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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/1980 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionMINUTES CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS • PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING August 7, 1980 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Maher; Commissioners Bailey, Gardner, Watson, Sears; City Council Liaison Kelly. MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Hazen, Behling. STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning Mayo, Zoning Official Callaway, Planning Assistant Longley. AGENDA ITEM N0. 1 -- Approval of minutes - meeting of July 30, 1980. Commissioner Sears moved that the minutes be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 2 -- Hear visitors. No one spoke. AGENDA ITEM N0. 3 -- Reconsideration of a request to rezone Lot 28, Block 1 of • the Richards Addition from Single Family District R-1 to Administrative/Profes- sional District A-P. The application is in the name of Mr. Jeff Parker. Mn. Mayo pointed out that within 1500 feet of this property on Texas Avenue, there are 21 acres of vacant property, zoned commercial and ready for develop- ment. He suggested that with this much vacant property on which the project proposed by the appliance could now be built, it would be unwise to "spot zone" this tract for commercial uses. Mr. Jeff Parker, applicant, stated that the future of the neighborhood in question was in commercial development, not residential. He said that his proposed project would bring in more property taxes and that it would benefiit the people in the area more than a vacant lot would. Commissioner Watson asked Mr. Parker if he had discussed the project with the res- idents of the area. Mr. Parker said that he had not done this. Commissioner Watson suggested that the item be tabled so that Mr. Parker could meet with the area residents. Commissioner Gardner asked Mr. Parker to explain his proposed development. Mr. Parker said that he would build an office building which would have its park- . ing located underneath a two story building. He added that berms would be built around the parking. level so that the structure would have the appearance of a single story building. He said that the building would offer about 5,000 square feet of lease space. MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission August 7, 1980 7:00 P.M. Page 2 Commissioner Gardner suggested that the necessity of placing the parking Under the • building indicated that the lot was too small for the intended uae and that this should be considered in the zoning. He added that the Commission should not base their decisions on whether or not the project would be a tax producer. He pointed out that, if the facility were needed, it will be built somewhere else, if not on this tract. He pointed out that the other three lots in this addition facing Texas Avenue had established single family homes on them and asked the Commission what was wrong with a vacant lot on Texas Avenue. Mr. Parker suggested that as long as the property remained R-1, it would stay vacant. Commissioner Watson stated that the vacant lot was unattractive and that he would like to see the lot used in some way. He said, however, he did not want to see the lot developed in a way that would be unsuitable to the area and its residents and he suggested again that the request be tabled so that the applicant could meet with the residents. Mr. Curly Green, Richards Street, spoke in opposition to the request. He said that the residents were opposed to any commercial use of the lot. He said that there were plenty of other places where the development could be built. Commissioner Watson asked Mr. Green if the area residents would be willing to talk to Mr. Parker about the project. Mr. Green said that they would. • Mr. Jack DeMuynck stated that he was representing the owner of the lot and was speaking in favor of the rezoning. He pointed out that there were only 19 single family houses on Texas Avenue and that all but two of these were more than 20 years old. He said that the project would increase the taxes paid 100 times. He said that he understood the residents concerns, but that the would be better off with the proposed project than with a vacant lot. Commissioner Watson moved that the item be tabled to allow Mr. Parker to meet with the area residents. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sears. Commissioner Gardner said that there was no reason to table the request. He said that the area residents should not be penalized because no one had chosen to build a house on the lot in question. He urged the Commission to reaffirm their action to recommend denial. The motion to table failed by the following vote: For: Commissioners Watson, Sears Against: Chariman Maher, Commissioners Bailey, Gardner. Commissioner Gardner moved that the Commission reaffirm their recommendation of denial. • The motion. was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and was approved by the following vote: MINUTES Page 3 Planning and Zoning Commission August 7, 1980 7:00 P.M. • For: Chairman Maher; Commissioners Bailey, Gardner Against: Commissioners Watson, Sears Commissioner Sears stated that he felt the applicant should be given a chance to talk with the residents. Chairman Maher pointed out that the applicant had had over a month to meet with the residents while the application process was going on. Councilman Kelly stated that the Council felt that they did not have enough infor- mation to make a decission since Mr. Parker had not made a presentation at the Commission meeting. He also said that the Council had asked Mr. Parker if he had met with the residents and that he had indicated that he had not done so. Commissioner Bailey pointed out that, if the applicant and the residents could reach and agreement before the Council considered the request, the Council could pass the rezoning over the recommendation of the Commission. AGENDA ITEM N0. 