HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/05/2023 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionJanuary 5, 2023 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 6
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting January 5, 2023
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Dennis Christiansen, Commissioners Bobby
Mirza, Jason Cornelius, Mark Smith, Melissa McIlhaney, and Thomas Jackson
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Mark Smith and Dennis Maloney CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning and Development Services Michael Ostrowski,
Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services Molly Hitchcock, City Engineer Carol
Cotter, Transportation Planning Coordinator Jason Schubert, Land Development Review Administrator Anthony Armstrong, Senior Planner Jeff Howell, Graduate Engineer II Katherine Beaman-Jamael, Graduate Engineer I Lindsey Pressler, Deputy City Attorney Leslie Whitten, Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny, and Technology Services Specialist Jeremy
Halling
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.
• December 15, 2022
Commissioner Cornelius motioned to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Mirza 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. 5. Regular Agenda 5.1 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding waiver requests to Unified Development Ordinance Section 8.3.G, ‘Blocks’, Section 8.3.E, ‘Streets’, Section 8.3.L, ‘Bicycle Facilities’, and Section 8.3.I, ‘Access Easements’, and presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a Preliminary Plan for the Alamo Residences at Double
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Mountain Road Subdivision on approximately 17 acres, generally located east of the intersection of Medical Avenue and Midtown Drive. Case #PP2022-000012
Administrator Armstrong presented the waiver requests and Preliminary Plan to the Commission recommending denial. Chairperson Christiansen asked for staff’s concerns with the gate on the path.
Administrator Armstrong stated that if this development is developed per the City’s subdivision regulations, it would be an accessible path for all, and there would not be a need to gate off the rest of the trail.
Commissioner Jackson asked for clarification on block length and its reasoning.
Administrator Armstrong clarified that block length provides walkability, safety, emergency personnel access, congestion alleviation, and connectivity within developments.
Commissioner Cornelius asked for staff’s concerns with the gate. Administrator Armstrong clarified that staff is unaware of the timeline to make the path usable to the public.
Director Ostrowski stated that the gate creates concerns about the perception of whether or not the path is public. Mr. Ostrowski also stated that there would be concerns regarding who would be responsible for removing the gate, at what time, and new ownership being made aware of the status of the path, so staff’s preference is to have the gate open
from the beginning.
Commissioner Cornelius asked if the Commission grants the waiver for the gate, will the waiver stay with the property, stating that a new owner could close the gate at any time.
Director Ostrowski stated that the Commission could put a condition on the gate for a
specific point and time that the gate must be open. Commissioner McIlhaney asked if there was any data to show the use of the hike and bike trail.
Administrator Armstrong stated that there is no hike and bike trail data available. Tristen Fisher, Applicant, Mitchell & Morgan Engineers, presented to the Commission.
Brad Brimley, Binkey & Barfield, addressed the Commission on the Traffic Impact
Analysis (TIA) as it applies to the waivers requested.
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Veronica Morgan, Applicant, Mitchell & Morgan Engineers, was available to address staff’s concerns.
Jackie Binks, Developer, Bryan, addressed the Commission regarding the development. Commissioner Jackson expressed concerns with technical issues regarding the traffic studies asking when calculating the future level of service, were future developments
considered.
Brad Brimley stated that assumptions for future traffic included the completed Midtown Station Apartments, as well as some assumptions for regional growth. Brad Brimley also stated that the Kimley Horn study looked at the entirety of the Midtown development.
Commissioner Jackson asked if there are additional approvals for developments in the area, stating that all developments approved should be considered in the assumptions. Chairperson Christiansen asked about the College Station TIA ordinance clarifying that the
ordinance does not specify a time period for assumptions.
Brad Brimley stated that studies are intended to look at a reasonable time period for a development, stating that the ordinance does not specify that studies should look beyond opening year.
Commissioner McIlhaney asked that if Tocode Road and Cathedral Pines Drive are extended, were there any industry standards that would show that this property would not work for a multi-family development.
Jackie Binks stated that from an economic standpoint rent is based on the number of units
and if this development cannot achieve a certain number of units the development is not feasible. Jackie Binks also stated that traffic flowing through the development inhibits the accessibility and safety of residents.
Commissioner Cornelius asked if the waivers for the path and gating are denied, would the
applicant choose to still move forward with the development, working with staff. Jackie Binks stated his full intent is to work with staff if the waivers are not granted.
