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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02122026 ZPC Agenda Item 5 ity of West University Place Public Works Department Zoning & Planning Commission MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD MEETING MINUTES September 11,2025 Name Role/Function John Cutrer Chair(Zoning and Planning Commission) John Howard Commissioner(Voting Member) Deb Rephlo Commissioner(Voting Member) Nikki Haley Commissioner(Voting Member) Miranda Takashima Commissioner(Voting Member) Bob Powell Commissioner(Voting Member) Christopher Guess Planning and Zoning Administrator(City Staff) I. Call to Order,Introductions, and Procedures • Meeting Called to Order: The meeting was called to order by the Chair. • Roll Call/Introductions: Commissioners and City Staff introduced themselves. A quorum was present. • Procedural Review: The Chair reviewed public comment procedures, including the three-minute time limit and relevance requirements. • Notice of Meeting: Christopher Guess confirmed the meeting was properly posted in accordance with state and local requirements. II. Public Hearing: Replat Request Lots 16, 17,and 18,Block 9,Rice Court Presenter: Christopher Guess, Planning and Zoning Administrator Staff Presentation • Proposal to replat three lots into two lots, with Lot 17 absorbed by adjacent Lots 16 and 18. • Notification provided by: o Mailed notice to property owners within 200 feet o Online posting o Newspaper publication • Staff confirmed the replat meets applicable subdivision regulations and city ordinances. • Staff Recommendation: Approval. 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 Oi .ty of West University Place Public Works Department Discussion • Commissioners asked questions regarding: o Resulting lot sizes and minimum requirements o A publication error stating the replat would create "1 lot" instead of"2 lots" • Clarification provided: o Each resulting lot approximately 75 feet wide by 105 feet deep (approximately 0.18 acres). • Publication Error: Staff acknowledged the error and recommended conditional approval subject to corrected republication. • The applicant, Joyce Smith, requested conditional approval to avoid project delays. Action Taken MOTION: Approve the replat of Lots 16, 17, and 18, Block 9, Rice Court, subject to correction of the publication notice. • Moved by: Commissioner • Seconded by: Commissioner • VOTE: Unanimous approval 0 Action Highlighted: Conditional approval of replat request pending corrected publication. III. Reference Material: Sculptures and Accessory Structures • Christopher Guess introduced draft reference materials related to the regulation of sculptures and accessory structures. • Purpose of materials: o Provide visual examples o Establish a framework for potential future ordinance development o Comparable to existing regulations for basketball goals and similar structures • No action taken. Materials were entered into the record for future discussion. IV. Adjournment • The meeting was adjourned following completion of agenda items. Meeting Adjourned. PASSED THIS DAY OF ,2026. John Cutrer, Chairman ATTEST: Ms. Josie M. Hayes, Administrative Coordinator 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 City of West University Place Public Works Department Zoning & Planning Commission MUNICIPAL BUILDING 3800 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD MEETING MINUTES December 11,2025 Name Role/Function John Cutrer Chair(Zoning and Planning Commission) John Howard Commissioner(Voting Member) Allen Elkowitz Commissioner(Voting Member) Dick Yehle Commissioner(Voting Member) Carolyn Galfione Commissioner(Voting Member) Doug Rephlo Commissioner(Voting Member) Christopher Guess Planning and Zoning Administrator(City Staff) Chuck Sandifer Chief Building Official (City Staff) Josie Hayes Administrative Coordinator(City Staff) Philip Boedeker City Attorney (Olsen & Olsen) I. Call to Order, Introductions, and Procedures • Meeting Called to Order: John Cutrer(Chair) called the meeting to order and confirmed the meeting had been properly posted in accordance with state and local requirements. • Roll Call/Introductions: Commissioners and City Staff introduced themselves.Newly appointed members provided brief background information. • Public Comments (Non-Agenda Items): No public comments were received. • Oath of Office: • All Zoning and Planning Commission members present were formally sworn in. • The required Oath of Office and Statement of Officer were administered and completed. • Legal Training: • Philip Boedeker(City Attorney)provided mandatory training on the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA), Texas Public Information Act(TPIA), and Conflicts of Interest. • Topics included quorum requirements, walking quorums, deliberations outside posted meetings, public comment procedures, use of personal electronic devices, public records retention, and disclosure/recusal requirements for conflicts of interest. 