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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/01/1981 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionMINUTES City of College Station, Texas Planning and Zoning Commission Special Meeting July 1, 1981 6:45 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Behling; Commissioners Kelly, Fleming, Gardner, Hazen and Hall. STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning, Al Mayo; Asst. Director of Planning, Jim Callaway; Zoning Off icial, Jane Kee; Planning Technician, Joan Keigley. Commissioner Anne Hazen, .acting as Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. and proceeded to the first item on the agenda. AGENDA ITEM N0. 1 - Approval of minutes of meeting of June 18, 1981. Upon motion by Commissioner Hail, second by Commissioner Gardner the minutes of June 18, 1981 were unanimously approved. AGENDA ITEM N0. 2 - 81-230, A Final Plat - College Hills Woodlands Estates. Jim Callaway presented the plat and gave the staff recommendation for approval. Commissioner Kelly stated the only change he could see was a change in lot lines which would give the developer another lot. Mr. Callaway reported the developer would be required to meet requirements for fire lanes, but otherwise, there were no major changes other than in the lot lines. Commissioner Kelly moved for approval of the plat as presented; second was given by Commissioner Hall and the plat was unanimously approved. Commissioner Hazen stated she would like to give a park department report at this time while waiting for consultant presenters to prepare, if it was agreeable. She reported ..the parks department has recommended development of two parks and have spec if ically recommended the land offered by Mr. Swaboda in the Emerald Forest area be rejected due to lack of access and poor drainage and it has been recommended that another location in the Bee Creek area be proposed to Mr. Swaboda. Mr. Mayo stated the parks and recreation board has made a formal recommendation with the request that it be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and he would cover this information more fully at the end of the meeting. Chairman Behling arrived at 7:00 p.m. and proceeded to the next item on the agenda. AGENDA ITEM N0. 3, Presentation by consultants of their proposal for preparation of Plan 2000 for the City of Colle e Station, Texas. Presentations to the commission were made by the following firms: 1. Samuel Wyse & Associates Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission July 1, 1981 2. Freese & Nichols, Inc. • 3. Wilbur Smith & Associates, Inc. 4. Turner, Collie & Braden Page two . After the presentations, the commission conducted a question and answer session with the consultant representatives. SAMUEL WYSE & ASSOCIATES Presenters: Samuel Wyse.::` and" Wayne Snyder Commissioner Gardner stated he noted on page 3 of their proposal it was mentioned that A & M Consolidated Independent School District will be involved in the planning process and asked how they intend to accomplish this. Mr. Wyse stated they certainly considered this group to be vital to projections for the plan and by interviews, work with staff and use of information already at hand, they would be included. Commissioner Gardner asked if projections such as population, future markets, sales markets etc. would be made and then by looking at the city as a unit, determine if it might be exceeding those projections. • Mr. Wyse stated they would be using proposed data and statistical information from which projections would be made. Commissioner Hazen stated her concern about the impact from the new mall and asked if their firm had recent experience in an area comparable to College Station which has gone through an expansive new retail sales development such as the regional mall in this area. Mr. Snyder stated they did have such experience. He stated they would conduct a review of the impact of the mall on the city and also given determinations of future compatibility. Commissioner Fleming asked if they would propose to determine if we are sound in hous- ing and apartment development. Mr. Snyder stated this would involve a study of what development now exists, zoning, and proposed increases in development within the existing zones, the impace and then a determination from the city of the direction it would want to go. Commissioner Hall asked what in their work. for the City of Bryan might be of benef it to their being selected as the planners for the City of College Station. Mr. Snyder reported their final report for the City of Bryan had been completed six days ago. Therefore, information which would pertain to the adjacent nature of the cities will be current and the advantage of being acquainted in this area with people • from whom other information and detail would be needed will be an advantage. Commissioner Gardner stated there were several things such as the proposed develop- ment of an industrial park, lignite mining, Texas Instruments and Westinghouse, all of which could impact the future development and needs of the city. He asked could their proposal be mod if led to consider one or all of these items if it was deemed to be pertinent by this commission. ~_ Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission July 1, 1981 Page three. • Mr. Snyder answered affirmatively. Chairman Behling asked how. many. of the ,people listed in the proposal from this firm were full time employees of the firm and how many would be assigned full time to this project. Mr. Wyse stated all of the personnel listed were full time employees and he would be the Project Manager and would direct the physical components while Mr. Snyder would be the Director of Economics for the project. He further stated they would be the two people who would do the work in the area and would be in meetings and working directly, with staff and this commission and the city council. Their staff includes. professionals with specilization in various areas who will be included in the project as needed. FREESE & NICHOLS, INC. Presenters: George Human Craig Farmer and Commissioner Gardner asked if they had a copy of one of the innovative proposals which are looseleaf bound with all material being xeroxable. Mr. Farmer replied they did not. The