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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS November 6, 2003 AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Replat for the Randall's University Park consisting of 2 lots on 6 acres generally located at 505 Chimney Hill Drive. (03 -202) Graduate Civil Engineer Thompson, Engineering Services, presented the Staff Report, recommending approval of the Replat. He explained that the lot was apparently illegally subdivided in years passed and that the buyer of a portion of the tract wishes to construct a single - family home on his portion. This plat will legalize the subdivision and allow for a Building Permit to be issued. He reported that since the earlier platting of the subject property, the adjacent tract to the rear has been dedicated to the City as parkland but College Station residents, particularly those residing in Chimney Hill do not have access to the park except through Bryan. Consequently, the City is requesting two access easements to the park, in keeping with the City's Subdivision Regulations which states that parks should be easy to access and open to public view and that a proposed subdivision adjacent to a park may not be designed to restrict reasonable access to the park from other area subdivisions. Mr. Thompson pointed out that this item went before the Parks Board on September 9, 2003 and recommended a fee in lieu of land on the condition that access be granted to the park from Cooner Street and Chimney Hill Drive. At the time of the meeting, the replat showed the two access easements requested by the City. Since the time of the meeting, the applicant has resubmitted the plat without the second easement. In closing, Mr. Thompson explained that if the Commission upholds the Parks Board recommendation, the plat would have to reflect the two requested easements. In addition, he stated that the plat would have to show a land dedication for park purposes in order to be in compliance with the Subdivision Regulations. Because the plat does not do either, the Commission can deny the plat and send it back to the Parks Board for another recommendation or approve the plat with a single easement. However, 5 votes are needed for this approval. Mr. Thompson was asked to identify the two access easements on the diagram that was shown. Benefits from the two accesses were further discussed. Chairman Shafer opened the public hearing. Nancy Berry, 202 Lampwick, requested further clarification on the proposed access and the designated parkland. Chairman Shafer commented that there is a big disconnect between Chimney Hill residents and the park. j f Ann Marsh, 208 Lampwick, spoke in opposition to the replat expressing traffic concerns. Chairman Shafer explained that the access would consist of pedestrians only and not vehicular access. Mickey Posey, the owner of Lot 3R -2 agreed to the easement from Cooner and rejected the second easement due to the fact that all the easement fell on his lot. He requested the second easement split the property line of his lot, Lot 3R -2 and Lot 3R -1. However, the owner of Lot 3R -1 is not in agreement with this option. Mr. Posey asked the Commission to approve the replat. Further discussion ensued. Commissioner Shafer pointed out that approximately 90 lots /residents would be able to access the park with the added access easements and that a reasonable access is a requirement of the City's Subdivision Regulations. Commissioner Davis agreed that the requirement of the Subdivision Regulations should be met. He added that the land was given for the development of a park and therefore access to the park should be provided. Ann Marsh, 208 Lampwick, interjected that the majority of the residents of Chimney Hill are of retirement age and would prefer to forfeit access to park while Nancy Berry, 202 Lampwick, insisted that the park is actually undeveloped land and echoed sentiments of unwanted access. Alan Segal, 2208 Quail Hollow Drive, comments expressed the residents' desire to retain the current zoning and reject park access, citing concerns regarding deterioration of their homes and the increase in vehicular traffic. Chairman Shafer reiterated that access to the park is for pedestrian access only in the proximity of the neighborhood and would not be considered a major destination for citizens. Chairman Shafer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Davis motioned to deny the replat and send it to the Parks Board for further review and recommendation. Commissioner Reynolds seconded the motion. Commissioner Trapani asked what would the process be if the Parks Board denies the applicant's request. Mr. Posey stated that he would meet with the Parks Board to discuss the issues and work out a more amicable agreement. Chairman Shafer called the question. The motion to deny carried by a vote of 5 -1. FOR: Trapani, Davis, Reynolds, Shafer and Williams. AGAINST: Hall. ABSENT: White. Minutes Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Tuesday, December 9, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. The EXIT Teen Center 1520 Rock Prairie Road College Station, Texas Staff Present: Steve Beachy, Director of Parks and Recreation; Eric Ploeger, Assistant Director; Peter Vanecek, Senior Park Planner; Kristin Lehde, Staff Assistant. Board Members Present: Glen Davis; Larry Farnsworth; Ken Livingston; Don Allison; Glenn Schroeder; Jodi Warner; Gary Erwin, Alternate. Board Member Absent: John Nichols, Chairman. Guests: Spencer Thompson, Graduate Civil Engineer, Development Services College Station City Councilman John Happ Visitors: Frank Thurmound, 1700 Barak, Bryan, Texas Mickey Posey, P.O. Box 1040, College Station, Texas Jane Marsh, 2835 Brandywine Circle, Bryan, Texas 1. Call to order: The Board was in consensus on appointing Glen Davis as Acting Chairman. Glen D. called the meeting to order at 6:53 p.m. 2. Pardon N possible action concerning requests for absences of members from meeting: Glenn Schroeder made a motion to accept the absence of John Nichols as excused. Jodi Warner seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Hear visitors: Hearing none, this item was closed. 4. Discussion, consideration, and possible approval of minutes from the Joint Meeting between the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on October 30, 2003, and from the Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Page 1 of 7 Board on November 4, 2003: Larry Farnsworth made a motion to approve the minutes from the Joint Meeting between the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on October 30, 2003, and the minutes from the Regular Meeting on November 4, 2003. Glenn S. seconded the motion. All r - ere in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 5. D cussion, reconsideration, and possible action regarding a ark land dedication request for the Randall's University Park Subdivision (Park Zone 2): This item was reviewed by the Board during the September 9, 2003, meeting, in which the Board passed a motion to accept the cash dedication in lieu of land for the Randall's University Park development upon the condition that the Development Services Department would be awarded a public access easement from College Station to Madeley Park. Eric Ploeger referred to an aerial photograph of Madeley Park and the surrounding areas. He stated that there is currently no access to Madeley Park from College Station because there are two (2) private pieces of property (the LA Ford and Marcelino Diaz Barrera properties) between public roads and the park. During the September 9 meeting, the Board had requested public access both from the Cooner Street area and from Chimney Hill Drive. This item was brought to the Planning and Zoning Commission; however, it was only presented with the access easement from Chimney Hill Drive. (The owner of the Barrera property had concerns with the access easement from Cooner Street.) The Planning and Zoning Commission denied the request, and sent it back to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for reconsideration. Since then, the owner of that property has agreed to provide the requested access easement. After some discussion, Glenn S. made a motion to 1) accept the proposal to have the access easement on the replat coming from the end of the Chimney Hill Cul -de -sac to the property line behind Albertsons, then back down to Madeley Park (along the Cooner Subdivision); 2) accept the cash dedication to meet the park land dedication requirements for the Randall's University Park development; and 3) recommend that the City pursue the acquisition of the lot owned by Marcelino Diaz Barrera as a park land addition to Madeley Park. Don Allison seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Page 2 of 7 6. Discussion, consideration, and possible approval of a resolution in support of a potential regional park site in Grimes County (Board Goal #9): During the Regular Meeting on November 4, 2003, the Board received a report concerning the potential for a regional park in Grimes County. During that meeting, the Board was in consensus on endorsing a resolution that would be presented to the College Station City Council in support of the initiative to acquire land owned by the Texas Municipal Power Agency for a regional park. Glenn S. made a motion to approve the resolution. Don A. