11-08-1988 PLANNING AND ZONING MINIITES
The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened in a regular
session on Tuesday, November 8, 1988 at 7:00 P.M. in the
Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Those
present were as follows:
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CITY STAFF
MARY MARSH, VICE-CHAIRMAN STEVE SIMONSON,
KEITH VAN DINE, SECRETARY ASST. CITY MANAGER
MERWIN WILLMAN "NORMA ALTHOUSE,
BOB ANDREWS RECORDING SECRETARY
GEORGE VICK
JOE POTEMPA
KEN GREENWALD, COUNCILMAN '
MEMBERS ABSENT.
TY BRISGILL, CHAIRMAN
#1 CA~L~, TO QRDER
In the absence of Chairman Ty Brisgill , the meeting was chaired
by Vice-Chairman Mary Marsh who called the meeting to order at
7:OO P.M.
#2 APPROVAg, MINIITES: Regular Session October 25, 1988
Bab Andreas made a motion tc approve the minutes for the regular
session October 25, 1988. Keith Van Dine seconded the motion and
the vote was unanimous in favor. Motion carried.
#3 CITIZENS' INPIIT OTHER THAN AGENDA ITEMS
There was none.
#4 CE)NSIDER AND N~AKE' RECOMMENDATIGN: Selection of Historian
-.for Planning.& Zoning Commission
.`...Vice-Chairman'Marsh read two -new 'paragraphs`.to the Planning &
Zcning Rules of Procedure .which had been. approved at the previous
meeting:
102. Officers
B. - Each year; in' the month ~of `October, after ''the annual
"Progr.ess .Report" has been accepted; by the Commission, a new
.`historian `shall - be appointed `for.. the coming` year . t-Para . j Sec .
2-2.6, Code of: Ord.)
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..V-~ . ~ jA' '~~~'ti 7KT r-.us yq~n _ 4i c 5,:. ~ ~ i
103. Duties
E. The historian shall keep a record of events and
accomplishments during the year and submit a consolidated report
to 'the Commission for approval during the first meeting in
October. {Para. j, Sec. 2-26, Code of Ord.)
Vice-Chairman Marsh commented it would be nice if someone
volunteered. Mrs. Marsh went on to say it is simply a matter of
utilizing the minutes of each meeting and then compiling all the
facts for a report at the end of the year.
Joe Potempa volunteered to be this year's {1988-89) historian for
the. Planning and Zoning Commission.
#5 CONSIDER AND P~dAKE RECOA~MENDATION: Discussion on Suggested
Guideline for Updating City Plan
Vice-Chairman Marsh had prepared a guideline for redoing the City
Plan, a copy of which .had .been provided' to the Commissioners in
their packages.' Mrs. Marsh commented she doesn't feel they :can
redo the plan properly without guidelines.
Gearge Vicl~ remarked he thought the guideline looked real good
and then aslzed about the survey.
Vice-Chairman. Marsh noted-that all the facets of the guideline
need to be ironed cut first, then they will concentrate on
preparing a survey.
iZerwin Willman commented that he agrees with the preliminary
schedule of events, but P & Z is left out of the process ~R7aiting
for others to complete tasks and he feels P & Z should be in on
the ground flcor doing these. things themselves. Mr. Willman
said, in his opinion, it is the Commission's responsibility to do
the work - they should be doing that which is assigned to the -
panel of 7 civic :leaders. _
Merwin Willman continued on, ..saying we should have town meetings.
with citizens, businesses, organizations, etc.
Vice-Chairman :Marsh said a town 'meeting could be added 'to' the
schedule, but not :initially. Mrs.::Marsh.-stressed' that ;'a town
meeting should''be,held only after the panel has completed it's
work.
'Vice-Chairman Marsh'suggested .each member :bring a list of ..the -
names of 5 prominent citizens to`'the<next meeting. These would
be refined and' a final list '-sent" an to Council for,::selection of a
panel of '.7 civic leaders.
Keith Van Dine asked if they are ' selectinganother P & 'Z
Commission. ``:Vice-Chairman Marsh- replied no, we have to have
-community involvement=- it is'.the.:citizens'_plan,:not-:ours.
