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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-00500120- 00073526Slide 2 (SAM) SUMMARY 1 recommend approval of this request. This is the property immediately to the west of rezoning you just considered. The subject property is down Krenek Tap about 920 feet from the HWY 6 frontage road. It's abutted by vacant and developed R-5 land to the west and north and two roads on the Thoroughfare Plan to the east and south. Slide 3 (R-5 uses) R-5 would allow some flexibility in the development of this land. A range of residential housing types and densities would be available to the owner, the most intense being medium density apartments. Slide 4 (graphic) The request is in compliance with the Land Use Plan. On the north side of Krenek Tap, the uses become less intense from a mixed use designation at the frontage road, west through apartments, to an area of single family. Again, across from this area you have parkland and land designated as Civic Center. The rezoning request is consistent with Comprehensive Plan's Land Use Goals to • continue to provide for orderly development of existing and future land uses and to • continue to protect, preserve, and enhance existing and future neighborhoods. Slide 5 (options) You have several options when considering this request. You may recommend to Council to: 1. Approve the rezoning 2. Approve it with conditions 3. To authorize a less intense rezoning or 4. Deny it. Lee Battle - KrenekTap 02_120.doc Page 2 You may also 5. Table or 6. Defer action on it. No one has called about this item. May I answer any questions? 17CA 4AO9 nFVF.LOPMENT SVCS ig 001 f(/ 40/ V L 1 J 1 V Y • x ACTIVITY REPORT x~x TRANSMISSION OK TY/RT NO. 3312 CONNECTION TEL 92603564 CONNECTION ID MITCHELL and MOR START TIME 07/26 15:14 USAGE TIME 03'59 PAGES 11 RESULT OK 0 ryVo July 23, 2002 Quo T v M i Y3~N Vim! i rn C U Cd rn S Ul .L C B ~ iMCCM =Warnr •m_ z E C 2 :P 2 W 0DCd0- {L a Lid a C W O a = a`~ m g d v ri O n I- Q) a ~ J N Z ^ 3n ~ U) y O ~ M N p d O W S N U) C at ~ M Ln Uga City of College Station Development Services 01 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 Attn: Molly Hitchcock Re: Request for R-4 Rezoning for Madison Tracts 1 and 2 located on Krenek Tap Road Dear Molly: We would like to request a rezoning from R-1 to R-4 for the above referenced tracts. The Planning & Zoning Commission considered a rezoning to R-5 for this same property at their last meeting and this request was denied. A discussion at this same meeting regarding the possibility of the R-4 district resulted in questions and concerns by the Commission and ultimately in a tabling motion. My discussions with several Commissioners after the meeting revealed that the tabling motion was in an effort to obtain additional information in writing as opposed to verbal information from the podium. This information that the Commissioners were requesting is regarding the pros/cons of the various zoning districts that may be requested or desired by the adjacent property owners. To that end we have included, from our perspective, such written information. As you know the Land Use Plan in this area shows Residential Attached as the appropriate land use for the property. The subject property is surrounded on the west with R-5 zoned property currently vacant, on the north with R-2 and R-5 property developed as duplexes and multi-family, on the east with R-5 property that is vacant and an R-1 zoned property (which was a holding zone) also vacant, and on the south is Central Park. Our intent is to develop this property with a "townhome look" condominium project. The condominiums will be individually owned while the outside space, (i.e. parking lot, landscaping, and site amenities) will be commonly owned and maintained. As you are aware, the only zoning districts in College Station which permit a condominium project (which is based upon common ownership of one large lot or tract and individual ownership of the "interior space") are PDD H, R-4 and R-S. All other residential zoning districts, R-1, R-1B, R-2, and R-3 are designed for individual ownership of individual lots. As stated in the zoning ordinance under the R-3 district "This district... which is designed for individual ownership or ownership in group of single family attached residences constructed on individually platted lots." (emphasis added) In order to develop this project my client has determined that a density of 14.5 dwelling units/acre is necessary to have a financially viable project. This density would allow us to be located in an R-4 or R-5 zoning district (16 du/acre and 24 du/acre respectively). The R-4 zoning district is titled Apartment/Low Density but allows condominiums as a permitted use. We believe that this request for an R-4 zoning district is an appropriate use at this location. As a side note, the PDD-H zoning district would also allow us to construct our project. However, as has been discussed many times over, the PDD district is an extremely difficult district to develop in College Station. With the PDD district, a developer must incur the cost for the design of his site layout, amenities, landscaping and drainage prior to any assurance of approval. This cost for a 14 acre site can run anywhere from $30,000-$40,000. This is a large sum of money to sink into a development when you have no assurance that the PDD will even