HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/2025 - Regular Minutes - Planning & Zoning CommissionMarch 6, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 7
Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting March 6, 2025
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairperson Jason Cornelius, Commissioners Aron Collins,
Marcus Chaloupka, Warren Finch, David Higdon, Michael Buckley, and Tre Watson
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmember David White CITY STAFF PRESENT: Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services Molly
Hitchcock, Long Range Planning Administrator Christine Leal, Land Development Review
Administrator Robin Macias, Senior Planner Jeff Howell, Deputy City Attorney Leslie Whitten, Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny, and Lead Technology Services Specialist Lillian Wells
1. Call Meeting to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Consider Absence Request.
Chairperson Cornelius 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.
• February 20, 2025
Commissioner Collins moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion, the motion passed 7-0. 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. 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 PDD Planned Development District to MH Middle Housing and HOO High Occupancy Overlay for approximately
1.152 acres at 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, and 110-119 Knox Drive, being Lots 18-27, Block
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29 and Lots 12-16, Block 31 of The Barracks II Subdivision Phase 401, generally located southwest of the intersection of Knox Drive and Old Wellborn Road. Case #REZ2024-
000030.
5.2 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 PDD Planned Development
District to MH Middle Housing and HOO High Occupancy Overlay for approximately 0.412 acres at 418, 420, 422, 424, and 426 Baby Bear Drive, being Lots 1-5, Block 32 of The Barracks II Subdivision Phase 109, generally located northeast of the intersection of Baby Bear Drive and Towers Parkway.
5.3 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 PDD Planned Development
District to MH Middle Housing and HOO High Occupancy Overlay for approximately
0.406 acres at 133, 135, 137, 139, and 141 Deacon Drive West, being Lots 1-5, Block 21 of The Barracks II Subdivision Phase 107, generally located northeast of the intersection of Deacon Drive West and General Parkway.
Presentations, discussion, and public hearings on agenda items #5.1, #5.2, and #5.3 were
held together. Senior Planner Howell presented the rezoning requests for agenda items #5.1, #5.2, and #5.3 recommending approval of all.
Commissioner Collins asked why only these certain areas were being rezoned. Senior Planner Howell clarified that these applications were submitted by the individual property owners as they were not part of the City-initiated rezoning to middle housing since
they are zoned as PDD Planned Development District.
Commissioner Collins asked if this area could be a future candidate for City-initiated rezoning.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that this area could potentially be part of a larger scale
City-initiated rezoning. Commissioner Collins asked if townhouse developments can be built within a MH Middle Housing zoning district.
Senior Planner Howell confirmed that townhouse developments can be built within a MH Middle Housing zoning district.
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Commissioner Higdon asked for clarification on the definition of shared housing.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that a shared housing use allows for occupancy beyond
that of a family. Commissioner Higdon asked if this would create a restricted housing adjacent to shared housing.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that if a shared housing use was established through a minor site plan process, a restricted housing would be adjacent to a shared housing product.
Commissioner Collins asked if staff sees any concerns with putting a high occupancy use
adjacent to a single-family use. Senior Planner Howell clarified that the PDD Planned Development District zoning district did provide for modifications to the setbacks which is in line with a MH Middle Housing
zoning district, other properties in the area could also apply for the HOO High Occupancy
Overlay. Commissioner Chaloupka asked if the City sees any issues with rezoning certain areas within a larger area, asking if it would lead to a City-initiated rezoning in the future.
Chairperson Cornelius added that the Commission sees an issue with smaller area rezonings because of the individual property ownership. Senior Planner Howell clarified that additional adjacent common ownerships could request
a rezoning; these specific areas are commonly owned within a larger area. Mr. Howell also
clarified that a larger-scale rezoning could be pursued at the direction of the City Council and explained that the methodology of the working group for the City-initiated rezonings excluded PDD Planned Development Districts.
Commissioner Finch asked for the bedroom count within the townhomes.
Senior Planner Howell deferred to the applicant regarding a bedroom count. Commissioner Watson asked for clarification that the City requires a majority vote from a
subdivision for a ROO Restricted Occupancy Overlay, however the City does not require
neighborhood approval for a HOO High Occupancy Overlay. Senior Planner Howell confirmed that approval from the neighborhood for a HOO High Occupancy Overlay through the shared housing use is not required.
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Commissioner Higdon stated that property owners in the subdivision purchased homes in a single-family area, asking if the HOO High Occupancy Overlay would change the
dynamic throughout the development.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that to gain the shared housing use, the applicant would have to go through the minor site plan process, adding that if parking and bedroom ratios were not met, a shared housing use would not be allowed.
Commissioner Collins asked for the public hearing notification boundary. Senior Planner Howell stated that all property owners within 200-feet of the subject properties were notified of the public hearing.
Commissioner Collins asked if staff received any comments or objections on the rezonings. Senior Planner Howell confirmed that there were no inquires.
Chairperson Cornelius shared his concerns with spot zoning.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that this area is designated as mixed-residential on the Comprehensive Plan, and MH Middle Housing is an appropriate zoning district.
Commissioner Higdon asked if there is a Homeowner’s Association within the subdivision.
Senior Planner Howell confirmed there is a Homeowner’s Association, and they were notified of the public hearing.
