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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2013-01-17 Regular PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION 1. The regular meeting was called to order at 7pm with the following people in attendance: Commissioner David O’Farrell (mtg chair) Commissioner Jim Nye Commissioner Brown Commissioner Arthur Triplette Mona Miller, Planner Aubrey Harbin, Development Specialist Steve Weathered, City Attorney Nick Haby, Planning Mgr/PIO Absent: Tibbitts, McLean 2. Communication from the public/committee liaisons (To comply with provisions of the Open Meetings Act, the Commission may not deliberate on subjects discussed under this agenda item. However, the Commission may direct such subjects be placed on a later regular Commission agenda for discussion and/or possible action.) None 3. Consent Agenda: A. Approval of minutes for the: 1) January 7, 2013 special and regular meeting Motion to approve: Gibson Second: Triplette Vote: 5 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried 4. Consideration and possible action regarding a request to abandon a 3’ x 35’ guy wire easement at 1310 Steele Drive Motion to approve: Nye Second: Brown Vote: 5 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING HELD THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 AT 7 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS 2 January 17, 2013 P&Z Meeting 5. Consideration and possible action regarding the commercial site plan of Chara Dance Studio at 101 Hunter’s Lane Motion to approve and requiring the owner to install sidewalks along Hunters Lane and allow them to pay into the sidewalk fund for the sidewalk along FM 518: Brown Second: Gibson Vote: 5 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried Miller explained that the applicant addressed comments 2 thru 5; the remaining Planning comment includes the applicants request to pay into the sidewalk fund in lieu of installing the required 4-foot sidewalk along Hunters Ln and the 5-foot sidewalk along FM518. She explained that they are still working through their drainage and utility plan; more specifically they are still considering options of whether to provide on-site detention or if there is capacity in the Hunters Creek detention pond. O’Farrell asked why they could not install the sidewalks. Miller explained that on FM518, the ROW is open ditch and the ROW along Hunters Lane has existing trees and shrubs. Both scenarios would force the sidewalks to be built on private property whereas they are usually built within the ROW. Staff did encourage the owner/applicant to consider dedicating public easements if the sidewalks are built on private property. The plat for the subject property has been approved by P&Z but not yet recorded, so they could dedicate sidewalk easements on the plat, which is a much cleaner process than dedicating them by separate instrument. Miller also explained that the tract across Hunters Ln. is working on their site plan and will likely ask for whatever is granted for this property. O’Farrell stated that he understood the fund to be intended for streets that would eventually be converted to curb and gutter. Miller stated that Hunters Ln is already curb and gutter and that FM518 is unlikely to be converted. Miller stated that there has been past problems of people trying to put sidewalks at the edge of the open ditches. She explained that discussions at the time were to require all commercial properties to have sidewalks. Nye stated that behind the gates, there are sidewalks on Hunters Ln and that there are pedestrian gates for the homeowners to pass through. He stated that it is possible to put sidewalks on Hunters Ln. He also stated that sidewalks are required for several reasons one being safety. He stated that he does not see a need to vary from sidewalks on Hunters Ln, but that he would agree that sidewalks on FM518 would not be useful. Brown stated that he does see people walking along FM518 and that he would like to require sidewalks on 518, but it does not seem feasible. He stated that sidewalks should definitely be required on Hunters Lane. Triplette stated that he walked the site. He stated that there may not be traffic on sidewalks and that he is not in favor of building sidewalks to nowhere. Gibson stated that he agrees with allowing them to pay into the fund on 518 and requiring installation of the sidewalks on Hunters Ln. 3 January 17, 2013 P&Z Meeting O’Farrell stated that the amount of pedestrian traffic is unknown, but stated that the tract across Hunters Ln will develop soon with restaurants and retail and there should be a way for parents to walk across the street while their children are in dance classes. 6. Consideration and possible action regarding the commercial site plan of Gina’s Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria at 129 W. Parkwood Avenue Motion to approve and to require the paint to be extended to the fire wall of the exterior of the building: Triplette Second: Brown Vote: 4 to 1 (Nye opposed) Motion Carried Miller explained that new photos were provided as of today because some additional awnings were added since the last pictures were taken. She explained the changes that the new tenant has made to the exterior of the existing building and the request for the fenced area within the parking area. The applicant indicated to staff that they would not place tables and chairs in this area at this time. Barrett, Gina’s, explained the changes and that they were trying to do something to enhance the building since several previous restaurants have failed in this location. He stated that they currently have 2 other locations. Nye asked if this is something that should have been seen by the Commission before these changes were made and Miller explained that yes, it should have been approved before installation. She explained that the tenant originally started with just an interior renovation, but then started making changes to the outside. There was some concern that the new white paint stopped in the middle of a wall on the front of the building while the rest of the building is still tan in color. Miller also explained that the tenant originally wanted to pave over the grassy area that is now fenced as well as two parking spaces, but after review of the overall site plan, staff advised them that they could not. Several Commissioners asked if there was anything prohibiting the location or type of fence around the island area and staff was not aware of anything. Miller explained that if it was a fence required by the ordinance for screening that it would be required to be built from the same material as the building, but it is just a decorative fence. 7. Presentation by Jennifer Wilkins and Rudy Garza of the Texas Masonry Council Rudy Garza, Executive Vice President of Texas Masonry Council, gave a presentation on masonry products and provided other general information regarding masonry ordinances. 8. Discussion, update and possible recommendation from the Substandard Buildings sub- committee No action taken. 4 January 17, 2013 P&Z Meeting 9. Consideration and possible action regarding proposed amendments to Chapter 14 – Buildings and Building Regulations, Article VII. – Substandard Buildings and Structures Motion to Table: Gibson Second: Triplette Vote: 5 to 0 (unanimous) Item Tabled 10. Consideration and possible action regarding proposed amendments to Appendix C – Zoning Ordinance, Section 20. Definitions regarding masonry Miller informed the Commissioners that there would be a Joint Work Session with City Council on February 4, 2013, and that the Commission will receive more direction at that time as to whether or not Council would be interested in changing this ordinance. Haby added that CEDC would also be in attendance at that Joint Work Session. Staff was directed to propose a draft that would exclude cement fiber board from the list of allowed facades. 11. Discussion regarding annual Planning and Zoning report to City Council None 12. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission meeting dates Miller informed the Commission that the next regular meeting would be Thursday, February 7, but that there is also a JWS/JPH on February 4 with Council and CEDC. Motion to move Feb. 7 meeting to Feb. 4: Brown Second: Jye Vote: 5 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried The next regular meeting after that would be Thursday, February 21, 2013. 13. Communications from the Commission None 14. Reports A. Council Liaison – None B. Staff – Haby informed the Commission that a Citizen Survey will soon be conducted. He explained that a third party consultant was hired to make phone calls to residents and that the survey consists of about 50 questions about city services and facilities. 5 January 17, 2013 P&Z Meeting 15. The regular meeting adjourned at 8:23pm. These minutes respectfully submitted by: Aubrey Harbin Aubrey Harbin Development Specialist/P&Z Secretary