be approved. Until a mechanism is put in place to provide some assurance of density or use, this type of development is too risky to become commonplace. My experience with the PDD zoning district has convinced me that for small sites (<50 acres) it is imperative that you have your underlying density or general use previously approved in order for the PDD to be cost effective. Once you have rights to construct retail/commercial or residential at 14 du/acre or 24 du/acre and you are simply desiring meritorious modifications to the Subdivision or Zoning Ordinances then the expenditure of $30,000-$40,000 upfront becomes more reasonable. Currently it is a gamble whether or not with this expenditure you would even get approval of the use much less the site layout. Given that we do not have the underlying density that is necessary for our use (R-4 @ 16 du/acre) we do not believe that PDD-H is a viable zoning district for us. In addition to discussing PDD-H, R-4 and R-5, we would like to point out for a moment the inherent problems that we see with the viability of developing the subject tracts as single-family (R-1, R-1B) or duplex (R-2) development. Typically these developments, single family and duplexes, are geared for non-student housing or at least non-traditional student housing. Central Park is a wonderful park, however you would probably agree that it is not your neighborhood park. The events that are hosted here, Christmas in the Park, soccer tournaments, and the all-night softball tournaments with field lighting that approaches daylight are not for the faint-hearted. These are great events for the community but do not lend themselves to the atmosphere for a low density single family neighborhood. We feel very strongly that a use that is compatible, can be a good neighbor and does not detract from the park is what should be developed at this location. Given the regional nature of Central Park and the lighting and traffic issues associated with the park, the properties directly across Krenek Tap should be developed with uses that will not be adversely affected by nor complain about these events. This thought process leads us directly to the residential zoning districts of R-4 and R-5. We believe that the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council recognized this concern and is why they approved the Land Use Plan with Residential Attached as the appropriate land use in this area. They saw Krenek Tap, Central Park Lane as well as SH6 Bypass frontage roads as adequate thoroughfares to handle traffic generated from an R-4 or R-5 development as well as handling the traffic generated by their own facility, Central Park. In summary, the R-4 zoning district is in compliance with the Land Use Plan and is a land use that is compatible with the surrounding area, especially Central Park. We agree that the Residential Attached use shown on the Land Use Plan was and still is the most appropriate use for this property. Since the adoption of the Plan, we are not aware of any changed conditions that would invalidate the Plan in the area. We hope that this information and discussion will be helpful to the Commission and the City Council in considering this rezoning request. As always, please do not hesitate to call if you have any uestions. i S' erely, Veronica J.B. organ, P.E. Managing Partner Cc: Henry Etta Madison Linda Joy Ishimitsu Jim Stewart File July 23, 2002 g C: Q r_.0 T to p=a Z i ~NN H C x 46 C Cd y R L c'~~o2S 1O r- v+ w ~ J C > .a W U~CZ 0- ai a ui C~ a Oa V ~ c rn V •c ._M m~ 0- r+ o A 'c IL 'et J N O Q) H O Lea C'? in 0 a J ~NAW O W (AN V 'C Oako' V`/o^+ in U ~ City of College Station Development Services 01 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 Attn: Molly Hitchcock Re: Request for R-4 Rezoning for Madison Tracts 1 and 2 located on Krenek Tap Road Dear Molly: We would like to request a rezoning from R-1 to R-4 for the above referenced tracts. The Planning & Zoning Commission considered a rezoning to R-5 for this same property at their last meeting and this request was denied. A discussion at this same meeting regarding the possibility of the R-4 district resulted in questions and concerns by the Commission and ultimately in a tabling motion. My discussions with several Commissioners after the meeting revealed that the tabling motion was in an effort to obtain additional information in writing as opposed to verbal information from the podium. This information that the Commissioners were requesting is regarding the pros/cons of the various zoning districts that may be requested or desired by the adjacent property owners. To that end we have included, from our perspective, such written information. As you know the Land Use Plan in this area shows Residential Attached as the appropriate land use for the property. The subject property is surrounded on the west with R-5 zoned property currently vacant, on the north with R-2 and R-5 property developed as duplexes and multi-family, on the east with R-5 property that is vacant and an R-1 zoned property (which was a holding zone) also vacant, and on the south is Central Park. Our intent is to develop this property with a "townhome look" condominium project. The condominiums will be individually owned while the outside space, (i.e. parking lot, landscaping, and site amenities) will be commonly owned and maintained. As you are aware, the only zoning districts