07-21-1988 Public Hearing and Regular Meeting

Browse Search

FPJV/Jackson Rezone 3 In considering the first question, the City's Land Use Map indicates a mixed use for this area (see Exhibit G). The portion of these tracts currently zoned as R-3 is comprised of 13.97 acres. Granting this request would totally eliminate R-3 property from the area in question (see Exhibit A). Further, in considering Mr. Jackson's initial rezoning request U/1501-A), the City Council expressed concern that the integrity of the remaining R-3 tract be preserved and the rezoning not be used as a "stepping stone" to future rezonings that would further reduce the rema in ing R- 3 tract (Minutes of City Counc il Publ ic Hear ing, Augu st 10, 1987, Exhibit H). In considering the second question, as to whether a change to the Comprehensive Plan is warranted, a rev iew of the applicants' development plan is in order. The synopsis does respond to the questions raised by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their June 23,1988 meeting and includes discussion on access to the property from Fairmont Parkway, access to the development site, utilities that would provide fire and general service to the development and a general plan for future development. Another issue is the designation of the 4.50 acre tract "C" for Neighborhood Commercial development. The rezoning request submitted on June 29, 1988 asks for this tract to be designated as General Commercial property. A survey of ex ist ing commerc ia lly zoned property (Ne ighborhood Commercial and General Commercial) located on the north side of Fairmont Parkway between Underwood and Driftwood Drive (see Exhibit I) contains 24.84 acres. Of this acreage, 19.1 acres is vacant and undeveloped (including 3.2 acres located in the area under consideration at this time). The granting of this request would increase the amount of vacant and undeveloped commercial property by 13.9 acres, representing a 72% increase in vacant, undeveloped commercially zoned property located on West Fairmont Parkway. The applicants, in their development synopsis state "The expansion of Underwood Road to four (4) lanes will create the traffic flow along Underwood Road which will establish the corner of Underwood and Fairmont Parkway as a major interchange." They continue, "The eventual extension of Underwood to the south as shown on the Houston Galveston Regional Transportation System map [see Exhibit JJ...further increases the commercial potential of the corner." As stated in the background section of this report, the Comprehensive Plan, considered the proposed widening of Underwood Road as well as its extension south of Fairmont Parkway in designating it as part of the thoroughfare system intended to serve high density residential development in this area (see Exhibit K).