Planning & Zoning Commission
	Agenda Request
Agenda Of:	04/08/08	Agenda Request No:		III 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 March 27, 2008 Approve Minutes
Exhibits:	Minutes Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting March 27, 2008
Clearances			Approval
Legal:	N/A		City Planner:
Recommended Action
Approve the minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting March 27, 2008.
Exhibits

STATE OF TEXAS	§
COUNTY OF FORT BEND	§
CITY OF SUGAR LAND	§

CITY OF SUGAR LAND

Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission MEETING

Thursday, march 27, 2008

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, March 27, 2008 at 6:30 o'clock p.m. and the roll was called of the members; to wit:

Bridget R. Yeung, Chairman

Joe Zimmerman, Vice Chairman

James Shaw

Carl Stephens

Farha Ahmed

Marlena Berger

Paula Stansell

Ke Chen

Larry Davidson

QUORUM PRESENT

All of said members were present with the exception of Commissioner Chen and Commissioner Zimmerman who were absent.

Also present were:

Leticia Garza, Administrative Manager

Kathy Munoz, Executive Secretary, and

A Number of Visitors and Staff

CONVENE MEETING

Chairman Yeung convened the session, open to the public, to order at 6:30 o’clock p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Chairman Yeung 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 – february 28, 2008

Chairman Yeung introduced consideration on approval of the minutes of the regular City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting held February 28, 2008.

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Davidson, seconded by Commissioner Shaw, made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting held February 28, 2008. The motion carried unanimously.

minutes – march 11, 2008

Chairman Yeung introduced consideration on approval of the minutes of the regular City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting held March 11, 2008.

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Davidson, seconded by Commissioner Stansell, made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting held March 11, 2008. The motion carried unanimously.

workshop

TELFAIR CENTRAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

Chairman Yeung introduced review of Telfair Central Planned Development District.

Mr. Doug Schomburg, Assistant Planning Director, introduced Karen Glynn, Assistant City Manager and Mr. Keith Behrens, Project Manager, Newland Communities to speak to the Commission on Telfair Central Planned Development District.

Ms. Karen Glynn, Assistant City Manager, stated that the city has been in discussion with the Houston Museum of Natural Science for several years regarding a satellite location in the Sugar Land area. In 1998, the city was approached by the museum about the possibility of locating a museum in Sugar Land Town Square, but it was later determined that this was not an appropriate site. The museum concept was tabled until recently when the city and the museum again began looking at possible locations that would house a cultural arts center in the Sugar Land area. It was determined that there were two possible sites: 1) University of Houston campus and 2) Central Prison Farm Building located in the Telfair development. After further consideration it was determined that the building located in Telfair was more practical in that there is a building in existence and Newland Communities already had the intent of using the building and surrounding area as a civic facility.

A Letter of Understanding between the City of Sugar Land, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Newland Communities was executed in December 2006. The agreement stipulates that Newland Communities will donate the building, the site and the building’s exterior renovations. The City in turn has agreed to upgrade and update the interior of the building to bring it to the standards needed for a modern museum facility with a funding of 6 million; in turn the Museum will enter into a 50 year lease on the building and build out and operate and maintain a museum.

The city entered into a design contract with PGAL to do a building assessment and cost analysis to determine if the project was feasible and within budget. The city approached the Sugar Land 4B Corporation which has agreed to fund the 6 million costs over a two year period. Once the zoning and platting has been approved, Newland Communities will convey the property to the city. The city will make improvements to the interior of the building; when these goals have been accomplished the Houston Museum of Natural Science will enter into a lease agreement with the city.

Another component to the Telfair Central planned development includes 2.667 acres of a commercial site; adjacent to the site will be an 8.279 acre recreation area that is for use by only Telfair residents.

Mr. Keith Behren, Project Manager, Newland Communities, stated that the additional acreage included in the planned development includes commercial sites that will compliment the museum or that will serve Telfair and the Fort Bend area. Acreage adjacent to the site will accommodate an association meeting facility for the residents of Telfair along with tennis courts and a pool.

The Commission discussed access easements from New Territory Boulevard and University Boulevard and questions regarding landscape buffering. It was noted that the landscape buffering and bulk regulations exceed or meet B-2 District requirements; the definition of open space, excluding parking lots, is more restrictive than the current Development Code.

AMEND THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

Chairman Yeung made a motion to amend the order of the agenda to accommodate the Public Hearing at 7:00 o’clock p.m.

public hearings

PERMANENT ZONING OF APPROXIMATELY 7.799 ACRES

Chairman Yeung introduced public hearings to receive and hear all persons desiring to be heard on a request for permanent zoning of approximately 7.799 acres to Planned Development (PD) District located at University Boulevard and New Territory Boulevard.

Ms. Ruth Lohmer, Senior Planner, stated this is the first step of a two step PD zoning request for 7.799 acres of land located at the southwest corner of the intersection of University Boulevard and New Territory Boulevard. The property consists of 5.123 acres for a Museum Site (Central Farm Building) and 2.676 acres for a commercial site. The property was annexed into the corporate limits of Sugar Land under Ordinance No. 1431 on July 1, 2004, with Interim R-1 zoning applied to all of the Telfair property. The property includes the existing Central State Farm Prison Building, which will be utilized as a museum. The remaining portion of the property is currently vacant. The proposed PD zoning is in conformance with the revised General Plan for Telfair as approved by City Council on December 19, 2006.

The city is working closely with Newland Communities to mitigate any traffic impacts caused by development of the site. As part of the signed museum contract, the city and Newland Communities will each be financing the construction of dedicated turn lanes on University Boulevard and New Territory Boulevard.

