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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-10-21 C Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission October 21, 1980 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall by Chair- man Deithloff. Members & Staff Present John Deithloff Robert McMillon Bob Williamson Carl Tyson Ralph Gibson Bob Eden Helen Lightbody Kent Flynn - Director of Planning Becky Null - Recording Secretary James Knight - City Engineer VISITORS S. Denham John Nail Hal C. Ferguson Judy Thomes Steve Crim INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mrs. Helen Lightbody. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. McMillon made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting dated October 7, 1980, as written. Mr. Williamson seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody and Messrs. McMillon, Williamson, Eden, Tyson, Gibson and Deithloff ICNays: None Chairman Deithloff declared the motion carried. Page 2, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 I. CONSIDER PLATTING - FINAL PLATTING OF MIDWAY SQUARE ADDITION, PHASE III, LOCATED SOUTH OF HARWOOD ROAD AND NORTH OF EAST MIDWAY DRIVE Mr. Steve Crim, Vice-President with L & N Land, Inc., stated that with this plat they are proposing to extend Fuller-Wiser Road from Midway Drive to Harwood Road. There will be three 10 x 10 box culverts required where the road crosses the creek. Included in this plat are the utility ease- ments. They are also asking a variance to allow the creek to be left in its natural state. He further stated they are requesting approval of Woodcreek Drive, a residential street, with a 300 foot radius where it intersects Fuller-Wiser instead of the recommended 500 foot radius. The tracts of land that are surrounded by their property line and defined by the road are not platted for development at this time. He stated he had received a copy of the Planning & Zoning letter dated October 17th and has no problems with the conditions. Chairman Deithloff asked that the letter be made a part of the minutes. Mr. Tyson said his understanding of the letter is that Staff is requesting Mr. Crim to change the curb radius from 300 feet to 500 feet. Mr. Flynn stated that it is his responsibility to point out the ordinance. He stated that Staff has no objections to the radius being less than 500 feet at this particular intersection because of the way it intersects with Fuller-Wiser. He further stated that it will be up to the City Council to determine if they want to vary from the ordinance requirement. Mr. Knight stated that a 500 foot radius is long for a residential street. He preferred the right angle intersection with a tighter curve than an askewed intersection. He also looked at the zoning adjacent to the inter- section, and it is of such a type that off-street parking will be provided. He further stated that the Subdivision Ordinance does not set an absolute minimum of 500 foot radii, therefore, a variance is not required. Mr. Eden made a motion to approve the final platting of Midway Square, Phase III, subject to the Planning & Zoning letter dated October 17, 1980. Mr. McMillon seconded the motion. Mr. Tyson questioned the letter being part of the motion since the letter states the curve radius does not meet the minimum required in the Subdi- vision Ordinance. Mr. Eden stated he is not adverse to deleting that portion, but in his opinion it would be the Council's perogative to accept the 300 foot radius rather than the Commission's. Page 3, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 Mrs. Lightbody asked if that would also apply to the variance on the drainage. Mr. Flynn stated it is written in the ordinance that if the developer submits the proper documentation, a variance to concrete lining of the creek is allowable, and it is also up to the City Council to grant that. He stated the developer has proposed a variance, and if the Commission accepts the plat, they are also accepting the variance. Mr. Williamson asked if that was true with the street. Mr. Flynn stated that by accepting the plat, the Commission is also accepting the 300 foot street radius. He stated that if the Commission would like to go on record as commenting against the street, then the motion should reflect that. Mr. Eden stated he wanted the motion to remain as is. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody and Messrs. Eden, McMillon, Gibson, Williamson, Tyson and Deithloff Nays: None Chairman Deithloff declared the motion carried. II. PUBLIC HEARING - ZONING CASE 324 - REQUEST OF THE CITY OF EULESS FOR CHANGE OF ZONING FROM "PD" TO "PD" WITH NEW DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FIRE STATION ON LOTS 9R & 10R, BLOCK 2, OAKWOOD ACRES ESTATES, AND TO ALLOW FOR CURB CUTS ON NORTH MAIN STREET FOR LOTS 1, 3R THROUGH 8R, BLOCK 2, OAKWOOD ACRE ESTATES Chairman Deithloff opened the public hearing and explained that the proponents would be heard first and then opponents. Mr. Kent Flynn, Director of Planning, representing the City Manager and the City of Euless, stated there have been plans for two or three years to put a third fire station in the northern part of the City. He