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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/23/2004 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning Commission MINUTES Strategic Planning Workshop Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Monday, August 23, 2004, at 12:00 p.m. College Station Council Chambers, College Station City Hall Embracing the Past, Exploring the Future 1101 Texas Avenue College Station, Texas COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Shafer, Davis, Fedora, Hooton, Nichols, and White. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Reynolds. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: None. CITY STAFF PRESENT: Development Services Director Dunn, Director of Strategic Planning, Budgeting, and Finance Kersten, City Planner Kee, Senior Planner Fletcher, Graduate Civil Engineers Thompson and Cotter, Economic Development Director Foutz, Staff Planners Hitchcock, Prochazka, Reeves, Jacks, and Boyer, Assistant City Attorney Nemcik, Assistant Development Manager George, Transportation Planner Fogle, Development Manager Ruiz, Assistant City Manager Brown, Assistant City Engineer Gibbs, and Staff Assistant Hazlett. 1. Consideration, discussion, and possible action regarding the City's Strategic Plan and an overall work plan for the Planning and Zoning Commission. Chairman Shafer opened the public hearing at 12 noon. Glenn Brown stated that input from the Commission is being sought regarding development related issues and core services prior to going before the City Council for consideration. City Planner Kee explained the two documents given to the Commissioners regarding Development Services on-going projects and issues that point to the Strategic Plan and the department's own core services. Commissioner White clarified with Staff that this workshop meeting is different from the workshop meeting Commissioner Nichols requested for a separate workshop specifically for the strategic planning of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Jeff Kersten, Director of Strategic Planning, Budgeting, and Finance gave the Commission an overview of the City's Strategic Plan. He explained that the City Council has used the strategic plan process for the past five years to identify the key priorities for the next year to make decisions regarding the city's overall priorities and long-range vision. The framework is created to assist the City Council in developing the priorities, which also drive the budget process and utilization of the city's resources. The City Council spends time identifying overall mission for the city and advancing the quality of life for the community. The strategic plan is broken into four sections; core services, parks and leisure, planning and development, and economic development. The priorities are then worked into the budget process. P&Z Special Workshop Minutes August 23, 2004 Page 1 of 4 shazlett Today's meeting is to gain additional feedback from the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration by the City Council. Commissioner White asked Staff to describe a best practice development and if it is a formalized process that is desired. Ms. Ruiz stated that the Blue Ribbon Committee will help to define that. Assistant City Manger Brown explained that there is no terminology that defines what a best practice is, rather it is more about external users of the system either in College Station or around the state and what their opinion of the services are and how they view our development review process. Economic Development Director Foutz read the information given to the Blue Ribbon Committee about the attributes of a best practice. City Planner Kee stated that it may include a very good streamlined process. Ms. Ruiz interjected that the City has won an award for its Comprehensive Plan and that could be considered a benchmark for best practice. Commissioner Davis expressed concern about the lateness of the August 19, 2004 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting due to the interest of the community directly affected by the changes that were proposed. He hopes that with such a strong reaction of the community that it sends up a red flag that something did or did not happen that could have been done better and that the Commission will take that experience and apply it to their learning process so these types of problems might be avoided in the future. He added that transportation issues and connectivity are becoming important issues as new development occurs. Commissioner White interjected that a proactive approach toward the developers with phased subdivisions should be considered. Transportation Planner