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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/1980 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionMINUTES CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS • Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting May 15, 1980 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman. Maher; Commissioners Gardner, Watson, Hazen, Sears, Behling; City Council Liaison Ringer MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Bailey STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning Mayo, Zoning Official Callaway, City Engineer Ash, Planning Assistant Longley, Traffic Engineer Black, Community Development Planner Kee- AGENDA ITEM N0. ~ -- Approval of minutes - meetingof May 1, 1980. Commissioner Gardner pointed out that on item No.8 in the second motion, his vote and that of Commissioner Hazen should be switched. Commissioner Ringer stated that Councilman Jones should be show as substituting for him as Council Liaison ati the meeting. Commissioner Watson pointed. out that he wished to be recorded as voting against a motion to table in Item No. 5. • Commissioner Sears moved that the minutes be approved as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watson and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 2 -- Hear visitors. No one spoke. AGENDA ITEM N0. 3 -- A public hearing on the question of adopting an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance No. 850 revising the Site Plan Permit process for multi-family residential developments. P4r. Mayo explained the purpose and intent of the proposed ordinance. The public ;hearing was opened. No one spoke The public hearing was closed. Mr. Mayo explained that the ordinance would do two things: 1. Eliminate the public hearing phase of apartment site plan permit approval. 2. Allow projects of 8 units or less to be approved by the P.R.C. only, unless • forwarded to the P&Z by the P.R.C. or the developer. MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission May 15, 1980 7:00 P.M. Page 2 • Mr. Mayo pointed out that, given the present economic situation, the delay caused by requiring a public hearing to build an apartment on apartment zoned land was creating a great .hardship for developers and real estate persons. He added that the site plan permit was no longer a Conditional Use Permit proceedure. He also explained that four-plex and eight-plex units were very limited in their site pla layout and that bringing each four-plex before the commission was not necessary. Commissioner Hazen expressed concern over the lack of notice to effected property owners and residents in the area of proposed projects. n Mr. Mayo suggested that property zoned for apartments could be expected to be developed as apartments and that most people tryed to make themselves aware of the zoning in an area before they purchased property. Commissioner Sears .pointed out that the commission, if if felt there was a problem could table the request and call for a full public hearing. Commissioner Watson moved that the Commission recommend approval of the proposed ordinance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gardner and approved with Commissioner Hazen voting against. Commissioner. Hazen ,stated that she did not feel enough study had been given to the effect of the ordinance.- • AGENDA ITEM N0. 4 -- Reconsideration of a request for a Site Plan Permit to con- struct a multi-family residential project on the southwest corner of the inter- section of Nagle Street and Cherry Street. The application being in the name of Rar~in Nalenn_ Mr. Mayo explained that changes had been made to the plan as per the recommendations of the P.R.C. Commissioner Behling moved that the item b e taken off the table. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watson and unanimously approved. Commissioner Sears moved that the plan be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Behling and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 5 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat for a regional mall to be located at the intersection of Highway 30 and the East Bypass. Mr. Mayo explained the plat and recommended that it be approved with the following additions and/or changes: 1. Show the right-of-way for holleman Drive on the final plat. 2. Remove the existing utility easements and place a note on the final plat grant- . ing a blanket utility easement. 3. An access easement would need to be shown for each of the parcels. MINUTES Page 3 Planning and Zoning Commission May 15, 1980 7:00 P.M. • Commissioner Sears moved that the plat be approved with the three conditions outlined by Mr. Mayo. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watson and unanimoud.ly approved. _AGENDA ITEM N0. 6 -- Consideration of a parking lot layout for a regional mall to be located at the intersection of Highway 30 and the East Bypass. Mr. Mayo went over what had been discussed in the workshop session held on the previous day. He pointed out fire lane locations and locations of extra interioi islands which the developer had agreed to build. Mr. Don Vandergriffe of C.B.L. & Associates, presented a site plan, a model and several renderings of the proposed mall and offered to answer questions of the Com?niss Tones . Commissioner Gardner questioned whether or not adequate parking spaces had been provided. He cited the statement of the developers that the mall would employ over 2,000 people and that the number of spaces provided would not satisfy the requirements of the ordinance of one space per 200 square feet plus 1 space per 2 employees. Mr. Mayo pointed out that the spaces provided would satisfy the requirement of one space per 200 square feet and that this was what was required in most cities. He added that other ordinances did not require additional spaces for employees because this number was very difficult to establish. He also stated that the • staff was considering an amendment which would remove the employee space re- Mr. Mayo pointed out that the project was providing far more landscaping than any other project in town ever had and that nearly 20% of the site was landscaped. He also said that it had been the intent of the committee that had written the Landscape-Parking Ordinance that its requirements be flexible and allow a devel- oper to propose alternatives. He stated that he felt the proposed plan more than met the intent of the ordianance. quirement from the City ordianance. He added that the plan might have to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a variance to the parking requirement. Commissioner Gardner stated that the requirements of the Landscape-Parking Ord- inance should be stricltly enforced and that the site plan had not met these requirements. Commissioner Watson stated that the Commission had allways interpreted the re- quirements of the Landscape Ordinance as guidelines and had allowed latitude in its application. Commissioner Gardner suggested that additional tree plantings were needed in the interior of the parking lot and presented a proposed alternate site plan showing additional interior islands and plantings. Mr. Ash spoke to the question of number and location of curb cuts shown on the plan. He stated that a staff study had indicated that the curb cut on Highway • 30 nearest the intersection with the East Bypass was not needed and should be eliminated. MINUTES Page 4 Palnning and Zoning Commission May 15, 1980 7:00 P.M. r 1 LJ Mr. Vandergriffe agreed that this curb cut would be eliminated. Following a lengthy discussion, Mr. Vandergriffe suggested that the additional traffic breaks which had been discussed in the workshop be built as raised and landscaped islands rather that wheelstops. Mr. Mayo suggested that the plan be approved with the following conditions: 1. That fire lanes be provided as required by the Fire Marshall. 