Bob Andrews asked if the "where we are going" isn`t supposed to
be compiled from the survey.
Vice-Chairman Marsh answered by saying she thinks P & Z should
not do that, it should be done by the panel.
Merwin Willman remarked that because we are a small City we can
afford to have town meetings and get citizen input above and
beyond the survey.
,Toe Potempa asked Merwin Willman exactly what he wanted to do.
Mr. Willman replied he wants to get the results of the survey and
then have citizens in for discussion.
Bob Andrews commented that over the years he has learned that the
best- way to get someone to do a good job is to Met them think it
is their idea.
There was some discussion on the number of times, according to
the guideline; that information comes back to P & Z for review.
Bob Andrews asked if the town meeting cculd be presented by P & Z
and was informed yes it could be.
-Steve Simonson pointed out they will have trouble getting
feedbacl~ from some areas and suggested targeting certain areas of
_ the City and having i P ~ & Z members sit down and talk with them.
-Mr. Simonson said they should talk about realistic gcals because
the City needs to be behind these goals. Mr. Simonson said, in
other wcrds, they should aim to get specialized feedback.
Steve Simonson alsc informed the Commission he agrees with Vice-
Chairman Marsh en the selection of a panel cf ci~Tir lcaders< Mr<
Simonson told the Commission he thinks their jab (P&Z's? in all
of this will be a lot harder than they think it's going to be.
The distribution of the surveys was discussed briefly agreeing it -
shauld be done through the Homeowners.` Associations in those _
areas that have them, and in those areas that do not,
distribution to each house by scouts. The following was added to
..the guideline as far as distribution: "As the surveys. are being
distributed, it will be the responsibility of P & Z members to
visit .:businesses and/or civic organizations- seeking their 'input
on the needs 'for the City and- explain the City Plan to them and
why this method is being used ta`update~t".
Also added to the guideline schedule was the following: "After
the panel ,has returned it's work to;the Assstant,City Manager
and to P & Z, a toian mccting for further citizen 'input". will:: be
held, ponsored by P & Z in'conjunction with the panel".
A final change to the guideline concerned the panel of 7 civic
_ leaders. The, Commission` felt they 'may "want< more han 7, so =it
- was `changed to react a_panel of "at least-?" civic leads-rs.
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(A copy of the guideline with all the changes is attached to
these minutes.)
Merwin Willman suggested that before the Commission goes too far,
they present the schedule to City Council for their"blessing and
see if any money is available. Councilman Greenwald said he
would bring it up at the warkshop on the following evening if he
could get copies of the guideline for the Council. Vice-Chairman
Marsh suggested malting the changes to the guideline before copies
are given to Council and it was agreed that could be
accomplished.
Steve Simonson commented on the excellence of a "Small Town
Planning Handboak" which Merwin Willman has and Mr. Willman said
he wished every member had a copy.
Discussion now began on the survey.
Vice-Chairman Marsh 'suggested 2 volunteers from P & Z draft a
survey starting now so there's plenty of, time to get it refined
by the end of December. Mrs. Marsh reminded the Commission the'
survey needs to be applicable to Schertz.;
George Vick and Joe Potempa both volunteered to work with Steve
Simonson on drafting a survey.
Steve Simonson commented they need to have questions that for the
• most part can be answered by a "yes" or "no", that are not tae.
long and are not redundant.
Keith Van Dine suggested keeping the survey simple.
~TOC Potempa asked about including a section where citizens can
bring up a concern for the particular- area in which they live,
for example, in his area they are concerned with when they will.
be able to get natural gas. -
Keith Van Dine said he would like to to include the question on
. the survey as to whether or not that particular citizen wants to
serve on a panel of c.~vic leaders.
Vice-Chairman Marsh mentioned once again .that every member shculd
bring a list, to the next meeting,; of at least five names of
people they feel are. qualified to serve:': on 'the panel: Mrs.
Marsh 'said. that from these names they should,be'able to: arrive at
a.list to-present to City Council fcr their selection of a'panel.
There was discussion about-what type of people should serve on
the panel with the conclusion'being.,.chat:anyone who is involved
and interested in the :community is a good candidate for the
panel.
