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Home My WebLink AboutORD 1865 Garages, Manuevering Areas City of West University Place Harris County, Texas Ordinance No. 1865 AN ORDINANCE CALLING A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS REGARDING GARAGES, MANEUVERING AREA, ETC.; PRESCRIBING PROCEDURES AND NOTICES; CONTAINING FINDINGS AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. WHEREAS, the Zoning and Planning Commission ("Z&PC") of the City of West University Place, Texas ("City") has submitted a preliminary report on a proposal to amend the comprehensive zoning ordinance of the City, as last reformatted and re- adopted by Ordinance No. 1672, adopted March 12, 2001, and as amended thereafter ("Zoning Ordinance"); and WHEREAS, the Z&PC's preliminary report is attached to this ordinance as Exhibit A and made a part of this ordinance by reference; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to call a joint public hearing on such proposal; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE: Section 1. The City Council hereby calls a joint public hearing before the City Council and Z&PC on the proposal described in Exhibit A. Unless rescheduled, the hearing shall be held in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, West University Place, Texas 77005 during the City Council meeting set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Fe.b.:;{t:) ,:xh1. . The hearing may be recessed and continued to the City Council meeting set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on fY]tl!l.NIIO ~ at the same place, unless rescheduled. The City Manger may reschedule either date and time, or both, to accommodate other pending matters, but the rescheduled date(s) and time(s) may not be later than 30 days past the later of the two dates set by this ordinance. Section 2. The purpose for the hearing is to provide an opportunity for parties in interest and citizens to be heard in relation to the proposal described in Exhibit A. Section 3. The procedures for adoption of the proposal shall be as follows: (1) notice as required by this ordinance, (2) hearing as called by this ordinance, (3) report by the Z&PC, and (4) vote by the City Council on the question of adoption. The procedures for enforcing the proposal shall be as set out in the existing Zoning Ordinance. The proposal described in Exhibit A is hereby submitted and re-submitted to the Z&PC for its consideration. Section 4. The City Secretary shall give notice of such hearing as prescribed by this section. The notice shall be in substantially the form set out in Exhibit B, which is attached and made a part of this ordinance by reference. The notice shall be published in the City's official newspaper (or another newspaper of general circulation in the City) at least once on or before the 16th day preceding the date of the hearing. In addition, the notice shall be mailed to the persons on the mailing list for the City Currents newsletter. The notices shall be deposited in the United States mail on or before ninth day preceding the date of the hearing, properly addressed with postage prepaid. The notices may be included within the newsletter, or with utility bills or may be separate. The City Council specifically approves giving combined notice of two or more hearings in a single notice document, as this would save money and also provide better information about the full scope of possible amendments to all interested persons. Section 5. The City staff is authorized to make all necessary arrangements for the hearing and to assist the Zoning and Planning Commission and the City Council. Section 6. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other part of this ordinance, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall ever be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this ordinance and the application of such word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other part of this ordinance to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict only. Section 7. The City Council officially finds, determines and declares that sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of each meeting at which this ordinance was discussed, considered or acted upon was given in the manner required by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, as amended, and that such meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during such discussion, consideration and action. The City Council ratifies, approves and confirms such notices and the contents and posting thereof. Section 8. Because the proposal to amend the Zoning Ordinance is vitally important and should be considered at the earliest possible date, a state of emergency is declared requiring that this ordinance be read and adopted finally at this meeting. Accordingly, this ordinance shall be adopted