230 feet on the Barron Road. Staff recommended denial of the variance request. There is a future plan for an overpass at Barron Road that could severely impact the site, as well. When Barron Road is widened, the driveways on this site will have to be reconsidered. Commissioner Rife stated that the overpass would add to the traffic congestion already in that area. Mrs. Volk stated that redevelopment to both Barron Road and the State Hwy. 6 service road would be needed. She also stated that she does not believe there would be a significant change to the traffic pattern at this time. The applicant's representative, Shirley Volk, stated that if the warehouse were approved, it would generate approximately 20 vehicles a day. It would be used primarily for storage for other Texaco stores, not for retail customers. She also stated that Mr. Boedeker is concerned about the safety of the customers using the convenience store, and it would be a safety feature on this site to close the southbound drive. The applicant, Mr. James Boedeker, has concerns regarding driveway convenience, 18- wheelers turning around in the parking lot, and a loss of patronage with the loss of a driveway. Mr. Boedeker stated that he would like to keep the site and use it for retail, although the site will probably have to be redeveloped in the future. Commissioner Floyd moved to deny the variance request, noting that the property currently does not function well. Commissioner Horlen seconded the motion, agreeing with Commissioner Floyd. Commissioner Rife reiterated his concern regarding the 18- wheeler traffic and the possible congestion they would cause. Motion for denial was approved 3-0. City of College Station Development Services P. O. Box 9960 - 1101 Texas Avenue - College Station, Texas 77842 (979) 764-3570 PROJECT REVIEW COMMITTEE (PRC) MEETING January 29, 2002 TO: James Boedeker, H&M Wholesale, via fax 690-0116 FROM: PRC Review Subcommittee: Rick Floyd, P&Z Commissioner Phil Trapani, P&Z Commissioner Carolyn Williams, P&Z Commissioner Staff Attending: Natalie Ruiz, Development Review Manager Molly Hitchcock, Staff Planner Jennifer Reeves, Staff Planner Ken Fogle, Transportation Planner Tammy Macik, Secretary SUBJECT: Max Texaco & H&M Wholesale - Discussion and consideration of a driveway variance on the southwest corner of the SH6 West Frontage Road/Barron Road intersection (00-41) The PRC held a meeting on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 to review the above- mentioned project. Transportation Planner Fogle began the discussion by stating that H&M is looking to expand their site to include a drive-through restaurant. Currently, the site is nonconforming due to the driveway spacing. With the expansion, it will add almost 1,500 square feet to the site, which is about a 40% expansion. With an increase of 25% or more, the city requires coming into conformance according to the current ordinance. There are two driveways on the frontage road and one on Barron Road. Based on the City's thoroughfare plan, the frontage road is considered a major arterial while Barron Road is considered a minor arterial. Based on the City's driveway ordinance, there are minimum spacing requirements between either two driveways or a driveway and a street. The minimum spacing is 275 feet for a major arterial and 235 feet for a minor arterial. Currently, the first driveway proposed on Frontage Road is 205 feet past Barron Road and the second J APZTEXT\Pz05765.doc driveway on Frontage Road is 160 feet past the first driveway. The Barron Road driveway is 135 feet past the Frontage Road. The first driveway on the Frontage Road is the one of concern. Mr. Fogle also mentioned that this driveway variance was denied at previous PRC meeting in 2000. Commissioner Trapani asked what was the biggest concern of having these two driveways. Mr. Fogle stated traffic isn't heavy currently but could increase with the city's plans of the widening of Barron Road and the interchange with SH 6 and Barron Road. Commissioner Williams ask Mr. Fogle if his main concern was the increase of traffic with the restaurant. Mr. Fogle stated that the traffic will increase but his primary concern lies with conflict with traffic off-site and the turning traffic going into the site. Commissioner Trapani asked Mr. Boedeker why they need to have two driveways. Mr. Boedeker stated the two entrances were already there when they bought the site. The proximity of the building to that driveway makes it difficult for truck and trailer to make turns. Commissioner Trapani asked if it would help if he made one entrance larger or in a different location. Mr. Boedeker stated it would not make a difference. Mr. Boedeker asked for the ability to increase the building 30 to 35% for the restaurant expansion, without having to bring the driveways into conformance. Buppy suggested making one