HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-15 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of July 16, 2015
Commissioners Present: Richard Warren, Helen LaCour, Nick Barrera, Lou Ann Martin, Mark
Follis, and Wyatt Smith
Commissioners Absent: Hal Lawler,Trey Kendrick,and Les Bird
City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager Traci Leach, City Planner Eric Ensey,Assistant
City Attorney Traci Leach,and Office Coordinator Peggy Lee
1. Call to order.
Vice-Chairman Richard Warren called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
2. Roll Call of Members.
Commissioners Warren, Barrera, Martin, Follis, and Smith were present for roll call.
Commissioner LaCour arrived at 6:05 p.m.
3. Consider approval of meeting minutes: May 27,2015;June 18,2015.
Motion by Commissioner Barrera to approve the meeting minutes of May 27, 2015, and June
18, 2015.
Second by Commissioner Martin. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners Barrera, Martin, Follis,Smith, and Warren
Nays: None
4. Consider approval or other action regarding a request by Bayway Homes for approval of a
Preliminary Plat for the Replat of Lots 1 thru 5, Block 14,Sylvan Beach 1St Addition.
City Planner Eric Ensey presented the staff report on a request by Bayway Homes for approval of
a Preliminary Plat to replat and reconfigure six lots in the original Sylvan Beach 1St Addition. As
proposed,three lots will front Park Avenue and three lots will front Oregon Avenue.
Mr. Ensey responded to Commissioner's questions.
Motion by Commissioner Follis to approve a Preliminary Plat for the Replat of Lots 1 thru 5,
Block-14,-Sylvan Beach_11tAddition. -- - -
Second by Commissioner Barrera. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners LaCour, Barrera, Martin, Follis,Smith,and Warren
Nays: None
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of July 16,2015
Page 2 of 7
5. Consider recommendation to the La Porte City Council on a proposed amendment to the
Future Land Use Map component of the La Porte Comprehensive Plan by amending a 6.9547
acre tract of land further described as Tracts 718B,719,and 719A, La Porte Outlots,situated in
the Enoch Brinson Survey,A-5,City of La Porte, Harris County,Texas,from"Neighborhood
Commercial"to"Mid to High Density Residential."
City Planner Eric Ensey presented the staff report on an amendment to the Future Land Use
Map as a result of an application by Brownstone Ventures, LLC,for a Special Conditional Use
Permit to allow construction of a luxury multifamily apartment complex on a tract of land _
located at the southwest corner of Caniff Rd. and Underwood Rd.
Commission action on this item was deferred until the conclusion of the staff presentation and
public hearing for agenda item#6.
Motion by Commissioner Follis to recommend to City Council, denial of an amendment to the
Future Land Use Map component of the La Porte Comprehensive Plan for a 6.9547 acre tract of
land located at the southwest corner of Underwood Rd.and Caniff Rd.
Second by Commissioner Smith. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners LaCour, Barrera, Martin, Follis,Smith,and Warren
Nays: None
6. Open public hearing to receive input on an application for Special Conditional Use Permit#15-
91000003,a request by Brownstone Ventures,LLC to allow for construction of a multifamily
luxury apartment complex at the southwest corner of Underwood Rd.and Caniff Rd.
Vice-Chairman Warren opened the public hearing at 6:16 p.m.
a. Staff Presentation
City Planner Eric Ensey presented the staff report on a request by Brownstone Ventures, LLC
for a Special Conditional Use Permit to allow construction of a Class A 124-unit residential
multifamily luxury apartment complex located at the southwest corner of Underwood Rd.
and Caniff Rd.
