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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2021-03-03 RegularCITY OF FRIENDSWOOD COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021 - 3:30 PM Minutes MINUTES OF A FRIENDSWOOD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, DRAFT STATE OF TEXAS CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS MARCH 3, 2021 1. Call to Order MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE THAT WAS HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021, AT 3:30 PM AT 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS WITH THE FOLLOWING PRESENT CONSTITUTING A QUORUM; CHAIR JENNIFER WHITLEY VICE CHAIR BLAISE GUZZETTA (VIRTUAL) COMMITTEE MEMBER SUSAN ASIMAKIS COMMITTEE MEMBER PAULINE MOORE (VIA PHONE) ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER STEVEN RHEA DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUBREY HARBIN ABSENT: COMMITTEE MEMBER MIKE HICKEY OTHERS PRESENT: MARCUS PERRY, PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONER AMBER PETREE, FRIENDSWOOD ISD KIM COLE, FRIENDSWOOD ISD 2. Communications from the Public None 3. Approval of Minutes A. February 3, 2021 Blaise Guzzetta motioned to approve the January 6, 2021, meeting minutes, seconded by Pauline Moore. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Discussion and Possible Actions A. Consideration and possible action to provide recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding amendments to Appendix C, Zoning Ordinance, Section 8.1.2 (f) Preserving Trees; Historical Significance Aubrey Harbin, Director of Community Development, explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission is working on revisions to the Tree Preservation Ordinance. The desire is to increase mitigation requirements for removing significant trees. Currently for commercial development or common areas in residential development, a tree survey is required. Trees measured 12 inches or greater 4.5 feet above natural grade must be identified on the plan and also identified as "To Be Protected" or "To Be Removed." If removed, a tree must be replaced with one 3-inch tree, no matter the size of the tree being removed. Commission is reviewing Pearland and League City's tree ordinances for comparison. Projects underway currently will not be subject to new rules. Blaize Guzzetta commented that a 3 inch tree would take 50 years to become a 36 inch tree. Harbin explained that some cities require inch for inch mitigation, but the concern with that is that all of those trees would eventually grow to be large trees as well. Some properties have removed 40 trees, which does not account for the number of inches. The Commission is also looking into establishing a fee in lieu of mitigating trees, which may possibly be $250 per caliper inch as an option if the trees cannot be planted on the property. Steven Rhea explained that CEDC's goals include keeping economic viability of properties so any recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission that would support those concepts and also help keep some of the more significant trees would be appreciated. Susan stated that attractiveness of the properties to appeal to businesses is also part of the considerations. Steve Rhea explained that Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation (FDEDC) has a plan for the Downtown District which also includes protecting some of the trees in Downtown. There was further discussion about preserving trees and the City's leverage on City owned property in comparison to private property restrictions. Marcus Perry, Planning and Zoning Commissioner, explained that it would be helpful for CEDC to come up with agreement on how aggressive a new ordinance could be and avoid upsetting landowners. We would not want to damage property owners ability to sell property and do not want to deter people from developing in Downtown. This item will be on for future discussions. B. Consideration and possible action to provide recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding updates to the Future Land Use Map (2008) Aubrey Harbin and Marc Perry, Planning and Zoning Commissioner/Planning Subcommittee Chair, explained the proposed updates to the 2008 Future Land Use Map. They asked the board members to review and prepare to discuss further at the next meeting and possibly provide the Commission with a recommendation. 5. Reports A. City of Friendswood and CEDC Legislative priority and update. • Steven Rhea provided the City's legislative priorities and updates; he provided the committee with a copy of the resolution passed in December with detailed priorities. B. Winter Storm Impacts February 2021 • Steven Rhea reported that 24 commercial structures sustained damage during the winter storm. City staff did a phenomenal job during the event. The City is waiving permit fees for any work/repairs directly related to the storm. C. FISD Update • Kim Cole — reported that the bond is complete and they locked in a rate of 1.83%, which is a significant savings to residents. Construction update — the property at West Ranch has been surveyed and they are beginning the design phase; high school plans are also in design and development phase; enrollment holding steady 94% receiving in person instruction; 6% virtual 6. Comments Blaise Guzzetta questioned the paint markings on the brick pavers in Downtown and asked if there was anything that could be done to eliminate that. Steven Rhea explained that the City has adopted an ordinance to require a chalk paint that is more temporary, but that it seems to still be lasting quite a while. Additionally, many of the markings on the ground currently are unfortunately a result of identifying utilities for City projects. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:48 PM.