in College Station which permit a condominium project (which is based upon common ownership of one large lot or tract and individual ownership of the "interior space") are PDD-H, R-4 and R-5. All other residential zoning districts, R-1, R-1B, R-2, and R-3 are designed for individual ownership of individual lots. As stated in the zoning ordinance under the R-3 district "This district... which is designed for individual ownership or ownership in group of single family attached residences constructed on individually platted lots." (emphasis added) In order to develop this project my client has determined that a density of 14.5 dwelling units/acre is necessary to have a financially viable project. This density would allow us to be located in an R-4 or R-5 zoning district (16 du/acre and 24 du/acre respectively). The R-4 zoning district is titled Apartment/Low Density but allows condominiums as a permitted use. We believe that this request for an R-4 zoning district is an appropriate use at this location. As a side note, the PDD-H zoning district would also allow us to construct our project. However, as has been discussed many times over, the PDD district is an extremely difficult district to develop in College Station. With the PDD district, a developer must incur the cost for the design of his site layout, amenities, landscaping and drainage prior to any assurance of approval. This cost for a 14 acre site can run anywhere from $30,000440,000. This is a large sum of money to sink into a development when you have no assurance that the PDD will even be approved. Until a mechanism is put in place to provide some assurance of density or use, this type of development is too risky to become commonplace. My experience with the PDD zoning district has convinced me that for small sites (<50 acres) it is imperative that you have your underlying density or general use previously approved in order for the PDD to be cost effective. Once you have rights to construct retail/commercial or residential at 14 du/acre or 24 du/acre and you are simply desiring meritorious modifications to the Subdivision or Zoning Ordinances then the expenditure of $30,000440,000 upfront becomes more reasonable. Currently it is a gamble whether or not with this expenditure you would even get approval of the use much less the site layout. Given that we do not have the underlying density that is necessary for our use (R-4 @ 16 du/acre) we do not believe that PDD-H is a viable zoning district for us. In addition to discussing PDD-H, R-4 and R-5, we would like to point out for a moment the inherent problems that we see with the viability of developing the subject tracts as single-family (R-1, R-1B) or duplex (R-2) development. Typically these developments, single family and duplexes, are geared for non-student housing or at least non-traditional student housing. Central Park is a wonderful park, however you would probably agree that it is not your neighborhood park. The events that are hosted here, Christmas in the Park, soccer tournaments, and the all-night softball tournaments with field lighting that approaches daylight are not for the faint-hearted. These are great events for the community but do not lend themselves to the atmosphere for a low density single family neighborhood. We feel very strongly that a use that is compatible, can be a good neighbor and does not detract from the park is what should be developed at this location. Given the regional nature of Central Park and the lighting and traffic issues associated with the park, the properties directly across Krenek Tap should be developed with uses that will not be adversely affected by nor complain about these events. This thought process leads us directly to the residential zoning districts of R-4 and R-5. We believe that the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council recognized this concern and is why they approved the Land Use Plan with Residential Attached as the appropriate land use in this area. They saw Krenek Tap, Central Park Lane as well as SH6 Bypass frontage roads as adequate thoroughfares to handle traffic generated from an R4 or R-5 development as well as handling the traffic generated by their own facility, Central Park. In summary, the R-4 zoning district is in compliance with the Land Use Plan and is a land use that is compatible with the surrounding area, especially Central Park. We agree that the Residential Attached use shown on the Land Use Plan was and still is the most appropriate use for this property. Since the adoption of the Plan, we are not aware of any changed conditions that would invalidate the Plan in the area. We hope that this information and discussion will be helpful to the Commission and the City Council in considering this rezoning request. As always, please do not hesitate to call if you have any uestions. S' erely, Veronica J.B. organ, P.E. Managing Partner Cc: Henry Etta Madison Linda Joy Ishimitsu Jim Stewart File 4 pM July 16, 2002 C g- c Q c =o O :a ~ C C T o, as -W vrn _ CM .v C ca v+c w C > ~a W UDCd0- a w a M~ Oa = v X c M m rya n. ~ rcv r'1 V~ O ~ n L O IL et J N Z U^ O Cos o3M J jq N 0 U) H g o' a _S X Ln U 12 City of College Station Development Services 1101 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 Attn: Bridgette George Re: Request for R-5 Rezoning for Madison Tracts I and 2 Dear Bridgette: As per the City's comments attached please find