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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-06 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 6, 1996 MINUTES The Pre-Commission meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman Ronald Young at 5:30 p.m., in the downstairs Administration Building Conference Room. Six members of the Planning and Zoning Commission were in attendance. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION CONSIDERATION OF SCHEDULED ITEMS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Chairman Ronald Young opened the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 7:07 p.m. for the consideration of scheduled items. He stated there were six members of the Planning and Zoning Commission present. Commissioner Joy Shuler was absent. Furthermore, the agenda for this meeting had been properly posted in accordance with applicable law. MEMBERS & STAFF PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT Chairman Ronald Young Joy Shuler Keith Eggers Nancy Bright George Zahn Robert McMillon Billy Owens Randy J. Byers, Director of Public Works & Development Paul Kruckemeyer, City Engineer Bo Bass, Deputy Director of Development Andrea Baxter, Assistant City Engineer Rod Tyler, City Planner Barbara Chambers, Office Supervisor Linda Lux, Staff Secretary VISITORS PRESENT Tom Cox, Director of Economic Development Tedra Cheatham, Economic Development Bob Welty, Rawls Welty Richard Ponly, Chasemark Capital, Inc. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - PAGE TWO FEBRUARY 6, 1996 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION: The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Commissioner Zahn and the invocation was given by Commissioner McMillon. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Young asked that a correction be made to the minutes of January 16, 1996, Page 5, Paragraph 1, to state "access easement" instead of "street". The motion was made by Commissioner McMillon to approve the Planning and Zoning Commission minutes of the January 16, 1996, meeting with the correction and seconded by Commissioner Zahn. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Commissioners McMillon, Owens, Eggers, Bright, Zahn, Young Nays: None The motion carried. ITEM I. PUBLIC HEARING -SPECIFIC USE PERMIT #95-29-SUP Consideration of a Specific Use Permit by Mr. Bob Welty, Rawls Welty, Inc., for apartments within the CUD #754 (Community Unit Development for multi-family dwellings with variable densities) zoning district located on the southwest corner of Mid-Cities Boulevard and Bear Creek Parkway Randy J. Byers, Director of Public Works and Development, introduced the specific use permit and gave the location. He stated this request is to allow for the construction of luxury apartments with garages on 12.499 acres located on the southwest corner of Mid- Cities Boulevard and Bear Creek Parkway. The Development Review Committee has had considerable review on this project as well as discussions with the applicant. He stated the DRC recommended approval subject to the corrections being made on the Site Plan as depicted on the xerox copy (located in the Commissioner's packets) showing the new entry way design being moved south as shown on the drawing of January 23, 1996; also they recommended approval subject to the corrections depicted on the January 26, 1996 submittal being made a permanent part of the Site Plan as well as the understanding that any traffic wishing to exit the office/club complex would be prohibited to Mid-Cities Boulevard. Chairman Young explained the rules and procedures governing a Public Hearing. Chairman Young opened the Public Hearing for Specific Use Permit #95-29-SUP. Mr. Bob Welty, architect for Rawls Welty, represented the owners of the property. He PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - PAGE THREE FEBRUARY 6, 1996 gave the location of the 12.5 acre proposed site and stated the units would be luxury garden apartments. The size of the units will range from 674 square feet to 1344 square feet not including the garages. The average unit size is under 900 square feet. The project will be unique in Bear Creek because it will be a totally secure project with controlled access gates. Each unit will have a direct entry garage. Site amenities will include such things as a 5,000 square foot club building, weight/exercise room, locker room and a large club room with kitchen. Mr. Welty stated the landscaping in and around the project would be lush. He stated they had worked very closely with the Bear Creek ARC and had received a letter of concurrence from them pending two items; final signage design and they requested a final review of the construction documents. He stated they had also worked very closely with city staff and felt the final issue of one of the entry points was resolved in a meeting approximately two