HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-12 Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of the La Porte Planning and Zoning CommissionPlanning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of May 17, 2012
Members Present: Hal Lawler, Danny Earp, Doretta Finch, Les Bird, Helen LaCour, Richard Warren,
Mark Follis, and Phillip Hoot.
Members Absent: Lou Ann Martin
City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager, Traci Leach; Planning Director, Tim Tietjens; City
Planner, Masood Malik; City Attorney, Knox Askins; Planning Assistant, Shannon
Green, Public Works Director, Dave Mick; Assistant Chief, Ron Parker; and
Animal Control Supervisor; Clarence Anderson.
1. Call to order
Meeting called to order by Chairman Hal Lawler at 6:OOp.m.
2. Roll Call of Members
Chairman Hal Lawler asked for a roll call of members.
Lou Ann Martin was not present.
3. Consider approval of April 19, 2012, meeting minutes.
Motion by Phillip Hoot to approve the April 19, 2012, meeting minutes with the following
corrections;
Item # 4., Paragraph # 5., After discussion, Commission Members asked staff to bring Special
Conditional Use Permit #12-910000001 back to the May 17, 2012 Planning & Zoning Meeting with all items
required by Ordinance.
Second by Helen LaCour. Motion carried.
Ayes: Hal Lawler, Danny Earp, Doretta Finch, Les Bird, Helen LaCour, Richard Warren,
Mark Follis, and Phillip Hoot.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
4. Continue Public Hearing to receive public input on Special Conditional Use Permit #12-
9100001, which has been requested for the property described as 1.403 acres along Spencer
Highway, further described as Tract D, Lots 1, 2, 3 & TR 4A, Blk. 1 & Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, & TR 5,
Blk. 2, W. J. Payne Subdivision, W. M. Jones Survey, Abstract No.482, La Porte, Harris
County, Texas. The City of La Porte is seeking approval of a Special Conditional Use Permit
for building a new Animal Shelter at 10901 Spencer Highway to be located within La Porte
Municipal Airport property, which is zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD) district.
A. Staff Presentation
Masood Malik, City Planner, gave staff's report. The City is requesting a Special Conditional
Use Permit #12-9100001 for the construction of a new Animal Control & Adoption Facility to
be located at 10901 Spencer Highway.
B. Proponents
Dave Mick, Public Works Director, Airport Manager, and Chairman of the Airport Advisory
Board, addressed the Commission. Mr. Mick informed the Commission members the Airport
Advisory Board has not met since 2006. Mr. Mick plans to generate an active board when
the Airport Master Plan Update begins.
Reagan McPhail, Public Improvement Coordinator, addressed the Commission. Mr. McPhail
informed the Commission members the walls of the new facility will be filled with sand to act
as a sound barrier, and the fence around the property will be used for interaction during
adoptions. The overhead doors have vents to increase airflow to prevent disease. The
facility is air conditioned and is an indoor facility. No animals will be housed outside.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of May 17, 2012
Page 2 of 4
C. Opponents
Mr. Gideon Jones, of 10403 Quiet Hill spoke the against the location of the proposed Animal
Control and Adoption Facility. Mr. Jones asked Commission to consider other locations other
than the Airport. Mr. Jones asked where the funds were provided from and who was pushing
the idea. Mr. Jones stated this was poor planning and felt the airport would suffer from the
building of a new Animal Facility on the property.
Mr. Stanley Jones, of 202 Fairrington thanked the Commission for the opportunity to speak.
Mr. Jones asked the Commission to provide other options for the location of the Animal
Facility. Mr. Jones asked to know the process, for a better understanding, and requested the
Commission to notify more people. Mr. Jones questioned the City's receipt of an award of
Transparency.
Chuck Rosa, of 812 S Virginia suggested the old Parks & Wildlife building be utilized as the
new Animal Control & Adoption facility.
D. Proponents Rebuttal
Tim Tietjens, Planning Director addressed the public and the Commission. Mr. Tietjens
responded to comments from the public and the Commission.
It was noted that a referendum was not needed this was a policy matter, well within the
jurisdiction of City Council.