a revised rezoning map showing only the tracts that are being considered for this case. Revised boundaries for Tracts 1 and 2 now match the metes and bounds description previously submitted for the R-5 rezoning. As always, please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions. 1Sii erely, Veronica J.B. Managing Pa: Cc: Henry Etta Madison Linda Joy Ishimitsu Jim Stewart File Attachments July 23, 2002 cAn av, cis G C ,dd JU lu 0 66 ~ u,i a ui a c~ X a ^Tu n 0 a~ J TA n rX H a .G Z a. in W City of College Station Development Services 1101 Texas Avenue South College Station, TIC 77840 Attn: Molly Hitchcock Re. Requestfor R-4 Rozoning for Madison T racts T and 2 located on Krenek Tap Road Dear Dolly: We would like to request a rezoning from R-1 to R-4 for the above referenced tracts. The Planning & Zoning Commission considered a rezoning to R-5 for this same property at their last meeting and this request was denied. A discussion at this same meeting regarding the possibility of the R-4 district resulted in questions and concerns by the Commission and ultimately in a tabling motion. My discussions with several Commissioners after the meeting revealed that the tabling motion was in an effort to obtain additional information in writing as opposed to verbal information from the podium. This information that the Commissioners were requesting is regarding the pros/cons of the various zoning districts that may be requested or desired by the adjacent property owners. To that end we have included, from our perspective, such written information. As you know the Land Use Plan in this area shows Residential Attached as the appropriate land use for the property. The subject property is surrounded on the west with R-5 zoned property currently vacant, on the north with R-2 and R-5 property developed as duplexes and multi-family, on the east with R-5 property that is vacant and an R-1 zoned property (which was a holding pone) also vacant, and on the south is Central Park. Our intent is to develop this property with a "townhome look" condominium project. The condominiums will be individually owned while the outside space, (i.e. parking lot, landscaping, and site amenities) will be commonly owned'and maintaiued. As you are aware, the only zoning districts in College Station which permit a condominium project (which is based upon common ownership of one large lot or tract and individual ownership of the "interior space") are PDD H, R-4 and R-S. All other residential zoning districts, R-1, R-1 B, R-2, and R-3 are designed for individual ownership of individual lots. As stated in the zoning ordinance under the R-3 district "This district... which is designed for individual ownership or ownership in group of single family attached residences constructed on individually platted lots." (emphasis added) In order to develop this project my client has determined that a density of 14.5 dwelling units/acre is necessary to have a financially viable project. This density would allow us to be located in an R-4 or R-5 zoning district (16 du/acre and 24 dulacre respectively). The R-4 zoning district is titled AparrmentlLow Density but allows condominiums as a permitted use. We believe that this request for an R-4 zoning district is an appropriate use at this location. As a side note, the PDD-H zoning district would also allow us to construct our project. However, as has been discussed many tunes over, the PDD district is an extremely difficult district to develop in College Station. With the PDD district, a developer must incur the cost for the design of his site layout, amenities, landscaping and drainage prior to any assurance of approval. This cost for a 14 acre site can run anywhere from $30,000-$40,000. This is a large sum of money to sink into a development when you have no assurance.that the PDD will even be approved. Until a mechanism is put in place to provide some assurance of density or use, this type of development is too risky to become commonplace. My experience with the PDD zoning district has convinced me that for small sites (<50 acres) it is imperative that you have your underlying density or general use previously approved in order for the PDD to be cost effective. Once you have rights to construct retail/commercial or residential at 14 du/acre or 24 du/acre and you are simply dcsiring meritorious modifications to the Subdivision or Zoning Ordinances then the expenditure of $30,000-$40,000 upfront becomes more reasonable. Currently it is a gamble whether or not with this expenditure you would even get approval of the use much less the site layout. Given that we do not have the underlying density that is necessary for our use (R-4 @7a 16 du/acre) we do not believe that PDD-H is a viable zoning district for us. In addition to discussing PDD-H, R-4 and R-5, we would like to point out for a moment the inherent problems that we see with the viability of developing the subject tracts as sing] c-family (R-1, R-IB) or duplex (R-2) development. Typically these developments, single family and duplexes, are geared for non-student housing or at least non-traditional student housing, Central Park is a wonderful park, however you would probably agree that it is not your neighborhood park. The events that are hosted here, Christmas in the Park, soccer tournaments, and the all-night softball tournaments with field lighting that approaches daylight are not