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 City of West University Place Public Works Department II. Discussion Item: City Council Requested Zoning and Ordinance Topics Presenter: Christopher Guess, Planning and Zoning Administrator • Background: • Mr. Guess presented a staff overview of topics requested by City Council following the December City Council meeting and outlined expectations for future reports to Council. • Topics Identified for ZPC Review: • Sexually Oriented Businesses • Other Restricted Businesses • Yard Art and Sculptures • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) • Lighting Ordinance • Kirby Drive Zoning and Land Use Review • Exterior Beautification • Staff Direction and Discussion: • Staff explained that some topics have prior ZPC history, while others involve new or evolving development pressures, including regional impacts from development along Kirby Drive and adjacent Houston properties. • Commissioners discussed the complexity and historical significance of Kirby Drive land use and recommended prioritizing that topic early due to long-standing transition and buffering issues between commercial and residential areas. • Staff outlined an anticipated sequencing approach, grouping related topics and addressing them over multiple meetings as needed. • Sexually oriented business regulations were identified as a near-term priority due to upcoming City Council consideration of a related fee schedule. • Consensus Direction: • The Commission provided consensus direction for staff to prioritize and structure future agendas around City Council's requested topics, with emphasis on: o Sexually Oriented Businesses (near-term) o Kirby Drive Zoning and Land Use Review(early and ongoing) No formal action or vote was taken on this discussion item. III.Other Business 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 City of West University Place Public Works Department • Approval of Previous Minutes: • No prior meeting minutes were presented for review or approval. • Future Meetings: • Staff confirmed the next regular Zoning and Planning Commission meeting date consistent with the adopted meeting schedule. IV.Adjournment • MOTION to adjourn. • Seconded. • VOTE: Unanimously in favor. Meeting Adjourned. PASSED THIS DAY OF ,2026. John Cutrer, Chairman ATTEST: Ms. Josie M. Hayes, Administrative Coordinator 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 Atyof West University Place Public Works Department Name Role/Function John Cutrer Chair(Zoning and Planning Commission) John Howard Commissioner(Voting Member) Allen Elkowitz Commissioner(Voting Member) (Absent) Dick Yehle Commissioner(Voting Member) Carolyn Galfione Commissioner(Voting Member) Doug Rephlo Commissioner(Voting Member) Christopher Guess Planning and Zoning Administrator(City Staff) Chuck Sandifer Chief Building Official (City Staff) (Not Present) Josie Hayes Administrative Coordinator(City Staff) Philip Boedeker City Attorney (Olsen& Olsen) I. Call to Order,Introductions, and Procedures • Meeting Called to Order: January 08,2026 Chair John Cutrer called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM and confirmed the meeting was properly posted in accordance with state and local requirements. • Roll Call/Introductions: Commissioners, City Staff, and members of the public introduced themselves. A quorum was present. • Public Comments (Non-Agenda Items): Multiple members of the public provided comments primarily related to yard art and outdoor sculptures, including concerns regarding: o Notification of property owners o Safety and structural integrity o Longstanding presence of yard art o Artistic expression and First Amendment considerations Chair Cutrer clarified that yard art was not an action item on the agenda and that comments would be noted for future consideration. II. Discussion Item: City Council Requested Zoning and Ordinance Topics Presenter: Christopher Guess, Planning and Zoning Administrator Background • Mr. Guess presented a staff overview of topics requested by City Council following the December City Council meeting. • He explained that the Commission's role is to review existing ordinances, evaluate potential regulatory tools, and provide recommendations back to City Council. Topics Identified for ZPC Review • Sexually Oriented Businesses • Other Restricted Businesses (e.g., pawn shops,predatory lenders, head shops,tattoo studios) • Yard Art and Sculptures • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 City of West University p Place Public Works Department • Lighting Ordinance • Kirby Drive Zoning and Land Use Review • Exterior Beautification Staff Direction and Discussion • Mr. Guess reviewed existing West University Place regulations and compared them with benchmark cities, including Bellaire, Hedwig Village, Hunters Creek Village, and Webster. • Discussion focused on: o State limitations on prohibiting sexually oriented businesses o Use of location, distance, and buffering regulations as effective tools o Potential expansion of buffer distances from residential areas, schools, parks, and municipal facilities o Clarifying and strengthening ordinance definitions to align with state law • Commissioners discussed prioritizing topics based on City Council direction and community interest. • Yard art and sculpture discussions were acknowledged as generating significant public interest and were recommended to be formally agendized for future meetings. Consensus Direction • The Commission provided consensus directions for staff to: o Prioritize review of sexually oriented businesses and other restricted businesses o Continuing early and ongoing review of Kirby Drive zoning and land use o Elevate yard art and sculpture discussions to a higher priority for future agendas • Staff will return with draft ordinances,GIS buffer analysis,and recommendations for Commission review. No formal action or vote was taken. III. Other Business • Approval of Previous Minutes: No prior meeting minutes were presented for review or approval. Staff advised that pending minutes will be included on the next agenda. • Future Meetings: Staff confirmed the next regular Zoning and Planning Commission meeting will occur in accordance with the adopted meeting schedule. IV. Adjournment • Motion to adjourn made by Carolyn Galfione • Seconded by John Howard • Vote: Unanimous • Noes: None 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830 City of West University Place Public Works Department Meeting Adjourned. PASSED THIS DAY OF ,2026. John Cutrer,Chairman ATTEST:JO 'M. Hayes, Administrative Coordinator 3826 Amherst St. www.westutx.gov West University Place, TX 77005 713-662-5830