HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2001-08-31 Special 1792
STATE OF TEXAS )(
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD )(
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS )(
AUGUST 13, 2001 )(
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD CITY COUNCIL THAT WAS HELD ON AUGUST
13, 2001 AT 6:30 PM AT FRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL, 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD,
TEXAS, WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM:
MAYOR HAROLD L. WHITAKER
MAYOR PRO TEM LARRY TAYLOR
I COUNCILMEMBER KITTEN BRIZENDINE
COUNCILMEMBER JERRY ERICSSON
COUNCILMEMBER TRACY GOZA
COUNCILMEMSER KIM BRIZENDINE
COUNCILMEMBER MEL MEASELES
CITY ATTORNEY KIM MICKELSON �
CITY MANAGER RON COX
CITY SECRETARY DELORIS MCKENZIE
Mayor Whitaker called the meeting to order.
Discussion was held regarding congestion and medians on FM 2351. Mayor Whitaker recapped prior
discussions regarding medians and traffic, congestion, meeting with representatives of the Community
Appearance Board (CAB), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and the FM2351 committee.
City Manager Cox stated that they may have arrived at a somewhat reluctant consensus. A presentation
was made by Acting Chief of Police Luke Loeser, Director of Community Development Mike Hodge, and
Director of Community Services Jon Branson. Discussion continued regarding existing conditions, safety
proposals, continuation of FM 2351 across FM 518, a continuous turning lane, raised medians, a duai
turn lane at FM 518, accidents, relocating the crepe myrtles, visibility requirements, u-turns, liability
issues, a sign at Albertson's indicating "no cross over", shortening median, sending a letter to TxDOT to
accommodate changes of the medians, removing a minimum of trees, red brick turning lanes. It was the
consensus of Council to have plans drawn up and brought back for Council approval. Council
complimented the staff for their work and providing the drawing that helped Council to see the
proposals. City Manager Cox thanked CAB for their participation and input and recognized the FM 2351
Committee that worked on this issue with former Chief of Police Jared Stout.
Discussion was held with Planning and Zoning Commission regarding amendments to the Zoning
Ordinance for the following.
Permitted Use Table—Director of Community Development Mike Hodge gave a power point presentation
that included information regarding the ad hoc Development Review Committee and the Community and
Economic Development Committee (CEDC) and goals to make the permitted use tables more business
friendly. Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission Tom Burke and Economic Development
Coordinator Karen Capps provided input as well. Discussion continued regarding reducing the number of
non-residential uses requiring a Specific Use Permit(SUP), emerging industries, classification, changes
in the new manual, streamlining the SUP process, smaller categories, expediting the development
process, reducing the number of SUP's, additions to the zoning ordinance regulating swimming poois,
adopting new tables, garage apartments, set backs, pawn shops, and privacy issues. It was the
consensus of Council to place the permitted use tables on a future agenda to discuss supplementary
regulations, pawn shops, and garage apartments.
Site Plan Approvals—Mayor Whitaker re-capped prior discussions reviewed by the Planning and Zoning
Commission and Community and Economic Development Committee. Director of the Planning and
Zoning Commission (P&Z) Tom Burke clarified the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning
Comrnission (P&Z) which stated that the Commission recommends changing the commerciai site plan
approval process to include one review and approval procedure. City Staff�vi!! wor�c with the appficants
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to prepare a submittal for commercial sites to be presented to the Commission for approval. The
proposed site plan should have no significant issues with relevant ordinances, Any minor items and
contingencies should be itemized by the Commission and made a apart of the approved site p1an. Staff
will foilow up on any contingencies set in the Commission approvai. Discussion continued with the
Community and Economic Development Committee's (CEDC) recommendation that commercial site
plans be changed and delegated solely to staff within on e year, During the interim one-year period,
CEDC recommends site plans to be reviewed by staff for all purposes except final approval, and that final
approvai be made by P&Z at one public meeting only. Discussion continued regarciing efforts to improve
the City's reputation of being business-friendfy. Mayor Whitaker asked to have the clarification ready to
be piaced on the next agenda regarding the reduction of the number of reviews by P&Z, and the
consensus of Council was to review the process in one year and to give the public the opportunity to
address the process at the P&Z meetings.
Landscape Provisions — Director of Community Development Mike Hodge reviewed the process and
discussed wording left out of ordinance regarding fencing and screening. Chair of the Planning&Zoning
Commission (P & Z)Tom Burke discussed wording to address existing fencing for commercia! and new
development. It was the consensus of Council to modify the changes and Maycr Whitaker stated ihat the
Council appreciates what Mr. Burke and the Planning & Zoning Commission does for the community.
Discussion was held regarding Policy and Procedures for Appointments to Boards, Commissions and
Committees. Mayor Whitaker recapped the request to re�iew the policy and stated that Councilmes�-iber
Goza suggested term limits such as 3 consecutive terrns similar to Council terms. Discussion continued
regarding the iimited volunteers available year to year, circulating chairs of committees, bringing in new
blood yet retaining history, attendance, alternate members, process to get volunteers, mandatory
training, post interview for input, the interview process, accountability, informai interview p.rocess, and
the adherence to Section 5.02 for future appointments.
A motion was made and approved to adjourn at 9:10 PM.
..
Mayor Harold L. Whitaker
Attest:
C �
� i
Deloris McKenzie, T MC
City Secretary