HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/01/2023 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionJune 1, 2023 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 7
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting June 1, 2023
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Dennis Christiansen, Commissioners Bobby
Mirza, Melissa McIlhaney, and Marcus Chaloupka
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioners David White, Jason Cornelius, and Aron Collins COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmember Dennis Maloney
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning & Development Services Michael Ostrowski, Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services Molly Hitchcock, City Engineer Carol Cotter, Long Range Planning Administrator Alyssa Halle-Schramm, Land Development Review Administrator Anthony Armstrong, Senior Planner Matthew Ellis, Staff Planner Robin Macias,
Graduate Engineer II Katherine Beaman-Jamael, Graduate Engineer I Lindsey Pressler, Deputy
City Attorney Leslie Tipton-Whitten, Assistant City Attorney II Aaron Longoria, 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.
• May 18, 2023
3.2 Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding a Final Plat for Southern Pointe Section 106 on approximately 10.399 acres of land, generally located along Patriot Drive
north of Eldora Drive. Case #FP2022-000024
Commissioner Chaloupka motioned to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Mirza 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.
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5. Regular Agenda
5.1 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding an ordinance
amending Appendix A, “Unified Development Ordinance,” Article 7, “General Development Standards,” Section 7.14, “Drainage and Stormwater Management” and adding Section 7.15, “Lot Grading and Drainage for Individual Lots” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of College Station, Texas regarding lot grading for residential
property. Case #ORDA2023-000002 (Note: Final action of this item will be considered at
the June 12, 2023 City Council Meeting – Subject to change). Administrator Armstrong presented the ordinance amendment to the Commission recommending approval.
Chairperson Christiansen asked how staff decides on a geographical area to analyze drainage issues and who is responsible for paying for drainage plans. Administrator Armstrong stated that with a new subdivision there is a property owner doing
an original design. The property owner must analyze the property working with staff and
a design engineer to come to a consensus on the scope of work and all work is done by a design team to make sure the development meets the ordinance requirements. Chairperson Christiansen asked if with this ordinance, whomever is doing the rebuilding
is responsible for having an engineer certify that the drainage requirements are met.
Administrator Armstrong stated that applicants can follow the proposed design templates, which are ones used by the Federal Housing Administration, or utilize a design engineer that will work with staff to meet the ordinance requirements.
Commissioner McIlhaney asked if a landscape architect is an acceptable professional on an individual development. Administrator Armstrong clarified that the ordinance is written to require professional
engineer. Mr. Armstrong stated that landscape architects do not typically provide grading
information on their plans. Commissioner McIlhaney stated that professional grading and drainage plans should be able to be provided by a landscape architect.
Administrator Armstrong stated that staff can look to see if there are options to expand the language to include other design professionals while staying within the scope of expertise. Commissioner Chaloupka asked what would initiate lot-by-lot grading requirements.
Administrator Armstrong stated that Section 7.14 of the UDO addresses a master drainage plan for an entire subdivision, looking at the development holistically, and this ordinance
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would, at the time of the building permit, show either compliance with the master plan or look at the individual lot basis in conjunction with neighbors and surrounding drainage.
Mr. Armstrong further stated that this ordinance speaks specifically to the building permit
level but can reflect back on the platting stage. Commissioner McIlhaney stated that the time to get plans from an engineer is longer than the time it takes for a landscape architect, and typically civil engineers do not want to
touch individual lot development.
Chairperson Christiansen asked for clarification that the City incurs no cost and is not responsible for developing the plans.
Administrator Armstrong confirmed that the City incurs no cost and is not responsible for
developing the plans. Commissioner McIlhaney asked if staff will be conducting inspections and at what point.
Administrator Armstrong confirmed that the City will be conducting inspections at the
certificate of occupancy stage, at final grading. Chairperson Christiansen opened the public hearing.
No visitors spoke.
Chairperson Christiansen closed the public hearing. Chairperson Christiansen asked that staff look to see if there are options to expand
the ordinance language to include landscape architects prior to the June 12, 2023 City
Council meeting. Administrator Armstrong confirmed that staff will review the ordinance language for an expanded list of design professionals.
Commissioner Mirza asked if the plans include Federal Emergency Management Agency floodplain. Administrator Armstrong clarified that the rest of the ordinance will address floodplain in
another capacity.
Commissioner McIlhaney expressed support for the ordinance amendment asking that the definition of design professionals be expanded to include landscape architects.
Commissioner McIlhaney motioned to recommend approval of the ordinance amendment, including a review of the definition of a design professional, Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion, the motion passed 4-0.
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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 the timeline of City-initiated MH Middle Housing rezonings.
Administrator Halle-Schramm presented updates on this item to the Commission.
