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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2002-01-15 Minutes MINUTES OF THE JOINT WORK SESSION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD AT THE FIRE TRAINING CENTER, 7202 DICK FISHER DRIVE _ JANUARY 15, 2002 - 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Scoma called the joint work session to order on January 15, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. Present: City Council: Charles Scoma Lyle E. Welch Russell Mitchell Frank Metts, Jr. JoAnn Johnson Joe Tolbert Oscar Trevino, Jr. ROLL CALL Mayor Council Member Mayor Pro Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member Planning & Zoning Commission: Don Bowen Chair Doug Blue Commission Member Ted Nehring Commission Member Timothy Welch, P.E. Commission Member James Laubacher Commission Member Scott Turnage, Jr. Commission Member Don Pultz Commission Member Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Randy Shiflet Steve Norwood Greg Vick Patricia Hutson George Staples John Pitstick Cathy Horton Dave Green Absent: David Whitson George Tucker City Manager Deputy City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director Community Services City Secretary City Attorney Director of Community Development Zoning Administrator Planner Council Member Commission Member City Council Work Session Minutes January 15, 2002 Page 2 Mayor Scoma briefly reviewed the items discussed at the joint work sessions that Council held with the Planning and Zoning Commission on September 15 and October 13, 1998. The City Attorney, at the Mayor's request, discussed the Vested Rights Act and its impact on the City's zoning and platting. Mr. Staples also briefed the Council and Commission on the effect recent legislation had on the use of moratoriums and that moratoriums are no longer available for use. Each of the Council was given an opportunity to discuss their expectations of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Comments and discussion by Council members included _ · Expectation to vote what is legally right rather than being influenced by pressure from the outside. · Discourage smaller lots - There was discussion on front entry garages and the preference for rear entry. Council discussed that R-3 was the only district that allows front entry garages. There was also some discussion on issues associated with redevelopment. The Planning & Zoning Commission was asked that when considering items to take into consideration the future overall appearance. Council wants the ordinances and regulations in place to be adhered to. There was discussion on lots sizes and value of homes placed on smaller lots. · Concern expressed that after the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed a case, the applicant was presenting to Council different plans. · Desire for Planning and Zoning Commission to address detention ponds and issues associated with detention ponds when submitted. · Desire for Planning and Zoning Commission minutes to be more detailed. It was expressed that they are being abbreviated too much. The Council would like to be able to ascertain from the minutes an idea of what discussion took place. · Desire for details of cases to be taken care of on the Planning & Zoning level rather than Council level. · Reinforce the development desire of the Council and be cognizant of ordinances being used to go against development standards set by Council. . Set rules in place and abide by them. · Need to decide what City is going to do with detention/retention ponds. Discussion on development of standards for retention/detention ponds that will help the Planning & Zoning Commission and Council. Would like to see more restrictive landscaping in detention ponds and maintenance. A member of the Planning & Zoning Commission requested clarification on the Commission's responsibility for approval or denial if a plat met all city criteria. The Attorney advised that the Commission did not have any discretion if the plat met all of the City's standards and regulations; that by law the Commission is required to approve the plat. The Attorney discussed the Planning & Zoning Commission's authority as it relates to City Council Work Session Minutes January 15, 2002 Page 3 variances, plats, and site plans. There was general discussion on zoning requests for non- standard developments. They discussed a need to develop a philosophy on when the City would allow non-standard developments due to unique problems with the property. The Council and Commission discussed preliminary plats, and the idea of Council being provided with the preliminary plats as informational items. It was felt by Staff that this would turn into discussion items rather than informational items. In response to a question from the Commission on plat corrections, Staff advised that they are working with the City Attorney to determine if an ordinance can be enacted allowing plat corrections to be administratively handled. In response to a question from the Council concerning plat dating, the Attorney advised that it was an administrative issue and would be handled by Staff. Next general discussion item was critical issues that needed to be resolved at either the Planning & Zoning Commission level or staff level when approving site plans, special use permits or planned developments. Issues discussed included - · Addressing traffic concerns and traffic impact studies. Staff advised that because the traffic impact studies were difficult to follow, staff would work on providing information in a more easy to follow format through an Executive Summary. · Approval and denial of zoning cases in relation to the Comprehensive Plan. Commission was advised by the City Attorney that they were not required to approve a zoning because it was on the Comprehensive Plan. If the requested zoning is not compatible with the surrounding uses, the Commission can deny the request. · Council was asked for input on cases that were approved by the Commission subject to a list of items to be completed by applicant prior to the Council meeting. The Commission questioned if the Council preferred for all outstanding items to be taken care of at the Planning & Zoning level before it is approved and submitted to Council for action. Commission was advised that Staff is following up on the stipulations placed on the cases by the Commission before submitting to Council for their consideration. Because of the time factor involved, as long as the Commission identifies issues with follow-up by staff, the Council was satisfied with the way it is currently being handled. Mayor Scoma recessed the meeting at 7:40 p.m. and called the meeting back to order at 7:45 p.m. with all members present as recorded. Discussion was on whether the current ordinances in place adequately address what the Council is supporting for new development or if new regulations are needed. Specific items discussed included - · Moving forward and develop plans for Freeway Corridor. City Manager advised the 820 freeway area may need to have a committee or some group to assist, in addition to the Planning & Zoning Commission. A planner will City Council Work Session Minutes January 15, 2002 Page 4 also be needed to assist with looking at possible impacts, realignment of streets, the type of use that will be most appropriate and the impact on the balance of the property. The City Manager advised he would like to develop an overall strategy before creating a committee. · Briefly discussed placing the landscape regulations back into the Zoning Ordinance. . Use of Planned Development Comments were that planned development is when developer cannot meet ordinance. It was felt that planned development was a way to get around the Land Use Master Plan and circumvent ordinances. There was discussion on the need to establish general standards for the use of Planned Development. · Neighborhood covenants and maintenance covenants. Staff advised that the covenants usually result from varying from drainage requirements. As a result of the variances maintenance agreements and covenants are needed. Staff advised the agreements and covenants are hard to enforce and keep up with. Staff recommended that they be discouraged in residential areas. The Attorney advised that cities should not be in the covenant enforcement business because of the difficulty to enforce. Councilman Trevino left the meeting at 8:15 p.m. · Small lot size requests - Council's desire is for lot sizes that will accommodate rear entry garages. The City Manager advised that Councilman Whitson asked him to convey for him his expectation for the Commission to look at things in the broad interest of the City and challenged the Planning and Zoning Commission to continue to look at the best interest of the City. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Scoma adjourned the work session at 8:50 p.m. ~~~~~U¥.Vi/'~í;E¡í__ §¡~n ~ . . .... \- ~(r ~ ~~ST: h //.: {3i,"'·".·"··/ ....c·· W/uitti~ Patricia Hutson - City Secretary 2Lt arles Scoma -