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2002-04-22 CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JOINT PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES029 MINUTES OF A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON APRIL 22, 20029 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND, TEXAS. L 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 Vice -Chairman P&Z Commissioner 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 Donald Glenn Todd Iocco 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. II. PURPOSE OF HEARING Zone Change Application No. 1033 Request for an amendment to the existing Shadow Creek Ranch Planned Unit Development to add a comprehensive sign program, on the following described property, to wit: Legal Description: Being 3305 acres of land, more or less, located in the Dupuy and Roberts Survey, Abstract 726, Brazoria Co.; William Morris Survey, Abstract 344, Brazoria Co.; T.C.R.R. Co. Survey, Section 3, Abstract 678, Brazoria Co.; T.C.R.R. Co. Survey, Section 4 (John W. Maxey), Abstract 675, Brazoria Co.; Obediah Pitts Survey, Abstract 717, Brazoria Co.; H. T. & B. R.R. Co. survey, Section 80 (J.S. Talmage), Abstract 564, Brazoria Co.; H. T. & B. R.R. Co. survey, Section 81, Abstract Page 1 of 6 — 04/22/02 JPH 030 t 300, Brazoria Co.; H. T. & B. R.R. Co. survey, Section 82 (J.S. Talmage), Abstract 565, Brazoria Co.; H. T. & B. R.R. Co. survey, Section 83, Abstract 305 in Brazoria Co. and Abstract 761 in Fort Bend Co.; S. G. Haynie Survey, Abstract 212 in Brazoria Co. and Abstract 620 . in Fort Bend Co.; Franklin Hooper Survey, Abstract 198, Fort Bend Co.; George W. McDonald Survey, Abstract 577, Fort Bend Co.; I.C. Stafford Survey, Abstract 668, Fort Bend Co. and the Levering Survey, Abstract 279, Fort Bend Co., TX Owner: Shadow Creek Ranch Development Company, L.P. 2947 Broadway Street, Suite 303 Pearland, TX 77581 Agent: Kerry Gilbert & Associates, Inc. P&Z Chairman Charles Viktorin read the purpose of the hearing into the record. Executive Director of Community Services Tobin Maples stated that this is a proposed amendment to the Shadow Creek Ranch Planned Unit Development to add a comprehensive sign program. III. PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK FOR THE PROPOSED REQUEST Gary Cook of Shadow Creek Ranch Development Company, L.P., 2947 Broadway, Pearland, TX stated that he is there with Kerry Gilbert, the land planner for Shadow Creek Ranch and project manager Drew Palter. He explained that the P.U.D. ordinance does require that the sign program be added. He stated that Shadow Creek Ranch is a 3,300 -acre project that will contain over 12,000 dwelling units. He stated they are limiting the number of signs as well as the size. He added that builders will be limited to the number of signs allowable in their area. He briefly went over the boundaries for Shadow Creek Ranch. He then pointed out the people who drive down Highway 288 and pass their million -dollar monument, yet they don't realize what Shadow Creek Ranch is. The first sign he presented was the "Community Benefit" signs. He explained that no more then four would be allowable on Highway 288 and FM 521, and the maximum size would be 14' X 24'. He stated they are no billboards. The second set of signs presented was the "Community Introduction" signs. He explained there would be no more then four 8' X 16' signs along Shadow Creek Parkway, Broadway or FM 521. The third type of sign presented was the "Information Center" sign, also known as the directional signs. Mr. Cook stated that there would be no more then four signs located on Shadow Creek Parkway, Broadway, Kirby Drive, or Hampton Drive with a maximum allowable size of 8' X 16'. He explained they are limiting "Future Land Use" signs to one per site with a maximum size of 8' X 16'. The last sign presented was the "Directional Signs for Builders/Neighborhoods". Mr. Cook stated that they are limiting each builder to three Page 2 of 6 — 04/22/02 JPH 031 signs with a maximum size of 16' X 8'. He stated they met with Keep Pearland Beautiful and they would to clarify a few issues. He stated that first of all he would like to limit the signs along Highway 288 to three years. He stated that another issue mentioned was the maintenance of the signs, and he explained that the developer would keep the signs maintained. Kerry Gilbert of Kerry Gilbert & Associates, 15810 Park Ten Place, Houston, TX stated that he would like to reiterate a few comments made by Mr. Cook. He stated that first of all they are very proud to be in Pearland. He referred to his company's reputation and listed a few other developments they have planned (Cinco Ranch, First Colony). He reminded the City to consider the content of this development itself. He stated that in the Planned Unit Development they are stating exactly how many signs are going to be used and they are restricting themselves in numbers, although the size being a little larger. IV. PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK AGAINST THE PROPOSED REQUEST Neil West, Chairman of Keep Pearland Beautiful, stated that he has a few comments, some being in opposition and some not. He explained that recently Shadow Creek Ranch met with the Zoning Board of Adjustments and several people got up to speak against the request and the owner withdrew their request. He explained that last Monday, the Board of Directors after a meeting with Shadow Creek Ranch on signage, voted to ask City Council to extend the non -existing scenic parkway currently extending from downtown Houston to Clear Creek along Highway 288. They would like it extended south from the Clear Creek to Pearland's ETJ. He stated they are willing to assist with the logistics. He stated they are concerned the over sized signs along Highway 288 will take away from the scenic corridor. He stated that in addition to their request for their scenic corridor designation they are asking that the Shadow Creek