distributed a handout showing the areas of new development in north Euless. He stated there are over 2,000 homes and/or apartments planned, just completed or about to break ground in the northern part of town. The closest fire station to this area is located at North Main and W. Euless Blvd. The Fire Chief says a fire will completely consume and destroy a residential home within five minutes. The response time from Station #1 to this area is between three to five minutes. Since fire engines can only carry two or three minutes of water and because backup engines are seven to fifteen minutes away from a fire in northern Euless, a house fire is currently beyond our capacity to save other than to contain. Mr. Flynn stated the lots proposed for the fire station are adjacent to the water tower. The residential quarters of the proposed fire station will face North Main with the bays for the engines in the rear. The station is designed to blend in aesthetically with the residences in the neighborhood, Page 4, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 and the garage bays for the engines are buffered with over 70 feet of setback from the closest residential property. The building sets back 25 feet from the property line and will have a landscaped lawn. This plan has been designed to accommodate the large turning radii of fire apparatus so that even the largest ladder truck will be able to turn onto and off of the site without tying up several lanes of traffic. All turns can easily be accomplished totally within the lane closest to the curb. Mr. Flynn presented slides showing the location of the proposed site. He stated because the lots are adjacent to the water tower, it may be quite a while before residences are built on these lots, and the tower could detract from the sale of the property for residential uses. Mr. Flynn noted that based on the current number of calls divided between three stations, the Fire Chief estimates there will be approximately 100 calls per year from this station. However, not all the calls will be emer- gencies where fire sirens are used. He stated the Fire Department has a policy not to use sirens in the late night hours, so it might average out to about eight calls a month where the sirens are used. Mr. Flynn stated there is another aspect of this zoning case. When the property was rezoned in 1975, curb cuts along North Main were not allowed. A private alley was provided at the rear of the homes with private drives and garages in back. He stated there really is not enough room for guest parking in the rear, and the City Manager is concerned that guests will begin parking along North Main Street which is illegal. In an effort to alleviate this situation, the City Manager has proposed allowing curb cuts for circular drives only. He further stated that it would be at the wish of the homeowner. The City has also been joined in this petition by a property owner who wishes to have the restriction for curb cuts removed. Mr. Tyson asked which property owner requested this. Mr. Flynn stated that it is the owner of Lot 6R. Mr. Ferguson pointed out that the owner of Lot 6R is Glenn Walker, a member of the City Council. Chairman Detihloff asked if there were any more proponents. There being none, he asked for opponents. Mr. Hal Ferguson, 101 Walnut Way, asked if the City had already purchased this site. Mr. Flynn stated it has been purchased subject to rezoning. Mr. Ferguson stated he was impressed by the drawings of the fire station and thought it was well designed. He pointed out, however, that along North Main there are a number of other sites available for a fire station. He preferred a lot to the south next to the veterinary clinic. He wanted to know the reason- ing for choosing this site. He stated he called Fort Worth Fire Department to learn more about the pecularities of fire stations. He was told that a lot of their stations require 150 to 200 foot depths in order to get the various engines in and out and to wash them, etc. He stated that this lot seemed to be shy on space. He noted that Station #1 is only 1.6 miles from his driveway and takes 2 minutes and 46 seconds. He stated that the person he talked with was a bit surprised that the City was proposing a station so close to the central station. He further stated that he had talked with two realtors and was told that it will be a detriment to the residents' property value. He pointed Page 5, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 Cout that City Staff actually insisted in 1975 that there be no curb cuts on North Main because of the amount of traffic. He stated he has a double wide driveway that exits out onto North Main and it is definitely not an advantage to have such a drive. He is in full agreement with the original recommendations by City Staff that those curb cuts not be allowed. He stated he has talked with a couple of the homeowners of the subject property other than the one who is asking for this curb cut, and they are not in favor of allowing curb cuts on North Main. He stated that the lots along that area are too narrow to have circular drives that would look appealing. He stated one owner told him they were originally