HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2005-05-05 Special, Public Hearing 05/05/05 2314
STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
MAY 5, 2005 )(
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005 AT 7:00 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 910 S.
FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD,TEXAS,WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A
QUORUM:
MAYOR KIM BRIZENDINE
MAYOR PRO-TEM JERRY ERICSSON
COUNCILMEMBER LAURA EWING
COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA
COUNCILMEMBER DAVID SMITH
COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES
CITY ATTORNEY LOREN SMITH
CITY MANAGER RON COX
DEPUTY CITY SECRETARY MELINDA WELSH
Councilmember Kimmel and City Secretary Deloris McKenzie were absent from the meeting.
Mayor Brizendine called the meeting to order.
7:00 PM -JOINT DOCKETED PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Brizendine and Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission Kevin Holland called a Joint Docketed
Public Hearing to order to receive comments from the public, either oral or written, regarding amending the
Zoning Ordinance of the City of Friendswood, Appendix C, Sections 5, 7, 7.5 and 8 to implement interim
zoning measures for the Main Street Development.
The Mayor announced that Councilmember Kimmel filed a Conflict of Interest and would not be at tonight's
meeting.
City Planner Diana Steelquist provided a brief overview of the proposed changes and announced she and Main
Street Committee Chairman, Bill Finger,would make a presentation about where they are in the process. Mr.
Finger presented a PowerPoint presentation of the history including citizen survey results,top five Main Street
needs,2002 Market Study,Main Street Strategic Plan,a conceptual picture of what Friendswood Town Center
would look like and the Implementation Plan.
City Planner Diana Steelquist presented a PowerPoint presentation on Main Street Interim Zoning Measures
which included information such as why interim measures are needed. There is a two-level approach such as
Original Business District(OBD) and Downtown Overlay District(DOD). Original Business District-Permitted
Use Table (PUT) —changes to allow mixed uses and more office uses, Regulation Matrix, setbacks— none
except next to residential, height—minimum 24 feet,and lot size. Downtown Overlay District-DOD Boundary—
expand to include all of Main Street area, rear parking lots — make it pedestrian friendly, building height—
minimum 24 feet,ground floor only Commercial,sidewalks—8 feet minimum required,fenestration—no flat,
blank walls, facade—60% of lot frontage and showed a map of Main Street boundaries.
A question and answer session took place between Main Street Chair Bill Finger,City Planner Diana Steelquist,
Mayor, Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission members.
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Bill Finger, 2805 Burr Oak Drive, stated he has lived in Friendswood for 30 years and was speaking as a
citizen because the Main Street Committee had not had a chance to meet to discuss this so he cannot speak
for them, thinks the interim zoning measures are a positive thing, sees areas where there could be more
harmonization in the districts and regulations, would like lot sizes to be larger rather than smaller, needs a
good transition for existing businesses for zoning measures, recommends to the Planning and Zoning
Commission that when this Hearing is over and they start considering he recommends a joint workshop with
the Main Street Committee.
Carol Shropshire,415 Morningside Drive, addressed Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission and
said she saw no survey, has lots of questions that need answering,does this mean she will have to move from
a place she has lived at since the 1960's and will citizens vote on it before it goes through.
Mark McLean, 1212 Verdun Drive, stated he owns Lary's Florist and his wife was on the planning for Main
Street and is in favor, right now Main Street looks bad,would like it to be pedestrian friendly,wants to expand
his business, knows there are questions about funding, not sure what is proposed but it needs to get
organized and get the show on the road.
Vince Maleche, 703 Windsor Drive, stated he has lived here 23 years,wondered if citizens are apathetic,has
watched downtown Friendswood be zoned into the ground, he stated his support for businesses that serve
alcoholic beverages, would like to see if this is the best Council can do.
Ed Stuart,2001 Pine Drive, stated he is a business owner, has some of the best businesses in Friendswood
and feels this plan discriminates against certain businesses,who will pay for this and addressed certain items
from the interim zoning measures.
Oren Carelock,910 Riverside Court,stated that Christians need to step forward about not selling alcohol,this
City was founded by Christian people and principals, does not see where the City will get the money for all of
this, moved to Friendswood because it was a good, quiet place,asked where are you going to put all the cars,
and start putting people out of their homes or making people or businesses not expand, Friendswood was
founded as a religious community, we need to get our priorities right.
Bill Holbert, 507 Windsor Drive, stated he has lived here 28 years, has not had an issue since this that
compelled him to get involved, another town did similar and was not successful, some buildings need to be
brightened up, calls this the Main Street Carnival, likes the small town charm and feel that comes with
Friendswood,the City has already spent$200,000 and the Main Street Committee has not met yet on whether
they support it.
Don Beeth, 5303 Whittier Oaks, has lived in Friendswood for 30 plus years, stated it is questionable that this
has the support it needs, checked with Kemah to see if they had government support to get them going and
they did not, Kemah has been a destination for tourists for years, this plan is supposed to be pedestrian
friendly and people do not walk here, it is too hot, the most important thing you need for business is
customers,this is not ever going to happen and the City will spend a lot of money for nothing,wants to know if
the City is considering eminent domain to take properties.
Mayor Brizendine and Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission Kevin Holland closed this Public Hearing.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 8:04 PM.
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Deloris McKenzie, TRM
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