2002-04-08 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Planning and Zoning Commission
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, HELD ON APRIL 8, 2002
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS, IN THE SECOND
FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL, 3519 LIBERTY DRIVE, PEARLAND,
TEXAS.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:55 p.m. with the following present:
Chairman H. Charles Viktorin
Vice-Chairman Donald Glenn
Commissioner Kevin McDonald
Commissioner Robert Scherrer
Commissioner Russ Selemon
Development Coordinator Mona Phipps
P&Z Secretary Jennifer Gonzales
P&Z Commissioner's Don Sederdahl and Todd Iocco were absent.
II. NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION— Specific Use Application No. 106
Request for an amendment to the Land Use and Urban Development Ordinance of
said City from classification Light Industrial District (M-1) to Light Industrial
District — Specific Use (M-1(S)) for mini-storage warehouse on the following
described property, to wit:
Specific Use Application No. 106
Legal Description: 2.316 acres, out of 3.322 acres, out of a portion of the H.
Stevens Survey, A-594, being adjacent to and East of State
Highway 35 of Brazoria Co., TX (4147 Main Street)
Owner: Ronald Leistad & Reed Leistad
100 Sandy Shores
League City, TX 77573
Vice-Chairman Glenn made a motion to forward Specific Use Application No. 106 to
City Council for approval. Commissioner Scherrer seconded the motion.
Motion to approve passed 5 to 0.
B. CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION — Zone Change Application No.
1030
Mission Statement: To make informed recommendations regarding zoning change requests,capital improvements,and other tasks as mandated
by the City Chatter.
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Planning and Zoning Commission
Request for an amendment to the Land Use and Urban Development Ordinance of
said City from classification Single Family Dwelling District (R-1) to Neighborhood
Services District (NS) on the following described property, to wit:
Zone Change Application No. 1030
Legal Description: Lots 12-15, Block 2, Colonial Estates Subdivision, Brazoria
Co., TX (3610 McLean)
Owner: Pravin & Jagdishbhai Patel
4122 S. Weber Drive
Pearland, TX 77584
Vice-Chairman Glenn made a motion to forward Zone Change Application No. 1030 to
City Council for denial with a second made by Commissioner Selemon.
Commissioner Scherrer stated that he would like to reiterate all the opposition made at
the Public Hearing. He stated that it is a bad idea.
Commissioner Selemon commented that he feels this is an inappropriate location.
Motion to deny passed 4 to 0 (1 abstention by Robert Scherrer).
C. CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION — Zone Change Application No.
1031
Request for an amendment to the Land Use and Urban Development Ordinance of
said City from classification Suburban Development District (SD) to Single Family
Dwelling District (RE) on the following described property, to wit:
Zone Change Application No. 1031
Legal Description: 2.5738 acres, being the North %z of Lot 25, recorded in Volume
306, page 379, deed records of Brazoria Co., TX, Allison
Richey Gulf Coast Home Co. Subdivision, H. T. & B. RR. Co.
survey, A-219, Brazoria Co., TX (O'Day Road)
Owner: Carolina Hernandez
922 Harris
Pasadena, TX 77506
Commissioner Scherrer made a motion to forward Zone Change Application No. 1031 to
City Council for approval. Commissioner McDonald seconded the motion.
Motion to approve passed 5 to 0.
Mission Statement: To make informed recommendations regarding zoning change requests,capital improvements,and other tasks as mandated
by the City Charter.
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Planning and Zoning Commission
D. CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION— Recommendation for request of staff
to consider amendments to Chapter 27, Subdivisions, of the Pearland Code of
Ordinances.
Chairman Viktorin stated that he would like to divide this into two parts consisting of
Exhibit A and Exhibit B for discussion and to vote on. He explained that the action taken
would be a recommendation to pass on to City Council.
