08-23-1988 PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commissiion convened in a regular
session on Tuesday, August 23, 1988 at 7:00 P.M. in the Municipal
Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway. These present
were as follows:
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OTHERS PRESENT
BOB ANDREWS, CHAIRMAN MAYOR EARL SAWYER
TY BRISGILL, VICE-CHAIRMAN ELIZABETH S. DOSS
MERWIN WILLMAI~' DAVID DIXON
MARY MARSH BETTY DIXON
JOE POTEMPA DON DECKER
KEN GREENWALD, COUNCILMAN MARK VAUGHAN
ODO J. RIEDEL
MEMBERS ABSENT HENRY BAIN
PAMELA BAIN
KEITH VAN DINE, SECRETARY
GEORGE VICK
CITY STAFF
STEVE SIMONSON, CITY MANAGER
NORMA ALTHOUSE, RECORDING SECY.
#1 CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Andrews called the meeting tc order at 7:00 P.M.
n2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A. Regular Session August 9, 1988
Mary Marsh requested that, for clarification, on Page 5,
Paragraph 3, the sentence be changed to read "Chairman Andrews
asked Chuck Sharpe if he is working with the Deerhavc:>n
Hcmecwners' Association and NIr. Sharpe replied Deerhaven does net
have a I'.omecwners` Asscciation".
Chairman Andrews requested that on Page 7, Paragraph 2, the words
"at:d tc have available some kind of documertaticn to us~~ iYl
d~termi.ning the wishes of the majority of the residents of t}Le
- Deerhaven Subdivision" be striker frcrn the minutes.
?erwin Willman made a motion to approve the minutes, as amended,
fer the regular session August 9, 1988. Joe Potempa seconded the
motion and the vote-was-unanimous i17 favor. Motion carried. -
B. Special Session August 16, 1988
Mary Marsh made a motion to approve the minutes for the Special
Session August 16, 1988. Merwin Willman seconded the motion and +
the vote was unanimous in favor. Motion carried.
#3 CITIZElr?S i I1~?PmT .OTHER THA1\ AGENDA ITEMS
David and Betty Dixon, Managers of the Windy Meadow Mobile Home
Park, asked to speak at this time. Mr. Dixon said he had been
informed by the City Inspector that they were not in compliance
with the Mobile Home Ordinance which states that no mobile home
shall be closer than 10' to any property line. Mr. Dixon said on
side yard setbacks they have been using 5' and, therefore, they
need to request an exception to the ordinance. Among Mr. Dixon's
concerns were previously installed risers and decks and the
distances between mobile homes.
Steve Simonson informed the Commission that what Gn~indy Meadow has
been doing, as far as using the 5' setback, was on the Master
Layout when it was submitted to them and approved. Mr. Simonson
went on to say there is nothing in the minutes where this 5`
setback is mentioned.
After a brief discussion on the required setbacks according to
the ordinance and those that actually exist at the present time
in Windy Meadow, Chairman Andrews commented to Mr. Dixon that
when the Mobile Home Ordinance was s,.ritten, the Commission did
not feel they should dictate the size of the lots, only st~ecify
the setbacks, and, therefore, leave the size ;:f the lots up to
the developer.
Merwin: Gv'illman suggested this item be placed cn the agenda of the
ne<~t regularly scheduled meeting, Mr. Willman also suggested
the subject of storage buildings in Mobile H~~me Parks be placed
cn that same agcr:da. Chairman Andrews concurred.
Merwin Willman commented he thought the Planning and Zoning
C~~mmission, as a grcu.p, should visit Windy Meadoc~~ Mobile Homo
Park.
Mrs. Dixon asked what they should do between nova and the next
meeting about three families scheduled to move iri - it casts
approximately $750 to move the mobile home three f_cet< Chairman
Andrews told Mrs. Dixon they should comply with the ordinance.
Mary Marsh asked if it is necessary the families move in. Mrs.
Dixon replied they are coming in from out c:f town. and she decsn`t
feel it's right to tell them naw they can't move in until this
_ matter is resolved. _ :1rs.----Dixon sad_they would probably choose - -
_ - tc g~~ somei.-lace else _ - _ - -
Chairman Andrews remarked a decision cannot be made until the
item is c;n our agenda.
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Steve Simonson asked if there were any objections to letting-them
go ahead and move in since moving the mobile homes over won't
solve anything right now anyway. It was agreed that decision
would be left up to the Inspector and the City Manager.
There was no other citizen input.
#4 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECO~?~MENDATION: Vaughan Homes - Request
- for Rear Yard Setback••Variance (from 20' to
- 10') at 1504 Oak Tree Circle, Lot 19, Block 1,
- Greenshire Oaks Subdivision
Mark Vaughan was at the meeting to represent this request.
Chairman Andrews informed Mark Vaughan all requests for
exceptions to the Zoning Ordinance have to be forwarded to City
Council - they are the only ones who can make a decision on an
exception.
Mary Marsh made a motion to forward the request from Vaughan
FIomes for a rear yard setback exception tc the Zoning Ordinance
(from 20' to 10`) at 1504 Oak Tree Circle, Lct 19, Block 1,
Greenshire Oaks Subdivision tc City Council with a recammendation
far approval.
~oe Potempa seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in
favor. Motion carz-icd.
After the vote, Chairman Andrews asked that, included in the
mctior., be the fact that it has been three weeks since this
request was first brought tc the Commission, the forms for the
mouse have been laid cut, with the iZOmecwner now ak%aiting the
City's u'ecision, and Commission strongly recommends this matter
be handled as expeditiously as possible.
Mark Vaughan asked if the Council will be able to vote at their
workshop on August ~Ist and Chairman Andrews replied triey cannot
vote, but they may be able to give him score Bind of consensus as
to ho~~c they feel about the request
~5 CONSIfJE~? AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Proposed Change of Schertz
rsodular Park from a ~1t;:;i lc Home Park tc a M::bile
Home Subdivision
no:.7 L?cck.o.?" and I~enry Bairx were both Ut tile. meetin~~ to reP~,-esent
thI rCgL:eSt.
Chairman Andrews asi~ed if the m was any Staff input. Steve
Simonson said ye_s and r,^ferred t„ nc+~es, dated At;gu.st 23, 19°3,
- he had written .about the Sc~;ertzv~~ioduiar Park _ and passed out to _ _
_ the Ccmmissi-on. (Copy attatihed? - _ -
Mary Marsh tlzanlied Oon Decker for the very good i nformation he
_had -c:,mpiled__-and submitted, stating eLaotly what exc~ptiors ~~o~ld
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i - - - -
be needed for the conversion of Schertz Modular Park from a
Mobile Home Park to a Mobile Hame Subdivision. Those items that
would need exceptions are streets, lot size, front yard, side
yard and rear yard minimums, sidewalks, water mains, sewer mains,
lift stations and R.V. spaces in a Mobile Home Subdivision.
.Mary Marsh commented the Commission needs an order on the
priority of requests and she suggested starting with the roads.
Chairman Andrews, referring to the possible conversion from a
Mobile Home Park to a Mobile Home Subdivision, questioned whether
or not this would need to be recommended to City Council for a
public hearing.
Steve Simonson pointed out the exception had already been granted
on, the streets, and it appears they can meet the setback
standards for the Subdivision Ordinance. Mr. Simonson said the
question that comes to his mind, along with major road questions,
water questions and sewer questions, is if we're missing any
other setbacks.
Ken Greenwald asked if the speed limits would be enforced on
private streets and Steve Simonson replied, that because of the
way the streets are built, the City does not wish to tackle that
problem for reasons of liability.
Steve Simonson remarked that the City would like to take control
of the water and sewer, but there is a major problem with the
roads.
Merwin Willman commented they may nave a problem dividing up the
lots for mobile homes. Mr. Willman further stated the
development of the land should conform to the ordinance and not
the ordinance conform tc the development of the land.
Mary Marsh then asked if the reason for considering all the
exceptions isn`t tc utilize what's already laid out. _
Merwin Willman still emphasized that they should conform to the
ordinance.
Steve Simonson said the site requirements call for minim~,~Tm
setbacks, tl~ey aro asking only for a 5T side yard setbacl~
exception and they meet all the others.
Chairman Andrews r:~minded Mr. Simonson they are also requesting
an exception to the front yard setback.
Don Decker commented, as the plat is laid cut nova, they cannot
_ -put a mobile home or. any .lot and conform tc tl.e ordinance.
- Steve Simonson showed the Commission thc~ layout cf i~enry Bain and
Don Decker's proposal in which the lots a.re parallel to the
st~~eets . _ - _ - -
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Ty Brisgill asked if the mobile homes would be 20' apart end tc
end. Mary Marsh said they are asking for 10` end to end between
mobile homes.
Chairman Andrews noted that when a trend in the size of mobile
homes changes, the developer has to change the size of his lots
tc accommodate that trend and still comply with the ordinance.
Merwin ~~Villman pointed out that when the ordinance was written,
minimum setbacks were established, they didn`t try to dictate the
size cf the lots.
Mary Marsh asked if Don Decker redesigned to make wider lots,
what would he need to be in conformance.
Chairman Andrews said the Commission will look at his plans and
do their best to recommend exceptions tc Council on what he has
no control over, but those things he has control over need to be
made to canform tc the ordinance or he needs to prove why the
ordinance should be changed.
Merwin Willman said the Commission needs to lock at ingress and
egress.
Steve Simonson asl~ed Dc r. Decker if they develop Schertz Modular
Park will they have control of tl.e road to the front.
Dan Dicker responded by saying there is a possibility, that as
part of the deal, they would acquire Pecan Grave Mobile Hcme Park
from Odo Riedel and, therefore, they would have control cf the
read to the front.
Merwin Willman then asked if the requirements for a flood warning
system would be met. Dan Decker replied, that tc his
understanding, those requirements apply only to the R.V. lots.
Mr. Willman said they apply to more than. the R.V. lets. There
was a brief discussion. on the exact location cf the R.V. lets.
Mayer Sawyer arrived at the sleeting at approximately 5:00 P.M.
After more discussion cn setbacks, Mary Marsh asked Don Decker if
:~e could lice with the 10' sides yard setback. Mr. D,^cker replied
he could.
Chairman Andrews ~cmmented they still read to ];now more about the
lI:yreSS and eg;`eSS.
Steve Simonson said there is a decumer~t tc show that Leon Parker
Cbtalned a ~Q ` R.O.lr4T. Mr. SlIltCnSCn Said Sln^.I' 11G 11a'? boon igltll
- the City h~ didn't know cf any subdivision that had becn_bui1~-
~•ahere people didn't Dave a ~7ay_ tc gat- cut in case :.f emergency.
_ - Mr. Simonson. further- stat-a~ t.]at if th%_C~_ty could-~,et cer~trol _of
the Faater grid sewer, there may be something that could be worked
out regarding the read at the back.
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Don Decker remarked they plan on obtaining a 50' R.O.W. for an
unimproved road - they thought that's what Steve Simonson had
asked for.
Chairman Andrews asked if this would be the only place in the
City with private streets and Merwin Willman replied no, Windy
Meadow has private streets.
Don Decker asked if they obtain a 50' R.O.W. from FM 151 to
Trainer Hale Road, would the City accept it. Steve Simonson said
it would have to go before City Council for their approval.
Mary Marsh suggested negotiations start on the 50' R.O.W.
At the request of Chairman Andrews, this item was tabled until
the next regularly scheduled meeting to allow Don Decker time to
check into and provide more information on ingress and egress.
#6 GENERAL DISCUSSION
Mary Marsh brought up the following:
tl) Remarked cn some of the ugly buildings along FM 78 and asked
if anyone had ever gene ahead and. looked into having artwork put
on the sides of the building to ma3se them mare attractive. Mrs.
Marsh said she thought this had been discussed by City Council at
one time.
Mayor Sawyer said he would check into it, he thought they co~.zld
get some college students to help. Mayor Sawyer also said he
thought this would be a good thing to bring up at the new City
Manager's first wcr]{shcp.
t21 Asked the status of the City brochure. Steve Simonson
replied they nave the makings for one when he gets some time t•~
put it together.
(3) Aslced if, when the new City Manager starts and things get
back to ncrr:al for Steve Simonson, Gtiill it bz passible to have
the first draft of the new City Plan by the end of Docemb~r.
Mrs . Marsh said., if she remembers ~:;r_ rcctly, most of the
remainder of the r_hanges have tc be done by tl~e Staff.
Joe Poto;:ipa said he had boen apL~roached by several citizens
express? nis CJnCern O:'2r tii? spe?ed~ng ~f tralIiS thrcugl: the C1ty.
I~~ir . Potempa asked if there i s arty law a.bcut the speed a train
ca:. go through a City.
Steve Simcr~son remarked they are the same speed limits as the.
Mayor Sawyer in-Permed tl~e = Commiss;_c : that r-~.prgsentatives from
the railroad had cc:no and spoken to the Cit~T Ccunci.l in the past
_ and they had said they pretty much_ p;~lice th~::~selves. Mayor_
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Sawyer said Schertz had discussed joining with other surrounding
cities and threatening the railroad with ordinances.
Joe Pctempa noted that he is very much concerned with safety.
Mayor Sawyer commented the City could have representatives from
the railroad came again and explain their saf ety rules.
Merwin Willman said he understood the City sent a letter to the
state regarding the school zone near the Post Office asking them
to move it from there to the intersection of FM 1518 and the low-
water grossing. Steve Simonson informed Mr. Willman he had sent
the state a letter, but the school also needs to submit a letter.
Mr. Simonson went cn to say ho had asked the school to send him a
letter and he would write one up tc combine with it to be signed
by City Council and forward it on to the state, but he had not
heard anything back from the schoal.
Merwin Gdiliman asked the correct name of the law-water Grassing
off Main Street going toward Universal City and Chairman Andrews
informed him it is Aviation Boulevard.
Merwin Willmar. also mentioned he thought they should start using
the word "exception" instead of "variance" on the agenda.
Steve Simonson said he hadn't heard any comments from the
Ccmrlission or the street striping. Mary Marsh remarked it is a
great job.
Mayor Sawyer commented the new City Manager was very impressed
with tl~e street maintenanGC.
Ken Greenwald said, for tl.cse of you who may not alread~T know,
the new City Manager, Ferry Sweatt, will be here cn September
6th.
Ty Brisgill asked if the Parks Department has a routine _
i~aintenanGe or. barbeque grills in the park. Mr. Brisgill said he
had rented are area of the park and the barbeque grill was rusted
and he couldn`t use it. Steve Simcr.son said he would Gheck into
it .
Ty Brisgill also asked when the Commission warts tc tour ti~v'indy
Meadow Mobile :Ior..e Park. It was agraG.d t:; schedule the tour for
~•~~ednesday, August ~1, 1983 with everyone meeting at Mary's Little
i~aTCibS, ~ 217 ~a~S ;7 %,reE't, at x:15 P.M.
Merwin ~,~illman suggested posting the ncticc of th.^ tour on the
bulletin board as an agenda item.
- _ A ~_oun~_ Baas take:. cf those planning on u.ttend-ing the APA _
- Conf:~r.cnGe.- Chai~~~<~:: Andrew-~,.sJ<_ed that- r.^gistration forms )?e _
sent in f:;r six people.
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Steve Simonson, referring back to Windy Meadow Mobile Home Park
and Schertz Modular Park, told the Commission Schertz now has two
mobile home parks in the City and they are in the learning
process about mobile home parks. Mr. Simonson said he feels the
Commission needs to go slowly through this process considering
that the setback was on the Master Layout for Windy Meadow
when it was approved by the Commission.
Chairman Andrews made a parallel with that situation and the
situation of minimum standards for day care centers. Mr. Andrews
pointed out that if he ask for an exception from the state of
Texas on day care requirements, the state would refuse telling
him h~ knew the rules when he started.
A question came up on the status of the dirt under the railroad
bridge on FM 78 and Chairman Andrews said he had talked with a
Mr. Casper approximately three weeks ago who guaranteed him they
would be cut in 2-3 weeks tc clean it up.
Mayor Sawyer informed the Commission he is positive Carmeline
Squires, Mayor of Universal City, will worts with Schertz in
getting the read under the railroad bridge open.
m ~ AT.)JOURNMEPnT
Chairman Andrews adjourned the meeting at 8:42 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is September 13, 1988.
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