HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-00500128- 00073745MEMORANDUM
July 11, 2002
TO: Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM: Molly Hitchcock
Email: mhitchcock@ci.college-station.tx.us
SUBJECT: "Other Use" Consideration in a C-1 District and Parking
Determination--Rainbow Play Systems (02-128)
Item: Discussion and possible action on an "other use" consideration in a C-1
General Commercial District and a parking determination for playground
equipment sales. (02-128)
Applicant: Rabon Metcalf of Rabon Metcalf Engineering
Staff Recommendations: Staff recommends approval of the playground
equipment sales as an appropriate use in C-1 and recommends approval of the
proposed parking requirement of 1 parking space for every 50 sq.ft. of
office/sales area.
Item Summary: Each zoning district has a list of uses that are permitted by right
in that district. To provide the Zoning Ordinance flexibility for new or uncommon
uses, each list includes "Other uses to be considered by the Commission". In
order to expand her business into a more visible area of the city, the owner of
Rainbow Play Systems of the Brazos Valley would like to lease a space in an
area zoned C-1; therefor, she would like the Commission to consider the sales of
playground equipment to be an appropriate "other use" in a C-1 General
Commercial district.
The purpose of the C-1 district is to "provide for general commercial, retail uses
which serve the entire community and its visitors". When created, C-1 did not
include (nor did any other district) the sales of playground equipment as a
permitted use. The sale of playground equipment relies on outdoor
storage/display of the products for sale. Other businesses that rely heavily on
open-air sales are specifically called out as permitted uses in the Zoning
Ordinance (e.g., automobile sales and rental, marine and fishing equipment
sales). The applicant has stated that the use will be similar to others found in
C-1 (e.g., mobile home sales and service).
Currently, the business proposed could open in C-1, but the outdoor area used
for playground equipment would be considered sales area and a great amount of
parking would be required for the site. Because of the outdoor area needed for
product storage/display, some open-air businesses fall under a unique parking
ratio. In his letter, the applicant has included a sample of the parking needs of
several other playground sales businesses based upon square footage of office
space. Basing parking needs of open-air sales on the square footage of
office/sales area is consistent with the standard the City of College Station
applies to automobile, mobile home, and boat sales.
If the Commission deems the sales of playground equipment to be appropriate in
a C-1 district, then such sales and displays will be considered an appropriate use
by right in all C-1 districts. If the use is considered unique and appropriate for
C-1, then a parking determination will need to be made that will set the standard
for this type of business.
Commission Action Options
1. Accept the sale of playground equipment sales in C-1.
2. Accept the sale of playground equipment sales in a different zoning district.
3. Do not specify playground equipment as a permitted use in a district (it would
still be able to open as a "retail use").
If the use is determined to be unique, a parking determination will need to be
established.
Attachments:
1. C-1 District Regulations
2. Letter and associated attachments from Rabon Metcalf
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
MEMORANDUM
July 3, 2002
TO: Rabon Metcalf, Rabon Metcalf Engineering, Via fax 690-0329
FROM: Bridgette George, Assistant Development Manager
SUBJECT: RAINBOW PLAY SYSTEMS PKG & USE (MISC) -MISCELLANEOUS
Staff reviewed the above-mentioned parking determination and use request as
requested. The following page is a list of staff review comments detailing items that
need to be addressed. Please address the comments and submit the following
information by Monday, July 8, 10:00 a.m., to be scheduled for the Planning & Zoning
Commission meeting on July 18, 2002, 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers,
1101 Texas Avenue:
Ten (10) copies of the revised letters with tables,
Ten (10) copies of the conceptual site plan.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call Molly Hitchcock or
myself at 764-3570.
Attachments: Staff review comments
cc:
Case file #02-00500128
Home of Texas A&M University
I
STAFF REVIEW COMMENTS
Project: RAINBOW PLAY SYSTEMS PKG & USE (MISC)-MISCELLANEOUS (02-128)
PLANNING
Rabon,
Call me if you have any questions or want to discuss any of this. Here are my
suggestions:
1. After many discussions, I am aware of what Rainbow Play Systems is, but I think the
Commission may have questions. I suggest you describe the business in detail at
the beginning of the letter (who they are, what they sell, how they sell it, etc.).
2. Be sure to mention everything that you will want to do on the site. From the letter it
is clear there will be an office area, but it gets a little confusing when you mention
warehousing, an enclosed area, and display. Please clarify the set-up and be sure
to ask for everything (e.g., will Ms. Sturdivant want to rent it out for parties?).
3. The second table states that on average, one parking space is provided for every 57
sq.ft. of office space and for every 810 sq.ft. of display. It is proposed that the
subject business will have one space for every 810 sq.ft. of office and 50 sq.ft. of
display. The numbers that are proposed aren't in line with what exist.
4. A conceptual site plan is referenced in the letter but was not provided.
5. If copies of the original letters are available, please submit them. The faxed copies
are difficult to read.
Reviewed by: Molly Hitchcock Date: July 1, 2002
NOTE: Any changes made to the plans, that have not been requested by the City of College Station,
must be explained in your next transmittal letter and "bubbled" on your plans. Any additional changes on
these plans that have not been pointed out to the City, will constitute a completely new review.
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