Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ 2009-08-06 MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS AUGUST 6, 2009 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 Vice-Chairman Bill Schopper Secretary Don Bowen Steven Cooper Dianna Madar Mike Benton Mark Haynes ABSENT Ex-Officio Kathy Luppy CITY STAFF Chief Planner Eric Wilhite Asst. Planner Chad VanSteenberg Director of Planning & Dev. John Pitstick Civil Engineer Caroline Waggoner Recording Secretary Teresa Koontz 3. Pledge of Allegiance Mike Benton led the pledge of allegiance. 4. Approval of Minutes from the July 16, 2009 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting. Mike Benton seconded by Steven Cooper, motioned to approve the minutes of July 16, 2009. The motion was carried unanimously (7-0). Page 1 of 6 08-06-09 P & Z Minutes 5. TR 2009-03 Public Hearing and Consideration of amending the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for the City of North Richland Hills by revising the Smithfield and Iron Horse Transit Oriented Development District Zoning Code and updating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map. John Pitstick came forward stating that on June 8, 2009 the City Council adopted the TOD Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The rezoning is being proposed tonight. There are a few text revisions in the plan which we are consolidating the mixed use criteria. Previously we had retail, restaurant, and office as separate mixed use categories and we are combining them into one district or category. In addition we are adding some section numbers that would help in referencing the code efficiently. In addition we are proposing to update the Comprehensive Land Use Plan which includes about 279 acres in the Smithfield area as a result from working with property owners. Chairman Shiflet opened the Public Hearing at 7:03 p.m. Holly Barto, 7808 Cortland Drive, came forward with questions and concerns on parking, when construction would begin, and if Smithfield Elementary would be torn down. Chairman Shiflet said it has not yet been defined but in working with the Consultant and City Staff it will be adequately designed to meet the needs according to the type of businesses that go in. Bill Schopper said one of the reasons it has not yet been defined is because we don't want to set it up like other local stations with open fields of parking. This is meant to look more like an urban development with some parking garages and other street parking. He ensured her nobody would be allowed to park up and down residential streets, but rather the district would be designed for that purpose. He said the details of exactly where the station would go is unknown at this time, but this process of Planning and Zoning and City Council review and public input will be addressed along the way. Scott Polikov with Gateway Planning Group addressed her concerns by stating that once the station is opened and the development happens around the area, if there is some spill over traffic on the streets and neighborhoods, the City can do a number of things. One thing that can be done is a neighborhood permit parking program but said the need for this will not be for ten plus years. There is enough surface area around the station to accommodate parking and as it redevelops there will be a need for some structured parking. He stated that is what the Commission was saying, it's not that we don't know what to do, it's that we don't know what specific tool to use and how because the specific problem has not risen yet. Page 2 of 6 08-06-09 P & Z Minutes Chairman Shiflet said this project is not unlike what has been done in Hometown. When this project began about 10-12 years ago it was unknown and our community has certainly raised the bar and tried to improve in standards and quality of development. That project had a complete different set of building regulations and we took it very, very slow. In working with the Mayor and City Council, we are trying to have the same type of project at Smithfield. The train is going to come through whether we have a train stop or not. By having the stop there we have the opportunity to build something besides a sea of parking. There was a discussion about Smithfield Elementary and is was stated that there is no plan to tear it down, but only Birdville Independent School District can make decisions on that property. (A motion for this agenda item was made following the next item) 6. ZC 2009-05 Public Hearing and Consideration of rezoning approximately 279 acres identified on the North Richland Hills Comprehensive Land Use Plan as the Smithfield Transit Oriented Development District. Chairman Shiflet opened the Public Hearing at 7:13 p.m. (Mike Benton exited at 7:15 p. m.) John Pitstick came forward with a PowerPoint presentation on both cases. He said the decision to locate the rail stops was a regional decision made as part of the Southwest to Northeast Rail Corridor Study. The study showed there to be a demand today for two potential stations in North Richland Hills. Because the trains are coming we are trying to take advantage of the future development of these two areas in Smithfield and Iron Horse. As a result of that we created a preliminary development district that looked at property within a half mile radius and have reconfigured that into the 279 acres we are proposing to rezone tonight for Smithfield. We are riding the coattails of the "T" with the Cotton Belt Line which is proposed to be up and running by 2013. It is estimated it could be a few years after that when the rail station stop at Smithfield is in place. We are utilizing transit stops to encourage redevelopment in strategic areas within our community. The development plans and codes are hopefully allowing flexibility but also promoting predictability to protect the values in existing businesses and property owners. We are trying to promote a mix of uses with pedestrian fill around the rail that supports change in demographics. This rezoning will allow future development to create a lively mix of pedestrian around those stations. Mr. Pitstick continued by saying we have held several stakeholder meetings, three joint P&Z and City Council work sessions and we adopted the TOD Code on June 8, 2009. We appreciate the input and support from stakeholders and believe this is a unique code to North Richland Hills. We are required to notify everyone within the district and Page 3 of 6 08-06-09 P & Z Minutes within 200 feet of the district. We want to preserve the residential neighborhoods and we have put protections in the ordinance to do that. If you back up to or are adjacent to the district there is a requirement fora 6 foot masonry wall, setbacks, and height requirement on how tall adjacent development can be. Several homes back up to the rail road tracks and we are currently seeking railroad "Quiet Zone" certification. The commuter line is similar to the T R E that runs from