HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 2005-05-19 Special[
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Minutes of a Special Meeting
of the
Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission
May 19, 2005
A special meeting of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Thursday,
May 19, 2005, at 5 :30 pm at the Friendsw ood City Hall second floor conference room, located at
910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas. The following Planning & Zoning
Commissioners were present:
Jim Gibson
Kevin Holland
Roy Klusendorf
Sheny Weesner
Special Guests:
Bill Finger
Alton Todd
Tony Banfield
Ron Cox-City Manager
Dan Johnson-Deputy Director of C.D.
Diana Steelquist-Planner
Cheri Skelton-Development Coordinator
'With a quorum present, Commissioners Bertrand, Brakebill and Van Riper absent, Chairman
Holland called the special meeting to orde r.
Worksession
1.Call to order
2.Discussion with Main Street Committee regarding Interim Zoning measures for
Downtown redevelopment (45 minutes)
, Mr. Bill Finger, Chairman of the Main Street committee, gave some . background
information regarding the planning that has taken place over the last 5 plus years to create
a Main Street Implementation Plan. He outlined the various aspects of the Conceptual
Plan, and the boundaries of the Main Street area. He also discussed the various meetings
with City Council, P &Z and stakeholders that had taken place in the past. The
Implement ation Plan had two preliminary steps that need to be taken to move forward:
the creation of the 'entity' and revising the zoning regulations. The latter is what P&Z
needs to address. Mr. Finger wanted to make it clear what the Main Street concept is, so
that P&Z can move forward with their deliberations on the proposed zoning ·changes.
The concept is one of mixed-use, pedestrian friendly environments with parking in the
rear, green space, public buildings and ai·eas where people can congregate. The initial
module, which was targeted for redevelopment, is around the post office, library and
public safety building.
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Mr. Finger further stated his belief that the interim-zoning proposal does not address all
the needs of redevelopment in the downtown area. Besides the Original Business District,
changes need to be made to the other zoning districts that are within the Downtown area.
Chairman Holland questioned the validity of the Main Street project. He expressed
concern with outdated infmmation from market studies and surveys. He was also
concerned that other mixed-use projects, such as the Whitcomb property, would draw
business away from downtown. Both the Main Street Chairman and the Economic
Development Coordinator voiced opinions that the Main Street project was viable and
would have a public focus rather than the destination place focus planned for the
Whitcomb project. Tony Banfield pointed out that the demographics of Friendswood
would cause redevelopment in the downtown area. He advocated having zoning in place,
which would guide developers to create a downtown as envisioned by the Main Street
Implementation Plan.
Mr. Finger stated the major challenge would be the transition from the current zoning
requirements to those needed to achieve the goals of the Implementation Plan.
Commissioner Weesner pointed out that although the proposal was called interim
measures, they were actually pe1manent changes to the Zoning Ordinance. \Vhat ever
was put in place would be a permanent change. Staff agreed that the approach was to
incorporate small changes that could be built upon over time as other aspects of the Main
Street vision were or were not put into place. Without some changes, development will
continue to occur as it does now. Further, currently non-conforming sites will have no
relief. However, it was also pointed out by the Chairman that the proposed changes
would not fix all the non-confirming issues for developments in downtown. Staff
acknowledged that was the case but also stated the changes could help in some areas.
The Commission, Staff and Mainstreet members agreed that more discussion was needed.
The future focus needs to be on zoning. A review of the proposed changes needs to be
made on a point-by-point basis. If some changes are too drastic, such as minimum height
requirements or eight-foot sidewalks, they should not be included in this staiting place.
A meeting was scheduled for June 14 th at 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m.
3.Discussion regarding Comprehensive Plan (45 minutes)
The Chairman presented a draft introduction to the Comprehensive Plan. He asked each
Commissioner to review the introduction and forward any changes to staff. Staff will
integrate all the comments into the document and return it for discussion to the
Commission at the next session. Commissioner Weesner will add a statement addressing
balanced development within the city in her comments.
The Staff also presented a Friendswood Fact sheet, which listed statistical data and
infmmation on the city. The Commission requested some additional info1mation be
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included on the fact sheet. They will also forward any comments on the fact sheet to
Staff before the next meeting.
The Commission will continue to meet on a monthly basis at 5:30 p.m. before the second
regular meeting to discuss the Com prehensive plan.
4.Adjournment.
With no further comment the special meeting.was adjourned at 6: 55 p.m.
LLJlq,,,J�
Diana Steelquist
Planner
05/19/05 P&Z
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I Minutes of a Regular Meeting
ofthe
Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission
May 19, 2005
A regular meeting of the Friends wood Planning and Zoning Commission was held Thursday,
May 19, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the city hall council chambers located at 910 S. Friendswood
Drive, Friendswood, Texas. The following members were present:
Jim Gibson
Kevin Holland
Roy Klusendorf
Sherry Weesner
David Smith-Council Liaison
Dan Johnson-Deputy Director of C.D.
Diana Stee lquist-Staff Planner
Cheri Skelton-Deve lopment Coordinator
With a quorum present, Commissioner Bertrand, Commissioner Brakebill, and Commissioner
Van Riper absent, Chairman Holland called the meeting to order to discuss the following:
REGULAR SESSION
1.Call to order
2.Communications from the public.
No one spoke from t�e public at this time.
3.Consent Agenda:
a.Approval of the 5-2-05 special meeting minutes.
b.Approval of the 5-5-05 special/regular meeting minutes.
c.Approval of the request for an extension of the Final Plat for Colonial Oaks
Subdivision approved Juhe 3, 2004.
Motion:
Second:
Weesner-to approve
Gibson
Commissioner Weesner asked Item "B" of the consent agenda be removed for discussion.
