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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2009-03-23 Special, Joint Public Hearing w/ City CouncilPLANNING & ZONING COMM ISSION MINUTES OF A JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS & A SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2009 7:00PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS JOINT PUBLIC HEARING The Joint Public Hearing was called to order at 7:00pm with the following people in attendance: Chaiiman Kevin Holland Commissioner Ruben Garcia Commissioner David O'Farrell City Planner Mona Miller Int. Dir. of CD Morad Kabiri Vice Chairman Mark McLean Commissioner Hassan Moghaddam City Attorney Bobby Gervais Development Coord. Aubrey Harbin City Council and Mayor To receive comments from the public, either oral or written, regarding the following: A.Amending Appendix C, Zoning Ordinance of the . City of Friendswood Code of Ordinances, regarding amendments to Section 20, Definitions, P. Home occupation. Bill Finger stated that he is disturbed by the proposed ordinance which will increase safety issues, increase cost to City because of enforcement issues, and increase traffic. He stated that multiple homes with the number of allowed trips per day would be a significant increase in traffic (5 homes would allow 80 tpd). He also stated a concern about the safety of personal property due to non-residents being in the neighborhoods and a decrease in property values. Mr. Finger stated that the City would also incur a decrease in tax revenue by allowing commercial activity in non-commercial zoned properties, which he also stated that he felt was defacto zoning. Frank Ortiz stated that he is against the proposed ordinance because of personal experiences he is currently facing. A general contractor moved in next door to his residence and turned the garage into an office. He stated that construction vehicles are parked on the street and increase traffic. He explained that buses have a difficult time getting down the street. He also stated that the proposed ordinance will make enforcement by the HOAs more difficult. Bobby Jones said there are 3 to 4 businesses in her neighborhood and that vehicles parked on roads limit the accessibility of fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. She stated that it takes the HOA 2 to 3 months to refer cases to the HOA attorney. Dedra Brown stated that this issue arose because of one person and that she feels the ordinance should be reviewed in its entirety and all concerns addressed. She said that the proposal sets no limits and does not restrict the number of patrons; it restricts race car repair, but not all vehicles. She said there are a number of businesses that she could run that would not violate the proposed ordinance. Faye Roberson stated that she is opposed to the proposed ordinance because attorney fees are expensive for the HOAs. B.Amending the Design Criteria Manual, Appendix C-Parking Group Table. Kabiri explained that the proposed parking calculations are based on national trends and that recommended changes will fill in To Be Determined values that are currently in the Design Criteria Manual Parking Group Table. Mayor Smith explained that it is a goal of the Planning and Zoning Commission to make the ordinances clear and more detailed. Opposed: None Favor: None C.Amending Appendix C, Zoning Ordinance of the City of Friendswood Code of Ordinances, regarding amendments to Section 11, The Board of Adjustment-Powers and duties, to add exceptions for the Zoning Board of Adjustment to grant variances. Chairman Holland explained that the Zoning Board of Adjustments is asking for a broader scope of authority to improve quality of life in Friendswood. Robert Wearing asked what ZBOA is asking for. Mayor Smith explained that ZBOA is very limited on granting variances and has asked for changes in what they are allowed to grant variances for in addition to the ability to use common sense in their decision making. Bill Finger asked if the extensions were consistent with state law. City Attorney Gervais said that the parameters are consistent with state law. Mr. Finger also stated that he was on the Planning and Zoning Commission when discretion was taken away from ZBOA. He said he would like to ensure that the ordinance does limit ZBOA somewhat.2 SPECIAL MEETING {second floor conference room, immediately following Joint Public Hearing) 1.The special meeting was called to order at 7:51pm with the following people in attendance: Chairman Kevin Holland Commissioner Ruben Garcia Commissioner David O'Farrell Development Coord. Aubrey Harbin Vice Chairman Mark McLean Commissioner Hassan Moghaddam City Planner Mona Miller 2.Communication from the public/committee liaisons Bill Finger expanded on his comment made earlier in the JPH with City Council. He stated that he feels the process of notification of ordinance changes is unethical. He stated that minor changes would make information more public. He also stated that the home occupation ordinance proposes next door neighbors to have a defacto office park. 3.Consent Agenda: a.Approval of minutes for the January 22, 2009 regular meeting