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Home My WebLink AboutP&Z Minutes 2015-09-17 Regular PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION . Regular Meeting 1. The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm with the following people in attendance: Chairman David O’Farrell Vice Chairman Arthur Triplette Commissioner Craig Lovell Commissioner Sally Branson Commissioner Rhonda Neel Arnold Polanco, City Attorney Aubrey Harbin, City Planner Nick Haby, Planning Manager Becky Summers, Development Coordinator Absent: Borghese; Annan 2 Communication from the public/committee liaisons (To comply with the 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 to be placed on a later regular Commission agenda for discussion and/or possible action.) Brett Banfield/CEDC announced a new organization had been founded called Friends of Downtown Friendswood to focus on the Downtown District. He said they currently had over 70 members and more than 1,700 followers on Facebook with a goal to reach 2,500 followers within the first year. He said another goal of the group was to work with City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Commercial and Economic Development Committee, etc. to revitalize the Downtown District. Banfield said the group was very open and everyone was welcome. He said they saw the Downtown District as a significant economic area and thought a 10% commercial makeup was too low. He closed in saying that the current Downtown District was not a good representation of what Friendswood was and that the group would bring solutions to the City, not problems. 3. Consent Agenda A. Approval of the minutes for the meeting held: 1) September 3, 2015 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING HELD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 AT 7:00 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS 2 September 17, 2015 P & Z Meeting Motion to approve: Triplette Second: Branson Vote: 5 to 0 Motion Carried 4. Consideration and possible action regarding the Final Plat of Arbor Gate at West Ranch Section 3, a Private Street Subdivision, being a subdivision of 34.79 acres of land located in the John Dickinson Survey, A-9 Galveston County, Texas, also being a portion of Lots 99 through 104, Lot 121, Lot 125 and Lots 139 through 142 and all of Lots 122 through 124, all of the Slone Subdivision, a subdivision per plat recorded under Volume 3, Page 61A (Volume 254A, Pg. 6) of the Galveston County Map Records (G.C.M.R.), City of Friendswood, Galveston County, Texas Motion to approve subject to staff comments: Lovell Second: Branson Vote: 5 to 0 Motion Carried 5. Consideration and possible action regarding the site plan at 1625 Friendswood Lakes Blvd. for Bushi Ban International Martial Arts and Fitness Motion to approve subject to staff comments: Branson Second: Triplette Vote: 5 to 0 Motion Carried Harbin explained this project previously had an approved site plan and site plan extension but they had both expired while the owner was working out his financing. The plan had not changed and the owner was coming back to bring all his paperwork current including the site plan and building permits. Harbin said the civil plans were still valid. 6. Consideration and possible action regarding proposed amendments to Friendswood Code of Ordinances, Chapter 70, Section 70-64.Sidewalks Required; and Appendix B, Subdivision Ordinance, Section III.k.3.Sidewalks. to remove exception from sidewalk requirement for residential lots 120 feet wide or greater and Appendix C, Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.Q.2.Residential Regulation Matrix to discontinue allowance of open ditch streets No Action. Chairman O’Farrell explained this item was a continuation from previous meetings and suggested waiting for Commissioner Annan to be present before taking a vote. Commissioner Lovell said he did a survey over three days to observe the pedestrian traffic at the high school. He said he thought he was late on the first day because he did not observe any walkers/cyclists. Lovell said on the second day he saw 9 walkers, 2 of which were picked up a block from the school, so in essence, 7 walkers. He said the third day of watching provide 10 walkers, 5 who travelled up Castlewood and 5 who travelled up Greenbriar. He suggested more data be collected prior to changing an ordinance or the Capital Improvement Program. 7. Consideration and possible action regarding sidewalks and/or providing a 3 September 17, 2015 P & Z Meeting recommendation to City Council regarding the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) No Action 8. Consideration and possible action regarding Downtown District Amenities O’Farrell said the Friends of Downtown Friendswood group was interested in standardizing what types of amenities could be installed in Downtown District. He said the Design Criteria Manual currently gives suggestions for the styles of amenities but the group would like to tighten up the language to provide for a more uniform look. Commissioner Branson explained the group would like to whittle down possible amenity choices to ensure a more cohesive look in the downtown area. She stated the City should not be afraid to set a standard and hold developers to that standard. Vice Chairman Triplette said he would like to see property owners do their best to match amenities. Commissioner Lovell cautioned that narrowing the choices too much may lead to those items only being available from one vendor. He said it would be best to ensure the chosen items would be available from multiple vendors. Harbin stated the last time the Commission tightened up the language regarding downtown amenities, Keep Friendswood Beautiful provided input. She asked the Commission if they would like input from organizations such as KFB and Friends of Downtown Friendswood. O’Farrell said the Commission would appreciate input from other organizations as well as from the City Attorney regarding ordinance language. 9. Discussion regarding the 2015 P&Z Liaison Schedule appointments O’Farrell said if any of the Commissioners had thoughts on their appointments to please call him. 10. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission meeting dates Motion to move the regular meeting to coincide with JPH on Monday, October 5th: Branson Second: Neel Vote: 5 to 0 Motion Carried Harbin said the next regular meeting would be held Thursday, October 1st at 7:00pm then a Joint Public Hearing on Monday, October 5th. 11. Communications from the Commission None 12. Reports 4 September 17, 2015 P & Z Meeting A. Council Liaison – Councilman Rockey said Commissioner Lovell did an amazing job researching the high school pedestrian traffic. He suggested putting the information into a document and submitting to Council. Rockey announced Council was voting on changing the tax rate to be the Effective Tax Rate plus two cents. Rockey said Historween is coming up the Friday before Halloween and encourage the Commission to take part, if they wished. He said the Historic Society was looking for tour guides, actors, sponsors, etc. B. Staff – Harbin reminded the Commission the American Planning Association Conference was coming up October 9th. Harbin said the second reading of the Specific Use Permit for Anytime Fitness was approved by City Council at Monday’s meeting. 13. The meeting was adjourned at 7:36pm. These minutes respectfully submitted by: Becky Summers Becky Summers Development Coordinator