HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/04/2022 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionAugust 4, 2022 P&Z Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6
MINUTES - AMENDED PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
1101 Texas Ave, College Station, TX 77840 August 4, 2022 6:00 p.m. Phone: *888 475 4499 and Webinar ID: 868 2368 1120 Internet: https://zoom.us/j/86823681120
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Dennis Christiansen, Bobby Mirza, William Wright, Jason Cornelius, Melissa McIlhaney, Mark Smith, and Thomas Jackson COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Linda Harvell and Dennis Maloney CITY STAFF PRESENT: Michael Ostrowski, Carol Cotter, Erika Bridges, Alyssa Halle-Schramm, Jason Schubert, Anthony Armstrong, Lucas Harper, Bekha Wells, Derrick Williams, Matthew Ellis, Naomi Sing, Gillian Sitler, Lindsey Pressler, Katherine Beaman-Jamael, Gabe Schrum, Leslie Whitten, and Kristen Hejny
1. Call Meeting to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Consider Absence Request.
Chairperson Christiansen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Hear Visitors
No visitors spoke.
3. Consent Agenda 3.1 Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting minutes.
• July 21, 2022
Commissioner Wright motioned to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Cornelius seconded the motion, motion passed (7-0). 4. Consideration, discussion, and possible action on items removed from the Consent Agenda by Commission Action. No items were removed. 5. Regular Agenda 5.1 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending Appendix A, “Unified Development Ordinance,” Article 4, “Zoning Districts,” Section 4.2,
“Official Zoning Map,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas by changing the zoning district boundary from GC General Commercial to PDD Planned Development District on approximately 12 acres of land located at 103 N. Dowling Road. Case #REZ2022-000012 (Note: Final action of this item will be considered at the August 25, 2022 City Council Meeting – Subject to change).
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Land Development Planning Administrator Armstrong presented the rezoning to the Commission, with changes to provide sidewalks only on one side of the private access ways and the private street
allowed to break the block, recommending approval. Commissioner Jackson asked about the parking for the development. Land Development Planning Administrator Armstrong stated that the development must meet single-family parking requirements. Commissioner Smith asked why the developer is proposing access ways instead of public streets. Chairperson Christiansen asked about changes in clearances.
Land Development Planning Administrator Armstrong clarified that the front setback was increased so that the development was not too close to the access.
Applicant, Veronica Morgan, Mitchell & Morgan Engineers, clarified the use of access easements versus public streets to provide more flexibility on site.
Commissioner Smith asked who would maintain the access ways. Ms. Morgan stated that the property owner will be responsible for maintaining the access ways as part of an established Homeowner’s Association (HOA). Commissioner Mirza asked if the lots would be individually owned. Ms. Morgan confirmed that the lots will be individually platted and owned. Commissioner Wright asked for the height restriction for townhomes.
Land Development Planning Administrator Armstrong clarified that the height restrictions are 2.5 stories or 35-feet. Chairperson Christiansen opened the public hearing. No visitors spoke.
Chairperson Christiansen closed the public hearing. Commissioner Jackson motioned to recommend approval of the rezoning with the changes presented. Commissioner Wright seconded the motion. Commissioner Smith expressed concerns for HOA maintained access ways. The motion passed (7-0). 5.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action on a proposed middle housing zoning district.
(Note: Discussion of this item is scheduled for the at the August 25, 2022 City Council Meeting – Subject to change).
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Staff Planner Ellis presented the proposed middle housing zoning district to the Commission.
Chairperson Christiansen asked for clarification on “Ag Shacks”, asking if developers build the traditional four-bedroom four-bathroom, would this still be an acceptable single-family development. Staff Planner Ellis confirmed that yes this is acceptable single-family housing complying with the provisions. Mr. Ellis also clarified that shared housing will have its own definition to be presented to the Commission at a later date. Commissioner Jackson expressed his support for the middle housing zoning district and the need to provide housing for all residents. Mr. Jackson asked for quantification of housing units
recommending staff perform a housing market analysis. Commissioner McIlhaney expressed her support for the middle housing zoning district and the
ability to get more house on a smaller lot. Staff Planner Ellis presented three parking options within the middle housing zoning district.
