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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-12 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop of the La Porte Planning and Zoning CommissionPlanning and Zoning Commission Minutes of January 19, 2012 Members Present: Hal Lawler, Richard Warren, Mark Follis, Helen LaCour, Phillip Hoot, and Lou Ann Martin. Members Absent: Danny Earp, Doretta Finch, and Les Bird. City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager, Traci Leach; Planning Director, Tim Tietjens; City Planner, Masood Malik; City Attorney, Clark Askins; Planning Assistant, Shannon Green; Chief Building Official, Debbie Wilmore. 1. Call to order Meeting called to order by Chairman Hal Lawler at 6:06p.m. Chairman Hal Lawler asked for a roll call of members. Danny Earp, Doretta Finch, and Les Bird were not present. 2. Consider approval of November 17, 2011, meeting minutes. Motion by Richard Warren to approve the minutes of November 17, 2011. Second by Helen LaCour. Motion carried. Ayes: Hal Lawler, Richard Warren, Mark Follis, Helen LaCour. Nays: None. Abstain: Phillip Hoot, and Lou Ann Martin 3. Open a Public Hearing to receive public input on Special Conditional Use Permit #11- 91000007, which has been requested by Billy Coleman of ACT Independent Turbo Services, Inc., on behalf of PPG Inc., property owner for the property described as Pt. TRS 1, 2A, 2, 4, 4A, and 23D, Bayport U/R, Section 1, Richard Pearsall Survey, Abstract No. 625, La Porte, Harris County, Texas. The applicant seeks approval of a permit for establishing a turbo machinery repair services facility to be located along Bay Area Boulevard near Spencer Highway within Planned Unit Development (PUD) district Commission Member Follis excused himself from discussion during item #3. Mr. Follis filed an Affidavit providing notice of potential Conflict of Interest with the City Secretary's Office prior to the meeting. Chairman Hal Lawler opened the Public Hearing at 6:11 pm. A. Staff Presentation Masood Malik, City Planner, gave staffs report. The subject property (t40 acres) is owned by PPG Industries, Inc. The tract in question is located near the intersection of Spencer Highway and Bay Area Boulevard. The property is surrounded by General Commercial (GC) use district to the north along Spencer Highway, Bay Area Boulevard to the east, undeveloped tracts to west and south along Bay Area Boulevard. The applicant seeks to develop an industrial complex with three turbo service warehouses, shops, offices, and an administration building. Either side across a pipeline easement running through the property will be incorporated into landscaping and drainage/detention facilities along Bay Area Boulevard. An entrance to the proposed complex is shown along southbound Bay Area Boulevard. Prior to the meeting, Commission members received a handout from David Janda regarding the development of ACT Independent Turbo Services. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of January 19, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Although staff provided four (4) options, staff recommends disapproval of the Special Conditional Use Permit #11-91000007. Commission Member Hoot, asked staff how the property is currently taxed and how many people will be potentially employed. Commission Member Hoot voiced concern with turning down manufacturing jobs. Mr. Hoot stated he would like to see the facility move closer to Fairmont rather than Spencer. Mr. Hoot did not want to see the City loose the potential tax dollars by denying the Special Conditional Use Permit 11-91000007. Commission Members discussed possible truck route and the completion of Sens Road by Harris County. Staff informed the Commission, Hams County has pulled the construction of Sens Road from their budget indefinitely. Tim Tietjens, Planning Director, assured the Commission and applicant; the City would love to have their business within the City of La Porte but would rather see ACT in the Industrial District. Commission Member Warren liked the possibility of jobs but noted the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Use Plan should be considered. B. Proponents Willis (Billy) Coleman of ACT Independent Turbo Services, Inc, spoke in favor of the Special Conditional Use Permit. Mr. Coleman informed the Commission their plan is to expand the company and double their now 80 employees, within five years. Mr. Coleman stated they were not building a truck terminal business. Thomas Norbit, PPG representative, spoke in favor of the Special Conditional Use Permit. Mr. Norbit stated as long as PPG was operating, they would not sell it for residential development. The property in question currently has an Agriculture Exemption. Mr. Coleman stated the City stands to gain revenue in taxes and higher paying jobs. Chuck Rosa of 812 S. Virginia, spoke in favor of all property owners being allowed to do what they want with their property. Mr. Rosa informed the Commission he wanted the Chairman replaced. C. Opponents There were none. D. Proponents Rebuttal There were none. 4. Close Public Hearing. Chairman Hal Lawler closed the public hearing at 7:15pm. Chairman Hal Lawler called for 5 min break at 7:17pm. Chairman Hal Lawler called the meeting back in session at 7:22pm. 5. Consider recommendation to City Council regarding Special Conditional Use Permit Request #11-91000007. Motion by Phillip Hoot to recommend to City Council approval of Special Conditional Use Permit #11-91000007, for establishing a turbo machinery repair services facility to be located along Bay Area Boulevard near Spencer Highway within a Planned Unit Development (PUD) District. Second by Richard Warren. The motion carried. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of January 19, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Ayes: Richard Warren, Helen LaCour. Phillip Hoot, and Lou Ann Martin. Nays: Hal Lawler Abstain: None Masood Malik, City Planner suggested staff return with a draft SCUP at the February 16, 2012, Planning & Zoning Meeting. Commission Member Hoot asked the applicant what their timeline was to move forward. The applicant, Billy Coleman informed Commission he submitted the application 6 days before the November 17, 2011, Planning & Zoning meeting, and due to the holiday there was no December meeting. It was also suggested that in addition to the item being placed on the February City Council meeting , it be place on the February Planning & Zoning Meeting incase Council referred it to Planning & Zoning Commission again. After further discussion, Commission members by consensus, directed staff to forward Special Conditional Use Permit 11-91000007 to City Council for approval with conditions generated by staff. Chairman Hal Lawler requested staff to call a mandatory workshop to further educate Commission Members on the importance of ethics and the basis for decision making. Commission Member Follis responded by saying he was not required to excuse himself from voting on the matter, but rather he chose to refrain from discussion because he personally knows the applicant. Due to the fact staff recommended denial of the SCUP, a draft SCUP was not prepared by staff. Commission Member Hoot requested that in the future, staff be prepared with options in the event the Commission does not vote in accordance with staffs recommendations. 6. Open Workshop to discuss proposed regulations on group care facilities (a/k/a group homes, community homes, residential personal care homes, living centers and assisted living centers) housing three (3) persons or less. Chairman Hal Lawler opened the public hearing at 6:08 pm. B. Staff Presentation Debbie Wilmore, Chief Building Official, provided the Commission with staffs report by recapping the October 20, 2011, and November 17, 2011 workshop information and discussions Ms. Wilmore also reminded the Commission that currently under State and Federal laws, group homes are considered "protected" and cannot be excluded in residential zones. Existing city regulations prohibit "group homes" so these regulations need to be updated to prevent conflict with State and Federal laws. The Commission has the opportunity to recommend conditions or criteria as part of the ordinance update. Commission members had no changes and asked staff to bring back as a Public Hearing to the February 16, 2012 Planning & Zoning Meeting. 7. La Porte Comprehensive Plan Update A. Overview of Chapter 4, Community Mobility & Draft Thoroughfare Plan Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of January 19, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Chapter 3, Infrastructure & Growth Capacity including Public Safety was reviewed at the November 17, 2011, meeting. Chapter 4, Community Mobility and Draft thoroughfare Plan received earlier this month was distributed to other City Department heads for review. Matt Bucchin, of Kendig Keast, gave a power point presentation of Chapter 4 outlining focus area, goals, actions, and initiatives. Chapter 4 (Community Mobility) is a consolidation of transportation and Thoroughfare System of the previous plan chapters. Comments and suggestions will be incorporated to the plan. Next step is submission of Chapter 5 (Economic Development) and Chapter 6 (Implementation) for joint P&Z and City Council meeting on February 16, 2012. 8. Administrative Reports Masood Malik invited Commission Members to the Northside Neighborhood Update Plan Meeting at the Jennie Riley Center January 24, 2012 at 6:00pm. 9. Commission Comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information of existing policy. Commission Member Hoot informed the Commission he attended the previous Northside Update Meeting and thought it was very good. Commission Member Warren thanked everyone for attending. Mr. Warren felt there was a lot of confusion and in the future asked the Chairman to call for a short recess. 10. Adjourn Motion to adjourn by Mark Follis. Second by Phillip Hoot. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:06p.m. Ayes: Hal Lawler, Richard Warren, Mark Follis, Helen LaCour. Phillip Hoot, and Lou Ann Martin. Nays: None Abstain: None S b fitted _�,. Shannon Green Planning Assistant Approved on this day of I (4&0V 2012. Hal Lawler Chairman Planning and Zoning Commission