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2002-03-04 CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JOINT PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTESMINUTES OF A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON MARCH 4, 2002, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS. I. CALL TO ORDER The Joint Public Hearing was called to order at 6:40 p.m. with the following present: Mayor Mayor Pro -Tem Council Member Council Member Council Member Council Member P&Z Chairman P&Z Commissioner P&Z Commissioner P&Z Commissioner P&Z Commissioner Tom Reid Larry Marcott Woody Owens Klaus Seeger Richard Tetens Larry Wilkins H. Charles Viktorin Kevin McDonald Robert Scherrer Russ Selemon Don W. Sederdahl Also in Attendance: Executive Director of Community Services Tobin Maples, City Attorney Darrin Coker, Deputy City Manager Alan Mueller, City Manager Bill Eisen, and P&Z Secretary Jennifer Gonzales. P&Z Commissioner Todd Iocco was absent. CULLEN BOULEVARD I. CALL TO ORDER The Joint Public Hearing was called to order at 6:41 p.m. II. PURPOSE OF HEARING Executive Director of Community Services Tobin Maples gave a brief history of the proposed amendment for Cullen Boulevard and how it has been brought back for the second public hearing. Mr. Maples stated that there are two plans on the table. He explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission attended a joint workshop with City Council to present their proposed land use plan for the Cullen Boulevard, which is being presented as Option C. Mr. Maples explained that subsequent to the Commission's recommendation a Council Member came up with an alternative plan, which is referred to as Option D. Mr. Maples presented a board that consisted of two maps. The first map was Option C, which was on the left side and the second map was Option D, which was on the right side. Mr. Maples gave a brief explanation between the two options as Option C being more General Business and Option D being more residential. Mr. Maples finished by stating this is not zoning and the Comprehensive Plan is simply a planning Page 1 of 5 — 03/04/02 tool. He stated that if a house exists in General Business it can continue for years and years, unless a hurricane or fire were to destroy the house. He explained that the grandfather clause would then go away if the house were to be destroyed. III. PERSONS VISHING TO SPEAK Emma Vaughan, 2005 Cullen Boulevard, Pearland, TX stated that she was one of the ones that starting asking for this area to be looked at. Mrs. Vaughan explained that there are several residents that feel like their rights are being trampled on and they do not appreciate the City trying to make the area Commercial. She stated that she thinks it is preposterous when the City says that 30 years from now Cullen Boulevard is going to be six lanes and the area is going to be business. She stated that all the City is going to do is give them more metal buildings and junkyards. John Whately, 7132 Hillhouse, Pearland, TX stated that he owns the two pieces of property at the end of Hillhouse Road and he is in favor of Option D. Karen Craig, 2602 Sleepy Hollow, Pearland, TX stated that she currently has two businesses, one on Cullen Boulevard and one on Hughes Ranch Road. She stated that she took an existing business on Cullen Boulevard and turned it into a very nice business. She stated that she is for Option C because Pearland is growing. Brent Durrett, 431 Cullen, Pearland, TX stated that he owns 10 -acres on Cullen and the expansion of new development is imminent for this area and he is in favor of Option C. He stated that area needs to be General Business. Juanita Sutherland, 2458 Country Club Dr, Pearland, TX stated that she owns property on Stone Road. Mrs. Sutherland stated that she is for Option D. She stated that they were promised a lovely entrance into Pearland from Cullen Boulevard and she would like to know how either of these plans would effect that promise. Suzanne Danz, 1357 Stone Road, Pearland, TX stated that she feels the most appropriate option would be Option D. She stated that she does have one question and she asked what is going to keep this from going on and on. She asked if this is going to be the end. Robert Garner, 8302 Brookside, Pearland, TX stated that he grew up in Pearland and built a building in 1997 to facilitate his business, which he has already outgrown. Mr. Garner stated that he is for Option C although is doesn't even cover what type of business he does. He stated that he keeps his company landscaped nicely and he knows it is the "American Dream" to have your own business. Jane Unruth, 8305 Hughes Ranch Rd, Pearland, TX stated that she is for Option C strictly because you can't get anywhere on Cullen Boulevard during the weekend. She stated that the road needs to be wider. Page 2 of 5 — 03/04/02 --- Monica Daily, 1156 Stone Road, Pearland, TX stated that she is for Option D. She stated that there are tons of residences with 3-5 acres of land that are trying to keep "General Business" as far away as possible. Beatrice Lejsal, 8210 Brookside, Pearland, TX stated that the ambulance cannot find her and she lost her husband in July, before the ambulance ever got to her house. She stated that she is for Option D. She asked why does she need to be "General Business" when she's been there for 42 years. Pat Pounds, 8518 Hawk Road, Pearland, TX stated that she agrees with Robby, but she is in favor of Option D. She stated that the property at FM 518 should be left as General Business She stated that traffic is not going to be a problem and Cullen Boulevard is going to be widened no matter what the zoning is. Marie Thompson, 13025 Stone Rd, Pearland, TX stated that she owns 10 acres and it has always been Industrial and she would like it to remain Industrial. She stated that she would not sell her property and does not want it to be changed to residential. Gilbert Allison, Pearland, TX stated that both plans are good plans. He stated that people's lives have been on hold for two years. Mr. Allison stated that he is for Option C. He stated that people don'.t understand that this is a 30 -year plan and Pearland is going to need Cullen Boulevard. Robert Melinder, 2027 Cullen Boulevard, Pearland, TX stated that he is for Option D. Mr. Melinder stated that there is already