HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1998-10-13 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OF
OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST
LOOP 820 - OCTOBER 13,1998 - 6:00 P.M.
Present:
Charles Scoma
Don Phifer
Lyle E. Welch
Russell Mitchell
JoAnn Johnson
Cheryl Cowen Lyman
Mayor
Mayor Pro Tem
Councilman
Councilman
Councilwoman
Councilwoman
Staff:
Larry Cunningham
Randy Shiflet
Ron Ragland
Patricia Hutson
Rex McEntire
James Saint
Christopher Baker
City Manager
Deputy City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Secretary
Attorney
Asst. to the City Manager
Planner
Absent:
Frank Metts, Jr.
Matt Milano
Councilman
Councilman
Mayor Scoma called the work session to order October 13, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. The
purpose of the work session was to continue the discussion with the Planning and
Zoning Commission from the September 15 work session.
The following Planning and Zoning Commission Members were present:
Doug Blue
Mark Wood
Don Bowen
Richard Davis
James Laubacher
The Council and Planning and Zoning Commission discussed items pertaining to land
use changes. Mr. Davis advised that the Commission was receiving a lot of special use
requests. There was discussion as to whether the list of special uses in the zoning
ordinance needed to be reviewed. It was discussed that businesses needed to be
reminded to bring their businesses up to city standards.
Councilman Milano present at 6:12 p.m.
There was discussion on whether a special use permit goes with the user or with the
land. Attorney McEntire explained that if the land is zoned for special use, it has to be
repealed or it is still in effect. As long as it is zoned for a special use, it can be used for
that special use.
City Council Work Session
October 13,1998
Page 2
The Council and Board discussed whether the Council would have to remove the
special use zoning when it is used for uses other than the approved special use. Staff
advised that special use permits run with the land and that if the operator changes, the
only concern of the City is whether anything on the site changes. If they use it for the
same purpose as the special use permit, they can use it as long as it is in accordance
with the approved site plan. After further discussion, they concluded that some of the
existing special use permits probably need to be reverted. The Council would like for
the existing special use permits to be reviewed, for staff to determine the applications
where the use has changed and update those who have changes in use.
Mr. Baker left the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
There was discussion on the R-6-T zoning located off of Holiday Lane. Councilman
Milano questioned if the City could encourage developers to submit more planned
developments so that the City has more control over developments. It was discussed
that if site plan approval were required for all commercial, industrial and multi-family it
would give the City more review time. There was extensive discussion on planned
developments and the purpose of planned developments. There was discussion on
how to respond to citizen concerns regarding uses allowed in C-1 zoning that the
citizens were opposed to, and how to restrict the uses in the C-1 zoning.
The Council and Board discussed TV satellite dishes and those that are mounted on
houses. They concluded that federal law allows the City to regulate larger dishes but
not the small satellite dishes. Staff is to verify the City's authority to regulate satellite
dishes.
There was discussion on landscaping and greenbelts. There was concern about
businesses not maintaining landscaping. It was felt that rear landscaping on major
developments needed to be addressed in the landscaping regulations. There was
concern expressed on temporary outdoor storage containers being used by businesses
and it not being the intent of outdoor storage usage. They discussed the temporary
buildings being used by the School District and their not meeting the Zoning Ordinance.
It was felt that there should be regulations placed on outdoor storage containers and
that enforcement should be consistent for temporary buildings.
The North Davis Overlay and the timetable for the landscaping and sign revisions to be
returned to Planning and Zoning Commission were discussed. The Mayor advised that
Council has asked Staff to give a status report on the committees' activities. Mr.
Ragland advised that as the Ad Hoc Committee brings closure to an issue, they would
bring it forward. The Planning and Zoning Commission was advised that Mr. Shiflet and
Mr. Ragland would be preparing a monthly report on the activities of the committees
City Council Work Session
October 13,1998
Page 3
and the reports would be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the
City Council.
Mr. Davis advised that the Planning and Zoning Commission never knows how the
Council votes on the recommendations they send to them. He advised that they would
like to see Council's final action. The consensus was that a staff summary of the action
taken by Council on the Planning and Zoning action items would be given to the
Commission at their meetings.
Councilman Milano questioned whether the landscaping and sign regulations would
remain stand-alone ordinances or if they will be incorporated into the Zoning Ordinance.
After discussion, Staff advised that Council would make the decision based on Planning
and Zoning's recommendation.
There was considerable discussion on open meeting laws and the definition of soliciting
votes.
Mayor Scoma called a break at 7:37 p.m. The work session was called back to order at
7:45 p.m. with the same members present except for Mr. Wood.
The next item discussed was homeowner association covenants. There was a question
if the City needed to put something into place to see that these covenants are
consistently enforced in the future. It was discussed that unless the covenants were
part of the zoning, the City did not have enforcement authority over homeowner
covenants. The Attorney advised that a regular homeowner covenant is a matter
between lot owners and lot owners. The only homeowner covenant that the City can
enforce is a covenant dealing with condominiums. Mayor Pro Tem Phifer felt that one
area of concern would be drainage. He felt that earthen channels and other drainage
areas would be a potential maintenance problem in the future. It was suggested that
covenants and deed restrictions be filed at the same time the plat is filed. They
discussed potential maintenance problems with drainage ways and requiring
maintenance covenants. The consensus was that this issue needs to be addressed.
Staff will send information and recommendations to the Planning and Zoning
Commission for their review and recommendation to the City Council.
The next issue discussed was moratoriums (signs, R-6T and R-8 zoning). The Attorney
suggested rather than a moratorium the zoning classifications be eliminated. A concern
was expressed that the City might be preventing older people from remaining in North
Richland Hills by eliminating town houses. There was discussion that quality control for
R-6T and R-8 zoning could be maintained under planned development. The consensus
was that controls are needed on R-6T and R-8 zoning so that they will come before the
City Council Work Session
October 13,1998
Page 4
Planning and Zoning Commission and the Council so that there is an opportunity to
establish quality.
They discussed Planning and Zoning Communications with Council. It was agreed to
continue a once a year meeting with the Council.
The redevelopment of older areas was discussed. The Mayor advised that this was
one of the goals of the Council and that the Council will need the Commissions' help.
There was discussion on the revitalization of the area south of 820 and consistently
maintaining the standards set by the City. It was also expressed that the beautification
of the medians, i.e., Grapevine Highway, needed to be addressed and that the ad hoc
committees should look at this and include the Beautification Commission.
There was discussion on park planning review by the Planning and Zoning
Commission. Mr. Davis felt that the Planning and Zoning Commission should review
park plans and have input as to how it will affect traffic, drainage, and other land use
issues and how it will impact the surrounding property. He felt the City should go
through the platting process of city property. There was discussion on the city following
the same standards as the developers. They discussed the process for notifying the
citizens of park development.
Mayor Scoma adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
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ATTEST:
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Patricia Hutson - City Secretary