finally on first reading and shall become effective immediately upon adoption and signature. PASSED, APPROVED, ADOPTED AND SIGNED on 1- ;2 & Attest/Seal: Recommended: ~ City Manager Approved as to legal form: ~r?P~ City Attorney forms/ORD 54 0 calling zoning hearing 7-06 Signed: /Jf*f Mayor P"]~ James L. Dougherty, Jr. ,20M. Exhibit A Zoning & Planning Commission City of West University Place, Texas 3800 University Boulevard West University Place, Texas 77005 September 13, 2007 Honorable Mayor & Members of the City Council City of West University Place 3808 University Boulevard Houston, Texas 77005 Subject: Preliminary report on a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance of the City of West University Place, Texas ("City") relating to GARAGES, MANEUVERING AREA, ETC. To the Honorable Mayor & Members of City Council: The Zoning & Planning Commission of the City submits this, its preliminary report, on the subject proposal, for the assistance of the Council as well as other interested persons. Scope of Proposal. The proposal would: (i) require at least two garage parking spaces per house (or one per house, for old stock housing) in single-family districts (SF Districts) ; (ii) require such garage parking spaces to be enclosed or semi- enclosed and adjoining a driveway; (iii) change the formula for the maximum number of garage parking spaces; (iv) specify minimum garage parking space dimensions in SF Districts; (v) specify minimum garage maneuvering areas in SF Districts; and (vi) specify when structures above driveways must be cantilevered or suspended. The proposal includes some clarifying changes and reorganization. The principal purpose is to require more garage spaces and make them readily usable. Preliminary Recommendation. Based on the limited review given this matter so far, and subject to further review following public hearing, the Commission: (i) finds that the proposal, if adopted, would be in the public interest, (ii) makes a preliminary recommendation favorable to the proposal, (ii) recommends that the City Council call a joint public hearing to consider this matter. The Commission invites all interested persons to participate in the joint public hearing. The Vote. The vote on approval of this report was as follows: Commissioners::Tryd:){L F)rcwD/ Rlt:ln) ffiYl1.tntL.".J voted "aye;" no "noes; '''Be.Jeff )'5 lIve r) rbr[)J!l1~sent. Respectfully submitted: ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS By: =::::::r~~ ~~,i5~ For the Commission Amendment relating to garages, maneuvering area, etc. 9-13-07 Amend Table 7-4a as follows: Table 7-4a: Garage space General Rule: Every building site, garage space and related structure must conform to the applicable regulations shown, by District, in this table. ("N/A" means the rule does not apply.) Exceptions/Special Rules: (1) See special rules noted in table. (3) See Article 9 regarding Planned Development Districts. (3) See Note 1 regarding special exceptions. Item Regulation Garage space~ in general Garage doors or opemngs Garage accessory buildings Garage parking spaces. See Article 10. Minimum garage oal'kine- space dimen- sions Maneuver- ing area Door or opemng facing front street line. Door or opening facing side street line Limit on non -garage space Minimum:. -hQ2.0 per DU (1.0 Del' DU for old stock housine:); each must be enclosed or semi- enclosed and adioin a drivewav. Maximum:. 1.0 per g,aoo 2,225 sa. ft of building site area, not to exceed 4.0. NfA-1O feet wide, 20 feet deeD (for each reauired lraralre oarkinlr soace) Minimum:. 2.0 per DUi each ...Mmust be HHm enclosed garage. 12 ft, wide, j'ler sj'lace: 25 ft. deep (for each reauired garage Darkine: sDace) NL^. ! Requirea at garage 8j'leaiBg. See N'ete 2. See Article 10. Prohibited unless: (i) the garage door is set back ten feet or more from the front yard, and (ii) there is only open area above the driveway for at least seven feet inward from the front yard, and (iii) any structure above the driveway (and within 10 feet of the front vard) must be cantilevered or suspended from the building (no special posts or vertical supports being allowed). Prohibited unless: (i) the garage door is set back ten feet or more from the side street line, and (ii) there is only open area above the driveway for at least seven feet inward from the side street line, and (iii) any structure above the driveway (and within 10 feet of the side street line) must be cantilevered or suspended from the building (no special posts or vertical supports being allowed). Max. 600 sq. ft. GF A in any accessory building containing garage space. (May affect eligibility as QMDS. See definitions in Article 2.) (May affect eligibility as QMDS. See definitions in Article 2.) N/A Note 1. Special Exceptions. The ZBA may issue a special exception for a parking area, garage or driveway in