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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ 2007-10-18 MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS OCTOBER 18, 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Randy Shiflet at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL PRESENT Chairman Randy Shiflet Secretary Don Bowen Steven Cooper Mark Haynes Kelly Gent Ex-Officio Dianna Madar ABSENT Vice Chairman Bill Schopper Mike Benton CITY STAFF Dir. Planning and Development John Pitstick Chief Planner Eric Wilhite Assist. Dir. Public Works Greg VanNeiuwenhuize Customer Service Assistant Tanya Hope Recording Secretary Teresa Koontz 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mark Haynes led the pledge of allegiance. Page 1 of 8; 10-18-07 P & Z Minutes 4. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 4, 2007 MEETING APPROVED Mark Haynes, seconded by Kelly Gent, motioned to approve the minutes of October 4, 2007. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 5. RP 2007-06 Open and continue Public Hearing and Consideration of a Request from Scott Bozarth and David Austin to Approve a Replat of Lot 1, and Lot 3-R Block 11, Meadow Lakes Addition Phase 3 & 4, into Lots 1-R & 3-R1, Block 11. (Located at 6300 Block of Skylark Circle -0.604 acre and 0.415 acre, respectively). The Public Hearing was opened at 7:02 p.m. No applicants or representatives came forward. Eric Wilhite stated that this case had been presented at the September 20, 2007 Planning and Zoning meeting. At that time, the applicant requested a continuance to this scheduled meeting. There have been no discussions with the applicants since that time. There continues to be an easement issue between the applicant and the franchise utility company which has not been resolved. Staff requests denying this case until the matter is resolved. At that time, this case will be re-advertised and brought back to P & Z for consideration. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:04. DENIED Don Bowen motioned to deny RP 2007-06, seconded by Mark Haynes. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 6. FP 2007-12 Consideration of a Request from Jason & April Blue to Approve a Final Plat of Lots1-2, Block 1, Blue Addition (Located at 9004 Kirk Lane - 3.302 acres) Mark Long, 1615 Precinct Line representing the applicant. He refinancing for their existing home. Road, Hurst, TX came forward as the engineer stated they are requesting a replat in order to get Page 2 of 8; 10-18-07 P & Z Minutes Eric Wilhite stated that the applicants are requesting to combine their tracts into one platted lot. Staff has reviewed and it meets all subdivision rules and regulations and recommends approval. APPROVED Steven Cooper, seconded by Kelly Gent, motioned to approve FP 2007-12. The motion was carried unanimously (5-OJ. 7. ZC 2007-12 Public Hearing and Consideration of a Request from Benjamin & Ann Loibl to Approve a Zoning Change from "AG" Agricultural to "R-1-S" Special Single Family (Located at 8908 Kirk Lane - 1.454 acres). Chairman Shiflet opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 Jason Rawlings, 7601 Greenleaf Ct, NRH came forward representing the applicant who is requesting to rezone the property from AG to R-1 S in order to build a detached garage on their property. This is required to meet recent ordinance changes. Chairman Shiflet asked if there was already an existing home on the property. Mr. Rawlings answered yes, there was and the proposed garage would be over 500 sq ft. which will not meet the AG requirements unless an SUP was pursued, therefore the property would need to be rezoned. Eric Wilhite stated this request fits the comprehensive land use plan and the projected land uses. He said there are some properties of R-1 that have been rezoned predominately to the north and east. Due to the ordinance change in relation to accessory buildings over 500 sq ft or above in AG, they would be required to request a Special Use Permit. It is to their benefit to rezone R-1 S and staff recommends approval of this request. The Public Hearing closed at 7:08 since no others came forward to speak for or against. APPROVED Kelly Gent motioned to approve ZC2007-12, seconded by Steven Cooper. The motion was carried unanimously (5-0). Page 3 of 8; 10-18-07 P & Z Minutes 8. FP 2007-15 Consideration of a Request from Benjamin & Ann Loibl, to Approve a Final Plat of Lot 1, Block 1, Loibl Addition (Located at 8908 Kirk Lane - 1.454 acres). Eric Wilhite stated there is some right of way dedication on Kirk Lane. In addition, most of the area has been improved and no significant impact is causing expansion. There was a determination by the City Engineer and there is no rough proportionality to be considered on this case. APPROVED Mark Haynes motioned to approve FP 2007-15, seconded by Don Bowen. The motion was carried unanimously (5-0). 