interested in having a curb cut for a circular drive until they found out it would abut up against a neighbor's circular drive. He was at the 1975 meeting and stated that it was agreed upon by the City that the first five homes, which are the present ones, would be built as a part of phase one, and an additional five homes would be built with the second phase. He stated it is certainly apparent that it was not enforced because the second phase of apartments are being rented. He stated that it looks like it would be a fine fire station and the north part of Euless certainly needs one. He is not looking forward to the potential increase in taxes as a result of adding an additional fire staff, engines, etc. He realizes the site has to be obtained, but recommends that the City try to find another site. He stated there is some vacant commercial property available in the area. He wanted to know what the deciding factor was as to why these two lots were chosen. Mr. Flynn stated that the property adjacent to the veterinary clinic is owned by another owner, is zoned commercial and would certainly cost more. He further stated that the cost of these two lots was probably the main consideration for them being chosen. In response to concern over the size of the site, Mr. Flynn responded that his research of architectural standards recommends that sites for fire stations should accommodate eventual expanse to three bays. He showed that three bays were shown on the plans although the Fire Department doubts they will ever need the third bay expan- sion. The three bays as shown could house all the fire vehicles currently used in Euless. He stated that the plans also show how the residential section could be expanded to house up to eleven men although there probably will never be a need for more than the seven beds provided in the initial phase. Mr. Flynn added that fire station sites sometimes include many additional functions such as training towers and grounds which will not be provided at this site, which Mr. Ferguson's source probably included. He concluded that the design had been prepared with more planned expansion than would probably ever be needed, and that despite this, the design works very well on this site and still provides very comfortable buffers to neighbors. He further added that there is an eight foot screening wall proposed on the north, a low screening wall in the front and a screening wall in the back. The area behind the garage will be paved and have a drain in the event a third bay is added. In the meantime, it will be used for washing the vehicles. As far as the distance between fire stations, the American Institute of Insurance, the agency that sets key rates for cities, recommends that fire stations be placed no farther apart than three-fourths of a mile in residential areas. As far as property taxes going up, the money has already been set aside for this station. Page 6, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 Mr. Sayan Denham, 102 Walnut Way, stated he does not understand why the agreements made at the 1975 meeting have not been followed through. He stated it was not a satisfactory agreement by any means, but it was something. He stated the agreement has been defaulted in that all the homesites are not in. He tends to think maybe there might be some kind of conspiracy. He stated he has heard as far back as 1975 that these two lots might someday be the proposed site for a fire station. This site should not have been considered because of the agreement that was made in 1975. As far as the property expense is concerned, he wonders if there is any expense at all. He said at one time, Dr. Thomes suggested giving the City these lots for a park, which was completely unacceptable to the people in the area. The reason was they wanted the housing buffer between the apartments and the existing homes. He asked if the lots were being dedicated to the City by Dr. Thomes or if they were actually being purchased by the City. Mr. Flynn stated the site is being purchased. Mr. Denham stated he just imagined it is being purchased at a nominal amount. Mr. Flynn stated it is his understanding that it is, however, he is not familiar with real estate prices. Mr. Denham stated that this further confirms what he is suggesting, that this was planned all along. He could not emphasize the point enough that the people had made an agreement five years ago, but all along this was being planned against the wishes of the people that live in that immediate area. He did not feel that any of the citizens at the meeting would be against the fire station if it was located a little farther north or south. Judy Thomes, 1508 N. Main, stated she lives in the house adjacent to the proposed fire station and is not very happy about it. She asked what type of wall is proposed to separate the two properties. Mr. Flynn stated there will be an eight foot masonry wall. Mrs. Thomes stated she will have to use the ingress/egress along the south side of the station and is concerned that she will meet a fire engine on its way out. Mr. Flynn stated that is a possibility. The traffic of the fire vehicles will be clockwise. He further stated that there is more