HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/05/2024 - Regular Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionSeptember 5, 2024 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 7
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting September 5, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Melissa McIlhaney, Commissioners Jason
Cornelius, Aron Collins, Scott Shafer, and Warren Finch (via TEAMS)
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioners Bobby Mirza and Marcus Chaloupka
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Linda Harvell and Dennis Maloney
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning & Development Services Anthony Armstrong, Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services Molly Hitchcock, City Engineer Carol Cotter, Land Development Review Administrator Robin Macias, Long Range Planning Administrator Christine Leal, Principal Planner Heather Wade, Senior Planner Jesse DiMeolo,
Staff Planner Ashley Klein, Engineer II Lucas Harper, Graduate Engineer I Gillian Sitler,
Community Development Analyst David Brower, Community Services Director Debbie Eller, Deputy City Attorney Leslie Whitten, Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny, and Technology Services Specialist Trey Branson
1.Call Meeting to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Consider Absence Request.
Chairperson McIlhaney 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.
•August 15, 2024
Commissioner Cornelius moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Shafer seconded the motion, the motion passed 5-0.
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.
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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 boundaries from M-1 Light Industrial to CI Commercial Industrial on approximately 11 acres located in the University Industrial
Center, more generally located at 151 Graham Road.
Administrator Macias presented the rezoning to the Commission recommending approval.
Joe Schultz, Applicant, Schultz Engineering, was available for questions from the
Commission.
Commissioner Shafer asked if the M-1 Light Industrial zoning district is retired.
Administrator Macias confirmed that the M-1 Light Industrial zoning district is a retired
district.
Commissioner Shafer asked for the uses allowed in, or the difference in uses allowed in a CI Commercial Industrial zoning district.
Administrator Macias confirmed that uses allowed in a CI Commercial Industrial zoning district include animal care facilities, commercial gardens or greenhouses, health clubs, offices, and retail sales and service which would not be allowed in the current M-1 Light Industrial zoning district. Ms. Macias also clarified that the CI Commercial Industrial
would allow for commercial uses, whereas commercial uses are not allowed in the current
M-1 Light Industrial zoning district.
Commissioner Collins stated that the Villas of Rock Prairie are within a close proximity to this development, asking if there are any permitted uses under the CI Commercial
Industrial zoning district that may be detrimental to the retirement community.
Administrator Macias clarified that there would be no disruptive uses, however the developer must provide buffer requirements against the multi-family development, dependent on use.
Chairperson McIlhaney opened the public hearing.
No visitors spoke.
Chairperson McIlhaney closed the public hearing.
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Commissioner Cornelius moved to recommend approval the rezoning, Commissioner Shafer seconded the motion.
Commissioner Collins asked if a CI Commercial Industrial zoning district is a good middle ground between multi-family uses and heavy industrial uses.
Administrator Macias clarified that this area is designated as Business Center on the
Comprehensive Plan and does fit within the current surrounding uses.
The motion passed 5-0.
5.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding waiver requests to the Unified
Development Ordinance Section 8.3.G.2 ‘Blocks’ and presentation, discussion, and
possible action regarding a Preliminary Plan for Southern Pointe Subdivision on approximately 553 acres of land, generally located north of Peach Creek Cut-Off Road and east of State Highway 6 in the City’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
Senior Planner DiMeolo presented the waiver requests and preliminary plan to the
Commission recommending denial explaining that if the waivers are denied, the preliminary plan must also be denied.
Joe Schultz, Applicant, Schultz Engineering, was available to address and answer questions
from the Commission regarding the waiver requests.
Wallace Phillips, Developer, was available to address and answer questions from the
Commission regarding the waiver requests.
Commissioner Cornelius asked for drawings with the old detention pond showing the difference in changes, and asked if there is major detriment to not having additional
access.
Senior Planner DiMeolo clarified that the front of the development contains 6,000 feet of perimeter with one connection point, clarifying that the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) allows a maximum of 1,200 feet in block length.
Commissioner Cornelius asked how this affects emergency access to the subdivision.
Senior Planner DiMeolo stated that this will create fewer points of access.
Commissioner Cornelius asked for clarification that most access would be inside the
property not affecting the collectors outside the development.
Senior Planner DiMeolo confirmed that most access is within the development.
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Commissioner Collins asked if the applicant has any arguments for granting the waivers that meet any of the waiver review criteria.
