HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2019-06-13 Regular PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Public Hearing
1. The public hearing was called to order at 7:00pm with the following people in attendance:
Chairman Joe Matranga Commissioner Richard Sasson
Commissioner Brett Banfield Commissioner Lisa Lundquist
Commissioner Eric Guenther Commissioner Marc Perry
Commissioner Dick Clark Mary Kay Fischer, City Attorney
Becky Summers, Development Coordinator
Aubrey Harbin, City Planner/Director of CDD
2. Communication from the public/committee liaisons
(To comply with 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 be placed on a later regular Commission agenda for discussion and/or possible
action.)
a. A zone classification change from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to
Neighborhood Commercial/Specific Use Permit (NC/SUP) to allow NAICS Use #8131
Religious Organizations for .7471 acres of land out of Reserve G (G4) in Forest Bend
Subdivision Section 3, Harris County, Friendswood, Texas, also known as 17158
Blackhawk Blvd.
Harbin explained Calvary Church located on FM 528 also owns the building on Townes
Rd. that was previously operated as a day care. Since the hurricane, the church did not
reopen the day care and has been using the building for offices and counseling. The SUP
request is to clean up the zoning on the property.
b. A zone classification change for 1.7243 acres of land, consisting of two tracts 1.477
acres and .2473 acres, situated in the Sarah McKissick League, Abstract 51,
Galveston County, Texas, being out of Lot 4, Block 11, Friendswood Subdivision, also
known as 108 Whispering Pines Ave, to change from Single Family Residential (SFR)
to Downtown District (DD)
MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING
HELD THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019
AT 7:00 PM
CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
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June 13 2019 P & Z Meeting
Harbin said the subject property is currently zoned Single Family Residential (SFR) and
within the boundary of the Downtown District (DD). She said any new development would
be subject to the design requirements of the DD.
Greg Crinion/representative of owners said the properties are within the boundary and the
owners are asking to rezone. He said the Harris’ are retired and these properties are their
life savings. He said they need to sell and move somewhere with better care.
Jane Gibson/neighbor stated she lives in Timberfield Estates and is against the rezoning.
She said when she bought her home 25-30 years ago, it was a residential area and rezoning
these properties would create a large development.
c. A zone classification change for 1.8367 acres of land, situated in the Sarah
McKissick League, Abstract 51, Galveston County, Texas, being out of Lot 4, Block
11, Friendswood Subdivision, also known as 110 Whispering Pines Ave, to change
from Single Family Residential (SFR) to Downtown District (DD)
Harbin said the Commission voted against changing the Downtown District boundary but
Council voted in favor of the change so this property is now eligible to be rezoned to DD.
3. The public hearing adjourned at 7:09 pm.
Regular Meeting
1. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:09 pm with the same people in attendance.
2. Communication from the public/committee liaisons
(To comply with 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 be placed on a later regular Commission agenda for discussion and/or possible
action.)
Janis Lowe said she was there to speak on fencing and asked when property is rezoned
from residential to commercial the required fence be addressed at that time.
Jackie Bailey stated she owns the house next to Farmers Insurance on Melody Lane and is
requesting a wooden fence be installed between the two lots.
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.
3. Oaths of Office: Aubrey Harbin, Notary Public, will administer Oaths of Office for three
reappointed Commissioners – Joe Matranga, Richard Clark and Marcus Perry
Harbin administered oaths to all three Commissioners.
4. Consent agenda
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June 13 2019 P & Z Meeting
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 May 16, 2019
Motion to approve: Sasson
Second: Lundquist
Vote: 7 to 0 Unanimous Motion Passed
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.
5. Consideration and possible action regarding a site plan amendment for Farmers
Insurance located at 104 Melody Ln
Motion to remove from table: Banfield
Second: Clark
Vote: 7 to 0 Unanimous Motion Passed
Motion to discuss: Lundquist
Second: Clark
Harbin presented two options for screening: (18) 7-gallon trees or (7) 30-gallon trees to
be clustered to block the view of the parking area.
Sasson said he preferred the second option as it aligns with the needs of the neighbor.
Banfield said he really wanted the neighbors to resolve this issue themselves. He stated
he is not a fan of wood fences and felt the middle ground would be heavy landscaping.
Johnson said she would be willing to install (10) of the larger trees.
Motion to plant 10 trees: Lundquist
Second: Clark
Vote: 7 to 0 Unanimous Motion Passed
6. Consideration and possible action regarding a site plan amendment for West
Parkwood Place located at 1501 W. Parkwood Ave.
