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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-19-09 Regular Meeting,Public Hearing,and Workshop Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 19, 2009 Members Present: Hal Lawler, Dottie Kaminski, Nick Barrera, Doretta Finch, Kirby Linscomb Jr., Paul Berner, and David Janda (A It 1). Members Absent: Les Bird and Lou Ann Martin (Alt 2). City Staff Present: Planning Director, Tim Tietjens; City Planner, Masood Malik; Assistant City Attorney, Clark Askins; Planning Assistant, Shannon Green; Main Street Coordinator, Debra Dye; and Police Officer, Kyle Jones. Others Present: 1. Call to Order. Meeting called to order by Chairman Lawler at 6:01 p.m. 2. Consider Approval of the January 20, 2009, Meeting Minutes. Motion by Dottie Kaminski to approve the Minutes of January 20, 2009. Second by Paul Berner. The motion carried. Ayes: Hal Lawler, Dottie Kaminski, Nick Barrera, Doretta Finch, Kirby Linscomb, Jr., Paul Berner, and David Janda (Alt 1). None None Nays: Abstain: 3. Open public hearing to receive citizen input on Special Conditional Use Permit #SCU09- 001 requested for 2.86 acres of land located at 9725 Spencer Highway, further described as the southeast corner of Lot 10, Block 2, W.J. Payne Subdivision, W.M. Jones Survey, Abstract No. 482, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. The applicant, Lloyd Duncan, on behalf of St. James Presbyterian Church, seeks approval of a Special Conditional Use Permit for an expansion of Underwood Self Storage. The proposed use is classified as a conditional use in the General Commercial (GC) zone. Chairman Lawler opened the public hearing at 6:03 p.m. A. Staff Presentation Staff's Report was presented by Masood Malik, City Planner. The applicant Lloyd Duncan is requesting a SCUP for the extension of Underwood Self Storage located at 2619 Underwood. St James Presbyterian Church located at 9725 Spencer Highway owns 2.86 acres of land behind the church. The applicant is negotiating with the church to acquire the 2.86 acres. Staff has reviewed the plans. If approved, the development abutting residential properties (Zoned R-1) should be screened and landscaped according to Sect. 1 06-444A of the Code of Ordinances. B. Proponents Applicant, Mr. Lloyd Duncan of 1822 Gaucho Circle was in favor of the Special Conditional Uses Permit. Mr. Duncan was concerned because he did not have the acreage to comply with the landscape requirements. Mr. Duncan withdrew his application and will attempt to acquire more land from the adjacent property owner. C. Opponents There were none. 4. Close public hearing. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 19, 2009 Page 2 of6 N/A 5. Consider recommendation to City Council regarding Special Conditional Use Permit #SCU09-001. N/A 6. Open public hearing to receive citizen input on a proposed amendment to Chapter 106 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances to adopt Main Street Design Guidelines and Resources, and implement Main Street Design Assistance Review Team for issuance of Main Street Design Certificates for structures within the Main Street Architectural Design Area. A. Staff Presentation Tim Tietjens, Planning Director, addressed the Commission. Mr. Tietjens explained the Main Street Design Concept is a collaborative effort. The city started working with Main Street Association in 2005. City Council directed staff to assist business owners. The Design Certificate Program protects property investment by allowing similar designs with building character. There is a matching funds program available to business owners who want to improve their buildings. The Planning and Zoning Commission previously in a workshop recommended the following: . The Architectural position be changed to an ex-officio. . Move towards a city approval process. . Have the City Manager or a Designee approve the recommendations by DAR.T. . The appeal process will go before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Main Street Coordinator, Debra Dye, addressed the Commission and Citizens. The Main Street Advisory Board and Design Committee have been working on this for several months. The Design Committee started out looking at what other communities have done with their design packets and how they have made it work. Also, they looked at professional firms and how they have compiled their information. Through intensive work, especially by a couple of design committee members, they came up with a draft. They then asked staff to take over from that point to tweak the package to work through the city's system. Some of the important components were to be streamlined to prevent any extra work and timing issues. There are several components to the design package. Starting with the Main Street Enhancement Grant. The La Porte Development Corporation has funded $200,000.00 towards the enhancement grant. The grant will be a reimbursement grant starting from a $2,500.00 to 25,000.00 dollar match within a three (3) year span of time. This grant is specific toward any beautification effort made to the exterior of the building if only dealing with the aesthetics of the building. This