for the faint-hearted. These are great events for the community but do not lend themselves to the atmosphere for a low density single family neighborhood. We feel very strongly that a use that is compatible, can be a good neighbor and does not detract from the park is what should be developed at this location. Given the regional nature of Central Park and the lighting and traffic issues associated with the park, the properties directly across Krenek Tap should be developed with uses that will not be adversely affected by nor complain about these events. This thought procegG leads us directly to the residential zoning districts of R-4 and R-5. We believe that the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council recognized this concern and is why they approved the Land Use Plan with Residential Attached as the appropriate land use in this ,area. They saw Krenek Tap, Central Park Lane as well as SH6 Bypass frontage roads as adequate thoroughfares to handle traffic generated from an R-4 or R-5 development as well as handling the traffic generated by their awn facility, Central Park. In summary, the R-4 zoning district is in compliance with the Land Use Plan and is a land use that is compatible with the surrounding area, especially Central Park. We agree that the Residential Attached use shown on the Land Use Plan was and still is the most appropriate use for this property, Since the adoption of the Plan, we are not aware of any changed conditions that would invalidate the Plan in the arcs. We hope that this information and discussion will be helpful to the Commission and the City Council in considering this rezoning request. As always, please do not hesitate to call if you have an uestions. ely, y W Veronica J.B. Organ, P.E. Managing Partner Cc. Henry Etta Madison Linda Joy Ishimitsu Jim Stewart File Status: OK To: Veronica Morgan Mitchell & Morgan 260-3564 7!9102 10:00:40 Page 1 of 2 FACSIMILE COVER PAGE Date: 7/9/02 Time: 9:56:02 Pages: 2 To: Veronica Morgan Company: Mitchell & Morgan Fax 260-3564 From: Tammy Macik Title: Secretary Company: City of College Station Address: 1101 Texas Avenue College Station , TX 77842 Fax 979-764-3496 Voice 979-764-3570 Message: oV~(-P Good Morning! Faxed to you is the agenda for the July 9 Parks Board Meeting in regards to your property. If you have any questions, please let us know. Thanks, Tammy Macik V- 07/5 3/02 14:37 From: Bridgette George 979-764-3895 FAX COVER PAGE Date: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 Time: 2:28 PM To: Veronica Morgan Fax Phone: 2603564 From: Bridgette George Title: Assistant Development Manager Company: City of College Station Address: 1101 Texas Ave College Station, TX 77840 Fax Phone: 979-764-3496 Phone: 979-764-3570 Subject: Krenek Tap Road rezoning Message: Page 1 of 3 3 pages including cover 08/01/02 09:21 V979 764 3496 DEVELOPMENT SVCS 4001 * * * * * * * * * * * $ * *:I: !::I: * * 1: * * *.I. oo?,/ ACTIVITY REPORT TRANSMISSION OK TX/RX NO. 3384 CONNECTION TEL 96942719 CONNECTION ID START TIME 08/01 09:17 USAGE TIME 04'22 PAGES 6 RESULT OK FACSIMILE COVER SHEET CITY OF COLLEGE STATION DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 1101 Texas Avenue South, PO Box 9960 College Station, Texas 77842 Phone (979)764-3570 / Fax (979)764-3496 Date: / ~ /-02 # of pages including cover: lfyou didnotreceive a complete fax, please call our office immediately-fora new transmittal. TO: . FAX: / (O COMPANY: RE: ~F/4 FROM: PHONE: (979)764-3570 COMPANY: City of College Station REMARKS: ❑ Urgent ❑ For your review ❑ Replay ASAP ❑ FYI FILE COPY -ApD August 5, 2002 Gene Savage 3320 Picadilly Circle College Station, TX 77845 City of College Station Development Services 1101 Texs Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 Attn: Molly Hitchcock Re: Rezoning for R-4 for Madison Tracts 1 & 2 located on Krenek Tap Road. Dear Molly: We would like to oppose the rezoning From R-1 to R-4 for the above referenced tracts. The item was tabled with the commission requesting more information from city staff and other respondents. The information regarding the pros/cons of the request for rezoning and the effects on adjacent property owners and the city. We have included a counter view to the developers. The property is to be developed with a "townhome look" condominium project, but as illustrated by the diagrams and illustrations the project looks like an apartment project. The project is surrounded by areas that are zoned R-5. Once those areas are developed the entire area will have the apartment complex look. I believe the intent of the city's master plan was to have a mix of R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5. If the city rezones these tracts to R-4 the city will lose control of the entire area. These tracts should have R-1 or R-2 zoning to give balance to the area. PDD-H zoning district would allow for construction of the project, but the developer does not want to spend the $30,000-$40,000 that would be required for the plan. This would be a minor expenditure if the developer had the intention to construct a project that would blend with the parks amenities. Density issues of R-4 vs R-2 zoning. The R-4 Apartment/Low Density zoning when compared to R-2 Duplex zoning does not look like much of a difference. Under R-4 the Maximum Density would be 16 units per acre, for Duplex R-2 zoning the maximum density would be 12 units/acre. But