plans which are being. prepared in this manner • were not in the final completion stage. He explained that graphics, ,charts and policies were all prepared_in such a manner as to be very legible but could also be xeroxed for more convenient use. The binders are tabbed by section and insertions- can be made as needed in the future. Commissioner Gardner asked about population projections. Mr. Farmer stated work already prepared by staff as well as census information and other studies would be the basis for preparation of a reasonably accurate population projection. Commissioner Gardner asked how the determination of a report approximately 300 pages in length had been made. Mr. Farmer replied, it is uncertain as far as the exact length of the report until such time as there have been meetings with staff and members of the various boards to make the definite determination of what is desired. and needed by the City; however, 300 pages is an estimated length and it_ is a matter of budgeting. Commissioner Hazen asked if this firm had recent experience with a city which has experienced a rapid growth and a development of a regional mall such as is being developed here. Mr. Human replied he had extensive experience with the City of Fort Worth which has expanded in several areas in the same manner as the growth that is being ex- • perienced here in College Station. Commissioner Hall asked if there would be alternatives built into the plan. Mr. Farmer replied alternatives would be provided. He stated after it is determined what is desired by the city and staff, land use alternatives can be expected within Minutes. Planning and Zoning Commission July 1, 1981 Page four. • two months; the housing element and alternative housing element in about two months etc. Commissioner Hall asked what the approximate length of time would be before final completion. Mr. Farmer replied approximately 210 days, or six months. Commissioner Hazen asked if there is a way to control the growth of the area. Mr. Farmer replied he knows of no way to .completely control or stop the growth of the area. He pointed out that in some states there is_County Zoning which works conjointly with city zoning and thus growth_is controlled in that manner. He also pointed out that in the State of California the number of building permits issued each year in each zone is limited; but .that. has never been done in the State of Texas nor has it been tested in the courts in this state. Commissioner_Behling asked.. if .all, employees listed in the proposal were full time employees of Frees & Nichols, and how many would be assigned full time to this project. Mr. Human stated al 1. of„the persons listed_in the proposal were full time employees. He stated a minimum of five people would be assigned to the project, and others with special areas of expertise would be available when needed for assistance with various portions of the project. • He further described their format as being one of policy. which often placed a city in the position of seeing a need to change policies for more eff icient operation. He stated Mr. Farmer, would be the project manager assigned to work directly in the area with staff and members of boards and that he would be the "devil's advocate: so-to-speak for the project in its overall completion. WILBUR SMITH & ASSOCIATES, INC. Presenters: E. L. (.Spur) Walker, Jr., P. E. Wayne C. Meyer Michael D. McAnelly Commissioner Gardner asked if the recent rail study completed by this firm would be considered important enough to be included as a part of this plan. Mr. Walker stated it would have a certain impact on the projections for this plan, but it would not be a primary overall consideration. Commissioner Gardner asked if they could prepare a plan excluding that project. Mr. Walker stated they would do it. Commissioner Gardner asked if Mr. Walker could give the name of a city in Texas his firm had completed a comprehensive plan for recently. • Mr. Walker stated they had not. done a plan for a city in-Texas on the same order as that under consideration here. He further stated there had. not been that many cities in the State of Texas .that have done comprehensive plans. He stated they have done a lot of planning in the transportation area and in land use. Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission July 1, 1981 Page five. • Commissioner Gardner remarked that the program work schedule portion of their proposal reflects only four public meetings with city council or planning and zoning commission and ,these are scheduled very late, or toward the end of the plan preparation. He asked if there would possibly be other meetings with the planning commission other than those designated. - Mr. Meyer stated they consider work with the staff and commission very important and pointed out the four meetings referred to were off icial meetings, or public meetings, for plan review and adoption. Commissioner Gardner expressed his strong feeling that the commission should be more closely involved during the earlier stages of the plan development. Commissioner Hall ref erring to the MPO work recently done by this firm asked about the land use map of the College Station area and asked if some of the work had already been done. Mr. Walker. stated the MPO is now a reality and the exhibit reflects the plan which was submitted. Commissioner Hall asked if their work with the MPO would be an advantage to them in the preparation of the comprehensive plan now under discussion. Mr. Meyer stated the only advantage would be that their firm is somewhat familiar with tiie area. • Mr. Walker added he did not consider it would give them advantages over any of the other consultants. Commissioner Kelly remarked the same information is also available to any and all of the other consultants. Commissioner Hall asked if the work which has already been completed by the city staff would be considered and used. Mr. McAnelly stated it would be reviewed and updated and their firm certainly had no intention of going back and redoing the same work. Commissioner Hazen stated her concern. about the development of the new mall and the impact it will have on already existing businesses. Mr. McAnelly stated there are several areas involved. The mall is a reality and the impact it will produce will have to be analyzed after it is operational. Costs to the city per square foot and many other related areas will have to be observed before a full determination of overall impact can be made. Commissioner Gardner asked if this firm could make some adjustment to preparation of the plan in order to include an industrial park. Mr. Walker stated the industrial park development would be considered. To say it • would be included would come after final agreement had been reached with the city to determine exactly what considerations were to be included. Commissioner Behling asked if all the people listed in their proposal derived 100% of their income from the firm of Smith & Associates and how many people would be assigned directly to this program. Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission July 1, 1981 Page six. Mr. McAnelly stated all the people listed are full time employees of the firm and • as many as .needed would be assigned to the project based on the area of expertise needed. He stated the Program Coordinator assigned to this project would be E. L. Walker, Jr. Project Manager would be Wayne C. Meyer and he would serve as program staff coordinator, with the availability of many qualif ied people with expertise in special areas to assist as needed. TURNER, COLLIE & BRADEN Presenters: Dennis Crowley Bill Metzger and Commissioner Gardner asked what projections would be made in relation to capital improvements. Mr. Metzger stated the idea is to identify the needs with alternative plans. The costs associated with these ideas would be subject to your input. Commissioner Gardner asked if there would be any consideration to the impact created by an industrial park. Mr. Metzger stated it could be fitted into the development program as a whole with other projected programs. Commissioner Hazen asked if there was any way city growth could be controlled by • the comprehensive plan. Mr. Metzger stated the city does not have to accept any type of uncontrolled growth. There probably is not any. plan that could stop growth completely. He stated control of the nature and type of growth which is occurring and the location of certain types of development can be accomplished legally. Commissioner Hazen mentioned her concern of the impact of the regional mall. She stated in many cities development of this type has taken place and then other areas of town have been vacated. Mr. Metzger stated in most instances where business had decreased and areas have been vacated it happens because of a relocation of the population within the area, rather than relocation away from the city. In the plan, relocation within the city can be anticipated and a forecast can be made. Commissioner Fleming asked how flexible their plan would be. Mr. Metzger stated their starting point in this plan would show the manufacturing inpact-, demographics, social impacts and would be designed for alternative plans. The final decision would be left up to the commission. Commissioner Hall asked if he was saying they would furnish several alternatives and then let the public decide. • Mr. Metzger stated they would furnish several alternatives in land utilization. Commissioner Hall asked Mr. Metzger if he was acquainted with the other consultants, and Mr. Metzger stated he was not. Commissioner Hall asked about work which had already been completed by staff and how it would be utilized. • • Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission July 1, 1981 Page seven. Mr. Metzger stated it would be reviewed and updated; there certainly is no intention to redo work which has already been done. Commissioner Behling asked if the people .assigned to this project were all full- time employees of the firm and how many would be assigned full-time to this project. Mr. Metzger reported all the personnel listed were full-time. employees. He stated preparation of this plan would be coordinated, between the, Houston and Austin off ices of the firm. The project will be conducted under the, administrative direction of Paul Nail in the Austin off ice; Project Manager will be Dennis Crowley who will be the contact between the..city planning staff and this firm. Other personnel with various areas. of expertise, will be assigned. to coordinate activities in their special area, such as transportation; land use and community facilities. This was the final presentation to the commission. Mr. Mayo explained that. in a consulting firm, personnel are not assigned full time to one single project. As work progresses to a point, an employee with experience and background in a specif is area will be assigned to concentrate on that portion of the plan until it has been developed and completed. Employee time is charged out to each individual contract as that employee does his portion of the work. The commissioners held an open discussion and comparison of information and ideas and then Chairman Behling asked if they felt they. would be able to state their pref erence of consultants in priority order so a recommendation to the City Council could go up as quickly as possible. PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSIONERS: Chairman Behling: Smith, Turner, Freese and Wyse. Commissioner Gardner: Wyse, Freese, Smith and Turner. Commissioner Hall: Smith, Wyse, Freese and Turner. Commissioner Hazen: Wyse, Smith, Turner, Freese. Commissioner Kelly: Freese, Wyse, Smith and Turner. Commissioner Fleming: .Freese, Wyse,. Smith and Turner. Final tabulation produced the following recommendation, in priority order. I. Samuel Wyse & Associates II Wilbur Smith & Associates III Freese &. Nichols, Inc. IV Turner, Collie & Braden, Inc. AGENDA ITEM N0. 4 - Other Business. Al Mayo reported to the Commission that the City Council has sent a formal request for a recommendation on parkland dedications. He further stated advance information • is available and can. be picked up in the planning off ice for review prior to the next regular Planning and Zoning meet ion of July 16, 1981. AGENDA ITEM N0. 5 - Adjournment • APPROVED: • Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission July 1, 1981 Page eight. There being no further business to come before the body, upon motion by Commissioner Hall; second by Commissioner`Hazen the meeting was adjourned. ATTEST: Secretary hairman c: