HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ 2016-05-05 MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
MAY 5, 2016
WORK SESSION
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in
work session on the 5th day of May, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Workroom
prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular session.
Present: Randall Shiflet
Bill Schopper
Don Bowen
Mark Haynes
Kathy Luppy
Steven Cooper
Jerry Tyner
Absent: Mike Benton
Place 4, Chairman
Place 6, Vice Chairman
Place 3, Secretary
Place 1
Place 5
Place 7
Ex- Officio
Place 2
Staff Members: Clayton Comstock Planning Manager
Clayton Husband Principal Planner
Chad VanSteenberg Planner (Recording Secretary)
Justin Naylor Civil Engineer
Marrk Callier Management Assistant
Call to Order
Chairman Randall Shiflet called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
1. General Announcements - Upcoming City Events
Planning Manager Clayton Comstock presented announcements including upcoming
events in North Richland Hills.
2. Discuss Development Activity Report and City Council action
Planning Manager Comstock discussed City Council action from their April 25, 2016
meeting.
3. Discussion of Masonry Screening Wall Standards
Planning Manager Comstock introduced the topic and stated that Commissioner Steven
Cooper had brought up the masonry screening wall at Bursey Road and Smithfield
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Road at a previous meeting and other Commissioners echoed his concerns. In order to
find an appropriate minimum standard, Mr. Comstock conducted a visual preference
survey by showing pictures of many existing screening walls around town and seeking
feedback from the Commission.
Planning Manager Comstock stated that the intention of staff is to remove the standards
for masonry screening walls from the Public Works Design Manual as they are private
and not public. He also discussed how the walkable area of the sidewalk is decreased
when a wall is placed right up against a sidewalk.
There was a discussion between staff and Commission members about the higher
standard for screening walls that has been set across the city by John Barfield.
Planning Manager Comstock discussed the currently permitted "thin" walls and showed
examples from around town. He then covered the Verti -Crete type wall and explained
their dimensions, varieties, and installation procedures.
Chairman Randall Shiflet asked if it was possible to codify that there be a separation
between the sidewalk and the fence.
Planning Manager Comstock stated that we would want to insure that if one was
destroyed that it could be replaced. There was a discussion about the percentage of
destruction and replacement requirements.
The Commission asked questions and discussed column width, visual preferences, and
separation of walls from sidewalks.
Planning Manager Comstock discussed staining walls versus painting them and that
having some standards in this regard would be very helpful.
Chairman Shiflet asked if there was an avenue to request an exception to the rules.
Principal Planner Clayton Husband responded that some area cities like Carrollton allow
Special Use Permits if the standard cannot be met. Keller allows modifications with a
Planned Development.
Planning Manager Comstock asked specific questions of the Commission on the topic:
• Should the standards between residential and commercial be increased to
require thicker walls and larger columns, such as the Verti -Crete system? There
was a consensus from the Commission that the standards should be increased.
• Are these same Verti -Crete walls acceptable along thoroughfares? There was a
consensus from the Commission that they are acceptable and that they distance
between the wall and the sidewalk should be addressed.
Planning Manager Comstock then showed photos of walls made from actual masonry
materials and asked if anyone had comments on the column spacing in the pictures.
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Commissioner Mark Haynes asked about the spacing of the columns on the Graham
Ranch wall. Mr. Comstock replied that it appears to be approximately 50 feet and asked
if that distance was acceptable. The Commission recommended 35 foot spacing.
There was a discussion between staff and Commission members about walls that
separated residential from commercial and that are not located on a thoroughfare.
Commissioner Cooper stated that walls along thoroughfares should look nicer than
those that are not and that small reliefs in walls can greatly enhance the appearance.
Commissioner Jerry Tyner stated that caps add a lot to the appearance of the walls.
Planning Manager Comstock discussed the possibility of requiring a five -foot setback on
walls next to thoroughfares along with adding landscaping within that setback. He
summarized some possible areas for revision:
Provide a maximum length without a larger column
Define minimum column size
Allow replacement of existing non - conforming walls
• Address drainage issues
Staff will draft something and bring it back to the Commission for consideration.
4. Discuss items from the regular Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Planning Manager Clayton Comstock summarized the items on the May 5, 2016,
Planning and Zoning Commission meeting agenda.
5. Adjournment
There being no other business, Chairman Randall Shiflet adjourned the work session at
7:18 p.m.
REGULAR PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
The Planning and Zoning Commission regular meeting is immediately following the
work session (but not earlier than 7:00 p.m.) in the main council chambers.
A.0 CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Randall Shiflet called the May 5, 2016, meeting to order at 7:24 p.m.
Present: Randall Shiflet
Bill Schopper
Don Bowen
Mark Haynes
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Place 4, Chairman
Place 6, Vice Chairman
Place 3, Secretary
Place 1
Kathy Luppy
Steven Cooper
Jerry Tyner
Absent: Mike Benton
Staff Members: Clayton Comstock
Clayton Husband
Chad VanSteenberg
Justin Naylor
Marrk Callier
A.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Place 5
Place 7
Ex- Officio
Place 2
Planning Manager
Principal Planner
Planner (Recording Secretary)
Civil Engineer
Management Assistant
Jerry Tyner led the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
B. MINUTES
B.1 APPROVE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 21, 2016 PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION MEETING.
APPROVED
KATHY LUPPY MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 21, 2016, PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION MEETING. STEVEN COOPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
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C. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
CA AP 2016 -01 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM ROBERT
RICHARDSON FOR AN AMENDED PLAT FOR LOT 6R, BLOCK 1,
WOODBERT ADDITION ON 0.924 ACRES LOCATED AT 8301 WOODS
LANE.