4 -- A public hearing on the question of rezoning the following two tracts: TRACT ONE: -- 26.81 acres located west of Pedernales Drive, 2000 feet south of F.M. 2 1 from A-0 to Apartment Building District R-5. TRACT TWO: -- 19.22 acres located west of Pedernales Drive and south of and adj- acent to Tract One from A-0 to Duplex District R-2. • The application is in the name of Southwood Valley, Inc. Mr. Mayo pointed out the locations of the tracts in question. He said that the plat of the property had been approved by the Commission at the July 30 meeting and he recommended approval of the request. Mr. W.D. Fitch stated that the economic situation had caused a demand for more four-plex and duplex lots. He stated that the request for rezoning the single family section of the development from A-0 to R-1 had been omitted by him and would be sent to the Commission as soon as possible. Mr. Fitch added that he would build a screen fence between the single family lots and the duplex lots, even though this was not required by ordinance. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Sears moved that the Commission recommend approval of the rezoning. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watson and unanimously approved. AGENDA. ITEM N0. 5 -- A public hearing on the question of rezoning a 106,007 square foot tract located at the north end of Meadowland Street from General Commercial District C-1 and Apartment District R- to Apartment District R-5. The application is in the name of Home Finder Realty, Joe R. Fulton, Agent. • Mr. Mayo showed the location of the tract and explained the proposed four-plex project to be located there. He stated that the applicants had worked closely with the staff to solve problems on the tract and he recommended approval. MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission August 7, 1880 7:00 P.M. Page 4 • Commissioner Gardner asked if the project would include the extension of Pleadowland Street to the University street on the north end of the property. Mr. Mayo said that the project would include this street extension. The public hearing was opended. Mr. Joe Ferrari stated that he owned property in the area of the request and that he had no opposition to the rezoning or the proposed project. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Watson moved that the Commission recommend approval of the request. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sears and unanimously approved. Commissioner Sears stated that he felt the proposed project and zoning would be a better use of the land than if it was developed as it is now zoned. AGENDA ITEM NO 6 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat - North Park Addition located at the north end of Meadowland Street. Mr. Mayo presented the revised plat which included changes worked out between the applicant and the City staff. He recommended approval. He noted that the proposed four-plex project would have an overall density of less that 24 dwelling units per acre which was well within the zoning. • Commissioner Sears moved that the plat be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM NO 7 -- Reconsideration of a preliminary plat - Southwood Terrace 3• Mr. Mayo advised that the staff was still meeting with the developer; Mr. Fitch, to work out the final location of Research Road and asked that the plat be tabled until the next Commission meeting. Commissioner Watson moved that the plat be tabled. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 8 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat - Southwood Valley 14. Mr. Mayo explained tha proposed subdivision. He advised that the developer might make some revisions to the plat in the future in the area of the large lots shown on Deacon Drive and the extension of Southwood Drive. Mr. W.D. Fitch spoke and stated that there were now 300 homes on the east and north sides of the school site shown on the plat. He suggested that the street extensions shown would tie these areas together and provide better access to the school tract. • Commissioner Watson moved that the plat be approved. MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission August 7, 1980 7:00 P.M. Page 5 • The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sears. Commissioner Bailey noted that approval of the plat would require a variance to the maximum street length in the case of San Filipe Drive. Commissioner Watson asked that this variance be made a part of his motion. Commissioner Sears accepted the addition. The motion to approve was unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 9 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat - Foxfire 3• Mr. Mayo advised that the plat was being resubmitted because the one year dead- line on preliminary plat had run out. He stated that this plat was identical to the plat approved by the Commission one year ago. Commissioner Gardner asked if the. motion to approve the plat should include the statement that