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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08241976 ZPC Minutes"~" WORKSHOP MEEINTG ZONING AND PLANNLNG COMMISSION, AUGUST 24, 1976 the Zoning and Planning Commission of the City of West University Place convened in-Workshop Session at the City Hall, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday,. August 24, 1976, with the following members present: Chairman Bartholomew, presiding; Members Dahlin, Norton and Weatherby. Proper notice of the meeting had. been posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall three (3) days prior to the scheduled meeting. '~}"' ~ Discussion of circular driveways and related items was continued. A Final Report and © Recommendations to the City Commission was drafted. It follows in its en-tirety: ''~ Q September 3, 1976 A To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission City of West University Place, Texas Dear Commission Members: At your request, the Zoning and Planning Commission has made a study. of circular driveways and related problems as they pertain to West University Place. This is our Final Report and Recommendations on these subjects. The Zoning and Planning Commission believes that the paving of front yards, the installation of circular driveways, and the parking of vehicles in front yards, except on garage driveways, should not be permitted. These conclusions were reached after comprehensive, intense discussion of these practices and alternatives and their various ramifications. It is our belief that permitting these practices and installations in front yards is contrary to the residential goals and purposes stated in our city zoning and related ordinances. If these ..practices were permitted, the appearance of residences from the street, which is the natural public face of our city, would be transformed into a series of mechanically functional paved parking areas thereby discouraging concern for the appearance of the front of properties. The loss of ozygen-producing plant life and the furthering of front yard open space would result in an appearance of congestion and would effectively de-humanize our neighborhoods. We believe that sufficient alternative design solutions to the vehicle parking problems are available within the present building area and open space provisions of city ordinances to allow individual development and use of property. RECOMMENDATIONS: City ordinances should: I. Encourage residents to park their vehicles behind the front building line of their property. 2. Prohibit circular driveways except on property fronting a street on which parking is prohibited or which is subject to excessively heavy traffic. 3. Prohibit paving of front yards, exclusive of driveways, except on property fronting a street on which parking is prohibited or which is subject to excessively heavy traffic. 4. Prohibit the parking of vehicles in front yards except in driveways as defirx3d. S. Define driveways as follows: A driveway is a vehicular pathway .from a street to and across a lot or any portion of a lot. 6. Driveways shall be limited in width from the front building line to the street to a maximum of twenty-four (24') feet. Respectfully submitted, /s/ O. C. Bartholomew, Chairman ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION With no further business to come before the Commission at this time, upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned. Chairman ST: ~-,~ _ ecretary 1 1 1