03-24-1992PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened in a regular
session.on Tuesday, March 24, 1992 at 7:00 P.M. in the Municipal
Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway. Those present
were as follows:
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
BOB ANDREWS, CHAIRMAN
JIM SHRIVER, VICE - CHAIRMAN
MERWIN WILLMAN
GEORGE VICK
BOBBIE VONADA
KEN GREENWALD, COUNCILPERSON
MEMBERS ABSENT
KEITH VAN DINE, SECRETARY
#1 CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Andrews
#2 APPROVAL OF
Merwin Willman
regular session
aa�d the vote. was
#3 CITIZENS' I]
There was none.
OTHERS PRESENT
LONDA PHILLIPS
LEONARD ZYCH
CITY STAFF
STEVE SIMONSON
ASST. CITY MANAGER
NORMA ALTHOUSE,
RECORDING SECRETARY
JOHN BIERSCHWALE,
WATER /WASTEWATER SUPT.
MARK MARQUEZ,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COORDINATOR
called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES: Regular Session March 10, 1992
made a motion to approve the minutes for the
March 10, 1992. Jim Shriver seconded the motion
unanimous in favor. Motion carried.
gPUT OTHER THAN AGENDA ITEMS
#4 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Semi - Annual Capital
Recovery Review
John Bierschwale, Water /Wastewater Superintendent, was at the
meeting to discuss this item.
Chairman. Andrews asked Steve Simonson if he had any input. Mr.
Simonson informed the Commission this is the semi - annual update
which is required by law. Mr. Simonson also reminded the
Commission they have the information before them in a report
provided to them by John Bierschwale.
John Bierschwale reviewed, for the Commission, two projects - the
RAFB 12" water line extension and the Schirmerville water line
improvements. Mr. Bierschwale recommended leaving the capital
recovery fee at the figure it is currently which is $550.00.
There was discussion about CCMA raising its impact fee from $500
to $985 and Chairman Andrews asked when it is that becomes
effective and will they let the City know.
John Bierschwale informed the Commission he had written a letter
of rebuttal to CCMA and gave it to Mr. Sweatt, which along with
other comments from the staff, Mr. Sweatt is submitting to COMA.
asking for justification of the raise in fees. Mr. Bierschwale
told the Commission they asked a lot of questions because, it is
his understanding, that CCMA is not allowed to use operating
expenses as a reason for raising their capital recovery fees.
Chairman Andrews questioned if CCMA had to comply, the same as
the City did, with the state law regarding impact fees. John
Bierschwale replied yes, they did have to comply.
Chairman Andrews then inquired if the City can raise their fees
to compensate for CCMA's raise in fees. John Bierschwale ,
answered they could, if necessary, but stressed the City is
trying to compete with sister cities, so they don't want to raise
the fees.
Merwin Willman asked if CCMA has to get approval from the Texas
Water Commission to raise their fees and John Bierschwale replied
yes they do and they also have to hold a public hearing, but they
can legally hold their public hearing in Austin because they are
controlled by the State of Texas.
John Bierschwale announced they are now prepared to go ahead with
construction on Phase II which will continue where they left off
on the Randolph job which was at FM 1518 and Trainer Hale Road.
Phase II will take them to Lower Seguin Road. Mr. Bierschwale
said their goal is construction in five phases, eventually ending
up at the storage tank on Ware- Seguin Road.
Jim Shriver asked when Phase II is scheduled to start and John
Bierschwale replied if all goes well, May 1st.
Chairman Andrews asked the target price and John Bierschwale
replied $116,000.
John Bierschwale then filled the Commission in on several other
matters in progress. Water Well #5 is under discussion with City
Council and the Council has authorized the Water Department to do
a study on other types of water sources.
Chairman Andrews asked how stringent the Edwards District is on
backflow as far as mixing and John Bierschwale replied there are
no restrictions as long as you meet state regulations.
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After John Bierschwale answered a question from Bobbie Vonada
about why there's a difference on his report between manhours and
equipment hours, the Commission thanked him for coming.
Merwin Willman made a motion to recommend to City Council that
the Capital Recovery Fees stay as they are at the present time.
George Vick seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in
favor. Motion carried.
#5 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Selection of New Planning
and Zoning Commission Member
At this time Leonard Zych, applicant for the vacancy on the
Commission, related some facts about himself and gave reasons why
he wants to be a member of the Commission. The Commissioners
then had a few questions for Mr. Zych.
Steve Simonson introduced himself, Councilperson Ken Greenwald
and Recording Secretary Norma Althouse to Leonard Zych and
invited him to come in for a tour of the City.
Bobbie Vonada made a motion to recommend to City Council approval
of Leonard Zych to fill the vacancy on the Commission.,,, George
Vick seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor.
Motion carried.
#6 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Discussion of Tax
Increment Financing
Mark Marquez, Economic Development Coordinator, was at the
meeting to present a briefing on this item.
Mr. Marquez started off by informing the Commission that Tax
Increment Financing is based on the appraised value of the
property, is similar to tax abatement but different in what is
done with the money, and cannot be used for residential property.
Mr. Marquez drew a diagram for the Commission so they could see
how the money would grow over the years.
George Vick asked what happens to the money and Mark Marquez
replied it goes into an escrow account to be expended by the
board according to the Tax Increment Financing Plan.
Mark Marquez related a few more details about Tax Increment
Financing:
(a) It is used for a defined area;
(b) You can make projections about what the project will cost and
go out and bond it;
(c) If the school and the county don't wish to participate, the
City can do it on its own;
(d) It only covers ad valorem taxes within a specified zone;
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(e) It is restricted to 15% of an area specified GB, M -1, etc;
and,
(f) If you do Tax Increment Financing, you can't do tax
abatement.
Mr. Marquez emphasized that the most difficult part about it is
developing the plan. It is, however, less onerous than platting
fees.
Merwin Willman pointed out that we currently have an ordinance on
platting fees which make the fees for Schertz Parkway out of this
world and we need a different method of financing the widening of
Schertz Parkway.
Chairman Andrews commented, that in his opinion, you would not
place Tax Increment Financing on an area you think will develop
now. Mr. Andrews also suggested that before any recommendation
is made, the Commission absorb the information they have received
this evening and then have this item placed on the agenda of the
next meeting.
Mark Marquez requested that' when the Commission makes its
recommendation, they state exactly what it is they want to do .`
with the financing and in what area they wish to do it.
Merwin Willman felt they should stick to just Schertz Parkway.
Action on this item was tabled until the next meeting and the
Commission thanked Mark Marquez for his time.
17 GENERAL DISCUSSION
Bobbie Vonada•
(a) Remarked it had been brought to her attention by a citizen'
that there is a storage building at 1205 Cedarwood sitting in the
driveway. Steve Simonson said he would check into it.
Merwin Willman:
(a) Requested that consideration of zoning for the Beck Concrete
area be placed on the agenda of the next meeting.
Jim Shriver•
(a) Referred to the letter to the Commission from the City
Manager regarding amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for Jack
Hays Blvd. and Schertz Parkway and suggested discussion of it be
placed on the agenda of the next meeting.
Chairman Andrews:
(a) Noted that in the Planning Commissioners' Journal there is an
article that says you are not expected to be a professional
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planner to serve on a Planning and Zoning Commission. They say,
as a matter of fact, that you would be less effective as a
citizen if you were a professional planner. Mr. Andrews did
add, however, that you should pick up your package and do your
homework before coming to the meetings.
Steve Simonson:
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