the reality of the development is that The R-4 will allow for multilevel construction probably 3 stories and it will approach 16 units per acre. If the area were zoned R-2 the density would be closer to 6 per acre. The development of Glenna Court off of Graham Road has 30 units on 5 acres or 6 units per acre. Park issues include safety for the parents and children attending events at the park. After the last commission meeting I drove by the park about 7 PM. Both sides of Krenek Tap road were lined with cars of parents and children of soccer players. Frequently younger sibling go back to the cars for snacks and drinks creating a pedestrian problem on Krenek Tap road. With a gated entrance directly across from the soccer field this will creat additional parking issues, since parents will only be able to park on one side of the road if that. This will require the city to provide additional parking some where else. Soon the park will look like one big parking area and not a park. For the people in this area Central Park is a neighborhood park and serves the whole community as a area park for soccer, softball, picnics, and just a place to get away from the congestion. By changing the R-1 designation to R4 the commission will change the nature of the park and add greatly to the congestion of the area. Traffic on Krenek Tap Road. The staff estimates of vehicle use by the subject Madison tracts would be 1500 vehicle trips per day, by my estimate the property to the east would contribute 1500 vehicle trips per day, the property to the west would contribute 1500 vehicles per day, the R-3 property to the west would contribute 750. Park activity would vary but probably add 500 units/ day, the large tract to the west of the park when developed would contribute another 1000 units/day, College Station Utilities officies are located on Krenek Tap and could contribute 300 vehicles per day and the contruction of the municipal court next door will surly add another 300 vehicles per day conservatively. When we add the R-7 mobile home area of 500 vehicles per day, the total vehicles per day on Krenek Tap is 7850 vehicles per day. Krenek Tap was designed as a minor collector to handle 1000 to 5,000 vehicles per day, the estimated 7850 vehicles per day is 57% higher than the maximum level for vehicles per day. Krenek Tap is a concrete construction that would require major investment on the city's part to bring it up to the level needed for the projected traffic. Safety is the issue, traffic congestion on Krenek Tap, parking for parents and children near the soccer fields, EMS and Fire Department access. Tranquility of the park will be destroyed by traffic, urban high rise clutter. A gated community that stands in stark contrast to the open and free access to Central Park, one of College Stations finest parks. We are sending the wrong message to the citizens, development at all cost, forget safety, forget peace and tranquility we need development. The citizens of College Station deserve a plan to develop the area if it costs $30,000- $40,000. If it costs $150,000 it should be required so we can be sure that we do not lose control of one of our city's gems College Station Central Park. We request that the zoning change to R-4 for the Madison Tracts be denied. Sincerely, G ne Savage Susarr Hazlett - Please cancel legal ad From: Susan Hazlett FILE To: Kit McDonald Copy Date: 7/31/02 3:07PM Subject: Please cancel legal ad Kit, Please pull the August 8th publication for the legal notice regarding a rezoning for 14.31 acres on Krenek Tap Road. I have attached a copy for your convenience. Please confirm via e-mail and send credit. Thank you very much. Susan Hazlett Development Services City of College Station 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, TX 77842 PHONE: (979) 764-3570 E-Mail: shazlett@ci.college-station.tx.us FAX: (979) 764-3496 CC: Bridgette George; Natalie Ruiz ,a ~l August 5, 2002 Gene Savage 3320 Picadilly Circle College Station, TX 77845 City of College Station Development Services 1101 Texs Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 Attn: Molly Hitchcock Re: Rezoning for R-4 for Madison Tracts 1 & 2 located on Krenek Tap Road. Dear Molly: We would like to oppose the rezoning From R-1 to R-4 for the above referenced tracts. The item was tabled with the commission requesting more information from city staff and other respondents. The information regarding the pros/cons of the request for rezoning and the effects on adjacent property owners and the city. We have included a counter view to the developers. The property is to be developed with a "townhome look" condominium project, but as illustrated by the diagrams and illustrations the project looks like an apartment project. The project is surrounded by areas that are zoned R-5. Once those areas are developed the entire area will have the apartment complex look. I believe the intent of the city's master plan was to have a mix of R-l, R-2, R-3, R4 and R-5. If the city rezones these tracts to R-4 the city will lose control of the entire area. These tracts should have R-1 or R-2 zoning to give balance to the area. PDD-H zoning district would allow for construction of the project, but the developer does not want to spend the $30,000-$40,000 that would be required for the plan. This would be a minor expenditure if the developer had the intention to construct a project that would