HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/2023 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionJuly 20, 2023 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 9
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting July 20, 2023
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Dennis Christiansen, Commissioners Bobby
Mirza, Melissa McIlhaney, Marcus Chaloupka, David White, and Aron Collins
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Jason Cornelius COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Dennis Maloney and Mark Smith
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning & Development Services Michael Ostrowski, Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services Molly Hitchcock, Transportation Planning Coordinator Jason Schubert, Long Range Planning Administrator Alyssa Halle-Schramm, Senior Planner Matthew Ellis, Staff Planner Jesse DiMeolo, Graduate Engineer II
Katherine Beaman-Jamael, Graduate Engineer I Gillian Sitler, Long Range Planning Intern Ashley
Klein, Assistant City Attorney II Aaron Longoria, Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny, and Technology Services Specialist Joel Lopez 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 6, 2023
Commissioner McIlhaney motioned to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Mirza seconded the motion, the motion passed 6-0. 4. Consideration, discussion, and possible action on items removed from the Consent Agenda by Commission Action. No items were removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion.
5. Regular Agenda 5.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding waiver requests to the Unified
Development Ordinance Section 8.3.G, ‘Blocks,’ Section 8.3.K, ‘Sidewalks,’ and Section
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8.3.J, ‘Access Ways’ and presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a Preliminary Plan for Lakeside at Millican Reserve Subdivision on approximately 123
acres, generally located on Millican Creek Trail north of FM 2154 in the College Station
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. Case #PP2022-000013 Staff Planner DiMeolo presented the waiver requests and preliminary plan to the Commission recommending approval.
Chairperson Christiansen asked for clarification that if the waiver requests are denied, the preliminary plan must also be denied. Staff Planner DiMeolo confirmed that if any waiver requests were denied, the preliminary
plan must also be denied.
Commissioner Mirza asked about the waiver on the sidewalk asking if there are any Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) implications.
Director Ostrowski stated that the developer would be providing sidewalks meeting City
standards on the other side of the street. Mr. Ostrowski clarified that the Commission could approve the preliminary plan with a condition. Commissioner Collins asked for an example of block length limit and its purpose.
Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that the City’s regulations on block length vary in different context zones in the City, but they allow for better connectivity. Commissioner Collins asked if block length regulations will have an effect on this area.
Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that staff has determined that block length would not be an issue for this area. Commissioner White asked for clarification on the sidewalk waivers and asked if the
Commission were to deny the waiver request along the trail, what would happen to the
trail. Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that the applicant or developer would have to do a redesign or remove the trail.
Deven Doyen, Applicant, Schultz Engineering, clarified that if the waivers are denied the applicant would develop less the trail. Commissioner White asked for the trail width.
Mr. Doyen confirmed that the trail is eight feet wide.
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Commissioner White expressed support that the trail is not removed.
Commissioner White motioned to recommend approval of the waiver requests as all criteria have been met, and the preliminary plan as presented, Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion. Commissioner Chaloupka expressed concerns with trail ADA requirements.
Commissioner White asked for the party responsible for maintaining the trail. Staff Planner DiMeolo clarified that the Homeowner’s Association would be responsible for maintaining the trail.
The motion passed 6-0. 5.2 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance amending Appendix A, “Unified Development Ordinance,” Article 1 “General
Provisions,” Article 2 “Development Review Bodies,” Article 3 “Development Review
Procedures,” Article 4 “Zoning Districts,” Article 5 “District Purpose Statements and Supplemental Standards,” Article 6 “Use Regulations,” Article 7 “General Development Standards,” Article 8 “Subdivision Design and Improvements,” Article 9 “Nonconformities,” Article 10 “Enforcement,” and Article 11 “Definitions,” of the Code
of Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas, regarding formatting and content edits
to the Unified Development Ordinance. Case #ORDA2022-000011. (Note: Final action on this item is scheduled for the August 10, 2023 City Council Meeting – subject to change.) Senior Planner Ellis presented the ordinance amendment to the Commission
recommending approval.
