HomeMy WebLinkAbout05232011 ZPC Minutes Public Hearing City of West Universit y Place
A Neighborhood City
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ZONING & PLANNING COMMISSION
Bill Watson Conference Room
3800 University Boulevard
PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
May 23, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Brown, Dick Yehle, Bob Higley and De De
DeStefano
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sam Parikh, Lauren Griffith and Bruce Frankel
COUNCIL: Steven Segal and George Boehme
STAFF PRESENT: Michael Ross, City Manager, Debbie Scarcella,
City Planner and Jolie S. Lenz, City Legal Counsel
Call to Order — With quorum present at 6:00 p.m., Steve Brown called the meeting to
order.
Notices, Rules, Etc. Steve Brown, ZPC Chair, gave a brief outline of the procedure
to be followed. Staff will give a brief presentation of the item to be heard, and then
members of the public may speak in favor of or against the item. Due to the large
number of persons signed up to speak, each person will be given 3 minutes to speak.
Once the members of the public finish speaking, the hearing will be closed and the
ZPC may have a brief discussion regarding what has been heard.
1. Public Hearing on Moratorium Affecting Certain Residential Development.
Chairman Brown asked Debbie Scarcella, City Planner, to give a brief presentation
regarding the purpose of the moratorium. The purpose of the public hearing is to
consider a moratorium on property development in accordance with the requirements
of Chapter 212, Subchapter E, of the Texas local Government Code, on platted lots
within the City that do not abut constructed streets. Concerns stem from an area
between Mercer Street and the Poor Farm Ditch from University Boulevard to
Bellaire/Holcombe Boulevard. Since the subject properties are contained within a
concentrated area, the City has concerns about increased density, traffic, parking,
effect on essential public infrastructure and especially access for emergency vehicles.
Chairman Brown then called on comments from the public as follows:
Reid Wilson, 3824 Case, asked how the ZPC would convey its report to the City
Council before the meeting scheduled after the public hearing. Jolie Lenz, Legal
Counsel and Michael Ross, City Manager replied that a report or recommendation
from the ZPC is not required to be forwarded to City Council regarding the
moratorium.
3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713•668•4441 • www.westu.org
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Parker Stuckey, developer of two tracts in the 6300 block of Mercer spoke regarding
the proposed development he is representing and how he believes it will not adversely
impact the neighborhood.
Diane Wylie, 6338 Mercer, asked about the length of the moratorium and the
purpose. The moratorium will last for 120 days during which time the ZPC and City
Council will address possible issues with development of these tracts.
Tom Hedrick, 3314 Albans, spoke against the moratorium and stated that he actually
is the driver of the project and is not happy with the hoops the City is making them
jump through and the delays in the project the moratorium will cause.
Charles Irvine, 6340 Mercer, spoke against the moratorium citing sections of state
law that he felt the moratorium violated.
Michael Streitmann, 6341 Mercer, spoke in favor of the moratorium and presented
several signed letters in support of the moratorium from residents unable to attend the
public hearing.
Kevin Boyle, 6425 Virginia Ct, spoke in favor of the moratorium.
Henry Bergeron, 6333 Mercer, spoke in favor of the moratorium.
Roger Martin, real estate agent for some properties along Mercer, spoke against the
moratorium.
Gary Hale, potential owner of property in the 6300 block of Mercer, spoke against the
moratorium.
Chairman Brown asked for any other comments from the public and then asked if the
Zoning and Planning Commission had any comments. Dick Yehle suggested that the
ZPC contemplate the testimony and fashion some recommendation to City Council.
Discussion followed.
Mr. Yehle made the motion that all statements, exhibits and documents be
incorporated and made a part of the official record of this public hearing and this
public hearing is closed. DeDe DeStefano seconded the motion. Ayes: Steve Brown,
Dick Yehle, Bob Higley, and DeDe DeStefano. Noes: 0.
Mr. Higley made a motion to report to the City Council that the ZPC supports the
enactment of a 120 day moratorium on development of building sites abutting streets
that have not been constructed. Ms. DeStefano seconded the motion. Ayes: Steve
Brown, Dick Yehle, Bob Higley and DeDe DeStefano. Noes: 0.
Ms. DeStefano made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Dick Yehle.
Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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PASSED THIS DAY 0 �� , 2011.
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Steve Brown, Presiding Officer
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allye A. Clark,6 anning Assistant