Motion to approve: Banfield
Second: Perry
Vote: 7 to 0 Unanimous Motion Passed
Harbin stated the Commission approved this site plan several months back and staff
failed to have the owner install screening to separate the commercial site from the
adjacent residential properties. Harbin explained staff was unaware the existing HOA
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June 13 2019 P & Z Meeting
fence was missing two sections. Staff spoke with Mr. Garza (owner) and he would prefer
to install the missing fence sections than put up a separate fence.
Banfield asked if the HOA was agreeable. Harbin answered yes.
7. Consideration and possible action regarding a recommendation to City Council for the
requested zone classification change from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to
Neighborhood Commercial/Specific Use Permit (NC/SUP) to allow NAICS Use #8131
Religious Organizations for .7471 acres of land out of Reserve G (G4) in Forest Bend
Subdivision Section 3, Harris County, Friendswood, Texas, also known as 17158
Blackhawk Blvd.
Motion for positive recommendation: Clark
Second: Sasson
Vote: 7 to 0 Unanimous Motion Passed
Harbin explained the church was not proposing any exterior changes to the building.
Sasson said the Future Land Use map identifies the area as retail, not office. Harbin said
the building had never been used for retail and the map could be updated to reflect the
actual use. Banfield said the area was not a good retail area.
Matranga asked if they would be able to hold services in the building with the SUP. Harbin
said the size of the building would make services unlikely.
8. Consideration and possible action regarding a recommendation to City Council for the
requested zone classification change for 1.7243 acres of land, consisting of two tracts
1.477 acres and .2473 acres, situated in the Sarah McKissick League, Abstract 51,
Galveston County, Texas, being out of Lot 4, Block 11, Friendswood Subdivision, also
known as 108 Whispering Pines Ave, to change from Single Family Residential (SFR)
to Downtown District (DD)
Motion for positive recommendation: Banfield
Second: Lundquist
Vote: 7 to 0 Unanimous Motion Passed
Banfield said the lot was already in the Downtown District boundary and surrounded by
commercial. He was for the change.
Lundquist said she understands the neighbors are leery of the change. She said taking the
lots separately, she was in favor of changing 108 Whispering Pines Ave. to Downtown
District. Sasson agreed. He said he was sympathetic to the neighborhood but the property
was across the road, not adjacent to their homes.
Crinion stated the application was for both properties. Harbin explained the two lots were
separate properties and would be considered separately.
9. Consideration and possible action regarding a recommendation to City Council for the
requested zone classification change for 1.8367 acres of land, situated in the Sarah
McKissick League, Abstract 51, Galveston County, Texas, being out of Lot 4, Block
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June 13 2019 P & Z Meeting
11, Friendswood Subdivision, also known as 110 Whispering Pines Ave, to change
from Single Family Residential (SFR) to Downtown District (DD)
Motion for positive recommendation: Matranga
Second: Banfield
Vote: 2 to 5 (Matranga, Perry for) Motion Failed
Banfield said he wished the applicant had come with a development plan instead of a
blanket zone change. He said the property has a house on it and there is a house next door
and the property was not originally in the Downtown District boundary.
Matranga said City Council made the property in the boundary and, although there may
have been a better path, he was in favor of the zone change.
Lundquist said it would set a precedent for other homes to want into the boundary.
Perry stated he did not support the boundary change but, now that it is done, he would
support the zone change.
Sasson said there is no plan for the property and the unsuspecting neighbor could end up
with a 3-story building next door. Sasson said he could not support it. Clark agreed.
Banfield said the Harris family is an awesome family but recounted the first Planning
Conference he attended. He said he learned that zoning goes with the land, not the
applicant, and said never forget that.
10. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting dates
Harbin said the next regular meetings would be June 27th and July 11th.
11. Communications from the Commission
a. Commissioners – Perry said he attended the GCCDD meeting and there was lots of
activity around drainage projects. Lundquist said KFB has lots going on, as well. She said
the Pollinator Garden at Stevenson Park was completed.
Matranga said he, Sasson, and Harbin had attended PZ Commission meetings at other cities
just for information. He said most run their meetings similarly.
b. Council Liaison – Branson congratulated the Commission on their first separate Public
Hearing. She introduced Councilperson Trish Hanks as a visitor to the night’s meeting.
c. Staff – Harbin stated City Council approved all five Downtown District ordinance
changes.
Harbin said the Texas Legislature had approved several bills that will affect the City. She
said she was working on a new fee schedule to comply with the changes and hoped to
present it to Council in July.
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June 13 2019 P & Z Meeting
Harbin explained one bill prohibits cities from regulating façade materials. Another
requires plats be approved or disapproved without conditions. And the most talked about
bill involves plumbing licenses but the Governor has issued a temporary order through
2021.
12. The regular meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Becky Summers
Becky Summers
Development Coordinator/P&Z Secretary