The written staff report included a number of items that staff requested be included in the
motion if the Commission were to recommend approval of the Special Conditional Use
- -Permit.
b. Applicant Presentation
Doak Brown,with the Brownstone Companies, addressed the Commission. Mr. Brown
showed a slide presentation of one of their developments with the same architecture and
buildings currently being proposed. The anticipated rental range is as follows:
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of July 16,2015
Page 3 of 7
one bedroom units per month: $875-$1200
Two bedroom units per month: $1200-$1500
Three bedroom units per month: $1700-$1750
Mr. Brown responded to questions from the Commission related to traffic flow.
c. Public Comments(for,against,or questions)
Jenna Smith,3630 Desert Run Dr., expressed concern about traffic.
Jonathan Clark,attorney representing Summer Winds property association,as well as Pecan
Crossing subdivision, declined to comment until after the public had an opportunity to
speak.
John Blakemore,9209 Mahan Dr., President of Pecan Crossing Homeowners Association
addressed the Commission. Mr. Blakemore spoke about traffic problems the subdivision is
experiencing along Fairmont Parkway and Caniff due to all of the development that has
occurred since the Pecan Crossing subdivision was built.The proposed apartment complex
would add to the existing traffic problem.
Donald Davis, 3621 E. Desert Dr., expressed concern with devaluation of property values,
and additional drainage and traffic problems the development would generate.
Robert Wagstaff,9614 Rustic Gate, President of Summer Winds Homeowners Association
addressed the Commission. Mr.Wagstaff spoke about traffic concerns and decreased
property values.
Mike Cobb, 109 Summer Winds,spoke about negative traffic impacts.
Angie Davis, 118 Summer Winds, a realtor, spoke about property devaluation.
Gloria Zavala, 114 Summer Winds,would not have purchased her home had she known an
apartment complex would be developed nearby.
Cheryl Hargett, 3617 E. Desert Dr.,spoke about negative impacts on traffic and property
values.
Wanda Kirk,9506 Dry Desert Way, expressed concerns with negative impacts related to
quality of-life-andtraffic.
Dallas Wilbert, resident of Pecan Crossing, is not in favor of the request due to traffic
impacts and property devaluation.
David Janda,Sr.,9502 Dry Desert Way,spoke against the request due to traffic problems
and property devaluation.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of July 16,2015
Page 4 of 7
I
David Janda, resident of Summer Winds subdivision,spoke against the development. He has
concerns with its proximity to existing apartments,traffic problems,and the city's
requirements for notifying property owners. Mr.Janda suggested the City consider
purchasing land in the area for a park that would benefit residents of Pecan Crossing,
Summer Winds, and Fairmont Park West subdivisions.
Jonathan Clarke, 5150 Westheimer,Ste. 1200, attorney representing the Summer Winds
homeowners association addressed the Commission. Mr.Clarke noted the current land use
and zoning are not appropriate for the development nor does it comply with code
requirements related to maximum density and 1,000 distance separation from other
apartments, both of which would require variances be granted in order for the development
to occur.
d. Question and Answer
There were no questions at this point in the meeting.
7. Close public hearing.
Vice-Chairman Warren closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m.
8. Consider recommendation to City Council on Special Conditional Use Permit request#15-
91000003.
Commissioners Follis and Barrera expressed concern with the density and separation issues
associated with the development.
Motion by Commissioner Barrera to recommend to City Council,denial of Special Conditional Use
Permit request#15-91000003 for a 6.9547 acre tract of land located at the southwest corner of
Underwood Rd. and Caniff Rd.
Second by Commissioner Martin. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners LaCour, Barrera, Martin,Follis,Smith,and Warren
Nays: None
Vice-Chairman Warren called for a brief recess at 7:28 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:39 p.m.
9. Consider recommendation to City Council on a proposed amendment to the Future Land Use
Map component of the La Porte Comprehensive Plan by amending the designation for those
tracts of land located between State Highway 146 and S.16th Street,and between W.M Street
and McCabe Road,and identified as 1.)Tracts 113-3,Johnson Hunter Survey,Abstract 35;Reserve
D and Reserve G,Block 4; Reserve 1,Block 3;and Reserve K,Block 2,of the Port Crossing
Amending Plat,from"Business Industrial"to"Light Industrial";2) Reserve E,Block 4,of the Port
Crossing Amending Plat,from"Park and Open Space"to"Business Industrial";and 3)Reserve M,
Block 2,of the Port Crossing Amending Plat,from"Business Industrial"to"Park and Open Space."
