08-15-1985 PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
The City of Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened in a regular
session on Thursday, August 15, 1985 in the Municipal Complex Council
Chambers, 1400 Live Oak Road. Members present were as follows:
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT
THOMAS YARLING, CHAIRMAN MERWIN WILLMAN
BOB ANDREWS, VICE-CHAIRMAN
DARWIN PEEK, SECRETARY
JAMES HARDEN CITY STAFF
TY BRISGILL
DAVID ALLEN EARL HARTZOG, PLANNING COORDINATOR
KEN GREENWALD, COUNCILMAN NORMA ALTHOUSE, RECORDING SECRETARY
#1 CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Yarling called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Session July 23, 1985
Ty Brisgill commented that before approval of the minutes he would like to have
a statement included in #7 - CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION: Final Plat
Silvertree Park Subdivision Unit I - Paragraph #14 after "There was a brief dis-
cussion on lot setbacks, drainage and access in Silvertree Subdivision Unit I."
Mr. Brisgill would like to have it stated that he asked about matching roads
from Silvertree with the roads in Greenfield Village. The developer, Don
McCrary, replied that the roads were staggered for safety purposes.
Bob Andrews made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Ty Brisgill seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
#3 CITIZENS' INPUT
There were no citizens present for input.
#4 CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION: Final Plat Savannah Square Unit III
Earl Hartzog advised the Commission that they had the plat from the last meeting.
Mr. Hartzog said there were no changes and the final plat was being submitted.
Mr. Hartzog stated that all utilities being put in will be tied in with on-site
construction. He also stated that the Staff still disagrees with the street cut,
but the Commission approved it and the Staff will honor-that decision.
Bob Andrews made a motion to approve the Final Plat Savannah Square Unit III.
Darwin Peek seconded the motion-and the vote was unanimous in favor.
#5 CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION: Final Plat Vacate/Replat Lot 1, Block 1,
Horseshoe Oaks, Unit I (Woodland Oaks)
Earl Hartzog reminded the Commission this was the second appearance for this final
plat approval.
Mr. Hartzog stated he had received a letter from the Highway Department suggesting
the requirement of acceleration/deceleration lanes 6e revised to allow for a turn
lane taper. This taper should transition from a T0' width down to nothing in
approximately 90' and be .used only on streets and driveways with a high volume
usage.
Mr. Hartzog also stated that during a meeting with representatives of the Highway
Department, one reason given for the suggestion of revising from acceleration/
deceleration lanes to a turn lane taper was to prevent an excessive amount of
weaving. Mr. Hartzog said the design engineer was making plans to include the turn
lane taper and the Staff recommends approval.
Darwin Peek asked if the plat is in conformance with the Overlay District and if
there are any variances. Earl Hartzog replied there are no variances in the Over-
lay District. Ken Greenwald replied that the plat is in conformance with the
Overlay District.
There was some discussion on the spacing of driveways. Earl Hartzog made reference
to some past discussions on this matter and stated that is is 301' from the center
of the driveway. He also said the Highway Department is supervising the driveway
construction.
Neil Fisher, representing Fisher Engineering, commented that future plans for
streets and driveways will be treated on the same basis as streets for commercial
sites - evaluated individually.
David Allen asked, regarding Earl Hartzog's letter to the City Manager about
acceleration/deceleration lanes, if as many as possible weren't encouraged for
safety purposes. Mr. Hartzog replied that maybe were are over-reacting and that
maybe, regardless of volume, the deceleration tapered area is more important than
the acceleration lane.
Chairman Yarling asked if the speed limits are taken into consideration. Earl
Hartzog replied that yes they are.
Bob Andrews asked if the State or the City is paying for additional lanes. Earl
Hartzog replied that the State is paying, but the City may have to provide addi-
tional right-of-way.
Ty Brisgill asked whether a final finished grade had been decided upon and also if
the cut is going to be for Lot 42 only or the whole thing. Neil Fisher replied that
as far as the final grade, they would do what is necessary for-sight distance, and
as far as the cut for Lot 42, it should eventually blend in and be usable as there
is further development.