blend with the parks amenities. Density issues of R-4 vs R-2 zoning. The R-4 Apartment/Low Density zoning when compared to R-2 Duplex zoning does not look like much of a difference. Under R-4 the Maximum Density would be 16 units per acre, for Duplex R-2 zoning the maximum density would be 12 units/acre. But the reality of the development is that The R-4 will allow for multilevel construction probably 3 stories and it will approach 16 units per acre. If the area were zoned R-2 the density would be closer to 6 per acre. The development of Glenna Court off of Graham Road has 30 units on 5 acres or 6 units per acre. Park issues include safety for the parents and children attending events at the park. After the last commission meeting I drove by the park about 7 PM. Both sides of Krenek Tap road were lined with cars of parents and children of soccer players. Frequently younger sibling go back to the cars for snacks and drinks creating a pedestrian problem on Krenek Tap road. With a gated entrance directly across from the soccer field this will creat additional parking issues, since parents will only be able to park on one side of the road if that. This will require the city to provide additional parking some where else. Soon the park will look like one big parking area and not a park. For the people in this area Central Park is a neighborhood park and serves the whole community as a area park for soccer, softball, picnics, and just a place to get away from the congestion. By changing the R-1 designation to R-4 the commission will change the nature of the park and add greatly to the congestion of the area. Traffic on Krenek Tap Road. The staff estimates of vehicle use by the subject Madison tracts would be 1500 vehicle trips per day, by my estimate the property to the east would contribute 1500 vehicle trips per day, the property to the west would contribute 1500 vehicles per day, the R-3 property to the west would contribute 750. Park activity would vary but probably add 500 units/ day, the large tract to the west of the park when developed would contribute another 1000 units/day, College Station Utilities officies are located on Krenek Tap and could contribute 300 vehicles per day and the contruction of the municipal court next door will surly add another 300 vehicles per day conservatively. When we add the R-7 mobile home area of 500 vehicles per day, the total vehicles per day on Krenek Tap is 7850 vehicles per day. Krenek Tap was designed as a minor collector to handle 1000 to 5,000 vehicles per day, the estimated 7850 vehicles per day is 57% higher than the maximum level for vehicles per day. Krenek Tap is a concrete construction that would require major investment on the city's part to bring it up to the level needed for the projected traffic. Safety is the issue, traffic congestion on Krenek Tap, parking for parents and children near the soccer fields, EMS and Fire Department access. Tranquility of the park will be destroyed by traffic, urban high rise clutter. A gated community that stands in stark contrast to the open and free access to Central Park, one of College Stations finest parks. We are sending the wrong message to the citizens, development at all cost, forget safety, forget peace and tranquility we need development. The citizens of College Station deserve a plan to develop the area if it costs $30,000- $40,000. If it costs $150,000 it should be required so we can be sure that we do not lose control of one of our city's gems College Station Central Park. We request that the zoning change to R-4 for the Madison Tracts be denied. Sincerely, . G be Savage July 23, 2002 rn a Q cc o v in c U1 LID Cn o x CI a La= 01 c _ cd O- ra c rn CWn.rnc C1 _ _ W V Cd 0- U; n: ui C~ a a, a~ Oa u rn ~ . V to m F ga r+ a A Q O a J V N ~ Z ^ ~n Ul U, O d~ O 0 in J J =NO L01 N tu d C V 0dii0 in, O City of College Station Development Services i 01 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 Attn: Molly Hitchcock Re: Request for R-4 Rezoning for Madison Tracts 1 and 2 located on Krenek Tap Road Dear Molly: We would like to request a rezoning from R-1 to R-4 for the above referenced tracts.. The Planning & Zoning Commission considered a rezoning to R-5 for this same property at their last meeting and this request was denied. A discussion at this same meeting regarding the possibility of the R-4 district resulted in questions and concerns by the Commission and ultimately in a tabling motion. My discussions with several Commissioners after the meeting revealed that the tabling motion was in an effort to obtain additional information in writing as opposed to verbal information from the podium. This information that the Commissioners were requesting is regarding the pros/cons of the various zoning districts that may be requested or desired by the adjacent property owners. To that end we have included, from our perspective, such written information. As you know the Land Use Plan in this area shows Residential Attached as the appropriate land use for the property. The subject property is surrounded on the west with R-5 zoned property currently vacant, on the north with R-2 and R-5 property developed as duplexes and multi-family, on the east with R-5 property that is vacant and an R-1 zoned property (which was a holding zone) also vacant, and on the south is Central Park. Our intent is to develop this property with a "townhome look" condominium