HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2004-07-19 SpecialMinutes of a Special Meeting
ofthe
Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission
July 19, 2004
A special meeting of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission was held Monday, July
19, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the city hall council chambers located at 910 S. Friendswood Drive,
Friendswood, Texas. The following members were present:
Bob Bertrand
Tom Burke
Jim Gibson
Kevin Holland-7 :08 p.m.
Roy Klusendorf
Sherry Weesner
Loren Smith-City Attorney
Ron Cox-City Manager
Mike Hodge-Director of CD and PW
Diana Steelquist-Planner
Cheri Skelton-Development Coordinator
With a quorum present, Commissioner Brakebill absent, Chairman Be1trand called the joint
docketed public hearing to order to order to consider the following:
Call to order: .
Docketed Joint Public Hearing:
1.To receive public input, either oral or written regarding Zone Classification Changes for
the following:
Chairman Be1trand noted that even though Commissioner Brakebill was not present at
the meeting; he had recused himself from the discussion ofltems A, B, and C of the Joint
Docketed Public Hearing. The Chairman also explained the hearing process and
procedure for the hearing. Items A, B, and C all pe1tain to the same project, therefore
after hearing each request the Chaiiman stated that comments for all three would be taken
at the same time.
A.From Single Family Residential (SFR) to Community Shopping Center (CSC), 74 acres
being Tracts 3 & 7, and Multi-Family Residential -Garden Home District (MFR-GHD)
240.19 acres being Tracts 2, 4 & 6 and Single Family Residential (SFR) 404.5 acres
being Tracts 1 & 5, known as the West Property along FM 518.
B.From Multi-Family Residential-Garden Home District (MFR-GHD), 240.19 acres, Tracts
2, 4 & 6, and Single Family Residential (SFR) 404.5 acres Tract 1 & 5 to Planned Unit
Development-Cluster Homes (PUD-Cluster Homes), known as the West prope11y along
FM 518.
C.From Single Family (SFR) 47.3 acres, Tract 8, located off Bay Area Boulevard to
Planned Unit Development-Cluster Homes (PUD-Cluster Homes).
·John Hammond, of Friendswood Development, addressed City Council and the Planning
and Zoning Commission. He gave a presentation outlining the intended use for each area
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of this development. He explained that the development would allow for approximately
2000 homes under the cmtent sing family zoning; however, Friendswood Development is
proposing only 1500 homes within the PUD-Cluster Home development. The proposed
1500 homes would not exceed the maximum density allowable. In addition, there will be
no multi-family components within this development.
Chairman Be1trand then allowed the public the opportunity to speak. Several people
spoke for the re-zoning reclassifications:
Stewrut Steadman, a Houston resident, explained that his family owns the prope1ty that is
considered the "West Ranch". Two years ago, his family decided to develop the
prope1ty. Friendswood Development is the company chosen to handle the development.
Mr. Steadman expressed how pleased he was with the plan Friendswood Development
proposed and he supports it.
Doug Konopka, 5005 Roverway, Houston, TX, feels he understands the Vision 2020 and
open space concept the city has created and it is impmtant to get developers that agree
with those issues and Friendswood Development has the concept that the City of
Friendswood is looking for.
Scott Aitkens, 3101 Autumn Leaf Drive, stated that Friendswood Development is a
strong leader with a proven track record and he is supportive of the development.
Rebecca Mercado, 2904 Autumn Creek, suppmts the development and feels it is a great
idea and concept to have retail development along FM 518 so that it will attract other
communities to come into Friendswood and shop.
The following opposed the re-zoning classification:
Chru-les Bludwo1th, 314 Live Oak Lane, stated he has lived on both Gru·den Home lots
and Single Family Residential lots and he prefers Single Family Residential size lots;
they are bigger.
Edward Perkowski, 404 Rancho Circle, stated he is concerned about his prope1ty value
decreasing due to this project.
George Schilter, 306 Sierra Madre, stated he feels that the proposed green space the
devel_oper wants credit for should not be allowed since it is in the flood plain and is not
able to be developed. Mr. Schilter understands that development is going to take place,
but feels that it should only be for single-family residential homes and not garden homes.
In addition he would like to see the prope1ty near Lake Windimere that the city owns
created into a park area as prut of this development.
