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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-18 PLANNING AND ZONING October 18, 2005 MINUTES The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman Richard McNeese at 6:35 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 Mike Grove George Zahn Monty Huffman LuAnn Portugal Perry Bynum Tony May Mike Collins, Director of Planning and Development Eric Wilhite, Planning and Development Manager Ron Young, Director of Public Works Robert Barker, City Engineer Bill Ridgway, Director of Economic Development Paul Smith, Fire Marshal Karla Dickerson, Administrative Secretary VISITORS: John Sanders; Dr. Bonnie Hartland; Clint Brewster; Roger Albright; Tyler Duncan; Tina Moore; and many others not listed in visitors' register. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION: The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Commissioner Bynum and Invocation was given by Commissioner May. ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES for called meeting of October 4, 2005 Commissioner Huffman made a motion to approve minutes for called meeting of October 4, 2005 as presented. Commissioner Bynum seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Grove, Commissioners Zahn, Huffman, Portugal, Bynum and May Nays: None Abstention: None The motion carried (7-0-0). Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 2 October 18, 2005 ITEM 2 CASE #05-07-SP — CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR A SITE PLAN Consider a recommendation regarding a request for a Site Plan for Commercial Development proposed to be located at E. Taylor Survey, A- 1550, Tract 1A1C, 350 E. Glade Road. Eric Wilhite, Planning and Development Manager, gave a brief overview of the case. The applicant, Intec, Integrated Testing & Engineering Co., is proposing a redevelopment on a .576 acre tract of land at 350 E. Glade Rd. There is an existing wood frame structure that is legal existing non-conforming at this time and the applicant is proposing to remove this structure. The applicant is proposing to construct a new 4,020 square foot brick office building. The applicant has asked for an exception to one of the development district standards regarding the fence on the west property line. There is a substantial grade difference with the proposed site being 3'-6' lower, and staff is supporting the applicant's request for the masonry screening requirement be waived. A masonry screening wall will be constructed on the south perimeter along that residential. Commissioner May asked what type of operation Intec performs. Katrine Gallant, 350 E. Glade Rd., Euless, stated they perform Geo Technical Engineering and Civil Engineering Services. Commissioner Bynum made a motion to approve #05-07-SP. Commissioner May seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Grove, Commissioners Zahn, Huffman, Portugal, Bynum and May Nays: None Abstention: None The motion carried (7-0-0). ITEM 3 CASE #05-08-SP — CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR A SITE PLAN Consider a recommendation regarding a request for a Site Plan for Commercial Development proposed to be located at J.E. Field Survey, A- 540, Tract 1A07, SE corner of W. Glade Rd. and Baze Rd. Eric Wilhite, Planning and Development Manager, gave a brief overview of the case. This case was previously seen before the commission as a zoning case for a planned development for Dr. Bonnie Hartland on the corner of Baze Rd. and W. Glade Rd. Originally, the site plan was being worked on at the same time as the planned development but due to some engineering issues they were working through we Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 3 October 18, 2005 delayed the site plan submittal. Staff has reviewed this submittal and it meets all substantial requirements and staff is recommending approval. All of the commissioners expressed how much they like this development and look forward to it coming to the city. Commissioner Portugal made a motion to approve case #05-08-SP as presented. Vice Chairman Grove seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Grove, Commissioners Zahn, Huffman, Portugal, Bynum and May Nays: None Abstention: None The motion carried (7-0-0). ITEM 4 CASE #05-09-SP — CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR A SITE PLAN Consider a recommendation regarding a request for a Site Plan for Commercial Development proposed to be located at International/Regional Industrial Complex, Block A, portion of Lot a, 1201 Royal Pkwy. Mike Collins, Director of Planning and Development, gave a brief overview of the case. The applicant, Green Field Properties, owned by Tina Moore, operates an environmental testing company called Apollo Environmental Strategies, Inc. Ms. Moore owns approximately 4.3 acres of land zoned 1-2 (Heavy Industrial District) on Royal Parkway that is located south of Ricochet Fuel and north of property owned by Windhorst Electronics. Future plans for the 4.3 acre tract will be to sub-divide in order to create up to 4 other lots to the south. Mutual access will be provided by plat. Ms. Moore proposes to construct a 5,500 square foot office/warehouse on the northern 1/4 portion of the existing lot. The new building contains a warehouse with a drive thru bay, with overhead doors located on the east and west elevations, enabling vehicles pulling trailers to exit the warehouse without having to reverse or back out. The west elevation overhead door is made of cedar. To eliminate outside storage, all vehicles, trailers and other equipment associated with the business, will be stored inside the new facility. Staff is recommending approval. Commissioner May asked the applicant what Apollo Environmental Strategies did and if they hired subcontractors or if they performed all the work themselves. Tina Moore, Grapevine, Tx, stated they are an environmental remediation and civil construction company. They perform clean ups of soil contamination and ground water contaminations along with beach nourishment along the Texas and Florida coast. They perform 95% of the work in house with their own engineers and equipment operators. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 4 October 18, 2005 Commissioner Bynum asked if there was any anticipation to expand with there being additional property available. Ms. Moore stated they did not have a need for the total 4 acres and if someone came along needing it they would sell, but no future development was in the plans. Mike Collins, Director of Planning and Development, stated there will be mutual access created by plat that will allow continuation of the development to the south. Commissioner Zahn asked the applicant how much equipment would be at the location. Ms. Moore stated the equipment is stored on the job site and would only be at this location for a short period of time. . Chairman McNeese asked if the equipment is cleaned on site. Ms. Moore stated the equipment must be decontaminated before leaving the site so there would not be any contaminates coming to the facility. Commissioner Huffman asked what the percentage was of equipment owned versus equipment rented. Ms. Moore stated 10% owned and 90% rented. Chairman McNeese asked how many employees are working for Apollo. Ms. Moore stated Apollo has a corporate office in Beaumont so this is our remediation division. All together we have 35-50 employees, but out of this office we have approximately 10. Commissioner Huffman made a motion to approve case #05-09-SP. Commissioner May seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Grove, Commissioners Zahn, Huffman, Portugal, Bynum and May Nays: None Abstention: None The motion carried (7-0-0). ITEM 5 CASE #05-11-SP — CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR A SITE PLAN Consider a recommendation regarding a request for a Site Plan for Commercial Development proposed to be located at Oakwood Terrace North, Block 16, Lots Al and Al B, 1600 W. Euless Blvd. Mike Collins, Director of Planning and Development, gave a brief overview of the case. In October 4, 2005, the commission considered the Specific Use Permit for Adams Auto Service which was required to allow expansion of Automotive Services for a location at 1600 W. Euless Blvd. at the northwest corner of Wilshire. From the time the Specific Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 5 October 18, 2005 Use Permit had been considered and approved by the commission and City Council only one change had been made to the exhibit you had seen previously. They are currently operating out of an existing 1,700 square foot facility that faces Hwy 10 and will be adding a new 2,400 square foot masonry building that faces Wilshire. They will be adding front street yard with landscaping along Wilshire. The existing asphalt parking that exists on the southwest corner will be eliminated and the parking will be provided in the parking area that is provided to the west of the new facility being constructed. There will be a masonry screening wall that will be constructed on the perimeter of the west and north, to the north there will be approximately one acre of vacant land between the new development and the existing residential development that is located to the north and to the west. The change to the exhibit from what was presented previously is the gates on the drive approach from Wilshire and that are viewed from Hwy 10 will be wrought iron. There was no discussion among the commissioners. Commissioner Zahn made a motion to approve case #05-11-SP. Vice Chairman Grove seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Grove, Commissioners Zahn, Huffman, Portugal, Bynum and May Nays: None Abstention: None The motion carried (7-0-0). ITEM 6 CASE #05-09-SUP — HOLD PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT AND CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION FOR AN ORDINANCE Receive public input regarding a request for a Specific Use Permit on Westpark Central Addition, Lot 4AR1, for a Drinking Establishment with Arcades and Billiards in C-2 (Community Business District) zoning, and consider a recommendation regarding an Ordinance. This property is located on 2155 W. Airport Freeway, #100. Chairman McNeese opened the public hearing. Mike Collins, Director of Planning and Development, gave a brief overview of the case. The applicant, Three New Millennium Group, Inc., as owners of the Gator's institution as well as owners of the existing former Ramada Inn structure, will provide the commission with a presentation on what their plans are for that property. The focus for tonight is a Specific Use Permit for Gator's Restaurant and Bar that is located at 2155 W. Airport Frwy. east of Westpark Way on the south side of the Airport Frwy. frontage road. Approximately six months ago the applicant came forward seeking approval of a Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 6 October 18, 2005 Specific Use Permit for a drinking establishment at Gator's. The approval of the six month SUP was tied to the ownerships future plans for the existing structure to be renovated into a new hotel property. At that time, the applicant representative would present to the City Council that the hotel would be a flagship of the Clarion Hotel group and again a presentation will be heard about those plans. During the previous public hearing it was discussed that after that six month period of time the expectation would be there would have been site plans submitted for that property and that perhaps building construction would be on the way associated with the redevelopment of that property. Staff received a Site Plan submittal approximately a week ago and is in the process of completing the first review. The applicant is requesting at this time a new Specific Use Permit that would allow the continued