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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03141978 ZPC Minutes2 REGULAR MEETING ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSTON MARCH 14, 1978 The Zoning and Planning Commission of the City of West University Place convened in regular session on Tuesday, March 14, 1978, 7:30 p.m., with the following members pre- sent: Chairman Norton, presiding; Members Casey and Johnson. The Chairman ascertained from the secretary that proper notice of meeting had been posted at the City Hall three days prior to the scheduled .meeting. Letters from Chief Ben Witcher, Fire Department, Chief Bill Norman, Police Department,. and David Steitle, City Traffic Engineer concerning request of representatives of the St. Andrews' Presbyterian Church for the closing of Rutgers Street at its intersection with Bissonnet at the regular meeting on February 14, 1978 were presented to the Commis- sion for their ifnromation. "Mr. J. E. Norton, Chairman Zoning and Planning Commission Dear Mr. Norton: Considerable thought has gone into your request for a barricade at Rutgers and Bis- sonnet. At the present time, we have fire hydrants at Wroxton and Buffalo and Westchester and Bissonnet. Should there be afire in any portion of the church complex, this would be our nearest source of water supply. A barricade at Rutgers and Bissonnet would make it difficult for firefighters and fire apparatus to set up afire attach to the rear build- ings. Between the two buildings frontingn Bissonnet, the canopy is only 9'1" high at the lowest point. .Our pumpers could not pass underneath the capoly, further hindering fire fighting operations. Rescue operation, in the even they should. become necessary, would be very difficult at this day-care school.. In firefighting, time is the most important factor. The closing of any street, de- laying the fire department apparatus, would be a hindrance to the fire department. Sincerely, /s/.Ben F. Wilcher Fire Chief" "March 10, 1978 Mr. Whitt F. Johnson City Manager Reference: Closng of Rutgers Street at the intersection of Bissonnet Dear Mr. Johnson: I feel this would only cause more traffic on Westchester and Sewanee and would greatly reduce the access of emergency vehicles to this area. 221 It is my recommendation that we do not barricade Rutgers at this time or in the foreseeable future. Sincerely, /s/ W. L. Norman, Jr. Chief of Police" ':March 13, 1978 "Mr. J. E. Norton, Chairman Zoning and Planning Commission Dear Mr. Norton: The barricading of Rutgers Street and Bssonnet as proposed by St. Andrews' Presbyterian Church would,be expected to have a negligible effect on traffic access and circulation of the area... This type of traffic diversion method has been recognized by previous traffic studies of the city for breaking up the grid system traffic flows. However, I would not recommend the partial closure by .movable barricades of Rut- gers north of Albans.. This would be an inappropriate use of a construction barri- cade on a public thoroughfare. Of course, a trial period for closure of the street would merit consideration were the decision made to close Rutgers Street. However, the proposed two-week trial would probably require perhaps two to six months for appropriate observa- tion and evaluation. of the trial project. Upon permanent closure of Rutgers, the design of the permanent barricade-would have to be designed to allow at least proper area storm drainage and emergency tra- versability. Yours very truly, /s /David Steitle City Traffic Engineer" Messrs.. Dunn, Russel and Robertson, representatives of St. Andrews' Presbyterian Church, were in attendance. During the discussion of the request to close Rutgers. Street, representatives of the church stated they only wanted a recommendation at this time. to close the street on temporary trial basis and asked. if a sketch of preliminary .plans for the use of Lot 2, Block 90, West University Place 2nd would help the Commission in making a recommendation.. They were advised that this would be very helpful and. suggested that the committee meet with the Fire Chief, Police Chief and Traffic Engineer before the next meeting of the Zoning and Planning Commission and work with them for a proposed plan .which would be acceptable to them in providing for the safety of the church, church members and West University Place citizens. Mr. Mike Myers, Architect with John Kirksey Associates, representing Altomon Cor- poration, owners, presented preliminary and final plans for the construction of townhouses on 222 30 ft. of Lot l ~ All of Lot 2, Block l Belle Court Addition Northwest corner of Kirby and Bellaire Blvd. The plan consists of three units containing a minimum of 1778 sq, ft. with ingress and egress on Kirby Drive. After a study of the plans and discussion with Mr. Myers, it was determined they met the Guidelines of the Zoning and Planning Commission for submission and requirements of Ordinance No. 1025. Motion by Mr. Johnson,. seconded by Mr. Casey, that preliminary and final plans for the construction of townhouses on 30 ft. of Lot 1 ~ All of Lot 2, Block l Belle Court Addition be approved subject to compliance with building codes, or other governing ordinances whether or not herein specified, for any subsequent construction. Voting Aye: All Voting No: None Mr. Dereck Stuckey, representing Marvin Grast Associates, of whic he is a part- ner, presented preliminary plans for the construction of townhouses on Lots l $ 2, Block l .Kent Place Addition Northwest corner of Bellaire Blvd, and Sewanee. After a study of the plans and discussion with Mr. Stuckey, the following. action was taken: Motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Casey, that preliminary plans as sub- mitted for the construction of townhouses on Lots l ~ 2, Block 1 Kent Place Addition Northwest corner of Bellaire Blvd ..and Sewanee be approved pending final submission of drawings. Members discussed the requirement of Ordinance No. 1025, Sub-Section N(4) con- cerning cul-de-sac driveways. Guest parking is provided on the plat at the north... property line directly behind garages. Vehicles backing from garages. would have difficulty backing and proceeding forward to the street in the event cars were parked in the guest spaces, particularly the west unit and west parking space. Mr. Johnson withdrew his motion. Withdrawal of the motion was accepted by Mr. Casey. Mr. Stuckey was advised that the preliminary. plans as presented were not accep- table under the above mentioned section of Ordinance No. 1025.. Consideration of a review of Ordinance No. 1025 to determine if in the opinion of the Zoning and Planning Commission it should recommend the ordinance be amended was presented by Chairman Norton.. Discussion of the various poals to be achieved in a zoning ordinance, responsi- bility of Zoning and Planning.Commission in interpretation,' time involved, pro- fessional consultants as opposed to Zoning. and Planning Commission, and whether or not development is already advanced too far to merit changes followed. During this discussion, Mr. Casey stated:. that in his opinion to a certain extent Ordinance No. .1025 is ambuguous in some areas which makes it difficult for the ,b•r Zoning and Planning Commission to look at a proposed development and still be ~ able to consider the overall townhouse development, in particular to the property Q adjacent. ~ It was decided to further consider the matter of a review of Ordinance N0. 1025 Q at the next regular meeting with the hope that all members would be present for a discussion. Minutes of the regular meeting. of the Zoning and Planning Commission on February 14, 1978 were presented for consideration and approved as submitted. With no further business to come before the Commission, upon .motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned a 1 ATTEST: ~.: . ~~- °~ Secretary