a good mix of business. He stated that he does not think it would be good to turn Cullen Boulevard into General Business because of the traffic problem. He reminded the City Council that once you go to General Business you can't go back and he thinks it should be left as Residential. Justin Brantley, 8434 Brookside Road, Pearland, TX, stated that he is in favor of Option C. He stated that as the area begins to grow safety should be a big part of the picture and it makes since to have the area as General Business. Kevin Cole, 2319 Francis, Pearland, TX stated that Option C is the closest to the plan that was submitted by the Steering Committee. Mr. Cole stated that if you go with Option D and there is already existing "Commercial" property then that is "spot -zoning". He then stated that Cullen is going to be a five -lane road McHard Road is going to be widened. Mr. Cole stated that if they do go with Plan D the City would also have to update the truck routes. He stated that he is for Option C. Steve Allison, 1855 Cullen Boulevard, Pearland, TX stated that he is for Option C. Mr. Allison stated that there are only two thoroughfares running north and south, which are Mykawa and Cullen. Mr. Allison stated that the people who have their zoning out there will keep their zoning and this plan would not change that. Page 3 of 5 — 03/04/02 Billy Everett, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Pearland, TX stated that she also did work with the Steering Committee. She stated that she is convinced that the City cannot give up Commercial property. She stated that their needs to be a balance of rooftops and businesses and anything less would cause higher taxes. Mrs. Everett stated that she has selected Option C, which is the best use. Joe McWhirter, 2322 Hawk Meadow Road, Pearland, TX stated that he was also a part of the committee and they haven't even addressed several issues. He stated that the first issue is the funerals and the traffic flow. He asked what business is going to want their customers stranded for 35-40 minutes waiting on the funerals. He stated that businesses are going to fail if they do go with the Option C. He stated that if they go with Option D and choose the residency then people will not move out of their houses because of traffic. He asked what is going to be done about the traffic problem and he doesn't want to hear anything about a ten-year plan. He stated that Option D is the more realistic plan and would create the least amount of problems. Mason Willard 368 West Columbia, Texas, owns 12 acres on Clear Lake Loop and it is okay with him if the City changes it to Commercial. He stated that he would like to be notified of any changes regarding his property. His address is 368 West Columbia, Texas 77486 and his phone number is 979-345-4321, which is also a fax number. IV. COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION/STAFF DISCUSSION Mr. Tobin Maples, Executive Director of Community Services P&Z Chairman Viktorin stated that he would be glad to answer any questions regarding how the Planning and Zoning Commission came up with their recommendation. Mr. Viktorin stated that with regards to Mrs. Sutherland's comments, the Planning and Zoning Commission did make a recommendation for an architectural and color overlay for Cullen Boulevard. Mr. Viktorin stated that the decision was unanimous. P&Z Commissioner McDonald asked if staff could explain what all could take place in General Business zoning. Executive Director of Community Services Tobin Maples replied that there are several businesses that fit in "General Business", however the main difference is the allowance for outside storage and sales in "Commercial." Council Member Seeger stated that the reality of the situation is that residential is thriving in this area and the business is not thriving. Mr. Seeger stated that the majority of the people who spoke in favor of Option C are people who are looking to develop the land, however many of the people who spoke for Option D are residents. He stated that if you open General Business there will not be successful businesses due to the traffic. Mr. Seeger stated that he is for Option D. Council Member Wilkins stated that he would like to reiterate Mr. Seeger's statements and he feels that Option D is the best option. He stated that he does support a blend of zoning, however he feels that we are a residential community. He stated that neither option is perfect, however Option D is more suitable. He is for residential in this area. Page 4 of 5 — 03/04/02 Council Member Tetens stated that he disagrees with Mr. Cole and he feels that Option D is more closely related to what plan the Steering Committee came up with. Council Member Owens stated that a concern he has is that the City is getting very limited space for businesses and they are going to be attracted to the thoroughfares. Council Member Marcott pointed out that the City has turned down several businesses in this area. Council Member Seeger agreed that businesses haven't prospered because the city didn't let them. He stated that there has only been two approved applications in the last 2 to 3 years and one application was for residential and one application was for a business. He stated that the residential area is growing off of Cullen and not on Cullen. Mr. Seeger stated in regards to Mr. McWhirter's statement, the traffic issue needs to be discussed and maybe the City needs to come up with another alternative. He stated that he is for Option C. Executive Director of Community Services Tobin Maples showed the original plan the Steering Committee came up with, which was more detailed. Mr. Maples explained that the plan became more of a "zoning" issue. Mr. Maples stated that the Comprehensive Plan is a guiding tool. He explained that staff refers to this plan when they need to make a recommendation to a developer who comes to them. He stated the plan is not set in stone. Mr. Maples pointed out that most cities review their Comprehensive Plan every three years and at some time they would have to re-evaluate the entire plan. V. ADJOURNMENT The Joint Public Hearing adjourned at 7:45 p.m. utes respectfull- subm' ed by: 4 e Je fer Gonza nning & to,ting Secretary Minutes approve as bmitted and/or corrected this 25 day of March '2002, AD Tom Reid, Mayor Page 5 of 5 — 03/04/02