9. TR 2007-02 Public Hearing and Consideration of an Amendment to the City of North Richland Hills Zoning Ordinance amending Section 118-631 "Table of Permitted Uses" to require a Special use Permit (SUP) for gas drilling and production in non-residential zoning districts. The Public Hearing was opened at 7:11 p.m. John Pitstick came forward stating that currently gas drilling in North Richland Hills is allowed in all districts. There is a current regulation requiring a 1,500 foot setback for gas drilling from all freeways and principal arterials. There was a concern about prime developable property adjacent to these major roadways and the protection of transportation routes through the city. This change requires gas wells to be placed further back from major roadways and encourages the efficient development of property without encumbering prime properties with long term gas well sites. This change also affects the potential blockage of primary arterials caused by unforeseen emergencies involving gas well drilling or production. The proposed setback of gas wells at least 1,500 feet from freeways and principal arterials can be reduced to a minimum of 300 feet with an appeal and approval of the Gas Board of Appeals. To further refine and have the ability to review gas well sites, staff is recommending that the City consider requiring a Special Use Permit (SUP) for gas drilling on nonresidential sites within the city. With this change a separate ordinance amending Ordinance 2953 would eliminate the automatic 1,500 foot setback from freeways and principal arterials and allow the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council to review non residential gas well sites within our community and help assure the viability and potential development of prime properties as well as protection of transportation routes within North Richland Hills. Page 4 of 8; 10-18-07 P & Z Minutes Kelly Gent asked if the current ordinance allows drilling within 1500 ft. of major arterials on residential and non commercial property? John Pitstick answered no it is restricted in all areas. Chairman Shiflet asked if this just lifts the 1500 ft from the current ordinance and now would require a Special Use Permit at the non residential districts. John Pitstick said that currently if a company qualifies for all the setbacks they would just come in and obtain a permit. If they need a variance for the project, they would go to the Gas Board of Appeals. With the proposed change, obtaining a permit in a non residential district would require a Special Use Permit and get approval from staff for drilling. Mark Haynes asked if he knew of anyone who would take advantage of this in the near future. John Pitstick explained that two applications are currently submitted and meet all guidelines. Chairman Shiflet stated that having served on the Gas Board of Appeals, the City of North Richland Hills is on the leading edge of what governmental entities are doing to regulate and protect communities. At the same time making it viable for the gas drilling companies to come in and drill. We are one of two or three cities that have our own gas inspector. John Pitstick stated that we have an advantage because our gas inspector is also the Assistant Fire Chief. This allows him to be on the job daily and help control the safety issues. Other cities have to hire outside consultants who cannot get there for half a day or longer. We've currently only had one well drilled and have received applications for two more in our city. Chairman Shiflet asked if there was anyone to speak for or against. Being none he closed the Public Hearing at 7:16. APPROVED Steven Cooper motioned to TR 2007-02, seconded by Kelly Gent. The motion was approved unanimously (5-0). Page 5 of 8; 10-18-07 P & Z Minutes 10. Comprehensive Plan Update Public Hearing and Consideration of the adoption of the 2007 Comprehensive Plan Update for the City of North Richland Hills. This includes amendments to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Thoroughfare Plan, Strategic Planning Areas, and Transit Concept Map. Chairman Shiflet opened the Public Hearing at 7:17. John Pitstick came forward explaining that the previous Comprehensive Plan Update was completed in 2001. This is the fourth time that P&Z Commission has met to review the proposed plan updates. Tonight is the first public hearing and there will be another on November 12, 2007 before the City Council. There are many areas where this information is available to the citizens i.e. the city website, our City Hall lobby, the Planning and Inspection Department. There are three issues that have caused us to update the Comprehensive Plan: • Demand for Residential Housing - residential infill planned development ordinance in 2004 • Commuter Rail on the Cotton Belt by 2012 - SW to NE Rail Study, environmental impact statement underway • Loop 820 Improvements - "North Tarrant Express" needed strategies to