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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2010-01-21 RegularPLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2010 7:00PM- COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS 1. The meeting was called to order at 7pm with the following people in attendance: Vice Chairman Mark McLean Commissioner Jim Gibson Commissioner Hassan Moghaddam City Attorney Bobby Gervais Aubrey Harbin, Development Specialist Frank Mangold, Dep. Dir. of Comm. Dev. Commissioner Mike Huss Commissioner Ruben Garcia Commissioner David O'Farrell Mona Miller, City Planner Morad Kabiri, Dir. of Community Dev. City Councilmember Jim Hill 2. Communication from the public/committee liaisons McLean acted as Chairman in the absence of Kevin Holland. He explained to the audience that the item on the agenda regarding Jain Special Subdivision is an application for a final plat to subdivide the land. He explained that the plat is governed by the Subdivision Ordinance and if the plat meets the requirements of the ordinance, the Commission must approve it. He stated that there is no room for discretion by the Commission. Regarding the forum for public comments, he stated that each person could speak one time and would have a time limit of five minutes. He also explained that the Commissioners would not respond to questions, they would only listen. Marcus Sundholm, Friendswood, stated that his family moved here 20 years ago because of the small, close knit feel of Friendswood and stated that it is a shame to ruin the small town feel to increase the tax base. Charles Prendergast, Friendswood, stated that a hotel is not the best use of the property even though it is zoned commercial. He stated that there is a school across the street and that it is not high end lodging that is being proposed. He stated that a hotel will look onto the residential lots that border the property. He stated that he is concerned with city services such as drainage and water. In April 2009, he said the property was under water and that issue has not been addressed by the drainage district. He added that no one in the subdivision knew this was being planned and questioned who P&Z was representing. He stated that he is concerned with the process. Mr. Prendergast stated that he and 80 other property owners oppose and request P&Z to table the item for further study. Mark Tilley, Friendswood, said that this seems to be the only venue owners have to express their concerns regarding a proposed hotel. He stated the Accommodation was voted to be allowed in CSC district before 2006. He stated that he searched Sleep Inn on IL the Internet and the information he found regarding prostitution and drugs in hotels concerns the citizens because kids walk by the property to go to school. He stated that he believes strongly in the Police Department, but they cannot do everything. Regarding property values, he talked to realtors in the area and stated that a hotel will have a negative impact on property values. Mr. Tilley stated that he stays in hotels often and has never stayed in one as close to single family homes as this one will be. He stated that it will be hard for him to enjoy his backyard. He stated that in his research, he found that the Economic Development Corporation wanted a hotel here and that he studied the minutes from their meetings. He stated that this is one of the worst locations. He stated that in a 2007 memo to EDC from a consulting firm, the firm suggested that a hotel/convention center would not be good for this community. He stated that since 2008, first quarter, this hotel was never mentioned in any of the documents he has reviewed. Nancy Drobniak, Friendswood, asked Nvhy the land should be platted into four lots and asked how the lot with the drainage ditch is going to have a positive impact and be beneficial for any other property owners. She stated that there is no value to her to have people looking into her backyard. She is also concerned that there will be no protection or sound barriers. Curt Roberts, Friendswood, stated that he was blind sided by the timeline of the talks regarding a hotel. He stated that he is angry about the way they found out and feels it was slipped through. He stated that there is an elementary school across the street and he is concerned about predators, pedophiles, prostitution, and drugs. He stated that the hotel will be a breeding ground for illegal activity. Regarding safety, he said that Friendswood is one of the top 100 cities to live in rated by Money Magazine and stated that he is willing to pay more taxes and that the City needs to get tax money in the right way. Gary Allison, Friendswood, stated that a hotel is a bad idea and that most residents moved here to get away from things like this. He stated that his daughter works at BJ's in Webster and watches chug deals in the parking lot of the hotel across the street from her work. He stated he is opposed to a hotel. Jack Burns, Friendswood, recited a poem and stated that the City is