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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/05/2004 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning Commission MINUTES Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday, August 5, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, College Station City Hall College Station ~ 1101 Texas Avenue Embracing the Past, Exploring the Future College Station, Texas COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Shafer, Fedora, Hooton, Nichols, and White. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Davis and Reynolds. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: John Happ. CITY STAFF PRESENT: Economic Development Director Foutz, City Planner Kee, Development Manger Ruiz, Assistant City Attorney Robinson, Senior Planner Fletcher, Transportation Planner Fogle, Graduate Civil Engineers Cotter and Thompson, Staff Planners Prochazka and Boyer, Planning Intern Brown, Action Center Representative Kelley, and Staff Assistant Hazlett. Chairman Shafer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1.Hear Citizen: No one spoke. 2. Consent Agenda. Commissioner White motioned to approve the consent agenda items. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. FOR: Shafer, White, and Fedora. AGAINST: Hooton and Nichols. ABSENT: Davis and Reynolds. 2.1 Approved by consent the minutes: July 15, 2004 Workshop Minutes  July 15, 2004 Regular Minutes  July 20, 2004 Special Meeting Minutes  Regular Agenda. 3. Consideration, discussion and possible action on request(s) for absence from meetings. Commissioner Nichols motioned to approve the absence requests. Commissioner Fedora seconded the motion, which carried 5-0. P&Z Minutes August 5, 2004 Page 1 of 5 4. Consideration, discussion, and possible action on items removed from the Consent Agenda by Commission action. None. 5. Consideration, discussion, and possible action on a Variance Request to section 8.O.1 of the Subdivision Regulations; and consideration, discussion, and possible action on a Preliminary Plat for the Griffin-Atlas Subdivision consisting of 1 lot on 1.667 acres, generally located along the west side of the State Highway 6 Feeder Road approximately 1300 feet south of the intersection of Greens Prairie Road and State Highway 6. (04-149) Graduate Civil Engineer Thompson presented the Staff Report, first stating that approval of the Preliminary Plat requires prior approval of the variance request. Mr. Thompson also stated that in order to provide fire flow capacity to the site, an additional waterline would have to be constructed. He reported that the applicant is platting to prepare the property for sale, which is currently developed with a metal structure that was erected in 1974. Additionally, the subject property shares a driveway with the adjacent property. Mr. Thompson stated that as the property develops the water will be extended. In closing, Mr. Thompson stated that the applicant has complied with the requirements of the preliminary plat and that Staff recommends approval of the request for a variance for fire flows and approval of the Preliminary Plat contingent on approval of the variance request. A brief discussion regarding fire department issues followed. The purchaser, Dan Griffin, 5003 Crystal Downs Court, requested a favorable decision of the Commission. He is moving his business to College Station and will use the building as it exists but eventually will remodel it and bring it into compliance with the code. Chuck Ellison, 2902 Camille Drive spoke on behalf of the purchaser, Mr. Grifiin. He pointed out that the subject property has been in existence long before it was taken into the City limits. He added that the property will be brought into compliance with the City’s Ordinances over time. After consideration of Section 5, “Variances,” of the Subdivision Regulations, the Commission’s findings are as follows: Section 5-A.1: That there are special circumstances or conditions affecting the land involved such that strict application of the provisions of this chapter will deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of his land; Section 5-A.2: That the variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant; Section 5-A.3: That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or injurious to other property in the area, or to the City in administering this chapter; and Section 5-A.4: That the granting of this variance will not have the effect of preventing the orderly subdivision of other land in the area in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Commissioner White motioned to approve the variance request because undue hardships will result from requiring strict compliance of the water-line ordinance. Commissioner Nichols seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. FOR: Shafer, Fedora, Hooton, Nichols, and White. AGAINST: None. P&Z Minutes August 5, 2004 Page 2 of 5 ABSENT: Davis and Reynolds. Commissioner Nichols motioned to approve the Preliminary Plat, which was seconded by Commissioner White. The motion carried 5-0. FOR: Shafer, Fedora, Hooton, Nichols, and White. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: Davis and Reynolds. 