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04-25-1989 " FI LE PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened 1n a regular session on Tuesday, April 25, 1989 at 7:00 P.N. in the Municipal Complex Conference Room, 1400 Schertz pakrway. Those present were as follows: PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OTHERS PRESENT TY BRISGILL, CHAIRMAN MARY MARSH, VICE-CHAIRMAN MERWIN WILLMAN BOB ANDREWS JOE POTEMPA KEN GREENWALD, COUNCILMAN JIM SHRIVER, SCHERTZ BUSINESS CLUB CITY STAFF MEMBERS ABSENT STEVE SIMONSON, ASST. CITY ~~NAGER NORMA ALTHOUSE, RECORDING SEely. KEITH VAN DINE, SECRETARY GEORGE VICK #1 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brisgill called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. #2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. Regular Session April 11, 1989 B. Joint Public Hearing and Special Session April 18, 1989 A. Regular Session April 11, 1989 Mary Marsh made a motion to approve the minutes for the Regular Session April 11, 1989. Merwin Willman seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. Motion carried. B. Joint Public Hearing and Special Session April 18, 1989 Merwin {villman made a motion to approve the ,minutes for the Joint Public Hearing and Special Session April 18, 1989. Joe Potempa seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous in favor. Motion carried. #3 CITIZENS' INPUT OTHER THAN AGENDA ITEMS There was none. #4 CONSIDER AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION: Discussion of Current Sign Ordinance/Schertz Business Club Feedback Jim Shriver was at the meeting to represent the Schertz Business Club. Chairman Brisgi~l asked Mr. Shriver if he had any comments. I -- I Jim Shriver, referring to the feedback report from the businesses (each Commissioner had received a copy in their package), noted that he forgot to include a statement about the problem with flashing light signs. Mr. Shriver also wished there had been a better return of the surveys sent out by the Business Club. When questioned about the problem with flashing lights, Shriver reported he had been informed by City Inspector, Brodeur, there is a problem in that area and he should included a statement of that fact in the results. Jim Don have Mary Marsh remarked on the replies from the businesses saying she was looking for more definitive answers than what had ,been received, for example, what do the businesses want, what don't they want and what do they need. Merwin Willman observed there are no solutions offered 1n the report and no Staff comments. Chairman Brisgill asked Jim Shriver how many surveys had been distributed and Mr. Shriver replied approximately 100 and 10 had been completed and returned. Chairman Brisgill then commented it looks like what it boils down to is the Commission needs to go back through and review the Sign Ordinance again. Mary Marsh voiced the opinion that the replies indicate the ordinance is too complicated and it needs to be simplified. Merwin Willman remarked it is easy to criticize, but the Commission needs suggested solutions to the problems. Mary Marsh emphasized that probably 85% of the Ordinance is fine, but some of the specifics evaluated. current Sign need to be Herwin Willman pointed out the ordinance \iaS written with the idea in mind that what's not 10 it 1S not authorized. Mr. Willman further stated that Schertz doesn't want to penalize businesses, but at the same time they don't want the City to be a traveling billboard. Chairman Brisgill updating the City only difference Commission will meeting. suggested using the same method used for Plan (P&Z reviews a few sections at a time) being to let the Business Club know the be discussing the ordinance at a particular Councilman Greenwald asked Jim' Shriver if he knew the names of the businesses which had returned t,he surveys and Mr. ,Shriver repl'ied he knew some of them. Then Councilman Greenwald suggested inviting them to -a meeting and asking for a written reply. -2- Mary Marsh stressed the importance of the first question on the survey which was "Have you had the opportunity to read the Sign Ordinance as it pertains to business signs?" and noted that 40% said yes and 60% said po. There was discussion about making the Sign Ordinance available to businesses. Bob Andrews questioned whether the City could sell the Business Club copies of the ordinance at a discount so the 'Business Club could make it available to businesses at a discount. Chairman Brisgill asked Jim Shriver if he thought 20 coples of the ordinance would be sufficient. Mr. Shriver expressed some reservations about the: solution to the problem being to give them copies of the ordinan~e. Chairman Brisgill indicated he wants them to know what the City's doing so the ordinance can be enforced. Mary Marsh asked if the City couldn't provide free coples of the ordinance to the Business club. Chairman Brisgill