HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2019-08-22 Regular PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
1. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:02pm with the following people in attendance:
Chairman Joe Matranga Commissioner Dick Clark
Commissioner Lisa Lundquist Commissioner Eric Guenther
Commissioner Brett Banfield Commissioner Marcus Perry
Becky Summers, Development Coordinator Mary Kay Fischer, City Attorney
Aubrey Harbin, City Planner/Director of CDD
Absent: Sasson
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.)
Michael Cornett said the Clear Creek Community Church was a very well thought out
facility and that it would draw further attention for future development. He begged the
Commission for agreement with the Church’s design.
Jennifer Whitley said she lives downstream from the proposed church and that she flooded
badly. She said she is a member of the Community & Economic Development Committee
which is very aware of the property’s history. She said she is not happy with the
architecture. Whitley said the location of the detention pond needs to be optimized.
Dr. Carrie Murphy, a resident of Autumn Creek Subdivision, stated that Clear Creek
Community Church is a faith based group of more than 1,200 people. She said they help
the community and a new building would increase community involvement. She said the
church would help with a place to hold events since the area has a shortage of event
venues. She said she is aware P&Z has concerns but implored them to approve the project.
MINUTES OF A
REGULAR MEETING
HELD THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2019
BEGINNING AT 7:00 PM
CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
910 S. FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
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August 22, 2019 P & Z Meeting
Aaron Chester, a 9-year resident, said he hopes a solution is found that will be a long term
benefit for all.
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. 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 August 8, 2019 regular meeting
Motion to approve: Lundquist
Second: Perry
Vote: 6 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 meeting.
4. Consideration and possible action regarding a site plan for Clear Creek Community
Church to be located at 3801 FM 528
Motion to Remove from Table: Banfield
Second: Guenther
Vote: 6 to 0 Unanimous Motion Passed
Motion to approve: Banfield
Second: Lundquist
Amend Motion to approve to be contingent upon City Manager approval: Banfield
Second: Lundquist
Vote: 5 to 1 (Perry Against) Motion Passed
Harbin said the applicant provided additional information including the increase and
decrease of reserve acreages. She said the applicant also has a PowerPoint show to
present.
Ryan Thomas/Operations Director of CCCC stated staff has been very helpful bringing
him up to speed. He hoped to address the Commission’s concerns of drainage and
architectural design. Thomas presented a slideshow of the zoning history of the property,
flood plain overlays, and the proposed acreage changes.
Bob Berkman, of Visioneering Studios, said the building design was to be a modern, hill
country look. He said the earth tone colors and local, natural materials would set the style
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August 22, 2019 P & Z Meeting
guide for what comes next. Barry Morris/Visioneering Studios explained it was a large
building they tried to scale down to a human level. He said the look was cohesive and
unifying and could be compatible with future development.
Brett Banfield said he was still concerned with the location of the detention pond. He
explained Friendswood is landlocked and 86% residential so the commercial aspect is
very important. He said the placement of the pond, and that it was dry and unattractive,
would hurt the commercial prospects. He asked if the engineer looked at alternative
locations or underground storage.
Amy/Dannenbaum Engineering said they tried ten different models but did not look at
underground storage. Al Flores/Dannenbaum Engineering said underground storage is
more typical in small projects. He said the topography of the property was very difficult.
Ryan Thomas/CCCC stated the church is interested in an agreement with the City to
partner with terracing along the creek. He said that would eliminate the need for a pond
in the future. Kevin Holland/resident said the Commission is looking at the big picture
and stated the only agenda item tonight was for the church. He said the future terracing
project would change the floodway and raise Parcel F.
Banfield said not much creativity was put into the pond. He asked about making it a
water feature. Thomas said there is no reason for the church to spend money on that. He
said a developer could do it later. He said they have already shifted the pond an acre onto
the church’s parcel.
Lundquist said she attended a district meeting where terracing was discussed and
understands that is the long term plan.
Matranga mentioned the Planned Unit Development (PUD) requires City Manager
approval for the acreage changes. Harbin said the City Manager has been very involved
and staff would obtain his official approval. Matranga asked why the pond has to go in
that particular spot. Thomas said it keeps the pond footprint small, and if they moved it
south that would be more expensive and drawn out.
Lundquist asked if the church location would prohibit alcohol sales of nearby businesses.
Harbin said the required distance is 300-feet from front door to front door, as a pedestrian
travels. Lundquist asked if the church had completed the traffic impact analysis. Thomas
said they conducted an analysis for the church traffic. He stated City staff said a full TIA,
including the commercial impact, was required before the church could obtain a
Certificate of Occupancy. Lundquist asked about the Open Space Plan mentioned in the
PUD. She asked if the open space would be accessible to the public or just the church.
Thomas said they are not working on an Open Space Plan at this time.
Guenther said he appreciated all the information and that it was very helpful. Clark said
ditto.
Matranga asked about sidewalks. Thomas said a sidewalk would be installed from the
creek bridge to the edge of Reserve A. Harbin added a 5-foot sidewalk was required in
the TxDOT right-of-way plus a walk from the building to the public walk, per building
code.
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August 22, 2019 P & Z Meeting
Matranga asked about the conceptual drawings in the PUD versus the current rendering.
He asked what the gray material was. Thomas said the product was Kingspan, a stucco
panel that is fully insulated.
Banfield asked when the start date would be. Thomas said the offsite utilities have to be
accepted by City Council.
Lundquist said she truly appreciated the applicant coming back with more information
and addressing the Commission’s concerns. She said the terracing project will be a huge
benefit to the City.
5. Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting dates
Harbin said the next regular meeting would be September 12th.
6. Communications from the Commission
a. Commissioners – Perry said GCCDD is doing a ton of work and probably
underappreciated. He asked the status of creating a Comprehensive Plan. Harbin said a
Comp Plan is currently being discussed with City Council.
Clark said his neighbors keep asking about development, such as the Chick-Fil-A. Harbin
said Virgata Commons had several tenants working on their interior buildouts. She said the
foundation was recently poured for Chipotle. Harbin explained Chick-Fil-A was not in a
hurry to start construction but had been paying rent since April.
b. Council Liaison – Trish Hanks said Council voted to have a bond election this coming
November. She said the Labor Day Ice Cream Social would be held at the Perry House this
year. Hanks also said the Pollinator Garden opened, a new mural was painted at Stevenson
Park, and the dog park was about to open.
c. Staff – Harbin said staff would be in San Antonio accepting the Scenic City award in
October. She thanked the Commission for their attention to detail and commitment to the
City of Friendswood.
7. The regular meeting adjourned at 8:26 pm.
These minutes respectfully submitted by:
Becky Summers
Becky Summers
Development Coordinator/P&Z Secretary