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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2001-08-02 RegularI \ ! Minutes of a Regu lar Meeting of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission August 2, 2001 A re,gular meeting of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission was held Thursday, August 2, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the city hall council chambers located at 910 S. Friendswood Ddve, Friendswood, Texas. The following members were present: Neils Aalund Tom Burke Bob Bertrand 7:07 p.m. Mark Clark 7:05 p.m. Tom Samson Zekie Mc Veigh Mike Dominguez-City Planner Diana Steelquist -CD Coordinator Mel Measles -Council Liaison Kim Mickelson -City Attorney With a quornm present, Chair Burke called the meeting to order to consider the following: 1.Communications from the public. None. 2.Consideration and possible action regarding the following: Consent Agenda: A.approval 07-19-01 regular meeting minutes. B.approval of 90 day extension for the preli minary site plan of H.E.B. F1iendswood located on FM 528 at Sunset Drive Motion: Aalund -to approve Second: Samson Vote for: Unanimous Motion Carried Aalund, Burke, McVeigh and Samson voting. 3.Discussion and possible action regarding the definition of mixed use development. Commissioner Clark arrived at this time. Motion: Mc Veigh -to forward memo to City Council Second: Clark Vote for: Unanimous Motion Carried Aalund, Be11rand, Burke, Clark, Mc Veigh and Samson voting. Chairman Burke drafted a memo to the Mayor and City Council regarding mixed use development based upon the discussion at the last regular meeting. Copies were - l - 08/02/01 P &Z distributed to each of the Commissioners and Chaiiman Burke solicited comments. Commissioner Bertrand arrived at this time. Burke stated that the memo did not· encourage a separate mixed use zone stating that mixed use development is too diverse and that defining it would take a very long time to prepare. The Council Liaison questioned how other city's handled the issue of mixed use. Chairman Burke stated that from the examples provided, mixed use was defined with the PUD zone or the mixed use zone was for a specific geographic location or area of historic value. Commissioner Clark noted that the City will need ways for creative development, however, a mixed use zone would not give the Public any involvement the way a PUD/SUP currently allows them. Chairman Burke also noted that the revisions to the Permitted Use Table would also take some pressure off the need for some Specific Use Permits. The City Attorney recommended working on mixed use development using the tools which are already in place. However, she did not rule out the creation of a mixed use zone since it had been implemented in other cities. Chairman Burke stated that mixed use re-development would be desirable but that the issue might become one of a joint public/private development. When asked about how the city council would receive the memo, the Liaison stated that Councilman Ericsson had wanted to get the Commission's feelings on mixed use particularly with regards to the Downtown District. Chairman Burke stated that the best way to promote mixed use was tlu·ough Karen Capp's office and the CDD staff 4.Discussion regarding amending the zoning ordinance with regards to tree preservation. Chairman Burke reported that the three member sub-committee had met to discuss tree preservation. They rev iewed City Council's comments from the joint workshop. First, managing construction sites to preserve existing trees could be implemented fairly quickly with a resolution to amend the Design Criteria manual. However, Council wants to place an emphasis on rewarding developers rather then punishing them in order to promote the preservation of trees. The other comment was how to define protected trees with regards to type and minimum size. The sub-committee did not feel they are ready to present specifics for an ordinance change. The values for trees the committee has resear ched are very high and it will be difficult to integrate formulas in the ordinance to which would not pose a detriment to developer s particularly for certain sites. Commissioner Bertrand, a sub-committee member, presented a MSpowerpoint© presentation on some of the issues and research the committee has gathered to date. It provided an overview of the sub-committee's goals for tree preservation. Issues which are of concern are: of the three kinds of tree ordinances, what kind does the city want and how to achieve it; how the ordinance would be enforced; the benefit of trees in a community and how trees increase land values; the need for a volunteer group to focus on trees and provide expert advise; and the possibility of an Arbor Day grant by having the City designated as a Tree City USA. -2 - 08/02/01 P &Z I '( Following the presentation, Chaiiman Burke asked the City Attorney what the Commission needs to be aware of regarding pitfalls based on her experience with other Cities tree ordinances and case law. Ms. Mickelson recommended bringing in the developers early on, and getting City Council's political support. additionally, there are legal challenges to tree preservation on private property. Texas is a private property 1ights state and recent legislation has upheld those rights with regards to land use development. Incentives for developers are a good idea. The basis for laws regulating tree preservation would be for the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city. Aesthetics and environmental aspects of development have also been upheld in the courts. In her expe1ience most of the tree ordinances have focused on commercial development. The City Planner will research planning literature regarding tree preservation in residential subdivision developments, the Arbor Day Tree City USA designation, recent events in Taylor Lake Village, and the possibility of involving the City Appearance board in revising the tree preservation ordinance. He will also contact Roger Roecker regarding tax appraisal values for lots/homes with and without trees. Chairman Burke also suggested contacting the Open Space Task Force. 5. Adjournment. With no further comment, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. '�� Community Development Coordinator . -3 - 08/02/01 P &Z