weeks ago. He stated he thought the solution was one in which everyone involved was pleased. He added, the same group of people that owns this property currently has the adjacent property under contract. He asked the Commissioners to approve the proposals that were before them. Chairman Young called for any proponents or opponents to speak. There being none he closed the Public Hearing and opened the meeting for discussion among the Commissioners. Chairman Young asked if Mr. Welty had any other interest in the project. Mr. Welty stated he had none. Mr. Welty stated the owner is a group from Minnesota hiring a third party as the developer (a Dallas firm) to construct the property in a full contractual agreement. He also stated the intention of the owners was to hold the property and not to sell. Mr. Welty stated they had completed a similar project in Valley Ranch. Chairman Young asked Mr. Welty what they meant by luxury apartments. Mr. Welty stated the density and scale of the property make the area look more single-family in nature than multi-family. He stated they could have built an additional 60 units. There will be few parking spaces on site and they are building a lagoon type swimming pool. Each unit will have washer and dryer connections, vaulted ceilings, microwave ovens with full kitchens and security systems. Commissioner Owens prefaced his remarks by stating he was happy with the upscale apartments for the City. However, he stated he had to look at the case from a different perspective. He stated the Commissioners did not have a complete set of plans to review prior to the meeting. Commissioner Owens stated the area of the proposed SUP is probably the biggest portion of the City's undeveloped land. He had questions regarding the plaster proposed for the exterior of the buildings. Mr. Welty stated the system and process of the plaster is called Exterior Insulated Finishing system. This system had been proven to the Bear Creek ARC group. Commissioner Owens asked the applicant to look at the difference in cost between the plaster and brick. Commissioner Owens stated the proposed area is close to the TIF District and Mall area and he wanted to PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - PAGE FOUR FEBRUARY 6, 1996 maintain the gateway to the city. The Valley Ranch development has the same exterior. Commissioner Owens addressed the drainage concerns in the area and asked the applicant if he would agree to comply with all of the requirements set forth in the Unified Development Control Document on the improvement standard of any offsite drainage that may occur (Section 16). The applicant stated he would. Mr. Welty stated their civil engineers (Brockette, Davis & Drake) are familiar with the standards, know they have changed and know they are responsible for a 100 year flood rather than a 25 year flood. They have worked very closely with the Engineering Department and have several options for handling the water offsite and the engineering construction documents will be completed soon. Mr. Welty stated their plans are to start construction in early March. Commissioner Owens also discussed his concerns on the entrance to Mid-Cities Boulevard. He asked if the applicant would be willing to close the outlet onto Mid-Cities. Mr. Welty stated the reason for the entrance was to allow prospective clients access from either Mid-Cities Boulevard or Bear Creek Parkway. This access would be for inbound traffic only and would not be used for an exit. Commissioner Owens stated his concern for any traffic moving to or from Mid-Cities and recommended closing the entrance or moving it to the other side. ,,, Commissioner McMillon expressed his concerns regarding limiting the ingress onto Mid- Cities and asked the applicant how they intended to make it a one-way only. Mr. Welty stated it would be designated as in-traffic only. Commissioner McMillon stated his only concern was maintaining the integrity of Mid-Cities without traffic moving in and out of the driveway. Commissioner Eggers stated he also had concerns regarding the entrance off Mid-Cities and why the applicant needs two driveways so close to the intersection. He did not feel an exit sign would prevent cars from using the driveway. Commissioner Eggers stated the applicant would be better served if they closed the drive. Mr. Welty stated they would not be opposed to narrowing down the entrance point and make it a single car width assuming something could be worked out with the Fire Department. Commissioner Eggers had questions regarding the applicant's option on the land to the West and asked if when developed, would the internal roads or driving lanes go into the proposed site. Mr. Welty stated they are looking at it and there is a 50%-50% chance that would be the case. Chairman Young informed the applicant he did not have a problem with the driveway on Mid-Cities Boulevard