Planning & Zoning Commission

Agenda Request

Agenda Of:

March 25, 2010

Agenda Request No:

iii-a

Initiated By:

Nelda McGee,

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 09, 2010

Approve Minutes

Exhibits:

Minutes March 09, 2010

Clearances

Approval

Legal:

N/A

planning Director:

sabine somers-kuenzel

Recommended Action

 

Approve the minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting March 09, 2010.

 

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

tuesday, march 09, 2010

 

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 Tuesday, March 09, 2010 at 6:30 o'clock P.M. and the roll was called of the members; to wit:

 

Bridget R. Yeung, Chairman

Carl Stephens, Vice Chairman

Farha Ahmed

Marlena Berger

Sandy Hellums

Harish Jajoo

Nancy Porter

James Shaw

Paula Stansell

 

QUORUM PRESENT

 

All of said members were present, with the exception of Chairman Yeung, who was absent.

 

Also present were:

Council Member Russell C. Jones

Sabine Somers-Kuenzel, Planning Director

Doug Schomburg, Assistant Planning Director

David Worley, Assistant Public Works Director

Robert Valenzuela, Assistant City Engineer

Aaron Dobbs, Assistant City Attorney

Harold Ellis, Planner II

Mr. Richard Mancilla, Engineer II

Nelda McGee, Executive Secretary and

A Number of Visitors and Staff

 

CONVENE MEETING

 

Vice Chairman Stephens convened the session, open to the public, to order at 6:30 o’clock P.M.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Vice Chairman Stephens 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

 

Vice Chairman Stephens introduced consideration on the minutes of the regular City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held February 25, 2010.

 

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Shaw, seconded by Commissioner Berger, made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular City of Sugar Land Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held February 25, 2010, as amended.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

fact finding and recommendation

 

Conditional use Permit to Operate a Private School

13213 Southwest Freeway

 

Vice Chairman Stephens introduced consideration on a recommendation to the Mayor and Members of City Council for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a private school located on Sugar Creek Baptist Church Campus, 13213 Southwest Freeway, in the General Business (B-2) District.

 

Mr. Harold Ellis, Planner II stated Logos Preparatory Academy requested a new Conditional Use Permit to increase enrollment and to change buildings within the Sugar Creek Baptist Church Campus; zoning for the site is General Business (B-2). 

 

Logos began operating at Sugar Creek the fall semester of 2008 and proposes to increase total student enrollment from 375 to 1,075; the staggered University schedule will be maintained, with approximately one-half of the students on campus at any one time.  Space became available in West Campus building due to Fort Bend Baptist Academy vacating the building.  The TIA addendum indicates impact due to increased traffic can be mitigated. 

 

The request involves a total of 1,075 students, the West Campus building, and possible future expansion to the Christian Life Center and Promised Land building.  Enrollment at the West Campus will be 700 students, with a maximum 350 per day on campus.  If the enrollment at the West Campus building exceeds the 700, expanded enrollment at the CLC and Promised Land building will be 375 students, with a maximum 200 per day on campus. The total maximum number of students on campus at any one time will be 550.

The Commission provided direction to staff and the applicant following the Public Hearing on February 09, 2010:

 

 

Mr. Ellis stated the facility does not house enough students to warrant the presence of an off-duty police officer and no schools, public or private, use off-duty police officers for routine traffic circulation.

 

Mr. Richard Mancilla, Engineer II stated there are no on-site improvements, so there is no impact to drainage, water, or wastewater.  An addendum done to the TIA determined adequate storage on-site for queuing; traffic should not queue on to U. S. 59 or any other public road, there is no impact to public infrastructure.  Internal circulation plans are provided for the West Campus (Plan A) and possible expansion to the CLC and Promised Land Building (Plan B), the applicant proposes a stop-control monitor at the intersection.  Traffic will be forced to go around Mother’s Day-Out parking. 

 

The applicant has indicated the students will be accompanied by a teacher any time they cross between the two buildings; the crosswalk is well marked.

 

Staff recommends approval to the Mayor and City Council with conditions:

 

 

Commissioner Ahmed asked if there would be a station monitor during the morning and afternoon circulation times and if both circulation plans would be attached to the CUP.  Mr. Ellis clarified that staff recommends a station monitor for the afternoon only, when traffic congestion is the heaviest; the Commission has the option to recommend station monitors for both morning and afternoon circulation times.   Both circulation plans will be attached to the CUP; Plan B takes effect only when enrollment at the West Campus exceeds 700 and triggers expansion to the CLC/Promised Land building. 