can be awnings, landscaping, painting, and are broadening the spectrum to include public art or anything that can help bring downtown together, beautify and enhance it. A design certificate is a component of an enhancement grant. But, it will be necessary for any aesthetic changes to the property in the defined area. The design certificate will be utilized for projects such as renovation, new structure, add-on's, landscaping, etc.. The design certificate will be a prerequisite to obtaining a permit. However, the permit process can begin simultaneously with the design certificate. The main street design guidelines and resources give general guidance to appropriate architectural styles and aesthetics for downtown. This can range from the late 1800's to the 1950's as outlined in the guidelines. The main street design guidelines and packet are available for review on the city website under the "Main Street" section. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 19, 2009 Page 3 of 6 The Main Street Design Assistance Review Team (DART) is to be compiled of a group of professionals from specific fields appointed by Council. The Main Street architectural design standards map defines the boundaries of areas of the Main Street design certificate and enhancement grant area. It also defines where the commercial area requirements of Sec. 106-443 of the Code of Ordinance and height restrictions apply. B. Proponents Mark Allen of 210 & 212 W Main St. asked the Commission for more time to review the design guidelines. Mr. Allen also showed concern about the rumor of rerouting Main Street. Chairman Hal Lawler assured Mr. Allen the city wants to bring more business to Main Street by making Main Street the "Main" street in La Porte. Bill Manning Jr. of 1425 26th Street, spoke in favor of the Design Guidelines. Mr. Manning would like to see Main Street revitalized through a collaborative effort to expand ideas for Main Street. Mr. Manning felt the project was long overdue and loved the idea of the city providing funds for improvements. Maggie Anderson of 909 Garden Walk, stated in a previous discussion from the Advisory Board of burglar bars being strictly on the interior of businesses. Ed Matuszack of 10443 Catlett, spoke in favor of the amendment. Mr. Matuszack voiced his hope that Main Street business owners would take the opportunity to add more value to their property at half the price. C. Opponents Ted Powell of 1700 Roscoe, is opposed to the Main Street Design Guidelines. Mr. Powell did not feel the City Manager had Main Street in the best interest. Mr. Powell is also a member of the National Preservation Society. He offered to assist citizens to apply for grants. John O'Sullivan of 302 San Jacinto spoke against the Main Street Design Guidelines, due to lack of time to review it. Ronald A. Sharp of 302 S Virginia, showed concern of the Main Street District boundary line. Mr. Sharp recommended the board members chosen for DAR.T. be residents or business owners of the Main Street District. Vickie Campise of 228 W. Main Street, voiced concern of action taken at this point. Ms. Campise asked that the city work through the lack of parking on Main Street. She asked for signs in the community to announce the district. There is a need for a pedestrian cross walk on the corner of 2nd Street and Main Street. Ms. Campise asked the city to help the Main Street District with the infrastructure first. Ms. Campise was concerned about the vacancy of 908 Main. Phillip Hoot of 927 Sea breeze, voiced concern about the lack of time available to review the proposal. Mr. Hoot expressed his distrust of the city officials. Brent Heckendorn of 518 Main Street spoke in favor of the grant funding. Mr. Heckendorn expressed his interest in having a business owner or resident of Main Street District on DAR.T. Mr. Heckendorn is opposed to the guidelines for how he spends his money. Bob Schlenk of 620 South 4th Street and 223 W. Main, spoke in favor of the grant monies for anyone who wants to make improvements on their buildings. Mr. Schlenk is upset due to the one hundred thousand dollars he spent on improvements to his Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 19, 2009 Page 4 of 6 building without funding assistance. Mr. Schlenk is concerned with the need of a crosswalk and light on Main Street. He added his building is for sale. Dawn Moore of 515 W. Main Street, inquired if the motion passed would she be required to make improvements to her building. Staff answered, she would not, only if she wanted to do so. Leo Juarez of EI Ranchero asked that the money be spent on public improvements such as benches and parking. He recommended the money be put towards buying property and creating more parking. EI Ranchero would like to change their signage, but the roadway is maintained by TXDOT. Tim Tietjens confirmed the city is working to get the State to agree to put Main Street within the City's jurisdictional control. Public improvements have not been done we lack the authority to do them. Mike Shanahan requested more time for citizens to review the proposal. Sherry Bailey of 222 S. Broadway, voiced concern with the Guidelines preventing her from making personal choice changes to her home. Mr. Tietjens informed the Commission the proposed Guidelines and Resources are not applicable to residential. 