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PZ 09-11-2013September 11, 2013 The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened on September 11, 2013 at the Municipal Complex, Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway Building #4, Schertz, Texas. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION David Richmond, Chairman Ernie Evans, Vice - Chairman Ken Greenwald Bert Crawford, Jr. Richard Brand Michael Dahle Christian Glombik William Rumfelt, Alternate Yolanda Suarez, Alternate COMMISSIONERS ABSENT 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL CITY STAFF Brian James, Executive Director Development Michelle Sanchez, Director Development Services Lesa Wood, Senior Planner Bryce Cox, Planned Patti White, Executive Asst. Development OTHERS PRESENT Mr. Richmond called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. 2. SEAT ALTERNATE TO ACT IF REQUIRED No alternates were seated. UINNFX :.:► I 1 ► _ No one spoke. 4. CONSENT AGENDA A. Minutes for July 10, 2013 Regular Meeting B. PC2013 -021 Consider and act upon a request for approval of a final plat of the Willow Grove Subdivision, Unit 2 consisting of 22.73+ acres, located approximately 900 feet west of the intersection of Schaefer Road and FM 1518. Mr. Crawford moved to approve the consent agenda as listed. Mr. Dahle seconded the motion. Vote was 7 -0. Motion carried. 5. PUBLIC HEARING: A. Hold a public hearing, consider, and make a recommendation to the City Council to amend the Unified Development Code (UDC) Section 21.4.9 Designation of Historic Landmarks, Creation of Historic Districts, and Certificates of Appropriateness Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission September 11, 2013 Page 1 of 5 Mr. James presented this item by stating that the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) has been working on potential changes to the UDC. Staff took the proposed changes to a workshop session at City Council in June. City Council seemed favorable to one of the proposed changes, involving the Landmark Designation program. The proposed amendment involves changes to Section 21.4.9, Designation of Historic Landmarks, Creation of Historic Districts and Certificates of Appropriateness. The City Council has been designating Historic Landmarks based on the recommendation of the SHPC for some time. This is an honorary designation. The program was intended to recognize structures important to the community's past, but was not intended to trigger any additional regulations. Chapter 442 of the Government Code /Section 315.006 of the Texas Local Government Code (see attached) does impose additional regulations on structures and properties designated as historic by a local government. This was not the intent of the City of Schertz designation. As such, it is recommended that the UDC be amended to alter the title of the designation to landmark property with the stipulation that the property is not to be considered a "historic structure or property" per section 315 of the Texas Local Government Code. Staff supports this amendment to the UDC. The draft proposed amendment is attached as section 21.4.9. The other adjustments to Section 21.4.9 are intended to more accurately reflect the designations of the SHPC. Staff recommends approval of the amendments to the UDC to include the recommended proposed changes. Staff has provided the Commission with a draft of the ordinance adopting the amended Section 21.4.9, Designation of Landmark Properties and Heritage Neighborhoods, to be more consistent. A Heritage Neighborhood is a cluster of properties. The draft is modified to remove Section 21.4.9.4 and the first line in item 21.4.9.5. The Planning and Zoning Commission is making a recommendation to City Council on the proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code. In considering action on an amendment, the Commission should consider the criteria within UDC, Section 21.4.7 D. Mr. Richmond opened the Public Hearing at 6:10 P.M. There being no one to speak, Mr. Richmond closed the Public Hearing at 6:11 P.M. Mr. Dahle stated that he would like to see the language added that property owners be notified. Mr. James answered that this language can be added with notice sent to property owners. Mr. Rumfelt asked what would happen if the property was designated as historical, approved by City Council, the owner sells the property, and a new owner changes the exterior. Mr. James stated that Staff has not dealt with that issue, but he would probably re- address with the Commission if that happened. Discussion followed between Staff and the Commission. Mr. Greenwald moved to recommend approval of this item to the City Council as presented. Mr. Crawford seconded the motion. Vote was 7 -0. Motion carried. Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission September 11, 2013 Page 2 of 5 6. WORKSHOP/DISCUSSION • Discussion and Public Hearing on Article 11 —Signs and Advertising Devices. Ms. Sanchez introduced Bryce Cox, new Planner I, who joined Staff about 2 % weeks ago Ms. Sanchez presented this item by stating that Staff had a roundtable meeting with the Schertz Chamber on August 22, 2013 regarding Article 11. There were additional comments from the business community and Staff is proposing some changes based on that input. The Commission met on August 14, 2013 to consider an amendment to the maximum area of wall signs. Staff recommendation was to provide an increase in the size of a wall sign allowed for industrial sized businesses. City Council approved this amendment on August 27, 2013 for businesses located in an M -1 or M -2 District or a PDD with a base zoning of M -1 or M -2 zoning. Additionally, the primary building wall