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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2016-06-16 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 Craig Lovell Commissioner Rhonda Neel Commissioner Sally Branson Commissioner Rich Borghese Commissioner Tony Annan Arnold Polanco, City Attorney Becky Summers, Dev. Coordinator Aubrey Harbin, City Planner Absent: Sasson 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.) None 3. Consent Agenda A. Approval of the minutes for the meeting held: 1) June 6, 2016 Motion to approve: Branson Second: Lovell Vote: 6 to 0 (unanimous) Motion Carried 4. Presentation by FISD Superintendent regarding school funding Trish Hanks provided handouts and explained to the Commission the basics of school funding. MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING HELD THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2016 AT 7:00 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS 2 June 16, 2016 P & Z Meeting 5. Consideration and possible action regarding a site plan at 2111 W. Parkwood Ave. (Fountain Plaza) Motion to approve: Branson Second: Neel Amend motion to include payment into Sidewalk Fund: Branson Second: Neel Vote: 5 to 1 (Annan) Motion Carried Harbin explained the plat for Fountains at Friendswood recently approved was for this development. She said Fountain Plaza is the first building to be constructed and will consist of 20,000 square feet of space. She said since the property is along FM 528, an open ditch road, the applicant is requesting to pay into the Sidewalk Fund in lieu of installing sidewalks. She said most of the developments in the area do not have sidewalks. Commissioner Annan stated the Sidewalk Fund was to be used when sidewalks cannot physically be installed and this property could have sidewalks installed. Sel Thint/designer stated the sidewalk would go to nowhere because none of the surrounding properties had sidewalks. Thint said the TXDot permit required takes a long time, also. Annan said someone has to be the first to put in the sidewalk. 6. Discussion regarding parking review for proposed site plan at 311 S. Friendswood Dr. and shared parking agreements in the Downtown District (DD) Motion to discuss: Branson Second: Lovell Vote: 6 to 0 (Unanimous) Motion Carried Branson explained The Magnolia, the proposed event center at 311 S. Friendswood Drive, required around 225 parking spaces and their site plan shows 67 parking spaces on site. She said parking suggestions have been made for shared parking agreements and regional parking. Harbin asked the Commission to discuss an allowable percentage for offsite parking. Lovell said the proposed plan is too much offsite parking and suggested the owner remove the warehouse to allow for more parking. He also stated the warehouse could have parking on the first floor and utilize a second floor for storage. O’Farrell asked the applicant to delay a year so the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council could work on solutions for the shortage of parking areas in the Downtown District. Ken Roberts/architect said design and TXDot permits would take them 9-12 months anyway. Commissioner Neel asked if there was adequate reciprocal parking nearby. Harbin answered shared parking would need to be within 1,200 feet of the development per ordinance. 3 June 16, 2016 P & Z Meeting Lovell stated he thought the project was a great idea and asked the Commission how to move forward. He questioned what the proper ratio of onsite to offsite parking should be. O’Farrell opined the parking spaces are there, they just need to be found and agreements signed. He said there needs to be a funding source for regional parking, as well. 7. Consideration and possible action regarding proposed changes to Appendix C Zoning Ordinance Section 8.B. Fences, walls and hedges and Section 20. Definitions II. Fences Motion to approve: Branson Second: Borghese Motion withdrawn: Branson Motion to allow fences past the front build line on lots 1.2 acres or more: O’Farrell No Second Motion Not Carried Motion to Table: Lovell Second: O’Farrell Vote: 5 to 1 (Neel) Motion Carried Harbin provided the Commission with options for updating the ordinance, including clarifying the definition of fence and allowing 4 foot open fences. O’Farrell requested adding language to allow the Planning and Zoning Commission the final decision. Harbin explained these items do not typically go before the Commission but, instead, the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Annan stated he was not in favor of having fences in front yards on lots less than two acres. Branson said she liked the proposed changes. O’Farrell stated he was afraid there would be unintended consequences by changing the ordinance and did not feel rewriting the ordinance for a single case was a good idea. Lovell was not in favor of changing the rules after the applicant was told it was against City ordinance but continued to build the fence and was later turned down by the Zoning Board of Adjustment. O’Farrell asked Harbin the size of the applicant’s lot. O’Farrell recessed at 8:45pm for Harbin to find the information. Meeting called back to order at 8:51pm. Harbin said the lot in question was 1.2 acres. 8. Consideration and possible action regarding proposed changes to Appendix C Zoning Ordinance Section 8. N. Downtown District Supplemental Requirements Motion to approve: Annan Second: Neel Vote: 6 to 0 (Unanimous) Motion Carried Harbin explained this item had been previously discussed and the change will allow the 4 June 16, 2016 P & Z Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission flexibility on approving alternative fenestrations in the Downtown District. 9. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission meeting dates Harbin said the next regular meeting was scheduled for Thursday, July 7th and a Joint Public Hearing would be held Monday, July 11th. Annan stated he would be unable to attend the meeting. Motion to move the regular meeting to July 11: Branson Second: Lovell Vote: 6 to 0 (Unanimous) Motion Carried 10. Communications from the Commission Lovell said the Large Retail Subcommittee had not met this month but they were still working on the project. Branson thanked Trish Hanks and Dr. Rebecca Hillenburg for explaining school funding to the Commission. O’Farrell thanked the Commission and staff for their ongoing cooperation with applicants. 11. Reports A. Council Liaison – not present B. Staff – Harbin said she emailed invitations for the Building Official’s retirement party and hoped everyone could make it. 12. The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 pm. These minutes respectfully submitted by: Becky Summers Becky Summers Development Coordinator/P&Z Secretary