Ty Brisgill asked if the cut in the grass strip on Woodland Oaks will match the
drive. Neil Fisher replied that yes it will.
Darwin Peek made a motion to approve the final plat vacate/replat Lot 1, Block 1,
Horseshoe Oaks, Unit I (Woodland Oaks) allowing for the revision from acceleration/
deceleration lanes to a turn lane taper that should transition from a 10' width
down to nothing in approximately 90'.
Ty Brisgill seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
#6 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Traffic Control Ordinance
Earl Hartzog commented that in regard to Items A (Stop vs. Yield at Beacon and
Maple) and B (Stop vs. Yield at Vickie Lynn and Maple) there had been no acci-
dents to support the change. Mr. Hartzog also commented that the Staff recom-
mended Item C (4-Way Stop at Aero and Lindbergh) for easy emergency vehicle
access. Mr. Hartzog said the Staff felt Item D (4-Way Stop at Curtiss and
Lindbergh) would control the speed on Lindbergh, but according to the Traffic
Manual, controlled speed is not an acceptable reason to use a 4-Way Stop.
In regard to Item E (Mandatory Left Turn at Elbel Road and Live Oak Road), Earl
Hartzog commented that the Staff did not recommend this because they felt signage
and control was almost impossible and suggested, perhaps, a mandatory right turn
on Colony.
Bob Andrews commented that since the townhomes had been built, some of the traffic
problems had been eliminated. David Allen suggested that a traffic light should
be considered in the future.
Darwin Peek remarked that it may solve one problem and create another. James
Harden said he was in favor of a mandatory right turn.. Ken Greenwald commented
that the traffic crossing over is feeding into a one-lane street. James Harden
suggested that maybe a sign should be put up saying "Drive Carefully".
Earl Hartzog said there probably would be some major changes in the future, but
the funds are not available at the present time. He said the City has the right-
of-way in that area and the problem may be addressed in the future in regard to
the development of Schertz Parkway.
Item F (No Parking East Side of Vickie Lynn) - Earl Hartzog commented that the
Staff felt this was not particularly a problem. Vickie Lynn. is a short street
with little traffic, so a "No Parking" on this side should not inconvenience
anyone.
Item G (Tri-County Business and Industrial Park) - Earl Hartzog informed the Com-
mission there was a letter in their package listing designs and speed limits.
Chairman Yarling commented he had an out-of-town company tell him that they were
very impressed with the Tri-County Business and Industrial Park.
Item H (Savannah Square Unit I) - Earl Hartzog advised the Commission there was a
letter in their package listing designs and speed limits. Mr. Hartzog also said
that the Staff felt there should be no driveways onto Savannah Drive and that any
street coming out onto Savannah Drive should have a Stop Sign.
Bob Andrews suggested that all Yield Signs should be Stop Signs and it would elimi-
Hate the Stop vs Yield controversy five years from now. There was some discussion
on this. Earl Hartzog commented that Yield Signs are cheaper than Stop Signs.
Earl Hartzog added Item I (No Parking on IH 35 Access Road Either Side). There
was a brief discussion on this with Ken Greenwald emphasizing that the State can
put signs to this effect in the right-of-way, but we cannot enforce-them unless
the ordinance is passed.
The votes for #6 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Traffic Control Ordinance
Change are as follows:
A. Stop vs Yield at Beacon and Maple
Bob Andrews made a motion to recommend this change be adopted by Council and the
appropriate signs be installed. Darwin seconded the motion and the vote was
unanimous in favor.
B. Stop vs Yield at Vickie Lynn and Maple
Bob Andrews made a motion to recommend. this change be adopted by Council and the
appropriate signs be installed. David Allen seconded the motion and the vote
was unanimous in favor.