then asked Jim Shriver if he thought 15 people would be interested and Mr. Shriver said he couldn't guarantee it. ~~~;~;~: Joe Potempa mentioned that the Schertz Business club has a meeting each month and asked if one of the City Staff couldn't speak at the meeting 'and invite the members to attend Planning and Zoning meetings while the Sign Ordinance is being reviewed. Steve Simonson reminded the Commission the idea for the survey had started after he made a presentation to the Business Club and Mr. Simonson stated he would be glad to go back and speak again. Chairman Brisgill recommended Simonson's speech as a starting Club to attend our wprkshops. tabling this item until feedback and City Staff is available. the Commission consider Steve point and invi te the Business l"lr. Brisgill al so reconnended from the Schertz Business Club Councilman Greenwald pointed out that the item really does not need to be tabled since it is only on the agenda for discussion. Mary Harsh made a motion to recommend Steve Siraonson speak at the May meeting of the Schertz Business Club, invite the members to attend Planning and Zoning workshops for review of the Sign Ordinance, and to put~eviewof the Sign Ordinance on the agenda of the first meeting in June. Joe Potempa seconded the motion and the vote was unanlmous 1.n favor. Motion carried~ Chairman Brisgill thanked Jim Shriver and the Schertz Business club for all' their work in putt~ng out the survey and submitting a report with the 'resrilts.'- -3- Merwin Willman commented the Staff seems to know what problems exist but are reluctant to suggest solutions. Steve Simonson changes, they regardless of comments. informed the will not see who originates Commission, that due to an ordinance come back it, until it has full some agaln, Staff #5 GENERAL DISCUSSION Chairman Brisqill brought up the following: (a) Asked why they had a public hear,ing on a side yard setback for a carport whi~h encroached into t~e front yard setback. Bob Andrews explained that, in reality, on a survey, the dotted lines overlap for setback purposes. Merwin Willman said it is ~ccepted terminology. Chair~an Brisgill maintained it doesn't say so 1n the ordinance in so many words. Steve Simonson read from Section B of the Zoning Ordinance the following definition "Yard, Side: A yard between the main bui lding and the s ide I ine of the lot, and extending from the required front yard to the required rear yard and being the minimum horizontal di~tance between a side lot line and the side of the main buildings or any projections thereto." (b) Had a copy of the "Visitor's Guide'f out of New Braunfels ,,,hich lists Stone Creek RV Park, Garden Ridge Pottery, Natural Bridge Caverns and everything toward New Braunfels. Mr. Brisgill stressed the need for Schertz to have a similar brochure available for the public and thought maybe the Economic Development Task Force should look into it. Mr. Brisgill continued on by saying all the Stone Creek advertisements say Schertz, but under the phone number it says see New Braunfels. There was some discussion on the San Antonio serV1ce area versus the New Braunfels service area phone numbers. Mr. Brisgill said he had tried to call a San Antonio number from the pay phone at Stop-N-Go on the corner of FM 3009 and IH-35 and the operator interrupted to tell him he would have to dial 1 because it was a long distance number. Steve Simonson commented on numbers this side of FM 1103 being in the 658 exchange. Mr. Simonson also said the Stop-N-Go should be in the 651 exc.hange which i,s not a long distance call to San Antonio and he will check into it first thin~ in the morning. -4- , , Mr. Simonson also remarked, specifically in regard to Stone Creek RV Park, that no one representing Schertz. went out to greet the new business. (c) Told the Commission that in talking to Floyd McKee of Stone Creek RV Park, he found out that a couple of weeks ago they had several hundred people for a rally and some rented a bus and came to downtown Schertz and spent 2-3 hours at beauty shops, barber shops, the laundromat, etc. Mr. Brisgill emphasized the need for the City of Schertz to have some kind of map showing where various points of interest, such as the Post Office, are located. Bob Andrews suggested that in the meantime they duplicate copies of the City map on the copy machine ~nd have someone draw in by hand the points of interest. There was a brief,.ftiscussion about the condition of the property next to stone Creek RV Park and how it's junky looks makes some people hesitant to go into the RV Park. Steve Simonson remar~ed that Floyd McKee has asked the City for help in getting his neighbors' property cleaned up. Steve Simonson brought up the following: (a) Was told that on the Barshop corner everything with Exon and McDonald's fell through. ~.j.)5: .