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of July 16,2015
Page 5 of 7
City Planner Eric Ensey presented the staff report on a proposed amendment to the Future Land
Use Map as recommended by staff. Mr. Ensey reminded the Commission that at the June 8,2015,
City Council meeting,the Council directed staff to work with the property owners of Port Crossing
on a number of items to clean-up discrepancies between the various documents governing
development of the Port Crossing Business Park,which included amending the Future Land Use
Plan to clean-up the land use designation for a portion of the Port Crossing site.
Commissioners were reluctant to act on any items on the agenda relating to Port Crossing.
Commissioners were concerned that there was a lot of information to take in and they were
unclear about the implications of any decisions they would be making.
Jim Harris,attorney for Port Crossing,assured the Commission there were no substantive changes
being requested from the 2006 SCUP and Development Agreement.
After a lengthy discussion,Commissioners agreed to table action on the Port Crossing items and
schedule a special called meeting for consideration at a later date.
Motion by Commissioner Follis to table action on agenda items 9,10, 13,14,and 15.
Second by Commissioner Martin. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners LaCour, Martin, Follis, and Smith
Nays: Commissioner Barrera
Abstain:Vice-Chairman Warren
10. Consider approval or other action regarding a request by Port Crossing LP for approval of the
proposed Port Crossing Amending Plat.
Item was tabled.
11. Open public hearing to receive input on an application for Special Conditional Use Permit##15-
91000004,a request by Port Crossing LP,Port Crossing AD LP,Port Crossing A4 LP,and Port
Crossing B4 LP to replace the Port Crossing SCUP#06-006(previously approved by the La Porte
City Council in 2006)for the 313 acre Port Crossing Business Park generally located west of State
Highway 146 between W.M Street and McCabe Road.
Vice-Chairman Warren opened the public hearing at 9:24 p.m.
Motion by Commissioner Follis to continue the public hearing at a special called meeting on August
6,2015,at 6:00 p.m.in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Second by Commissioner Smith. Motion carried.
Ayes: Commissioners LaCour, Barrera, Martin, Follis,Smith,and Warren
Nays: None
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of July 16,2015
Page 6 of 7
a. Staff Presentation
b. Applicant Presentation
c. Public Comments(for,against, or questions)
d. Question and Answer
12. Close public hearing.
The public hearing was continued to August 6,2015.
13. Consider recommendation to City Council on Special Conditional Use Permit request#15-
91000004.
Item was tabled.
14. Consider approval or other action regarding a request by Port Crossing LP for approval of the
proposed Port Crossing General Plan(previously approved as the Texas Import Export General
Plan)for the 313 acre Port Crossing Business Park generally located west of State Highway 146
between W. M Street and McCabe Road.
Item was tabled.
15. Consider recommendation to City Council regarding a proposed amended Development
Agreement between the City of La Porte and Port Crossing LP,for the purpose of amending the
Development Agreement approved by the La Porte City Council in 2006.
Item was tabled.
16. Administrative reports.
City Planner Eric Ensey reported the City Council directed the Commission to begin a review of the
tree preservation ordinance and possible requirements for garage sale signs.
17. Commission comments on matters appearing on the agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific
factual information or existing policy.
Commissioner LaCour commented the meeting carried on too long.
- - 18. Adjourn - - - -
Motion by Commissioner LaCour to adjourn.
Second by Commissioner Follis.
Vice-Chairman Warren adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Minutes of July 16,2015
Page 7 of 7
Res ectfullv submitted,
c
Peggy
Secretary, Planning and Zoning Commission
Passed and Approved onLOA�A , 2015.
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Hal Lawler
Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission