HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ 1998-12-10 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
DECEMBER 10,1998 -7:00 p.m.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Richard Davis at 7:00 p.m.
2.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Chairman
Richard Davis
Don Bowen
Doug Blue
Ted Nehring
Ron Lueck
David Barfield
ABSENT
James Laubacher
Mark Wood
CITY STAFF
Asst. City Mgr.
Acting Director
Planner
Recording Sec'y
Director PW
CIP Coordinator
Ron Ragland
Steve Norwood
Christopher Baker
Valerie Taylor
Greg Dickens
Mike Curtis
3.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 12, 1998
APPROVED
Mr. Nehring, seconded by Mr. Blue moved to approve the minutes of November
12, 1998. The motion carried with a vote of 6 - O. Messrs. Blue, Bowen, Davis,
Lueck, Barfield & Nehring were in favor of this motion.
Page 1 11/12/98
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4.
PZ 98-58
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE REQUEST OF KEN
T A YLORlNWA SOUTHWEST WRESTLING FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO
ALLOW AN INDOOR WRESTLING ARENA ON LOT 3, BLOCK 1, RICHLAND
TERRACE ADDITION. (LOCATED AT 7601 GRAPEVINE HIGHWAY)
APPROVED
Mr. Norwood explained that this was a request for a Special Use Permit to
conduct an indoor wrestling arena. He explained that Mr. Taylor has been
operating for the past 6 months under temporary Certificates of Occupancy,
while the City established regulations for this type use. The City recently
adopted regulations so Mr. Taylor is now seeking a SUP so he can obtain his
Certificate of Occupancy.
Chairman Davis opened the public hearing and asked the applicant to come
forward.
Mr. Ken Taylor, NWA Southwest Wrestling, stated that he would answer any
questions the Commissioners might have.
Seeing no additional proponents, and no opponents, the public hearing was
closed.
Mr. Barfield stated he would like to see this application reviewed in 18 months, at
no additional charge to Mr. Taylor. He believes this type use would warrant it.
Mr. Barfield moved, seconded by Mr. Blue, to approve PZ 98-51 subject to an
18-month review by the Commissioners. The motion carried unanimously.
Page 2 11/12/98
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5.
PZ 98-57
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND
USE PLAN IN THE GENERAL AREA OF DAVIS BOULEVARD, MID-CITIES
BOULEVARD, PRECINCT LINE ROAD AND GRAPEVINE HIGHWAY
APPROVED
Mr. Norwood stated that this review is necessitated by the proposed Town
Center project. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan does not currently have a
Town Center district and this amendment will have to be made before a Town
Center District can be established.
Chairman Davis opened the public hearing and asked for any proponents.
Mr. Jim Fuller asked if the plan would follow the intent that had been laid out at
the previous meetings that Mr. Duany conducted. Mr. Fuller lives in Spring Oaks
Estates.
Chairman Davis stated that yes, basically with a few amendments, the Town
Center would be as discussed in the Duany meetings. Chairman Davis
explained that this issue is defining the limits of a Town Center, should it be
adopted.
Mr. Baker explained that the current Comp Plan was adopted in the early 1990's.
The area being discussed was originally designated as commercial at the
intersection of Mid-Cities Boulevard and Precinct Line Road. The Comp Plan
also showed the interior of the property to develop as residential. This
amendment will reflect this area developing as a "Town Center".
Seeing no additional proponents, and no opponents, the public hearing was
closed.
Mr. Blue moved, seconded by Mr. Nehring, to approve PZ 98-57 and Ordinance
No. 2351. The motion carried unanimously.
Page 3 11/12/98
P & Z Minutes
6.
PS 98-57
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE MASTER
THOROUGHFARE PLAN REGARDING SMITHFIELD ROAD EAST,
AMUNDSON DRIVE AND SIMMONS DRIVE, GENERALLY LOCATED
SOUTHY OF MID-CITIES BOULEVARD, EAST OF DAVIS BOULEVARD AND
WEST OF GRAPEVINE HIGHWAY.
APPROVED
Mr. Norwood explained that the Master Thoroughfare Plan requires amending
just like the Comp Plan and the area of amendment is the proposed Town
Center. Amundson Drive, Smithfield Road East and Simmons Drive are the only
streets being changed on the plan.
Chairman Davis opened the public hearing and asked for any proponents.
Seeing none, he called for opponents.
Mr. Jim Fuller, Spring Oaks Estates, stated he was concerned about the
proposed roadways and right-of-ways of the proposed Town Center.
Mr. Davis explained to Mr. Fuller that amendments to the thoroughfare plan are a
guideline for the City; platting will determine the final location of the streets.