C. 4-Way Stop at Aero and Lindbergh
David Allen made a motion to recommend Council not adopt this change, Darwin
Peek seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
D. 4-Way Stop at Curtiss and Lindbergh
David Allen made a motion to recommend Council not adopt this change. Darwin Peek
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
E. Mandatory Left Turn at Elbel Road and Live Oak Road
Bob Andrews made a motion to recommend Council not adopt this change. David Allen
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
F. No Parking East Side of Vickie Lynn
Darwin Peek made a motion to recommend Council not adopt this change. James Harden
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
G. Tri-County Business and Industrial Park
Darwin Peek made a motion to recommend Council adopt the changes contained in the
letter regarding Tri-County Business and Industrial Park. Bob Andrews seconded
the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
H. Savannah Square Unit I
Bob Andrews made a motion to recommend Council adopt the changes contained in the
letter regarding Savannah Square Unit I, except for the intersections of Andrew
Low and Whitefield Square and Olde Moss and Andrew Low, which the Commission feels
should be Stop Signs instead of Yield Signs. David Allen seconded the motion and
the vote was unanimous in favor.
I. No Parking on IH 35 Access Road Either Side
David Allen made a motion to recommend Council adopt this change. Bob Andrews
seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
#7 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Sign Ordinance
Earl Hartzog advised the Commission that they each had. received a copy of the
Sign Ordinance. Merwin Willman had requested, at the last meeting, that the
Staff finish the update of his recommended changes.
Earl Hartzog told the Commission that regardless of action taken by the State, if
the Commission tells what they want, it will be given to the legal department for
feedback.
It was stated that the date on amortization of signs had already passed, but
recommendations would be put to the legal. staff for consideration.
Chairman Yarling recommended `t he Commission members study the Sign Ordinance and
be prepared to discuss it at the next meeting.
David Allen made a motion to table #7 CONSIDER AND-MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Sign
Ordinance-until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Ty Brisgill seconded the
motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
#8 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Subdivision Ordinance
Earl Hartzog informed the Commission the Subdivision Ordinance was not ready at
this time, but should be for the next regularly scheduled meeting. Chairman
Yarling suggested it be put on the agenda for the August 27, 1985 meeting.
Bob Andrews made a motion to table#8 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION; Sub-
division Ordinance-and put it on the agenda for the August 27, 1985 meeting.
Darwin Peek seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
#9 GENERAL DISCUSSION
Chairman Yarling accepted a letter of resignation, effective September 14, 1985,
from Darwin Peek. Chairman Yarling thanked Mr. Peek for his service on the Com-
mission and told him how much it was appreciated. Mr. Peek said it had been an
interesting and .enlightening experience. He thanked everyone and wised them
well.
Ken Greenwald remarked that now they need a secretary for the Planning and Zoning
Commission and a new member for the Joint Schertz/Cibolo Commission.
Chairman Yarling asked if any applications for Planning and Zoning Commission had
been received. Earl Hartzog replied he had received one. Ken Greenwald gave Mr.
Hartzog the name of an individual who had expressed a desire to be on the Commission.
Chairman Yarling suggested that anyone interested should 6e placed on the agenda
for the August 27, 1985 meeting.
Ken Greenwald stated that the Joint Schertz/Cibolo Commission meeting would be
August 19, 1985 in the Conference Room.
Ken Greenwald asked if anyone remembered why sidewalks were not required at the
Sebastian Apartments. Earl Hartzog replied that they had a meeting and had asked
for a delay of one year. Mr. Hartzog said a letter had been sent reminding them
to install sidewalks and asking them to take action.
Ken Greenwald commented that it looks like Schertz will 6e acquiring additional
land on FM 1518 along IH 10. He said Council had agreed to annex if they get
frontage along IH 10. Mr, Greenwald stated that San Antonio did not-pass an Over-
lay Ordinance for Randolph Air Force Base. He also stated that Schertz needs to
adopt an Overlay Ordinance if the land is acquired so there is no gap when San
Antonio deannexes and we annex. Mr. Greenwald also said the Council had the first
reading on the resolution to annex 88 acres and people will be coming in to find
out about zoning.
