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Home My WebLink AboutP&Z Minutes 2006-07-20 RegularI Minutes of a Work Session and Regular Meeting Of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission July 20, 2006 A work session and regular meeting of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission was held Monday, July 20, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. in the city hall second floor conference room and the council chambers located at 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas. Worksession 5:30 PM -second floor conference room 1.Call to order The work session was called to order at 6:25 p.m. with the following present: Jim Gibson Mark Van Riper Sherry Weesner Eugene Hammett Diana Steelquist -Staff Planner Mona Miller -Development Coordinator Karen Capps -Economic Development Coordinator Jim Hill -Council Liaison 2.Discussion regarding downtown streetscaping Louis Mays and Ken Bailey of Page, Southerland and Page, discussed a proposal by Tony Banfield to develop his prope1ty as a test of the downtown streetscape program. In addition, he is proposing to encourage McDonalds to continue the streetscape onto their prope1ty. They showed a proposed site plan for the properties and explained that Mr. Banfield would incur all expenses on developing his property in this manner. The work session adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Regular Meeting 7:00 PM-council chambers The regular meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. with the following present: Jim Gibson Mark Van Riper Sherry Weesner Eugene Hammett Kevin Holland Bob Bertrand Roy Klussendorf was absent Diana Steelquist -Staff Planner Mona Miller -Development Coordinator Rhonda Baker -Administrative Assistant Jim Hill -Council Liaison 3.Oaths of Office: Administer the Oath of Office for the appointment of new and renewing Commissioners. Staff Planner, Diana Steelquist, administered the Oath of Office for Eugene Hammett. Page 1 of 5 7/20/06 Planning & Zoning 4.Communication from the public/committee liaisons. Lou Ellen Hatchett, 16811 Paint Rock Road, a thirty-four year resident, spoke 111 opposition to (Item 7) the zone change in Forestwood Subdivision. Staff Planner, Diana Steelquist, reminded Chairman Holland that a Joint Public Hearing had already been held to hear citizen's comments. Therefore, no other comments should be heard at this meeting. 5.Consent Agenda: a.Approval of the 7-6-06 Regular meeting minutes. b.Approval of the 7-10-06 Special meeting minutes. Motion: Weesner -to table both sets of minutes until the Conunission has time to review them. Second: Gibson Voted For: Unanimous Motion Carried 6.Consideration and possible action regarding the Commercial Site Plan for the Shell Station at 101 S. Friendswood Drive. Motion: Weesner -to approve contingent upon staff comments and the final approval of the Community Overlay District Second: Gibson Voted For: Unanimous Motion Carried 7.Consideration and possible action regarding a zone classification change request for a tract of land containing 3.2895 acres, being out of Lots 1 tlu·ough 5 of the Forestwood Subdivision, situated in the Sarah McKissick Survey, property located off of Friendswood Link Road, Harris County, Texas, from Multi-Family Residential-Garden Home District (MFR-GHD) to Multi-Family Residential-High Density (MFR-H). Motion: Gibson -to approve Second: Hammett A discussion ensued regarding past decisions to deny requests to increase density and intended density for this project. Commissioner Weesner expressed concern about increasing the density. She stated that historically, the conunission and city council have refused to increase residential density. Commissioner Gibson asked David Wyatt of Elegant Estates if their plan included green space other than the detention pond. Mr. Wyatt answered that there will be green space separate from the detention pond. Commissioner Bertrand expressed concern for limited commercial sites in the city and the possibility of this property being used for such. Other concerns expressed were increased traffic and a loss of privacy for existing homeowners. Page 2 of 5 7/20/06 Planning & Zoning l Voted for: Holland, Gibson, Van Riper, Hammett Voted against: Weesner, Bertrand Motion Carried 8.Consideration and possible action regarding amending the Zoning Ordinance, Appendix C, removing Section 8, I., 2, f., 1-7 Preserving Trees -Historical Significance, by deleting tree survey requirements, tree mitigation and incentives and tree protection requirements. Motion: Bertrand -to not repeal the existing Tree Preservation ordinance and to encourage Council to move forward with the Heritage Tree Ordinance. Second: Holland Voted For: Unanimous Motion Carried 9.Consideration and possible action regarding releasing rear utility easement located in the Friendswood Lakes Garden Home Subdivision, Lots 1-13, Block 1, Lots 1-13, Block 2 and Lots 19-27, Block 2. The Commission noted that there are no existing utilities located in the rear Utility Easement. Motion: Weesner-to approve Second: Van Riper Voted for: Unanimous Motion Carried 10.Discussion and possible action regarding special exceptions for Gas Stations. Commissioner Weesner expressed concern for moving forward with these changes and not coordinating them with the downtown zoning. Ms. Steelquist advised the Commission that staff has prepared language prepared by the downtown committee, however, not in an ordinance form. She would like to take the document back to the committee prior to moving forward. Motion: Gibson -to approve Second: Holland The discussion continued regarding the proposed exceptions for gas stations. The Commission recognized that certain existing tracts in the OBD may not be able to fully comply with zoning standards due to limited frontage or other constraints when developing or re-developing a gasoline station. They believe allowing these special exceptions within the OBD will allow existing gas stations to become conforming as to structure and lot coverage. This in turn will allow any needed redevelopment to occur. The Commission recommended that a Joint Public Hearing be scheduled to amend the Ordinance at the next available opportunity to receive public comment. Amended Motion: Gibson -to approve with the exception of Item A, and that these exceptions apply in the Original Business District only. Page 3 of 5 7 /20/06 Planning & Zoning Second: Holland Voted for: Gibson, Holland, Van Riper, Hammett, Bertrand Voted against: Weesner Motion Carried 11.Discussion and possible action regarding non-conforming uses and structures. Motion: Gibson -to approve Seconded: Holland Ms. Steelquist recapped the discussion from the joint workshop. Conunissioner Weesner expressed concern with the six-month time frame for non-conforming uses. She suggested that the time be extended or removed. Commissioner Be1trand was concerned about changes being made to the Permitted Use Table. He explained that each time a change is made, it could make a conforming use non-conforming. He suggested that staff survey businesses with a particular use before a change is made. Commissioner Van Riper asked staff to provide a definition of abandoned and discontinued uses. Amended Motion: Gibson -to approve with the exception of D4, and give staff direction to place footnote statement on PUT, requiring that an impact study be done prior to a change to the table. Second: Holland Amended Motion: Weesner-to table this item Second: Van Riper Voted for: Unanimous 12.Conununications from the Commission. Motion Carried Commissioner Bertrand rep01ted on his attendance at the Drainage District meeting. Commissioner Gibson reported that he attended the City Council meetings. Commissioner Hammett expressed gratitude for his appointment. He stated that he is looking forward to his service. Commissioner Weesner noted that the Comprehensive Plan subconunittee will meet on July 2i11 • Ms. Steelquist provided information on upcoming Open Meetings training. 13.Reports. a.Council Liaison Council Liaison Jim Hill reported on his attendance at the Drainage District meeting. He also stated that they will hold a joint workshop with the Drainage District at City Hall on Monday, July 24th . Page 4 of 5 7 /20/06 Planning & Zoning I b.Staff -Discussion of ordinance preparation procedures Commissioner Bertrand stated that this has already been done and no additional information from Staff was needed at this time. 14.Adjoununent. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Dk-�� Development Coordinator Page 5 of 5 7/20/06 Planning & Zoning