encourage redevelopment following reconstruction of highway The Comprehensive Land Use map was presented. Staff is proposing two general zoning districts: a Mixed Use One and Mixed Use Two. Mr. Pitstick explained Mixed Use 1 will allow a more intense relationship to the rail line and higher densities while Mixed Use 2 could allow mixed use development but also allow traditional zoning in complementary support of the general area. This does not affect existing zoning. The Strategic Planning Area map was presented with emphasis on the following districts for future redevelopment: Hometown, Smithfield Conservation District, Loop 820 Corridor, Twenty Six District and Iron Horse. The Transit Concept Map was presented which outlines the two future rail corridors. Mr. Pitstick stated that the city hopes to get future grant funding for development around the areas including possible land banking. Greg VanNeiuwenhuize presented the Thoroughfare Plan changes which have the recommendation and approval of the Development Review Committee. The following explains the proposed changes: Page 6 of 8; 10-18-07 P & Z Minutes 1. The 2001 Thoroughfare Plan included streets from a portion of the City of Watauga on the Thoroughfare Plan's illustration. Streets outside the city limits of North Richland Hills are proposed to no longer be included on the 2007 Thoroughfare Plan's illustration. 2. The 2001 Plan indicated Bursey Road west of Davis Boulevard and the realignment of Smithfield Road as future improvements. Both of these sections of street have been constructed and are now proposed to be indicated in the appropriate manner as C4U (Major 4 Lane Undivided Collector) on the 2007 Plan. 3. The 2001 Plan indicated the Loop 820/SH 121/SH 183 interchange as future improvements. This interchange has been reconstructed and the "future improvements indication" is proposed to be removed from the 2007 Plan. 4. Harwood Road east of Boulevard 26 is indicated as an M4U (Minor 4 Lane Undivided Collector) on the 2001 Plan. While this designation is correct west of Boulevard 26 -east of Boulevard 26, Harwood Road is a six lane divided road. As such, Harwood Road east of Boulevard 26 is proposed to be indicated as an M6D (Minor 6 Lane Divided Collector) on the 2007 Plan. 5. The 2007 Plan proposes changing the designation of Main Street between Smithfield Road and Davis Boulevard from C4U (Major 4 Lane Undivided Collector) to C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector). 6. The 2001 Plan indicated Windhaven as a future C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector) street between Chapman Road and Hightower Drive. This street would lie within property that is now platted as the Graham Ranch Addition, Phases I and II, and as such Windhaven is proposed to be removed from the 2007 Plan. 7. The 2001 Plan indicated Susan Lee Lane between Loop 820 and North Richland Boulevard as C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector). However, with the additions to Huggins Honda, the section of Susan Lee Lane between Loop 820 and Maplewood Avenue is proposed to be changed to a residential 2 lane undivided street. 8. The 2007 Plan proposes to establish Amundson Drive between Main Street and Amundson Road as C4U (Major 4 Lane Undivided Collector) 9. The 2007 Plan shows the re-naming of Simmons Drive south of Mid-Cities Boulevard as Hawk Avenue per recent City Council action. Further, the section of this street between Mid-Cities Boulevard and Ice House Drive is proposed as C4U (Major 4 Lane Undivided Collector) and the section of Hawk Drive between Ice Page 7 of 8; 10-18-07 P & Z Minutes House Drive and the "curve" located between the new library and Walker Creek Elementary School is proposed as C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector). 10. The 2007 Plan proposes to establish Weyland Drive between the Access Road on the north side of SH 183 and Harwood Road as C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector). 11. In the Martin Drive and Simmons Road area, the 2007 Plan proposes to remove the C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector) designation from Simmons Road south of Main Street and to extend the C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector) designation of Martin Drive to Mid-Cities Boulevard such that Martin Drive between Mid-Cities Boulevard and Precinct Line Road will be designated as a C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector). 12. The 2007 Plan proposes to establish Combs Road between Boulder Drive and Rufe Snow Drive as a C2U (Minor 2 Lane Undivided Collector). Chairman Shiftet closed the Pubic Hearing at 7:32. APPROVED Mark Haynes motioned to approve the Comprehensive Plan Update, seconded by Kelly Gent. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Chairman ~G~ Randy Shiflet Secretary ~,.. `°x.~. ~~ ~~` ~ ~ ~ QaP ~~t,~.~° Don Bowen , Page 8 of 8; 10-18-07 P & Z Minutes