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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ 1992-06-11 Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HillS, TEXAS JUNE 11, 1992 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Secretary Don Bowen at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Secretary Members Don Bowen Don Collins Ron Lueck Pat Marin Paul Miller Wayne Moody Barry LeBaron Clayton Husband James Brock David Barfield Steve Pence Dir Community Dev P&Z Coordinator ABSENT: Building Official CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 28. 1992 Mr. Wayne Moody made the motion to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Ms. Pat Marin, and the motion carried 5-0, with Mr. Lueck abstaining due to absence at the previous meeting. Secretary Don Bowen chaired the meeting due to the absence of Chairman James Brock and Vice-Chairman David Barfield. 1. PS 92-11 Request of Calvin Sims for Preliminary Plat of Emerald Lakes Addition. This property is located south of Emerald Hills Way and east of Norich Park. Mr. Warren Hagan, 500 Grapevine Highway, Hurst, came forward to speak. Mr. Hagan addressed the fence issue stating he felt he was meeting the concerns of the Commission about the fence along the park with the four foot wrought iron fence on the brick wall, making the total fence height 5Y2 to 6 feet above the ground. Mr. Lueck stated that the Commission felt the fence should be at least six feet in total height. Mr. Hagan stated that a six foot fence would be no problem. Mr. Collins stated he would like to see a minimum height of six feet. He stated the City's Risk Management department should look at the fence since it does abut a city park. PZ Minutes - 11 June 92 Page 2 Mr. Hagan stated he understands that the constructions plans will have to be reviewed by the city Staff and will have to meet all their requirements. Mr. Collins stated that this will just flat the issue to a specific department so they can look at the insurance risk. He stated his reservations about the slat width of the fence. Mr. Hagan stated the slats are at six inch centers. Mr. Collins stated he understands that on the other side of the fence, it is a straight drop to the water. Mr. Hagan stated that is correct. Mr. Miller stated that decorative fences like this one are usually narrower at the bottom. He stated that a taller fence would need to be stronger. Mr. Collins stated that the concerns can be settled if Mr. Hagan would agree to a minimum six-foot fence height overall, including wall and fence, and let the risk management department look at it. Mr. Hagan stated he is agreeable to that. Mr. Bowen stated that the Commission likes this plan, but it is not in compliance with the current thoroughfare plan. He stated the intention tonight is to table the plat until the Council approves the change. Mr. Bowen stated he is uncomfortable in approval subject to future Council action. Mr. Collins made the motion to table PS 92-11 until the June 25th meeting. Mr. Lueck seconded the motion, and the motion carried 6-0. 2. PS 92-12 Request of Alpine Development for Final Plat of Spring Oaks Addition. This property is located north ot Cannon Drive and west of Amundson Road. Terry Mitchell, with Carter & Burgess Engineers, came forward to speak. He stated he had received and reviewed the staff and engineering comments and has agreed to take care of them as requested. He stated he wished to bring up some comments for explanation. Mr. Mitchell addressed the comment on visibility requirements stating he has agreed to trim Lots 12 and 13 on Pebblecreek at Amundson to allow visibility to be maintained. He stated Amundson would have a slightly variable right-at-way tor visibility reasons. He stated that Cannon and Amundson do not intersect at exactly PZ Minutes - 11 June 92 Page 3 90°, but they are within generally accepted tolerable angles. Mr. Mitchell addressed the masonry screening wall requirement. He stated that the project was conceived in the first part of this year, and there was no wall requirement for C4U streets at that time. He stated it was the intention for each homeowner to build and maintain their own fence. He stated the Commission had, at that time, required them to upgrade the fence to a 20-25 year fence, a fence similar to a steel-post/wood fence. Mr. Mitchell stated that they had submitted a final plat and plans prior to the ordinance being approved by the Council. He stated they were only aware of the ordinance several days in advance, and feels that it places an unreasonable hardship on the development. He stated they budgeted for a fence along Cannon and Amundson based on the Commission and Council hearings, and feel that the additional requirement of masonry puts a substantial hardship on the client. Mr. Collins stated the reason for the masonry fences along major streets is that wood fences tend to be of differing heights and ages, thereby not being very attractive. He stated the Council has already passed this ordinance, and there is not much else the Commission can do except make a recommendation. He stated he understands there are some fiberglass fence products that could be used. He stated the least they can do is make a recommendation to the Council that they waive the requirement in this case, but that Mr. Mitchell come to the Council meeting with a proposed fence design or fence product that would look good to them. Mr. Lueck stated that the ordinance left the Commission with the requirement for a masonry fence along C4U streets, and the Council changed it. He stated it was then reconsidered by the Council and evolved into the present ordinance. Mr. Mitchell stated he was told that about a year ago the Commission made a recommendation to the Council for a fence along C4U streets, but that the Council thought is was a hardship and changed it. He stated the Commission brought it back up and it was approved, but that they were unaware of it. He stated they did have a representative at the Council meeting, but it was not a Public Hearing, so they had no chance to voice their opinion. Mr. Moody stated that experience has shown that wood fences tend to look unattractive. He stated he is not prepared to ask for a waiver, but does agree that a compromise is in order. Mr. Mitchell stated that his client feels they have made some concessions, and that the requirement was not there when PZ Minutes - 11 June 92 Page 4 STAFF REPORT CITIZEN COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT Member, Planning and Zonin Commission discussed at the Commission and Council meetings. He stated they do intend to put up a higher grade fence. Mr. Lueck stated the Council passed the ordinance and it had to go into effect sometime. He stated the Council knows these things are coming up, and are well informed about what date they want these things to go into effect. Mr. Bowen stated he is uncomfortable changing midstream, but Mr. Mitchell would do well to look at alternatives and be prepared for the Council meeting. Mr. Collins asked if a wall is built on Amundson and Cannon, will there be enough room for sight distance. Mr. LeBaron stated that at the next Commission meeting there will be a proposed ordinance on visibility triangles, and that this intersection probably does not meet those regulations. He stated that the Public Works Director felt that some type of traffic control device might be needed since two collector streets are involved. Mr. Mitchell stated he will look at all intersections for sight problems. Mr. Collins made the motion to approve PS 92-12 subject to staff and engineering comments, that the visibility problem at Cannon and Amundson be looked at, and that the Council consider waiving the masonry fence requirement in lieu of an alternative type of fence construction. Mr. Moody seconded, and the motion carried 6-0. Mr. LeBaron stated he appreciated the Commissions patience is looking at the revisions to the Zoning Ordinance. He asked the Commissioners to mark their calendar for June 29 at 6:00 p.m. for a workshop and refresher course for Planning and Zoning Commissioners offered by the Midwest Section of the APA. None. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ~á?~ I Secretary Don Bowen