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Home My WebLink About11-19-15 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning CommissionPlanning and Zoning Commission Minutes of November 19, 2015 Commissioners Present: Trey Kendrick, Richard Warren, Nick Barrera, Lou Ann Martin, Mark Follis, Les Bird, and Hal Lawler Commissioners Absent: Helen La Cour and Wyatt Smith City Staff Present: City Manager Corby Alexander, Assistant City Manager Traci Leach, City Planner Eric Ensey, Planning Technician Ryan Cramer, Economic Oevelopment Coordinator Scott Livingston, Assistant City Attorney Clark A—kins, and Office Coordinator Peggy Lee Council Members Present: Kristin Martin and John Zemanek 1_ Call to order. Chairman Hal Lawler called the meeting to order at 6:02 p_m. 2. Roll Call of Members. Commissioners Kendrick, Warren, Barrera, Martin, Follis, Bird, and Lawler were present for roil call. 3. Consider approval of meeting minutes: October 15, 2015 Meeting Motion by Commissioner Barrera to approve the meeting minutes of October 15, 2015. Second by Commissioner Warren. Motion -carried. Ayes: Kendrick, Warren, Barrera, Martin, Follis, Bird, and Lawler Nays: None It. Consider approval or other action regarding a request by Turfway FEC, LLC for approval of the proposed La Porte Town Center General Plan for the 20 acre tract of land known as Tract ILL, Johnson Hunter Survey, Abstract aS generally located --the east side of State Highway 146 north of Wharton Weems Boulevard. City Planner Eric Ensey presented the staff report on a request by Turfway FEC, LLC, on behalf of the property owner Bayforest Ranch LTO, for approval of a General Plan for a 20-acre tract of land located on the east side of State Highway 146 north of Wharton Weems Boulevard_ The General Plan includes an entertainment center, conference center, theatre, museum, restaurants, office space, tc,—homes, live -work units, hotel, and park and water features. Commissioners discussed the impacts of the proposed development. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of November 19, 2015 Page 2 of 5 Motion by Commissioner Warren to approve the La Porte Town Center General Plan for a 20-acre tract located on the east side of State Highway 146 north of Wharton Weems Boulevard. Second by Commissioner Follis. Motion carried. Ayes: Kendrick, Warren, Barrera, Follis, Bird, and Lawler Nays: Martin S. Open a public hearing to receive input on an application for Special Conditional Use Permit #15- 91000007, a request by Turfway FEC, LLC to allow for construction of an entertainment, commercial and residential mixed use development on a 20-acre tract of land known as Tract 1L, Johnson Hunter Survey, Abstract 35 generally located on the east side of State Highway 146 north of Wharton Weems Boulevard. Chairman Lawler opened the public hearing at 6:04 p.m. a. Staff Presentation Staffs report for Special Conditional Use Permit Request #91000007 was presented alongside the staff report for the General Plan discussed under Item 4. The applicant, Turfway FEC, LLC, on behalf of Bayforest Ranch LTD, is requesting approval of a special conditional use permit to allow construction of an entertainment, commercial and residential mixed use development on a 20-acre tract located on the east side of State Highway 146 north of Wharton Weems Boulevard. A number of special conditional use permit conditions were included in the staff report for the Commission's consideration. Mr. Ensey summarized the proposed conditions and responded to questions from the Commission. Mr. Ensey stated all requirements for public hearing notification had been met. b. Applicant Presentation David Miles, Turfway FEC (Family Entertainment Centers) LLC, 907 S. Friendswood Dr., addressed the Commission. Mr. Miles provided a Power Point presentation and described plans for the proposed Town Center, which will carry the Gilley's name. The center will include three themes: family entertainment, golf world, and nostalgic water features and outside bumper boats. An estimated 800 jobs will be created with the development. The 114-room hotel will be approximately 6-7 stories. The overall theme of the development would be a cross between the Main Event and Dave and Buster's. Mr. Miles introduced his development team. Vincent Worley, with Worley Commercial, spoke of the vast experience of the team, including Manfred Jachmich Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of November 19, 2015 Page 3 of 5 (Houston restaurateur), Raj Varma (IT Dimensions), Tony Webber (SW Museums), Mickey Gilley, and others. Mickey Gilley stated he has other Gilley's locations at Treasure Island in Las Vegas, Reno -Sparks, Nevada, two in Oklahoma, and one in Dallas. Mr. Gilley stated he would like the Gilley's brand to return to the area; not as a honky-tonk, but something that will make the community proud. Mr. Miles responded to questions from the Commission regarding phasing, hours of operation, alcohol sales, uses, parking, and screening from area residents. c. Public Comments (for, against, or questions) Maggie Anderson, 909 Garden Walk, spoke in favor of the project. Ms. Anderson believes the development would increase property values, help Main