operation of Gator's as a drinking establishment. The applicant will clarify that at some point in the future there will be a transition from Gator's as a drinking establishment and the structure becoming a full service restaurant as part of the hotel property. Staff recommends denial of an open ended Specific Use Permit. Staff believes outstanding issues relating to the site plan have made it difficult to determine specific beginning time for a building permit being issued and a subsequent completion of that project. Chairman McNeese asked for the applicant or applicant representative to come forward for comments. Roger Albright, representing Three New Millennium Group, as well as the owner of the underlying real estate, Composite Investments, Inc. With him was Tyler Duncan, Architect, and Nick Mehmeti, President. Mr. Albright stated they were wrong when they stated construction would have been started by now but they have been extremely active. They have since acquired the property to the southeast of the existing structure that will provide for parking, drainage and infrastructure. The site plan and development plan has been submitted. This is a major renovation to create a 4 star hotel and restaurant. It is going to take more time and more money than they had anticipated but progress is being made. Contracts with Clarion should be signed within the next few weeks. They did not create Gator's, it was inherited. But, they have been known to turn places such as this into 4 star restaurants, while keeping it in operation during construction. Mr. Albright stated they anticipate being able to obtain a building permit by the end of the year and completing construction in one year. Chairman McNeese asked for any proponents/opponents to come forward for comments. Seeing none the public hearing was closed. A majority of commission members passionately expressed their distaste for Gator's, the negative image that it reflects on Euless, and their desire for Gator's to close down at the earliest possible date. Some on the commission expressed frustration that the applicant had not met the conditions that they committed to when the SUP was approved in April. As originally submitted, individual members made it perfectly clear that the commission would not approve what they believed from a time standpoint to be an "open ended" request. Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 7 October 18, 2005 All the Planning and Zoning Commissioners asked questions to the applicant and representatives regarding the following: • Will the name Gator's be kept? • What is the construction sequence for this project? • What are the sales from Gator's? • What is the intent of this SUP? • Will there no longer be a need for a drinking establishment when the new kitchen has been completed? • Is the Hotel development contingent on what is decided for the Gator's SUP? The applicant and representatives answered the questions in the following manner: • A name for the restaurant has not been decided on at this time. • Building permit should be obtained by the end of the year with the hotel construction beginning after first of year which will take until November to complete. During this process a new kitchen should be completed by May and have Gator's converted to the new restaurant by November. • Gator's during the last year or so has generated approximately $200,000 monthly. • Hotel and restaurant should be completed within one year and Gator's as we know it today will be gone. • Once the new kitchen has been built and in operation, it will give the applicant opportunity to gut the existing kitchen and bathrooms in Gators and the building will start making its transformation. • If applicant does not have Gator's they will have to figure out what happens to the $200,000 monthly revenue. If they couldn't keep Gator's open they would take a loss and move on. Chairman McNeese called a recess at 8:10p.m. Chairman McNeese called the meeting back into session at 8:25p.m. Commissioner Zahn made a motion to recommend denial for case #05-09-SUP. Chairman McNeese seconded the motion. Vice Chairman Grove asked for more discussion before taking a vote on this motion. The commissioners discussed they understand the need for some cash coming in on this property during construction but was not sure of what type of time limit and conditions to apply without having more specifics of a timeline and commitment from the applicant. Commissioner Zahn withdrew his motion from the table. Commissioner May made a motion to approve case #05-09-SUP with the following conditions: approval of a SUP valid for 4 months, at the end of that 4 months 1) a site Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes Page 8 October 18, 2005 plan will have been formally considered by the Commission and City Council; 2) a SUP for a hotel with restaurant will have been formally considered by the Commission and City Council; 3) a signed contract with Clarion be submitted to the city for the City Attorney review; 4) a substantial review will have been completed of building construction plans with the issuance of building permit imminent; 5) tied to owner, Three New Millennium Group, Inc. If the milestones have not been accomplished after the 4 month period of time the applicant will agree to suspend the operations of Gator's as a drinking establishment. If those milestones have been achieved after the 4 month period of time the applicant will the opportunity to come forward for a 4 month extension of the SUP. Commissioner Bynum seconded the motion. The vote was as follows: Ayes: Chairman McNeese, Vice Chairman Grove, Commissioners Zahn, Huffman, Portugal, Bynum and May Nays: None Abstention: None The motion carried (7-0-0). ITEM 7 REPORTS There were no reports. ITEM 8 DIRECTOR'S REPORT There were no reports. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:07p.m. AO /1-15- os Ch. rman M• eese Date