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ZONING &c PLANNING COMMISSION
BILL WATSON CONFERENCE ROOM
3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
MEETING MINUTES
November 13, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Brown, Dick Yehle, Mac McManus and
Bruce Frankel.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Allan Elkowitz, Janet Duncan, and Selby Clark
COUNCIL: none
ZBA members: Richard Wilson and Steven Segal
STAFF PRESENT: Debbie Scarcella, City Planner; Sallye Clark,
Planning Assistant; and James Dougherty, City
Legal Counsel
Mr. Bruce Frankel was sworn in before the meeting was called to order.
Call to Order - With quorum present at 6:26 p.m., Steve Brown called the meeting to
order.
1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Steve Brown welcomed Bruce Frankel, new ZPC member, and
introduced ZBA members Richard Wilson and Steven Segal. Debbie Scarcella
informed ZPC members that City Council passed the second and final reading of the
Variance and Special exception ordinance amendments at the November 10, 2008
city Council meeting.
2. Minutes.
November 13, 2008. Dick Yehle made a motion to approve as written. Mac
McManus seconded. Ayes: Steve Brown, Dick Yehle, Mac McManus and Bruce
Frankel Noes: none. Motion passed. Minutes approved.
3. Dead End or Stub Driveways. Debbie Scarcella informed ZPC that the Zoning
Board of Adjustment has had three requests in the last year involving driveways on
Buffalo Speedway. Even though Buffalo Speedway is heavily traversed, it does not
carry the designation of a major thoroughfare (as does Bissonnet, Holcombe/Bellaire
and Kirby) due to its strong residential character. Most of the smaller sites (less than
60' wide) must back out of the driveway onto Buffalo Speedway. At certain times of
the day, this can be a very difficult process. The larger sites have the option to install
a circular driveway to facilitate this issue. The smaller lots are not allowed this
option. The ZBA asked the ZPC to consider looking into to amending the ordinance,
if it is found warranted, so that a uniform and consistent remedy will be available,
instead of possible multiple applications to the ZBA for this issue. After discussion,
3800 University Boulevard 0 West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 0 713066804441 0 www.westu.org
Zoning & Planning Commission Minutes
November 13, 2008 Meeting
Page 2 of 2
the ZPC agreed to discuss this issue and prepare a report to seek approval from City
Council Council to work on an amendment for this issue.
4. Basements and other Subterranean Structures. Debbie Scarcella updated ZPC
that this item would be requested for workshop on the City Council December 1,
2008 agenda.
5. Fences. ZPC reviewed fencing regulations from several entities and discussed the
purpose of setbacks based on information provided by staff. The members agreed
that they wanted to pursue some type of regulation for "virtual fences" (hedgerows
and tall plantings) that act as barriers or screens in the front yard. There was some
hesitation to strictly regulate side street yard fences and plantings. Dick Yehle agreed
to work with staff to develop a draft regulation to bring back to the ZPC next month.
Adjournment. Dick Yehle made a motion to adjourn. Mac McManus seconded.
Ayes: Steve Brown, Dick Yehle, Mac McManus and Bruce Frankel. Noes: none.
Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
PASSED THIS DAY, OF 2008.
Steve Brown, Presiding Officer
3 ATT T:
a y A. Clarl Planning Assistant