02-25-1992PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened in a
regular session on Tuesday, February 25, 1992 at 7:00 P.M.
in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz
Parkway. Those present were as follows:
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
BOB ANDREWS, CHAIRMAN
JIM SHRIVER, VICE - CHAIRMAN
KEITH VAN DINE, SECRETARY
MERWIN WILLMAN
GEORGE VICK
BOBBIE VONADA
KEN GREENWALD, COUNCILPERSON
#1 CALL TO ORDER
CITY STAFF
STEVE SIMONSON,
ASST. CITY MANAGER
NORMA ALTHOUSE,
RECORDING SECRETARY
Chairman Andrews called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Session February 11, 1992
Jim Shriver noted that on Page 5, Paragraph 9, last sentence,
the word "nest" should be changes to "next."
Bobbie Vonada made a motion to approve the minutes, as
amended, for the regular session February 11, 1992. George.
Vick seconded the motion and the vote was as follow:
AYES: B. Andrews, J. Shriver, G. Vick, B. Vonada
NAYS: None
ABSTENTIONS: M. Willman
(Keith Van Dine was not present for this vote.)
Motion carried.
#3 CITIZENS' INPUT OTHER THAN AGENDA ITEMS
There was none.
#4 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Discussion of
Article XXVI, Section 4 of Zoning
Ordinance No. 87 -S -1 Regarding Home
Occupations
Chairman Andrews reminded the Commission that at the last
meeting they were left with some items to think about on home
occupations. Mr. Andrews wanted to know if there were any
questions.
Merwin Willman asked if, since the time the ordinance had
been adopted, the staff had encountered any problems with
enforcing the regulations pertaining to home occupations.
Steve Simonson replied there had been some problems, but not
a great deal.
Mr. Simonson pointed out that, nationally, more and more
people are working out of their homes. Our ordinance doesn't
specify a percentage or an amount of space that can be used
for a home occupation. If you live there and are a family
member, you can work on the home occupation. Mr. Simonson
indicated there are families out there with lots of members
living in the same house where the home occupation could
easily take up 900 of the home. Certain types of businesses
can generate a large volume of traffic.
Jim Shriver had asked that this item be placed on the agenda
for review. The following are some of those points discussed
by the Commission in regard to home occupations:
(a) The office of physician, dentist, other' medical
practitioners is an authorized use and.maybe it shouldn't be
because of the probability of the high volume of traffic that
could be generated by these types of professions. (It was
decided to delete these home occupations from the list of
authorized uses.)
(b) There's nothing in our ordinance denoting a specific
percentage of a home that can be used for a home occupation.
(Both square footage amounts and percentage amounts of the
home were discussed, but it was decided not to specify any
certain number.)
(c) Many people work for a particular company but use their
home as an office. (No one saw anything wrong with this.)
(d) Wondered why an author and a composer need to get a home
occupation permit. (It was decided to delete the need for an
author to get a home occupation permit.)
(e) The site of a home occupation needs to be inspected -
annually for purposes of sanitation and of safety. (The City
has been lax on this and needs to start enforcing it.)
(f) Questioned if the City Manager ever sees any of the
applications for home occupations. (Yes he does, but the
Asst. City Manager has been delegated to approve /disapprove
these applications unless there's a particular reason they
need to come before the Commission.)
(g) Discussion about exactly what is meant by the words
"premise ", lot ", "residence" and "primary dwelling." (Decided
Lo stay with the word "premise. ")
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(h) Inquired if a- detached building is considered part of
the house. (Determined it is still a home occupation if it
is conducted in an out building of the home.)
(i) Tried to determine if everything is covered in the
current ordinance. (It was decided everything is covered and
if there's a problem that arises, the applicant can come
before the Commission with his /her request.)
Jim Shriver made a motion to recommend that "office of
physician, dentist, other medical practitioners" be deleted
from Article XXVI, Section 4, Paragraph 4.2 (a) of the Zoning
Ordinance. Merwin Willman seconded the motion and the vote
was unanimous in favor. Motion carried.
Jim Shriver then made a motion to recommend that "author" be
deleted from Article XXVI, Section 4, Paragraph 4.2 (c) of
the Zoning Ordinance. Bobbie Vonada seconded the motion
and the vote was unanimous in favor. Motion carried.
After a brief discussion and the determination there were no
further changes to home occupations, 'George`Vck made 'a
motion to send forward to City Council, with recommendation
for approval, the two previous motions affirmed by the
Commission. They are that "office of physician,': dentist;
other medical practitioners" be deleted from Article .:;XXVI,
Section 4, Paragraph 4.2 (a) of the Zoning Ordinance and< ":.that
"author" be deleted from Article XXVI, 'Section 4.2 (c)'of` the
Zoning Ordinance.
Merwin Willman seconded the motion and the 'vote was unanimous
in favor. Motion carried.
#5 GENERAL DISCUSSION
George Vick:
(a) In regard to noise, mentioned the cars that drive around
with their radios blasting and commented maybe the City
should look into some type of ordinance to control this type
of activity.
Jim Shriver commented he thinks something like that would be
hard to enforce.
Mr. Vick was informed the City does have a noise ordinance.
Keith Van Dine:
(a) Apologized for being late.
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Merwin Willman:
(a) Requested a copy of the recommended revisions to the
Zoning Map and the proposed amendment to the Schertz Parkway
Special overlay District that were forwarded to City Council.
(b) Referred to an article in the "Texas Planning" brochure
they had received in their packages. The article is about
the Planning Profession - a Position Paper and it was asked
that all APA members review it and discuss it and submit any
comments they may have. Mr. Willman thought it might be a
good idea for the Commission to put in its two cents worth
about ideas for small cities.
Commission gave their consensus.
Bob Andrews:
(a) Advised that Gary Bricken had turned in his resignation
due to the extensive hours of traveling he will be
encountering in his current employment. Mr. Andrews further
stated that Gary Bricken wanted everyone to know he had
enjoyed the time he spent on the Commission.
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In light of this, Mr. Andrews asked that notices be put out
that there is a vacancy on the Commission because we need to
interview prospective replacements for Gary Bricken.
(b) Several years ago Sipple`s left their traveling lights up
for a while and now the Bicycle Shop is doing it. Mr.
Andrews said he thinks its time the traveling lights came
down since they are not authorized in the ordinance.
#6 ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Andrews adjourned the meeting at 8:20 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is March 10, 1992.
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