than enough room for the fire engines to make the turn without conflict from incoming traffic. Mrs. Thomes asked if the drive is going to be widened. She stated that there is only enough room for one car at this time. Mr. Flynn stated that he does not know what the actual width of the concrete is at this time, but there is a twenty foot ingress/egress proposed; ten feet for each lane. Page 7, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 Mrs. Thomes stated she is against this zoning case for the very same reasons the others are. Mr. John Nail, 106 Walnut Way, wanted to know why the agreements made in 1975 have not been carried out. Mr. Flynn stated he was not on the Staff at that time and is not sure exactly what agreements were made. Mr. Nail stated as far as he is concerned, the fire station should not even be considered for those two lotsbecause, according to the agreements made in 1975, there are supposed to be five more houses built. He stated he was fed up with it, and that if the fire station goes on those two lots, the City will not get another penny of taxes from him because he will move. There being no other opponents, Chairman Deithloff declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Eden stated there have been things brought out that he was not aware of. Mr. Tyson stated he was at that meeting in 1975 and there were to be five houses built in phase one and five houses built in phase two. He stated his understanding is that they cannot make Dr. Thomes build those five houses because he can say he is still in the second phase. He stated the courts have found that timing is a constraint that cannot be put on some- one. Mr. Flynn stated there has been a lot of effort put into designing a facility that will provide ample buffer. He stated there is a definite need for a fire station at this location, not farther south unless it was one or two lots, but apparently the price of the land is a big factor. He further stated this location meets the recommended separation of fire stations for fire rating purposes. Mr. Tyson noted that primarily economic consideration is the reason why a site on the other side of the water tower was not chosen. Mr. Nail asked if anybody had pursued to see what the land south of the water tower could be bought for. He stated this is what bugs him, that nobody checks to see if they could put it 50 feet down the road. He further stated there does need to be a fire station, but does not feel it should be thrown in the area because he thinks it is a conspiracy. Mr. Flynn stated he is sure the City Manager checked into the price of other land in the area. He also stated he hated to think the citizens could imagine such a thing of their officials. He further stated that City Officials have been looking for property for two years and must have exhausted other avenues. Mr. Williamson asked who owned the subject property. Mr. Flynn stated that Dr. Thomes is the owner. Page 8, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 Mr. Tyson stated he is concerned about having curb cuts on North Main and asked Mrs. Thomes if she has enough room for guests to park behind her home. Mrs. Thomes stated she has enough room and that there is probably only one house that does not have room, but they could use the alley behind the homes. Mr. Eden stated that he has one of the houses up for sale that does not have room for parking. There is only room to park two cars going up to the garage unless the alley is used. He also stated he likes circular drives. Mrs. Thomes stated probably only two lots could use circular drives; the other lots are too narrow. Mrs. Lightbody asked if there would be enough room for an engine to exit and a car to enter at the same time on the ingress/egress south of the station. Mr. Flynn stated there is not at this time because the current pavement is not the full twenty feet; however, there would be sufficient room when the pavement is expanded to twenty feet. After discussion as to how to alleviate the traffic conflict, Mr. Tyson suggested moving the alley to the north adjacent to Judy Thornes', property and shifting the entire fire station to the south contiguous with the water tower. He asked Mrs. Thomes if that would be to her advantage. Mrs. Thomes stated it would be to her advantage not to have the fire station there at all. She preferred to have homes on the lots. Mr. Ferguson stated if the City is looking at $100-,000 difference or so for property to the south with more space, that it is a small pittance compared to the total expense involved. He stated Dr. Thomes is getting away with a neat deal because he would have to put a couple of houses on those lots that he apparently is not too excited about doing. Mr. Tyson stated the probability is that Dr. Thomes will never put any more houses in. There is nothing the City can do to make him put the houses in. In response to Mr. Ferguson's comment, Mr. Flynn stated that $100,000 may not be very much to him, but in times of fiscal hardship which cities are going through now, it means a lot to the City. He feels it is conscious management and planning on the officials' part to try and get the cheapest property possible. He