 

Commissioner Berger asked about exit and entrance for the site and possible issues with traffic exiting U.S. 59.   Mr. Ellis stated both circulation Plans exit Drive 1, turning right onto the feeder road.  Vice Chairman Stephens asked what would prevent traffic from entering Drive 1.  Mr. Robert Valenzuela, Assistant City Engineer explained that drivers could use Drive 1 as an entrance since it is a shared use access point, it is very difficult to enter the queuing line against traffic; Logos is also responsible for educating the parents regarding the circulation plan.

 

In response to Commissioner Stansell’s concern of the overall congestion of the area, Mr. David Worley, Assistant Public Works Director stated the circulation plan directs parents onto one driveway.  There is sufficient distance between the entrance at Drive 3 and the exit at Drive 1 to avoid queuing; TxDOT approval of the driveways ensures there is sufficient distance for traffic exiting U.S. 59 to merge right for the turn-in.  If there are back-ups onto the feeder road, the Texas Transportation Code allows officers to ticket the drivers.  Mr. Mancilla added that Fort Bend Baptist Academy was grandfathered with no CUP and no circulation plan, but uses Drive 2 frequently; closing Drive 2 and utilizing the rest of the site will be an improvement for the entire site.  Mr. Ellis clarified that Drive 2 will be closed only during the circulation times. 

 

Commissioner Jajoo asked if the drive aisle would accommodate overflow conditions with parking on both sides and if service level for the site was codified.  The drive aisle is twenty-six feet and will accommodate overflow conditions.  Mr. Worley stated the level of service has a grading system range from “F” (failing) to “A” (free flowing) and depends on the parameters of the site.  Mr. Mancilla added that Development Code level of service requirements apply to public street intersections, not private drives at a public street.

 

Vice Chairman Stephens asked for clarification on enrollment numbers.  Mr. Ellis stated that maximum by ordinance will be total enrolled students of 1,075; the proposed maximum attendance per day is approximately one-half the enrollment or 550 students per day.  Mr. Ricks Goolsby, Applicant added that in the University model school, secondary students attend classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; elementary students attend on Tuesday and Thursday; the 550 per day based on total enrollment accommodates possible increases or decreases in either elementary or secondary enrollment from year to year.

 

Vice Chairman Stephens suggested the conditions be modified to include both a morning and afternoon monitor at Drive 3 when expansion becomes necessary and for safety reasons, and that more than one Logos staff member be present when elementary children are crossing between buildings.  Mr. Goolsby stated the maximum number of elementary students using the crosswalk to go to P.E. class is 15; currently, the P.E. teacher meets the class at a certain location and accompanies them to the gym.  Commissioner Porter commented that student safety is the main concern and suggested teacher in-service cover safety issues and ways to make the crossing safer.  Mr. Goolsby stated that student safety is very important to Logos Academy and factors into the accreditation; staff is in constant contact with Sugar Creek Baptist Church to determine the best way to provide a safe work and student environment.

 

Commissioner Ahmed asked for further clarification on enrollment and what would trigger Circulation Plan B.  Mr. Ellis explained that Plan B will go into effect when total enrollment at the West Campus exceeds 700 students and forces expansion to the CLC and Promised Land building; staff will specify “in compliance with the applicable circulation plan” and define the parameters (Plan A, 700 and below; Plan B, over 700).

 

Following a full and complete discussion, Commissioner Shaw, seconded by Commissioner Jajoo, made a motion to recommend approval to the Mayor and City Council for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a private school located on Sugar Creek Baptist Church Campus, 13213 Southwest Freeway, in the General Business (B-2) District with the following conditions:

 

 

The motion carried unanimously.

 

REPORTS

 

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION LIAISON REPORTS

 

Commissioner Jajoo, Planning and Zoning Commission Liaison, commented on the City Council meeting held March 02, 2010, stating the item passed for zoning 8.018 acres Telfair Section 32 Permanent Standard Single Family Residential (R-1). 

 

CITY STAFF REPORT

 

Ms. Sabine Somers-Kuenzel, Planning Director, stated there were no City Staff reports.

 

CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS

 

Council Member Russell C. Jones, City Council Liaison, on behalf of the City Council thanked the Commission for their continued support and hard work.

 

ADJOURN

 

There, being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Jahoo, seconded by Commissioner Ahmed moved that the meeting adjourn.  The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned, time at 7:06 o'clock P.M.

 

                                                           

Bridget Yeung, Chairman

(SEAL)