HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2007-09-19 Specialr : I I I
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL WORK SESSION OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, HELD WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19,
2007, AT 6:00 PM, AT THE FRIENDSWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY MEETING ROOM,
AT 416 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
1.The meeting was called to order at 6: l Spm.
Those in attendance were:
Commissioner David O'Farrell Commissioner Hassan Moghaddam
Commissioner Michael Brown Commissioner Jim Gibson
Commissioner Sherry Weesner Planner Mona Miller
Development Coordinator Aubrey Harbin
2.Discussion with the City Council and Community and Economic Development
Committee regarding updating the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Friendswood.
Mayor David Smith explained that the people present in the meeting have various
historical knowledge of the process thus far concerning the land use map and the
comprehensive plan. He explained that his expectation of the meeting tonigh t is to get
everyone at the same base level of understanding as to where the city is in the process of
adopting a new comprehensive plan and this meeting to act as a catalyst to move to the
next phase.
City Manager Bo McDaniel stated that he feels the current land use map, which was
adopted in 1995, is out of date. He explained that Planning and Zoning has been working
hard to update the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Use Map and a plan is needed to
move forward. Mr. McDaniel explained that the planning staff compiled a five year
history of rezoning cases, which showed that 61 % of zoning cases in the past five years
have been inconsistent with the land use map. He said this either shows that the land use
map is out of date or that it is not being enforced.
Dan Sefko of Sefko and Associates presented information to the group as to the
importance of a city adopting a comprehensive plan and enforcing it. He explained that
planning helps put the pieces in place for Planning and Zoning and city council to use as
guides during important decision making processes and that it is necessary for the health,
safety and welfare of the community. He encouraged the city to make decisions about
what type of city or community is desired, establish programs and regulations to enact
those goals and take action to enforce the programs and regulations. He explained that
the city needs to decide whether the current plan should be completely rewritten or just
updated and that either way would be beneficial.
Several concerns and comments were made by both Planning and Zoning conunissioners
and city council members, but the main concern of everyone was that it is urgent that an
update is made as soon as possible. Mayor David Smith sununarized everyone's
thoughts into a four step process: 1) Proposed changes to the comprehensive plan and
land use plan need to be reviewed and validated 2) Make the information available to the
public for input and then discuss again 3)Develop an interim plan 4) Develop a process
for constant updates for future leaders of Friendswood.
Other goals that were discussed include examining boundary expansion of the city limits,
phasing and infrastructure concerning capital improvement projects, completing most
important priorities first, and an executive summary of the key changes and priorities of
significance of the proposed changes to the comprehensive plan.
Another item of discussion was alternatives to a regular public hearing v,,hen the plan is
introduced to the public. Some suggestions ,:vere an open house, tovm hall meeting, or
broadcasting via the cable chairnel.
A de cision was made to have another work session on October 29, 2007. In the mean
time, copies of the proposed comprehensive plan and land use map changes will be
distributed to all Planning and Zoning commissioners, city council members and
Community and Economic Development Committee members. Everyone was asked to
review the documents and provide any significant concerns before the meeting on
October 29 1\ so they can be compiled and distributed for discussion at the meeting.
2.Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20pm.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
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evelopment Co . .
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