~: (b) Has heard some interesting rumors about Retama. Mr. Simonson indicated there may be an announcement regarding Retama by May 6. Merwin Willman brought up the following: (a) Referring to the Junked Vehicle Ordinance, said he had asked City Council if Planning and Zoning is to nake a final determination when there is an appeal to the ordinance and was informed yes they are. Mr. ~villman commented the ordinance limits PlanniI19 and Zoning decisions, so he had written up some proposed guidelines and a proposed letter to be sent to the individual who is requesting a hearing. The Commission received copies' of these in their package. Mr. Willman asked if they would like discussion of this on their next agenda. There was miscellaneous discussion on what age constitutes an antique vehicle, and on the Weed/Vegetation Ordinance and Junked V~hicle Ordinance. Joe Potempa said that a neighbor in his area is operating a sign company even thought he has a "No Tres.passing" sign on his fence and asked Steve Simonson if he is a\iare of that' fact. Mr. Simonson said he \,:ould check with Inspection. After this di,s.cussion of discussion, Chai~man Brisgill requested that the p_roposed procedures and guidel ines for an -5- . . appeal to the Junked Vehicle Ordinance be placed on the next agenda. Joe Potempa reported that at 505 Curtiss they are operating a fence company in the back. Steve Simonson said he would have the Inspection Dep~rtment check into it. Mr. Potempa also mentioned there is no house number on the house at that particular location. Mary Marsh brought up the following: (a) At the meeting of the Schertz Business Club today, Councilman Earl Hartzog suggested they start writing letters to the Highway Department about the progress, or lack therof, on the widening of Jack Hays Blvd. andFM 78. Bob Andrews mentioned some stakes along the ditch on Jack Hays Blvd. and asked Steve Simonson if he knew what was going on. Mr. Simon~on said they are checking soils and there are: two sets. of stake~ - the landowner's and the Highway Department's. (b) The Seguin Commissioners Court has authorized a study to find the ultimate route from San Antonio to Austin. (c) The Civic Leaders Panel is progressing well and she likes their approach because they are doing research. Fire Chief Melton and SAFES Dire~tor Tom Funk attended last week's meeting and a representative of the Housing Authority will be at the meeting this week. Mrs. Marsh, observing how these things can mushrooD, went on to say that Jim Shriver had gotten a call from Pegasus asking if one of their representatives could attend a meeting in order to brief the Panel on their future plans. Hrs. Harsh told the Commission she will give them a list, for their deliberation, of the items the Panel is going to discuss. Hrs. Marsh also asked Stev.e Simonson if City Council had done anything about selecting another member because the Panel really needs one and soon. Also, Mrs. Marsh informed the Commission that after the Civic Leaders Panel meeting on May 4, she will not be briefing the Commission on the Panel's progress, but Jim Shriver will be reporting directly to the Commission instead. (d) Said everyone has been asking her if Northcliffe 1S 901n9 to be annexed. Joe Potempa asked if the City is aware that some of the residents, of Northcliffe are getting up a p~tition for annexation. -6- .. t' -', . ;' ,;.l....~~ri~ ~\~:~"T . Steve Simonson replied the City is aware of this -- there have been several representatives in to talk with the City Manager and they have been very candid about their problems and their needs and desires. Joe Potempa indicated the residents of Northcliffe are very concerned about a drug problem. Referring back to the Civic Leaders Panel, Mary Marsh said it is amazing all you can learn by sitting 1n on one of these sessions and encouraged the Commissioners to attend. They meet on Thursdays at 7:00 P.M. Steve Simonson, saying he had one more item, Commission the ballpark lighting (bond issue) was time, they turned the lighting system over to BVYA u~ed only about half of the budget because most of done by City Staff. informed the completed on on time, and the work was ,Councilman Greenwald pointed out that the Streets and Parks Department had done lots of the work themselves. #6 ADJOURNMENT Chairman Brisgill adjourned the meeting at 8:08 P.M. The next regularly sc~eduled meeting is May 9, 1989. -7- -- . . April 19, 1989 TO:: City Council FROM: Planning and Zoning Commission SUBJECT: Request from Earl Sawyer for an Exception to the Zoning Ordinance The Planning and Zoning Commission, by unanimous the request from Earl Sawyer for an exception to ~riance_o: 6'6" to the side yard setback I : vote, recommends approval of the Zoning Ordinance, permit- at 512 ft.viation. TB/na '..' . . April 19,1989 TO: City Council FR Dr"1 : Planning and Zoning Commission SUBJECT: Acceptance of New Zoning Map Commission, by unanimous vote, recommends approval of of the new zoning map. TB/na .. '\