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11-22-1992 t ` PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened in regular session on Tuesday, November 22,1994 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Complex conference room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. Those present were as follows: PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OTHERS PRESENT PIA JARMAN, CHAIRMAN RUSS MILLER DAVID RICHMOND VICE-CHAIRMAN RON WOOD, RON WOOD HOMES MERWIN WILLMAN, SECRETARY KEITH VAN DINE TONY MORENO ERNEST EVANS MEMBERS ABSENT CITY STAFF BOB ANDREWS STEVE SIMONSON, COUNCILMAN KEN GREENWALD ASST. CITY MANAGER NORMA ALTHOUSE, PLANNING SECRETARY DENISE GRANGER, RECORDING SECRETARY #1 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Jarman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. #2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Public Hearing and Regular Session October 25, 1994 B. Regular Session November 8, 1994 Tony Moreno moved to approve the minutes for the Public Hearing and Regular Session October 25, 1994 with a correction on page 5, first paragraph, by adding the word of between growth and bureaucracy. In the same motion Mr. Moreno approved the minutes of the Regular Session November 8, 1994 with a correction on page 4, paragraph (d), starting the second sentence with there instead of the, and the correction to item #6, adjournment, of the word second to seconded. David Richmond seconded the motion which carried with a unanimous vote. #3 CITIZENS; INPUT OTHER THAN AGENDA ITEMS There was none. #4 CONSIDER AND TARE APPROPRIATE ACTION: Preliminary and Final Plat Approval of the Amending Plat for Dove Meadows Unit 2 (PC #204-93A) Steve Simonson explained that there was a computer error or an administrative error and 2 lots (#5 & #6) need to be adjusted. All lots were to be 60' wide, but when it was entered into the computer to allow for the green belt it failed to allow for the 60' wide and made the lots 59'wide. It was not noticed at the time of the approval.- If this is approved it is amending because a lot is not being vacated it will only change the course of the lot. David Richmond questioned if there will be any other lots that will need to be amended. Steve Simonson informed everyone that it would only be these two lots. Chairman Pia Jarman wanted it confirmed that lot #5 would be from 59' wide to 60' wide and that lot #6 would be 58' wide. She asked at this time if there were any questions. Mervin Willman questioned why do they have to be changed with one being at 60' the other being at 58'? Steve Simonson explained due to a contract that they have on a house that is a single story and the other being a 2 story the set back needs to be readjusted. Mervin Willman moved to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat Approval of the Amending Plat for Dove Meadows Unit 2 (PC #204-93 A). Tony Moreno seconded the motion, which carried with a unanimous vote. #5 CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION: Request from Ron Wood Homes for permission to place Bandit Signs along FM 3009 (PC /221-94) Chairman Pia Jarman welcomed Mr. Wood and Mr. Miller from Ron Wood Homes. Steve Simonson advised the commission that Ron Wood Homes has put in a formal request in writing to have permission to place the Bandit Signs along FM 3009. Mervin Willman asked if at this time does Ron Wood Homes have a copy of the special sign/overlay district ordinances and that they will comply with the special sign/overlay district ordinances. -2- Mr. Wood and Mr. Miller did advise that they did have the special sign ordnance and that they would comply. Tony Moreno moved that the commission approve the request from Ron Wood Homes. Keith Van Dine seconded the motion, which carried with a unanimous vote. #6 CONSIDER AND DISCUSS: Appointment of Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Jarman at this time thanked Merwin Willman for the outstanding job he has done, and for all of his time. Merwin Willman stated that this project has taken him 3 years to complete, for which he has obtained information from other cities and states. He is concerned that someone should look at land north and south of the city to start a public park. This should be done with a park and recreation board. The city is growing rapidly, it would help the city economically. Merwin Willman requested that a recommendation be submitted to City Council to appoint a park and recreation board. Merwin Willman stated that if anyone is interested in reviewing any of the information he has it is available. Keith Van Dine asked if Mr. Willman was suggesting that the city get away from the developers setting aside land for parks for their subdivisions and just having one large public park area. Mr. Willman at this time did agree with that. Mr. Van Dine questioned what would happen with the land that•the developers have set aside for the parks. Mr. Willman stated that they could still use that land as neighborhood parks, but we are looking at the future. Mr. Van Dine asked if the developer could donate some lots to build these parks. Mr. Simonson stated that at this time the developers do have the option to either donate land or money for this purpose. Mr. Simonson explained that the reason for this concern is that the local developers want only the people that live in that subdivision to use their parks. Mr. Willman's suggestion would be a public park for everyone in the city to have access to. Mr. Simonson went on to explain this may include a large regional park, with picnic tables, ball fields, basketball courts, etc. He stated that it is very costly to develop a regional park, and what