any more than he did with driveways to day cares, 7-11, gas stations/convenience stores or other apartment complexes. He did not feel the apartments would generate any more traffic than the other businesses. Mr. Welty stated PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - PAGE FIVE FEBRUARY 6, 1996 they would post signs and offered to work with staff on enforcement. Commissioner Owens recommended columns with metal would allow the applicant to remove a portion of the fence during construction. He stated there had been problems with wood fencing. Mr. Welty stated it would not be a long term fence. However, Commissioner McMillon stated there have problems with wood fences looking nice when they are first installed and then deteriorating. Mr. Welty informed the Commissioner they would be willing to sign a maintenance agreement to keep the fence in good condition. Chairman Young stated the wood fence would be an interior fence and not be exposed to a street. Chairman Young then reviewed the Specific Use Permit evaluation criteria with the Commissioners. Commissioner Owens stated even though the applicant met the criteria, he felt the stucco exterior did not meet the meaning of "upscale" apartments. Paul Kruckemeyer, City Engineer, stated there was adequate water and sewer to serve the site. Commissioner Zahn made the motion to approve Specific Use Permit #95-29 as presented. Chairman Young asked Commissioner Zahn to amend the motion to include the modifications to the entrance drive. Commissioner Zahn asked for clarification on the amendment. He withdrew his motion because he was not ready, at this time, to make a motion for approval until he could actually see the access at Mid-Cities Boulevard. He stated he had a problem with the small xerox copy of the access lane, as shown, in the Commissioner's packet. There was discussion among the Commissioners in reference to their dissatisfaction with the configuration of access at Mid-Cities. There was a recommendation to table the item until the applicant could furnish clear drawings of the actual proposed access drive. Randy Byers stated the Development Review Committee voted unanimously that they did not want traffic from the office/club to exit onto Mid-Cities Boulevard from the front parking lot. He stated the developer wanted entrance into the apartments from Mid-Cities and DRC tried to accommodate them. Andrea Baxter informed the Commissioners that the UDC states, "there should be no residential tie-in to an arterial street" and the City hopes to do the best they can, and being as flexible as possible, create a win-win situation. Commissioner Eggers recommended limiting the road to a one-12' lane and still comply with City standards. Commissioner Owens recommended to the applicant that they furnish completed clean prints and come back to the next P&Z meeting and everyone would feel better. He stated he could not give a positive vote by guessing at it. Commissioner Zahn stated the Commissioners did not have a piece of paper other than a xerox copy that relocates the PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - PAGE SIX FEBRUARY 6, 1996 entrance and he did not want to send this case to City Council without seeing the end result on a drawing. Commissioner Zahn made the motion to table Specific Use Permit#95-29-SUP, until the next Planning and Zoning meeting, with the understanding the applicant brings back plans that will layout the items discussed that addresses the access to the property. Commissioner Owens seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Commissioners Zahn, Owens, McMillon, Bright, Young, Eggers Nays: None The motion carried. ITEM II. SITE PLAN #95-30-SP - VILLAGES OF BEAR CREEK Request of Mr. Bob Welty, Rawls Welty, Inc., for approval of a site plan for the construction of apartments within the CUD #754 (Community Unit Development for multi-family dwellings with variable densities) zoning district; located on the southwest corner of Mid-Cities Boulevard and Bear Creek Parkway Commissioner Zahn made the motion to table Site Plan#95-30-SP based on the decision and action by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Item I of the February 6, 1996, meeting. Commissioner McMillon seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Commissioners Zahn, McMillon, Owens, Bright, Young, Eggers Nays: None The motion carried. ITEM III. REPORTS Randy Byers informed the Commissioners of the Development Activity Report contained in their packets. Commissioner Owens asked the Commissioners to authorize the staff to start looking at the re-zoning process. Mr. Byers stated he would get with the City Attorney and get back with the Commissioners at the next meeting. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING - PAGE SEVEN FEBRUARY 6, 1996 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M. airman Ronald Youn , Date 020696mn.P�z