The use list includes a modified B-2 District list; uses allowed by a CUP in the B-2 District are not allowed in the PD, such as automotive related uses. The list of uses includes the uses for both sites; when the two final development plans are submitted the use lists will be reduced to only include the uses that are appropriate for each site. The 5.123 acre site where the museum will be located will only include:

· SIC 84, Museums,

· SIC 99, Parks and Recreation Facilities Only

· SIC 58, Eating and Drinking Places (Ancillary Use)

Remaining uses are those that are proposed for the commercial site; some proposed uses such as a garden store may not be appropriate as large-scale operations at this location. The size of the property, 2.676 acres, will limit commercial business uses.

The planned development is not in conflict with the size criteria; development meets the intent of the PD District; is not in conflict with the General Plan Amendment 3; development regulations meet or exceed B-2 District requirements; and the PD process provides layout certainty.

Chairman Yeung hearing no further requests to speak closed the public hearing.

Chairman Yeung introduced discussion and direction on permanent zoning of approximately 7.799 acres to Planned Development (PD) District located at University Boulevard and New Territory Boulevard.

The Commission discussed the traffic analysis and access easements for the development, and had questions regarding the SIC list and whether drinking places could include those that served alcoholic beverages. Mr. Behrens stated that the list includes that type of location, but was not necessarily the kind of drinking place that would be located there. When the two final development plans are submitted the use lists will be reduced to only include those uses that are appropriate for each of the sites.

permanent zoning of approximately 8.279

Chairman Yeung introduced public hearings to receive and hear all persons desiring to be heard on a request for permanent zoning of approximately 8.279 acres of land to Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1) District located at University Boulevard and New Territory Boulevard.

Mr. Harold Ellis, Planner II, stated the 8.279 acres is adjacent to the proposed Telfair Central Planned Development (PD) District located near the southwest corner of University Boulevard and New Territory Boulevard, abutting a LID 17 detention pond. The desired use of the land is park and recreational facilities. Park and recreational uses are allowed in the R-1 district; commercial uses are not permitted. The area is designated in the Telfair General Plan as part of a civic center complex. Permanent R-1 zoning is consistent with the General Plan and is compatible with surrounding area and the adjacent proposed Planned Development (PD) district.

Chairman Yeung hearing no further requests to speak closed the public hearing.

Chairman Yeung introduced discussion and direction on permanent zoning of approximately 8.279 acres of land to Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1) District located at University Boulevard and New Territory Boulevard.

Ms. Somers-Kuenzel reviewed the purpose for zoning the district (R-1) stating it is the common zoning practice in most cities as it avoids any claims for regulatory taking; most parks are considered public property.

subdivision plats

TELFAIR SECTION 20 PRELIMINARY PLAT

Chairman Yeung introduced consideration on Telfair Section 20 Preliminary Plat.

Ms. Ruth Lohmer, Senior Planner, stated that Telfair Section 20 consist of 28.020 acres; includes 48 residential lots and five reserves, one dedicated to landscape/open space and one dedicated to drainage. Access to this subdivision will be provided through Meadowcroft Boulevard which will connect to University Boulevard and Wescott Avenue within the Telfair development when it is completed. The property was permanently zoned Standard Single-Family Residential (R-1) District by City Council on February 19, 2008. The Preliminary Plat meets all R-1 zoning district development regulations, including lot area, width, depth and yards.

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Stephens, seconded by Commissioner Davidson, made a motion to approve Telfair Section 20 Preliminary Plat with the condition that Meadowcroft Boulevard be accepted and recorded prior to final plat approval and removal of the pipeline easement abandonment notation from the plat. The motion carried unanimously.

Sugar Lane Business Park Replat No. 2 Preliminary Replat

Chairman Yeung introduced consideration on Sugar Lane Business Park Replat No. 2 Preliminary Replat.

Mr. Douglas Schomburg, Assistant Planning Director, stated the plat consists of seven (7) commercial reserves on 16.5 acres located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 90A and University Boulevard at the Sugar Park Lane cul-de-sac. The current recorded plat Sugar Lane Business Park established the cul-de-sac street. The property is not within a Municipal Utility District or Levee Improvement District and is zoned General Business (B-2) District. The replat proposes to create four reserves; meets all zoning district and development regulations, with several items stated as proposed conditions to be satisfied at the time of final replatting, including removal of right-of-way dedication from the plat boundary. That ROW dedication was completed with the recordation of the current plat in January of 2008 and is not proposed to change.

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Stephens, seconded by Commissioner Ahmed, made a motion to approve Sugar Lane Business Park Replat No. 2 Preliminary Replat with conditions to include a revision to remove right-of-way dedication area from plat boundary, correction of Master Notes 6, 7, 8 and removal of Note 22, correction in title block to refer to Sugar Land Business Park recorded plat, and completion of traffic impact analysis and construction plans prior to final platting. The motion carried unanimously.

REPORTS

CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS

Council Member Dennis Parmer reported that a second annexation public hearing was held for a 20.8 acres annexation; surface water conversion project underway to meet regulatory requirements for surface water conversion by 2013; hiring of an engineering firm to study and determine the location of the water conversion plant; approval of a contract for 100 T-hangars at the Airport, the expansion does not include any new runways; appointment of TIRZ No. 3 Board of Directors for the Imperial development; and a feasibility study regarding the Central State Prison facility.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION LIAISON REPORTS

Commissioner Shaw reported that project bids were coming in under budget due to the slow down in the construction industry; and public hearing on a conditional use permit for a Marriot Spring Hill Suites hotel in the B-O District.

CITY STAFF REPORT

There was no report.

ADJOURN

There, being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Stansell, seconded by Commissioner Davidson moved that the meeting adjourn. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned, time at 7:40 o'clock p.m.

Bridget Yeung, Chairman

(SEAL)