Ken Greenwald said the Council definitely wants sidewalks in Silvertree. He
said the Council would accept whatever mechanics the Staff works out for the
escrow account.
Earl Hartzog pointed out that Mayor Sawyer was quite ada~.ant about wanting
sidewalks in Silvertree and the rest of Jack Hays Boulevard.
Ken Greenwald suggested the sidewalks would not be required now, but within the
five-year plan.
Chairman Yarling reminded the members of the Commission he needed a volunteer
for the secretary vacancy being created by Darwin Peek's resignation. Specific
mention was made to James Harden. Mr. Harden was asked to think it over.
Bob Andrews said he noticed the`Schertz Bank is eliminating an exit and asked if
permits had been issued. Ken Greenwald. commented the Council had asked for an
explanation. Earl Hartzog replied he didn't know whether or not permits had been
issued. There was some discussion on the Stop Sign by the Schertz Bank. Earl
Hartzog said it is for FM 1518 so traffic won't back up over the railroad tracks.
Ken Greenwald said hopefully the Council would get some answers about the work
going on at the Schertz Bank.
Bob Andrews asked if permits had been issued for signs advertising the Sycamore
Creek Apartment Complex. Ken Greenwald said permission had been granted for
temporary advertisement to try and drum up more business. He said it was his
understanding the appropriate permits had been obtained.
Earl Hartzog informed the Commission that there are plans to install a traffic
light at Elbel Road and FM 3009. He said it has been approved and funded by
the Highway Department. Some of the parts are on backorder, but it should be
installed shortly after school starts.
Earl Hartzog said the Highway Department is working on the expansion plan for
FM 3009.
Mr. Hartzog also commented that he has some plats that need to be signed.
There was a brief discussion on the upcoming TML Session. More information will
be available at a later date.
Ea r1 Hartzog commented there was no APA Conference at the present time for the
Planning and Zoning Commission. He said there was money in the budget for that
purpose and he would check .into it.
Darwin Peek asked about upcoming meetings. The next regularly scheduled meeting
for Planning and Zoning Commission is August 27, 1985. A public hearing on a
rezoning request by Morton Southwest is scheduled for September 3, 1985.
Ty Brisgill asked about street signs in the Tri-County Business and Industrial
Park. He asked i.f there was any time schedule. Earl Hartzog replied that the
money had not been set aside for signs in new subdivisions.
Ty Brisgill asked if the Commission had recommended street signs in Woodland Oaks.
Earl Hartzog replied yes they had, but there is no money in the budget for signs.
Ty Brisgill asked who was-responsible for street lights in Woodland Oaks -
two of them are out.
Ty Brisgill asked about leaking water meter boxes on unimproved lots in
Woodl-and Oaks. Earl Hartzog replied that John Bierschwale had spoken to those
responsible.
Chairman Yarling commented that Crime Watch Signs are being put up wherever
people want them rather than according to the Ordinance: Ken Greenwald stated
that the enforcement was up to the Streets and Parks Department and the Police
Department. Chairman Yarling asked if there was any penalty and Ken Greenwald
replied that when it's on provate property, you're sitting on thin ice as far
as penalties are concerned.
Chairman Yarling commented that he had heard that the salesmen at Savannah Square
were informing potential property owners that they could make curb cuts wherever
they wanted.
. Chairman Yarling said he had a copy of a letter from Helen Gutierrez Campos
requesting the use of her family name on a street in Schertz. He asked for this
item to be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
Chairman Yarling made comments to the members of the Commission saying he has
enjoyed working with them and hopes the cooperation can continue in doing what's
best for the City.
David Allen, referring to bandit signs, said either the ordinance should be
enforced or they should be struck from the ordinance.
Chairman Yarling made comment on the article about weed control in the Herald
Newspaper.
Chairman Yarling adjourned the meeting at 8:59 P.M.