stated that Mr. Ferguson may not gripe about taxes, but there are a lot of citizens that do and who appreciate good city management to save them money. Mr. Denham stated it bothers him to pay more taxes. He stated that the idea to use these two lots for a fire station was planned long ago. He stated that if the officials had preplanned properly, the citizens would Page 9, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 not be faced with a large charge for that property because it could have been bought five years ago for a whole lot less. Since there was conflict as to the agreements made at the meeting in 1975, Chairman Deithloff called for a five minute recess at 9:10 p.m. to allow time to determine exactly what the agreements were. Upon resumption of the meeting, Mr. Eden stepped down from hearing this case because he is selling one of the homes along the property in question. Mr. Flynn read the conditions in Ordinance #488 which are as follows: 1. There be no entrances from North Main Street to lots 1-10. 2. Five lots are to be built upon by developer in Phase I. 3. Lots 1-10 have a minimum of 2,000 square feet per dwelling. 4. At final platting, a development schedule is to be submitted subject to approval. Mr. Flynn also read the following portion of the Planning & Zoning minutes of April 15, 1975, where the question came up. After some discussion about the lots, it was clarified that the ten lots will be developed and five houses will be built by Dr. Thomes in Phase I. In Phase II there will be houses built, but not necessarily by Dr. Thomes. Chairman Deithloff stated there seems to be a problem with the curb cuts being a part of this zoning case. He asked Mr. Flynn if the Commission could address that problem separately as far as withdrawing that particular portion. Mr. Flynn stated the curb cuts are a condition on the development plan and can be addressed separately and either approved or denied. He pointed out, however, that it is the City Manager's desire that it be approved. Mrs. Lightbody made a motion to accept the recommendation of Staff and approve the fire station on Lots 9R & 10R, deny the curb cuts on Lots 1, 3R through 8R and allow curb cuts on Lots 9R & 10R. Mr. Williamson seconded the motion. Mr. Tyson stated that economics are a prime consideration and he would be better prepared to vote if he knew the economic situation. Mr. Gibson agreed. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody and Mr. Deithloff Nays: Messrs. Tyson and Gibson Abstentions: Mr. McMillon Page 10, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 Mr. Tyson asked if the members that voted for this motion would be willing to wait until the Commission received some economic considerations to see what they are talking about. Mr. Flynn stated that the site under consideration is cheaper than other sites that have been considered and that is the reason it was chosen. He stated the only information the Commission is lacking is the exact dollar figure. Mr. Williamson stated he agreed with Mr. Tyson and would also like to know the figures. He also wanted to know if the City is considering an additional fire station farther out North Main Street in the future. Mr. Flynn stated he did not believe they were, that this station will service the area. Mr. Williamson stated that it would appear the fire station will not service the area near Glade Road; whereas, if it was moved farther north, it would. Mr. Flynn stated it would cover the area near Glade Road, however, there would then be a gap between Station #3 and Station #1 coverage. Mr. Williamson stated it might be better to have a gap between the stations where both stations could service it. Mr. Flynn stated he does not believe there is any available property to the north anyway because of current development plans in the area. Chairman Deithloff called for a recall of the vote because there are six Commission members and only five voted. The recall vote was as follows: Ayes: Mrs. Lightbody and Mr. Deithloff I'I Nays: Messrs. Tyson and Gibson Abstentions: Messrs. McMillon and Williamson The motion is not a recommendation for approval or denial, however, it will go ahead to the City Council. III. NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Lightbody inquired if there is a way to look into the drainage and perpetual maintenance agreements to be assured that the City is not taking on a tremendous burden. Mr. Flynn stated that the City Council has suggested that the Parks Board be apprised of the proposals and a report be given to them as to all the facts. The Park Board is then to make recommendations to the City Council. He further stated that a report concerning the properties the Commission has looked at has been forwarded to the Park Board. Page 11, Regular Meeting, Planning & Zoning Commission, October 21, 1980 Chairman Deithloff asked that the Commission receive a copy of that report before the next meeting. Several of the members asked if there would be a meeting on November 4th since that will be election night. After discussion, it was decided that the Commission would meet on November 4th. IV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. airman / Cs