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 7. Presentation, discussion, and possible action concerning a conceptual design for a neighborhood park in Park Zone 6 (Southwest Park) (Board Goal #4): During the Regular Meeting on November 4, 2003, the Board was in consensus on the following: • Supporting the development of the Southwest Park site, and making it the highest priority project in Park Zone 6; • Responding favorably to a good development proposal; • Reserving judgment on the exact dollar amount to be contributed to the project; • Reviewing a conceptual plan for the park; and • Leaving the other Park Zone 6 projects prioritized as they are. Eric P. stated that there is currently approximately $90,000 in Park Zone 6. There will be approximately $120,000 once the park land dedication money comes in from the Campus Crossing development. Pete Vanecek discussed the conceptual plans for the park, and distributed a proposed budget (see attachment). He stated that preliminary estimates show that the entire park development would cost approximately $266,800; however the development could occur in phases. During the November 4 meeting, there was discussion concerning the developer's interest in donating money as a gift Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Page 3 of 7 over - and -above the dedication amount if more infrastructure is put into the park. The question was asked as to whether this was still a possibility. Eric stated that it is a possibility; however, there is no firm commitment from the developer. After some discussion, Glenn S. made a motion to accept and approve the conceptual plan for Southwest Park. Gary Erwin seconded the motion. Jodi W. made a second motion to dedicate park land dedication funds, not to exceed the amount of $90,000, for the development of Southwest Park. Larry F. seconded the motion. All were in favor of the two motions, and they passed unanimously. 8. Discussion, consideration, and possible action concerning a request from the Woodland Hills Homeowner's Association (Park Zone 9): Steve Beachy stated that the property that was dedicated for the Woodland Hills Subdivision several years ago encompasses approximately fourteen (14) acres of land, and includes some drainage, detention, and greenbelt areas. At the time the land was dedicated, there was belief that there would also be residential development occurring on the northwestern side of the property; however, that area is now the site that the City will use for a business park, so there won't be any more residential development in that area. Steve added that the property was dedicated prior to the revision of the Park Land Dedication Ordinance that enacted the development fee requirement, so there were no funds dedicated to Park Zone 9. (Currently Park Zone 9 has a balance of $0.) There are currently houses under construction in Woodland Hills, and the subsequent phase of development to the northeast (Spring Meadows). Steve introduced Frank Thurmound, who is the President of the Woodland Hills Homeowner's Association. The Association is trying to get a park developed in that area. He added that he had sent out a questionnaire to residents of Woodland Hills soliciting feedback on the amenities that they would like to see for a park (refer to request and tally sheet). Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Page 4 of 7 The Board discussed three (3) funding options: the bond program, park land dedication funds, and the annual budget process. Steve stated that the Department would need to review the request from a planning standpoint, working with the Homeowner's Association, figuring out what would be feasible, and coming up with a conceptual plan for a park. He added that it would need to be made clear that there is no funding for a park at this point. Spencer Thompson stated that the park land has been dedicated for the Spring Meadows development; however, there is still a development fee requirement in order to file the plat. It was estimated that the development fee would generate approximately $27,000. Mr. Thurmand asked if the Board would consider development of a minimal park facility in its budget planning process. After some discussion, the Board was in consensus on considering the request as part of their Fiscal Year 2004 Goals and Objectives (Board Goal #4). No official action was taken on this item. 9. Report, discussion, and possible action concerning conceptual plans for the Lincoln Center expansion and W.A. Tarrow park addition project (Board Goal #8): Eric P. stated that earlier in the year, Parks staff and the Board worked closely to revise the W.A. Tarrow Park Corridor Master Plan. The revised plan was approved by the City Council, and they also approved significant funding from Community Development Block Grant funds for additions to the Lincoln Recreation Center during the Fiscal Year 2004 budget process. Eric discussed the approved additions: • Approximately 3,700 square feet will be added to the game room, which will almost double the size of the Center. • A corner office will be constructed, surrounded by glass so that the entire addition can be monitored from that office. • Additional restrooms, dressing rooms, a small laundry area, and a fitness room will be constructed. Eric stated that part of the approved Master Plan included the construction of a multi- purpose pavilion as well as additional parking. Staff is proposing to construct a new parking lot that Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Page 5 of 7 will be accessed from Eleonor Street so that there will be two (2) entrances to the main parking lot. Also, existing paving will be re- striped to add additional parking spaces. This item was a report only, and no official action was taken. 10. Report, discussion, and possible action concerning the Capital Improvement Program: • Park Land Dedication Project List N Eric P. stated that an initial concept for Woodway Park would be presented to the Board in January 2004. Steve B. stated that the lights at Bee Creek Park have been removed and placed in storage. The contractor has until February 1, 2004, to install the new lights. • Current Capital Improvement Project List N There was no discussion on this topic. • November 2003 Bond Election Projects N Steve B. stated that the City Council is trying to determine an implementation schedule for the new Capital Improvement projects. The Council will be reviewing three (3) alternates during their meeting on December 18, 2003, and will be trying to allocate the approved funds over a six -year period, not to exceed $8 million in any one of those years to stay within the existing tax rate. The Board discussed scheduling of the development of the second phase of Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. After some discussion, Glenn S. made a motion that the Board recommend to the City Council that the 1) [Veterans Park and Athletic Complex, Phase II development] project be done sooner than later; 2) development be bid as a single project with the thought process that the bonds could be allocated and dedicated over a multiple year period; and 3) design begin in 2005, and construction begin in 2006 and 2007. Larry F. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion passed unanimously. 11. Review, discussion, and possible action concerning Board and Departmental Goals and Objectives, and City Council Strategic Plan: Glen D. asked what the Board could do to help Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Page 6 of 7 facilitate some of their goals. Steve B. responded that he is in the process of assigning some of the goals to Park staff as their personal goals for Fiscal Year 2004. Councilman John Happ thanked the Board and Park staff for the tremendous job that they do. Councilman Happ informed the Board that the Council and City Manager have met with the College Station Independent School District (CSISD) and are looking into ways to benefit the school system and the parks (i.e. allowing citizens to use school playgrounds during the weekends, and allowing students to use the parks and pavilions during school days). This was a report only, and no official action was taken on this item. 12. Discussion of calendar, next meeting dates, and possible agenda items: Calendar and next meeting dates: • Regular Meeting N The next Regular Meeting of the Board will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., at the P. David Romei Arts Center (2275 Dartmouth in College Station). • Park Naming Subcommittee N The next meeting of the Subcommittee will be held on Friday, January 9, 2003, at noon, at the Central Park Conference Room. Possible agenda items: • Soccer Field Use Policy • Update on Board Goals and Objectives • Park Naming Subcommittee report • Discussion of the new Elementary School site 13. Adjourn: Glenn S. made a motion to adjourn. Jodi W. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Page 7 of 7 MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS February 5, 2004 7. Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Replat for the Randall's University Park Lot 3 consisting of 2 lots on 6 acres generally located at 505 Chimney Hill Driive. (03 -202) Graduate Civil Engineer Thompson presented the Staff Report. Mr. Thompson explained that the replat was denied by the Commission at their November 6, 2003 meeting because the applicant failed to meet the recommendations of the Parks Board in providing a pedestrian access easement to the adjoining park. With this replat, the applicant proposes a park access through Lot 3R -2. This proposal is in compliance and has met the approval of the Parks Board. Chairman Shafer opened the public hearing. Nancy Berry, 202 Lampwick Circle, and Julie Wattenberg, 442 Chimney Hill spoke in opposition to the replat, stating that the Homeowners Association prefers not to have access to the park from Chimney Hill. Chairman Shafer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Davis motioned to approve the replat, stating that the future of the City is to be considered as well as the attempt of the Parks Board in making accessible to all the citizen of College Station an amenity that is currently not accessible. Commissioner Trapani seconded the motion, explaining that the Commission is charged with looking at the needs and good of the City in its entirety. He added that this is a public park and should be accessible and obtained now for all citizens. Chairman Shafer concurred, stating that access is important. He called the question. . The motion to approve the replat was approved unanimously 5- 0. FOR: Shafer, Trapani, Davis, Reynolds and Hall. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: Williams and White.