Senior Planner DiMeolo clarified that staff feels the applicant may meet waiver review criteria number two, “The waiver is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant”, however staff feels that their concerns stem from the applicant not meeting waiver criteria number four, “The granting of the waiver
will not have the effect of preventing the orderly subdivision of other land in the area in
accordance with the provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance”.
Commissioner Collins asked if the applicant meets special circumstances.
Mr. Schultz clarified that the applicant feels that not granting one of the waivers would
require a substantial drainage structure, more maintenance, and more street to maintain.
Commissioner Shafer asked about the animate habitat property adjacent to this development, asking if there are concerns with the lack of connectivity with their platting.
Mr. Schultz stated that there would be a collector street running across the same boundary, creating connectivity. The Thoroughfare Plan is being met with this preliminary plan.
Chairperson McIlhaney opened a public hearing.
Jodi Warner, Pebble Creek, College Station, expressed concerns for eliminating single-
family lots to create street stubs, stating that single-family homes are needed in College
Station.
Chairperson McIlhaney closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Cornelius asked how many homes the developer would lose if the waiver requests were denied.
Mr. Schultz confirmed that about three homes would be lost at each location.
Chairperson McIlhaney asked for the total number of lots within the subdivision.
Mr. Shultz confirmed there are about 2,100 total lots.
Commissioner Cornelius moved to recommend approval of the waiver requests and preliminary plan as presented, Commissioner Shafer seconded the motion.
Commissioner Shafer expressed support for allowing development to move forward.
Commissioner Collins expressed opposition that the waiver requests do not meet the
criteria.
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The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Collins voting in the negative.
5.3 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding ordinance
amending the College Station Comprehensive Plan by adopting a new Housing Action Plan.
Analyst Brower presented the item to the Commission recommending approval.
Commissioner Shafer commented on the email received from a committee member regarding accessory dwelling units within owner occupied homes, asking if there was any way to define that information in the report.
Analyst Brower stated that Goal 2 is to allow redevelopment and to increase density
through rezonings and making possible UDO changes, those two actions are caveated with “should not occur in Neighborhood Preservation areas”.
Chairperson McIlhaney clarified that that cannot be accomplished within the current
UDO.
Director Armstrong clarified that the current ordinance states that a property must be owner occupied to rent an accessory dwelling unit to no more than two, further clarifying that in theory could be reversed with the owner living in the accessory dwelling unit
and renting the main home. Mr. Armstrong clarified that the scenario mentioned in the
committee member email of a four and four to have eight total occupants, would not be allowed under the current UDO.
Chairperson McIlhaney opened the public hearing.
No visitors spoke.
Chairperson McIlhaney closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Cornelis expressed support for the plan.
Commissioner Cornelius moved to recommend approval of the Housing Action
Plan, Commissioner Collins seconded the motion, the motion passed 5-0.
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 Presentation and discussion regarding an update on items heard:
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•A rezoning of approximately 32 acres being 130 lots and common area within
Woodcreek Section One Subdivision to establish a ROO Restricted Occupancy
Overlay. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on August 1,2024 and voted (6-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this itemon August 22, 2024 and voted (5-1) to approve the request.
•A rezoning of approximately 28 acres being the majority of the properties which
front Richards Street, Crest Street, and Sterling Street from GS GeneralSuburban to MH Middle Housing and HOO High Occupancy Overlay. ThePlanning & Zoning Commission heard this item on August 1, 2024 and voted(6-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on August 22,2024 and voted (7-0) to approve the request.
•A rezoning of approximately 3.66 acres generally bounded by Lincoln Avenue,Nimitz Street, and Eisenhower Street from GS General Suburban to MH MiddleHousing and HOO High Occupancy Overlay. The Planning & ZoningCommission heard this item on August 1, 2024 and voted (6-0) to recommend
approval with the condition on the construction of an approved access drive orturnaround. The City Council heard this item on August 22, 2024 and voted (7-0) to approve the request with the condition.
There was no discussion.
6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
•Thursday, September 12, 2024 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
•Thursday, September 19, 2024 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00
p.m.
•Thursday, September 26, 2024 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
•Thursday, October 3, 2024 ~ 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 and BioCorridor Board.
•None
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 beengiven. 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.
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Commissioner Cornelius expressed support for the recent Planning and Zoning Commission joint meeting with the City of Bryan.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
___________________________________ _________________________________ Melissa McIlhaney, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services