HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2008-03-13 Regular!.
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PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008
7:00PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY HALL
910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
PUBLIC HEARING
1.The public hearing was called to order at 7:01pm with the following people in
attendance:
Chairman Jim Gibson
Commissioner Michael Brown
Commissioner Mark McLean
Commissioner David O'Farrell
City Planner Mona Miller
City Council Liaison Laura Ewing
Vice Chairwoman Sherry Weesner f'nn,mi<;sioner Kevin Holland
Com __ rriissioner Hassan Moghaddam
City Attorney Bobby Gervais
Adm. Secretary Rhonda Baker
2.Communication from the public/committee liaisons
None
3.Consent Agenda:
Weesner requested·to remove item b from the consent agenda. No objection.
a.Approval of Minutes for the February 18, 2008 special meeting
Motion to approve: Holland
Second: Weesner
Vote: Unanimous (7 to 0) Motion Approved
b.Approval of Minutes for the February 21, 2008 regular meeting
Weesner requested a change on paragraph tlu-ee, i tern 10.
Motion to approve as amended: Holland
Second: Weesner
Vote: Unanimous (7 to 0) Motion Approved
4.Discussion with Friendswood I.S.D. regarding upcoming projects
This item was withdrawn from the agenda and will be rescheduled for a future meeting.
No one from FISD was able to attend.
5.Consideration and possible action regarding Preliminary plat of Tuscany Estates, being a
replat of 7.72 acres out of Central Park Subdivision in the Sarah McKissick or J.R.
Williams League, Abstract No. 151, Friendswood, Galveston County, Texas
This item was withdrawn from the agenda at the request of the owner/applicant.
6.Consideration and possible action regarding sidewalk requirements in Terra Bella
Subdivision
Motion to approve the plat with the deletion of note 28: Gibson
Second: Holland
Vote: Unanimous Motion Approved
Mike Harris, of Stonebridge Homes, explained that if the developer was required to
install sidewalks in the Terra Bella subdivision, they would have to be placed in the right
of way and over the utility easement and would conflict with fire hydrants and light poles
that have been placed throughout the subdivision. He explained that the installation of
the sidewalks could not meet ADA slope requirements because the elevations of the
homes have been raised to meet FEMA regulations. He stated that Terra Bella is a gate
conununity with private streets maintained by the HOA. He said that he has ncit fou n rl
any federal requirements for sidewalks, and that the homes are built ten feet off the curb
and if they placed sidewalks in the front yard of the homes, the front yards would be all
concrete. Harris stated that there is another subdivision in Friendswood without
sidewalks and he asked the Commission to be able to continue to develop this subdivision
without sidewalks.
There was much discussion about the requirement of sidewalks in this particular
development. Several commissioners expressed the need to review the PUD cluster
home and garden home district ordinances to prevent this situation from happening again.
7.Consideration and possible action regarding Appendix A, Sign Ordinance of the Code
of Ordinances, regarding temporary signs
Motion to approve: McLean
Second: Holland
Vote: Unanimous (7 to 0) Motion Approved
The ordinance proposal for temporary signs was revised to clarify two concerns of City
Council regarding the percentage of repair costs and multi-tenant buildings.
8.Consideration and possible action regarding possible amendments to Appendix C,
Zoning Ordinance of the Code of Ordinances regarding Downtown District
supplemental requirements
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Motion to approve: Holland
Second: Weesner
Vote: Unanimous (7 to 0) Motion Approved
City Attorney Bobby Gervais explained that the revised ordinance addresses when the
supplemental Downtown District requirements apply to new development or if the non
conforming status is lost. In addition to new development, it also requires that if an
existing business wants to improve the prope11y or structure, the improvements shall be in
compliance with the applicable Downtown District regulations.
It was decided that the zoning ordinance subcommittee would review the complete non
conforming ordinance and present concerns and ideas to staff. Staff and legal will then
revise the ordinance and present it to the Commission ASAP.
9.Consideration and possible action regarding appointing a sub-committee to follow up on
Downtown District issues and discussion on work product of appointed sub-committee
Chairman Gibson appointed McLean, Brown and Holland to the Downtown District
Committee. The purpose of this committee is to:
! .Address any unresolved questions
2.Create "intent/reason for Downtown District" (i.e. cliff notes)
3 .Recommend streetscape or other guidelines, either specifics or list of what type of
guidelines are necessary (type of trees, lights, benches, etc.)
4.Define/review intent of "development/redevelopment" and confirm ordinance
l .. agu<15.:-�:. adequate.
5.Recom1i1end needed definitions; setbacks measured from ROW or prope11y line;
parking requirements or flexible guidelines.
6.Address long range potential problems in the even TX DOT makes FM 518 6 lanes
vs. 4 lanes.
7.Meet with staff to determine if their interpretation of Downtown District zoning, use,
structural requirements, parking, streetscape, landscaping, setbacks are the same as
the intent.
Weesner requested to add item 8 as "Additional items as deemed necessary by the
subcommittee."
10.Consideration and possible action regarding Development Process Committee
recommendations
Marcus explained that the Development Process Committee reviewed the development
processes to see what could be done to make the process easier and streamline steps
developers are required to go through and to make clarifications where needed.
It was decided that the two items to be addressed first from the list of DPC
recommendations would be B -Building Height/Setbacks and E -Milestone Checklist.
11.Discussion regarding televising Planning and Zoning Commission meetings
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Chairman Gibson reminded everyone that the meetings would be recorded and televised
on video. They were recording a test video tonight, but not televising it.
12.Communications from the Conunission
Brown -Stated that he regretted missing the Austin conference.
O'Farrell -Stated that he enjoyed the Austin conference. He had the opportunity to see
some of the hike and bike trails in the downtown areas of Austin. He stated that he feels
Friendswood has a lot of resources and would like to see something similar here.
Weesner -Stated that they learned some things about the Comp Plan at the conference.
She asked that the City Attorney research Comp Plans, the purpose and history of Comp
Plan Legislation and Court Rulings, whether a Comp Plan is required, and a
reconunendation for the utilization of a Comp Plan in Friendswood.
Holland -Expressed thanks for allowing him back on the Commission.
Hassaii. -Requested a copy of the DPC document that was discussed earlier in the
meeting.
Gibson -Asked Hassan to review the Design Criteria Manual to determine what should
stay in the DCM and what should be removed.
13.Reports
a.Council Liaison -Ewing explained th:::t ::! lc::::11 engineering company presented
staff and city council with an impervious cover product that the P&Z commission
might be interested in seeing.
b.Staff -Miller reminded the Commissioners of a JPH on March 24 regarding the
proposed platting changes and a JPH on April 7 regarding the sign ordinance.
She also added that in regards to the milestone tracking for developers, staff
requested software last year that would aid staff in tracking projects. Currently
each department is keeping a separate database. It was not approved in last year's
budget, but she hopes to submit a request again this year.
14.Adjournment
Motion to adjourn: Weesner
Second: Holland
Vote: Unanimous
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm.
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