HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2017-10-19 Regular PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
1. The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm with the following people in
attendance:
Chairman Rhonda Neel Commissioner Eric Guenther
Vice Chairman Brett Banfield Commissioner Joe Matranga
Commissioner Dick Clark Mary Kay Fischer, City Attorney
Becky Summers, Development Coordinator
Aubrey Harbin, City Planner/Dep. Dir. of CDD
Absent: Sasson, Lawson
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
These items are considered routine or ministerial in nature and will be enacted with one
motion. There will be no separate discussion of items unless a commissioner or citizen so
requests in which case the item would be removed from the consent agenda and
considered separately.
a. Minutes from September 21, 2017 regular meeting
b. Minutes from October 5, 2017 special meeting
Motion to approve: Clark
Second: Guenther
Vote: 5 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed
MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING
HELD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017
AT 7:00 PM
CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
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October 19, 2017 P & Z Meeting
Action Items
According to the Planning and Zoning Rules of Procedure (R2010-09), all action of the
Commission shall be made by an affirmative vote of four (4) or more members of the
Commission present at such Commission meetings.
4. Consideration and possible action regarding site plan for Rancho Restaurant to be
located at 2131 W. Parkwood Ave.
Motion to discuss: Matranga
Second: Clark
Motion to approve: Matranga
Second: Clark
Vote: 5 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed
Harbin explained the proposal was for a new stand alone building in the Fountains at
Friendswood. She said the property was subject to the Community Overlay District rules
and that staff had no outstanding comments regarding the plans.
Matranga commented that 15 parking spaces were labeled as “compact.” Harbin explained
a site can utilize up to 20% in compact car spaces. Matranga asked if the landscape plants
not identified on the plan would just be scattered throughout the site and also what the
building material would be. Sel Thint/engineer of record said the additional landscape
plants would be infill through the flower beds. Thint also answered the building would be
made of stone and stucco.
Clark asked if the parking layout would be similar to the property next door. Thint said the
parking lots would be contiguous. Clark asked if the restaurant would have outdoor seating.
Thint answered yes and stated there is a patio area on the site plan. Clark asked if the site
would drain to the retention pond behind the property. Thint said the property would drain
to the shared retention pond for the Fountains at Friendswood.
Banfield said he was looking forward to the project.
5. Presentation by Dan Rucker, property owner and developer, to request that the
Blackhawk extension be removed from the Major Thoroughfare Plan (R2004-7)
Mr. Rucker introduced himself as the property owner of multiple tracts of land within the
City as well as the developer of the Forest of Friendswood subdivision and the
owner/operator of Timber Creek Golf Club. Rucker presented a slideshow explaining the
history and current status of the oil wells located in the panhandle area.
Rucker described the neighboring property owners around his tracts and adjacent to the
proposed Blackhawk extension plus several real estate transactions that are taking place.
He explained the proposed road extension hinders development by requiring the
dedication of right-of-way during platting.
Rucker said the Blackhawk extension was an idea he pitched to CEDC many years ago
and somehow it was rushed through and added to the City’s Major Thoroughfare Map.
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October 19, 2017 P & Z Meeting
He said the road extension was not discussed with Harris County and says Harris County
Precinct 1 has no interest in allowing a tie in to Beamer Road.
Mr. Rucker said he would be approaching City Council to remove the Blackhawk
extension from the Major Thoroughfare Plan and that should Council ask P&Z for a
recommendation, he would like their support.
6. Discussion regarding Mr. Rucker’s request under item 5
Harbin said the Commission reviewed the Major Thoroughfare Plan in 2008 then again in
2011. She said the Commission did not see any reason for changes either time. Harbin
explained the Planning Subcommittee had another review of the plan on their current To
Do List and several items needed to be looked at, not just a single proposed road. She
said the subcommittee could discuss moving their To Do List priorities around but
planned to keep on course with their original agenda.
Clark questioned the purpose of the presentation. He asked if Rucker was now ready to
develop the property. Guenther asked what the property was zoned. Harbin said most of
the property is zoned Light Industrial with the front 300 feet being Community Shopping
Center. Rucker said he is planning a mixed used development.
Banfield, Planning Subcommittee chairman, said a review and possible update of the
Major Thoroughfare Plan is on the subcommittee’s To Do List and they will take his
comments under consideration.
Matranga asked Rucker to clarify what harm the existing plan poses. Rucker said several
property owners do not plan to develop any time soon, Frankie Carter Park will not give
up right-of-way, the City has no funding to build a road, and no one is on the same page.
Rucker said the proposed road will never come and is encumbering development.
Matranga asked Harbin if any right-of-way had been acquired yet. She said the Benzi
Garage Condominiums and Clearwood Business Park both dedicated right-of-way during
platting.
Neel said the subcommittee can delve deeper into the Major Thoroughfare Plan and she
suggests leaving any possible updates to the plan to be handled through their established
practice. Harbin agreed and said many other updates need to be addressed before
publishing a new Major Thoroughfare Plan.
7. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting dates
Harbin said the next regular meeting on November 2nd is cancelled since most of the
Commission would be out of town attending the TX APA conference. She said the next
regular meeting will be November 16th at 7:00pm.
8. Communications from
a. Commissioners – None
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October 19, 2017 P & Z Meeting
b. Council liaison – Councilman Hill said the Galveston County Bond Election was coming
up and 3.8 million dollars was being proposed to build Friendswood Lakes Blvd. He said
that road had been on the plan for over 20 years and may now happen.
Hill said the first round of hurricane debris pickup has been completed.
c. Staff – Harbin said two items were approved at the October 2nd City Council meeting:
Verizon Wireless Tower and rezone of Howard Subdivision.
9. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57pm.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Becky Summers
Becky Summers
Development Coordinator/P&Z Secretary