Additionally, Mr. Davis gave Mr. Fuller a copy of a map outlining the proposed
changes to the streets.
Seeing no additional opponents, the public hearing was closed.
Mr. Lueck moved, seconded by Mr. Bowen, to approve PS 98-57 and Ordinance
No. 2353. The motion carried unanimously.
Page 4 11/12/98
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7.
PZ 98-57
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A TOWN CENTER
ZONING DISTRICT. ORDINANCE NO. 2350
APPROVED
Chairman Davis explained that this hearing would establish the "district" in the
Zoning Ordinance for "Town Centers". The required amendments to the Comp
Plan and Master Thoroughfare Plan have been made. Once this step is
complete, the zoning case for the proposed Town Center can be heard.
Chairman Davis opened the public hearing and stated Mr. Jerry Sylo with
Richard Ferrara Architects would be presenting this case.
Mr. Sylo stated that his firm was retained by the City of NRH to work with staff to
develop town center development standards. The intent of a town center district
is to create a high-quality, sustainable, mixed-use development. Mr. Sylo
explained that town centers are based on the old traditional neighborhood
development concepts.
Mr. Sylo stated that this has been a working project since the spring of 1997, so
18 months of input has been involved in the development of these standards.
Staff has worked diligently over this time to come up with standards that address
the concerns of the community. They are not standards taken from a textbook
and renamed. They have been designed to comply with the expectations of this
community.
Mr. Sylo stated that while some of the requirements may seem less restrictive
than other parts of the city, it is counter balanced by many more restrictive
requirements throughout the district, i.e., Comp plan amendments, Thoroughfare
Plan amendments. Detailed Concept Plans are required and include architectural
guidelines, uses, street layout, building elevations, etc. Property Owner
Associations (POA's) are mandatory for any town center development and every
property owner within the town center district is required to be a member of this
association.
Town Center Architects are required and they are responsible for ensuring
architectural guidelines that are adopted are adhered to and that any
development takes place in compliance with the architectural restrictions that are
established for the district.
Page 5 11/12/98
P & Z Minutes
Additionally, Architectural Review Committee's are required and that committee
reviews building plans before they are ever submitted to the City for a building
permit.
Town Center Parking Authorities regulate the shared parking agreements for
compliance in the non-residential areas. These committee's I authorities are
established to actually relieve the city of the enforcement burden for these
districts. Stringent requirements have to be followed and can be confusing and
this way the burden is on the property owner, not the city.
Mr. Sylo did a PowerPoint presentation showing examples of homes and
businesses located in this type development. He explained that porches are
coming back in style and will be used frequently throughout the town center
district. Mr. Sylo explained the different areas of the proposed development,
stating that basically there are four subzones to the town center.
Any proposed town center has to be at least 80 acres in size. The only
exception to that would be if you own land adjacent to property already zoned for
a town center. Additionally, at least two subzones are required for any proposed
town center.
Mr. Sylo's presentation included development standards for each subzones and
showed examples of shared parking between an apartment community and
business office. This concept allows parking spaces to be used by more than
one use and parking requirements are consolidated.
In closing, Mr. Sylo stated that this type project can work and he would answer
any questions the Commission might have.
Mr. Lueck asked Mr. Sylo what his firm's liability to the City would be should this
development not be successful. Also, if there was any case law on it.
Mr. Sylo stated he was unaware of any case law that exists. He stated that is
what this process is about - the 18 months of development and review. He
explained that there will be things that will have to be changed in the district, as
with any zoning district over time. Richard Ferrara Architects believe this is a
very viable development alternative.
Chairman Davis asked for any proponents. Seeing none and seeing no
opposition, the public hearing was closed.
Mr. Lueck, seconded by Mr. Nehring moved to approve PZ 98-48 and Ordinance
No. 2350 provided Tables 3 & 4 "Shared Parking Calculations" are included in
Page 611/12/98
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the ordinance, and with the understanding that their may be minor revisions to
these tables prior to going to Council. The motion carried unanimously.
Page 7 11/12/98
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8.
PS 98-58
CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING THE SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
REGARDING THE NAMING OF LOTS AND BLOCKS. ORDINANCE NO. 2354
APPROVED
Mr. Norwood explained that the Commission had requested that staff prepare an
Ordinance that more clearly defines the process required in naming subdivisions.
Ordinance No. 2354 relates to adjacency of proposed additions to existing
additions and non-adjacency.
Mr. Nehring, seconded by Mr. Bowen, moved to approve PS 98-58. The motion
carried unanimously.
9.
PZ 98-41
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE MASONRY BUILDING
REQUIREMENT - ORDINANCE NO. 2355
APPROVED
Mr. Norwood explained that this case is also a directive from the Commissioners
to clarify masonry and state what is allowed and not allowed. The Commission
wanted to see masonry defined as brick, rock or stone and prohibiting cinder
block and stucco.