Fogle stated that much of the major arterial systems in terms of impact fees are built by the city. Minor arterials are fairly neighborhood driven. Assistant City Attorney Nemcik added that the City assess impact fees only if there is a special benefit to the property. It is an appraisal process and most likely is for undeveloped property or property opened for a subdivision. Graduate Civil Engineer Thompson pointed out that Staff has discussed amending the Subdivision Regulations by requiring the number of ingresses and egresses according to the number of lots. Commissioner Fedora added that it places a burden on the developer to have to build a road that is not usable or used for some time. Commissioner Nichols said that if the City wants a Thoroughfare Plan laid out, they should be willing to do bonds or create funds in order to do so. Further discussion ensued. Mr. Brown introduced Alan Gibbs, Assistant City Engineer for Development Services. Development Director Dunn stated that he was pleased to receive the comments gained through the public hearing process. He stated that the City's responsibility is to inform the public to gain valuable dialog through the responses received that will help Staff facilitate the projects and cases. He was impressed with the way the articulate testimony with how the meeting went and viewed this as a best practice. Commissioner White agreed, stating that is was a very healthy exercise for the Commissioners. Commissioner Nichols added that the process of motions was legitimate. Ms. Ruiz stated that the best place to have these kinds of discussions was during the Comprehensive Plan Amendment stage rather than during the rezoning of the property. This core service of Development Services keeps staff readied when these types of cases and issues arise. P&Z Special Workshop Minutes August 23, 2004 Page 2 of 4 shazlett Commissioner Davis said that the City should be proactive in completing the bikeway/pedestrian connectors. Commissioner Nichols concurred. Transportation Planner Fogle interjected that a meeting is scheduled for August 31, 2004 to discuss the implementation of the bikeway plan, greenways, and connectivity. Chairman Shafer said that a strategic plan should be determined in order to flesh-out how the Commission wants to influence property in the future. Commissioner White added that a well thought-out Thoroughfare Plan should be advocated in order to create easy access around and throughout the City. He pointed out that the City of Bryan has identified land that can be used as the northern arch of a loop around Bryan/College Station. He suggested perhaps considering doing the same for College Station. Commissioner Davis stated that the County should develop a thoroughfare plan as well with all the developments going on in the ETJ. Mr. Dunn stated that this is to be done through the MPO. Commissioner White reiterated that a proactive approach should be taken to getting this accomplished. Commissioner White asked Staff if the Commission was on target in addressing and resolving the issues. Ms. Kee and Ms Ruiz stated that they were on most of the issues. Chairman Shafer expressed concern regarding big box developments and designs and tree preservation. The Commission also discussed Landscape requirements, landscaping as a central part of the City's appearance, and on-site code enforcement. Comments from Commissioner Davis regarding better aesthetics for neighborhood subdivisions was the springboard for further discussion regarding subdivision phases, collectors, overlay districts, and privacy fencing. In addition, Commissioner White asked Staff to address neighborhood associations and their involvement. Neighborhood Services Facilitator/Staff Planner Elrod-Jacks explained the Neighborhood Partnership Program, Historic Preservation, Citywide associations, and the goals, objectives and services of the Neighborhood Services Program. The September 23, 2004 Joint P&Z and City Council meeting was announced. Issues regarding overlay districts, land uses, and Comprehensive Plan issues will be discussed. Assistant City Manager Brown explained that properties can not be down- zoned. However, as a higher use is envisioned and if the current use is not the best, down-zoning can occur in accordance with the overall plan. City Planner Kee reported that Staff is working on preparing an addendum to the UDO to depict how property is zoned and its current use and whether it's developed or vacant. A discussion regarding commercial properties, deterioration of perpetually failing businesses, and shared access ensued. Commissioner Nichols stated that he would like to see the City Council look at interfacing between planned development the connectivity and the Thoroughfare Plan. In addition, impact fee assessments and a tree ordinance were briefly discussed. Chairman Shafer concurred. He added that he would like to look more closely at the drainage and subdivision regulations and the relationship of the DRB (Design Review Board) and Planned Development and how a site develops. Further discussion regarding the Thoroughfare Plan ensued. P&Z Special Workshop Minutes August 23, 2004 Page 3 of 4 shazlett It was decided that the Commission would hold other special workshops to isolate and discuss particular issues. The Joint Workshop Meeting on September 23, 2004 with the City Council was announced. 