driveway an entrance and the other driveway an exit. Commissioner Floyd stated that he doesn't see how any space increase can be taken until the highway improvements are in place. Commissioner Trapani asked Mr. Fogle about exit and entrance only driveways. Mr. Fogle said the driveway would have to be fairly wide enough for truck and trailers making it easy for passenger cars to enter through the exit drive and exit through the entrance drive. According to Ms. Ruiz, the expansion must be 25% (877 square feet) or less; what they have requested is over 40% (almost 1,500 square feet). Commissioner Williams moved for denial of the additional 25% expansion of the driveway variance. Commissioner Trapani seconded and it passed 3-0. J:\PZTEXT\Pz05765.doc COLLEGE STATION P. O. Box 9960 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, TX 77842 Tel: 409 764 3500 MEMORANDUM TO: Project Review Committee (PRC) FROM: Ken Fogle, Transportation Planner IP__ DATE: January 3, 2002 RE: Driveway Variance for H&M Wholesale/Max Texaco, Case 00-041 This item is for PRC's consideration of a driveway variance for the H&M Wholesale/Max Texaco on the southwest corner of the SH6 West Frontage Road/Barron Road intersection. The applicant is planning to expand their site to include a fast food drive through restaurant. The existing site is non-conforming due to the drive ay spacing of two driveways on the SH6 West Frontage Road and one driveway on Barron Rofd. The applicant is James Boedeker of H&M Wholesale, Inc. Their letter of request for the driveway variance is attached. The City of College Station Zoning Ordinance states that a non-conforming site may retain its non-conforming status as long as any expansion to the buildings does not exceed 25%. The existing building consists of 3,510 square feet, while the expansion would add 1,484 square feet; this results in a 42% expansion. Therefore, the City can require the applicant to bring the site into compliance. As stated previously, there are currently two driveways on the SH6 West Frontage Road and one driveway on Barron Road. The Barron Road driveway is currently spaced about 135 feet from the frontage road. The first driveway on the frontage road is 205 feet from Barron Road and the second driveway is spaced 160 feet from the first driveway. The spacing requirement in the Driveway Ordinance requires a minimum spacing of 275 feet between driveways on the frontage road and 230 feet between driveways on Barron Road. Because the site only has about 220 feet of frontage on Barron Road, it is not possible to locate this driveway in accordance with the Driveway Ordinance. There are two upcoming roadway projects in this vicinity that should be noted. First, the City of College Station is planning to widen Barron Road between the SH6 West Frontage Road and Wellborn Road. Second, the City is currently working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design an interchange between Barron Road and SH6. The exact alignment of Barron Road in this vicinity is currently in the design phase, and it is unknown if right-of-way will be required along Barron Road. The interchange project has yet to reach the design phase, and therefore right-of-way requirements are unknown along the frontage road. TxDOT is planning to locate the intersection between the SH6 southbound exit ramp and the frontage road about 1,350 feet south of Barron Road. The applicant is requesting a variance for the first driveway on the SH6 West Frontage Road. This case was previously heard by the PRC on May 3, 2000. At that time, the variance was denied 3-0. The minutes from this PRC are attached. Home of Texas A&M University Page 2, H&M Wholesale PRC Request Memo in making this decision, we must not only consider how the driveway will impact traffic conditions today, but also in the years to come. With the City's continued growth to the south, the SH6/13arron Road interchange has potential of being a high traffic interchange. Staff recommends denial of this variance. r AGENDA Project Review Committee CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS City Hall Training Room 1101 Texas Avenue Wednesday, January 16, 2002 10:00 A.M. Northgate Center: Consideration, discussion and possible amendment of the landscaping and streetscaping requirements located at 301 College Main in Northgate (00-224) Quality Suites: Discussion and consideration of replacing the existing attached sign on the building located at 1010 University Drive East (01-264) Max Texaco & H& M Wholesale: Discussion and consideration of a driveway variance on the southwest corner of the SH6 West Frontage Road/ Barron Road intersection (00-0) q This building is wheelchair accessible. Handicapped parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made 48 hours before the meeting. To make arrangements call 979-764- 3547 or (TDD) 1-800-735-2989.