Chairman Davis opened the public hearing and asked for any proponents.
Seeing none, and seeing no opponents the public hearing was closed.
Mr. Barfield stated that this ordinance would eliminate creativity and architectural
variations. He stated that if this ordinance were approved NRH20, City Hall, and
Hudiburg Chevrolet's new building would all violate the new ordinance.
Additionally, the colored concrete that is being used by builders is put on like tile
and is part of the Efa-System would be eliminated.
Mr. Barfield asked Jerry Sylo to show the slides of the proposed houses in the
Town Center, stating that the ordinance would prohibit this style houses in the
remainder of the city, yet it is very attractive and unique. Mr. Barfield stated that
as a builder this ordinance drastically limits a builders options. Mr. Barfield
stated that brick has no more structural value than does efa-systems or any
other frame; it is merely a decoration.
Page 8 11/12/98
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Mr. Davis stated that clarification needs to be made in the height of the first floor
in the proposed ordinance. Additionally, Mr. Davis doesn't think this ordinance
conflicts with the Town Center District; but believes the new ordinance will be an
upgrade for the City.
Mr. Lueck stated that he is not in favor of voting for anything that would give the
town center some sort of edge over the remainder of the City. He also stated
that if City Hall couldn't even comply with this ordinance, he is opposed to it. He
stated he couldn't see the citizens benefiting from this ordinance at all.
Much discussion ensued regarding the pro's and con's of this ordinance.
Mr. Barfield asked Mr. Davis to convince him that he, as a citizen, would be
better off because of this ordinance.
Chairman Davis stated that he wouldn't be able to convince him and asked if the
Commissioners had any additional comments.
Mr. Blue stated that he feels the City Council doesn't like stucco and want to
raise the bar. Also, he stated that the majority of the old Sotogrande Apartment
Community is stucco and over time has become unattractive.
Mr. Nehring stated that the ordinance is only different in the definition of
masonry, and nothing else is changing.
Mr. Davis stated that there would still be a variance process that will allow
someone to deviate from this requirement, if P&Z and Council approve it.
Mr. Lueck stated that it is not a matter of raising the bar, it's how you raise the
bar, and he isn't sure that eliminating stucco would achieve that.
Mr. Barfield, seconded by Mr. Lueck, moved to deny PZ 98-51. The vote was 2
- 4. Messrs. Barfield and Lueck voted in favor of the motion. Messrs. Blue,
Nehring, Davis and Bowen were opposed and it did not carry.
Mr. Lueck stated that if we are trying to get materials that will last 50 years or
better, the concrete houses will be the ones to last - and this ordinance will
prohibit them.
Mr. Nehring, seconded by Mr. Blue, moved to approve PZ 98-51 and Ordinance
No. 2355. The motion carried with a vote of 4 - 2. Messrs. Nehring, Blue,
Bowen & Davis were in favor of this motion. Messrs. Barfield & Lueck were
opposed.
Page 911/12/98
P & Z Minutes
10.
PZ 98-52
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE FRONT YARD FENCE
REGULA TIONS - ORDINANCE NO. 2356
APPROVED
Mr. Norwood stated that current regulations prohibit front yard fences unless
constructed with wrought iron and brick posts and can not exceed 4' in height.
This revision would only affect those with an acre or more and also have 200' of
street frontage, at least.
Chairman Davis opened the public hearing and called for proponents. Seeing
none, he called for opponents. Seeing none the public hearing was closed.
Mr. Bowen, seconded by Mr. Lueck, moved to approve PZ 98-52 and Ordinance
No. 2356. The motion carried unanimously.
Page 10 11/12/98
P & Z Minutes
11.
PZ 98-54
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE TABLE OF PERMITTED
USES REGARDING ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES - ORDINANCE NO. 2357
APPROVED
Mr. Norwood explained that issue would require an SUP for assisted living
centers in the Commercial districts. This would ensure that P&Z and the City
Council had a chance to review the site plan.
Chairman Davis opened the public hearing and asked for proponents. Seeing
none and seeing no opponents, the public hearing was closed.
Mr. Blue, seconded by Mr. Bowen, moved to approve PZ 98-54 and Ordinance
No. 2357. The motion carried unanimously.
Page 11 11/12/98
P & Z Minutes
12.
STAFF REPORT
Mr. Baker stated that the P&Z Commission is invited to a Joint Worksession
between the City Council, Land Use Ad-Hoc and Beautification Committee on
January 12, 1999.
13.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
There were none.
14.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no additional business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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Page 12 11/12/98
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