Street and Sylvan Beach and make the citizens proud. David Klingman, 3810 Pecan Circle, spoke in favor of the request. Mr. Klingman stated this development would make the City a destination. Tony DeLeon, 606 Fairway Dr., voiced concern about traffic. Matt Gamblin, 511 Fairway Drive, expressed concern about traffic, drainage, and property values. Mr. Gamblin stated there would be traffic, generated from the development, which would be using the entrance to Lakes at Fairmont Greens as a place to turn around. He suggested the City consider taking on the responsibility for gating the community should this development be approved. Mr. Gamblin stated there are homeowners in Lakes of Fairmont Greens that will sell their homes if the project is approved. Diane Weeden, 710 Fairway Dr., expressed concern about traffic, noise, and having a commercial development located near residential. James Larson, Deer Park, stated he has an association with the Lakes of Fairmont Greens Subdivision. Mr. Larson inquired about square footages and questioned whether the proposed development would fit on the site. He inquired about how the developer planned to deal with a dedicated drainage easement and 8-foot sidewalks. He suggested there should have been an effort to work with neighboring property owners to ensure cohesive development in the area. Dr. Malladi Reddy spoke in opposition to the request and provided Commissioners with a written letter of opposition. Dr. Reddy owns land on either side of the subject property. Dr. Reddy believes that this development will hurt his chances to develop his property as residential. Dr. Reddy previously had a contract to sell one of his properties to the same developer, but he subsequently canceled the contract due to inactivity. Dr. Reddy suggested the Town Center should be located on one of his Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of November 19, 2015 Page 4 of 5 properties. If the development gets approval then he wants to be granted the same ability to develop his property as commercial. Jennifer Click, who resides in Fairmont Park, stated she has heard nothing but wonderful things from the community with regard to this project. David Janda, 3601 E. Desert Drive, addressed a previous comment about the subject site being the last remaining site available for residential use. Mr. Janda identified several other undeveloped residentially zoned areas in town. He has received positive feedback about the project. d. Question and Answer Staff responded to questions from the Commission. Due to the complexity of the proposed development, the Commission requested staff meet with the developer to work on conditions of the permit, taking into account all of the concerns that have been raised. 6. Close public hearing. Chairman Lawler closed the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. 7. Consider approval or other action on Special Conditional Use Permit request #15-91000007. Motion by Commissioner Follis to table Special Conditional Use Permit Request #15-91000007. Second by Commissioner Barrera. Motion carried. Ayes: Warren, Barrera, Martin, Follis, and Lawler Nays: Kendrick and Bird 8. Consider a recommendation to the LaPorte City Council on a proposed amendment to the Future Land Use Map component of the La Porte Comprehensive Plan by amending the land use designation for a 20 acre tract of land known as Tract 1L, Johnson Hunter Survey, Abstract 35, from "Low Density Residential" to Commercial," "Mid to High Density Residential" and "Mixed Use." Motion by Commissioner Barrera to table consideration of an amendment to the Future Land Use Map. Second by Commissioner Follis. Motion carried. Ayes: Warren, Barrera, Follis, and Lawler Nays: Kendrick, Martin, and Bird 9. Consider recommendation to the LaPorte City Council on a revised Official Zoning Map for the City of La Porte. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of November 19, 2015 Page 5 of 5 City Planner Eric Ensey presented staffs report on a recommendation to City Council to approve a revised Official Zoning Map for the City. This action would update the "official" map with all of the zoning changes that have occurred within the City since the last update. Motion by Commissioner Kendrick to recommend to City Council, approval of a revised Official Zoning Map for the City. Second by Commissioner Warren. Motion carried. Ayes: Kendrick, Warren, Barrera, Martin, Follis, Bird, and Lawler Nays: None 10. Administrative reports. There were no administrative reports. 11. Commission comments on matters appearing on the agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policy. Commissioner Warren expressed appreciation to Commissioners for coming together to work as a group. Commissioner Follis advised Mr. Askins that he would soon be receiving a draft of the subcommittee's work on the Development Ordinance. 12. Adjourn Motion by Commissioner Kendrick to adjourn. Second by Commissioner Warren. Chairman Lawler adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Respect y submitted, Peggy Lee Secretary, Planning and Zoning Commission Passed and Approved on b-&"JQL�— / rl , .5. ��Q �D�- Hal tawler Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission