HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/17/2024 - Regular Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionOctober 17, 2024 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 6
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting October 17, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Melissa McIlhaney, Commissioners Bobby
Mirza, Scott Shafer, and Warren Finch
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioners Marcus Chaloupka, Aron Collins, and Jason Cornelius
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Dennis Maloney and Elizabeth Cunha
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning & Development Services Anthony Armstrong, Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services Molly Hitchcock, Transportation Planning Coordinator Jason Schubert, Long Range Planning Administrator Christine Leal, Land
Development Review Administrator Robin Macias, Principal Planner Heather Wade, Senior
Planner Jeff Howell, Staff Planner Bekha Blasingame, Graduate Engineer II Lindsey Pressler, Assistant City Attorney II Aaron Longoria, Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny, and Lead Technology Services Specialist Lillian Wells
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.
• September 19, 2024
Commissioner Shafer moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Finch seconded the motion, the motion passed 4-0. 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
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Development Ordinance Section 8.3.E.2.b. ‘Relation to adjoining street system’, Section 8.3.G.2.a. ‘Blocks’, Section 11.2 ‘Defined Terms’ - ‘Public Way’ and presentation,
discussion, and possible action regarding a Preliminary Plan for Culpepper At TAMU
Subdivision on approximately 10.84 acres of land, generally located at the intersection of College Avenue and University Drive, specifically on the west side of University Drive. Case #PP2024-000009
Senior Planner Howell presented the waiver requests and preliminary plan to the
Commission recommending approval stating that if the waivers are approved, the preliminary plan must also be approved. Commissioner Finch asked who would be responsible for maintaining the road.
Senior Planner Howell stated that a property owner’s association (POA) will maintain the road. Commissioner Finch asked for the members of the POA.
Senior Planner Howell stated that a POA has not yet been established, however one will be required to be established as part of the plat. Commissioner Mirza asked if there are any foreseen issues with reducing the sidewalk.
Senior Planner Howell stated that the sidewalk is provided internal to the proposed development, and connectivity is still being provided. Commissioner Shafer asked if the sidewalk should continue to join College Avenue and
Culpepper Drive.
Senior Planner Howell stated that the applicant is proposing a crosswalk at Culpepper Drive, clarifying that the sidewalk on Culpepper Drive is on the south side of the adjacent development, so to make that connection, it does have to cross, and there is a sidewalk
connection to South College Avenue.
Commissioner Shafer asked about street trees in the area. Senior Planner Howell clarified that street trees would be identified, and their locations
refined at time of site plan.
Chairperson McIlhaney asked for clarification that the Unified Development Ordinance requirements will be met.
Senior Planner Howell confirmed that the Unified Development Ordinance
requirements will be met.
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Commissioner Shafer moved to approve the waiver requests and preliminary plan as presented, Commissioner Finch seconded the motion, the motion passed 4-0.
5.2 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 SC Suburban Commercial to
O Office for approximately 2.08 acres at 4205-4211 Rock Prairie Road, being Lots 1-4,
Block 1 of the Waterford Heights Phase 1 Subdivision, generally located east of the intersection of Rock Prairie Road and Bird Pond Road. Case #REZ2024-000020 Senior Planner Howell presented the rezoning to the Commission recommending approval.
Chairperson McIlhaney asked for clarification that the property is currently zoned as SC Suburban Commercial, and that the applicant is not intensifying the use. Senior Planner Howell confirmed both the current zoning, and that the use is not
intensifying.
Commissioner Finch asked for the nature of the oppositions received by staff. Senior Planner Howell stated that the oppositions were to the overall rezoning. Mr. Howell
also clarified that he explained the difference between SC Suburban Commercial and O
Office zoning districts. Chairperson McIlhaney opened the public hearing.
Dan Fischer, Waterford Heights Subdivision, College Station, spoke in opposition to the
rezoning citing concerns for buffer requirements and the existing detention pond and retention pond. Senior Planner Howell clarified that a buffer will be required, specified by the use. Mr.
Howell also stated that in the current SC Suburban Commercial zoning district, a building’s
height is subject to the low-density single-family height protection, limiting the structure to be set back two feet for every one foot of building height, however, there is no height limitation in the proposed O Office zoning district. Mr. Howell also clarified that the detention pond is outside the bounds of the proposed rezoning, and the
applicant has proposed no changes to the retention pond.
David Vesling, Waterford Heights Subdivision, College Station, spoke in opposition to the rezoning with concerns for building height and detention rerouting.
Crissy Hartl, Applicant, Mitchell & Morgan Engineers, addressed the concerns for privacy
stating that an O Office zoning district will allow a larger distance between the buildings and rear property line.
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Chairperson McIlhaney closed the public hearing.
Veronica Morgan, Applicant, Mitchell & Morgan Engineers, addressed the concerns for
detention stating that the intention is not to modify the detention or retention pond, clarifying that the applicant must comply with assumptions made in the original drainage report regarding impervious cover.
Chairperson McIlhaney expressed support for the rezoning.
Commissioner Shafer asked for allowed building height in the proposed O Office zoning district.
Ms. Hartl clarified that the idea is to maintain the four lots and have a detached office
building on each lot. Each building would need to be 70 feet from the property line if built at the maximum 35 feet in height, with 126 feet between the building and property line to meet the height ratio.
Commissioner Finch asked if buffering would require a wall or fence and plantings.
Ms. Hartl clarified that a 10-foot-wide planted buffer and a fence would be required. Commissioner Finch asked for allowed buffers.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that two non-canopy trees for every 15 feet, and one canopy tree for every 25 feet would be required as buffering. Commissioner Finch moved to recommend approval of the rezoning, Commissioner
Mirza seconded the motion, the motion passed 4-0.
5.3 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the FY2024 Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Annual Review.
Administrator Leal presented the annual review to the Commission.
Chairperson McIlhaney asked for the definition of the “at risk” status for projects on the annual review.
Administrator Leal clarified that Action Item 3.5 was a parking plan that the City Council
chose not to pursue, making this action item at risk of not being achieved at all. There was no action taken.
5.4 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Planning and Development
Services FY 2025 Plan of Work.
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Director Armstrong presented the Plan of Work to the Commission.
Chairperson McIlhaney expressed support for staff.
There was general discussion amongst the Commission regarding the Plan of Work. There was no action taken.
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:
• The September 2024 Small Area Plan Audit. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on September 19, 2024 and voted (6-0) to recommend acceptance of the audit report. The City Council heard this item on
October 7, 2024 and voted (6-0) to approve the request.
There was no discussion.
6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
• Thursday, October 24, 2024 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 7, 2024 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 14, 2024 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 21, 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.
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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.
There was no discussion.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
___________________________________ _________________________________ Melissa McIlhaney, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services