Commissioner Higdon asked if this changes the deed restrictions.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that deed restrictions are a privately enforced matter. Ricky Flores, Applicant, Schultz Engineering, was available to address the Commission,
clarifying that a minor site plan will address the bedroom to parking ratio, and stating that
the subdivision was not included in City-initiated rezonings because of its PDD Planned Development District zoning. Chairperson Cornelius asked for clarification that most properties adjacent to the
subdivision have already been rezoned to HOO High Occupancy Overlay, stating that this
subdivision was excluded. Senior Planner Howell confirmed that there are several HOO High Occupancy Overlays and MH Middle Housing zoning districts in the area.
Commissioner Collins asked for the minimum size product in a MH Middle Housing zoning district with a HOO High Occupancy Overlay.
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Senior Planner Howell clarified that the product size depends on the product type; allowed types such as townhouse and single-family developments have their own density and
dimensional standards.
Commissioner Collins stated that a ROO Restricted Occupancy Overlay limits the way you can use the property, however the HOO High Occupancy Overlay does not have the same level of restriction so it can still be used for lower density but allowing for a higher density.
Senior Planner Howell confirmed that a HOO High Occupancy Overlay does not require high occupancy. MH Middle Housing includes flexibility depending on the product type. Commissioner Higdon asked if a single property owner could pursue a HOO High
Occupancy Overly.
Senior Planner Howell clarified that a single property owner could request a HOO High Occupancy Overlay, however since these are attached units, they would have to come in together.
Administrator Macias clarified that a single property could request a HOO High Occupancy Overlay, however staff would not recommend approval as HOO High Occupancy Overlays would be placed over a larger area.
Chairperson Cornelius opened the public hearing for agenda items #5.1, #5.2, and #5.3.
No visitors spoke. Chairperson Cornelius closed the public hearing for agenda items #5.1, #5.2, and #5.3.
Commissioner Collins moved to recommend approval of agenda item #5.1, Commissioner Finch seconded the motion. Commissioner Higdon expressed concerns about a counterintuitive spot zoning nature with
the HOO High Occupancy Overlay.
Chairperson Cornelius clarified that the main reason this area was not included in the City- initiated rezoning was because of its PDD Planned Development District zoning, which were excluded from the process.
Senior Planner Howell confirmed that the area was excluded because it was part of the methodology that PDD Planned Development Districts were automatically taken off the City-initiated rezoning table.
Commissioner Chaloupka expressed concerns for spot zoning. The motion passed 5-2 with Commissioners Higdon and Buckley voting in opposition.
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Commissioner Finch moved to recommend approval of agenda item #5.2, Commissioner Chaloupka seconded the motion, the motion passed 5-2 with
Commissioners Higdon and Buckley voting in opposition. Commissioner Chaloupka moved to recommend approval of agenda item #5.3, Commissioner Collins seconded the motion.
Commissioner Watson expressed concern that HOO High Occupancy Overlays do not need
neighborhood approval like the ROO Restricted Occupancy Overlays. The motion passed 5-2 with Commissioners Higdon and Buckley voting in opposition.
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 an update on items heard:
• A comprehensive plan amendment for approximately 3.6 acres of land located at 3768 McCullough Road from Estate Residential to Neighborhood Commercial. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on February 6, 2025 and voted (7-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on February 27, 2025 and voted (6-0) to approve the request.
• A rezoning of approximately 15 acres of land located within Glenhaven Phase II Subdivision to establish a ROO Restricted Occupancy Overlay. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on February 6, 2025 and voted (7-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on February 27, 2025
and voted (6-0) to approve the request.
• A rezoning of approximately two acres of land located at 810 Southwest Parkway East from R-4 Multi-Family to GC General Commercial. The Planning & Zoning Commission heard this item on February 6, 2025 and voted
(7-0) to recommend approval. The City Council heard this item on February 27, 2025 and voted (6-0) to approve the request.
There was no discussion.
6.3 Presentation and discussion regarding the P&Z Calendar of Upcoming Meetings:
• Thursday, March 13, 2025 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ Open
Meeting 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 18, 2025 ~ Northgate Small Area Plan Committee Meeting ~ 3:00 p.m.
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•Thursday, March 20, 2025 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
•Thursday, March 27, 2025 ~ City Council Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ OpenMeeting 6:00 p.m.
•Tuesday, April 1, 2025 ~ Northgate Small Area Plan Committee Meeting ~ 3:00p.m.
•Thursday, April 3, 2025 ~ P&Z Meeting ~ Council Chambers ~ 6:00 p.m.
There was no discussion.
6.4 Discussion and review regarding the following meetings: Design Review Board and BioCorridor Board.
•None
There was no discussion.
7.Discussion and possible action on future agenda items.
Chairperson Cornelius asked for a bigger view on PDD Planned Development Districts
within the City of College Station and where they could fall under future City-initiatedzoning requests.
Commissioner Higdon requested that the Commission prepare a recommendation to theCity Council to support efforts to retain occupancy regulations.
Commissioner Chaloupka provided updates to the Commission on the Northgate SmallArea Plan meetings.
Commissioner Collins commended staff on the Northgate Small Area Plan meetings.
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
__________________________________ _________________________________ Jason Cornelius, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary Planning & Zoning Commission Planning & Development Services
for Jason Cornelius