b.Approval of minutes for the January 26, 2009 special meeting c.Approval of minutes for the February 12, 2009 special meeting Motion to Approve: Moghaddam Second: Garcia Vote: 5 to O (Unanimous) Motion Carried 4.Consideration and possible action regarding the request for a one time six month preliminary plat approval extension for: a.West Blvd., Street Dedication b.Falcon Ridge Blvd., West of West Blvd. Street Dedication No. 1 c.Falcon Ridge Blvd., West of West Blvd. Street Dedication No. 2 d.The Lakes at West Ranch, Section One Motion to Approve: McLean Second: Garcia Vote: 5 to O (Unanimous) Motion Carried 5.Consideration and possible action regarding amendments to the Park Plaza commercial site plan Motion to Approve the amended site plan: McLean Second: O'Farrell Vote: 5 to O (Unanimous) Motion Carried Commissioner O'Farrell asked why changes were being made. Sel Thint explained that the changes included changes to the elevations of the building only such as building height, adding a do1mer to each side of the building, adding stone to the towers and dormers, and changes to the windows, none of which change the footprint of the building. Commissioner O'Farrell said that he is excited about the building, but concerned about the parking. Chairman Holland and Sel Thint both clarified that the project did meet the 3 minimum parking requirements outlined in the Design Criteria Manual. Mr. Thint also stated that he is working with adjacent businesses on working out shared parking agreements. 6.Consideration and possible action regarding proposed amendments to City of Friendswood, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26. Environment., Article V. Junked Vehicles Motion to recommend definition in Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26 Junked Vehicle definition, item 1 to read "Is self-propelled and inoperable and which does not have lawfully affixed thereto an unexpired license plate 0f and a valid motor vehicle safety inspection certificate and which is wrecked, dismantled, partially dismantled, or discarded; or": McLean Second:Moghaddam Vote: 5 to O (Unanimous) Motion Carried Miller explained that this issue was raised when the Parking Group Table was being discussed with City Council. A few businesses that have parking of unsightly vehicles and City Council asked P&Z to review the ordinance to possibly make changes so that these types of situations are avoided in the future. There was also the desire to eliminate the grandfathering of the current unsightly vehicles. After meeting with the City Attorney, it was determined that there are no changes that could be made that would eliminate the grandfathering of the existing businesses. She explained that there is a need to update the City's definition of junked vehicles to be in compliance with the state's definition. The only other solution is to possibly change the Permitted Use Table to require a SUP for automotive repair in the CSC zoning category. 7.Consideration and possible action regarding proposed amendments to the Design Criteria Manual regarding Downtown District recommendations Motion to Table: Moghaddam Second: McLean Vote: 5 to O (Unanimous) Motion Tabled Miller explained that this proposed document is recommendations only, not requirements, for seating, tree wells, light poles, and pavers in the Downtown District. She explained that she is still waiting on specifications for one set of pavers. The item also needs to be re-adve1tised as Appendix E of the Design Criteria Manual. 8.Discussion regarding review and possible amendments to City of Friendswood, Code of Ordinances, entire Appendix C -Zoning Ordinance Miller explained that we have had discussions before about simplifying the zoning ordinance by grouping the zoning categories and the requirements for each category. She stated that she is proposing a Multifamily Residential section rather than separating medium, low and high multifamily residential categories. Some suggestions were to examine the zoning categories and eliminate or combine districts such as OPD and LNC. Chairman Holland stated that he would like the deviations from zoning ordinance in proposed PUDs noted in the PUD documents. Miller explained that staff is now requiring a list of exceptions to the ordinances for PUDs. Holland also stated that we 4 need to look at the widths of private streets. 9.Discussion regarding "Boot Camp" topics Mark explained that he provided staff with about 17 items to copy for eachCommissioner. Staff is working on putting the information together and Commissioners will have it soon. 10.Communications from the Commission Chairman Holland stated that he would like to thank Mike Brown for his service to the Commission and announced that the new commissioner is Mike Huss. 11.Repo11s a.Council Liaison -None b.Staff -Miller presented the Commission with the February 2009 DRC report. She also explained that the items that were heard tonight at the JPH with City Council were inadve11ently left off of tonight's agenda; therefore, they will be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting, which will be April 2, 2009. 12.The meeting was adjourned at 8:31pm. These minutes submitted by: 5