P Z 7-25-18 MinutesJuly 25, 2018
The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened on July 25, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Municipal
Complex, Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway Building 44, Schertz, Texas.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Michael Dahle, Chairman
Ernie Evans, Vice Chairman
Richard Braud
Glen Outlaw
Ken Greenwald
LaDonna Bacon
Gordon Rae
CITY STAFF
Brian James, Acting City Manger
Dudley Wait, Executive Director
Tiffany Danhof, Executive Assistant
Bryce Cox, Senior Planner
Emily Grobe, Planner
Thomas Pinder, Fire Marshal
Kade Long, Fire Chief
John Perry, Battalion Chief
Kyle Me Affee, Assistant Fire Chief
There were no residents who spoke.
A. Minutes for the January 10, 2018 and July 11, 2018 regular meetings.
Mr. Outlaw requested that the July 11, 2018 minutes be pulled from the consent agenda.
Mr. Greenwald motioned to approve the minutes from January 10, 2018. Mr. Brand seconded
the motion. The vote was 7-0, motion carried.
Mr. Outlaw identified an error in the July 11, 2018 minutes where the minutes needed to reflect
the removal of the final plat for Discount Tire from the Consent Agenda and that separate action
was taken on that item.
Mr. Outlaw motioned to approve the minutes from July 11, 2018 with revised wording. Mr.
Brand seconded the motion. The vote was 7-0, motion carried.
Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
July 25, 2018
Page 1 of 4
Hold a public hearing, consider and make a recommendation on an amendment of Part 111,
Schertz Codes of Ordinances, Unified Development Code (UDC), to Article 8 Special Uses
and General Regulations, Subsection 21.8.2 Accessory Buildings, Uses and Structures
Fire Chief Kade Long, Battalion Chief John Perry, and Fire Marshal Thomas Pinder gave a
presentation on the fire hazards, reasoning for the separation distance for accessory buildings
and structures and indicated that the Fire Department would prefer that no change be made to
the current UDC regulations. The Fire Department also gave an explanation of the different
international code books, fire incident data, photographs, and an explanation regarding the
Board of Adjustment meeting that was held on June 25, 2018 on the requests for variance to
UDC Article 8 Section 21.8.2 C & D Accessory Building Uses and Structures, in order to permit
a structure to be set back less than three feet from common property lines and to Permit a
structure to be closer than ten feet from the main building at four different residents in the City
of Scheitz.
Mr. Dahle opened the public hearing at 6:24 P.M.
There were no residents who spoke.
Mr. Dahle closed the public hearing at 6:25 P.M.
Mr. Outlaw gave an explanation of open frame construction, presented some additional
photographs for required construction for garages, and examples of how fire spread is minimized
with the proper construction.
Mr. Evans indicated that he had concerns with changing the setbacks and the distances and
would rather keep Article 8 with no amendments or change.
Mr. Greenwald commented that the pictures where informative and explained how homes are
built with stricter regulations now than those that were built many years back. He advised that
City Staff should better inform the residents of Scheitz on the restrictions.
Mr. Outlaw indicated that he had concerns with the residents being expected to know the
regulations and that the accessary building permit should be put back in place for all accessary
buildings, not just accessary buildings that exceed 120 square feet. He indicated that without
informing the resident and enforcement there is no way to regulate. Mr. Outlaw asked if Staff
considered any other options than what was presented.
Ms. Grobe indicated besides the options that Chief had mentioned, the Planning Division looked
at the aesthetics of the lot with the neighboring property and the drainage. She indicated that
planning staff from an aesthetics view is comfortable with eliminating the ten foot (10')
separation but that the three feet (3') from the property line needed to be kept to accommodate
for drainage, and that deference should be shown to the Fire Department for life safety. Ms.
Grobe noted that Planning Staff needed the professional opinion from the Fire Department in
order understand what is required for the Fire Rescue Staff to be safe at a fire scene.
Mr. Outlaw asked if Staff received information from the Building Official.
Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
July 25, 2018
Page 2 of 4
Mr Cox indicated yes, that there ioa number of items that the building code does not address
including sheds and sheds separation for anything under approximately 200 square feet. Mr.
Cox explained that most ofthe residential sheds are in the 80 to 120 square foot range. Mr. Cox
noted these obcdo are exempt from City ofScbnrtz permitting requirements but are not oxnzoyt
from the regulations.
Mr. (}uduvv explained and read the international code dcfiuitiouzfor accessory mtnxotucco and
what the residential code describes. Mr. Outlaw noted that the permit requirements for all
accessory structures needed io be put back in place to enforce the required regulations. DKr.
0uUuvv had cunouzua if Code Eufbrouozozd could enforce the rcgulodnuo yidboUd the permit
Mr. Rae asked that Commissioners and City Staff keep in mind future developers regarding the
size uFthe lots and house that are being built tu ensure that adequate room for accessory
buildings is provided inorder to bm able to bo built ato future time by the residents.
Mr. Dah1c commented that he was opposed to the language that was included in the packet, for
all of the oouomzumndcd amendments to Article 8 Section 21.8.2 C & I} Accessory Building
[Iocs and Sbu:incca. He indicated that in his view b appeared that the Cozuo)iuoiuucra were in
uQreeiuzce and asked what options the Commission had from there.
Mb. Cox gave a couple options for the Commission to decide on. He explained that the
Commissioners could provide a recommendation based on exactly what was presented, amend
the recommendation, or allow for staff to evaluate a certain portion. He noted that it's uytothe
Commissioners Loagree on what io forward tVCity Council. Mr. Cox commented that this was
an item that was requested by the City Council and staff prepared in accordance with what staff
perceived as appropriate fi-om the most recent conversation with City Council.
Mr. James recommended that the Commissioners and City Staff have more conversation as to
what elements that are important to the Commissioners and what would he acceptable tnforward
tn City Council.
The Commissioners and Staff discussed the following main points: the area adjacent to the home
needed to be preserved for emergency service noneoo, there needed to boa separation distance
from the main building, there needed to be a oepu(uLuu distance from the property line, if the
accessory building or structure was proposed in the rear yard it could be adjacent to the home
but needed tohofiiorated appropriately. City staff was to review the code language and the key
factors discussed by staff and the Commission and determine what was most appropriate.
Commissioners agreed that staff was 1n review and bring forward revised UDC language to the
next Planning and Zoning meeting.
Mr. Greenwald motioned to table ZC208-UO4 for staff to review and bring forward revised
lJI)C language. Mr. Rae seconded the motion. The vote was 7~O, motion carried.
A. Requests by Commissioners to place items on a future Planning and Zoning Agenda.
Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
July 25`20l8
Page 3 of 4
No Commissioners spoke.
B. Announcements by Commissioners.
City and community events attended and to be attended
Continuing education events attended and to be attended
Mr. Outlaw announced that he attended the last City Council meeting and that Council voted on
an ordinance amending Part 111, Schertz Code of Ordinances, Unified Development Code (UDC)
Articles 9 and 16 to amend certain site design standards for public water and wastewater
facilities, and the vote was approved with one nay vote.
C. Announcements by City Staff.
• City and community events attended and to be attended.
• Monthly Financial Report (June) with administratively approved plats
• NEW SITE PLAN APPLICATIONS: There were no new site plan applications
submitted to the Planning and Community Development Department between July
6, 2018 and July 20, 2018.
Staff had no announcements.
The meeting adjourne at 7:35 P.M.
Chairman; '-,Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
July 25, 2018
Page 4 of 4
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