Chairperson Christiansen asked why this project would be more or less dangerous because
of a gate. Jackie Binks clarified that the primary reason for the gate is to keep non-residents from walking through the project and to provide vehicular traffic safety.
Veronica Morgan stated that until the adjacent development occurs, which would put more eyes on the trail, the gate would help limit who is using the trail.
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Commissioner Cornelius asked if the granted waivers would allow the applicant to have a gate on either side of the walking path.
Veronica Morgan clarified that the gate would only be on the undeveloped side of the path. Commissioner Jackson referred to the staff report regarding subdivision waiver requests, asking for clarification on the concerns expressed by Baylor Scott & White.
Administrator Armstrong clarified that if there was connectivity through the development all units in the multi-family development would require the use of Medical Avenue, an area of conflict, whereas if there were a connection to Tocode Road, there is the ability to have an alternative route away from the Baylor Scott & White development.
Brian Perry, Property Owner, College Station, addressed the Commission. Coordinator Schubert clarified that in verbal and written communication with the applicant, it was always conveyed that the TIA would not be the mechanism to determine the need
for additional connections in the long-term. The TIA does say that traffic by 2025 will be
okay. Mr. Schubert also stated that these connections are part of the City’s subdivision regulations and how development builds out. The report does not say what traffic will be in 20 years and should not be a basis on whether connections are needed or not as the character and pattern of urban style development, the ordinance is looking for a finer grain
of network of streets.
Chairperson Christiansen stated that the TIA did show that if the streets were removed in 2025, traffic operations would be acceptable.
Coordinator Schubert clarified that the area is largely undeveloped, so a three-year
assumption is not enough. Chairperson Christiansen stated that a solution would be for a city ordinance specifying TIA timeline requirements.
Coordinator Schubert stated that level of service shows these roads are not needed by 2025 but does not include analysis of the long-term build-out of the area. Commissioner Jackson expressed concern for the future roadway impacts from added
traffic loads.
Commissioner Cornelius stated this project has already been pushed forward with the approval of the Rezoning.
Commissioner Mirza stated that traffic has doubled lately and will continue to increase, all
factors must be considered.
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Commissioner McIlhaney stated this property is zoned multi-family and the applicant and Commission must decide how to best make the development work.
Chairperson Christiansen stated that the information presented with the Preliminary Plan has been presented on multiple occasions and approved. Commissioner Cornelius motioned to approve waiver requests 1-4 as all criteria
have been met, Commissioner McIlhaney seconded the motion, the motion to approve the waiver requests passed 3-2, with Commissioners Jackson and Mirza voting in the negative. There was general discussion regarding denying waivers 5-7 which would also deny the
plat. Veronica Morgan stated that the applicant would offer an alternative alignment for the multiuse path which would not require waivers 5-7.
Chairperson Christiansen stated that it would make sense to withdraw waivers 5-7.
Veronica Morgan formally requested to withdraw waivers 5, 6, and 7 offering an alternative alignment for the multiuse path.
Director Ostrowski clarified that if the intent is to approve the Preliminary Plan with a
condition, the Commission could make the hike and bike path be a part of the Preliminary Plan requirements. Commissioner Cornelius motioned to approve Preliminary Plan with the condition
that a hike and bike path be required to connect to Cathedral Pines Road, Tocode Road, and Midtown Drive, Commissioner Mirza second the motion, the motion to approve the Preliminary Plan with the condition 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 Discussion of Minor / Amending Plats approved by Staff:
• River Road Subdivision Block 1, Lots 1, 2, & 3 ~ Case #FP2022-000015
There was no discussion.
6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
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•Thursday, January 12, 2023 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open
Meeting 6:00 p.m. (Liaison – Cornelius)
•Thursday, January 19, 2023 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ 6:00 p.m.
•Thursday, January 26, 2023 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ OpenMeeting 6:00 p.m. (Liaison – McIlhaney)
•Thursday, February 2, 2023 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
There was general discussion regarding a possible Commission Orientation on January 19, 2023.
6.4 Discussion and review regarding the following meetings: Design Review Board, 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 maybe given. Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agendafor a subsequent meeting.
There was no discussion.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
___________________________________ _________________________________ Dennis Christiansen, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary
Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services