Item "A" and "C" of the consent agenda were then voted on:
Voted For: Unanimous Motion Carried
Commissioner Weesner stated during the public hearing Bill Finger spoke in favor of the
interim measures but as a citizen. She felt-the minutes should reflect that. Commissioner
Klusendorf also asked since the citizens comments are paraph ra sed he would like for
Staff to use different language other than, "The following people spoke in favor. .. ".
Staff agreed to use, "The following is a synopsis of people who spoke in favor ... "
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5-19-05 P & Z
Amend
Motion:
Second:
Voted For:
TABLED ITEMS:
Weesner-approve with changes
Gibson
Unanimous Motion Carried
4.Consideration and possible action regarding the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of
the City of Friendswood, Appendix C, Section 5, 7, 7.5, and 8 to implement interim
zoning measures for Main Street Development.
Motion:
Second:
Voted For:
Gibson-to remove from table for discussion
Weesner
Unanimous Motion Carried
Staff stated a workshop prior to the meeting took place. The Commission decided to
have Staff continuing working with Planning and Zoning on the interim measures in
order to bring it forward for fmther consideration. The Commission felt additional
workshops are needed between Planning and Zoning, the Main Street Committee and
Staff. The Commission is not making a negative recommendation to City Council but
rather a request for more time to study the proposed changes.
Amended
Motion:
Second:
Voted For:
Gibson-to recommend to City Council additional time to review the
proposed ordinance Main Street Interim zone changes with Staff and Main
Street Steering Committee.
Weesner
Unanimous Motion Carried
REGULAR MEETING:
5.Discussion and possible action regarding sidewalks in the West Ranch Development.
Jeff Anderson with Friendswood Development ad dressed the Commission. Mr.
Anderson asked the Commission for a variance f�om placing sidewalks on FM 518. Mr.
Anderson stated that there was not enough right-of-way for sidewalks. Chairman
Holland stated that based on the Plat there appeared to be enough right-of-way for
sidewalks and if there wasn't, the right-of-way could be increased. Discussion then took
place 1;egarding the sidewalk system within the proposed subdivision. Mr. Anderson
stated that it is Friendswood Development's intention to have some six-foot sidewalks in
area, but only on one side of the street; however, in front of homes the standard 4-foot
sidewalk will be place.
6.Consideration and possible action regarding the revised Preliminary Plat of Stonecreek
at West Ranch (formally knovm as Enclave at West Ranch).
Motion: \Veesner-to approve with sidewalks along FM518.
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5-19-05 P & Z
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Second: Klusendorf
John Hammond with Friendswood Development addressed the Commission. Mr.
Hammond stated he would construct sidewalks along FMS 18, but he felt an alternate
sidewalk system should be allowed within the subdivision for a more pedestrian friendly
area.
The Commission decided to address the sidewalk requirements on FMS 18 and the
sidewalks inside the subdivision separately.
Amended
Motion:
Second:
Voted For:
Motion:
Second:
Weesner-change plat to include sidewalks on FMS 18.
Klusendorf
Unanimous Motion Carried
Weesner-to approve plat with previous sidewalk note and collector streets
will have sidewalks on both sides of the street.
Klusendorf
Mr. Hammond stated that he would like to provide a better exhibit to show the
Commission the benefits of having the sidewalks bigger and being on one side of the
street.
Amended
Motion:
Second:
Weesner-to table discussion for an exhibit presentation to be provided.
Holland
Voted For: Unanimous Motion Carried
7.Discussion and possible action regarding the Master Plan Ordinance.
Staff gave a history of the proposed Master Plan Ordinance to date. Staff stated Master
Plans would be required for phased or sectioned developments.
Commissioner Weesner expressed various concerns, such as:
1.Developer not owning prope1ty.
2.Development not going as planned.
Chairman Holland stated he was not opposed to the Master Plan Ordinance; however, he
feels some issues need to be worked out. Council Liaison Smith stated that if a Master
Plan Ordinance was in place homeowners might have made different decisions.
Chai1man Holland asked if detention was going to be part of the Master Plan Ordinance.
Janis Lowe, 401 Pine Court addressed the Commission on this item. Ms. Lowe explained
the history behind the Master Plan Ordinance.
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5-19-0SP&Z
Commis sioner Weesner stated she believes the Master Plan Ordinance is a good idea, but
feels there needs to be more rese�·ch on the item. Chai1man Holland stated this item
should be on the next meeting agenda for more discussion.
8.Communica tions from the Commission.
Commissioner Weesner stated she provided the Commission and Staff with news art icles
regarding a golf course/green space issues in Clear Lake, low impact
development/stmmwater runoff, and a report from a commission in Washington State
which she believed was a good example of the type of repo1i she would like to see used
with the Commission.
Chairman Holland stated he distributed a letter from Governor Perry to the Commission.
This letter referenced zone changes in small cities. Chairman Holland also stated he
spoke to the Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District about redoing the City's
Comprehensive Plan.
a.Report on the Comprehensive Plan.
Commissioner Weesner spoke to the Library regarding the Comprehensive Plan. She
explained they were excited to be part of the process. She stated a copy of the Land Use
Plan should be provided to the Library by July 15th in order for them to discuss at their
July 19th meeting.
9.Reports.
a.Council Liaison
Council Liaison Smith commented on the work the Commission is doing. He stated he
was surprised at how much the Commission is doing behind the senses and everything
seems to be going well.
b.Staff
Staff reported attending an Urban Land Institute Lunch Conference for revitalization of
downtown.
10.Adjourn ment.
'With no fmiher action the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
✓ /jJJA -Je Id, frD\ Cher , Skelton
Development Coordinator
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