02-22-2005
PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 22, 2005
eThe Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened on February 22,2005 at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal
Complex, Council Chambers, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
David Richmond, Chairman
Ernie Evans, Vice Chairman
Keith Van Dine, Secretary
Gary Wallace
William Sommers
Roberta Tutschke
Ken Greenwald, ex-officio
CITY STAFF
Leonard Truitt, Building Official
Jonette Ellis, Planning Technician
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Clovis Haddock
OTHERS PRESENT
Robert Brockman, 4505 Grand Forest
Rev. Stephen Prescod, Church of the Firstborn
Bill VandenBosch, Barshop & ales
Wade McGinnis, Barshop & Oles
Lewis Westennan, Barshop & Oles
1.
Call to Order/Roll Call
e
Chairman Richmond called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
2.
Citizen Input other than Agenda Items
There was no one present to speak.
3. Board of Adjustment Actions
There were no Board of Adjustment actions at this time.
4. Discuss and take appropriate action to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2005 and the
February 8, 2005 Planning and Zoning meetings.
Following review, Mr. Van Dine moved to approve the minutes of the January 25,2005 Planning and Zoning
meeting. Mr. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried. Vote unanimous.
Following review, Mr. Richmond asked that the minutes of the February 8, 2005 Planning and Zoning
meeting be deferred until staff can make the necessary corrections.
5.
SV2005-022
Discuss and take appropriate action for a variance to the Unified Development Code, Article IX
(Signs) for the Corridor Properties. The request is for the following:
a. Sign #2 - Off-premise monument sign
b. Sign #3 - Second sign on premise for off-premise users
e
Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 22,2005
Page I of5
.
Mr. Richmond voiced his concerns about the hodge-podge of signage in the area along IH 35 and asked what
the need is for two 65- foot signs. Mr. McGinnis asked if it was okay to discuss the next agenda item, and Mr.
Richmond stated that he would like to discuss the Hampton Inn sign and suggested placing all users on one
pole. Mr. McGinnis stated that Hampton Inn's franchise requires the operator have their own sign.
The Commission voiced concerns regarding any signage for the 3.61 acre tract and asked that the applicant
remove signage from the exhibit. Mr. Richmond stated that he would rather see sign age on that property
when the tract develops.
Mr. Evans suggested the applicant remove all off-premise signs and place a directory sign in the median at
Corridor Loop Road and FM 3009. He stated that the application contains too many variances and he finds
no justification for the request. Mr. Truitt stated that a directory sign at FM 3009 and Corridor Loop Road
might pose a visibility issue. Mr. Truitt also stated that the signage should be placed on the properties the
applicant controls. Mr. Evans asked the applicant to revisit the proposal to find other alternatives for the
signage. He stated that there has to be a better solution to minimize the number of signs.
Mr. Sommers stated that the Commission should not approve off-premise signage because it does not comply
with the sign ordinance. He also mentioned that he does not see the hardship other than a monetary issue and
stated that he would vote against any off-premise signage.
Mr. Richmond suggested another alternative for the applicant, the Texas Logo Program by TxDOT. These
are directory signs along the highway advertising food, lodging, gas and camping. He also provided the
applicant with literature on the program.
.
Discussion continued regarding acting on the application with one motion or acting on each sign separately.
Mr. Richmond asked the applicant ifhe' d like to request the item be tabled rather than having the request be
denied, and following a brief recess, Mr. Truitt stated that the applicant has requested this item be tabled for
further review.
There being no further comments, Mr. Sommers moved to table the request until the next available meeting.
Mr. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried. Vote unanimous.
6. SV2005-021
Discuss and take appropriate action for a variance to the Unified Development Code, Article IX
(Signs) for the Hampton Inn & Suites. The request is for the following:
a. Free Standing Sign: exceed maximum height and size
b. Wall Signs: exceed number and size allowable
Applicant: Corridor Hotel, Ltd.
Mr. Truitt reviewed staff comments and stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site
plan for this project on 7/13/04 without any signage. This application is for four signs: one free standing
sign and three wall signs with variances:
.
Wall Signs
ORDINANCE
Height: 50-feet maximum
Size: 250 s uare feet
1 sign at 10% of wall surface,
not to exceed 50 s uare feet
REQUEST.
65-feet
385 s uare feet
3 signs, each 139 square
feet
SIGN
Free Standing Sign
Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 22, 2005
Page 3 of5
motion. Motion carried. Vote unanimous.
e8.
ZC2005-016
Call a public hearing to amend Article IV - Permissible Uses of the Unified Development Code.
Applicant: City of Schertz
Mr. Truitt reviewed staff comments and stated that staff is requesting the Commission call for a public
hearing to amend Article IV (Permissible Uses). The ordinance is being modified to include the GB-2
District, APZ-l District and APZ-2 District. Definitions are also being established with each use. Staff
handed out the draft documents for the Commission and requested they provide comments to staffby March
3rd in order for staffto make modifications. Staff also asked the Commission to consider this item to be on
the March 8th meeting for further discussion.
Following review and discussion, Mr. VanDine moved to table the action on this item for further review and
discussion ofthe modifications. Mr. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried. Vote unanimous.
9. Items by Commissioners and City Staff
Mr. Van Dine: Voiced concerns about street lights, sidewalks and road repairs along Pfeil Road. He also
inquired about the utilities in the Schertz Forest Subdivision. He understood that the utilities would be
underground. Councilman Greenwald stated that it was too cost prohibitive to place overhead utilities
underground. He also mentioned that heavy equipment has been driving on Ware Seguin Road, and that the
developer had promised to keep all heavy traffic on FM 1518.
e
Councilman Greenwald: Mr. Brockman asked Councilman Greenwald to update the Commission on the
proposed Municipal Utility District (MUD). Councilman Greenwald stated that City Council had acted to
support a MUD located in the FM 1518/Lower Seguin/Ware Seguin Road area for a master plan community.
He stated that the applicant was seeking legislative support for the MUD.
Mr. Richmond: Inquired about the progress the Post Office was having in locating a property, and
Councilman Greenwald stated that there was no new information on this item. Mr. Richmond also voiced his
concerns about the number of banks locating in a small area of our city, namely, at or near the FM 3009/IH
35 intersection. He stated that seven banks in this location might be difficult to support. He also asked staff
to place on the next agenda the call for public hearing to rezone the property located at FM 3009 and Elbel
Road. Councilman Greenwald informed the Commission that a possible developer has applied for Section 8
and that a contract was pending. Mr. Richmond stated that he'd like the Commission to take a stand on this
issue, and asked again to have the item placed on the agenda. He also asked that a discussion item be placed
on the agenda to consider the Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail meeting scheduled for March 24,2005.
10. Adjournment
There being no further business, Mr. Sommers moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 p.m. Mr. Van Dine
seconded the motion. Motion carried. Vote unanimous.
. I
e ChID~dan~n~b~!~ommiSSion
Minutes
Planning and Zoning Commission
February 22, 2005
Page 5 of5