being invaded by a huge drunk and there is nothing the citizens can do to stop it. He asked why have a public hearing/comment? He stated that the government is having closed door meetings and that is has been in planning for three to four years. He is concerned with drainage and stated that people will get up and walk away. Mark Taylor, Friendswood, stated that he is opposed to a hotel and is not sure how it was brought about without citizens knowing about it. Stacy Mendenhall, Friendswood, stated that she is a concerned parent and that she moved here for security and safety of her children, and she is concerned with this type of establishment being built this close to a subdivision and school. She said she is also a concerned tax payer and is already loosing value of her home because of the economy. She stated that she does not understand the viability of the hotel since it will not be located on a thoroughfare. She asked what happens if the building is abandoned. She said she read in Fa the newspaper that in 2009 the Friendswood crime rate went down and stated that it will go up if a hotel is built here. Steve Stack, Friendswood, stated that he agrees with everyone else and that having a three- story hotel will allow people to see into backyards of adjacent residential properties. He stated that some have teenage girls and this should have been researched more. Ajay Jain, property owner, stated that he is applying to subdivide a six -acre tract of land into four lots. He stated that he has not secured any loans for a hotel and may sell lots. He stated that there is a drainage plan for the property and that he is not sure what he is going to do with the property at this time. 3. Consent Agenda: A. Approval of minutes for the January 4, 2010 special meeting Motion to Approve: Huss Second: Gibson Vote: 6 to 0 {unanimous) Motion Carried 4. Consideration and possible action regarding the final plat of Jain Special Subdivision, being 6.383 acres situated in the Mary Sloan Survey, Abstract 184, and the G.W. Patterson Survey, Abstract 645, Galveston County, Friendswood, Texas Motion to Approve: Huss Second: Gibson Vote: 4 to 2 (Moghaddam and O'Farrell opposed) Motion Carried Huss asked staff to clarify the purpose of Reserve D and Kabiri clarified that the City's Design Criteria Manual and GCCDD's design criteria requires onsite detention ponds to be in a separate reserve. McLean verified that the property is zoned CSC and that buildings other than a hotel could be built as long as they are permitted in the CSC district. McLean also verified that in order to build any building on any of these lots, the owner would have to apply for a site plan. He asked Kabiri to summarize the information that is required for a site plan submittal. McLean also verified that the property is located the Community Overlay District and will be required to comply with the requirements of that district. Hassan verified that the owner did attend a DRC meeting with staff before submitting a plat. Gibson asked if Commission has any discretion regarding safety issues on a site plan. Miller explained that the Commission does have some discretion regarding fencing and sidewalks. Gibson asked Gervais to look into this before the site plan is brought to P&Z. O'Farrell stated that he would like more information on the background of when Accommodation was changed to be permitted in CSC. Huss requested the citizens concerns be conveyed to the police department as part of the site plan review process in order to provide a thorough review of the site plan. ki 5. Consideration and possible action regarding the preliminary plat of The Lakes at West Ranch, Section Two, being 20 acres out of the John Dickinson Survey, Abstract 9, and also being a partial resubdivision of Sloan Subdivision, Galveston County, Friendswood, Texas Motion to Approve with staff comments minus comments 4 and 10 on the compliance memo: Garcia Second: Gibson Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried Staff comments: 1) Add a tide to the Regulation Matrix. 2) Add note referencing General Note #16 to Regulation Matrix. 3) Make WLE along Block 2 either 5ft or 10ft. Be consistent. 4) Make corrections to General Note 49 (sidewalk statement). 5) Replace contour lines on preliminary plat. They were on the previous submittal. 6) Obtain approval from GCCDD. 7) Provide 2009 tax certificates. 8) Address minor comments from Engineering regarding utility plans. Kabiri also clarified that additional easements are shown on the fronts of the lots where the water or sewer lines do not fit completely in the ROW. The City needs ample room to work on lines when necessary. McLean verified that Kabiri, as City Engineer, is okay with the casements shown on the plat. 6. Consideration and possible action regarding the replat of Reserves B and C, Friendswood Village, being .9641 acres, also being all of Restricted Reserves B and C, Friendswood Village (Plat Rec. 18, Map no. 67, G.C.MR.) Galveston County, Friendswood, Texas Motion to approve with staff comments: Moghaddam Second: Huss Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried Staff Comments: 1) Add a reason for the replat — combining 2 reserves and removing front building lines. 