Ranch signage to conform to the Pearland Sign Ordinance for both size and location. V. COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION/STAFF DISCUSSION Mr. Tobin Maples, Executive Director of Community Services Commissioner Russ Selemon asked for staff's recommendation. Director of Community Services Tobin Maples replied they do not have a recommendation. Mayor Reid commented that Shadow Creek Ranch is an entity that Pearland is glad to have participation in. He stated that they want to make certain that along with good taste that it is handled in a very professional manner. He spoke of Renee West's signs with the grouping of signs, which he thinks is very appropriate and professional looking. Page 3 of 6 — 04/22/02 JPH 032 Council Member Tetens stated that if the sign ordinance is not going to be followed then it should be changed to meet the different requirements or do away with it altogether. Council Member Seeger stated that the amendment regarding the number of signs per builder is quite superior to the existing sign ordinance. He stated that his biggest concern is the signs along Highway 288, however the three-year limit does place control on that concern. He stated that this is aesthetically better then our sign ordinance and it is a step ahead with less signs and less clutter. Mayor Reid asked what our current ordinance allows for builder signs. Executive Director of Community Development Tobin Maples replied that our current ordinance allows five signs per builder per subdivision. Council Member Marcott showed concerns about other entry signs to come other then the ones listed on the legend. Gary Cook replied they are proposing no more then what is listed. Council Member Marcott asked if the map is showing exactly how many signs and where they are going. Gary Cook explained that the highlighted area is for Phase I, which shows the internal builder directional signage in their locations. He stated they would be repeated for each phase. Council Member Marcott stated that it lists four signs on Highway 288 and FM 521, however he only sees four signs on Highway 288. Mr. Cook responded that if the ordinance were adopted then that would allow four to be placed on FM 521 as well. Council Member Marcott asked how many subdivisions would be there. Mr. Cook replied that there would be 8 in that phase and between 50-60 for the total project. Council Member Owens asked what they would construct the signs out of and Mr. Cook replied with wood or vinyl and they would be refinished once a year. Commissioner Selemon asked for clarification regarding the three-year limit for the Highway 288 signs. He asked if Keep Pearland Beautiful is agreeable with this. Mr. Cook explained when they met with Keep Pearland Beautiful and discussed the signs on Highway 288 they realized they didn't need the signs for long and a suggestion was made to limit the three years. Mr. West stated that group's biggest problem is the size of the signs and that's why they are requesting to extend the scenic parkway further south. Page 4 of 6 — 04/22/02 JPH 033 Dale Pillow, Past President of Keep Pearland Beautiful, stated that she is opposed to all four of the signs on Highway 288 and the majority of the board did oppose the four signs. She added that another concern she has is regarding the three-year limit and how it would be enforced. Delores Fenwick, Executive Director of Keep Pearland Beautiful, stated that the board was not in total agreement on this issue; the majority liked the actually plan and the fact that there would be fewer signs. She added that a major concern was the size. She explained that they are opposed to having billboards in town. Council Member Owens stated he is concerned about having about $20,000,000 dollars invested and they need to get some houses built and we can get them hooked up on utilities so we can get our money back. He stated he would hate to see a 3,500 -acre development going on and not have any advertisement on Highway 288 telling what the place is. He stated he does not think the developer would put a trashy sign next to a $300,000 home subdivision. He would like to see the project get moving to help get some of the city's money and time back. Mayor Reid asked if three years could be enforced. City Attorney Darrin Coker replied that a time limit could be built into the Planned Unit Development. Council Member Marcott stated that this discussion could have been prevented if a workshop would have been held. He stated they would have been more prepared to make better decisions. Council Member Owens asked how far off the main lands the signs would be. Mr. Cook replied about 250'. Commissioner Scherrer asked about other forms of advertising. Mr. Cook stated that they have a million dollar a year for all forms of advertising. Council Member Owens asked about the first phase of development. Mr. Cook stated that have about 533 lots that will be ready to build on in another 30 days with the following builders: Perry Homes, Legacy Homes, Westport, David Powers, Emerald Homes, and few others. Mr. Cook stated the builders are hurting for their signs. Mr. Owens stated he understands Council Member Marcott's concerns about the workshop, however he thinks they need to move forward with this. Council Member Tetens stated the sign ordinance should be updated. Executive Director of Community Development Tobin Maples replied it would be two years. City Attorney Darrin Coker explained the whole concept of a Planned Unit Development _ is a variance from the existing Land Use Ordinance. He reminded Council that the city is dealing with a 3,000+acre development compared to 400+ acre developments and it is not the same situation. Page 5 of 6 — 04/22/02 JPH 034 VI. ADJOURNMENT The Public Hearing adjourned at 7:40 p.m. inutes respectfully sub itted by: J er Go les, fanning & ning Secretary Minutes approve submitted and/or corrected this 13 day of May , 2002, AD Tom Reid, Mayor Page 6 of 6 — 04/22/02 JPH