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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/04/2001 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning Commission (2)MINUTES WORKSHOP Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM CITYMANAGER'S OFFICE 1101 Texas Avenue January 4, 2001 6:00 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Mooney, Floyd, Harris, Happ, Horlen, Williams, and Warren. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: Staff Planners Jimmerson, Reeves, and Hitchcock, Assistant City Engineer Mayo, Graduate Engineer Thompson, Assistant City Attorney Nemcik, Director of Development Services Callaway, City Planner Kee, Senior Planner Kuenzel, Development Review Manager Ruiz and Assistant Development Review Manager George, and Staff Assistant Hazlett. Chairman Mooney called the workshop meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Discussion of Unified Development Code and Associated Issues. Development Services Director Callaway reports that chapters were received and will be on the next workshop agenda for discussion and consideration. This item is a standing agenda item until further notice. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Consideration and Discussion of Protocol Issue, Report No. 00 -221. Chairman Mooney stated that this item will be heard during the Hear Visitors portion of the Regular Meeting tonight since this is not a scheduled public hearing. He asked Staff to place the item on the Regular Agenda for January 18, 2001. After discussion among the Commissioners on how to modify Report 00 -221, it was agreed that Items C, E and G were to be deleted. A joint meeting with the City Council to discuss alternative ways to improve the processing system of considering zoning requests and the process of the zoning requests in going forward to City Council was requested to be scheduled by Staff. Commissioner Horlen added P &Z Workshop Minutes January 4, 2001 Page I of 3 that one of the way suggested would be Item F and perhaps Item E. Chairman Mooney stated that the joint meeting might also include a discussion regarding the initiation of an amendment to the zoning ordinance. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Discussion of Agenda Items. Chairman Mooney pointed out that Item 2.4 on the Consent Agenda has been removed from tonight' s agenda and being rescheduled for the January 18, 2001 meeting. Staff Assistant Hazlett informed the Commissioners that a revised page 2 of the Staff Report for Agenda Item No. 2.8. has been placed at their places in Council Chambers. Development Review Manager Ruiz also reminded the Commission that Agenda Item No. 6 is a public hearing. Staff Assistant Hazlett stated that a new agenda reflecting the change has also been placed at their places in Council Chambers. Ms. Ruiz ensured the Commissioners that the posting requirements for this item have all been met. Commissioner Floyd stated that Agenda Item No. 2.2, Veteran's Park and Athletic Complex does not designate public access points. He asked if it will have the same application drive -way access as any other property, and if so, how many. Graduate Engineer Thompson, referring to the development plan stated that one access point is planned on State Highway 30 and another on State Highway 40. Commissioner Harris pointed out a correction on page 6, paragraph 2, December 7, 2000 meeting. Correction was noted and made. Commissioner Floyd also pointed out that the proper name for the City's 911 boxes is Knox Box. This was also noted and correction made. Commissioner Floyd questioned the placing of the building footprint on top of a city sewer easement as reflected on Agenda Item No. 4, Horse Haven Estates. Assistant City Engineer May stated that the applicant is proposing to relocate the footprint. Staff explained that this is a rezoning request before the Commission tonight. The footprint will be changed when the property is platted. Commissioner Floyd asked if there were engineer standards with the requirements for the placement of sewer lines, who is responsible for the expenses and the placement of the sewer lines. Assistant City Engineer Mayo stated that City's Water/Waste Water Division has already reviewed the plans. He added that the developer would be responsible for the expenses in the placement of the sewer lines by his contractor. Development Coordinator Ruiz stated that a building permit would not be issued until the casement issue is resolved. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Subcommittee Reports. • Wolf Pen Creek Oversight. No report. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Discussion of Possible Action re: Expanding the Notification Area. Commissioner Warren asked if the Neighborhood Associations are being consistently notified regarding rezonings. Commissioner Floyd suggested having a more liberalized rule for notification. He asked if Staff had information on the recommendation coming from the Code Consultants regarding this issue and how is the proposed language in the notification letter process similar or different from that of other liberal or conservative communities. Commissioner Warren encouraged Staff to research communities that are implementing the strategies that we are working toward in some ways, how they are managing P &Z Workshop Minutes January 4, 2001 Page 2 of 3 the process, what perimeters are being used, what is the cost of such a process, and can it be managed within the resources that we have. Development Services Director, Jim Callaway stated that cost is a factor. He explained that an attempt is made to notify all registered neighborhood associations when they may be impacted by a rezoning. He added that there were discussions regarding sending an agenda to all of the neighborhood associations, but feels that this can be very confusing for many. Current notification specifications mirror the state statute in regard to the 200' notification area. He assured the Commission that Staff will make certain the consultant' s recommendations stand out and are identifiable for them. Development Review Manager Ruiz added that in addition to direct mail notifications, legal notices are placed in the paper and public notice signs placed on the subject property. She also pointed out that they are posted on the internet, and occupants who are not the property owners but living in a house or apartment within the 200' notification area are sent post cards notifying them of the public hearing for the property as well. Commissioner Floyd suggested posting the notices on a board outside Council Chambers, which would be a simple, yet effective way to notify the public of the various items being considered, so the public will not assume there has been an attempt to slant the attendants at meetings. He encouraged the Staff to allow the Commission to be of assistance in acquiring needed information systems and the like through recommendations to City Council. He believes the community standard should be more liberal than the state statute requirements. Commissioner Warren reiterated that the information posted could also be used to include in the various neighborhood association newsletters which would also help get the word out about the meetings and items being considered. Mr. Callaway pointed out that this still would not reach everyone that may have an interest. Another point of confusion is that everything on the agenda is not a public hearing and does not have notices sent out. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Minor and Amending Plats Approved by Staff. None. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: None. Future Agenda Items. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Adjourn. Commissioner Harris motioned to adjourn the meeting and was seconded by Commissioner Warren. The motion carried 7 -0. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. APPROVED: Chairman, Karl Mooney ATTEST: Staff Assistant, Susan Hazlett P &Z Workshop Minutes January 4, 2001 Page 3 of 3