HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2013-01-07 Special PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
1. The JPH was called to order at 7:02pm with the following people in attendance:
Chairman Mark McLean Vice Chairman Mark Tibbitts
Commissioner David O’Farrell Commissioner Jim Nye
Commissioner Brown Commissioner Arthur Triplette
Mona Miller, Planner Aubrey Harbin, Development Specialist
Arnold Polanco, City Attorney Nick Haby, Planning Mgr/PIO
City Council
Absent: Gibson
2. Receive comments from the public, both oral and written, regarding:
A. A request to abandon a 3’ x 35’ guy wire easement at 1310 Steele Drive
Jon Skeele, Friendswood, stated that utilities were installed along the front of the lots
when the subdivision was built and that the guy wire easement in the rear of the lot is not
needed. He stated that he would like to have a pool installed and that he has obtained
letters from all of the utility companies to release the easement. He stated that he is
requesting to abandon the easement.
3. The JPH adjourned at 7:05pm.
REGULAR MEETING (2nd floor conference room, immediately following JPH)
1. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:10pm with the following people in attendance:
Chairman Mark McLean Vice Chairman Mark Tibbitts
Commissioner David O’Farrell Commissioner Jim Nye
Commissioner Brown Commissioner Arthur Triplette
MINUTES OF A
SPECIAL & REGULAR MEETING
HELD MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2013
AT 7 PM
CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
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January 7, 2013 P&Z Meeting
Mona Miller, Planner Aubrey Harbin, Development Specialist
Nick Haby, Planning Mgr/PIO Frank Manigold, Deputy Dir CDD/Bldg Official
Absent: Gibson
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) December 6, 2012 meeting
2) December 17, 2012 meeting
Motion to approve with corrections: McLean
Second: Nye
Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried
4. Consideration and possible action regarding final plat of Manison Plaza, being 1.73
acres out of and part of that certain tract of land described in deed to Manison Family
Partnership, Ltd. As recorded in Galveston County Clerk’s File No. 2001005385, and
being situated in the Sarah McKissick Survey, Abstract 151, Galveston County, Texas
Motion to approve with staff comments: O’Farrell
Second: Tibbitts
Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried
Staff comments - 1) Pending verification of the release of a lien by Hometown Bank.
5. Consideration and possible action regarding Appendix C – Zoning Ordinance, Section
7. Schedule of District regulations
Amended Motion to remove wood from the list of acceptable exterior cladding materials
and to add the exterior cladding requirements to commercial zoning districts including
CSC, NC, LNC, OPD, and DD: Brown
Second: Triplette
Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried
Miller explained that the language regarding allowable building façade finishes in the
Community Overlay District was copied and added to each commercial zoning district
including CSC, NC, LNC, OPD and DD. She explained that this would require buildings
in these districts to comply with the façade requirements and would not allow metal
cladding on buildings; metal clad buildings would still be allowed in I and LI.
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January 7, 2013 P&Z Meeting
Tibbits asked how existing structures would be affected and Miller explained that they
would be allowed to exist unless they lose their non-conforming status which would
happen if the structure was damaged/destroyed by more than 50%, if improvements are
made to the building which equal or exceed 50% or more of the value of the building, or
if the building sat vacant for 12 months or more.
O’Farrell asked Building Official Frank Manigold if the foresees any structural problems
for owners to install brick on existing buildings if they were not built with a brick ledge.
He added that he is concerned with leaving options for materials without load bearing
issues that can be added to existing buildings, if necessary.
Manigold stated that adding brick to a building could be an issue and that in most cases,
the owner would opt for stucco or Hardie Plank instead. Miller also agreed that stucco
and EFIS would be options.
Nye asked if the Commission would want to consider removing wood as an option for
exterior cladding. He stated that in the brief presentation by Ms. Belmontes at the last
meeting that metal facades are the least desirable and that wood is the second least
desirable.
Brown stated that he agrees with removing wood but that his only hesitation is foundation
issued and changing facades on existing buildings.
Tibbitts stated that Dunn Bros. Coffee has some wood exposed and suggested that maybe
there be an exception for structural or decorative elements.
6. Consideration and possible action regarding Appendix C – Zoning Ordinance, Section
7.5 - Community Overlay District, 6. Architectural elements
Motion to approve proposed change and to remove wood from the list of exterior cladding
requirements: Tibbitts
Second: Brown
Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried
Miller explained that the proposed changes remove the visibility language from the COD
Architectural Elements section. She explained that it also includes the language that has
been discussed in the Zoning Ordinance re-write which is the limit to earth tone colors,
providing color samples as part of the site plan application and prohibiting cyclone fences
in the COD.
Nye asked for clarification of earth tone colors. Miller explained that a color palette could
be adopted with the ordinance for clarification and that the applicant would be required to
submit color samples, so that would be part of the Commission’s approval.
Brown stated that he would like to make sure that the ordinance is not too binding and that
there is still variation. He does not want all buildings to look the same.
7. Consideration and possible action regarding Appendix C – Zoning Ordinance, Section
20. Definitions regarding masonry
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January 7, 2013 P&Z Meeting
No action taken.
Miller explained that the language provided is the definition from Ms. Belmontes who
represents the Texas Masonry Council.
Several Commissioners agreed that they were concerned about using the definition of
masonry from the masonry council.
Brown was also concerned with unintentionally excluding materials that might be
acceptable but not installed in the manner described by the proposed definition.
Nye suggested that Flower Mound and ?? went through these same discussions and that
maybe we could use their definitions.
Miller stated that staff could research this more and maybe use definitions from the
building code as well.
There was discussion that they would like the appearance of masonry and that maybe there
needs to be a definition of cladding or add a percentage of the building to be clad with the
required materials.
8. Consideration and possible action regarding Appendix C – Zoning Ordinance, Section
8.L. Personal Care Facilities
No action taken.
McLean suggested that the Commission request a workshop with Council on this item to
determine whether or not there is merit to pursue researching or changing this ordinance.
Miller explained that she provided some new backup material which includes the state laws
where many of the requirements come from that staff and the city attorney have been
referencing.
Staff will request a workshop with Council.
9. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting dates
Miller explained that the next regular meeting will be January 17 and after that either
February 4 or 7 depending on items to be scheduled with City Council.
There is also a Substandard Structures Ordinance Subcommittee meeting on Tuesday,
January 15.
10. Communications from the Commission
McLean welcomed everyone back and wished everyone Happy New Year!
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January 7, 2013 P&Z Meeting
11. Reports
A. Council Liaison - None
B. Staff - None
12. The meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Aubrey Harbin
Aubrey Harbin
Development Specialist/P&Z Secretary