HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2013-08-01 Regular PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
1. The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm with the following people in
attendance:
Chairman Mark McLean Commissioner Chris Brown
Commissioner Jim Gibson Commissioner Arthur Triplette
Vice Chairman Mark Tibbitts Commissioner David O’Farrell
Aubrey Harbin, City Planner Becky Bennett, Administrative Secretary
Karen Capps, Economic Dev Coord
Absent: Nye and Weathered
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 meeting held:
1) July 18, 2013
Motion to approve: O’Farrell
Second: Triplette
Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried
4. Presentation by CEDC member regarding FM528 Corridor Study conducted by CEDC
Jeremy Magnuson, CEDC, presented findings of the FM 528 Corridor study conducted by
CEDC. He explained that the committee met with property owners of the commercial
MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING
HELD THURSDAY, AUGUST 01, 2013
AT 7 PM
CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
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August 1, 2013 P&Z Meeting
tracts along FM 528 to obtain feedback regarding potential development plans. Most of the
property owners along FM 528 do not have development plans and are limited to
development due to the lack of utilities. The CEDC would also like to avoid downzoning
property from commercial to residential zoning in order to maximize the use of the
remaining commercial properties. Magnuson explained that CEDC views the FM 528
corridor as a great opportunity for commercial development.
There was discussion about the Whitcomb property and the desire of CEDC to see this tract
developed mainly as commercial since there are currently no residential properties abutting
the tract. The tract was affected by changes in the flood zones after the previous PUD was
approved and is more limited in developable area. Controlling the population growth by
not allowing more residential lots in the Whitcomb development to possibly avoid or delay
the 50,000 threshold was also mentioned as part of this discussion.
McLean mentioned non-profit and religious organizations to which the CEDC reported
they cause a net loss for the City in the ballpark of $250,000+/yr but that figure is about
average compared to other cities.
Tibbitts asked if CEDC looked at any other areas other than FM 528. Magnuson stated that
this study was only directed at FM 528 but that FM 2351 would be the next main road to
support commercial/industrial growth with the addition of the utilities in the area.
Magnuson also stated that the recently conducted Citizen Survey showed a high interest in
diversifying the tax base in order to avoid tax increases.
O’Farrell expressed the opinion of using a stair stepper approach to commercial areas:
commercial first, then condos or patio homes and then single family residential. O’Farrell
questioned whether or not the amount of residential development can be limited by the
City.
Capps stated that the next stage is to prioritize the top 10 tracts and then provide a final
report to City Council.
5. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting dates
A Joint Public Hearing with Council is scheduled for August 5. After that, the next regular
meeting will be Thursday, August 15.
8. Communications from the Commission
Jim Gibson asked for a volunteer to sit on the next CEDC meeting in his place on August
7th. Mark Tibbitts volunteered.
9. Reports
A. Council Liaison – Steve Rockey not in attendance.
B. Staff – Harbin announced the Texas APA Conference will be October 2nd-5th in
Galveston. Registration is now open and she will follow up with more details as
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August 1, 2013 P&Z Meeting
they come available. Regular meeting scheduled for October 3 may be cancelled
due to the conference.
10. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Becky Bennett
Becky Bennett
CDD Administrative Secretary