Planning & Zoning Commission

Agenda Request

Agenda Of:

october 10, 2006

Agenda Request No:

IV A

Initiated By:

Kathy Munoz,

Executive Secretary

Responsible Department:

City Secretary

Presented By:

Glenda Gundermann,

City Secretary

Department Head:

Glenda Gundermann,

City Secretary

 

 

Additional Department. Head (s):

N/A

Subject / Proceeding:

Minutes Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting September 28, 2006

Approve Minutes

Exhibits:

Minutes Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting September 28, 2006

 

Clearances

Approval

Legal:

N/A

City Planner:

Recommended Action

 

Approve the minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting September 28, 2006.

 

Exhibits

 

STATE OF TEXAS

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COUNTY OF FORT BEND

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CITY OF SUGAR LAND

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CITY OF SUGAR LAND

Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission MEETING

sEPTEMBER 28, 2006

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

The City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission convened in a regular meeting open to the public and pursuant to notice thereof duly given in accordance with Chapter 551, Government Code, Vernon's Texas Codes, Annotated, as amended, in Sugar Land City Hall within said City on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 7:02 o'clock P.M. and the roll was called of the members; to wit:

 

Joe Zimmerman, Chairman

Nancy Porter, Vice Chairman

Kathy Huebner, Secretary

Jesse DeLaRosa

Lina Sabouni

James Shaw

Carl Stephens

William Sun

Bridget R. Yeung

 

QUORUM PRESENT

 

All of said members were present with the exception of Commissioner Sabouni and Commissioner De La Rosa.

 

Also present were:

Meredith Wilganowski, Assistant City Attorney

Grace Tamez, Assistant City Secretary, and

A Number of Visitors and Staff

 

CONVENE MEETING

 

Chairman Zimmerman convened the session, open to the public, to order at 7:02 o’clock P.M.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Chairman Zimmerman introduced Public Comment stating that citizens desiring to address the Planning and Zoning Commission with regard to matters on the agenda would be received at this time.

 

There were no public comments.

 

minutes – september 12, 2006

 

Chairman Zimmerman introduced consideration on approval of the minutes of the regular City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting held September 12, 2006.

 

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Shaw, seconded by Commissioner Stephens, made a motion to approve the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held September 12, 2006.  The motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Huebner abstaining.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

AMENDMENT - SUGAR LAND TOWN SQUARE PLANNED DEVELOPMET DISTRICT

 

Chairman Zimmerman convened the public hearing to receive and hear all persons desiring to be heard on a request by Planned Community Developers to amend the signage requirements for Sugar Land Town Square Planned Development (PD) District located at the southwest intersection of U. S. Highway 59 and State Highway 6. 

 

Mr. Doug Schomburg, Assistant City Planner, stated that as previously discussed in workshop key elements of the amendments for wall signage allow signs to be oriented in a vertical blade style placement rather than horizontal urban style vs. suburban style; and includes specific criteria for plaque-type signs that hang below canopies at entrances.  Staff recommends a minimum eight-foot ground clearance for plaque signs for uniformity and safety.  Proposed additions include: vertical placement of wall signs; building wall signs restricted to 10 feet, height, 5 feet wide and maximum of 30 square feet with an 8 foot ground clearance; parking garage walls restricted to 35 percent of wall façade or a height of 25 feet, whichever is less, and a width of 4 feet wide and 100 square feet with an eight foot ground clearance; plaque signs are given specific parameters of a maximum 2 foot in height, 6 foot in width and total maximum square footage of 10 feet with a canopy or awning hung above the sign required and a 8 foot ground clearance.  Of the two inquiries made regarding the amendment, no opposition was expressed.

 

Chairman Zimmerman entertained comments from the public; hearing none the public hearing was closed.

 

Chairman Zimmerman introduced consideration on a recommendation to the Mayor and Members of City Council on an amendment to Sugar Land Town Square Planned Development District for signage.

 

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Porter, seconded by Commissioner Huebner, made a motion to approve a recommendation to the Mayor and Members of City Council to amend Sugar Land Town Square Planned Development District for signage.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS (CONTINUED)

 

rezone 27 ACRES – NORTHERN TELFAIR DEVELOPMENT

 

Chairman Zimmerman convened the public hearing to receive and hear all persons desiring to be heard on rezoning of 27 acres in the northern Telfair Development at the intersection of Highway 6 and University Boulevard from Interim Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1) to Planned Development (PD).

 

Ms. Sabine Somers-Kuenzel, City Planner, stated that the rezone to Planned Development was requested by City Council.  Staff recommends approval of the rezone stating that the ordinance is written with developer commitments however there are options that could be explored.

 

Mr. Travis Tanner, Planner, briefed the Commission on the 27.3 acres out of 112.7 acres stating Staff has worked closely with the applicant to address concerns expressed for: 1) the general nature of the overall submittal 2) the compressed time frame and 3) certain uses that are typically Conditional Uses that were proposed as uses by right with no additional future review.  City Council has requested that the remainder of the acreage shown in the original submittal as Phases 2-4 be submitted comprehensively in the future and recommended an overall approach to the 112 acres, that included a two step process; remaining 85 acres under Planned Development involving submittal of a General Development Plan with future phases as Final Development Plans. 

