01-26-1988 PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
The City of Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened in a
regular session on Tuesday, January 26, 1988 at 7:00 P.M. in the
Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Those
present were as follows:
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OTHERS PRESENT
BOB ANDREWS, CHAIRMAN JOSEPH D. MARKS
TY BRISGILL, VICE-CHAIRMAN MICHAEL KNOTTS
KEITH VAN DINE, SECRETARY CINDY SORENSON
MERWIN WILLMAN ROBERT WALL
MARY MARSH TIM KNOTTS
GEORGE VICK ERIC CRUGNALE, PRESIDENT
KEN GREENWALD, COUNCILMAN GREENFIELD VILLAGE
HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION
MEMBERS ABSENT MARGRET CARDY
RANDY GROSSMAN
CITY STAFF
NORMA ALTHOUSE,
RECORDING SECY.
#1 CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Andrews called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Session January 12, 1988
Ty Brisgill made a motion to approve the minutes for the regular
session January 12, 1988. Mary Marsh seconded the motion and the
vote was unanimous in favor. Motion carried.
#3~- CITIZENS' INPOT OTHER~THAN AGENDA ITEMS
There was none.
#4 CONSIDER AND TARE APPROPRIATE ACTION: Joseph D. Marks -
Request for Variance to Ordinance 87-H-25
"Ordinance Regulating Enclosure of a Junk or
Salvage Yard"
Joseph Marks was at the meeting to represent this request.
Joseph Marks said, for those who are not familiar with where
Jack's Auto Parts is located, that it is the old Randolph AFB
Sewage Treatment Plant property across the street from the
Randolph stables, and he is requesting a permanent variance to
Ordinance 87-H-25. Mr. Marks also said he would like to know how
the property is zoned.
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Chairman Andrews asked Joseph Marks to specify exactly what kind
of variance he is requesting and Mr. Marks said a variance to the
requirement for an 8' to 10' fence. Mr. Marks said the existing
fence is a 6' cyclone fence with three strands of barbed wire and
there is also a natural fence of shrubbery, and he feels it will
exceed all the requirements. Mr. Marks. further stated the
majority of the property is well below the level of the highway
and every time there is a heavy rain this property floods out -
the property does not have much value except for storage. Mr.
Marks brought some pictures of the way the property looks
following a heavy rain and passed them around for the Commission
to see.
Keith Van Dine asked Joseph Marks if the rain should at some time
move some of the vehicles into the creek, who is responsible for
.getting them out of the creek and Mr. Marks replied he supposed
that would be his responsibility.
Mary Marsh asked Joseph Marks how much fence he has on his
property and he replied there is fence across the front and
approximately 100' down each side. Mr. Marks said due to the
contour of the land it would not be practical to construct the
fence any farther down either side.
Merwin Willman commented it appears to him that what is being
talked about here is a nonconforming use or grandfather clause
which is misunderstood by a lot of people. Mr. Willman said he
had put together a package several years ego, when working on the
Sign Ordinance, which contains information on nonconforming uses
and he recommends this item be tabled until the next meeting so
the Commission has time to look over the material before making
their decision on the variance request.
Mary Marsh remarked that the grandfather clause is not mentioned
in the ordinance and Merwin Willman explained it is mentioned as
a variance, and usually some kind of deadline is given for a
nonconforming use.
Chairman Andrews assured Joseph Marks that it was not the
intention of the City when they annexed the area to put anyone
out of business.
Chairman Andrews remarked that a junkyard or salvage yard is not
listed in the Schedule of Uses so Mr. Marks would have to be
granted a nonconforming use or request a specific use permit.
Mr. Andrews reminded the Commission that whatever is granted in
this case will be everlasting as long as Mr. Marks has this
business there.
Mary Marsh made a motion to table Item #4 - Request from Joseph
D. Marks for a variance to Ordinance 87-H-25 "Ordinance
Regulating Enclosure of a Junk or Salvage Yard" - until the next
regularly scheduled meeting so the Commission will have time to
look over the material on nonconforming uses.
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George Vick seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous,in
favor. Motion carried.
Chairman Andrews informed Joseph Marks the Commission had tabled
his request until the next meeting to allow them time to study
the situation further and reach a decision which would be in his
best interest and also in the best interest of the City.
#5 CONSIDER AND TARE APPROPRIATE ACTION: Preliminary Plat
Approval - Good Knight Subdivision
This item was cancelled because all the necessary paperwork could
not be submitted in time.
#6 CONSIDER AND MARE RECOMMENDATION: Discussion on Proposed
Streets
Merwin .Willman pointed out that the proposed street plan is
basically the same as that in the City Plan except for the areas
north of IH-35 and south of Randolph AFB. Mr. Willman said it
gives a general sense of the direction in which the City would
like to go, and these proposed streets are sort of binding when
it comes to a plat.
Chairman Andrews commented it is proposals for roads in the
future .
Merwin Willman pointed out that if you look at the old map it
shows Schertz Parkway as being proposed and now it is there.
Mary Marsh observed it is rather difficult to predict future
growth, but this proposed plan looks well thought out.
