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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 1996-03-21 RegularI I MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIENDSWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MARCH 21, 1996 A regular meeting of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Thursday, March 7, 1996 at 6:30 p.m. in the city Hall Council chambers located at 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas. The following members were present: Finger -Vice Chair Grace Burke Cress Clark Whittenburg Hoover -City Planner Kneupper -City Engineer Henry -Development Coordinator Brinkman -Secretary Dickey -Council Liaison Stewart -City Attorney With a quorum present, and with Baker absent, Vice Chair Finger called the meeting to order to consider the following: 6:30 P.M. -WORK SESSION: Proposed PUD Classification at FM 528 and Chelsea. The purpose for holding a work session is to define the term PUD and to discuss the requirements and restrictions of a PUD with those citizens who are attending. City Planner Hoover explained that PUD stands for Planned Unit Development and that every use within that zoning district requires a specific use permit. The procedure for a Specific Use Permit is the same as that of a zone classification change request; notice in the paper, sign on the property, and mailed notices to persons who own property within 200'. Once committed to a PUD and the specific use allowed, the developer must build according to his development proposal or return to the Commission for another Public Hearing and site plan review. Commissioner Cress explained the multi-family zone classification is designed to graduate from commercial use to single family residential. Commissioner Cress further stated that the Commission wanted the citizens to better understand what a PUD is and how it works. Finger stated that the Developer will be allowed to speak and afterwards, P&Z will take comments from the homeowners. Tony Banfield presented an elevation of the proposed complex which will be similar to Huntington Woods Apartments. The median age for renters at Huntington Woods Apartments is between 31 and 45 who are typically professional white collar workers. These people desire the same amenities that are found in a home without the maintenance of a home. Approximately 50 to 60% of the apartments will be one bedroom, with the remaining being 2 and 3 bedrooms and will range from $600 to $1,000 a month. Banfield said that 60 to 70% of the renters in Huntington Woods do not have children, yet pay school taxes through rent in the City of Friendswood. The Oaks of Friendswood will be twice as large as the Huntington Woods apartments having 140- 150 units. The Zoning Ordinance does not allow for more than 18 units per acre. The Planning and Zoning Commission stated that a PUD will allow the Commission to control fencing, building placement, and will probably help with the neighborhood flooding problems. In addition, TxDOT might reconsider placing a light at Chelsea and FM 518 due to the increased traffic should an apartment gate be allowed on Chelsea. Local residents have requested the placement of a light on numerous occasions and have been denied due to the "lower than required" traffic volume. Several homeowners addressed the commission stating that their primary fear was that the apartments would become a low rent apartment which would lure less than desirable neighbors for the subdivision. It was further stated that a commercial development was wanted and much preferred over an apartment community. The homeowners stated that they feared property values would diminish and that the school district would be inundated with children which the district was not prepared to accommodate. [ l P&Z 3/21/96 Page 2 7:30 P.M. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None BUSINESS: 1.Recommendation -CSC to MFR-H 8.1064 acres -FM 518 and Chelsea (Item Tabled). MOTION: Cress to remove the item from the table. Second: Whittenburg Vote: Unanimous FOR Motion Carried MOTION: Grace to move forward in the zone classification of PUD. Second: Clark Discussion: Commissioner Cress stated that it was his opinion that a medium density multi-family district would make a better transition from single family residential. Commissioners Burke, Grace, Whittenburg, Clark and Finger each commented on the multi-family zone request, stating that a commercial strip center, while preferred by the residents, might not be a good neighbor as far as appearances and upkeep. The area demographics had apparently not lent itself to Commercial Development, and that a multi-family project might be an effective alternate use. Additionally, the apartment drainage plan would more than likely help alleviate the flooding problem rather than create a greater problem, and added traffic might encourage TxDOT to install a light at the intersection as had been requested by the homeowners on numerous occasions. Other comments were that the crime rate in residential districts in Friendswood was as high, if not higher, than that of multi-family communities. Commissioner Finger stated that he has lived in Friendswood for 20 years and has been burglarized four times with no multi-family areas near by. Finger added that he could relate to the traffic concerns, because his subdivision also has problems when the soccer fields were full. Other comments offered were that the type of renters Oaks of Friendswood would attract are those who would take care of the property. Properties that rent for $600 to $1 ,000 a month will require large deposits, which a renter will want to recoup when he vacates his apartment. City Planner Hoover gave figures regarding taxes and education for the children. A question was called. City Attorney Todd Stewart advised the commission that the recommendation could go forward without another public hearing provided that the request be tied to a specific use permit for multi­ family high density. The nature of the site plan could be addressed during the specific use process. MOTION: Grace amended his motion to recommend the approval of a PUD classification with an MFR-H use which will require a Specific Use Permit. Second: Clark amended his second. Vote FOR: Grace, Whittenburg, Burke, Clark and Finger Opposed: Cress MOTION CARRIED Cress said that he would have cast an affirmative vote had the request been for multi-family residential medium density. l P&Z �iii 3/21/96 Page 3 2. 3. 4. 5. Recommendation -SFR to NC 2.1556 acres -Windsong and FM 528. There had been some question if Mr. LeBlanc had been notified of the public hearing; however, the notice was sent to the same address as previous notifications. The notices are not sent out certified mail. The owner is considering changing this request to a PUD classification because all of the surrounding properties are zoned single family residential. MOTION: Second: Vote FOR: Opposed: Whittenburg to recommend denial of the zone classification change request. Clark Whittenburg, Clark, Burke, Cress and Finger Grace MOTION CARRIED Recommendation-Final Site Plan for Friendswood Plaza, Reserve C. The commission reviewed the final site plan with Davis Wilson. There will be a Boston Market, Roma Pizza and a dry cleaners on site. MOTION: Whittenburg to recommend the Final Site Plan to City Council for their approval. Second: Clark Vote FOR: Unanimous MOTION CARRIED Remove from Table and Recommend-Final Plat for Shear Pleasure Subdivision. This item does not have drainage district approval and will remain on the table. Pre-App site plan Quail Crossing The original site plan was approved; however there are new owners and a different plan. There will still be one main entrance with a breakaway gate for emergency use. The developer is proposing a three storied project which will fit under the imaginary line according to Paragraph 3b of Subsection P of Section 7 of the Zoning Ordinance. This will be developed in phases and the plans will go to the Police Department and to the Fire Marshal prior to approval. 6.MINUTES FOR APPROVAL -MARCH 7, 1996 -approved as corrected. 10.COMMUNICATIONS FROM: A.STAFF -none B.COMMISSIONERS -add tree survey to tabled items 11.TABLED ITEMS: Consideration and possible action regarding the final plat of Cedarwood Estates (corner of Castlewood and FM 518). nt, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.