2. Adjourn Commissioner Davis motioned to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Commissioner Fedora. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. FOR: Shafer, White, Fedora, Davis, Hooton, and Nichols. AGAINST: None. ABSENT: Commissioner Reynolds. Approved: Scott Shafer, Chairman Planning and Zoning Commission Attest: ~~1" ' usan Hazlett, St ssistant Development Services P&Z Special Workshop Minutes August 23, 2004 Page 4 of 4 shazlett FY 2004-05 STRATEGIC PLAN Planning and Development Vision Statement We will promote a well-planned community Strategy #1 We will guide the development process through the use of progressive building and development codes/standards Short Term • Revise the technical standards for infrastructure construction • Adopt the 2003 International Codes • Initiate rezoning to implement results from Small Area Plans • Update Park land dedication ordinance • Prepare design standards for big box and large retail developments • Modify standards for Sexually Oriented Enterprises • Revise the Drainage Ordinance (UDO Article 7.8) • Revise the Subdivision Regulations (UDO Article 8) • Revise the technical standards for site design • Update the Northgate design district ordinance Medium Term • Establishment of Redevelopment Plan and redevelopment team with the Economic Development Department. • Ordinance Updates for clarification including: non- conforming uses, signs, joint/shared access, site development standards, etc. On-Going • Becoming a Best Practice Development Review process City. • Annual Reviews of the UDO and Comprehensive Plan • Website updates and improvements Strategy #2 We will support regional transportation planning. On oin • Annual transportation summit Medium term • Utilize the MPO to encourage the County to develop a transportation plan. Long Term 0 Develop an intermodal transportation action plan Strategy #3 We will provide for a well planned community Ongoing • Provide Neighborhood Services • Implementation of bike master plan Short Term • Update Greenway master plan • Guide growth through planned annexation Medium term Pebble Creek Owners Association i2 1 August 10, 2004 Ken Fogle Transportation Planner City of College Station College Station, TX 77840 Subject: Congressional Drive and Spearman Drive Extensions Dear Mr. Fogle: The Pebble Creek City Liaison Committee would like to communicate its position regarding the amendments being requested by Pebble Creek Development Company to the City of College Station's Thoroughfare Plan. The first request is for Congressional Drive not to extend to Lakeway Drive, as currently shown on the Thoroughfare Plan. Of the more than two thousand residents who reside in Pebble Creek, the majority of them that we have spoken with, agree that extending Congressional Drive to Lakeway would serve no purpose and would create additional traffic hazards. We oppose the extension of Congressional to Lakeway Drive, and support amending the Thoroughfare Plan to demonstrate this change. The second request is to extend Spearman Drive to Greens Prairie Road rather than to Pebble Creek Parkway, as currently shown on the Thoroughfare Plan. This extension is the key in relieving the traffic problems on Parkview near the Elementary School, and the backed-up traffic that occurs at the Lakeway/Greens Prairie intersection every morning. We support amending the Thoroughfare Plan to extend Spearman Drive to Greens Prairie Rd. The Pebble Creek City Liaison Committee also supports the Pebble Creek Board of Directors, and therefore is submitting this correspondence to formally notify City staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the City Council of its position regarding these amendments. We urge you to vote AGAINST extending Congressional Drive to Lakeway, and FOR the extension of Spearman to Greens Prairie Rd. Thank you for all your support. Sincerely, , Sue Co~rrington, Chair rson PEBBLE CREEK CITY LIAISON COMMITTEE Brian Bochner, Co-Chairperson Tim Rhome