HomeMy WebLinkAbout08082024 ZPC Minutes City of
West University p
Place Public Works Department
Zoning & Planning Commission
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
MEETING MINUTES
August 8,2024
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Cutrer, Dick Yehle, Bob Powell, Doug Rephlo, Sam
Mazzu and Myrenda Takashima
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Howard
STAFF PRESENT: Legal Counsel Philip Boedeker, Asst. Public Works
Director, Brett Cast, Building Official, John McGowan,
Administrative Coordinator Josie Hayes, Permit
Technician, Angela CeZar and Zoning Official Joseph
Newton
GUEST: Councilmember, Clay Brett, Alida Drewes and Sam
Harwell
1. Notices, Rules, Etc. John Cutrer, Presiding Officer, called the meeting to order at 6:15
p.m. John Cutrer asked staff to confirm that appropriate notices were given. Josie Hayes
stated notices were posted per state and local laws. John Cutrer asked commission
members and staff to introduce themselves. John McGowan informed the commission
that he has resigned and this would be his last meeting.
2. Public Comments. Alida Drewes, 6112 Fordham spoke regarding a current survey
needing to be required before any fence can be replaced. Clay Brett provided an update
regarding the Facilities Master Plan, the closing of the ELF Pipeline to provide a drainage
solution on the west side and the Harris County Flood District has announced plans to
repair the north side of the Poor Farm Ditch. Sam Harwell, 3809 Marquette stated the
definition of structure should be edited and keep track of anything that is considered a
structure, that it gets treated the same way each time; limiting the generator testing times;
taking into consideration the size of the generator enclosure because it will limit where
the unit can be placed on the property, the 18' driveway length when sidewalk is blocked
is usually because of other things and regarding basketball goal noise, considered making
it disallowed during quiet hours.
3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov
West University Place, TX 77005
713-662-5830
ttv of
West University
Place Public Works Department
3. Discussion Items from City Council.
• Lighting Ordinance—Joe Newton stated late last year a lighting study was done
and did not find any broad violations at that time. They did notice there was
significant overspill from commercial lighting. A recommendation was made that
restrictions should be added for commercial lighting. The current ordinance does
not account for temporary lighting for Halloween. Joe recommended the date in
the ordinance be changed to October 15. There was general discussion regarding
light trespassing with houses being illuminated and the time frame of when
Christmas lights should be allowed. ZPC asked that the study that was done be
submitted for the next meeting.
• Noise Ordinance—There was general discussion regarding the existing ordinance
that does not include generators, if cabinets should be required to be installed on
them or any of the existing generators already installed. ZPC asked that
additional information regarding the number of generator permits issued, the
housing and the draft ordinance be submitted for the next meeting.
• Quiet Hours—Joe Newton recommended making a new definition that allow
social gatherings that outline what type of activities would be included such as
barbeques. There was general discussion if the existing ordinance should be
changed.
• HVAC unit Location—Joe Newton explained where the current ordinance allows
for units to be set on the property. ZPC asked staff to get more clarification as to
why this was on the agenda and bring it back to the next meeting.
• Driveway Length from Garage Door and Materials—Joe Newton stated the issue
for this has already been addressed while the edits were being done in the Zoning
Ordinance. Staff does get a lot of push back from developers for the 18'
requirement. Joe thinks some of the pushback will go away now that the
inconsistencies have been cleaned up in the Zoning Ordinance.
• Basketball Goal Location—Joe Newton stated during the sports court ordinance
project, basketball courts were incorporated into that. There was general
discussion regarding the existing setbacks. Staff stated there has been some
complaints by residents. By the time the Code Enforcement Officer goes out,
there is no longer an issue. There was general discussion what the setback should
be if one was imposed. There was also discussion regarding the safety concerns
of having a basketball goal in the front yard. Staff was asked to provide more
background information to the next meeting for discussion.
• Definition of Structure—Joe Newton stated City Council asked the ZPC if the
definition needed to be changed. There was discussion if artificial turf would be
3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov
West University Place, TX 77005
713-662-5830
West University
Place Public Works Department
considered a structure. Staff was asked to provide additional information to the
next meeting for discussion.
[Adjournment]
Sam Mazzu made a motion to adjourn. Second by Myrenda Takashima. AYES: John
Cutrer, Dick Yehle, Bob Powell, Doug Rephlo, Sam Mazzu, and Myrenda Takashima.
NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
PASSED THIS AY OFSq 41-
, 2024.
John Cutrer, Chairman
ATTEST: \c \Q . - k,(Q95
Ms. Josie M. Hayes, Administrative Coordinator
3826 Amherst St. zvzvw.westutx.gov
West University Place, TX 77005
713-662-5830