project. The condominiums will be individually owned while the outside space, (i.e. parking lot, landscaping, and site amenities) will be commonly owned 'and maintained. As you are aware, the only zoning districts in College Station which permit a condominium project (which is based upon common ownership of one large lot or tract and individual ownership of the "interior space") are PDD H, R-4 and R-5. All other residential zoning districts, R-1, R-1B, R-2, and R-3 are designed for individual ownership of individual lots. As stated in the zoning ordinance under the R-3 district "This district... which is designed for individual ownership or ownership in group of single family attached residences constructed on individually platted lots." (emphasis added) In order to develop this project my client has determined that a density of 14.5 dwelling units/acre is necessary to have a financially viable project. This density would allow us to be located in an R-4 or R-5 zoning district (16 du/acre and 24 du/acre respectively). The R4 zoning district is titled Apartment/Low Density but allows condominiums as a permitted use. We believe that this request for an R-4 zoning district is an appropriate use at this location. As a side note, the PDD-H zoning district would also allow us to construct our project. However, as has been discussed many times over, the PDD district is an extremely difficult district to develop in College Station. With the PDD district, a developer must incur the cost for the design of his site layout, amenities, landscaping and drainage prior to any assurance of approval. This cost for a 14 acre site can run anywhere from $30,000440,000. This is a large sum of money to sink into a development when you have no assurance that the PDD will even be approved. Until a mechanism is put in place to provide some assurance of density or use, this type of development is too risky to become commonplace. My experience with the PDD zoning district has convinced me that for small sites (<50 acres) it is imperative that you have your underlying density or general use previously approved in order for the PDD to be cost effective. Once you have rights to construct retail/commercial or residential at 14 du/acre or 24 du/acre and you are simply desiring meritorious modifications to the Subdivision or Zoning Ordinances then the expenditure of $30,000440,000 upfront becomes more reasonable. Currently it is a gamble whether or not with this expenditure you would even get approval of the use much less the site layout. Given that we do not have the underlying density that is necessary for our use (R-4 @ 16 du/acre) we do not believe that PDD-H is a viable zoning district for us. In addition to discussing PDD-H, R-4 and R-5, we would like to point out for a moment the inherent problems that we see with the viability of developing the subject tracts as single-family (R-1, R-1B) or duplex (R-2) development. Typically these developments, single family and duplexes, are geared for non-student housing or at least non-traditional student housing. Central Park is a wonderful park, however you would probably agree that it is not your neighborhood park. The events that are hosted here, Christmas in the Park, soccer tournaments, and the all-night softball tournaments with field lighting that approaches daylight are not for the faint-hearted. These are great events for the community but do not lend themselves to the atmosphere for a low density single family neighborhood. We feel very strongly that a use that is compatible, can be a good neighbor and does not detract from the park is what should be developed at this location. Given the regional nature of Central Park and the lighting and traffic issues associated with the park, the properties directly across Krenek Tap should be developed with uses that will not be adversely affected by nor complain about these events. This thought process leads us directly to the residential zoning districts of R-4 and R-5. We believe that the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council recognized this concern and is why they approved the Land Use Plan with Residential Attached as the appropriate land use in this area. They saw Krenek Tap, Central Park Lane as well as SH6 Bypass . frontage roads as adequate thoroughfares to handle traffic generated from an R-4 or R-5 development as well as handling the traffic generated by their own facility, Central Park. In summary, the R-4 zoning district is in compliance with the Land Use Plan and is a land use that is compatible with the surrounding area, especially Central Park. We agree that the Residential Attached use shown on the Land Use Plan was and still is the most appropriate use for this property. Since the adoption of the Plan, we are not aware of any changed conditions that would invalidate the Plan in the area. We hope that this information and discussion will be helpful to the Commission and the City Council in considering this rezoning request. As always, please do not hesitate to call if you have any uestions. S' erely, Veronica J.B. organ, P.E. Managing Partner Cc: Henry Etta Madison Linda Joy Ishimitsu Jim Stewart File 07/26/02 15:31 x'979 764 3496 DEVELOPMENT SVCS I9 0 01 > :E ACTIVITY REPORT E:**x** *$*******:E: TRANSMISSION OK TX/RX NO. CONNECTION TEL 3313 124473185PPPP152 CONNECTION ID START TIME 07/26 15:23 USAGE TIME 07'39 PAGES 10 RESULT OK