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BOA 5-2-16BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES May 2, 2016 The Schertz Board of Adjustment convened on May 2, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. at the Municipal Complex, Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway Building #4, Schertz, Texas. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Richard Dziewit, Chairman David Reynolds, Vice Chairman Earl Hartzog Reginna Agee BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT Dani Salas, Alternate Frank McElroy 1. ►1 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL CITY STAFF Lesa Wood, Director Planning & Community Devel. Tiffany Danhof, Executive Administrative Assistant Bryce Cox, Senior Planner Channary Gould, Planner I Emily Grobe, Planner I OTHERS PRESENT Richard Underwood, Kimley — Horn and Associates Mr. Dziewit called the regular meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. and recognized members present. SEAT ALTERNATE TO ACT IF REQUIRED Not required. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: A. BOA2016 -002 Hold a public hearing, consider and act upon a request for a variance to Article 9, Section 21.9.7 — Landscaping from the requirement that a twenty foot (20') landscape buffer with trees and shrubs be provided adjacent to a residential use or residentially zoned property at Lot 1, Block 1, Schertz 3009 Market Subdivision, generally located at the southwest corner of the intersection of FM 3009 and Elbel Road, Schertz, TX. Mr. Cox gave a presentation that covered: • Variance to Article 9, Section 21.9.7 G — Landscaping Buffering Requirement, specifically that trees and shrubs be in a 20ft landscape buffer adjacent to a residential use or residentially zoned property along the south side of Lot 1, Block 1. • The applicant is requesting the variance specifically in regards to planting trees within the buffer. The applicant is proposing to plant landscaping elsewhere. • On April 12, 2016 a public hearing notice was published in The Daily Commercial Recorder. On April 20, 2016 a public hearing notice was published in the Herald. A total of ten notices were mailed out on April 21, and at time of Staff Report one response was received in favor. • This variance was previously considered and approved by the Board of Adjustment on six different occasions with the last approval expiring on December 19, 2015. • The applicant has submitted a revised site plan to include a 2,000 sq. ft. retail development. Due to various easement and restrictions on tree planting within easements the applicant is Minutes Board of Adjustment June 27, 2016 Page 1 of 4 requesting the variance. • The result would be that no trees would be planted along the south property line within the easements. However, they would be planted outside of the easements. Shrubs will be provided along edge of drive isle. • The property owner will provide the landscaping / trees just not within the easement. The 20 ft. buffer will now be approximately 79 ft. with shrubbery inside and trees planted just outside. • There are special conditions including the 79 ft. easement encumbrance that prohibits the property owner from planting the required trees adjacent to the residential use. • The hardship is in no way the result of the applicants own actions. The use of the easements is strictly restricted and in no way the fault of the applicant. • Staff recommended approval of the variance as presented. Richard Underwood — Kimley -Horn / Applicant Representative, provided an update that permits have been submitted to the City and that Kimley- Horn appreciated the Board and the City's time. Mr. Hartzog questioned that the item says lot 1, Block 1, of 3009 Market Subdivision, but where the exact lines of the subdivision are unclear. Mr. Cox explained where lot 2 and lot 1 are shown and provided clarification on what is shown in the exhibit. Mr. Hartzog inquired to what will take place at the back of lot 1 along the south side of the property. Mr. Cox explained that at the time nothing is proposed and a site plan would have to be submitted. Mr. Underwood explained further that at this time the property owner is trying to keep their options open. Mr. Dziewit asked if the only two planned developments for the site are the kiosk and the service station and the rest is open for additional prospects. Mr. Underwood confirmed that was correct. Mr. Hartzog asked if lot 1 covers the whole south side of the property, additionally if there will be shrubs on the drive way going into the site. Mr. Cox indicated that there will be shrubs through the area and along the edge that is required as a buffer. Mr. Hartzog moved to approve BOA2016 -002. Ms. Agee seconded the motion. The motion carried with a unanimous vote. 4. PRESENTATION: A. Presentation and discussion on City of Schertz 2016 Strategic Plan. Mr. James gave a presentation on the City of Schertz 2016 Strategic Plan which included: • Staff has been going through exercises that emphasize what we do well, what we can improve on, things that could create problems going forward. • The goal is to put all items into one document that we can easily share with the citizens to show what the plan is going forward. • Helps to align the multiple Boards and Commissions so all know what the plan is going forward. Trying to increase the communication between staff, boards and commissions, and the citizens. • Discusses the City of Schertz vision, mission, policy values, operational values, and the core values and how these items correspond and are used to help determine if the strategic plan is working effectively. • An additional goal is to make sure all of the plans and strategies that are in the works, are all efficiently working together. Minutes Board of Adjustment June 27, 2016 Page 2 of 4 • The Strategic Plan is designed to help give the City of Schertz the feeling of community, these are the items that are of top importance to the City staff and how the City will accomplish the goals going forward. • Additionally, having „a workforce that is constantly trying to be innovative and proactive to help the City achieve new goals. • The concept is really to try to achieve as much as possible as efficiently as possible as a whole community. Mr. Dziewit commented the plan is trying to get the other committees interact with each other. He expressed his opinion that BOA is often on the reactive side. The BOA should consider being more involved with the other boards. Additionally Mr. Dziewit commented that it might be great to go and see how the other Commissions handle their meetings. Mr. Reynolds commented that seeing how the EDC works and how we can contribute might be helpful. Mr. Dziewit mentioned that at the start of each BOA meeting the Board member that attended different meetings could give a recap of what happened so the other members could have an understanding. Mr. James clarified that the Committee of Committees is really focused on having better communication between each and every board and commission is doing. Ms. Agee asked how the BOA would have any input on what other committees are doing. Mr. James explained that the BOA really helps in terms of if the BOA has multiple cases all surrounding the same item then staff takes a look at why those cases are being heard and discuss with EDC and P &Z that there may need to be a change in the code. Mr. Hartzog discussed the signs along 3009 and how the change that was made, could have been too extreme. Mr. James explained that readjusting the balance on signage is being reviewed. Mr. James explained that at the next meeting there can be a follow up discussion after each Board member has had a time to read through the document. Mr. Dziewit expressed that each Board member needs to have a good understanding of the Strategic Plan so when citizens ask then we can fully explain how it will impact the City. He also mentioned that he will be bringing information from the Committee of Committees to each meeting. Mr. James explained again that we will allow the Board a month and at the next meeting the Strategic Plan will be discussed again. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Announcements by Members Mr. Hartzog mentioned that at the Volunteer Fair, the BOA shared a table with the Planning & Zoning Commission and learned a lot from them and -also from EDC. It appeared that more people were interested in the P &Z and that most people don't know what a variance is. Minutes Board of Adjustment June 27, 2016 Page 3 of 4 6. B. Announcements by City Staff Mrs. Wood introduced the new members of the Planning and Community Development Department and provided a quick biography of each. ® Tiffany Danhof — Executive Administrative Assistant Channary Gould — Planner I Emily Grobe- Planner I ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:48 P.M. Chai n, Board of Adjustment Minutes Board of Adjustment June 27, 2016 Page 4 of 4 t Recordio e retary, City Schertz