Rob Hetland June Wagner Earl Beckman Virginia Bennett-Reed Karen Hrncir Susan Atkins Stephen Atkins 4500 Pebble Creek Parkway • College Station, Texas 77845 • 979.690.0992 X109 Phone • 979.690.6826 Fax Pebble Creek Owners Association August 10, 2004 Mr. Ken Fogle Transportation Planner City of College Station College Station, TX 77840 Subject: Congressional Drive Collector Reclassification and Extension Dear Mr. Fogle: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to consider amending a portion of the Thoroughfare Plan, which would affect Pebble Creek. The amendments being requested are to extend Spearman to Greens Prairie Road rather than to Pebble Creek Pkwy, and to extend Congressional Drive to Lakeway. The Pebble Creek Owners Association, through its Board of Directors, is submitting this letter to formally notify City staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the City Council of its position regarding these amendments. We OPPOSE the extension of Congressional Drive to Lakeway. Our opposition to this amendment is for the following reasons: 1. The extension to Lakeway will do nothing to solve current congestion at the Lakeway/Greens Prairie intersection and will result in more traffic passing Pebble Creek Elementary School. 2. The connection of Congressional to both Lakeway and Royal Adelade will provide a convenient cut-through route for traffic between Highway 6 (via one of its connections to Lakeway) and Pebble Creek Parkway. This would seem to be a convenient way around the Highway 6/Greens Prairie intersection for northbound Highway 6 traffic going east on Greens Prairie; however this should not occur through a residential neighborhood on narrow streets. 3. The existing sections of Congressional are local street width, have sidewalks only on one side, and have homes that front it. This portion of the street is substandard for classification as a collector under City standards and was built as a local street with lots fronting on it, under recent City approval. Although the existing portion of this street is not being considered as part of the Thoroughfare Plan; due to the location of the street, it will be used as such. We SUPPORT the amendment to extend Spearman to Greens Prairie Road instead of to Pebble Creek Parkway. We suggest that the extension of Spearman from St. Andrews to Greens Prairie Road would be a superior alternative to the extension of Congressional because: 1. This would divert internal Pebble Creek traffic away from Lakeway, Pebble Creek Elementary School, and the congested Lakeway/Greens Prairie intersection. 2. Spearman is already a collector and has sufficient width to meet City standards. 4500 Pebble Creek Parkway • College Station, Texas 77845 • 979.690.0992 X109 Phone • 979.690.6826 Fax r Pebble Creek i2 Owners Association 3. Connecting Spearman to Greens Prairie will result in a safer intersection than the previously planned connection to Pebble Creek Parkway and will not attract cut-through traffic. We urge you to vote AGAINST the Congressional Drive extension to Lakeway, and FOR the extension of Spearman to Greens Prairie Rd. We would be more than happy to meet with the City staff, Planning and Zoning Commissioners, and/or City Council members to discuss this issue further, if desired. Please call 979-690-0992 ext. 108 to arrange such a meeting. Thank you in advance to all three bodies for protecting the welfare and ensuring the safety of Pebble Creek; and therefore maintaining its desirability as a community in which to live. We appreciate your support. Sincerely, PEBBLE CREEK OWNERS ASSOCIATION Aava d1..i Thor Hoppess, President 4500 Pebble Creek Parkway • College station, Texas 77845 9 979.690.0992 X109 Phone • 979.690.6826 Fax Pebble Creek Owners Association iLl August 10, 2004 Ken Fogle Transportation Planner City of College Station College Station, TX 77840 Subject: Congressional Drive and Spearman Drive Extensions Dear Mr. Fogle: The Pebble Creek City Liaison Committee would like to communicate its position regarding the amendments being requested by Pebble Creek Development Company to the City of College Station's Thoroughfare Plan. The first request is for Congressional Drive not to extend to Lakeway Drive, as currently shown on the Thoroughfare Plan. Of the more than two thousand residents who reside in Pebble Creek, the majority of them that we have spoken with, agree that extending Congressional Drive to Lakeway would serve no purpose and would create additional traffic hazards. We oppose the extension of Congressional to Lakeway Drive, and support amending the Thoroughfare Plan to demonstrate this change. The second request is to extend Spearman Drive to