2) Add the following statement to General Note #9: "Sidewalks or portions of sidewalks not constructed in the right-of-way will require public easements dedicated by separate instrument." 3) Obtain approval from GCCDD. 4) Provide 2009 tax certificates. Miller explained that the plat has been reviewed by staff and only has four outstanding items. The reason for the replat is to combine 2 lots; the proposed use is for a bank. 4 7. Consideration and possible action regarding possible amendment to Appendix C — Zoning Ordinance of the City of Friendswood Code of Ordinances, Section 7.5 Community overlay district Motion to Table: Gibson Second: Huss Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Item Tabled The proposed verbiage was to clarify the definition of the boundary of properties that should comply with the COD requirements. Gibson stated that is concern is that 300 feet could encompass two to three land owners and he does not want to burden land owners not adjacent to roadway to comply with COD requirements. Kabiri explained that the current COD requires property within 300ft to comply with the COD. These modifications would only require properties with frontage on the thoroughfare to comply with the COD requirements. In a particular instance, Reserve C of Jain Special Subdivision that was discussed earlier on this agenda would not have to comply with the COD requirements. Harbin suggested maybe requiring the properties that do not front the thoroughfare to still meet the fagade requirements, but maybe reduce the landscape buffer/screening requirements. Harbin pointed out other items restricted in the COD are fagade, landscaping, parking lot screening, mechanical equipment screening and underground utilities. There was also a suggestion to possibly increase the screening requirements when a commercial property abuts a residential area. The Commissioners asked staff to work on the language and present some options. 8. Consideration and possible action regarding proposed amendments to Appendix C -- Zoning Ordinance of the City of Friendswood Code of Ordinances, Section 7. Schedule of district regulations No action taken, Miller asked the Commissioners to review the descriptions in detail and study the Permitted Use Table and make notes of any concerns with uses. She explained that this is the early stages of the Zoning Ordinance re -write. 9. Consideration and possible action regarding Appendix A - Sign Ordinance of the City of Friendswood Code of Ordinances No action taken. A copy of the current sign ordinance was provided to the Commissioners. Staff will present verbiage at the next regular meeting. 5 10. Consideration and possible action regarding possible amendments to Resolution #2002-55, Planning and Zoning Commission Rules of Procedure Motion to approve change in wording: Moghaddam Second: O'Farrell Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried Kabiri explained that currently the P&Z Rules and Procedures states that the Commission "shall" meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month; the proposal is to change the wording to state that the Commission shall meet provided they have one or more applications on the agenda. 11. Consideration and possible action regarding the 2010 Planning and Zoning Commission liaison schedule No action taken. Miller provided the Commissioners with a current copy of the schedule. 12. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission meeting dates Motion to request a Joint Work Session with City Council on Monday, February 2, 2010 regarding Accommodations Uses in CSC: Moghaddam Second: Gibson Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried 13. Discussion regarding Ad Hoc Communications Committee McLean explained that the Mayor and Council created an Ad Hoe Communications Committee which consists of the chairs and vice chairs of all committees within the City in an effort to improve communication between all boards and commissions and the public. McLean explained that he will be the representative for P&Z and asked the commissioners to brainstorm any ideas to take to Council on what the commission can do to improve communication to residents. 14. Communications from the Commission O'Farrell affirmed and thanked the commissioners for tightening up the parking requirements. He explained that he was in the River Oaks area recently and that it is a nice development, but there is no parking. Gibson thanked McLean for attending the last CEDC meeting in his absence. McLean explained that he attended the CEDC meeting and that CEDC is in favor of the proposed hotel because it is good for tax revenues. 15. Reports a. Council Liaison Jim Hill - none b. Staff -Miller -none 0 16. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43pm. These minutes submitted by: I- i 'LH kju��'( )iI(j'HA"1'AAJ Atibrq Harbin, LE ' D P Development Spee a