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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-16 Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 18, 2016 Commissioners Present: Trey Kendrick, Wyatt Smith, Richard Warren, Nick Barrera, Mark Follis, Larry Stockham, and Hal Lawler Commissioners Absent: Helen LaCour, Lou Ann Martin City Staff Present: Director of Planning and Development Tim Tietjens, City Planner Eric Ensey,Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins,and Planning Technician Ryan Cramer 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, Follis, Smith, Stockham, and Chairman Lawler were present for roll call. 3. Consider approval of meeting minutes: January 21,2016 Meeting Motion by Commissioner Barrera to approve the meeting minutes of January 21,2016. Second by Commissioner Warren. Motion carried. Ayes: Kendrick,Warren, Barrera, Follis, Smith,Stockham,and Lawler Nays: 4. Consider a request by Stripes LLC for approval of a waiver to the city's Design Guidelines(Exterior Facade Materials) as outlined in Section 106-928 of the Code of Ordinances for the proposed Stripes Gas Station and Convenience Store proposed at the southeast corner of W. Main Street (Spencer Highway)and Bay Area Boulevard(Sens Road). City Planner Eric Ensey presented the staff report on a request by Stripes LLC for a waiver to the city's Design Guidelines.The site falls under the City of La Porte's Tier 2 Design Guidelines and must be 50% stone or brick.The applicant had indicated that this is a new prototype building.Staff did not support the request because of a possible precedent that it would set. Commissioner Smith asked if it was a material similar to a previous case.City Planner Ensey said that this material is more of a hardy plank as compared to ephus in the previous case. Commissioner Stockham questioned whether or not the ordinance applied to only the front of the building. City Planner Ensey said it applies to all sides visible from a right-of-way,which in this case would be all four sides.The Commissioner then asked for clarification as to if each side had to be 50% or if it was just the total.City Planner Ensey said in his opinion the ordinance is about spreading it out on all sides, but it does not have to be exactly even. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 18,2016 Page 2 of 6 Commissioner Follis asked whether or not the other La Porte Stripes locations had to meet this requirement. Staff responded that those sites were built under the City's previous masonry requirement. Applicants James Butcher, 3525 Air Street, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Billy Green, 1915 Woodland Hills, Missouri City,Texas gave a presentation about how this location will be the very first of their new prototype. The material proposed for the building is a fiber cement product. The applicant indicated they would be willing to add masonry to the canopy pillars. The Commission confirmed that the façade was going to be 100%of the fiber cement. Commissioner Stockham asked if they would be willing to use a brick printing on their material instead of wood. Mr. Butcher said that they could look into it but it would probably be a significant cost. Chairman Lawler pointed out that while Stripes is trying to keep a prototype, the City is trying to preserve the integrity of the City's design guidelines. The applicant stated that changing the materials will add days to an already aggressive timeline. When asked to compare La Porte to Missouri City, Mr. Butcher said they are encountering similar obstacles and in some places Missouri City requires 100%brick or stone. Commissioner Warren said the facade requirements are new and the City doesn't want to deviate from them. Motion by Commissioner Follis to deny the waiver to the city's Design Guidelines (Exterior Façade Materials) as outlined in Section 106-928 of the Code of Ordinances for the proposed Stripes Gas Station and Convenience Store proposed at the southeast corner of W. Main Street (Spencer Highway)and Bay Area Boulevard (Sens Road). Second by Commissioner Smith. Motion carried. Ayes: Kendrick,Warren,Barrera,Follis,Smith,Stockham,and Lawler Nays: 5. Consider a request by Liberty Property Trust for approval of a waiver to the city's Design Guidelines (Exterior Facade Materials) as outlined in Section 106-928 of the Code of Ordinances for the proposed warehouse distribution facility at 1801 S. 16th Street(southeast corner of S. 16th Street and Export Drive). City Planner Eric Ensey delivered the staff report on a waiver request by Liberty Property Trust for approval of a waiver to the city's Design Guidelines(Exterior Facade Materials)as outlined in Section 106-928 of the Code of Ordinances for the proposed warehouse distribution facility at 1801 S. 16th Street(southeast corner of S. 16th Street and Export Drive).This building would be under the Tier 3 requirements as it is in the TIRZ No.1.Under this tier the code requires that the building be 20%brick Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 18,2016 Page 3 of 6 or stone. No other buildings in Port Crossing meet this standard.Staff did not support the request as proposed but was willing to compromise in certain areas. Commissioner Follis asked for a clarification on whether or not the guidelines are required for buildings over 50,000 square feet.City Planner Ensey said that the rule only applies to Tier 1 buildings. Commissioner Follis asked what the total cost of the project was. City Planner Ensey said that the applicant was in the audience and could answer that question. The applicant, Ken Chang of Liberty Property Trust, 8827 N Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, TX, made the point that none of the other buildings in Port Crossing have masonry. He noted that they are putting a lot of glass on their building,something that most companies do not do and is an extra cost to the builder. Mr. Chang brought in sketches showing the average walk in to their proposed walk in to make the point that Liberty Property builds nicer buildings. Commissioner Follis asked whether or not they were still subject to Tier 3 guidelines being on Highway 146 but City Planner Ensey told him that in the Special Conditional Use Permit they were allowed under Tier 3. Commissioner Follis then asked what the total cost would be. Mr.Chang said that a rough estimate, just for construction would be$18-$20 million dollars.Commissioner Follis said that a rough estimate of the cost to put brick veneer all around would come out to about$200,000,or 1%of the project. Mr. Chang argued that tying the brick and stone to their modern glass look would be difficult. Commissioner Follis was more concerned about the long uninterrupted side walls. Commissioner Follis said that the majority of the 20%should be focused on the east and west walls due to visibility. The board as a whole expressed a desire for the applicant to keep the glass at the corner entries while having the 20%brick or stone on the sides. Mr. Chang offered to put windows along the wall in exchange for not having to meet the 20% brick or stone in an effort to keep the look continuous. Commissioner Follis said the intent of the design guidelines was to make the building as a whole look better and putting it all one side would go against the initial intent. In an attempt to summarize the Commission's position,Chairman Lawler said they understand that it does not make sense to put the brick or stone on the side with bay doors,and they like the window treatments. Amongst the remaining walls,the west wall is the one they would like to look the best so the majority of the stone should be on that wall. Commissioner Smith pointed out that putting too much brick or stone on one wall compared to the others could look unattractive. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 18,2016 Page 4 of 6 Assistant City Attorney Clark Askins clarified if the Commission was going to deny the waiver they would still like to see the glass on the corner treatments. Mr. Chang asked if the Commission would consider allowing use of a second story glass element on the corner entrances towards the masonry requirement. Commissioner Follis and Chairman Lawler concurred,but Commissioner Warren argued that if concessions are made then other applicants can look for concessions as well. Motion by Commissioner Warren to deny a waiver to the city's Design Guidelines (Exterior Facade Materials) as outlined in Section 106-928 of the Code of Ordinance for the proposed warehouse distribution facility at 1801 S. 16th Street(southeast corner of S. 16th Street and Export Drive). Second by Commissioner Follis. Motion Carried. Ayes: Warren,Follis,Lawler,and Smith Nays: Kendrick,Barrera,Stockham 6. Consider a request by Liberty Property Trust for approval of a major development site plan for a proposed warehouse distribution facility at 1801 S. 16th Street(southeast corner of 5. 16th Street and Export Drive). City Planner Eric Ensey delivered the staff report for the 415,272 square foot warehouse distribution facility site plan.The site is zoned PUD and is part of the Port Crossing Business Park. The staff review team had determined that the plan met all applicable ordinance and Special Conditional Use Permit requirements.City Planner Ensey said the plan did meet the landscaping and parking requirements. For informational purposes he also noted that the Zoning Board of Adjustment allowed a variance for a 3`d drive along Export Drive and S. 16th Street to facilitate easier and safer ingress and egress. It was determined that the applicant would also build a sidewalk according to the City's Public Improvement Criteria Manual.Staff recommended approval of the major development site plan. Commissioner Follis asked if the Commission was the final say on this request,City Planner Ensey said yes. Commissioner Follis asked if they had the proper landscaping setbacks,City Planner Ensey said yes because in determining setbacks staff looked at what had been accepted for the other buildings in Port Crossing.Commissioner Follis then asked if that was written anywhere in the Special Conditional Use Permit(SCUP),City Planner Ensey said that it was not written anywhere. City Planner Ensey also said that the uses were limited to anything that was allowed in a Business Industrial Zone in 2006,according to the approved SCUP. Commissioner Smith asked if there were any tax breaks associated with building in this area,City Planner Ensey said that it was in the TIRZ. Commissioner Follis asked about the size and location of planters in the parking lot.City Planner Ensey said the applicant complied with the code requirements. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 18,2016 Page 5 of 6 Motion by Commissioner Kendrick for approval of a major development site plan for the proposed Port Crossing B4 Building at 1801 S. 16th Street(southeast corner of S. 16th Street and Export Drive)with the condition that the applicant meets the City's design guidelines. Second by Commissioner Barrera. Motion carried. Ayes: Kendrick,Warren,Barrera,Follis,Smith,Stockham,and Lawler Nays: Before moving to the next agenda item Chairman Lawler suspended the meeting for a break at 8:26 PM and reconvened the meeting at 8:34 PM. 7. Open a public hearing to receive input on proposed modifications to Ordinance No. 1444, more commonly known as the City of La Porte Development Ordinance, regulating review process for subdivisions,site plans and other development-related requirements and codifying the regulations as part of Chapter 86 of the City of La Porte's Code of Ordinances. Chairman Lawler opened the public hearing at 8:38 PM. Before the start of staff's presentation,Commissioner Follis suggested this agenda item be continued to the March 17th meeting, in the interest of time. Chairman Lawler asked staff's opinion of it and staff was okay with it. Motion by Commissioner Follis to continue the public hearing to the March 17th meeting. Second by Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Kendrick,Warren,Barrera,Follis,Smith,Stockham,and Lawler Nays: 8. Close Public Hearing The public hearing was not closed.See Agenda Item 7. 9. Consider recommendation on proposed modifications to Ordinance No. 1444, more commonly known as the City of La Porte Development Ordinance,regulating review process for subdivisions, site plans and other development-related requirements and codifying the regulations as part of Chapter 86 of the City of La Porte's Code of Ordinances. There was no recommendation on this item from the Commission.See Agenda Item 7. 10. Administrative Reports There were no administrative reports. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of February 18,2016 Page 6 of 6 11. Commission comments on matters appearing on the agenda or inquiry of staff regarding specific factual information or existing policy. Commissioner Warren said he was glad the Commission is still trying to adhere to the Design Guidelines. Chairman Lawler thanked everyone for the discussion because a lot more of these type cases will be coming up and this makes for a good review experience. Commissioner Smith reflected back to Commissioner Follis' point that warehouses do not bring the jobs that La Porte is really looking for and agreed with it. Commissioner Kendrick apologized for stepping in and answering for the Planning and Development Director when Chairman Lawler asked him a question. 12. Adjourn Motion by Commissioner Kendrick to adjourn. Second by Commissioner Warren. Chairman Lawler adjourned the meeting at 8:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, RyarYCramer Secretary, Planning and Zoning Commission Passed and Approved on N\ 1.7 , 2016. AZ_ Hal Lawler Chairman, Planning and Zoning Commission