HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/2023 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionFebruary 16, 2023 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 6
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting February 16, 2023
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Dennis Christiansen, Commissioners Bobby
Mirza, Melissa McIlhaney, David White, Marcus Chaloupka, and Aron Collins
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Jason Cornelius COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Dennis Maloney and William Wright
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, Staff Planners Robin Macias,
Gabriel Schrum, Matthew Ellis, Aspen Pflanz, and Carl Ahrens, Engineer I Lucas Harper,
Graduate Engineer II Katherine Beaman-Jamael, Graduate Engineer I Parker Mathews, Deputy City Attorney Leslie Whitten, Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny, and Technology Services Specialist Joel Lopez
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.
• January 5, 2023
3.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a Final Plat for Southern Pointe
Section 117 on approximately 7.581 acres of land, generally located at the intersection of State Highway 6 South and Peach Creek Cut-Off in the College Station Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. Case #FP2022-000005
3.3 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a Final Plat for Jackson Estates
Phase 1, Block 1, Lots 1R-1, 1R-2 & 1R-3 being a replat of Jackson Estates Phase 1, Block
1, Lot 1 on approximately 14.482 acres of land, generally located at the intersection of Rock Prairie Road West and Hollman Drive South. Case #FPCO2022-000005
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Commissioner McIlhaney motioned to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion, the motion passed 6-0.
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 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 GS General Suburban to MH Middle Housing for approximately 0.27 acres at 211 Fidelity Street, being Lot 1 and 25’ of Lot 2, of the West Park Addition, generally located at the corner of fidelity Street and Highland Street. Case #REZ2022-000028 (Note: Final action of this item will be
considered at the March 9, 2023 City Council Meeting – Subject to change).
Staff Planner Schrum presented the Rezoning to the Commission recommending approval. Commissioner Collins asked if it is regular practice to rezone an area in the middle of a
different zoning district, and does staff anticipate receiving additional applications of this
type, in this area. Staff Planner Schrum stated that staff has seen interest from this area to pursue this type of zoning.
Commissioner Collins asked if staff would describe this area as being used for single family. Staff Planner Schrum stated that the market is driving the housing in this area, and staff
would describe the area as single-family residential.
Chairperson Christiansen clarified that before the Middle Housing zoning district existed, there were several zoning districts that could have been requested and asked how the applicant decided on a Middle Housing zoning.
Staff Planner Schrum stated that housing products in this area can lean towards shared housing and that the Middle Housing zoning district provides the ability to have it as a conforming legal use in the area.
Commissioner Mirza expressed concerns for traffic in the area.
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Staff Planner Schrum stated that the applicant provided a traffic analysis that showed the trip generation to be under the limit for alleviation requirements.
Commissioner Collins expressed concerns for patchwork zoning in the area and asked if this was part of a grander plan to rezone a larger area. Staff Planner Schrum stated that staff has had preliminary discussions regarding city-
initiated rezonings for Middle Housing, also stating that staff is using the Comprehensive
Plan to help implement the desired future development pattern, and that the rezoning would not create spot zoning. Director Ostrowski stated that staff would not consider this a spot zoning request, as the
request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Ostrowski also clarified that this is
the first request for this zoning district in the city, stating that the City is looking at city-initiated rezonings, collaborating with a working group that is analyzing areas throughout the City to identify areas to proceed with rezoning.
Chairperson Christiansen asked for clarification that staff is not planning to create spot
zoning. Director Ostrowski clarified that staff was directed by City Council to convene a working group to identify areas for city-initiated Middle Housing rezoning.
Commissioner Collins expressed concerns with city-initiated rezonings resulting in economic incentives for people who want to change their zoning for these residences compared to those that want the zoning but are not a part of a pro-active rezoning.
Director Ostrowski clarified that this area is being considered for city-initiated rezoning to
create an equal playing field. Developments must meet all requirements for the specified use. Chairperson Christiansen asked for clarification that staff is comfortable with this lot being
rezoned by itself.
Director Ostrowski confirmed that staff is comfortable with the single lot rezoning. Applicant, Crissy Hartl, Mitchell & Morgan Engineers, was available to address and
answer questions from the Commission.
Chairperson Christiansen asked how the applicant chose a Middle Housing Zoning District.
Crissy Hartl stated that the applicant felt that this was the appropriate zoning district based
on the Comprehensive Plan.
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Commissioner Mirza asked for a description of what the applicant is planning to build.
Crissy Hartl stated that the applicant does not have a design at this time but will build
for an allowed use. Commissioner Collins clarified that a Middle Housing designation met the applicant’s criteria, asking for the applicant’s criteria in picking the lot.
Crissy Hartl stated that the applicant owns the property as an investment property and is looking to provide housing beneficial to students with a close proximity to campus. Commissioner McIlhaney asked if Mitchell & Morgan is seeing more interest in a
Middle Housing Zoning District.
Crissy Hartl stated that they are seeing a lot of interest in the zoning district and are working on a variety of housing products throughout the city.
Chairperson Christiansen opened the public hearing.
George Dresser, College Park Subdivision, College Station, expressed concerns with greater density in the neighborhood.
Chairperson Christiansen closed the public hearing.
Chairperson Christiansen asked for clarification that staff is comfortable going forward setting the precedent for Middle Housing.
Director Ostrowski stated that staff is comfortable based on the Comprehensive Plan’s
designation of this area as Mixed-Residential, the greater density of this area, and the surrounding types of uses. Commissioner Collins stated that the Commissioners agreed to support and to be guided
by the Comprehensive Plan when they were interviewed for the Commission.
Commissioner McIlhaney expressed support for a Middle Housing designation. Commissioner McIlhaney motioned to recommend approval of the Rezoning,
Commissioner White seconded the motion. Commissioner Mirza expressed support for mixed-housing and different layouts. Commissioner Chaloupka expressed support for the rezoning, stating that this is an area
the city has struggled with for years and this is the first step in a good direction to move
forward.
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The motion passed 6-0.
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:
• The Meadows Phase One Block 1, Lot 19-R ~ Case #FP2022-000028
• Brewster Pointe Subdivision Phase 1, Block 2, Lots 7-9 & Common Area 2R ~ Case #FP2022-000033
There was no discussion.
6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
• Thursday, February 23, 2023 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, March 2, 2023 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, March 9, 2023 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, March 16, 2023 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
There was general discussion regarding scheduling liaisons for City Council meetings. 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 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. Commissioner McIlhaney asked for an update on how the no more than four unrelated ordinance is being enforced, how it has been enforced in the past, and if any changes to the
ordinance are anticipated.
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Commissioner Mirza asked about grandfathering for Shared Housing.
Director Ostrowski stated that any applications submitted prior to the Shared Housing
Ordinance went into effect would have been considered single-family.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
___________________________________ _________________________________
Dennis Christiansen, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary
Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services