Vice-Chairman Marsh,. referring again to distribution. of the
survey, `'suggested giving copies to an officer' of the various
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Homeowners' Associations. Mrs. Marsh said as for the rest of the
distribution, mailing them should be precluded because of the
cost.
Keith Van Dine, changing the topic of discussion back again to
the panel, said he would like to call for a vote on whether or
not they should have a panel.
Keith Van Dine made a motion to disapprove the selection of a
civic leaders panel.
The moticn died fore lack of a second.
Merwin Willman commented he didn't feel he could vote against the
selection of'a panel-.even though. he doesn't understand the reason
for the :panel.
Bob Andrews remarked that his interpretation of the panel is that
they follow the guidelines set up by P & Z, compile the results
of the survey and then give it to P & Z for review.
Vice-Chairman Marsh said yes they caill put the numbers or items
from the survey into some kind of working form.
Bob Andrecas said under those terms he is for the panel, and if
the citizens think it is their idea, we will have more
. cooperation.
Keith Van Dine argued that you're taking away from the citizens
point of view if their work is subject to apprcval cr disapproval
by P. & Z. To this Bob Andrews said P & Z does nct have final
approval anyway.
Steve Simonson reminded the Commission there will be input from
citizens, P & Z, Staff and Council and that if we dcn't have the
community behind us, the plan titon't get done.
Back to the subject of ,distribution, Joe Potempa said he would be
glad to. distribute ,the survey in his area. Mr. Potempa also
noted that he thinks 'the scouts have a community service project
whereby they'can earn a merit badge and he will check into it
since" that would be': an, ideal way. for them; to earn a merit badge
and for the City. to get the surveys distributed.-`
Vice-Chairman Marsh suggested putting a notice 'in the January
edition. of the Newsletter.
:Joe Potempa''mentioned asking for help ':from organizations at
Samuel `Clemens High `School `such'as- the .ROTC and. the Booster`s
Club.
Councilman Greenwald also mentioned distribution at the .various
focal '.churches.'
}
Joe Potempa made a motion to adopt the suggested guideline, as
amended, for redoing the City Plan. George Vick seconded the
motion and the vote was as follows:
AYES: M. Marsh, B. Andrews, G. Vick, J. Potempa .
NAYS: K. Van Dine
ABSTENTIONS: M. Willman
Motion carried.
~G GENERAL DISCUSSION
Bob Andrews brought up the following:
(a) Asked if the City can. control the entrance onto IH-35 off the
frontage .road. Mr. Andrews said that at night, unless you know
where it is, you cannot see the entrance. (Steve Simonson said
he would bring it up at the next Highway Safety Meeting.)
(b) Mentioned the bathrooms at the. park being `raunchy. (Steve
Simonscn said a crew cleans the bathrooms every day.)
(c) Asked when the City will replace: the blacktop they removed.
tSteve Simonson said the ground test res=alts should be back
tomorrow and depending on those results, they will take care of
correcting the situation: as soon as possible.)
-Joe Potempa brought up the following:
(a) Trailer is still outside the fence at Salvage Enterpri es.
(Steve Simonscn said Schertz had cited them, but the judge gave
them 60 more days to clean up the property.)
(b) At the Caulfield residence along IH-35 there are still junk
.cars, signs, trash, dogs running loose, etc. {Steve Simonson he
will have the inspectors check it again.) -
(c) Hats .off to the Street Department for cleaning the streets im
his area.
(d) Could the names and phone numbers of the Planning & Zoning
Commission b~ published in the Newsletter.
George Vick::brought,up the..following:
(a) Likes the Newsletter;.- should have had;`'one'a long time"-ago.
(b ) Coming up out of the creek .area on Av"nation, the street 1-fight
is out .
(c) What. about the missing street signs. (Steve Simonson said
they are onorder.)
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(d) Remarked on the ordinance recently passed by San Antonio
regarding home alarm systems. (Councilman Greenwald said Schertz
has had a similar ordinance for approximately 5 years.)
Merwin Willman commented that at the last City Council workshop
the people from Southern Pacific were there and said they are
having problems with people bypassing the gates when they are
down. Mr. Willman commented specifically on the Grassing at Main
and First Streets and wondered if it would help to put in some
type of median. ,
Councilman Greenwald brought up the following:
(a) Had a sample cf a new type of material used for mal~ing signs.