 

The applicant has chosen to reduce the acreage to be rezoned to their original Phase I.  The developer is prepared to make commitments regarding specific land uses and lot layouts.  The developer has refined the use list to be consistent with the City SIC codes, and has removed all uses that would be Conditional Uses in the B-2 District.  The list contains approximately 75% of uses allowed in a B-2 District; large scale retail and grocery are not included.  The uses primarily consist of a mix of offices, services and small scale retail.  Open space is defined as areas not covered by parking lots or other impervious cover versus the development code specification of building footprint only. The ordinance requires 20% open space versus 15% required in a B-2 District including parking lots.  Under the proposal, no outside storage or merchandise is allowed.  The PD includes concrete drives and parking lots with pavers at intersections versus asphalt or concrete option in the B-2 District.   Under the proposal building, parking and landscape setbacks would be more restrictive than required under the Development Code.

 

Height restrictions are limited to a maximum of 8 stories versus the 100’ foot, no story limit under B-2 zoning.  The proposal includes pedestrian sidewalks and tree lined streets, which is more restrictive than the development code requirements.

 

Peter Jacob, Weaver, Davis and Jacob, stated that the PD being offered was a superior plan versus the B-2 zoning, and Mr. Tanner had covered the primary differences between requirements in the PD versus those in a B-2 District.

 

Chairman Zimmerman introduced consideration on a recommendation to the Mayor and Members of City Council to rezone 27 acres in the northern Telfair Development at the intersection of Highway 6 and University Boulevard from Interim Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1) to Planned Development (PD).

 

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Huebner, seconded by Commissioner Shaw, made a motion to approve a recommendation to the Mayor and Members of City Council to rezone 27 acres  in the northern Telfair Development at the intersection of Highway 6 and University Boulevard from Interim Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1) to Planned Development (PD) with conditions: to limit construction to one hotel and one hospital, exclude motel as a potential use and specify that like masonry finishes must be applied to all four facades of buildings.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

SUBDIVISION PLATS

 

TELFAIR SECTION 8 PRELIMINARY PLAT

 

Chairman Zimmerman introduced consideration on Telfair Section 8 Preliminary Plat.

 

Mr. Travis Tanner, Planner, stated the preliminary plat consisted of 7.8 acres, 21 lots in the southern portion of Telfair east of Telfair Section 7, and is currently zoned Interim Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1).  The approved General Plan does not provide for Zero Lot Line Single-Family Residential (R-1Z).  The developer has expressed the intent to request R-1Z zoning in the future, which will require an amendment to the General Plan.

 

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Shaw, seconded by Commissioner Porter , made a motion to approve Telfair Section 8 Preliminary Plat with conditions of: completion of master notes prior to final plat approval, General Plan amendment allowing for Zero Lot Line Single-Family Residential (R-1Z) and permanent zoning to R-1Z prior to final plat approval.  The motion carried unanimously

 

SUBDIVISION PLATS (continued)

 

Telfair Section 28 Revised Preliminary Plat

 

Chairman Zimmerman introduced consideration on Telfair Section 28 Revised Preliminary Plat.

 

Mr. Travis Tanner, Planner, stated the revised plat contains 42 acres, 166 lots in the southwest portion of Telfair, west of Telfair Avenue and north of U. S. Highway 59.  The property is zoned Zero Lot Line Single-Family Residential (R-1Z).  The original preliminary plat was approved by the Commission on July 11, 2006. The applicant request approval of a revised preliminary plat to increase the number of lots  by seven.

 

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Stephens, seconded by Commissioner Sun, made a motion to approve Telfair Section 28 Revised Preliminary Plat with conditions of: lot width dimensions be added to Lots 37-39, Block 5 on the final plat and recordation of Telfair Avenue Phase Two Street Dedication plat prior to final plat approval.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

REPORTS

 

CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS

 

Council Member Hosley reported on the Brazos River Park dedication; amenities to include special landscaping, lakes and hiking trails, the recent City Council planning session on upcoming special projects and the upcoming Boards and Commission dinner on October 04, 2006.  Council Member Hosley introduced two recently appointed Commissioners and closed with a special thank you and recognition to Commissioner Huebner and Commissioner Porter for their dedication and long tenure of service on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION LIAISON REPORTS

 

Chairman Zimmerman thanked Commissioner Huebner and Commissioner Porter for their long service, diligence to duty and contribution to the Commission.

 

CITY STAFF REPORT

 

Ms. Sabine Somers-Kuenzel, City Planner, thanked Commissioner Huebner and Commissioner Porter for their contributions to the City.

 

ADJOURN

 

There, being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Stephens, moved that the meeting adjourn.  The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned, time at 8:54 o'clock P.M.

 

 

 

                                                           

Joe Zimmerman, Chairman

 

 

(SEAL)