05-15-14 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission

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Bayside Crossing Subdivision Preliminary Plat Page 3 of 4 Staff finds that the proposed preliminary plat is in compliance with the residential requirements set forth in Section 106-33(a) of the City’s Code of Ordinances. Grading. The grading plan indicates a significant grade difference between the proposed subdivision and the large lot residential properties adjacent to the north. The applicant has initiated discussion with the adjacent property owners on a fill and drainage easement. However, at the time this staff memorandum was prepared those easements were not signed by the property owners and recorded with Harris County. Before the preliminary plat can be deemed approved, these easements will need to be completed and recorded with the County and referenced on the final plat, which will be submitted at a later date. In staff’s review of the application, another item of concern associated with this grading difference was whether the proposed fill could result in drainage issues for those properties to the north by creating a dam-effect. The applicant has proposed to address this issue by providing a swale on those properties to the north that would drain into the existing culvert along Sens Road. The attached Exhibit D includes a Backfill Grading and Swale Exhibit that shows the proposed swale. This document is not part of the actual preliminary plat documents, but staff will ensure that it is included as part of the subdivision construction drawings. Staff is confident that the propose swale will accommodate the necessary drainage flows and will not negatively impact those properties to the north of the proposed subdivision. Detention. The applicant has provided the required drainage for the subdivision. There are two ponds proposed as a result of the 50-foot pipeline easement that bisects the property. Both ponds are proposed to be dry-bed ponds, meaning they are not designed to hold water for extended periods of time. In fact, they are intended to collect water during rain events and allow the run-off exit at historic flows with the remainder at the bottom of the ponds to soak into the ground over time. A portion of Pond A and all of Pond B are located on the adjacent property to the south. These ponds have been designed to accommodate the drainage requirements for the Bayside Crossing Subdivision as well as any future development on the property zoned GC to the south. The applicant will be responsible for constructing both detention ponds. Per the recorded maintenance easements, the maintenance of the ponds will be the future responsibility of the subdivision’s homeowners association. Park Land Dedication and Park Development Fees. Section 12.01-12.02 of the City’s Land Development Ordinance (see the attached Exhibit E) requires one acre of park land be dedicated for every 93 proposed dwelling units. In this case, the applicant is proposing to dedicate approximately .02 acres of land to the City for a pocket park. The ordinance also allows for a cash payment in lieu of that dedication. The ordinance requires payment of $490 per dwelling unit to satisfy the cash payment in lieu of land dedication. This payment is due at the time of building permit for each individual dwelling unit. 3