fagade must be a minimum of 300 linear feet to allow the primary wall sign at 15% of the primary fagade elevation or 250 square feet, whichever is less. At the Planning and Zoning meeting on June 26, 2013, Staff proposed omitting reference to Limited and Unlimited Access Streets and to identify those streets specifically, omitting the maximum area of a wall sign based on location and providing a maximum size for all businesses, and proposed 10% of wall fagade not to exceed 250 square feet, which is different from the proposed change for industry size buildings in manufacturing districts. Ms. Sanchez discussed items from a Powerpoint presentation as follows: • Free Standing Ground Signs — Taller signs on FM 3009 North. Previous discussion by the Commission was for Staff to examine the height of the overpass on FM 3009 North with regard to the request to consider taller free- standing signs for businesses located below the overpass, noting visibility of sign; height vs. legibility and the character of area; industrial vs. retail. • Monument Signs - Previous discussion by the Commission was for Staff to offer a recommendation to allow for taller monument signs on FM 3009 South, all other FM Roads and Schertz Parkway. The current restriction is 5'6" and Staff proposes 6' maximum overall height measured at grade. Current sign area is limited to 50 square feet per side and Staff proposes 60 square feet. The scale of development on FM 3009 South may lend to the need for larger signs. Multi- tenant signs designed as monument signs will continue to comply with multi- tenant standards. • Menu Boards - Change size restriction from 32 square feet to 48 square feet and provide that a restaurant that is a "drive in" may have one double -sided menu board per parking stall. A menu board is prohibited from facing a public street. • New Business Temporary Signs - Area requirements will comply with the provisions of the Temporary Sign Section of the UDC. • Real Estate Open House Signs - Staff is proposing to allow Real Estate Open House Signs similar to those allowed for Garage Sales. They are considered Temporary Signs, relate to a single dwelling unit offered for resale, and must include the realtor name and property address. These signs are not allowed in a right -of -way or on City property, but only private property with permission by owner; they are not to exceed 4 square feet, and no banners, streamers or balloons may be attached. These signs are allowed only on Saturdays or Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission September 11, 2013 Page 3 of 5 Sundays from 10 am — 6:00 pm. Two (2) off premise signs and one (1) sign to be located on Open House property, with a limit to two Open House events per calendar year per address. The Permit fee required per sign will include issuance of a sticker for each sign permitted. Mr. Richmond opened the Public Hearing at 6:58 P.M. There being no one to speak, Mr. Richmond closed the Public Hearing at 6:59 P.M. Mr. Richmond stated that the concern from the business community is that the City over regulates temporary signs. Ile favors the suggestion in the June handout to limit use of temporary signs to 30 days per year and up to 4 permits per year. Ms. Sanchez concurred that this was still recommended. Mr. Greenwald stated that bandit signs looked worse than Austin Highway about forty years ago. Ms. Sanchez stated that this has been part of the problem, and that code enforcement used to work on the weekends; however, budget restrictions about 2 years ago brought about no code enforcement work on the weekends. Mr. Richmond requested that Staff offer a recommendation on the streets that should be limited to monument signs vs. free standing signs and Staff responded that they would use the Master Thoroughfare Plan as a resource for making that determination. Discussion followed between Staff and the Commission. Ms. Sanchez stated that she hopes to bring back a red -lined Article 11 to the Commission at the first meeting in October for a recommendation. 7. REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Requests by Commissioners to place items on a future Planning and Zoning Agenda. • Mr. Dahle asked about beginning a conversation on septic tanks, and wanted to check if we are still on track to discuss in October. • Ms. Suarez stated that Schertzfest is coming and organizers are looking for 60 judges. B. Requests by Commissioners to Staff for information. • Mr. Evans asked about the new metal building on FM 1518 South near the Landing, across from Schertz Forest. A crane is putting up the building today. C. Announcements by Commissioners. • None D. Announcements by City Staff. Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission September It, 2013 Page 4 of 5 • Ms. Sanchez stated that Schertzfest is September 20th to 21st • Ms. Sanchez stated that everyone should have their packets on the APA conference and will confirm car pool plans. • Ms. Sanchez stated that the final readings at City Council took place last night on the PDD for Rhine Valley approved by 4 -1 vote and the PDD on the Parkland approved by 3 -2 vote. • Ms. Wood stated that there would be a workshop scheduled in the next few weeks with City Council regarding right -of -ways and side yard setbacks. • Ms. Sanchez stated that signs are now posted in the school zones for 20 mph from 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. with approval from City Council. S. ADJOURNMENT OF THE REGULAR MEETING The meeting adjourned at 7:53 P.M. QIAIVJ Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission Recording Secretary, City of Schertz Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission September 11, 2013 Page 5 of 5