It is .called HDO (High Density Overlay) plastic and is
considerably ~heapEr. Mr. Greenwald said the Council will be
discussing it: Mr. Greenwald also said that when a sign is over
30 x 30, this new material is not cost effective.
(b) Mentioned some of the good seminars he had attended at TML.
Mr. Greenwald said he had picked up information on park grants
and also on the open meetings and open records law.
Keith Van Dine asked if there might .be any way to renovate the
old cemetery located in the Schirmerville area. (Steve Simonson
told him to clzec}r with. Jim Shriver of the Historical Society.)
Steve Simonson brought up the following:
(a) The next phase of seal coating is scheduled for Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 14, 15 and 16. The seal coating
will be done in the River Road area and the lower part cf Schertz
up to Aviation.
(b) CVADAC has been conducting seminars, free to the public, at
the Schertz library. The seminar on December Eth will be on the
subject of teenage suicide. -
Keith Van Dine asked.~if anyone knew of a problem in Schertz with
Satanic cults-and na`one seemed to have heard of any trouble with
such cults. Mr. Van Dine said he had heard they have a serious,
problem with this in Converse.
Vice-Chairman Marsh brought up the following:.
(a) People`. are entering at`'the> exit to the Commuriity'Center.
(Thee arrows are`dim and a sign is needed.)
(b At - the 'big `oak tree on ,Tack. Hays Blvd. `there is `still a
problem with trailers< being ,parked`: Mrs: Marsh `said she had
spoken with the police about the problem and they ,said they
cannot ticket a -trailer ;unless it is ,with -the cab:'= They had`
suggested putting up a-"No Parking" sign.
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Merwin Willman asked if there is any interest_ in using P & Z
money to buy a "Small Town Planning Handbook" for every member.
After some discussion it was decided to buy a.couple of books to
keep on hand for members to use.
Joe Potempa remarked.on the trailers parked on the weekends in
the area between the Scout Hut and the City Utility Yard. tSteve
Simonson said he would check into it.)
Steve Simcnson informed the Commission the resident on Maple who
.keeps too many fowl on his property has been cited.
~7 ADJOURNMENT
Joe Potempa made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Bob Andrews
seconded the meeting and the vote was unanimous in favor. Vice-
. Chairman Marsh adjourned the meeting at 8:45 P.M.
The next regular meting is scheduled for Ncvember 22, 1388.
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PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
1. The folloL,ting is submitted as a guideline to our discussions
on the "redo" of our City Plan. After the APA Ccnference i*
became ever more clear. that if Lae are to have a viable plan, we
must approach our update in a more logical manner than we have
been< You have Steve's letter which outlines +~he basic=.
n~_cessities far "approach". This approach has two bottom lines -
(1) The plan must address t~'here we are - - Gti'hcre Lae Laant tc
go - - Hcw do we get there? Anotrer that might be added is When?
Essentiality of inclusion in the planning process, the
following entities: Staff - Department Heads - Civic Leaders -
and most irlpc~~tant, Citizens. ZLTe must also consider the use of
required technical expertise; perhaps even the necessity to hire
someone which will involve a request for funds from the City
Council. The time element for completion of phases of the plan
and thus, completion are also important.. Gtie are not Dallas err
Houston who took up to ~ years to complete a plan. If our update
is approached logically and we l~eep to lt, completion should be
within reach by December 1959.