7. Close public hearing. Chairman Lawler closed the public hearing at 8:28 PM. 8. Consider recommendation to City Council regarding an amendment to Chapter 106 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances to adopt Main Street Design Guidelines and Resources, and implement Main Street Design Assistance Review Team for issuance of Main Street Design Certificates for structures within the Main Street Architectural Design Area. Motion was made by Paul Berner to recommend to City Council, an amendment to Chapter 106 of the La Porte Code of Ordinances to adopt Main Street Design Guidelines and Resources, and implement Main Street Design Assistance Review Team for issuance of Main Street Design Certificates for structures within the Main Street Architectural Design Area. David Janda commented that the Architect/Landscape Architect and Design Professional, as members of the Design Assistance Review Team, be La Porte business owners or residents of La Porte. Second by Hal Lawler. The Motion carried. Nays: Abstain: Hal Lawler, Doretta Finch, Kirby Linscomb, Jr., Paul Berner, and David Janda (Alt 1). Dottie Kaminski and Nick Barrera None Ayes: Mr. Tieljens informed the citizens the Main Street Design Packet could be found on the City's website under the Main Street Tab. Also, copies of the Packet would be available at City Hall. 9. Open workshop to discuss the following: Chairman Lawler opened the workshop at 8:55 p.m. A. Discuss removing Spencer Highway as a designated truck route. Tim Tietjens, Planning Director, addressed the Commission. On January 12, 2009, City Council approved the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 106) pertaining to the location of trucking terminals and staff's recommendation to amend Article V & VI of Chapter 70 with a revised truck route map. The Commission supported the proposed changes to Chapter 70, with a recommendation that Spencer Hwy from the west of Bay Area Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 19, 2009 Page 5 of 6 Boulevard to Luella Boulevard be discontinued as an authorized truck route within the City of La Porte. Per the recommendation of the Commission, City Council chose not to incorporate the change, and directed staff to coordinate with the Police Department to do more research. Staff found the following considerations: . The shortest route . Limited Access . Increase Traffic Volume to Fairmont Parkway . Inconsistency with regional coordination Officer Kyle Jones, addressed the Commission. After research, Officer Jones recommended to keep Spencer Hwy the same. After a discussion the Commission agreed their recommendation to Council stands. B. Discuss impacts of removing median at North 8th Street and Barbour's Cut Blvd. Intersection. Tim Tietjens, Planning Director, addressed the Commission. Property owners have requested to remove the median break in the middle of Barbours Cut Blvd. paving section to allow cross traffic. The current roadway condition is not capable of handling heavy truck traffic. This would be a potential traffic conflict with lack of adequate turning radius for right turn traffic and truck maneuvering to the left would be hazardous for east and west bound traffic on Barbour's Cut Boulevard. Staff does not feel overall this would be good for the community. It is Staff's understanding the applicant has not received approval from Harris County as of this time. Officer Kyle Jones addressed the Commission. Officer Jones's recommendation was to not remove the median. Once traffic picks up on Barbour's Cut the Police Department will request to close it. The median will increase traffic congestion and the concern is lack of officers to control the issue. Frustrated in dealing with the city for a long time to get the drive way cut, Mr. Momin requested permission to address the Commission. Mr. Momin stated he was told by the city he needed an Engineering Drawing, Certified with four (4) signatures from Harris County to file for a permit. Mr. Momin stated he was told by Harris County and had an email to prove he did not need all four signatures. Staff requested a copy of these documents but was denied by Mr. Momin. Mr. Momin granted each Commission member an opportunity to view the documents. 10. Close Workshop. Chairman Lawler closed the workshop at 10:12 p.m. 11. Administrative Reports. A. APA Conference - EI Paso The APA Conference provided a great training opportunity for Commission Members who attended. B. LPISD- Upcoming projects under review to be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission: a. A Major Development site plan for Bayshore Elementary. b. Major Development site plan for Operations Center and Agriculture Science Center. 12. Commission Comments. There were no Commission comments. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 19, 2009 Page 6 of 6 13. Adjourn. Chairman Lawler adjourned the meeting at 10:19 p.m. Submitted by, {A1aW / Approved on this / b day of ~~ Hal Lawler Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission ,2009.