HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2021-01-14 RegularCITY OF FRIENDSWOOD
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 7:00 PM
Minutes
MINUTES OF A FRIENDSWOOD REGULAR MEETING HELD AT 910 S. FRIENDSWOOD
DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXASFRIENDSWOOD CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
STATE OF TEXAS
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD
COUNTIES OF GALVESTON/HARRIS
JANUARY 14, 2021
1.Call to order
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION THAT WAS HELD ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021, AT 07:02 PM 910 S.
FRIENDSWOOD DRIVE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
CHAIRMAN JOE MATRANGA
VICECHAIRMAN RICHARD SASSON
COMMISSIONER TRAVIS MANN
COMMISSIONER TOM HINCKLEY
COMMISSIONER RICHARD CLARK VIA VIDEO
COMMISSIONER LISA LUNDQUIST
COUNCIL LIAISON ROBERT GRIFFON
CITY ATTORNEY MARY KAY FISCHER
DIRECTOR OF CDD/PLANNER AUBREY HARBIN
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR BECKY BENNETT
COMMISSIONER MARCUS PERRY WAS ABSENT FROM THE MEETING.
2.Action Items
According to the Planning and Zoning Rules of Procedure (R201915), 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.
A.Oath of Office: Aubrey Harbin, Notary Public, will administer the Oath of Office for one
new Commissioner, Travis Mann
Harbin provided the Oath of Office for Commissioner Mann.
3.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)
None.
4.Public Hearing
A.To receive comments both oral and written regarding:
Proposed amendments to Appendix C Zoning Ordinance to require less dense residential
uses in higher dense residential districts to still meet the district regulations of the less
dense district by amending "Section 7. B. (R2 and R3) MFRL, residential, general
purpose and description," "Section 7.C.(R4) MFRM, residential, general purpose and
description," and "Section 7.D.(R5) MFRH, residential, general purpose and
description;" and to amend "Section 7.P.6. Permitted Use Table" to allow less dense
residential uses in higher dense residential districts by defining Residential Uses in the
table
Bennett stated the Ordinance Subcommittee discussed allowing less dense residential uses in
higher density zoning districts. She said an example would be to permit a single family home in a
multifamily district as opposed to a duplex. Bennett explained the zoning ordinance was updated
several years ago and removed residential uses from the Permitted Use Table (PUT) because they
were explained in another section. She said by removing residential uses from the PUT, staff
inadvertently removed the ability for single family in multi family districts.
B.Proposed amendments to Appendix C Zoning Ordinance Section 7.Q.2. "Residential
Regulation Matrix" to amend sub note F to allow lots in existence that are zoned Single
Family Residential and are less than 90 feet wide to continue with the setbacks that were
established when the lot was platted or created
Bennett said the Ordinance Subcommittee discussed amending the zoning ordinance to allow
destroyed homes on lots less than 90feet wide to build back with their previous setback. She
explained older subdivisions such as Wedgewood Village and Forest Bend were annexed into the
city with 5foot side yards on lots much smaller than 90feet wide. She further stated that when
these homes are flooded or burn they must then build back with the current city setbacks which are
designed for 90feet lots and it creates a hardship. Bennett said the Zoning Board of Adjustment
had heard four cases in five years for such scenarios which triggered staff to research changing
the ordinance.
5.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 so requests in which case the item would
be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.
**Commissioner Lisa Lundquist moved to approve Consent Agenda. Seconded by Commissioner
Tom Hinckley. The motion was approved unanimously.
A.Approval of the minutes of the special meeting held Thursday, December 3, 2020
B.Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held Thursday, December 10, 2020
C.Friends Heights Final Plat
6.Consideration and Possible Actions
A.Consideration and possible action regarding a recommendation for the proposed
amendments to Appendix C Zoning Ordinance to require less dense residential uses in
higher dense residential districts to still meet the district regulations of the less dense
district by amending "Section 7. B. (R2 and R3) MFRL, residential, general purpose
and description," "Section 7.C.(R4) MFRM, residential, general purpose and
description," and "Section 7.D.(R5) MFRH, residential, general purpose and
description;" and to amend "Section 7.P.6. Permitted Use Table" to allow less dense
residential uses in higher dense residential districts by defining Residential Uses in the
table
**Commissioner Lisa Lundquist moved to approve Consideration and possible action regarding a
recommendation for the proposed amendments to Appendix C Zoning Ordinance to require less
dense residential uses in higher dense residential districts to still meet the district regulations of the
less dense district by amending "Section 7. B. (R2 and R3) MFRL, residential, general purpose
and description," "Section 7.C.(R4) MFRM, residential, general purpose and description," and
"Section 7.D.(R5) MFRH, residential, general purpose and description;" and to amend "Section
7.P.6. Permitted Use Table" to allow less dense residential uses in higher dense residential
districts by defining Residential Uses in the table. Seconded by ViceChairman Richard Sasson.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Bennett added to her previous comments that if a single family home is built in a multifamily
district, the development must comply with the regulations of Single Family Residential (SFR)
zoning. She explained that a new home would not be allowed to use the setbacks and lot coverage
afforded to multifamily districts.
Lundquist thanked staff for looking out for the citizens and making proactive ordinance changes.
Matranga asked if single family would be allowed in medium or high density districts. Bennett said
there was not any applicable land that such a need would arise.
B.Consideration and possible action regarding a recommendation for the proposed
amendments to Appendix C Zoning Ordinance Section 7.Q.2. "Residential Regulation
Matrix" to amend sub note F to allow lots in existence that are zoned Single Family
Residential and are less than 90 feet wide to continue with the setbacks that were
established when the lot was platted or created
**Commissioner Tom Hinckley moved to approve Consideration and possible action regarding a
recommendation for the proposed amendments to Appendix C Zoning Ordinance Section 7.Q.2.
"Residential Regulation Matrix" to amend sub note F to allow lots in existence that are zoned
Single Family Residential and are less than 90 feet wide to continue with the setbacks that were
established when the lot was platted or created . Seconded by Commissioner Lisa Lundquist. The
motion was approved unanimously.
Hinckley said he is the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBOA) liaison and has heard cases where the
homeowner just wants to rebuild their home the way it was before a disaster.
Lundquist said these are exactly the type of situations that warrant an ordinance change.
Clark said these cases are time consuming and take more effort for homeowners and the ZBOA.
Matranga asked how many of the cases ZBOA approved to which Bennett answered all of them.
7.Consideration and possible action regarding future Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting dates
A.Regular Meeting Thursday, January 28, 2021
Regular Meeting Thursday, February 11, 2021
8.Communications
A.From Commissioners suggestions for future agenda items, general comments and/or
updates from liaison assignments
Sasson said he attended two meetings for Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District where
they approved several upcoming projects. He said GCCDD also adopted new design requirements
such as Atlas 14. Sasson said he attended the City Council meeting where ZBOA Chairman Phil
Ratisseau delivered the annual report. Sasson also mentioned the city revenue bonds sold low and
the city also completed the purchase of the Food Lion building.
Matranga said he is working on the retreat action items and then will distribute for the next
meeting. He welcomed new commissioner, Travis Mann.
B.From Planning Subcommittee – update on tasks
C.From Ordinance Subcommittee – update on tasks
D.From City Council Liaison, Robert Griffon general comments and communication from
City Council
Councilman Griffon said GCCDD and the city have both updated their drainage requirements
recently. He spoke about the revenue bonds and the projects it would cover.
E.From Staff December DRC Report, commercial and residential project updates, City
Council action and ordinance updates
Harbin said she presented a brief update to City Council regarding the Comprehensive Plan at
their last meeting. She said Taylor Morrison had completed the license agreement with the City for
the construction of Friendswood Lakes Boulevard.
Bennett said the Ordinance Subcommittee would start meeting regularly again to work on their "to
do" list.
9.Adjournment
This meeting was adjourned at 07:32 PM.