Scott Njaa, 1105 W. Viejo Dr, agreed with the above comn1ents and added that he felt the
schools were not adequate now, so how would they be adequate enough to handle 1500
more homes. He also stated that he did not want to see Winde1mere Road used as a
constmction entrance.
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James Feith, 402 Chappel Hill Dr., explained he was concerned with the densities and
property values.
Bob DeLuca, 230 E. Viejo Dr., stated he agreed with the comments said earlier. He also
asked if there is not going to be construction traffic within Rancho Viejo what is going to
take place after the construction is over. In addition, he stated that if the developer is
stating he is only going to put 1500 homes, then that is all he should be allowed. He also
feels that the development along Bay Area Boulevard should not be considered in this
development as open space.
Bill Leverich, 204 E. Viejo, stated his concern was the drainage after the development
was completed.
Larry Spencer, 1203 Hawkhill Dr., agreed with some of the same concerns as previously
stated but added that he felt the smaller lot sizes would increase the density and create a
safety problem for children at the proposed school site at the end of Falcon Ridge Dr.
Aline Dickey, 903 W. Viejo Dr., stated that she is concerned with the drainage, not
having a traffic study for when the project is completed, and the safety of construction
around the pipelines. In addition, it is her understanding that commercial development is
not allowed in the Entryway Overlay District.
Catherine Hefenmaier, 706 Oak Dr., her concerns are the drainage into Polly Ranch, the
multi-development the City of Friendswood is getting into, and the effect the
developments will have on the creek.
Susan Olsen, 1922 Rollingstone, stated her concerns are the effects on the schools and
drainage issues the development will create. She also stated that in Friendswood Lakes
Garden Home, garden homes are not selling as well as the single-family residential lots.
Ms. Olsen also stated that she did not feel the property alon g Bay Area should be counted
as open space for this development.
Jim Hill, 2404 S. Friendswood Dr., he feels Friendswood is unique in the aspect it does
not have small lots. He stated that 90-foot lots should be developed and not any smaller.
Bob Reidenbach, 2203 Pine Dr., his concerns were as previously stated in regards to
drainage. In addition, he wanted to know what, if any, studies have been done regarding
flooding issues.
Ma1tha Cotton, 110 Eagle Lakes Dr., her concerns are the drainage and using up land for
garden homes instead of 90 foot lots. Allowing smaller lots sizes will lose the uniqueness
of Friendswood.
Eric Wilson, 2104 Butler Drive, expressed that where he lives in Polly Reach there is an
airstrip. He does not want during the construction phase of any new development for
anyone to forget that it exists.
Don Stran, 302 W. Viejo, he agreed with comments previ ously made but added that he
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already has drainage for W. Viejo running through his property and did not want any
more from another development. He also did not want low water pressme because of this
development. In addition, his prope1ty is near the proposed commercial sites and he did
not want to look at garbage dumpsters out his window. He explained that the larger sized
lots and good schools draw people to Friendswood, smaller lots should not be permitted.
Sue Robicheaux, 707 Eagle Lakes Dr., agreed with previous comments but also stated
that she likes the quietness of Friendswood and that it is not congested, and Friendswood
could use more parkland.
Carol Benson, 1104 W. Viejo, agreed with previous comments and stated that she did not
want more taxing from the school district.
John Hammond with Friendswood Development addressed some of the comments, to try
and ease the concern of the citizens. He stated that he is trying to work something out
with the City in regards to making some type of park around Windimere Lake that
cunently exist. Also, the Friendswood Independent School District is looking for a I 0-
acre site within the proposed development and stub streets (per the City of Friendswood)
must line up with other stre ets, but will not tie in unless the City requires them to. He
also stated that the proposed development is about a 10 to 12 year project and the
drainage plans process will take approximately 6 to 9 months before the Galveston
County Consolidated Drainage Distinct will approve them.
D.From Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to Office Park District (OPD) for property located
at 1505 and 1507 Winding Way, 1.63 acres at Parkwood Crossing Subdivision.
Dr. Ron Baden addressed the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission
explaining that last year he rezoned this property to NC not knowing exactly what he
wanted to develop on it. Since that time, a company has contacted him and is interested
in opening an office on one of the parcels of land. He now would like to rezone the
prope1ty to OPD to allow that business to have the opp01tunity to open in Friendswood.
No one spoke for or against the re-zoning classification change.
2.Adjournment.
With no fmther comments the joint public hearing was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
6L,: �eW2t2 Ch(!ti Si �·celton
Development Coordinator
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