Merwin Willman is suggesting is an exploration on where we go from here. Mr. Willman stated that people don't want a public park in their subdivision to be used by everyone. The people in that subdivision are the ones that maintain the park and they want to keep it as a private park. If we have a regional park it would be maintained by the city for everyone's use. Chairman Jarman commented that she felt some of the subdivisions' idea of a park is some trees in a.green area with no type of equipment such as play grounds, etc. -3- Steve Simonson commented a good example would be Woodland Oaks. They have a pool and volley ball but they do not have any other facilities available as far as a park. It is considered a pocket park in a specialized area. Mr. Simonson stated that a regional park for recreational purposes, with exercise stations,play ground, volley ball, basketball, etc.would benefit the city. Merwin Willman stated that a board could be appointed that would know what type of facilities would be needed to help the community in its growth. He also mentioned that planning and zoning has been trying to keep up with a facility like this but it is too much work and needs to have its own board members. Keith Van Dine commented the park over on Nacogdoches has been left as if no one cares and he is concerned not to have this happen in our community. Steve Simonson explained that Parks & Recreation is two different things. Recreation is different than parks. They are used synonymously but they can be separate. The city has grown up on volunteering. Everything in the city started with volunteers, all recreation in the city is run by volunteers, most all buildings were built by volunteers and grant monies at no cost to the city. Tony Moreno stated that he agrees with Merwin Willman that we need to make a recommendation to City Council through this body. And see what happens from there. For the future any land that is ideal needs to be looked at now before the city may have to purchase it at a higher cost. Mr. Moreno commented on the Municipal Complex that has a multitude of things to do for the old and the young people. Mr. Moreno felt that once a board is established they would be able to seek professional help to get it started. David Richmond felt that this is an excellent idea and Merwin Willman did an outstanding job. Mr. Richmond is in agreement to make a recommendation to City Council on this idea and go from there. Tony Moreno feels as a body they should make a recommendation through the chairperson to City Council on this proposal. Chairman Jarman questioned Merwin Willman if he wanted this body to present the by-laws. Mr. Willman stated that he was only requesting that a recommendation be made by the commission to the City Council to consider establishing a Park & Recreation board. Mr. Willman has some attachments that can be forwarded to the City Council. Keith Van Dine questioned what is meant by Park & Recreation Board or Park & Recreation Committee and is there a difference. A committee gets together to discuss, present ideas and recommends. -4- A board discusses, takes ideas, and sets policies and procedures. He would like this to be clarified. Mr. Willman felt it would be up to the City Council. Tony Moreno moved that a recommendation be made to the City Council to take a look at appointing a Park & Recreation board in accordance with Mr. Willman's research. Keith Van Dine seconded the motion, which carried with a unanimous vote. #7 GENERAL DISCUSSION Pia Jarman Chairman Jarman officially welcomed Mr. Ernest Evans to the Planning and Zoning Commission. She asked if he had any questions or comments. Mr. Evans stated he was glad to be here and given a chance to learn. Tony Moreno• Stated he was glad to have Mr. Evans on the commission. At this time he had no other comments. Keith Van Dine• Keith Van Dine welcomed Mr. Evans to the commission. He also commented that the road in Schirmerville is coming along well and everyone is really happy. No other comments at this time. Merwin Willman• Mervin Willman stated he has no comments. David Richmond: David Richmond questioned Mr. Simonson about the progress of Texaco, it seems to be held up by the sewer line easement which is owned by Jack In The Box and is abandoned until a new line is built to accommodate all of the businesses along the access road. Mr. Simonson explained that the Developers of Tri-County were under the impression that all large businesses would purchase large lots. Jack In The Box came in and ran a sewer line from Triton to their lot. The same line could be used by Texaco, but Ramada Inn has a 25' easement from the drive way and cannot access the current line. They would like to abandon the line, come back and sewer the. whole line, which would service all of the property in question along with the 25' easement. At the time of this recommendation Jack In The Box was sold to someone in Florida and the paper work has had to begin all over again to contact everyone that is involved. -5- Texaco also got held up with the fires they had in Houston. At this time it is just a matter of getting the contacts signed, but they are all still going to build. Mr. Simonson stated Ramada Inn is still in the process of working out the problems with the sprinkler system, but they will be getting started soon and everything will be in writing. If they do not comply, the work will be stopped at that time and will not continue until all regulations are met. Chairman Jarman questioned if Cottage Life Styles did not get their tax break. She asked when would their 6 months be up. Mr. Simonson confirmed that it would be up in March. Chairman Jarman inquired about the automatic