Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-18 — PLANNING AND ZONING May 18, 2010 MINUTES The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman Richard McNeese at 6:32 p.m. for consideration of scheduled items in the Council Chambers in City Hall of the Municipal Complex. Chairman Richard McNeese stated there was a quorum of members of the Planning and Zoning Commission present. MEMBERS AND STAFF PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairman Richard McNeese Vice Chairman Andy Bearden Commissioner George Zahn Commissioner Monty Huffman Commissioner LuAnn Portugal Commissioner Troy Mennis Commissioner David Brown Chris Barker, Director of Planning and Development Ron Young, Director of Public Works Robert Barker, City Engineer r Mike Collins, Director of Economic Development & Administrative Services Paul Smith, Fire Marshal JT Ackerman, Public Works Manager Stephen Cook, Senior Planner Holly Houston, Administrative Secretary VISITORS: Paul Olmstead, Gail Olmstead, David Mishkin, Agnes Mishkin, Keith Brown, Jim Dewey, Joe Sullivan THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION: The Invocation was given by Chairman McNeese and the Pledge of Allegiance was given by Commissioner Portugal. ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES for called meeting of April 20, 2010 Vice Chairman Bearden made a motion to approve the minutes for called meeting of April 20, 2010. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Bearden, Commissioners Huffman, Portugal, Mennis, and Brown Nays: None -- Abstention: Commissioner Zahn The motion carried (6-0-1) Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes May 18, 2010 ITEM 2 CASE #09-05-RP — HOLD PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR A REPLAT Receive public input and consider a request for a Replat of Alexander Cullum Addition, Lot 6 and portion of Lot 7 to Alexander Cullum Addition, Lots 6R and 7R in order to renovate existing structures and construct a new church building. This property is located at 303 Cullum Drive. Chairman McNeese opened the public hearing. Chris Barker, Director of Planning and Development, gave a brief description of the case. St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church has applied for a replat of 3.584 acres located at 303 Cullum Drive. The property is zoned "R-1" single-family detached dwelling district. The purpose of the replat is to subdivide the property into two separate lots and to place the necessary easements on the property that will facilitate the development of a new sanctuary and classroom space for the congregation. Originally platted with the Alexander and Cullum Addition, the property contains a storm water drainage swale which effectively separates the two proposed parcels. The intent of the applicant is to redevelop the northern lot (6R) which contains the existing two primary buildings and to expand the church on that lot. The remainder lot (7R) will remain undeveloped at this time and continue to be owned by the church. Under Texas Local Government Code and the Unified Development Code of the City of Euless, all property that has been zoned for residential use during the preceding five years and is proposed to be replatted must have a public hearing before the decision making authority of the City (The Planning and Zoning Commission). In, subsequently, order for the church to redevelop the site, a site plan must be approved and building permits issued. As of the publication deadline for the Planning and Zoning agenda packet, staff had received one written opposition to the replat. The content of the written opposition references the amount of parking which is required for the church's annual festival and relates concerns that the expansion of the church will cause additional parking problems. Chris Barker read into the record the written opposition from 308 Cullum Drive. Post publication deadline, the city received two additional written comments, an opposition from 213 Colonial Lane and the written questions from 304 Dunaway Drive, these were also read into the official record. The applicant's representative, Jim Dewey, 2500 Texas Drive #100, Irving, Texas, stated the reason for the replat is because they have to dedicate easements required for the proposed development. The easements include fire lane, utility, drainage to cover the existing creek going through the property. They are in conformance with the codes within the Unified Development Code and respectively request approval of the replat. Chairman McNeese asked for any proponents to come forward for any comments. Joe Sullivan, 4300 Chrismac Way, Colleyville, Texas, stated it is with great pleasure to bring this case to the Commission. They have been a vibrant community on this site for the past 30 years. They are looking for additional room and feel they created an Page 2 of 6 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes May 18, 2010 architectural pleasing church design. The parking will be more than doubled and the landscaping plan will produce an aesthetically pleasing site. Chairman McNeese