Downtown Fort Worth to Downtown Dallas. By the year 2030 they potentially see running 17 hours a day with 20 minute headways. There are 9 crossings within North Richland Hills. In order to get the Quiet Zone Certification, the "T" would have to construct quad gates or median barriers at each of those crossings to eliminate the conductor from blowing the whistle in neighborhoods. This would take care of 95% of the noise issues. Mr. Pitstick explained the character zones in the TOD Regulating Plan. After his presentation, he explained that we are looking for a downtown district more like Cranbury as apposed to Southlake. The applications for meeting requirements could be approved by staff, but if modifications needed to be made there would be Special Development Plans that could be presented to P&Z and City Council for approval. Regarding parking at the stations, Mr. Pitstick said the rail station operators will have to provide the adequate parking adjacent to the station. We want to create a gateway to Smithfield from Bridge Street and slow the traffic down in an effort to make Smithfield more of a pedestrian environment. Glenn Willis, 7820 Arthur Ct. came forward with concerns of imminent domain and increased traffic with the proposed road behind the shopping center on Mid Cities. Mr. Willis said he had major problems getting out on Smithfield Road. Chairman Shiflet stated imminent domain is not mentioned in any of the proposals. Clark Dunlap, 5617 Stone Meadow Lane, Fort Worth, came forward regarding First Baptist Smithfield at 7912 Main St. He had questions with imminent domain and whether the church would be grandfathered from complying with the code. It has been there for over 110 years and the congregation is concerned about the certain "style" or what provisions would be made for them to come into compliance with the code. Chairman Shiflet answered that imminent domain is not even addressed here and is a complete separate state statute that the City Council or other public authority would have right to exercise. He said we cannot speak for what this council or a future council might decide years down the road. Regarding the grandfathering, all they would be required to do is maintain. If they chose to do a major remodel or expansion, then they would have to comply with new codes. Mr. Dunlap asked about the land at the corner of Smithfield and Main and on Center Street, how the City will approach for usage of the land for purchasing or leasing. Bill Schopper said that when talking about a time frame, it depends on when a train station is actually coming in. But there are many things to overcome since the state Page 4 of 6 08-06-09 P & Z Minutes legislature eliminated the financing. By putting the zoning in place, it would qualify us for some grants from the state and federal government to expedite the future building. Steven Cooper said because the church is 110 years old that is part of the historic district and one of the reasons for the preservation in this area. Rena Arnold, 7936 Arlie Lane, came forward with questions regarding facade improvement programs on Main Street for some of the existing buildings to help comply with the new standards and if a certificate of occupancy change would trigger this? John Pitstick said we do have a facade program available on Boulevard 26 and Davis south of Mid Cities, but there certainly could be some things to discuss in the future. Scott Polikov with Gateway Planning Group said if you have an existing building and continue to operate as it is today, the new standards in the rezoning do not affect you. Only when you make changes to your facade or if you make a major change to the building, then you would have to comply. Scott Polikov said we didn't want to discourage businesses to be in conforming buildings, we made an exception to allow a use to be consistent with the new code, it would not trigger the requirement to change the building under the new code. It would be better to have nonconforming buildings with businesses in place and let them decide over time to change the building and reinvest. Stephanie Ruiz, 7824 Arthur Dr., came forward with questions with the zoning map. She asked what the General TOD street means and if that would increase traffic. Would it have a different use than the others not listed as general TOD streets. She also asked about the alley recommended for the lots that back up to Mid Cities. John Pitstick said the only General TOD streets would be similar to what you see on Arthur right now. It does allow for on street parking and striped for 11 foot width and is not meant to increase traffic. Bill Schopper said the different colors on the map represent how things are now. We are trying to rezone the whole district to allow working with all of it. When the house was built and the lot configured it was done so over two zoning districts. The property owner would be the one who makes any decisions for the lots. John Pitstick said the alley that is recommended behind her property would allow a developer to do so, but if they wanted access they would have to get permission for the cross access. Tom Benes, 8301 Cardinal Lane, had questions regarding their property which they had zoned residential for the purpose of building a home on. It is proposed to have a park built. Page 5 of 6 08-06-09 P & Z Minutes John Pistick said it would be allowed to be developed as residential and only for illustrative purposes was it shown as a park, but it would not prohibit them from developing under the Smithfield Mixed Use District. Tom Benes asked if there were any developers interested or making offers to develop the whole area at once? Scott Po{ikov said it is challenging with an area like this and almost impossible for a single developer to come in and buy up enough land. The purpose of the rezoning is for when investment comes in there is predictability with the developing. You get the effect of having a single master developer without one person having control of all the property. He estimates that once the rail is in place developers will come in. The metroplex is seen as one of good quality long term development. Recent reports show Dallas/Fort Worth near the top of the list of good economies moving forward. Michael Strobel, 6907 Tradonna Lane, had concerns with what would be behind his property once it is developed. John Pitstick said they would be required to build a 6 foot masonry wall with a minimum set back of 25 feet and a height setback based on where you live. Chairman Shiflet closed the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m. APPROVED Mark Haynes seconded by Dianna Madar, motioned to approve TR 2009-03. The motion was carried unanimously (6-0). Don Bowen seconded by Steven Cooper, motioned to approve ZC 2009-05. The motion was carried unanimously (6-0). 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. Chairman Randy Shiflet Secretary QI on Bowen Page 6 of 6 08-06-09 P & Z Minutes