2. Add raised planted medians as per the plan worked out at the workshop. 3. Eliminate .the curb cut on Highway 30 nearest the East Bypass. Commissioner. Behling moved that the plan be appr^ved with the conditions as stated by the staff. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watson and approved by the following vote: For: Commissioners Sears, Watson, Behling Against: Chairman Maher, Commissioner Gardner • Abstaining: Commissioner Hazen Commissioner Hazen stated that she had abstained because she felt there had not been adequate assurance that the additional islands would be built as raise, landscaped medians. AGENDA ITEM NO 7 -- Consideration of a master preliminary plat - University Industrial Center. Mr. Mayo showed the location of the property and explained that Oceanography International Corporation planned to build a facility on the tract. Commissioner Watson moved that the plat be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sears and unanimously approved. AGNEDA ITEM NO 8 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat - University Industrial Center. Mr. Mayo explained that County Commissioner Cooley had advised that the right-of- way of Graham Road had been dedicated as a 60 foot right-of-way plus 16 foot utility easements on each side. Commissioner Gardner moved that the plat be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hazen and unanimously approved. • MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission May 15, 1980 7:00 P.M. Page 5 • AGENDA ITEM NO 9 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat -- Rampart Condominiums. i•Ir. Mayo explained the plat. Commissioner Gardner asked what the 1.ega1 status of the access easements was and how these easements could be terminated. Mr. Mayo advised that the only way the easements could be removed would be for the property to be replatted through the City. Commissioner Gardner suggested that the problems created by access easements such as ownership and maintenance should be discouraged. Commissioner Sears moved that the plat be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sears and approved with Commissioner Gardner voting against. _AGENDA ITEM N0 10 -- Consideration of a final plat -- Revision to Southwood Valley Section 21-B. Mr. Mayo explained that the plat was being revised to allow for rear access to the lots as had been approved by the Commission. He recommended that the easements be made to read "private access easements." • Mr. W.D. Fitch asked if the wording "private" would allow the owner of each lot to deny access to the owners of every other lot. He said that the easements were not intended to be public streets. ' '~ Mr. Mayo pointed out that the dedication note required on all plats, dedicated all streets, parks, easements, etc. to the public unless otherwise noted on the plat. Mr. Fitch suggested that maintenance of the easements be taken care of by a note on the plat. Commissioner Watson moved that the plat be approved with the condition that a suitable note be placed on the plat covering maintenance of the access easements. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sears and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM NO 11 -- Consideration of a preliminary plat - Southwood Valley Acrtinn 9(1_ Mr. Mayo explained the plat which platted a City park and a major street. Commissioner Gardner asked what agreement had been reached concerning the building of the major street. Mr. Ash stated that, at the time the City purchased the park, that the cost of the street would be shared on a 50% basis with Mr. Fitch. • Commissioner Watson moved that the plat be approved. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hazen and unanimously approved. MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission May 15, 1980 7:00 P.M. Page 6 • AGENDA ITEM N0. 12 -- Consideration of a final plat - Southwood Valley Section 13. Mr. Mayo explained that this was a plat of another City owned park. He also stated that the engineering staff had asked that the word"drainage" be removed from the 20 foot drainage and utility easement. Mr. Ash explained that the Director of Public services had asked that no more small drainage easements be accepted because they were impossible to maintain with existing equipement. Commissioner Behling moved that the plat be approve with the condition that the 20 foot drainage and utility easement be changed to a 20 foot utility easement only. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Watson and unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 13 -- Other business. Commissioner Hazen reported that the Commercial Ordinance Revision Committee had met and planned to continue to meet. She asked that Mr. Phil Springer be appointed to the Committee. Chairman Maher appointed Phil Springer to the committee. • Chairman Maher requested that the Annexation Subcommittee hold a meeting and make recommendations prior to the June 5 meeting on annexation of the Harvey Hillsides area. Chaiiman Maher suggested that an effort be made to be more definite on the require-. ments and interpretation of ordinances which the Commission was asked to enforce. Commissioner Sears suggested that thought be given to revising the parking and landscaping requirements, especially in the area of large shopping or commercial centers. Mr. John Culpepper asked the Commission what the final determination was on the construction of the additional islands required of the regional mall. He asked whether or not the islands were to be landscaped. The Commission advised Mr. Culpepper that the islands were to be raised and planted islands. The Commission asked Mr. Mayo to be sure that the developers of the mall understood this requirement. AGENDA ITEM N0. 14 -- Adjourn. Commissioner Watson moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sears and unanimously approved. • The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. • c: MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission May 15, 1980 7:00 P.M. Attest Secretary APPROVED Chairman Page 7