asked for any opponents to come forward for any comments. Gail Olmstead, 302 Cullum Drive, Euless, Texas, stated her home is directly across from the existing church and proposed new structure. She has lived at this location for the past 15 years. She is concerned that if the land is replatted to be one lot than it will no longer be suited for single family residents and in reality will become commercial property. A large public community structure with parking for 70 vehicles and security lights will ruin the quiet and country like atmosphere in their neighborhood. (She presented the Commission with pictures of her house, other neighboring houses, and the existing church). She has seen a picture of the new facility and feels that it will stick out like a sore thumb. The commercial appearance will adversely affect the value of their homes. Increased parking spaces will increase the head lights that shine into their home. The annual Greek Food Festival has grown and brings with it a week of noise, . traffic, delivery trucks, and disturbance. There is a live band with speakers and amplifiers for performances that are extremely loud which goes until 10pm. Liquor and wine is sold and consumed and parking is inadequate. In the recent year the church has made an effort to keep people of their property with stakes and colored tape but it is still a problem. Agnes Mishkin, 313 Cullum Drive, Euless, Texas, stated she is directly south of the church and she does not have a problem with the Greek Festival. She has a problem with a light that illuminates the church because it shines directly into her window. She worries about how much they are going to pave and the size of the new building. There being no other opponents Chairman McNeese closed the public hearing. Chris Barker stated the Greek Food Festival is held every year and the church applies for a Temporary Use Permit that goes before the City Council. The festival is only permitted if City Council approves it. The City Council has the authority to put any limitations to the permit that they see necessary for health, safety, and welfare of the city and citizens. He apologized to those with any issues in the past. The Planning and Development Department has not received any prior complaints. In the future, staff can work to address these issues as conditions to the Temporary Use Permit. The Temporary Use Permit does not require a separate notification but it is considered at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting, which is posted and properly noticed in accordance with state law. He stated he would be more than willing to provide a courtesy notice in the future to those who have presented a concern. Vice Chairman Bearden stated he is an active member of a church and he has learned you have to be a good neighbor. He encouraged the church improve in communicating with their neighbors. Page 3of6 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes May 18, 2010 Commissioner Zahn asked Mrs. Mishkin to visit with the church members after the meeting to have them possibly turn off, put a cover on, or redirect the light that signs into her home. Chris Barker stated this replat case is required for the property to provide the necessary easements, including public improvements such as the fire lane (Emergency Access Drainage Utility Easement) and water lines. The case will create 2 new lots out of the existing 2 lots; therefore the property is not being combined into one large lot. Both lots are zoned R-1 (single-family detached dwelling district) which is the same for the surrounding property. In R-1 zoning a church or other place of worship is a permitted use by right. Commissioner Portugal made a motion to approve case #09-05-RP. Vice Chairman Bearden seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Bearden, Commissioners Zahn, Huffman, Portugal, Mennis, and Brown Nays: None Abstention: None The motion carried (7-0-0) ITEM 3 CASE #09-04-SP – CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR A SITE PLAN Consider a recommendation regarding a request for a Site Plan for renovation of existing structures and construction of a new church building proposed to be located on Alexander Cullum Addition, Lot 6 and portion of Lot 7, 303 Cullum Drive. Stephen Cook, Senior Planner, gave a brief description of the case. St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church is the applicant for a site plan for the renovation of existing structures and the construction of a new church sanctuary. The property, located at 303 Cullum Drive is zoned "R-1" single-family detached dwelling district and concurrently proposed to be replatted into two separate lots. All construction activity is proposed to be conducted on the northern parcel, Lot 6R. The remainder, Lot 7R, is not proposed for development at this time and will be held in ownership by the church. The applicant proposes a two phase construction timeline which will allow the church to continue operation of regular activities throughout the construction process. In the first phase of the redevelopment, the existing sanctuary