HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 1996-05-16 RegularMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
FRIENDSWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MAY 16, 1996
A regular meeting of the Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission was held on Thursday, May 16, 1996,
at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 910 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas. The
following members were present:
Finger -Vice Chair
Cress
Hoover -City Planner
Henry -Development Coordinator
Clark
Whittenburg
Grace
Burke
With a quorum present, Baker absent, Vice Chair Finger called the meeting to order to consider the following:
OLD BUSINESS:
1.TABLED ITEMS:
A CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE TREE
ORDINANCE.
No action taken.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.
None
2.CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING A
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD ZONING ORDINANCE NO.
84-15, TO PROVIDE THAT BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES SHALL BE LIMITED TO TWO
AND ONE-HALF STORIES AND NOT TO EXCEED 35 FEET.
Motion:
Second:
Whittenburg -to recommend that the ordinance be denied
as worded, adding that P&Z should send a letter of
explanation to Council together with a conceptional illustration
Burke
Discussion: Vice Chair Finger polled the commission members in order to determine if they were in
favor of the proposed ordinance or in opposition. The Commission was unanimous in their
disapproval of the ordinance.
Commissioner Burke presented his written comments in which he contended that the "angle
formula is the best solution" and then listed several reasons to enforce his position.
Commissioner Clark reiterated that there should be a requirement for a sprinkler system in a
building over two stories tall. Each Commissioner offered his comments and Vice Chair Finger
summarized the Commission's rational behind their recommendation: The Commission favors
an alternative to the proposed ordinance because a height restriction is more reasonable and
enforceable than number of stories. In most areas zoned for commercial use a 35' limitation
would be adequate; however, in areas where commercial abuts residential properties, there
should be additional considerations that height alone doesn't alone doesn't address. In addition,
putting an absolute height restriction on development limits the potential for commercial
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P&Z
5/16/96
Page 2
business development. It was also discussed decreasing the angle to 45 degrees in certain
areas to allow for taller buildings while limiting the impervious surfaces which would cause a
need for more and larger detention facilities.
The Commission agreed with his synopsis. A letter will be drafted for P&Z review that will
recommend denial of the ordinance as written. The letter will include reasons for that decision
and suggested revisions together with illustrations of the angle formula.
Motion was restated by Whittenburg to recommend denial of the ordinance as written with
said reasons and a conceptual outline of the ordinance for the City Council to consider at their
next regular meeting.
Second: Burke
Vote for: Unanimous Motion Carried.
3.MINUTES FOR APPROVAL -MAY 2, 1996
Approved as read.
4.COMMUNICATIONS FROM:
A STAFF
The workshop, held by the City Council, included Planning and Zoning activities such as the
Comprehensive Plan, the Entryway/Overlay, and zoning issues. The Council is going to appoint
a five person Committee to review the permitted use table of the ordinance which may cause some
delay in the approval of the Comprehensive Plan.
There will be a joint public hearing regarding the entryway/overlay ordinance on Tuesday,
June 11, 1996.
In answer to the questions asked by City Council, City Planner Hoover is preparing a reply which
will cover all of the procedures for approval of subdivision plats, commercial site plans, zone
change requests and other zoning responsibilities. The memo will be signed by the City Manager,
the City Attorney, the Fire Marshal, the Police Chief, City Engineer and the City Planner.
The will be another public hearing on Thursday, June 6, 1996 and two items will be on the agenda
for action that night. One is to recommendation whether or not to require all multi-family projects,
including Garden Homes, to have a specific use permit. The second issue is to lower all MFR-H
density from 18 to 12.
City Planner Hoover asked the Commission to consider the creation of an Estate Single Family
Residential District with minimum 2 acres, allowing narrower streets (18' to 20' concrete street
with open ditch) eliminate drainage requirements because the effects would be minimal.
The mayor obtained a copy of the tree pres ervation ordinance from the City of Houston for City
Planner Hoover. It will be distributed to the Commission for their perusal.
B.COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Burke asked for a copy of the 20-30 page manual that the drainage district currently
uses. Vice Chair Finger asked for a copy of the memo being prepared regarding the plats, site
plans, etc. and Hoover stated both will be distributed. Commissioner Clark discussed briefly some concerns
with the tree ordinan�. vyith no further comment, the meeting was adjourned.
(2 tfl.--,
CLAUDIA L. BRINKMAN, SECRETARY