The general public was publicly notified on April 9, 2012, for the City Council meeting and
again on April 19, 2012, for the Planning and Zoning meeting, and will be again when Special
Conditional Use Permit 12-91000001 goes before City Council. The City holds the
transparency award with great pride. Noise concerns have been considered, the facility is
enclosed and several hundred feet away from residential. With regard to traffic concerns,
Spencer Hwy was built for long term use and has a lane availability that far exceeds the
needs at this time. The City hopes to either sell or lease the Texas Parks and Wildlife facility.
The proposed site has been approved by the Texas Department of Transportation according
to the FAA. Mr. Tietjens presented a letter at the last meeting. Drainage is not a problem at
this location. This location is the highest elevation in the city.
5. Close Public Hearing.
Chairman Hal Lawler closed the public hearing at 7:11 pm
During discussion, Commission Members voiced concern with the location of the proposed facility
and asked if City Council considered other locations.
Staff replied, Council did consider other locations, and this was the best location.
Commission Members were also concerned with potential noise disturbance.
Staff replied, the building is structurally sound with sand in the walls and the animals will be
housed indoors.
Commission Members asked Staff if the plans for the parking lot and drive were in compliance.
Commission Members asked if landscape requirements would be implemented and the dumpster
screened.
Staff replied, Landscape requirements will be implemented, which includes screening the
dumpster.
Commission Members also voiced concern with Fire truck access to the building.
Staff replied the proposed building is in compliance.
Commission Members asked when the appointment to the Airport Advisory Board had been
made.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of May 17, 2012
Page 3 of 4
Staff will follow up and report back at the next Planning & Zoning Meeting.
Commission Members asked if sidewalks would be implemented.
Staff answered, during the city's Beatification Project.
Commission Members asked staff why the Land Use map and the text had a discrepancy. The
Land Use map reads "Public Use". The text reads "Airport".
Staff replied, the Land Use map supersedes the text. The text is used as guide to better
understand the map. The Commission can correct that discrepancy during the Comprehensive
Plan Update.
Commission Member Follis distributed a proposed site plan to better utilize the parking. This
would increase the cost of the budget from $10,000 to $15,000. Mr. Tietjens explained the City is
trying to be cost effective.
Commission Members voiced concern with the notification to affected citizens and requested new
and creative ways to send notification.
Staff answered, notification for public hearings are processed in accordance with City Ordinance
requirements.
Commission Members stated transparency is not an issue and staff does notify citizens of
meetings. City Council also talks to citizens. Les Bird informed the Commission, Fairmont Park
Association was informed about Special Conditional Use Permit 12-91000001.
Motion by Phillip Hoot to send a letter to City Council, upon approval of Special Conditional Use
Permit 12-91000001, voicing concerns raised during the public hearing about the location. Second
by Richard Warren. The motion carried.
Ayes: Hal Lawler, Doretta Finch, Les Bird, Mark Follis, Helen LaCour, Danny Earp,
Richard Warren, and Phillip Hoot.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Motion by Les Bird to recommend approval of Special Conditional Use Permit 12-9100001, as
written. Second by Doretta Finch.
Motion by Phillip Hoot to retain detention on site.
Philip Hoot withdrew the motion.
Motion by Phillip Hoot to require all detention to be retained on site with no credits. Second by
Danny Earp. Motion Carried.
Ayes: Danny Earp, Doretta Finch, Helen LaCour, Richard Warren, and Phillip Hoot.
Nays: Les Bird & Hal Lawler.
Abstain: Mark Follis
Motion to approve Special Conditional Use Permit 12-9100001 Carried.
Ayes: Hal Lawler, Doretta Finch, Les Bird, Mark Follis, and Phillip Hoot.
Nays: Richard Warren and Danny Earp.
Abstain: Helen LaCour
6. Administrative Reports
Masood Malik reminded Commission members of a Special Called Planning & Zoning meeting
Thursday, May 24, 2012.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of May 17, 2012
Page 4 of 4
7. Commission Comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding
specific factual information of existing policy.
Commission members asked staff to consider new avenues to better inform the citizens of La Porte
of Public Hearings.
8. Adjourn
Motion to adjourn by Richard Warren. Second by Helen LaCour. The motion carried. The
meeting adjourned at 7:54p.m.
Ayes: Hal Lawler, Danny Earp, Doretta Finch, Les Bird, Helen LaCour, Richard Warren,
Mark Follis, and Phillip Hoot.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Sub ' ed by,
ann n Green
Planning Assistant
Approved on this day of 2012.
Hal Lawler
Chairman Planning and Zoning Commission