HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/02/2001 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning Commission (3)MINUTES
WORKSHOP
Planning and Zoning Commission
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
City Hall Training Room
August 2, 2001
7:00 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Mooney, Harris, Happ, McMath, Floyd,
Williams, and Trapani.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Hazen.
STAFF PRESENT: Development Services Director Callaway, City Planner
Kee, Development Review Manager Ruiz, Staff Planners
Jimmerson and Hitchcock, Senior Planner Battle,
Transportation Planner Fogle, Assistant City Engineer
Mayo, Graduate Engineer Thompson, Assistant City
Attorney Nemcik, and Staff Assistant Hazlett.
Chairman Mooney called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Discussion of Unified Development Code and Associated Issues.
Development Services Director Callaway announced that he plans to attend the August 9, 2001 City
Council Workshop to relay to the City Council the concerns and suggestions that the Commission
expressed with respect to having another all day joint workshop session prior to the release of the
public draft.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Discussion of Telecommunication Towers.
Chairman Mooney, as a matter of record, commended Burt Herman for contacting the owners of the
two towers on his property. A condition to remove the original, smaller tower was placed on the
Conditional Use Permit that approved the building of a second, larger tower. The original smaller
tower has been taken down and removed.
P &Z Workshop Minutes August2, 2001 Page 1 of 4
Commissioner Trapani expressed concern the information provided by the City's legal department does
not leave much room for those in opposition of telecommunication facilities. Assistant City Attorney
Nemcik stated that the FCC has preempted our ability to regulate most of the things that relate to
telecommunication towers. However, she explained that the Commission does have some authority to
foster co- location, regulate location, screening, noise, light and all the things that encompasses zoning.
She added that the reasons for denial must be in writing and must be based on tangible criteria, which
includes aesthetics, such as setbacks, fencing and additional screening, explaining that there are things
that can be done to mitigate the adverse aesthetic impact that one of these facilities creates. The
federal government is going to promote and foster wireless telecommunication facilities. She
continued by stating that the commission will have to decide if taller and less facilities are more
desirable than more, shorter towers.
Commissioner Floyd asked if a variance was required would the Commission have the authority to
approve that. Senior Planner Battle stated that the Commission does not have the authority to grant
variances. He pointed out the importance of the Commission communicating to the City Council what
is wanted for the city.
Assistant City Attorney Nemcik reminded the Commission that this item was tabled after the public
hearing during the last meeting on July 19, 2001. Therefore, there will not be a public hearing on this
item during the following regular meeting. However, Ms. Nemcik informed the Commission that they
can require information from the applicant.
Senior Planner Battle stated that the ordinance will have to adapt as the technology and laws that the
Commission does not control changes. In closing, Mr. Battle closed by stating that the ordinance
discourages proximity to residential areas.
Commissioner Happ expressed concern over the major impact on infrastructure the city has to provide
for these facilities should be researched.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3:
Presentation and Discussion of Council Vision Statements and
Implementation Plans
Vision #4 - Cultural Arts and Recreational Opportunities
Strategy #8 - Communication between the City Council,
Parks Board, and Planning and Zoning Commission
Development Services Director Callaway stated that this relates to the implementation plan found
under the heading of the City Council's fourth vision statement. It relates to the Cultural Arts and
Recreational Opportunities, Strategy #8, "To improve parks planning we will increase communication
between the CC, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Planning and Zoning Commission."
In summary, "Identify and coordinate key areas of interest for those two appointed boards and set goals
accordingly."
This implementation plan is being managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, but it very
clearly involves Development Services and the Planning and Zoning Commission. A Joint Workshop
meeting with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is scheduled to occur in September. The idea
for presenting this to the Commission tonight and at the next workshop is to prepare the Commission
for this workshop. Mr. Callaway continued by stating that there are currently no policies that speak
directly to issues raised by this plan regarding the coordination and communication between these two
boards and the City Council. He added that both boards have a number of goals and objectives. The
Planning and Zoning Commission's are expressed in the Comprehensive Plan and again in the Land
P &Z Workshop Minutes August2, 2001 Page 2 of 4
Use Plan. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board's goals and objectives are a more detailed plan
that takes what is in the City's Comprehensive Plan a step further in terms of the level of detail,
covering a broader range of parks related issues. What this strategy is about is to facilitate better the
communication between the two boards with the purpose being to improve parks planning. He pointed
out that the Commission does not have a lot to do with parks planning and the placement of parks and
stated that Staff wants them to be thinking about this and to be prepared to discuss these types of issues
at the joint workshop meeting in September. Better communication should be thought about in respect
to the development procedures. Each board understands their respective roles, but do not fully
understand each other's roles. Additionally, Mr. Callaway stated that he wasn't sure whether the Parks
Board understands their full authority in working with developers or with the role of the Planning and
Zoning Commission. This item will be placed on the next workshop agenda.
Commissioner Floyd stated that community parks has been a topic of discussion for the
Commissioners and suggested that they communicate to the City Council the areas that have been
targeted for such parks. Chairman Mooney added that the amount of property that is dedicated should
also show how much is developable and note the amount that the city is capable of maintaining for the
maximum use and enjoyment of the community. He suggested that a new development should be
required to make a certain amount of park dedication along with the next developer with adjacent
property in order to create a larger park in an area.
Commissioner Happ asked if an explanation and overview of the different types of parks can be part of
the September Parks Board and P &Z Joint Workshop. Mr. Callaway stated that this will be addressed
either at the joint meeting or at a prior workshop meeting.
Council Member Hazen stated that the Parks Board has a book available that will also help to answer
these questions.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Discussion of agenda items.
Chairman Mooney pointed out that the public meeting for the wireless telecommunication tower has
previously been heard. Therefore, no further comments will be allowed when this item is addressed
during the following regular meeting.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Subcommittee reports.
a. Wolf Pen Creek Oversight - No report
b. Neighborhood Plan - No report
C. Small Area Plan - City Planner Kee reported that this committee will meet tomorrow from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Minor and amending plats approved by Staff.
None.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Future agenda items.
Commissioner Floyd would like further discussion regarding the visions of the City Council and the
Planning and Zoning Commission.
P &Z Workshop Minutes August2, 2001 Page 3 of 4
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Adjourn.
Commissioner Happ motioned to adjourn the meeting and was seconded by Commissioner Trapani.
The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
Chairman, Rick Floyd
Staff Assistant Susan Hazlett
P &Z Workshop Minutes August, 2001 Page 4 of 4