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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2017-07-20 Regular PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION . Regular Meeting 1. The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm with the following people in attendance: Commissioner Rhonda Neel Commissioner Brett Banfield Commissioner Richard Sasson Commissioner Dick Clark Commissioner Eric Guenther Commissioner Joe Matranga Becky Summers, Development Coordinator City Attorney Mary Kay Fischer Aubrey Harbin, City Planner/Dep. Director of CDD 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. Minutes from June 15, 2017 regular meeting Motion to approve: Sasson Second: Matranga Banfield requested a correction to change Lundy Lane to Leisure Lane in the Future Land Use Map discussion. Motion to approve with correction: Sasson Second: Matranga Vote: 6 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING HELD THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 AT 7:00 PM CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS 2 July 20, 2017 P & Z Meeting 4. Consideration and possible action regarding election of a new chairman and vice chairman Banfield nominated Rhonda Neel as Chairman, seconded by Sasson. All present Commissioners were in favor. The ayes have it and Rhonda Neel was elected Chairman. Sasson nominated Brett Banfield as Vice-Chairman. All present Commissioners were in favor. The ayes have it and Brett Banfield was elected Vice-Chairman. 5. Consideration and possible action regarding a one-time, one-year extension request for the Final Plat of Arbor Gate at West Ranch Section Two Harbin explained the developer needs more time to complete installation of the utilities. Sasson confirmed no changes had been made to the plat. Motion to approve: Sasson Second: Banfield Vote: 6 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed 6. Consideration and possible action regarding a one-time, one-year extension request for the Final Plat of Arbor Gate at West Ranch Section Five Motion to approve: Clark Second: Matranga Vote: 6 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed 7. Consideration and possible action regarding the site plan amendment for HEB Curbside located at 701 W. Parkwood Ave. Harbin said the HEB grocery store was requesting to expand their produce department and add on for a new Curbside service. She said the extension would be towards FM 528 and a row of parking spaces would be removed. She said HEB’s overall provided parking exceeded the required number of spaces. Harbin said the property was located within the Community Overlay District (COD) and their façade would match the existing scheme. Harbin said the Commission recently created a large retail ordinance that would not affect this project because, at the time HEB submitted their project, the ordinance had not yet been adopted. Fernando Garcia/SKA Architects explained the scope of work to include adding space for the Curbside service as well as an interior remodel. Sasson asked whether a new sidewalk was being installed and questioned the compactor screening. Garcia said the sidewalk was existing and the compactor would remain as-is but would be relocated further down on the site. Sasson asked how many trees would be removed. Harbin stated none of the trees being removed met the City’s mitigation requirements. Guenther inquired about the construction timeline. Garcia said construction should begin within a month and they project to be complete in about one year. 3 July 20, 2017 P & Z Meeting Neel expressed concern that the wall facing FM 528 did not have any architectural elements and asked if Garcia would be willing to add some windows or canopies. Garcia stated the existing building had a blank wall on that side and they were only keeping the look. He said HEB’s design and approval process was lengthy but he could ask them. Neel asked Banfield if he wanted to amend his motion to include adding interest to the blank walls. Banfield said he was not comfortable including a stipulation that was not a requirement. Motion to approve: Banfield Second: Neel Vote: 6 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed 8. Discussion regarding proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Section 8. Supplementary Regulations A. Visibility at Intersections and B. Fences, Walls and Hedges and Section 20. Definitions II. Fences Harbin explained the purposed of the agenda item was to bring the new Commissioners up to speed with the conversations the Commission had been having for the past year with Staff and City Council. She said the topic had been discussed at length and would be discussed in a Joint Public Hearing next month. She said the current City ordinance required a property to be at least 2 acres to allow a fence past the front building line (with some exceptions). Harbin explained a recent case was brought to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBOA) to allow a front yard fence on a lot that was less than 2 acres. ZBOA denied the request so the homeowner approached the Commission who did not agree with her request to change the ordinance to allow her front yard fence. Following that, the resident approached City Council who did agree a change should be made and requested the Commission to draft a change to the ordinance. Staff’s recommendation was to incorporate “2 acres or 150-feet of frontage” using the SFR-E zoning district as a lot size guideline. Neel explained the Ordinance Subcommittee researched front yard fences and did not find a compelling reason to change the ordinance. She said a change would allow more front yard fences. Sasson said the subcommittee added an “odd man out” clause allowing a property owner that did not qualify, but both neighbors had qualifying fences, to fence their front yard, as well. Guenther confirmed the subcommittee agreed with all changes except the allowance of 150-foot lots and questioned how many opportunities would be created by allowing lots with 150-feet of frontage to have a fence in the front yard. Neel said roughly 100 properties would be allowed to add fences that were not currently eligible. Matranga questioned why the prohibition of hedges was removed from the ordinance. Harbin explained the City does not permit hedges or vegetation and it was difficult to monitor and enforce. Matranga suggested adding definitions of “decorative” and “transparent.” He also suggested clarifying if the restrictions applied to all lots or just residential or just commercial. 4 July 20, 2017 P & Z Meeting Neel stated she was not in favor of the changes as presented. Banfield said he felt this was not a City issue and Home Owner Association’s usually regulate fencing. Banfield said he was ready to let Council decide how to proceed. 9. Work Sessions: a. Updates to Official Zoning Map Summers explained the Official Zoning Map was an administrative task that incorporated all approved zone changes into one map. She said every year or so a new map is presented to Council for approval. Summers explained the Ordinance Subcommittee reviewed the proposed map against a spreadsheet of approved zone changes and made a few comments for correction. Summers stated Staff would like to postpone presenting the map to Council to allow more time to research a few properties marked as “church” or “school” but without any corresponding ordinance number. She said a current, interactive zoning map was available on the City’s website and postponing adoption of the new map would not cause any harm. 10. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission meeting dates Harbin said the next regular meeting was August 3rd and a Joint Public Hearing was scheduled for August 7th. The Commission voted to combine both meetings on August 7, 2017. Motion to move Aug 3 meeting to Aug 7: Sasson Second: Matranga Vote: 6 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed 11. Communications from a. Commissioners – Banfield said until the subcommittees are re-staffed, no subcommittee meetings would be held. Sasson applauded City staff for assisting with removing unneeded utility poles throughout the City. He said one in particular was hanging at the corner of FM 518 and FM 528. Sasson thanked Morad Kabiri, Patrick Donart, and Rene Ibarra, specifically. Neel said she would be working on new Commissioner liaison assignments. She said the subcommittees would be re-established following the appointment of a seventh Commissioner. b. Planning Subcommittee – Banfield said the subcommittee had been working on the Future Land Use Map and Major Thoroughfare Plan but needed new members at this point. c. Ordinance Subcommittee – Neel said the Official Zoning Map, as discussed, was being researched by staff. She said their next task would be the Zoning Ordinance rewrite/update. d. Council liaison – Councilman Jim Hill announced he was the new liaison to the Commission and congratulated Neel and Banfield on their “promotions.” He also welcomed the new Commissioners. e. Staff – Harbin explained the June 2017 DRC report that was sent out is a recap of pre-development meetings held by staff with potential projects. She said there was 5 July 20, 2017 P & Z Meeting also a standing meeting every month with Friendswood Development that provides updates on construction and sales in West Ranch. 10. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52pm. These minutes respectfully submitted by: Becky Summers Becky Summers Development Coordinator/P&Z Secretary