rezoning having to go back to the original zoning and would this have to be done with another public hearing. Mr. Simonson again confirmed that this would have to be done with another public hearing. By law the whole cycle has to be done. Mr. Simonson advised everyone that Cottage Life Styles did not get the support that was needed from the housing authority and other surrounding cities. They had 4 projects in the state and this is the only one that was not accepted. Cottage Life Styles feels they still have a chance and will submit what is needed by the 31st of December. What Cottage Life Styles has to offer is what the state of Texas wants to see by helping out the senior citizens with this type of living. Also Cottage Life Styles may buy the property themselves but would have to charge more rent. At this time there are still some options that can be taken and Cottage Life Styles will keep the commission informed. Steve Simonson: Mr. Simonson advised the commission that in their packets there is information on the 1/2 cent sales tax. Read the newsletter and any other information that becomes available. If the commission feels that they would like a briefing on this matter, either Mr. Sweatt or Mark Marquez will be willing to come in and answer any questions. Mr. Simonson explained that his own personal feeling is they are using a very conservative figure by saying 50~ of the money does come from people outside of the city. He feels that it is much higher then that based on the traffic on IH 35, Garden Ridge, etc. If the funding of the Economic Development was at a level that lets the city do the things that need to be done, and if the citizens want to upgrade the cities facilities ( fire, library, police etc.) the bond issue would not cost the citizens any more money in taxes. Mr. Simonson advised the commission that he has received a formal letter from Ron Wood Homes that they have a misinterpretation with the existing plat Unit 2 for Greenshire. On the plat there is a -6- t little block on-the top that shows a typical side lot 5' easement between lots if needed for electrical, phone, and cable. In the Greenshire Plat it shows a 5' utility easement which Ron Wood Homes interpreted as a typical 5' building side yard set back. Mr. Simonson has explained to Ron Wood Homes what it does read. At this time they have sold the first two lots and they cannot fit them into the yards that they have without a variance to these two lots. They want a variance of a 5' side yard set back on the two lots only. Mr. Simonson has viewed the plans and they have big beautiful homes that do go with the community. They would like the commission to relook at Unit 2, otherwise if they come back for a variance it would have to go through the BOA. If the commission just looks at it as a Unit 2 subdivision decision it can be handled _ through the Planning and Zoning Commission. Tony Moreno asked if they were to get a decision that they do not agree with are they entitled to appeal and go to the BOA? Mr. Simonson confirmed not for a subdivision. They have not at this time built a home on the lot which is a corner lot. The reason for the change is they have plans for a large single story home to be built on the lot and it is leaving them with no room on the sides. Mr. Simonson verified at this time through the comments from the commission that the commissioners are not in agreement with this request and will contact Ron Wood Homes. Mr. Simonson asked everyone to please read their planning magazine especially the article on Johnny Comes Marching Home. He commented on the first paragraph that what is missing is that most of the bases that have closed were in areas where the cities that they were around treated the military very badly. The bases that are left have accepted the military in their community. Mr. Simonson announced that the UDC books were ready for the commission as a result of the working group of Mr. Andrews, Mr. Willman and himself. Mr. Willman was the author and has worked on the UDC book for over three years. There is a cover letter from Mr. Willman explaining how the book was put together. The commission has plenty of time to review the document for any changes. It is suggested that if at any time there is a change, they should adopt the military method of change where you change the whole page even if it only requires a paragraph change. This type of change will help to keep it updated. The document is very extensive and has tremendous amount of cross referencing. The UDC books have been given to the commission at this time so that everyone will have plenty of time to look at it before the commission begins to review it. There are some missing sections but they will be available at the next meeting. Mr. Willman stated that the three articles that are missing are Drainage, Flood Plain, and Infrastructure. The articles on Drainage, and Flood Plain are still being reviewed by the utility people. Infrastructure is being reviewed by the engineers. -7- As soon as the articles are ready they will be available. Mr. Willman advised everyone that the PUD has been taken out due to the fact that it was being misused. Mr. Simonson advised the commission that he will be taking several of the board members on a tour of the city and if anyone else is interested they are more than welcome to join them. #8 ADJOURNMENT Keith Van Dine moved to adjourn the meeting. Tony Moreno seconded the motion, which carried with a unanimous vote. Chairman Pia Jarman adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is December 13, 1994. Chairma Planning and Zoning Commission City o Schertz, Texas ATTEST: V~~ U Planning Secretary City of Schertz, Texas -8-