APPROVED
Principal Planner Clayton Husband introduced the amended plat request and stated that
the applicant is not in attendance. Staff did not receive a response from them despite
making several phone calls prior to the meeting.
Chairman Randall Shiflet asked if the applicant was present and there was no response
from the audience. He then asked staff's opinion about postponing or tabling the item.
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Planning Manager Clayton Comstock stated that there is no public hearing required on
this item and that some action should be taken as there is a set time frame given by
state statute for either approval or denial.
BILL SCHOPPER MOVED TO APPROVE AP 2016 -01. MARK HAYN'ES SECONDED THE MOTION..
i • • � + I
C.2 RP 2015 -11 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM PSI ATLANTIC
RICHLAND HILLS TX, LLC FOR A REPLAT OF RED GATE ADDITION ON
4.552 ACRES LOCATED IN THE 7800 BLOCK OF MOCKINGBIRD LANE.
APPROVED
Principal Planner Clayton Husband introduced the replat request.
Ryan Alspaugh, 3960 Broadway Boulevard, Garland, stated that the purpose for this
plat was to create easements for construction purposes.
Principal Planner Husband summarized the staff report for this replat request and stated
that it meets the requirements of the subdivision regulations and it is recommended for
approval.
KATHY LUPPY MOVED TO APPROVE RP 2015 -11, DON BOWEN SECONDED THE MOTION.
D. PUBLIC HEARINGS
D.1 RP 2016 -06 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST
FROM JPC REALTY LTD FOR A REPLAT OF LOTS 23R AND 24R, BLOCK
1, W.E. ODELL ADDITION ON 1.10 ACRES LOCATED AT 8121 -8129 ODELL
STREET.
APPROVED
Planning Manager Clayton Comstock introduced the replat request.
Chairman Randall Shiflet opened the Public Hearing for RP 2016 -06 at 7:32 p.m.
Shawn Lewis, 100 Kings Row Drive, Mansfield, stated that they received zoning
approval and are now splitting this property in order to construct two professional
medical offices. His company was able to provide a traffic analysis to the City Council.
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Chairman Shiflet asked if the building elevations are the same as what was presented
at the previous meeting.
Mr. Lewis stated that they are the same.
Planning Manager Comstock summarized the staff report and stated that the
Commission's approval is recommended.
Chairman Shiflet called for any interested speakers, seeing none, he closed the Public
Hearing for RP 2016 -06 at 7:36 p.m. and entertained a motion on the request.
DON BOWEN MOVED TO APPROVE RP 2016 -06. KATHY L UPPY SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.
D.2 SDP 2016 -03 PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST
FROM OUR COUNTRY HOMES FOR A SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
FOR IRON HORSE COMMONS ON 27.842 ACRES IN THE 6400 AND 6500
BLOCKS OF IRON HORSE BOULEVARD.
APPROVED
Planning Manager Clayton Comstock introduced the special development plan request
stating that this is the same subject area that was previously presented to the
Commission and to City Council. Following the denial by City Council in March, the
applicant made revisions to the request in order to address some of the concerns from
the City Council. The applicant is now requesting five waivers associated with this
project.
John Pitstick representing Our Country Homes, 700 W. Harwood Road, Hurst, stated
that his company wants to meet the TOD ordinance and the desires of the community
with this request. They have made several changes to the proposed development
including six building types instead of four originally. These include townhomes, Texas
Townhomes, detached homes, and live /work units on Tracts One and Two. As a result
of recommendations from City Council, Tract Three now contains three story mixed -use
buildings and a three story apartment building.
Mr. Pitstick stated that all buildings now face the streets in this proposed development.
He discussed the flexible first floor residential units in detail and described how they can
convert back and forth from residential to commercial depending on market demand.
Chairman Randall Shiflet asked if the flex units are similar to what is on Walker and
Parker Boulevards in HomeTown.
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Mr. Pitstick answered yes, they are commercially constructed buildings but there was
not a demand at that point for commercial occupancy. We are asking for only a portion
of our buildings to be converted.
Commissioner Steven Cooper asked if there are currently any live /work units in North
Richland Hills.
Mr. Pitstick answered no.
Commissioner Cooper asked which communities nearby have those types of units.
Mr. Pitstick replied that many cities in the area are moving this direction including Plano,
Frisco, and Flower Mound. This is not a sub -lease situation; you live and work in the
same building. He stated that they will market these units to be platted and sold
individually and the city would issue a certificate of occupancy for the commercial
portion. The proposal is for fifteen live /work units.
Chairman Shiflet asked if these units could be deed restricted.
Mr. Pitstick answered yes.
Commissioner Cooper asked what controls the requirement to live and work in those
units.
Mr. Pitstick answered that these will be individually platted and the mortgage would take
care of sub - leasing concerns.
Mr. Pitstick discussed the requested variances including open space, on- street parking
on Iron Horse Boulevard, permitted building types, reduction of fagade openings, and
the Texas Townhome cottage option.
Chairman Shiflet opened the Public Hearing for SDP 2016 -03 at 8:09 p.m.
Planning Manager Comstock summarized the special development plan request and
covered the variance requests in detail.
Chairman Shiflet called for anyone wishing to speak, seeing no one, he closed the
Public Hearing for SDP 2016 -03 at 8:13 p.m. and entertained a motion on the request.
STEVEN COOPER MOVED TO APPROVE SDP 2016 -03. BILL SGHOPPER SECONDED THE
MOTION,
Chairman Shiflet commented that this proposal is similar to the popular West 7t" area in
Fort Worth. He would like to see the same thing happen here.
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MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Randall Shiflet adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Vice Chairman Secretary
amo,�-- 0
Bill Schopper Do o en
Recording Secretary
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