Greens Prairie Road rather than to Pebble Creek Parkway, as currently shown on the Thoroughfare Plan. This extension is the key in relieving the traffic problems on Parkview near the Elementary School, and the backed-up traffic that occurs at the Lakeway/Greens Prairie intersection every morning. We support amending the Thoroughfare Plan to extend Spearman Drive to Greens Prairie Rd. The Pebble Creek City Liaison Committee also supports the Pebble Creek Board of Directors, and therefore is submitting this correspondence to formally notify City staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the City Council of its position regarding these amendments. We urge you to vote AGAINST extending Congressional Drive to Lakeway, and FOR the extension of Spearman to Greens Prairie Rd. Thank you for all your support. Sincerely, , Sue Corrington, Chair son PEBBLE CREEK CITY LIAISON COMMITTEE Brian Bochner, Co-Chairperson Tim Rhome Rob Hedand June Wagner Earl Beckman Virginia Bennett-Reed Karen Hrncir Susan Atkins Stephen Atkins 4500 Pebble Creek Parkway • College Station, Texas 77845 • 979.690.0992 X109 Phone • 979.690.6826 Fax Pebble Cree i2 k Owners Association August 10, 2004 Mr. Ken Fogle Transportation Planner City of College Station College Station, TX 77840 Subject: Congressional Drive Collector Reclassification and Extension Dear Mr. Fogle: The College Station Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to consider amending a portion of the Thoroughfare Plan, which would affect Pebble Creek. The amendments being requested are to extend Spearman to Greens Prairie Road rather than to Pebble Creek Pkwy, and to extend Congressional Drive to Lakeway. The Pebble Creek Owners Association, through its Board of Directors, is submitting this letter to formally notify City staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the City Council of its position regarding these amendments. We OPPOSE the extension of Congressional Drive to Lakeway. Our opposition to this amendment is for the following reasons: 1. The extension to Lakeway will do nothing to solve current congestion at the Lakeway/Greens Prairie intersection and will result in more traffic passing Pebble Creek Elementary School. 2. The connection of Congressional to both Lakeway and Royal Adelade will provide a convenient cut-through route for traffic between Highway 6 (via one of its connections to Lakeway) and Pebble Creek Parkway. This would seem to be a convenient way around the Highway 6/Greens Prairie intersection for northbound Highway 6 traffic going east on Greens Prairie; however this should not occur through a residential neighborhood on narrow streets. 3. The existing sections of Congressional are local street width, have sidewalks only on one side, and have homes that front it. This portion of the street is substandard for classification as a collector under City standards and was built as a local street with lots fronting on it, under recent City approval. Although the existing portion of this street is not being considered as part of the Thoroughfare Plan; due to the location of the street, it will be used as such. We SUPPORT the amendment to extend Spearman to Greens Prairie Road instead of to Pebble Creek Parkway. We suggest that the extension of Spearman from St. Andrews to Greens Prairie Road would be a superior alternative to the extension of Congressional because: 1. This would divert internal Pebble Creek traffic away from Lakeway, Pebble Creek Elementary School, and the congested Lakeway/Greens Prairie intersection. 2. Spearman is already a collector and has sufficient width to meet City standards. 4500 Pebble Creek Parkway • College Station, Texas 77845 • 979.690.0992 X109 Phone • 979.690.6826 Fax Pebble Creek Owners Association iLl 3. Connecting Spearman to Greens Prairie will result in a safer intersection than the previously planned connection to Pebble Creek Parkway and will not attract cut-through traffic. We urge you to vote AGAINST the Congressional Drive extension to Lakeway, and FOR the extension of Spearman to Greens Prairie Rd. We would be more than happy to meet with the City staff, Planning and Zoning Commissioners, and/or City Council members to discuss this issue further, if desired. Please call 979-690-0992 ext. 108 to arrange such a meeting. Thank you in advance to all three bodies for protecting the welfare and ensuring the safety of Pebble Creek; and therefore maintaining its desirability as a community in which to live. We appreciate your support. Sincerely, PEBBLE CREEK OWNERS ASSOCIATION 7~ 7 ~16 Thor Hoppess, President 4500 Pebble Creek Parkway 9 College station, Texas 77845 • 979.690.0992 X109 Phone • 979.690.6826 Fax