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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutesrILE C01 MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS May 3, 2001 AGENDA ITEM N0.6: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Conditional Use Permit for Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 220 Rock Prairie Road. (00-63) Staff Planner Jimmerson presented the Staff Report and began by stating that Staff recommends approval with Staff Review Comments. In May 2000, the Commission approved the original site plan for the Conditional Use Permit. Generally, minor modifications of the site plan are approved at the Staff level. However, because a standard berm is generally 3 feet in height and the proposed berm is 6 feet in height, in a visible location, and covers a significant amount of square footage, Staff determined this would not be considered a minor modification to the site. The proposed berm does not displace any required landscaping, interfere with any easements, or block the visibility triangle of the driveway. The berm does a complete job at screening the parking area. Commissioner Floyd asked if the berm was already built 6 feet high. Ms. Jimmerson stated that it is. Commissioner Happ asked clarification of the landscaping comment. Ms. Jimmerson explained that the landscaping that was approved for the site last year is not in this location. Some screening shrubbery that was proposed previously still has ample room to be placed. Chairman Mooney asked if the berm was considered after realizing it would be too costly to remove the dirt. Ms. Jimmerson deferred to the applicant. Commissioner Floyd asked if the City has looked at the potential impact of the runoff from this 6-foot high berm onto the surrounding roadways and if the adjoining property owners were notified. Ms. Jimmerson stated that an engineering review has been made and no problem is expected according to the engineering standards. She indicated that the adjoining property owners were notified. Gayle Schmidt, 2005 Nueces, the applicant, stated that the 6-foot berm was not planned originally but does provide a visual barrier for the entrance and exit of the main building and as a noise barrier against the railroad tracks. She explained that there is landscaping planned for the area including hydro mulching, seeding, and irrigation. The berm also helps to prevent children from running out into the roadway while they are in the parking lot. Chairman Mooney opened the public hearing. Chairman Mooney closed the public hearing. Commissioner Horlen motioned to approve and was seconded by Commissioner Williams. The motion carried 6-0. MINUTE S Planning and Zoning Commission CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS May 3, 2001 7:00 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Floyd, Mooney, Happ, Harris, Horlen, and Williams. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Warren. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilman Marriott. STAFF PRESENT: Staff Planners Jimmerson and Reeves, Assistant City Engineer Mayo, Graduate Engineer Thompson, Assistant City Attorney Nemcik, Senior Planner Kuenzel, Assistant Development Review Manager George, and Staff Assistant Hazlett. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Hear visitors Benito Flores-Meath, 901 Val Verde Drive encouraged the Commission to attend a Historic Preservation Committee Meeting. AGENDA ITEM N0.2: Public Comment for the Record None. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Consent Agenda The following items were approved by common consent. 3.1 Approved the minutes from the Workshop Meeting held on March 15, 2001. 3.2 Approved the minutes from the Regular Meeting held on March 15, 2001. 3.3 Approved the minutes from the Regular Meting held on April 5, 2001. 3.4 Approved a Preliminary Plat for Schaffer Addition located at 1201 Graham Road consisting of sixteen R-21ots on 4.76 acres. (01-86) P&Z Minutes May 3, 2001 Page 1 of 4 AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on a Conditional Use Permit for Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 220 Rock Prairie Road. (00-63) Staff Planner Jimmerson presented the Staff Report and began by stating that Staff recommends approval with Staff Review Comments. In May 2000, the Commission approved the original site plan for the Conditional Use Permit. Generally, minor modifications of the site plan are approved at the Staff level. However, because a standard berm is generally 3 feet in height and the proposed berm is 6 feet in height, in a visible location, and covers a significant amount of square footage, Staff determined this would not be considered a minor modification to the site. The proposed berm does not displace any required landscaping, interfere with any easements, or block the visibility triangle of the driveway. The berm does a complete job at screening the parking area. Commissioner Floyd asked if the berm was already built 6 feet high. Ms. Jimmerson stated that it is. Commissioner Happ asked clarification of the landscaping comment. Ms. Jimmerson explained that the landscaping that was approved for the site last year is not in this location. Some screening shrubbery that was proposed previously still has ample room to be placed. Chairman Mooney asked if the berm was considered after realizing it would be too costly to remove the dirt. Ms. Jimmerson deferred to the applicant. Commissioner Floyd asked if the City has looked at the potential impact of the runoff from this 6-foot high berm onto the surrounding roadways and if the adjoining property owners were notified. Ms. Jimmerson stated that an engineering review has been made and no problem is expected according to the engineering standards. She indicated that the adjoining property owners were notified. Gayle Schmidt, 2005 Nueces, the applicant, stated that the 6-foot berm was not planned originally but does provide a visual barrier for the entrance and exit of the main building and as a noise barrier against the railroad tracks. She explained that there is landscaping planned for the area including hydro mulching, seeding, and irrigation. The berm also helps to prevent children from running out into the roadway while they are in the parking lot. Chairman Mooney opened the public hearing. Chairman Mooney closed the public hearing. Commissioner Horlen motioned to approve and was seconded by Commissioner Williams. The motion carried 6-0. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Presentation and Discussion of the Greenways Program. Judy Downs, Greenways Program Manager, made the presentation. The City's Greenways Master Plan was adopted in 1988. A bond issue to purchase geenways was passed in that same year. She explained that tonight's presentation addresses Strategic Plan Vision Statement #4, which is Connectivity between Greenways and Parks. She indicated that the City is currently in the process of trying to purchase greenway property located off of Graham Road in the Sun Meadows Subdivision. Pc~Z Minutes May 3, 2001 Page 3 of 4 Additionally, Ms. Downs stated that we are currently proposing ab~ easements, currently owned by the City. She has estimated that thet dedications, either on the Master Development Plan or the Preliminar• not be received until the final platting process. There are 224 acres t place the recreational trail in. Other upcoming projects are A&M Cl bypass at Highway 6 and property being negotiated at the entrance to tl is also a piece of property that the Parks Department is working on adja by the City. We hope that the new Unified Development Code will issues, particularly the drainage ordinance, subdivision ordinance, ar would like to develop a standard Greenways Conservation Easement. S Station is number three in the nation having the highest proportion of I school. Grant applications for T-21 funds are due on June 18, 2001 resolution is due to City Council this month. The Bike Loop Green scheduled for June 23, 2001 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We hope to have a Creek Park where there will be planned festivities. The Mayor and Cit participate as well. zt 165 acres in conservation are 86 acres in development Plan. Actual dedication will at are upcoming and hope to rch pond property off of the Raintree Subdivision. There ant to property already owned idress some of the greenway . the zoning ordinance. We e reported that Bryan/College ;ople riding a bike to work or It's an 80/20% funding. A ray Demonstration Project is ke ride from City Hall to Bee Council have been invited to Commissioner Happ asked if there are stipulations on the bond money use. Ms. Downs explained that it is to be used for acquisition of floodplain and greenways. The grant money can be used for the bikeway. Commissioner Floyd asked Ms. Downs to define when it is considered a greenway as opposed to an attractive nuisance. Ms. Downs explained that the concept is conservation and the idea is to preserve the 100-year floodplain in its natural state. This has to do with flooding, wildlife migration, connection, and the repairing buffer acting as a sponge that cleans storm water pollutants. Studies show that property values rise when there is a greenway associated with them. There are many economic benefits in many different ways. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Discussion of future agenda items. None. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Adjourn. Commissioner Hams motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Happ seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. ATTEST: Staff Assistant, Susan Hazlett APPROVED: Chairman, Karl Mooney P&Z Minutes May 3, 2001 Page 4 of 4