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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1999-01-12 MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE RECREATION ASSEMBLY ROOM, 6720 NORTHEAST LOOP 820, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, JANUARY 12, 1999 - 6:30 P.M. Present: Charles Scoma Lyle E. Welch Russell Mitchell Frank Metts, Jr. JoAnn Johnson Don Phifer Matt Milano Cheryl Cowen Lyman Staff: Larry Cunningham Randy Shiflet Ron Ragland Patricia Hutson Mayor Councilman Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilwoman City Manager Deputy City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Land Use Ad Hoc Committee Members Park and Recreation Board Members Beautification Commission Members Planning and Zoning Commission Members Mayor Scoma called the work session to order January 12, 1999 at 6:30 p.m. The members of the Land Use Ad Hoc Committee, the Park and Recreation Board, Beautification Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission were recognized. The Mayor advised the members of the Park and Recreation Board, Beautification Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission that they needed to forward their Board's recommendations and comments on the presentation by the Land Use Ad Hoc Committee to staff by January 26. The Council will be holding a work session on February 2 to review and study all of the recommendations and Council will begin considering recommendations at the February 8 Council meeting. Mr. Robert O'Reilly, Chair of the Land Use Ad Hoc Committee, introduced the Signs and Landscaping presentation by the Committee. Mr. Joe Tolbert, Land Use Ad Hoc Committee Member, reviewed the Council's goal for quality development and planning through build-out and presented the committee's mission statement and objectives. Mr. Tolbert reviewed the process used by the Committee to arrive at the standards and policies they were recommending to the Council, and the problems they defined with the current landscaping and sign standards. Mr. Gary Anderson, Co-Chair of the Land Use Ad Hoc Committee, presented the Committee's recommendations for sign standards: City Council Work Session Minutes January 12, 1999 Page 2 1. Sign structures and design should blend with the architect of the primary building and be constructed of materials that will ensure long term durability and attractiveness. 2. Pole signs should be prohibited outside of the Freeway Zone. 3. Portable signs and vehicles with large advertising signs (either temporarily or permanently attached) parked adjacent to the roadways should be prohibited. 4. Non-conforming signs should be phased out over time in order to have a positive impact on the attractiveness of the City and it's major roadways. 5. Signs should be well maintained, and obsolete signs and messages should be removed promptly. 6. Banner signs should be allowed only for a limited time. They may be used to advertise a special event. They should not be used for more than 30 days at a time, nor should they be used more than twice in any one year. 7. Where there are multiple signs in a development, they should be consistent in design and materials, and utilize the materials of the primary structure. 8. Alternatives to typical sign design should be encouraged. 9. All detached signs should be located in a landscaped setting. 10. The number and size of signs per lot and business should be restricted. Properties with multiple businesses should use amulti-tenant sign, and the number and size of the building and window signs should be restricted. 11. Sign regulations should be vigorously enforced. Mr. Randy Brock, Land Use Ad Hoc Committee Member, presented the Committee's recommendations for Landscape Policies and Standards. 1. Develop and implement a streetscape program for North Richland Hills' major streets, highways and city portals, including such items as street trees and a landscape program, street lighting, traffic signals, intersection treatments and burying overhead utilities. 2. Parking lots should be landscaped by screening parking from public right-of-way and by breaking up large expanses of paving with trees and shrubs. 3. Buffer standards for both commercial uses along streets and non-single family uses adjacent to single family zoned properties, should be strengthened with increased setbacks and landscaping. 4. Landscaping should be maintained in a healthy and vigorous growing condition. City Council Work Session Minutes January 12, 1999 Page 3 5. The City's approved plant list should be revised to focus on hardy naive and adaptive plant material as well as drought tolerant plant material. 6. There should be no exposed chain link fence adjacent to roadways, and wooden fences should be constructed using metal supports in order to reduce the need for structural maintenance. 7. Utilities and service areas should be screened from public right-of-way. 8. Mature trees should be preserved or, when development necessitates removal, they should be replaced. 9. Irrigation should be provided for all required landscaping on non-single family properties. 10. Establish a Citywide tree planting program that will ensure "the greening" of North Richland Hills. 11. Develop a plan to ensure that green space such as parks and trails are located throughout the City 12. Enforce landscaping and maintenance standards and requirements. Mr. John Barfield and Mr. Doug Long, developers, discussed the problems associated with preserving trees during development. Questions from the Council and the Park and Recreation Board, Beautification Commission and Planning and Zoning Commission were addressed. Mayor Scoma adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m. J harles Scoma Mayor ATTEST: ~~ii~G'llti Patricia Hutson -City Secretary