Chairperson Christiansen asked for confirmation that there were no substantive modifications to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
Senior Planner Ellis confirmed that no substantive modifications were made to the UDO,
only formatting and content edits. Commissioner White asked for confirmation on the approving body in June 2023.
Senior Planner Ellis stated that the proposed formatting and content edits were approved
by the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board in June 2023. Commissioner McIlhaney asked who, aside from the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Advisory Board, have reviewed the proposed edits.
Senior Planner Ellis stated that the proposed edits have been reviewed by the City’s Planning & Development Services Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
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Chairperson Christiansen opened the public hearing.
No visitors spoke.
Chairperson Christiansen closed the public hearing. Commissioner McIlhaney motioned to recommend approval of the ordinance
amendment, Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, the motion passed 6-0. 5.3 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance Sections 5.8.B Northgate Districts, 7.2 General Provisions, and 7.3 Off-Street Parking Standards to modify off-street parking and bicycle
parking requirements. Case #ORDA2023-000003. (Note: Final action on this item is
scheduled for the August 10, 2023 City Council Meeting – subject to change.) Staff Planner DiMeolo presented the ordinance amendment to the Commission recommending approval.
Chairperson Christiansen expressed support for the UDO updates and expressed concerns with City regulated parking, asking why the City is still regulating parking. Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that research in other cities shows some cities have stopped
regulating parking and some cities have phased out parking regulations.
Commissioner McIlhaney asked why staff has decided to do hybrid parking regulations. Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that this was staff’s direction from the City Council.
Commissioner Collins asked if the Commission denies this ordinance amendment, can a developer request a variance to the parking requirements. Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that staff has components in place in the UDO for reduced
parking which would create more variance requests and administrative approval.
Commissioner Collins asked if the reduction of 25% would lead to residential developments not having adequate parking available.
Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that the developer would know best on the parking
calculations what would work best for the site. Director Ostrowski stated that staff have seen the change in parking work well in the Northgate district, not every bedroom needs a parking space. Mr. Ostrowski also stated that
with the redevelopment areas identified, those are areas where we want to encourage
higher density. Staff is seeking the Commission’s direction on whether we require Shared Housing to park at 100% in these areas.
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Commissioner Chaloupka expressed concerns for parking in the George Bush Drive and Wellborn Road redevelopment area.
Chairperson Christiansen asked if part of the MH Middle Housing ordinance and shared housing use was to show adequate on-street parking. Director Ostrowski explained that a shared housing use has a higher parking requirement
than a standard residential development, however the Commission could recommend
meeting 75% parking requirement for multi-family products, excluding shared housing uses in redevelopment areas. Chairperson Christiansen asked for the logic in the 10% reduction in parking when a
parking structure is constructed.
Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that the 10% reduction requirement is for redevelopment areas closer to the urban core of the City of College Station, in a denser area.
Commissioner Collins asked for the purpose of a maximum parking ratio.
Staff Planner DiMeolo clarified that the maximum parking ratio is used to help reduce the size of the parking areas.
Director Ostrowski further clarified that a maximum parking ratio addresses other negative
impacts such as urban heat island effects, impervious cover, and environmental and stormwater runoff impacts. Commissioner Mirza asked if these changes are keeping up with nationwide strategy
on parking.
Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that staff is seeing other cities remove parking requirements from the City’s responsibility, this is a widespread trend.
Commissioner White stated that staff is recommending that the Commission recommend
approval of these ordinance amendments, asking if the Commission approves the ordinance amendment, would it save time for staff working on variances and administrative adjustments.
Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that this ordinance amendment would provide a better
environment for the City to help change the landscape of the city for different modes of transportation. Commissioner White asked if recommending approval of the ordinance amendment would
help advocate for different modes of transportation.
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Staff Planner DiMeolo confirmed that the ordinance amendment would advocate for different modes of transportation.
Commissioner White stated that bicycle parking is a maximum of 24 spaces based on square footage, asking if the developer can provide more than 24 spaces. Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that yes, staff would not require more than 24 spaces, but
the developer can provide more.
Commissioner McIlhaney expressed support with cities relinquishing control of commercial parking regulations.