2. ~~'a3iing Steve`s letter and his recommendations, the first item
should be citizen involvement through a survey. I~'e definitely
:,c.ed this. ~,e could use the rest of November and December to
rofina a survey ~.ppropriate to Schertz. It can be distributed
the first cart of January with a request return date the lst of
February. The survey should be refined and presented to P & Z
by a panel of 2 appointed from P & Z. in'hcn it is completed,
P F< Z will consider it at a regular meeting and additionally
refine as required. On distribution - this can be .candled a
couple of ways. Far instance, in those areas that have
I~or,~coLlner s ` Assoczatians, this would be the app,•opriate method in
that they can urge completion anal put an more pressure for s:~me
tl~ian L>>e could. ThasL areas net havii~c; FIomeawr~ers` Associatiac~s,
which are almost exclusively Schertz proper, can be handled by
distrib;xtion i.o eac;1 house by the bay s :outs . As the surveys are
being distributed, it will be the responsibility of P & Z members
tc ,visit k;usinesses and/err civic organizations seeking their
input on th^ needs fo;: the City and explain the Citty Flan to them
anc~ t~hy tl~iis Method is being used to update it. Tho .survey
should have a cover letter with explaratio'n and importance to be
sirncd by the City Manager. Survey for cool, sul~divisian area
would be returned to Homeowners` Association appointed contact
who would then turn aver all his! her completed surveys to the
Assistant City Manager's office. Other surveys would be turned
inter City Hall. Through the above method,: we stand tc get a
greater return of surveys.:
3. Once the surveys are returned to City Hall in Lebruary, what
happens next? The survey results are computerized eliminating
redundancy.. At -this point: we go-into the-next-.phase- which is _
_ -Civic -Leaders. By this time City Council will .have appointed ~a
- panel-of-at least 7 civic leaders (one being appoin~ed chairman).
A list cf pcssible candidates tnot less than 10 names) L1~culd have
been turned over tc City Council in order for them to select at
least 7 they. feel would do the ~u~est job. A :r,t_~mb~:r of F & Z
should turn over the survey results to the pan:_'1, ~:rie~fing them
thoroughly on what their duties are. Tl,cy c1~il~. als:: receive a
copy t 1 each) of the .;City Plan Laitl: the update we llavr done so
far. :This panel Laill c:orasider only G1'h,~re we Lvdnt to yo. Gtil:c=ire.
we are has already been done by P & 2; How to gent ti::~ro will be
done by Department IIeads, P & Z, Staff and City C~:u~~cil. This
iJanei W111 lave 3 m.^.1^it1:S tO cUmplete tilc'_lr taSlr - March, r1I ,
May. It Laculd be good to h~_~ve a F & Z member sit in as ar.
advisor to this panel.
4. In May when the panel has completed it`s L1~crk, ~h:>y will turn
in the results tc the Assistant City Ma.r:ager. After the panel
has returned it's work to the Assistant. City Manager and. tc
P & Z, a town meeting for further citizen input will be held,
sponsored by P & Z in conjunction with the panel. .Following this
meting, the results will gc tc Depart mcr.t Heads -and Staff L1Thc
:will make comments on what Y~.as been done sc far. This will talte
alI cf June. In July, the Leadersl.~i_p panel results and
Department Heads and Staff commen7ts Laill be presented to P & Z.
After ~onsldr-ration biT P & Z, ~f mcYe INoY']1 c,eed.s tli be
accomplished, it should be dcrie by F ~ Z in ccnsultatior. with
Staff. 6tihe., agreement is reached on ap'prcpriatcnnss, Lae gc to
tl.~ next phase.
Return all results to D~L..srtment Heads for refinement and the
When? of the equation, and if they have any id`as on Ilow? they
shculd be included. Th=s will take us to tho anu. cf E'~ugust.
Tl`i f1rSt of Septe:nbeY", Department Leads turn eve ry tl.,_r.g Cv1-r _
to the Assistant City Manager. At. this pent, und'_r the gu?dance
of Steve, Staff Laill complete the table of 6~'hat, G~Ther. and Hcca
W1.i:.rieVer possible. At this point, all MAPS, tables, etc. shculd
have been completed by Staff. Ircidently, cur pI«.z shculd
include only one map, all ethers should be maintained and
retained in City files.
7. This task by the Staff should be ccmpleted'by November 1.
NoL17 is tl~e time tl~e City Manager reviews the new plan and makes
\in writing his comments. He ras until Decemb~nr 1.
January 1, the ;,ew plan is turned over to P & 7, fcr their
review. If refinement is necessary.(it shouldn`t be) then P ~ Z
has cne month to do that. If the Plan is in order, it goes ASAP
to the City Council -who should be .briefed on the entire prccess
and the Plan._
9. The Plan should be ready to go `tc Public Hearing- the end of
February 1990.