HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2004-10-07 Regularl i
Minutes of a Regular Meeting
of the
Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission
October 7, 2004
A regular meeting of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission was held
Thursday, October 7, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the city hall council chambers located at 910
S.Friendswood Driv e, Friendswood, Texas. The following members were present:
Bob Be1trand
David Brakebill
Tom Burke
Jim Gibson
Kevin Holland
Roy Klusendorf
Sherry Weesner
Loren Smith-City Attorney
Dan Johnson-Deputy Director of CD
Diana Steelquist-Planner
Cheri Skelton-Development Coordinator
With a quorum present, Chainnan Bertrand called the meeting to order to discuss the
following:
Call to order:
Regular Meeting:
1.Consideration and possible action regarding the selection of chairman and vice
chairman.
Chairman Be1trand stated he was leaving as chairman but is pleased and honored
to have been chai1man. He also stated that, as chairman, he had wished to have
completed some goals such as the Tree Preservation Ordinance, Sign Ordinance,
and he had wished to work on a-Sound Ordinance. He is pleased, however, to
have been pait of the Whitcomb prope1ty and the West prope1ty and is excited
about the changes they bring to Friendswood. He thanked members of Planning
and Zoning, Staff, and City Council. He was especially thankful to former
Mayor, Harold Whitaker, Mayor Brizendine, and most imp01tantly his wife.
Commissioner Gibson nominated Commissi <?ner Holland for Chaiiman, seconded
by Commissioner Weesner. Commissioner Burke nominated Commissioner
Gibson for Chairman, seconded by Commissioner Brakebill. Commissioner
Gibson declined the nomination.
Voted For Commissioner Holland as Chairman-Bertrand, Brakebill, Gibson,
Holland, Klusendorf, and W_eesner.
Voted For Commissioner Gibson as Chahman-Burke
Commissioner Holland-Chairman
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Chairman Holland nominated Commissioner Gibson as Vice-Chairman, seconded
by Commissioner Klusendorf. Commissioner Burke nominated Commissioner
Brakebill, seconded by Commissioner Weesner. Commissioner Brakebill
declined the nomination.
Voted for Commissioner Gibson for Vice-Chairman-Bertrand, Brakebill, Burke,
Gibson, Holland, Klusendorf, Weesner.
Commission Gibson-Vice-Chahman
2.Communications from the Commission.
Commissioner Bertrand stated he attended a meeting with all committees. Some
important issues discussed were the city strategy, defining and understanding
80/20 concept, quicker ordinance development, and positive Commission images.
He also stated Mayor Brizendine brought up issues such as better efforts of
communication, be hard on issues and soft on people, and the city's vision 2020.
Commissioner Bertrand reminded the Commission of a dinner to be held on
October 19 th for all committees. He also stated that the Planning and Zoning
Commission should consider a booth during the 4 th of July, so that the citizens can
get better acquainted with the Commission.
Commissioner Burke explained he and Copunissioner Bertrand has been working
on the Tree Preservation Ordinance for the last four years. He stated he felt since
Commissioner Bertrand has a lot of knowledge and information regarding all the
years dedicated to this, he should continue to work with the sub-committee to get
this ordinance in place. Commissioner Burke also stated he would like to have
the electronic agenda process made an agenda item for discussion at a future
meeting. In addition, Commissioner Burke added that he had attended the
Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District (GCCDD) meeting. He
explained that before he attended the meeting, he had written a letter to the
GCCDD regarding tree preservation and construction of hike and bike trails.
Commissioner Burke reported that it seems the GCCDD does not intend to do
anything with regards to these issues. The GCCDD feels that these items are
ordinance issues and they do not govern by ordinances.
Commissioner Gibson thanked Commissioner Bertrand and Commissioner Burke
for their leadership and congratulated Chairman Holland on his new position. He
also stated that he was disturbed about the agenda being totally electronic and
explained it was not always convenient to come to City Hall to go over the
reading file.
Commissioner Klusendorf thanked Commissioner Be1trand and Commissioner
Burke. He also expressed desire to have paper copies of drawings.
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Commissioner Brakebill thanked Commissioner Be1trand and Commissioner
Burke and congratulated Chaiiman Holland.