the plat was approved with streets built to less than City stand- ards. He noted that the reason the subdivision had not been annexed was that the streets were substandard. He also asked if the location where Frost Drive crossed the creek would be a low-water crossing. Mr. Mayo explained that the Subdivision Ordinance allowed the City to require City standard streets in E.T.J. subdivisions but the City had not chosen to do • so in this case. He said that it was the opinion of the City Engineer that the streets in Phase One and Two of the addition did not even meet County standards. Mr. Mark Paulson, surveyor, stated that two 48 inch pipes were planned for the crossing of Frost Drive over the creek so that there would be no low-water cros- sing. Commissioner Gardner moved that the plat be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 10 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat - Kirkpatrick Addition. Mr. Mayo explained that the plat was necessary for Mr. Kirkpatrick's son to get a building permit to construct a house on Lot 1. Commissioner Gardner pointe~~ out that there was no public access to the property. Mr. Mayo advised that the propert was served by a 40 foot access easement which had been in the indicated location for several years. Commissioner Gardner stated that he did not think that this easement represented public access and this is why he would vote against the plat. Mr. Don Garrett, surveyor, explained that Mr. Kirkpatrick did. not with to build a street. He said that Mr. Kirkpatrick only wanted to build a house on the lot and • transfer owner ship to his son. Commissioner Bailey moved that the plat be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watson and approved with Commissioner MINUTES Planning and .Zoning Commission August 7, 1980 7:00 P.M. Gardner voting against the motion. Page 6 AGENDA ITEM N0. 11 -- Consideration of a final plat - Resubdivision of Block 2 of the K.F.O. Addition Phase 2. Mr. Mayo explained that this was really a correction plat which corrected minor mistakes in the survey of the property lines of the subdivision. He advised that the plat should be titled "Correction Plat". Commissioner Watson moved that the plat be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 12 -- Consideration of a final plat - Vacating and Resubdividing Lots 53, 59, 64, 65 and Parts of Lots 58, 60, 63 ~ 66 of the Richards Addition. Mr. Mayo explained that the six lots in Block One were over the density allowed in Single Family districts and that one of the lots would have to be eliminated. He added that he had not had a chance to discuss the problem with the developer and suggeeted that the Commiss~i:on might table the plat until some agreement could be discussed. Commissioner Gardner asked if the minumum lot size of 50 feet by 100 feet did not apply. • Mr. Mayo explained that the minimun lot .sizes would not allow an entire sub- division to be built with lots of minumum size. He pointed out that an entire acre of 50 by 100 foot lots would far exceed the allowable density of six units per acre. Commissioner Watson moved that the plat be tabled. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bailey and approved with Commissioner Gardner voting against. AGENDA ITEM N0. 13 -- Discussion of expansion of residential land uses. Mr. Mayo outlined several problems in the residential sections of the Zoning Ordinance. He pointed out that there was no provision for individual sale of separate duplex units. He stated that many people who could no longer afford a single family house were interested in one unit of a duplex. Mr. Mayo pointed out the following additional problems: - The Ordinance made no provision fora mobile home subdivision - There is no provision fora trailer park providing temporary residency - There was no provision for small-lot subdivisions or lot line construction. Mr. Mayo suggested that a subcommittee be appointed to study the question. Chairman D1aher appointed appointed the following subcommittee: • Commissioner Gardner - Chairman Chairman Maher Commissioner Sears MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission August 7, 1880 7:00 P.M. • AGENDA ITEM N0. 14 -- Other business. Page 7 The Commission set August 20 at 3:00 P.M. for the next workshop session on Plan - 2000. The Commission also set a meeting of the subcommittee to study revisons to the residential sections of the Zoning Ordinance for August 11 at 3:00 P.M. Chariman Maher advised the Commission that he had met with Mayor Halter and discussed a joint meeting between the Commission and the City Council. He said that the Mayor indicated that the meeting would probably be held in September. Commissioner Gardner asked that, at the next Plan - 2000 workshop some outline be given of how the next plan would compare with the old plan. The Commission discussed the Capital Improvement Program. Mr. ~1ayo said that the Planning Department would propose a city-wide sidewalk system, improvements to the bicycle system and the establishment of a mass transit system. Commissioner Gardner asked if the PAZ would play a part in the C.I.P. process. Mr. Mayo explained the C.I.P. process and emphasized that all projects would come before the PAZ for final approval after approval by the City Manager's office. • AGENDA ITEM N0. 15 -- Adjourn. Commissioner Bailey moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sears and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M. APPROVED C- e Chairman Attest Secretary r ~ U