another location or with a different design than prescribed by this table, if it finds that: (i) the other location or design will not unreasonably interfere with available light and air and will not significantly alter access for fire' fighting and similar needs; (iD the other location or design will prevent the destruction of a qualified tree; (iii) in the case of the remodeling of a principal building, the location requested is the same location as an existing parking area, garage or driveway; or (iv) the location or design requested is necessary for safety considerations. }\T{;f,c 2, Oa:.'s;--c 1ES.E.G'::i'c:.'1~'';;- s.:"x ' :1iaim::m dimousieus arc 21 ft. lOB;; aRel at least 2 ft. 7.'iEler than the ;;al'a;;e of)eRiRg. Reac8Flaele, 'wable "o':erh.an;;" aboye Ie'?.. landseapin;; al1cl similar areas ma~' be €e:-lHted toward ref:J:lirecl mane:lverillg area. Amend the second page of Table 7-4a in the same manner as shown above, so that: (i) changes applicable to SF Districts apply to "POD-SF" Districts and (ii) changes applicable to the TH District apply to "PDD- TH" Districts (but not POD-C). Amend subsection (c) of Section 1 0-1 02 as follows: (c) .1ririitieB8.! Maneuvering Areas. In addition to the minimum dimensions for parking spaces, there must be sufficient driveways and other maneuvering areas to allow ordinary, practical use of each required parking space, no f-ollo'oYo' ~ Maneuvering areas must also complv with the following: (1) Scc .\rtielc 7 l'cgm'ding garagc mancu'lcring arca. To facilitate access to each required garage parking space. there must be a maneuvering area immediatelv outside the garage opening. For SFD use: Gl the minimum dimensions are 20 ft. long and 10 ft. wide. for each space. unless the administrative official determines that a different configuration will allow average"sized vehicles to enter and leave the space easilv (and approves the configuration as part of an official site plan); and (ii) the area mav be located on the building site or in the adiacent street area. or partlv in each. For non' SFD uses. the minimum dimensions are 24 ft. long and 2 ft. wider than the garage opening. and the area must be located entirelv on the building site. (2) Maneuvering areas may not be counted toward the required number of parking spaces (except on sites with SFD use only). (3) Maneuvering areas (except those serving onlv one or two dwelling units) must be provided. sized and arranged so that a large vehicle can leave the street driving forward, enter any required parking space driving forward, park in that space, and then re-enter the street area driving forward, all with no more than two stops to change directions. As used in this section, "large vehicle" means a truck 18 feet long, with a turning radius of 24 feet (outside of bumper). E::cDptian' This does not apply to mancll'lcring m'oas that ocrlC only onc 01" two dwclling unito. (4) Reasonable. usable "overhang" above low landscaping and similar areas may be counted toward required maneuvering area. Exhibit B NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS The zoning & Planning Commission and the City Council of the City of West University Place, Texas ("City") will hold joint public hearings in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77005 during the City Council meeting set to begin at 6:30 PM on . Each hearing may be recessed and continued to the City Council meeting set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on , at the same place. The purpose for the hearings is to provide an opportunity for parties in interest and citizens to be heard in relation to proposal(s) to amend the City's zoning Ordinance, as follows: Garages, Maneuvering Area, Etc. The proposal would: (i) require at least two garage parking spaces per house (or one per house, for old stock housing) in single-family districts (SF Districts); (ii) require such garage parking spaces to be enclosed or semi-enclosed and adjoining a driveway; (iii) change the formula for the maximum number of garage parking spaces; (iv) specify minimum garage parking space dimensions in SF Districts; (v) specify minimum garage maneuvering areas in SF Districts; and (vi) specify when structures above driveways must be cantilevered or suspended. The proposal includes some clarifying changes and reorganization. Additional details on the proposal(s) as well as the zoning Ordinance are all available for public inspection in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77005. The proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance would apply generally within the City, and any person interested in such matters should attend the hearings. The proposal(s) may be adopted only after notice and hearing and would control over anything inconsistent in the current zoning Ordinance. Date: Isl Gayle Schultz, Assistant City Secretary