Chairperson Christiansen commended staff for pushing the City-initiated rezonings
through at an expedited pace, but asked for a quicker timeline. Mr. Christiansen spoke to the individually-submitted rezonings, asking if there has been any discussion to create requirements such as a minimum geographical area or contiguous lots to mitigate one-lot MH Middle Housing rezonings.
Administrator Halle-Schramm stated that staff have discussed the individual MH Middle
Housing rezonings that have come forward and there are no thresholds at this time. Ms. Halle-Schramm stated that there is opportunity for additional individually-submitted MH Middle Housing rezonings to be applied for, stating that it is a policy decision for the Commission to recommend approval or denial.
Commissioner McIlhaney asked of the 16 individually-submitted MH Middle Housing
rezoning cases, how many are in City-initiated areas.
Administrator Halle-Schramm clarified that all but one are in City-initiated areas – the one being a down zoning from R4 Multi-Family to MH Middle Housing on Cooner Street.
Chairperson Christiansen asked for clarification that the 16 individually-submitted
rezoning requests are not going through the City-initiated process.
Administrator Halle-Schramm confirmed that the individually-submitted rezoning requests are being presented as groups separately from the City-initiated rezonings.
Commissioner McIlhaney asked about the citizen letter of concern presented to staff and the Commission.
Administrator Halle-Schramm confirmed that staff had received the correspondence and
clarified that there is nothing that can prevent applicants from applying for individual MH Middle Housing rezonings. Ms. Halle-Schramm clarified that the working group looked for areas that made sense for the City to begin City-initiated cases, and the Comprehensive Plan shows other applicable areas, stating that the working group was not intended to
define all MH Middle Housing zoning district areas in the City of College Station.
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Commissioner McIlhaney discussed traffic and street implications for three areas that were identified as City-initiated areas and asked if staff have reviewed the implications or
heard concerns in other areas.
Administrator Halle-Schramm clarified that infrastructure capacities are assumed in the Comprehensive Plan update, and if areas have transportation concerns, some rezoning cases may move forward at a slower pace. Ms. Halle-Schramm also stated that staff across all departments are reviewing all rezonings and staff will flag public comments and
concerns.
Commissioner McIlhaney asked if other reviewing departments received citizen concerns as part of their review.
Administrator Halle-Schramm stated that other reviewing departments including public safety, water services, and sanitation, assess a more zoomed-in area for analysis.
Commissioner McIlhaney asked if the privately-initiated MH Middle Housing rezonings
could wait until the City-initiated rezonings have gone through the process.
Administrator Halle-Schramm stated that the privately-initiated rezonings have the ability to go through the City-initiated process but have chosen to go through the rezoning process faster.
Commissioner McIlhaney stated that City-initiated rezonings to MH Middle Housing will
be looked upon more favorably.
Administrator Halle-Schramm stated that four of the five privately-initiated rezonings are in City-initiated areas, but applicants are wanting to rezone faster than the City-initiated process.
Commissioner Chaloupka shared concerns for privately-initiated rezonings, and that the
committee identified areas for MH Middle Housing rezoning, however staff has not taken into consideration public input.
Chairperson Christiansen stated that the privately-initiated rezonings will be met with scrutiny when presented to the Commission.
Administrator Halle-Schramm clarified that all rezonings are public hearings that are
available for public input.
Tina Evans, The Knoll, College Station, spoke on the item citing concerns for areas not approved by the committee, infrastructure, transportation, and that the Future Land Use Map will still identify other areas appropriate for mixed-use.
6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
• Monday, June 12, 2023 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
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• Thursday, June 15, 2023 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, June 22, 2023 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, July 6, 2023 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
There was no discussion. 6.4 Presentation and discussion regarding an update on items heard:
• A Comprehensive Plan amendment of approximately 3 acres of land located at 100
Graham Road from Business Center to Neighborhood Commercial. The Planning
& Zoning Commission heard this item on April 20, 2023 and voted (5-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on May 15, 2023 and voted (7-0) to approve the request.
• A rezoning of approximately 3 acres of land located at 100 & 140 Graham Road
from C3 Light Commercial to SC Suburban Commercial. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on April 20, 2023 and voted (5-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on May 15, 2023 and voted (7-0) to approve the request.
• A rezoning of approximately 0.5 of an acre of land located at 170 Graham Road
from M-2 Heavy Industrial to SC Suburban Commercial. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on April 20, 2023 and voted (5-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on May 15, 2023 and voted (7-0) to approve the request.
• A rezoning of approximately 27 acres of land located along Bee Creek Drive and Southwood Drive to establish a Restricted Occupancy Overlay. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on May 4, 2023 and voted (5-2) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on May 25, 2023 and voted (5-1) to
approve the request.
There was no discussion. 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.
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There was no discussion.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
___________________________________ _________________________________ Dennis Christiansen, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services