Commissioner Weesner thanked Commissioner Bertrand and Commissioner
Burke and congratulated Chairman Holland. She also agreed with other
Commissioners that access to paper drawings should be discussed. She explained
that getting to City Hall is not always possible and if a reading file is necessary,
then consideration should be given to it being at a location such as the City
Library that stays open later than City Hall. In addition, Commissioner Weesner
asked Staff to prepare a short lecture on how the city gets tax revenue and how it
collects. She also asked Staff to work on gathering information for such items as
Texas Coastland rules and how they apply to the City of Friendswood; the city's
80/20 vision with regards tax revenue, and real information on how land is
designated. Commissioner Weesner wanted to make the Commission aware of
newspaper aiticles she had read with regards to items that will eventually be
before the Commission. One was with regards to Cluster Home developments
and fire spreading easily if homes are allowed to be built six feet apart. The other
is with regards to the Tree Preservation Ordinance and requiring a variety of trees
to be planted since disease spreads easily when several trees of the same species
ai·e planted.
Chairman Holland thanked everyone for his new position. He also thanked
Commissioner Bertrand and Burke for their motivation and hard work. He also
stated that if possible he would like to have Commissioner Be1trand continue on
the Tree Preservation Committee.
3.Communications from the public.
Ed Sherill, #5 Windsong addressed the Commission. Mr. Sherill expressed his
concerns regai·ding a roadway or emergency exit that could be constructed
between Windsong Subdivision and Sun Meadow Sub division. Mr. Sherill stated
he does not want the interconnectivity between the two subdivisions. He also
stated that if his request does not go through and the roadway is put it place then
curb and gutter street should be required to be constructed through the entire
subdivision by the developer.
4.Consent Agenda:
A.Approval of the 9-13-04 public heai-ing meeting minutes.
B.Approval of the 9-16-04 regulai· meeting minutes.
Motion:
Second:
Be1trand-to approve
Brakebill
Commissioner Weesner asked for each item of the consent agenda to be taken off
for discussion.
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Commissioner Weesner stated that Item "B" of the consent agenda, page 4, item 6
motion refers to her by her first name and should be by her last name.
Commissioner Burke also stated within Item "B" of the consent agenda, page 1,
Item 1, the second sentence should read:
He also stated that GCCDD was in agreement on attending a workshop
with Planning and Zoning with regards to regional detention.
Amended
Motion:
Second:
Voted For:
Weesner-to approve Item "B" with changes
Gibson
Unanimous Motion Carried
Commissioner Weesner stated that Item "A" of the consent agenda, page 1, iteml,
third sentence should read:
The property had always been designated by the developer to be for commercial
use and had been constructed within a master plan when the development of
Friendswood Lakes Subdivision began.
Amended
Motion:
Second:
Voted For:
Tabled Items:
Weesner-to approve Item "A" with changes
Brakebill
Unanimous Motion Carried
5.Consideration and possible action regarding Zone Classification change for
prope1ty located along the 3900 Block of West Bay Area Boulevard.
A.From Single Family Residential (SFR) to Multifamily Residential-Garden
Home District (MFR-GHD), Tract 2, 45.8541 acre tract, John Dickinson
Survey Abstract 15, Harris County, TX.
B.From Multi-Family Residential-Garden Home District (MFR-GHD), to
Planned Unit Development-Cluster Home (PUD-Cluster Home), Tract 2,
45.8541 acre tract, John Dickinson Survey Abstract 15, Harris County,
TX.
Motion:
Second:
Voted For:
Be1trand-to take item off table.
Weesner
Unanimous Motion Carried
This item was tabled at the last meeting in order to ask the City Attorney if a hike
and bike trail can be required of the developer in order for approval. The City
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Attorney stated that the construction of the hike and bike trail or access to the
property couldn't be made a requirement for approval. Some Commissioners still
expressed that it would be beneficial to tie-in the hike/bike trail system along
Clear Creek proposed by the adjacent development in the West Ranch.
Dick Duffy, 8584 Katy Freeway, addressed the Commission regarding his project.
Mr. Duffy presented a new Site Plan clearly identifying the privacy gates to the
development, fencing, landscape buffer and the emergency access will be
installed. The Commission also expressed the need for access to the detention
pond for safety reasons. Mr. Duffy stated that enough access would be provided
for safety vehicles.
The Commission believes that, due to the amount of area located in wetlands and
or the flood way, the proposed land plan using a cluster home design is logical
and efficient.
Motion:
Second:
Voted For:
Regular Meeting:
Gibson-to approve zone classification change
Weesner
Unanimous
6.Consideration and possible action regarding the Commercial Site Plan for
Calvary Chapel Church located at 1409 S. Friendswood Dr.
Motion:
Second:
Weesner-to approve
Gibson
Commissioner Be1trand asked Staff if it was the intent with the request if
approved to bring the front of the property into compliance with the Entryway
Overlay District (EOD) requirements including the sign? Staff stated the new
portion that the prope1ty would be in compliance with the crnTent ordinance
requirements; the existing building is not being changed so no changes have been
requested. Commissioner Bertrand stated that he felt the plan was one plan and
not two and he would like to see the whole property come into compliance.
Commissioner Burke asked if permission by the pipeline has given for the paving
within their easement. Jim Weaver, Demar Engineering, representative for
Calvary Chapel Church addressed the Commission. Mr. Weaver stated that the
pipeline had given permission and he explained that not all of the pipeline
easement would be paving. Commissioner Bmke asked if Mr. Weaver understood
that the paving would be the only thing being given approval, and not the
proposed futme building shown on the plans. Mr. Weaver stated he understood
that from Staff. Commissioner Burke continued to say that the site, by virtue of
the EOD, has non-conforming issues, such as setbacks and landscaping buffers,
and must be brought up to conformance for approval. Staff stated that the
property is two separate tracts and the new p01tion is being brought up to
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compliance with the EOD. The existing tract was not required to come into
compliance; however, new landscaping along the front of the existing tract was
provided by Staff's request. Mr. Weaver stated that Staff requested the
landscaping be extended along the existing property. Staff stated that when the
building was to be built then the property must be platted and come into
compliance. Commissioner Weesner stated that the existing property is cunently
legal non-conforming. She asked Staff if there are additional non-conforming
issues other than the sign and the landscaping buffer. Staff stated possibly a rear
landscaping buffer and landscaping buffer along Blackhawk. Some
Commissioners felt that the prope1ty should be considered as one and not two
pieces of property and should be brought up to EOD requirements.
Commissioner Bertrand stated that he would like for the City Attorney to
provided clarification on this prope1ty whether it should be considered one piece
of prope1ty or two. Commissioner Bertrand also felt a legal interpretation is
needed to determine at what threshold a prope1ty owner is required to bring their
property up to confmmance when it is a legal non-conforming use.
Amended
Motion: Gibson-to table item for legal advice
Second: Weesner
Voted For: Be1trand, Brakebill, Burke, Gibson, Holland, and Weesner
Voted Against: Klusendorf Motion to Table Carried
7.Consideration and possible action regarding the amending of Commercial Site
Plan for Friendswood Retail Center located at corner of FM 528 and FM 518.
Prior to the meeting, the applicant requested for this item to be removed from the
agenda.
8.Discussion regarding Conceptual Plan for commercial property reserves located
on FM 528 at Friendswood Lakes Subdivision.
Mitch Mitchell, Altair Development, addressed the Commission._ Mr. Mitchell
presented visuals of the proposed project and gave a history of his intentions for
the development which dated back to the late 1990's. He stated that he did not yet
have any tenants lined up for the property. Mr. Mitchell's intention is to rezone
the prope1ty from Single Family Residential (SFR) to Community Shopping
Center (CSC). He also asked the Commissioners for their input on the proposed
project. The Commissioners seemed very receptive to the development, but asked
Mr. Mitchell to take into consideration making the project pedestrian friendly by
adding walk ways for those who live within the Friendswood Lakes Subdivision.
Commissioner Burke stated he felt that Mr. Mitchell should rezone the property to
a Planned Unit Development (PUD) since it has not been determined what type of
tenants will occupy the property. Mr. Mitchell stated that he and his business
prutner felt the CSC zone was the proper zone at this time.
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9.Rep01ts
A.Staff
Staff repo1ted on the city spon sored rezoning land swap that took place between
the City of Friendswood and League City. Staff stated that it was time to move
forward with the rezoning of 50 to 60 acres of prope1ty acquired from that
transaction. Staff also explained that cost had been the reason for the delay. The
zoning being considered is from Single Family Residential (SFR) to Community
Shopping Center (CSC) and Business Park (BP).
Staff stated that the paperless agenda does need to be an upcoming agenda item
for discussion. Staff also announced a workshop on Cluster Homes will be on
October 21, 2004. This workshop may also include the Comprehensive Land Use
Plan and the Sign Ordinance.
Staff stated a training CD could be purchased for the Commission. At the retreat
held on October 7, 2004, Vision 2020 was discussed as a guiding document for
the city.
B. Liaisons
No one spoke at this time.
10.Adjournment
With no further comment the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
ordinator
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