Option one, rear parking for the entire district; option two, allowing front parking on the periphery of the Mixed Residential Future Land use with streetscaping; and option three, allowing front parking with streetscaping for the entire district. Staff is recommending option two. Commissioner Wright expressed support for option two. Commissioners Jackson, Mirza, Smith, and McIlhaney expressed support for option one. Commissioner Smith expressed concerns for privately owned and maintained streets. Staff Planner Ellis presented three buffering options recommended within the middle housing
zoning district. Option one, 2.5 feet of landscaped buffer for every five feet of height, and a fence; option two, five feet of landscaped buffer for every ten feet of height, and a fence; option three, ten feet and a fence. Staff is recommending option one, 2.5 feet of landscaped buffer for every five feet of height, and a fence. Chairperson Christiansen asked for clarification on the buffer fencing.
Staff Planner Ellis clarified that fencing would follow the current fencing requirements for the City of College Station. Commissioner Wright expressed support for option one. Staff Planner Ellis presented two low density residential height protection (single-family height protection) options. Option one, multiplexes provide 1:2 height protection from the property line; option two, all middle housing projects provide 1:2 height protection from the property line. Staff is recommending option one, multiplexes provide 1:2 height protection from the property line.
Chairperson Christiansen and Commissioners McIlhaney and Wright expressed support for option one.
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Commissioner Cornelius asked how many proposed middle housing developments will be on developed land, and what would be the reasoning for developing these on developed land.
Staff Planner Ellis identified the five recognized greenfield areas within the City of College Station. Staff Planner Ellis clarified that redevelopment would cut lot sizes in half. Commissioner Wright asked how middle housing would work for areas that are eligible, and already contain “Ag Shacks”. Staff Planner Ellis explained that it would require a rezoning. Commissioner McIlhaney stated that it is a disservice for the proposed zoning district to be labeled
as a low- and middle-income housing district. Ms. McIlhaney would like to see the zoning district highlighted as something suitable for all levels of income and types of people.
Chairperson Christiansen opened the meeting for visitor comments. Tina Evans, The Knoll Subdivision, College Station, spoke in opposition to the proposed zoning
district citing concerns for a hostile takeover for profit, maps not being transitional, and a loss in areas within the city. There were no further visitors who spoke. Commissioner Smith expressed concerns about creating quasi-public infrastructure with privately owned rear parking. Commissioner McIlhaney reiterated Commissioner Smith’s comments regarding parking, stating that parking option one will go a long way in alleviating any concerns.
Commissioner Mirza expressed support for parking option one. Commissioner Jackson expressed support for the proposed zoning district, stating that this creates a viable configuration for housing. Commissioner Cornelius asked if there will be some shared housing and being able to work on that
separately. Staff Planner Ellis stated that shared housing will be a use allowed if adopted in the middle housing zoning district. Commissioner Wright expressed support for the proposed zoning district and expressed concerns for some areas being lost to this zoning district to over zoning. Chairperson Christiansen expressed support for the proposed zoning district. 6. Informational Agenda
6.1 Discussion of new development applications submitted to the City.
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New Development Link: www.cstx.gov/newdev
There was no discussion.
6.2 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
• Thursday, August 11, 2022 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting
6:00 p.m. (Liaison – Mirza)
• Thursday, August 18, 2022 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, August 25, 2022 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m. (Liaison – Smith)
• Thursday, September 1, 2022 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers 6:00 p.m. Commissioner liaison changes were made to the August 11, 2022 and August 25, 2022 City Council
meetings, making Commissioner Mirza the liaison for the August 11, 2022 City Council meeting, and Commissioner Smith the liaison for the August 25, 2022 City Council meeting. 6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding an update on items heard:
• An Ordinance Amendment amending Appendix A, “Unified Development Ordinance,” Section 5.2, “Residential Dimensional Standards,” and Section 8.3.H.4, “Cluster Development” regarding Cluster Developments. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on July 7, 2022 and voted (6-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on July 28, 2022 and voted (7-0) to approve the request. There was general discussion amongst the Commission.
6.4 Discussion and review regarding the following meetings: Design Review Board, BioCorridor
Board.
• Monday, July 25, 2022 ~ DRB Meeting Commissioner Cornelius updated the Commission regarding the facade changes to the property at 106 College Main. 7. Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
A Planning & 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.
Director of Planning & Development Services Ostrowski introduced new Staff Planner Gabe Schrum to the Commission. 8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Approved: Attest:
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______________________________ ________________________________
Dennis Chairperson Christiansen, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Admin Support Specialist Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services