HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2017-08-17 Regular PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
1. The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm with the following people in
attendance:
Chairman Rhonda Neel Commissioner Eric Guenther
Vice Chairman Brett Banfield Commissioner Joe Matranga
Commissioner Dick Clark Commissioner Walter Lawson
Becky Summers, Development Coordinator Commissioner Richard Sasson
Aubrey Harbin, City Planner/Dep. Dir. of CDD Mary Kay Fischer, City Attorney
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.)
Tony Hopkins and David Montz introduced themselves as the new liaisons for the FISD
School Board.
Santos Venegas/Eagle Point resident stated the Texas Local Government Code 213 protects
a City’s Comprehensive Plan. He said the retention pond was a liability and nuisance.
Venegas stated TxDot traffic counts have the intersection of FM 518 and FM 528 nearing
the limit that would require 6 lanes of roadway.
Roxann Gill/Leisure Lane resident said she had seen the developer’s revised plan and asked
why they could not make the middle portion Office Park District (OPD) as well. She said
she use to be able to hear noise from the Kentucky Fried Chicken across FM 528 before an
office building was built between KFC and her home. She asked for more stringent
landscape barriers and stated noise had increased since the construction of the pond.
MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING
HELD THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017
AT 7:00 PM
CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
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August 17, 2017 P & Z Meeting
Cheryl Rollen/Eagle Point resident said the developer, Jim Peterson, had reached out to the
subdivision through Councilman John Scott. She said they received the new plan 2 days
ago.
Phil Ratisseau/resident asked the City to pressure TxDot into answering whether they
would be expanding the road. He suggested adding a right turn lane and stop light. He said
City Council has more pressure than residents.
Mike Rollins/Eagle Point resident said a buffer between the residences and the commercial
development is his main concern. He said he appreciated Virgata Properties changing their
plan but asked if all the concessions were binding. He said he has not seen a Traffic Impact
Analysis yet and that Leisure Lane would become a major cut through.
Jody Kuchta/Eagle Point resident said increased traffic that Chick-Fil-A would bring was a
main concern. She said an office building would only be open from 9am-5pm and is not
busy during school times. Kuchta said when school is in, she has to cut through Polly
Ranch to FM 518.
Jim Peterson/Virgata Properties said he and his partners had met with City officials several
times since their original application in April. He said from a real estate perspective, the
best use of the Howard property would be Community Shopping Center (CSC). He stated
that corner was the best commercial property left in Friendswood. He said they heard the
concerns regarding traffic and needing a buffer. He explained they began with asking for a
zone change on 8 acres then decreased to 4 acres and once again decreased to leave a 150-
foot OPD buffer along Leisure Lane. He said they also agree to remove the curb cut onto
Leisure Lane.
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 July 20, 2017 regular meeting
b. Minutes from August 7, 2017 special and regular meeting
c. Final Plat of Tannos Plaza 6
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.
Motion to approve: Clark
Second: Matranga
Vote: 7 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed
4. Consideration and possible action regarding a zone classification change request for
4.372 acres being part of Lot 26 of Voss Subdivision, Howard Subdivision Reserve E
(pending recordation) located at 1757 S. Friendswood Dr. (FM 518 and Leisure
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August 17, 2017 P & Z Meeting
Lane), Friendswood, Galveston County, Texas, to change from Office Park District
(OPD) to Community Shopping Center (CSC)
Motion to discuss: Banfield
Second: Sasson
Motion to approve: Banfield
Second: Sasson
Vote: 7 to 0 Unanimous Motion passed
Harbin stated the City had received an amendment to the application to reduce the area
being considered for rezoning. She said the applicant was willing to leave a 150-foot buffer
of OPD along Leisure Lane. She explained a land reduction did not require a new public
hearing and that the Commission must provide a recommendation to City Council within
30 days of the original hearing date.
Harbin said the Community Overlay District (COD) requirements apply to both zones CSC
and OPD. She said site plans would be considered by the Commission when submitted and
was separate from the zoning of the property. She explained that during the site plan
review, the Commission could discuss curb cuts and landscaping.
Clark asked if the Commission could grant conditional approval for a zone change. Harbin
said the Commission could only discuss and approve zoning at this point. She said
conditions may not be placed on zoning.
Banfield said the City is roughly 12 years from reaching build out and he foresees issues
such as this coming up again and again. He said all the remaining land left abuts residential
to some degree. He said the developer has made several changes based on the public’s
concerns and he appreciated them working together. Banfield stated he understood not
everyone will be completely happy.
Guenther said he was glad the developer agreed to remove the curb cut. He asked the
developer and residents to continue working together regardless of the outcome of the zone
change request.
Sasson said it was about balancing the needs of the City versus the wants of the residents.
He said the Commission received countless emails and comments voicing their concerns
and giving their support. Sasson said he supports the approach the developer has taken to
alleviate some resident’s concerns. He agreed traffic needed to be looked at regardless.
Lawson commended the level of compromise made during the project design.
Matranga and Neel both asked about considering the curb cut removal and Harbin
explained the site plan was not tied to the zone change request. She said the site plan was a
courtesy by the developer. Neel said she appreciated the developer and the homeowners
working together. She said she thought the project could be beneficial to the City.
5. Consideration and possible action regarding appointments to the P&Z Liaison Schedule
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August 17, 2017 P & Z Meeting
Neel said the new Liaison schedule had been emailed out. She asked the Commissioners
let her know if any assignments conflicted with their regular schedules.
6. Consideration and possible action regarding P&Z Subcommittee Assignments –
Planning Subcommittee and Ordinance Subcommittee
Neel appointed the Ordinance Subcommittee to consist of Sasson, Matranga, and Clark.
She said they may choose who wants to be the Chairman. She then appointed Banfield,
Guenther and Lawson as the Planning Subcommittee with Banfield remaining the
Chairman.
7. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting dates
Harbin said the next regular meetings would be held on September 7 and 21 at 7pm. Neel
asked if they were full agendas to which Harbin said she was hoping to do some new
Commissioner training.
8. Communications from
a. Commissioners - No comments.
b. Council liaison – Councilman Hill said the Commission demonstrated a great example of
businesses working with residents. He said he was very pleased and thought it would be
good for the City.
c. Staff – Harbin said the APA Conference in Frisco, TX on November 1-3, 2017 would be
very informative for the Commissioners.
9. The meeting was adjourned at 7:37pm.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Becky Summers
Becky Summers
Development Coordinator/P&Z Secretary