Ken Greenwald stated it also provides a general guideline for
developers.
Chairman Andrews asked Keith Van Dine if he thinks everything is
on the plan for the Schirmerville area and Mr. Van Dine replied
as far as he could determine it is basically all there.
George Vick asked if there had ever been any thought given to
connecting Aranda Lane and Schaefer Road. After some discussion
this was dotted in as a possible connection.
Several of the citizens who were present asked some questions at
this time.
Eric Crugnale asked about a section on the proposed street map
labeled "To Schaefer Road" asking if we are proposing a bypass or
a bridge over the railroad track. Chairman Andrews replied that
anything like that would still be in the planning stages of the
highway department and also pointed out .that we can't propose or
project anything not in the City limits.
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Several citizens also asked if Aranda Lane will be paved in the
future with Chairman Andrews suggesting they speak with City
Council on that matter and Ken Greenwald telling them to check
with Bexar County to see if Aranda Lane was ever deeded to the
county or if it is a private road.
Ty Brisgill made a motion to recommend to City Council approval
of the proposed street plan tadding the dotted-in connection of
Aranda Lane and Schaefer Road). Keith Van Dine seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. Motion carried.
#7 GENERAL DISCDSSION
Mary Marsh reported on the Citizens'°~Awareness meeting held at
her home on Thursday, January 21st. Mrs. .Marsh said Steve
Simonson was there to .speak and answer questions, and there were
representatives there from five of the different areas of
Schertz. Mrs. Marsh went on to say two of the areas in Schertz
were not represented, but their people did call and have
subsequently been briefed about the meeting. Mrs. Marsh said all
the representatives will go back to their respective subdivisions
and talk to their neighbors and stress to them the importance of
the upcoming public hearing. Mrs. Marsh said there was a
reporter present and an article on the meeting should appear in
the Herald newspaper this week.
Mary Marsh said after this first hurdle of the widening of Jack
Hays Boulevard, they plan to get together and form a~group, with
officers, representing the City. Mrs. Marsh said the main thing
is to get the citizens interested. Mrs. Marsh informed the
Commission the group will be stressing two major safety factors
for Jack Hays Boulevard at the public hearing, namely speed
limits and stop lights.
Keith Van Dine and Merwin Willman both submitted their interview
questions for asking Planning and Zoning Commission applicants.
Mary Marsh had submitted hem's previously. The questions will be
consolidated and typed, and Chairman Andrews asked that the
discussion of them be on the agenda of the next regularly
scheduled meeting.
Keith Van Dine remarked he will be addressing the Schirmerville
area Homeowners' Association and he will tell them about the
proposed street plan.
Merwin Willman cautioned Keith Van Dine to be careful because the
Council has to approve the plan yet. Ken Greenwald said the City
itself builds very few new streets and Merwin Willman said they
usually rely on the developer.
George Vick noted that he could not find Ordinance 87-H-25 in his
book and was told if he didn't find it to come by City Hall for a
copy.
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Merwin Willman brought up the following:
(a) He has put together a package with information on the land
the City annexed around the Schertz Parkway in 1984. Said he
believes that will be the next area of development.
(2) Passed out copies of the City Plan which needs to be updated.
Wants the Commission to look it over and decide how they want to
go about updating it. Said it is a good project for this year.
(3) Asked how many Commissioners have copies of the "Language of
Zoning" and to let him know so some can be ordered.
(4) Reported that the City had been issued a permit today for a
sewage plant on the north side of IH-35. They have been trying
to get a permit for several years.
Ken Greenwald reminded everyone of the dance and auction on
February 13th at the Community Center for the benefit of the
Library and the Humane Society.
Ty Brisgill asked what is happening with the Leon Parker Suit.
Ken Greenwald said it is his understanding the front section of
the mobile home park has reverted back to Odo Riedel and the back
section is in receivership to the bank.
Chairman Andrews explained the incident with the Gemcraft bandit
signs to the Commission. Mr. Andrews said on the weekend of the
15/16 the inspector picked up the Gemcraft bandit signs because
they were in violation by exceeding the number of signs allowed.
Then Steve Simonson wrote Gemcraft a letter restricting them from
putting bandit signs out for two weekends and saying they would
not be allowed any signs at all if there are any further
violations after the two weekend restriction is over. However,
there seemed to be some kind of misunderstanding as to just how
many signs Gemcraft was allowed to put up, so Steve Simonson
lifted the restriction. Mr. Andrews said the bandit sign policy
needs to be confirmed by checking to see for sure what the
ordinance says about number of bandit signs allowed.
Chairman Andrews suggested, that in regard to the request from
Joseph Marks for a variance to the Junkyard Ordinance, the
Commission read their Zoning Bulletins dated October 15, 1986,
June, 1987 and December, 1987 for some helpful information.
Mr. Andrews reminded the Commission that whatever they do with
that request will be for as long as Mr. Marks has that salvage
yard.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is February 9, 1987.
#S ADJOIIRNMENT
Chairman Andrews adjourned the meeting at 8:02 P.M.
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