Director Ostrowski clarified that this ordinance amendment does not loosen residential
parking requirements overall, but does allow some reduction in redevelopment areas. Commissioner Collins asked about a maximum parking ratio, asking if developers put in more spaces than needed.
Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that staff does see over-parking on site plan submittals. Commissioner Collins asked if staff could deny parking on site plans.
Staff Planner DiMeolo stated that staff cannot currently deny a site plan based on over-
parking but are able to recommend less parking. Commissioner Collins asked if staff could recommend the Commission denying a site plan based on over-parking.
Director Ostrowski clarified that staff cannot currently deny a site plan based on too much parking, staff can regulate only minimum parking and require other mitigating efforts. Chairperson Christiansen opened the public hearing.
No visitors spoke. Chairperson Christiansen closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Collins expressed that he would like to see parking requirements on
commercial or residential parking as separate items. Mr. Collins expressed concerns for the urgency of the ordinance amendment. Commissioner Chaloupka expressed concerns for shared housing uses and redevelopment
areas and would like to isolate certain areas from parking requirements.
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Director Ostrowski clarified that this amendment is for non-residential developments, further stating that the Commission can direct staff to remove shared housing uses from
the 75% clause.
Commissioner Chaloupka asked about live-work units within the shared housing use creating a cross-over from commercial to residential.
Director Ostrowski clarified that live-work units are a product type allowed within MH
Middle Housing that would still be required to meet residential and commercial parking standards. Commissioner White expressed support for staff’s recommendation on the removal of
shared housing uses from the recommendation.
Commissioner McIlhaney stated that parking has 100% of the time been the defining constraint on a project limiting what can be done with a space. Ms. McIlhaney expressed support in eliminating business parking requirements and the removal of shared housing
uses from the recommendation.
Commissioner Mirza expressed support for loosening parking requirements but would like to continue to have developers meet certain requirements.
Chairperson Christiansen stated that there are benefits in moving forward with parking
requirements but would like to eliminate business parking requirements across the city and remove shared housing uses from the recommendation. Chairperson Christiansen motioned to recommend approval of the ordinance
amendment with the recommendation that shared housing uses are removed from the 75% requirement in redevelopment areas, Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion. Director Ostrowski clarified that staff is not supportive of keeping shared housing uses in
the ordinance, but there are shared housing uses within the new redevelopment areas.
Mr. Ostrowski clarified the current motion would allow the 75% clause to apply to multi- family residential units but not shared housing, single-family, townhome, or duplex developments, requiring them to park at 100% of the requirements in redevelopment areas.
Commissioner White asked if the recommendation for shared housing uses to be excluded
will give the opportunity for the Commission to revisit the idea. Chairperson Christiansen clarified that the removal of shared housing uses is just to be removed from this recommendation.
Director Ostrowski stated that a more appropriate time would be during the redevelopment plan process for specific areas.
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The motion passed 6-0.
6. Informational Agenda
6.1 Discussion of new development applications submitted to the City.
New Development Link: www.cstx.gov/newdev
There was no discussion.
6.2 Discussion of Minor / Amending Plats approved by staff:
• Indian Oaks, Block 1, Lot 6R-1 & 7R ~ Case #FP2022-000039
• 7-11 Ranch, Phase 2, Lot 106-R ~ Case #FPCO2022-000009
There was no discussion.
6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
• Thursday, July 27, 2023 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, August 3, 2023 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, August 10, 2023 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open
Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, August 17, 2023 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
There was no discussion.
6.4 Discussion and review regarding the following meetings: Design Review Board, BioCorridor Board.
• Design Review Board Meeting ~ July 14, 2023 ~ Waiver to the Unified Development Ordinance Section 7.10.C.3.a "Horizontal Façade Articulation" for 1500 Holleman Drive East
There was no discussion.
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. Commissioner Chaloupka asked for an update on the number of approved MH Middle
Housing requests that have moved forward to establish a shared housing use.
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Director Ostrowski clarified that no shared housing uses have been approved by staff.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
___________________________________ _________________________________ Dennis Christiansen, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services