will be renovated through the addition of 2,500 square feet. This renovation will contain a 100% masonry structure — and will require the installation of automatic fire sprinklers as the total square footage of the structure will increase to over 6,000 square feet. The new addition will house classrooms. The second structure on the site, which was originally a residential structure, is planned for demolition in the first phase. This will be done in order to Page 4 of 6 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes May 18, 2010 —" provide the land for the construction of a new sanctuary building. The existing parking on the site will accommodate the church as it is operating through the first phase. In the second phase of the development the church intends to construct a new 7,500 sqft sanctuary. This building will be constructed in an architectural style reminiscent of traditional Greek Orthodox churches found throughout Europe. The 100% masonry structure will include several domes and arches. Arched colonnades on both the north and south sides of the structure will be included. A bell tower will be located at the front of the structure. The maximum height of the structure located at the top of the transept dome will be 62 feet. "R-1" single-family detached dwelling district regulations typically restrict the maximum height of structures built to a limit of two and one-half stories or thirty-five (35) feet (Section 84-102 (8)). However, Section 84-130 (1) of the Unified Development Code specifically exempts church spires and belfries from the height restrictions of the zoning ordinance. Additionally, Section 84-85 (c-1) Special Conditions allows churches and other places of worship to exceed the height restrictions of residential zoning districts if the setbacks of the building from adjacent residential property are of sufficient distance. If the building is to be located within 25 feet of adjacent residentially used property then the structure is limited to a maximum of 25 feet with a further maximum of 35 feet if additional setbacks are provided. The proposed new sanctuary is to be located 75 feet from adjacent property to the west and approximately 140 feet from properties to the east. The new building will be constructed well outside of the controlling 25 feet setback from all adjacent residentially zoned _ property and is therefore again exempt from the 35' height restriction. Within the second phase of construction, the parking lot will be renovated and expanded to approximately double the number of existing spaces to 70. Internal emergency access easements will also be constructed. Final landscaping will also be included in this phase. Several native oak trees on the site will be preserved to continue the natural landscape which exists on the site today. Commissioner Brown asked staff if there were any other consideration for the surrounding residents other than the landscaping and lighting. Stephen Cook stated the development is to improve the functionality of the site. During peak times there could be one access point to exit the structure and possibly cause problems with traffic on and off site. One thing staff worked with the developer was to properly place only 2 access points onto the property so that it enables the ability for a greater flow of traffic. Commissioner Brown asked if both access points would be two way. Stephen Cook stated the width of the access points would allow them both to be two way. Commissioner Portugal stated the city and residents are proud of the property north of the church, the Ruth Millican Center, and she feels this new proposed structure is a lovely plus for the city and will be good for the residents and neighbors. Page 5 of 6 Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes May 18, 2010 Chairman asked staff to show the parking spaces pointing directly out to Cullum and if there would be any landscaping in front of those spaces. Stephen Cook stated there are approximately 15 spaces and the intent of the landscape plan is to plant Dwarf Burford Holly's to provide. additional landscape screening in front of the parking and defuse headlights. Chris Barker stated that the Site Plan required a lighting plan which is required to conform to the Unified Development Code standards. This plan shows the location of the lighting poles, the fixtures, and type of lighting head. There is also a photometric study that shows how the light fixture will cast light onto the property and indicates no light trespass. Vice Chairman Bearden made a recommendation to the church staff to possibly put the parking lot lights on timers instead of having them constantly. Commissioner Mennis made a motion to approve case #09-04-SP. Commissioner Zahn seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Bearden, Commissioners Zahn, Huffman, Portugal, Mennis, and Brown Nays: None Abstention: None The motion carried (7-0-0) ITEM 4 REPORTS There were no reports. ITEM 5 DIRECTOR'S REPORT There were no reports. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. y am— '1 !o Chairma McNeese Date Page 6 of 6