HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ 1997-09-23 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF NORTH RICH LAND HILLS, TEXAS
SEPTEMBER 23, 1997 - 7:00 p.m.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman David Barfield at 7:00 p.m.
2.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Chairman
David Barfield
Don Bowen
Don Ferguson
Ted Nehring
ABSENT
Mark Wood
Paul Miller
Richard Davis
CITY STAFF
Planning Director
Recording Secretary
Planner
Barry LeBaron
Valerie Taylor
Christopher Baker
4.
PRESENTATION OF MID-CITIES CORRIDOR STUDY
Chairman Barfield called the meeting to order and asked Mr. LeBaron to begin
the workshop discussion regarding the overlay zone. Mr. LeBaron explained that
earlier this year the Commission had received requests for rezoning of properties
around the intersection of Precinct Line Road and Mid-Cities Boulevard which
created concern by neighbors located in residential subdivisions in this vicinity.
As a result of the concern expressed by these citizens, the City Manager, C. A.
Sanford, requested Mr. LeBaron to begin reviewing our regulations to see what
kind of changes could be made to our regulations to provide better quality
development in the undeveloped area along Mid-Cities Boulevard and Precinct
Line Road. Mr. LeBaron explained that he contacted Dan Boutwell with
Municipal Planning Resources Group to conduct a study of this corridor and Mr.
Boutwell has completed this study and copies of it have been made available to
members of the Commission.
Mr. Boutwell presented the Mid-Cities Corridor Study and explained that the
study reviewed the existing zoning, existing land use in the overlay zone, and
has submitted a revised Land Use Plan for the area. Mr. Boutwell indicated that
since the NRH Master Plan was prepared in 1990 many conditions have
changed which merit a change in the master plan in this particular location. Mr.
Boutwell also explained that the corridor study plan made recommendations
regarding enhancements to landscaping regulations, masonry requirements,
land use compatibility to eliminate auto dealerships and automobile repair
facilities and similar type uses within the overlay zone which have objectionable
outdoor activities associated with them. He indicated that this would necessitate
some changes to the zoning regulations and would require subsequent public
hearings and notifications in the future. Mr. Boutwell also discussed and
stressed the differences between strip commercial and corridor commercial. He
explained defining characteristics of each particular commercial development.
He explained that strip commercial is charactized by small lots with individual
owners, little landscaping, little architectural unity, no shared access and on-
street parking in some instances. Conversely, corridor commercial has: shared
access, landscaping, sign controls, and parking lots with interior landscaping.
Also, more architectural unity exists; lot depths do not vary - preventing
land locking of commercial entities. Mr. Boutwell described strip commercial as
the development that is seen along Grapevine Highway. Mr. Boutwell stressed
the importance of this corridor overlay zone to the Planning & Zoning
Commission because it is the last major avenue with undeveloped land
associated with it. Mr. Boutwell emphasized the importance of placing landuse
control in the near future so as to regulate development that will occur there in
the very near future. Mr. Boutwell again stressed the importance of excluding
the characteristics of commercial development that are seen along Grapevine
Highway and encouraging and requiring characteristics that are associated with
higher quality avenues and commercial developments.
Mr. Bill Gietema, Arcadia Realty Corporation, spoke regarding the overlay zone
and indicated that he represented E-Systems Pool Trust, who is a large land
holder in the area and indicated that they are currently exploring the
development of a traditional neighborhood type zoning on their approximately
300 acres within the overlay zone. Mr. Gietema went into considerable detail
explaining the rational for a traditional neighborhood and expressed concern that
the proposed corridor master plan had some features which tended to clash with
the concept of a traditional neighborhood on their property. Mr. Barfield
.' .
indicated that he would like to see city staff meet with Mr. Gietema and Mr.
Boutwell to identify the possibilities of coordinating the development plan for the
corridor in such a way that it was conducive to future amendment to incorporate
a future request from E-Systems for inclusion of a traditional neighborhood in this
area.
5.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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