6.Public hearing, discussion, and possible action on an ordinance amending the thoroughfare element of the City of College Station’s Comprehensive Plan for the area bound by the Windwood Subdivision on the north, the Raintree Subdivision on the south, State Highway 6 on the west, and Carter Creek on the east. (04-165) Transportation Planner Fogle presented the staff report. Mr. Fogle gave a brief history of the subject area, provided a visual, and explained the proposal. He explained the details of a traffic study conducted by staff in order to identify potential impacts of the extension of Appomattox Drive. The minimal increase in traffic is justified because it provides a secondary access to the Windwood Subdivision as well as the newly developing residential area. Other benefits were pointed out. Mr. Fogle also reported on the various meetings with the residents and other alternatives to providing secondary access to the Windwood Subdivision. The residents are more concerned about cut-through traffic and the connection to a development that is not consistent with the style of Windwood. Staff recommends that Appomattox Drive remain on the plan as is currently shown, to connect Switch Station to Horse Haven. The alternatives spelled out in the East Bypass Plan were briefly pointed out. Joe Gattis, project engineer residing at 413 Walton, spoke in opposition to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. He explained that the applicant is planning to develop the eastern portion of the Lone Star Subdivision as a single-family residential development. In order to maximize the development potential, the applicant is proposing to remove the extension of Appomattox Drive from Switch Station Road to Horse Haven Lane from the Thoroughfare Plan. He displayed the plat to help explain the connection and show the 60 lots that are planned in the development. Chairman Shafer opened the public hearing. The following spoke in opposition to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Ron Griffin, 6421 Windwood, President, Windwood Neighborhood Association. He expressed three concerns: (1) Exposure to substantial traffic, (2) Conversion of rental property, (3) Egress. Diane Hurtado, 6407 Windwood Drive, Access & Egress Committee Chair, Windwood Neighborhood Association. Wilford Gardner, 6403 Windwood Drive, Treasure, Windwood Neighborhood Association. Joseph Byrme, 2608 Wingate, Vice President, Windwood Neighborhood Association. P&Z Minutes August 5, 2004 Page 3 of 5 A brief discussion regarding the need for two-way traffic on Switch Station Road ensued. Commissioner Fedora clarified that the Windwood Neighborhood Association supports the applicant in removing Appomattox Drive off the Thoroughfare Plan. Chairman Shafer closed the public hearing. Wilford Gardner and the remaining members of the association applauded the Development Services Staff for their negotiation and communication efforts during this process. Commissioners discussed the logistics of the city utilities department’s usage of Switch Station Road. Mr. Fogle stated that Switch Station Road could not be a one- way road because the intersection would have to be built in a way to preclude wrong way traffic from entering it. A brief discussion regarding when the Windwood Subdivision was platted followed. Chairman Shafer closed the public hearing. Mr. Fogle pointed out the Commission’s options. Commissioner Fedora motioned to remove Appomattox from the Thoroughfare Plan. Commissioner White seconded the motion. Commissioner Nichols expressed concern regarding access, mentioning bicycle and walking trails. He stated that this is part of a larger connectivity issue and by removing Appomattox from the thoroughfare plan at this time, the city would lose some leverage in seeing future plats coming forth. He would like to see the connectivity as well as two access points. He was in favor of leaving Appomattox on the Thoroughfare Plan as it is but encouraged further discussions with the staff and the three entities involved in order to create an alternative plan. He added that he did not want to see Horse Haven become isolated. Chairman Shafer agreed with Commissioner Nichol’s remarks and with the comments of the association members. He stated that the removal of Appomattox from the Thoroughfare Plan was a reasonable request as well as the issues surrounding Switch Station Road, which would provide connectivity and an additional egress. He also agreed that all involved parties should communicate further regarding an alternative plan. Commissioner White echoed the need for further discussion between all involved parties. Commissioner Hooton also agreed. Her primary concern was a safety issue and the need for an additional access point. Chairman Shafer called the question. The motion to remove Appomattox Drive from the Thoroughfare Plan failed by a vote of 3-2. FOR: Shafer and Fedora. AGAINST: White, Hooton and Nichols. ABSENT: Davis and Reynolds. Commissioner White motioned for the Commission to recommend that all impacted parties and city staff meet to arrive at a desired conclusion to the issues. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nichols. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0. FOR: Shafer, White, Hooton, Nichols, and Fedora. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: Davis and Reynolds. Commissioner Nichols further assured the citizens of the Commission’s concerns regarding the connectivity issues and would like to see them addressed. P&Z Minutes August 5, 2004 Page 4 of 5 7. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items – A Planning and Zoning Member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. Commissioner Nichols requested a workshop meeting to discuss strategic/priority items for the Planning and Zoning Commission this year. 8. Adjourn. Commissioner Nichols motioned to adjourn, which was seconded by Commissioner White. The motion carried 5-0. FOR: Shafer, Fedora, Hooton, Nichols, and White. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: Davis and Reynolds. Approved: ______________________________________ Scott Shafer, Chairman Planning and Zoning Commission Attest: ______________________________________ Susan Hazlett, Staff Assistant Development Services P&Z Minutes August 5, 2004 Page 5 of 5