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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/2001 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning Commission (2)MINUTES WORKSHOP Planning and Zoning Commission CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE 1101 Texas Avenue March 1, 2001 6:00 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Mooney, Harris, Happ, Horlen, Warren, and Williams. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Floyd. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Winne Garner. STAFF PRESENT: Development Services Director Callaway, Economic Development Director Foutz, Assistant City Engineer Mayo, Senior Planner Kuenzel, Staff Planners Hitchcock, Reeves, and Jimmerson, Graduate Engineer Thompson, Assistant City Attorney Nemcik, Assistant Development Review Manager George, and Staff Assistant Hazlett. Commissioner Warren called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., as Chairman Mooney would be late. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Discussion and possible action of Unified Development Code and Associated Issues. Development Services Director Callaway provided each Commissioner with a draft of the remaining portion of the Unified Development Code. The document has been divided into portions for ease in reviewing. The Commissioners were asked to indicate any preferences to Mr. Callaway via e -mail by Monday. Commissioner Harris stated that he prefers the first group. Mr. Callaway will notify the Commissioners of their assigned groups as soon as possible. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Discussion concerning the City's Thoroughfare Plan and various development proposals in the area bound by Graham Road, Wellborn Road, Barron Road and State Highway 6. P &Z Workshop Minutes March 1, 2001 Page I of 4 Staff Planner Jimmerson offered background information regarding the subject area. She pointed out that the Bella Vista Maser Development Plan, one of the items on tonight's regular agenda, will require a decision regarding the final placement of the east/west collector. She added that City Council adopted the original location and plan in 1987 along with the Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, she explained that in previous years when a Master Development Plan or Thoroughfare Plan was modified through City Council action it was considered to be an amendment to the Land Use Plan or the Thoroughfare Plan. However, in recent years the Planning and Zoning Commission have been delegated these responsibilities regarding plats and Master Development Plans. Although the Planning and Zoning Commissioner do not have the authority to amend, they can approve the plats and by this action can affect the final layout of the streets for those areas. Ms. Jimmerson stated that it is not uncommon for there to be slight adjustments in the event there are some topography situations. In 1998 there was a Master Development Plan approved by the City Council for Westfield. The alignment was approved as part of that Master Development Plan which depicts an adjustment of the Thoroughfare Plan. Since the adjustment of the street still served the same function for the area, there is no concern on behalf of the city. The Staffs approval of the original adjustment was because it still preserved the integrity of the Ball Prairie Subdivision which is currently on a cul -de -sac and is an isolated neighborhood enjoyed by it's residents. Since then, two things happened: A discussion with TXDOT regarding the alignment with HWY 40. They have asked the city to consider moving the alignment farther back to fit in with some of their plans for the area. At this time TXDOT is planning to build two feeder roads. However, the feeder road will cross over and a portion of the feeder road will be two -way. Obviously, in the future, as the area develops, there will be a full feeder road on each side and eventually HWY 40 will be completed and there will be an off -ramp located in this area. With this in mind, we now have a road with several jogs in it. It may still serve the basic function but it is beginning to get away from its original plan of being a fairly straight thoroughfare. Commissioner Warren stated that today's trend seems to be curved linear designs for collectors streets within neighborhoods in order to safely move the traffic in those areas. Ms. Jimmerson stated that the Transportation Planner has worked with the alignment of this street before leaving the city. She indicated that she believed a curve, if done properly, would not impeded the traffic flow for the area. This would be a higher traffic load street than the basic residential street. TXDOT scrutinized many of the issues before opting to realign the connection to HWY 40 and classifies this as a minor collector. At present the property owner for Westfield is interested in the newer phases and there is an indication that a new development is being planned for the area and the developer wants to realign the street. Some discussions with the property owners about making this road straight are an issue that will come before the Commission in the near future. There are pros and cons of making it either way. Also, if a property owner of a specific piece of property doesn't develop their property, then the potential of the road only being partially constructed would not allow the full function of the road as was first intended. This information was to provide you with the situation of the area so that you are better able to make a decision on the Master Development Plan coming before the Commission later this evening. There will be a rezoning issue presented in conjunction with the Master Development Plan. Commissioner asked about the cul -de -sac in the Ball Prairie Subdivision. Ms. Jimmerson explained that it is an existing, sub - standard residential street, which was built while part of the ETJ. Commissioner Horlen asked what the arguments are for not building the street straight going through the neighborhood. Ms. Jimmerson stated that one of the reasons was the neighborhood integrity and there was neighborhood opposition to doing so. P &Z Workshop Minutes March 1, 2001 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Warren asked how many lots in the larger acreage of Ball Prairie are inhabited. Ms. Jimmerson stated that there are several homes built on some of the lots. Commissioner Warren was in favor of the curved road which she believe would help slow the traffic for the area since the road will be in an existing neighborhood and will be passing the proposed new elementary school. Ms. Jimmerson stated that a meeting with the neighborhood was held. They were adamant in keeping the road out of the neighborhood. Commissioner asked how emergency vehicles would enter the neighborhood. Ms. Jimmerson stated that it would have to enter farther down from the neighborhood. Commissioner Happ stated that he believes it would be premature to make the decision tonight He pointed out that a curve that close to an intersection is unsafe. There is some concern making the road straight as well, in that once the high school is built, that street will then become a thoroughfare through the neighborhood. Commissioner Warren stated that the residents of the neighborhood chose their lots and homes because of the design of the neighborhood. Commissioner Harris reiterated that the original plan is to go straight. Senior Planner Kuenzel added that the intent was to never have the alignment set in stone on a thoroughfare plan. Those alignments are set during the preliminary platting stage. Assistant City Engineer Mayo stated there is approximately 4300 feet between Graham Road on the north and Barron Road on the south. He also stated that you couldn't have an extension beyond Victoria to HWY 40. The proposed subdivision has a 60 -foot minor collector and you could possibly have a north /south collector there. There continued to be some discussion regarding the pros and cons of the shape and placement of the road. Ms. Jimmerson pointed out that if the Commission approves the Master Development Plan tonight, options regarding the placement and shape of the road would be limited. Any significant changes will need to go before the City Council as an amendment to the Thoroughfare Plan. It was noted that this situation would be a topic for further discussion as a workshop item and traffic management should be involved. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: None. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Discussion of Agenda Items. Subcommittee Reports. a. Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Chairman Mooney reported that the next meeting would be Monday, March 5, 2001. b. Neighborhood Plan Commissioner Williams reports that the 2 nd meeting will take place Monday, March 5 d ` and they will be discussing the process of the neighborhood plan. C. Small Area Plan - College Business Center Ms. Kuenzel stated that there is no report at this time. Jim Callaway stated the initial mapping of the area has been completed. P &Z Workshop Minutes March 1, 2001 Page 3 of 4 AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: • Chimney Hill villas • Rainbow Acres AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Minor and Amending Plats Approved by Staff. Future Agenda Items. The Commissioners reiterated the need for a discussion regarding the Thoroughfare Plan as discussed earlier as well as a discussion regarding standing chairpersons for each of the committees that the Commissioners currently serve on. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Adjourn. Commissioner Happ motioned to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Commissioner Williams. The motioned passed 6 -0 and the meeting adjourned. APPROVED: Chairman, Karl Mooney ATTEST: Staff Assistant, Susan Hazlett P &Z Workshop Minutes March 1, 2001 Page 4 of 4