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(L=N) City of West University Place
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ZONING & PLANNING COMMISSION
BILL WATSON CONFERENCE ROOM
3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
MEETING MINUTES
October 8, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Frankel, Dick Yehle, Bob Higley, Sam
Parikh, Lauren Griffith and DeDe DeStefano
MEMBERS ABSENT: Steve Brown
COUNCIL: none
STAFF PRESENT: Chris Peifer, ACM/Public Works Director, Debbie
Scarcella, City Planner; and Josh Golden, City
Legal Counsel
Call to Order - With ctdorum present at 6:20 p.m., Bruce Frankel called the meeting to
order.
1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bruce Frankel welcomed everyone and ZPC members and staff
introduced themselves.
2. Appointment of a member as the official Secretary. Bob Higley made a motion to
recommend Dick Yehle as Secretary for ZPC to City Council for approval. Lauren
Griffith seconded. Ayes: Bruce Frankel, Bob Higley, Dick Yehle, Sam Parikh,
Lauren Griffith and DeDe DeStefano Noes: none. Motion passed.
3. Minutes.
August 13, 2009. Dick Yehle made a motion to approve as amended. DeDe
DeStefano seconded. Ayes: Bruce Frankel, Dick Yehle, Sam Parikh, Lauren Griffith
and DeDe DeStefano Noes: none. Abstain: Bob Higley. Motion passed. Minutes
approved.
4. Fences. Bruce Frankel requested that Dick Yehle give an overview of this agenda
item since it was something that he originally brought to ZPC for discussion. Dick
Yehle gave an overview of the proposed amendment. The amendment addresses three
issues: 1) Masonry fences that are long and solid and cannot be penetrated for
emergency access; 2) Some hedges that are being planted and grown to the height and
the density where fences are not allowed; 3) Concept of defining the visibility triangle
to make it consistent throughout the entire Code of Ordinances. Bruce Frankel stated
that a Joint Public Hearing took place in February of 2009 where public comments
were taken into consideration and revised the amendment. Debbie Scarcella, City
Planner stated the preliminary report has been approved by ZPC and needs to be
3800 University Boulevard 9 West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713066804441 0 www.westu.org
Zoning & Planning Commission Minutes
October 8, 2009 Meeting
Page 2 of 2
forwarded back to City Council to request another Public hearing. This item was on
the agenda to bring the new ZPC up to date on the status of this item.
5. Basements and other Subterranean Structures. Bruce Frankel gave an overview
and background to the new ZPC of this agenda item. There were three homes that
recently had installed basements and it was requested that ZPC look at this item as
excavation was taken all the way to the property line and was a concern. ZPC went
before City council and asked whether basements should be abolished or regulated.
City Council requested that it be looked at by both the BSC and ZPC and an
amendment brought back to city Council. BSC and ZPC have been meeting on this
topic for the past six months. Staff was instructed to set up a mini workshop with the
BSC and ZPC chair and one other member of each commission to work toward a
consensus in anticipation of a first draft of an ordinance could take place.
Adjournment. Bob Higley made a motion to adjourn. Dick Yehle seconded.
Ayes: Bruce Frankel, Bob Higley, Dick Yehle, Sam Parikh, Lauren Griffith and
DeDe DeStefano Noes: none. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
PASSED THIS DAY, OF , 2009
Bruce Frankel, Vice Presiding Officer
4TS T:
'Sallye A. Clar Planning Assistant