HomeMy WebLinkAbout03032011 ZPC Minutes City of West Universit y Place
A Neighborhood City
L.• Recycled Paper ZONING & PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
MEETING MINUTES
March 3, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Brown, Dick Yehle, Sam Parikh, Bruce
Frankel, Bob Higley, Lauren Griffith and DeDe
DeStefano
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
COUNCIL: None
STAFF PRESENT: Debbie Scarcella, City Planner; Jolie S. Lenz, City
Legal Counsel
Call to Order — With quorum present at 6:15 p.m., Steve Brown called the meeting to
order.
Notices, Rules, Etc. ZPC and staff introduced themselves and recognized members
of the public in attendance. Steve Brown informed everyone that the ordinance
amendment on PNC status and parking passed both readings and was signed. Steve
Brown also informed the members that the basement proposal was defeated on first
reading by City Council due to concerns about property owner rights. Council
instructed the BSC to rework the proposal and allow for a small basement.
1. Minutes.
February 10, 2011. Minutes were not presented for approval.
2. Town Center. Steve stated he believed that the objective of the meeting was to work
our way through the draft proposal prepared by staff, making changes or elaborations
as necessary, ensuring that the members have a good understanding of the nine
recommendations by the Town Center committee contained in the report. The ZPC
should consider how those recommendations are reflected in the draft proposal, so
that by the end of the meeting the commissioners can decide whether or not to push
forward with a preliminary report. Steve asked the ZPC members to also think about
a possible meeting schedule that will help to get the end product to council as soon as
possible, but not later than the second meeting in May, 2011. A discussion regarding
meeting dates followed. (DeDe DeStefano and Lauren Griffith arrived at the
meeting.)
Steve Brown asked Debbie Scarcella to lead the discussion regarding the draft
proposal and how the nine recommendations contained in the Town Center report
were reflected in staffs draft proposal.
3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713.668.4441 • www.westu.org
Page 2
The first item discussed was the definition and actual boundary of the TCRD (Town
Center Retail District). The report focused on the properties on Edloe Street, located
between Rice and University Boulevards. Consideration should be given to including
the two properties immediately north of Rice Boulevard, between Edloe and Poor
Farm Ditch (old JMH site and adjacent parking area) in the TCRD zoning district
designation. A discussion followed. Staff was instructed to include in the boundary
description the properties located north of Rice Boulevard.
Discussion resumed regarding the allowed uses in the proposed district. Staff was
instructed to obtain the recent language changes in the definition of light commercial
use in order to see if that definition was enough to establish the basis for allowed uses
in the TCRD,possibly enabling the deletion of Note 10 in Table 7-1.
Discussion resumed regarding setbacks and pervious and open areas. Staff was
instructed to add a reference to Note 5 in Table 7-3 and to amend Note 5 by deleting
the reference to noise mitigation. After further discussion, Lauren Griffith
volunteered to provide examples of visual buffering regulations at the next meeting.
Staff will also add the "N/A" designation under the TC district in the row labeled as
"Parking Areas, Interior" pertaining to pervious islands in parking areas.
Discussion regarding Table 7-4b regarding structure information ensued. (Bob
Higley left the meeting at 7:26 pm). Staff was instructed to include a note to Table 7-
4b regarding the maximum height of a structure as it pertains to the front facade and
the location of the structure on the building site. An allowance will be added that
allows a structure to be 45' in the front portion of the site, 35' feet in the rear portion
of the site and 35' for all accessory structures. This allowance will be allowed only if
a joint development or redevelopment of at least half the frontage is undertaken.
Discussion continued regarding Tables 7-5 and 7-6 and Section 10-100 of the zoning
ordinance. Staff was instructed to make sure to include a general reference that all
TC regulations apply only to new development or reconstruction. An optional
reference might also be applied to the off-street parking requirements for additional
clarity. Staff will also reword 10-103 to refer to prohibited parking above grade
"level" and to make clear that parking below grade is prohibited. A prohibition on
parking under a building was discussed and staff will make a change to prohibit
parking under a building within fifty feet of a street right of way.
Discussion resumed regarding an above grade level parking structure and the
ventilation requirements. Staff will add wording to prohibit any mechanical
ventilation equipment, allowing for natural ventilation only. Prohibition of noxious
odors or materials located in the rear of the building site (such as grease traps) will be
added.
The ZPC discussed the next two meeting dates and decided on March 24, 2011 and
April 14, 2011.
Page 3
3. Executive Session (if necessary). Not used
Adjournment. Dick Yehle made a motion to adjourn. Bruce Frankel seconded.
Ayes: Steve Brown, Dick Yehle, Sam Parikh, Bruce Frankel, Lauren Griffith and De
De DeStefano.
Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
PASSED THIS ( ?Aiki-A
DAY, OF , 2011.
Steve Brown, Presiding Officer
ATT .„.'T:
r OL 1 1
Sallye A. Clar lanning Assistant