Exhibit A
Commissioner Scherrer stated that he agrees the open ditches do provide a better release
of water out of neighborhoods. He stated that he is totally in favor of prohibiting future
asphalt streets in subdivisions because of the maintenance problem. He pointed out that it
is unfortunate that this ordinance put the two separate amendments together; it would
have been better to split them up. He stated that he is concerned about people who have
to subdivide 2-3 acres of their property and they would have to comply with the
subdivision ordinance. He stated that putting in the drainage ditches could get very
expensive.
Commissioner Selemon agreed with Commissioner Scherrer. He stated that the open
drainage ditch concept should not be overlooked. He stated that he agrees that sometimes
they are not maintained properly (as pointed out by City Council). He stated that he
would like to see them designed to handle better capacity. Mr. Selemon also stated that
he is concerned about a person who does have 5-10 acres, and he hopes a variance would
be considered for these people. He added that it would make since for new subdivisions.
Chairman Viktorin asked for clarification on Commissioner Selemon's statement.
Commissioner Selemon explained that if he had to vote on it as it is now he would be in
favor of it. Commissioner Selemon stated that the capacity of the variance should handle
the individual small landowner and with the intent of the amendment being for larger
subdivisions.
Commissioner Scherrer stated that he would like to see a specific exemption in the
Subdivision Ordinance for smaller tracts of property. He stated that a definition might
need to be added for"large lots".
Chairman Viktorin asked for staff's comments.
Development Coordinator Mona Phipps replied that City Council and Deputy City
Manager Alan Mueller put these amendments together. She apologized for not having
additional information for the Commission. She stated that they did recommend that the
Exhibits be voted on individually rather then be tabled. She stated that these changes
would only affect new subdivisions.
Mission Statement: To make informed recommendations regarding zoning change requests,capital improvements,and other tasks as mandated
by the City Charter.
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Planning and Zoning Commission
Commissioner Scherrer stated that Council Member Owens commented on the fact that
when you dig the open ditches out, it undermines the integrity of the road. He stated that
he does not think that it is because of the open ditches, he thinks it is the people who are
doing the work and they are not doing a very good job of it.
Development Coordinator Mona Phipps stated that majority of the developments would
fit into these categories; and if there is a special circumstance that comes up then they can
apply for a variance, which would come before Planning and Zoning.
Vice-Chairman Glenn stated that he is in favor of the changes. He stated that with the
open ditches are economically feasible or if it was determined that drainage would be
better, then that could be handled through a variance.
Commissioner Selemon stated that economical feasibility does not make you eligible for
a variance.
Chairman Viktorin pointed out how difficult it would be to write these comments into the
ordinance.
Development Coordinator Mona Phipps pointed out that the ordinance states that a
variance cannot be issued due to financial hardships.
Commissioner Scherrer requested that"large lot"be defined in the new ordinance.
Chairman Viktorin stated that they could vote on an approval with a recommendation that
a definition of"large lot"be added.
Commissioner Scherrer made a motion to forward the amendments of Chapter 27,
Section A to City Council for approval with a provision that "large lot" subdivisions be
defined. Vice-Chairman Glenn seconded the motion.
Commissioner Selemon stated that he is little confused on what he is voting on. He
clarified that they are deleting Section 1.6 and Section 1.6 specifies minimum sections for
residential lots in large lot subdivisions. He asked if that means a large subdivision or a
subdivision with large lots.
Chairman Viktorin clarified that he is voting to delete Section 1.6.
The Commission reviewed the newly added Section 1.6 and realized that they are
prohibiting open ditches altogether. They agreed there was no point in defining large lot
subdivisions because this ordinance isn't dealing with"large lots" anymore.
Commissioner Scherrer withdrew his original motion for approval and Vice-Chairman
Glenn also withdrew his second.
Mission Statement: To make informed recommendations regarding zoning change requests,capital improvements,and other tasks as mandated
by the City Charter.
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Planning and Zoning Commission
Development Coordinator Mona Phipps asked if it would help if the ordinance stated "for
large lot subdivisions", then have a definition for"large lots".
Commissioner Scherrer stated his thought to be that if somebody tables the motion then it
would allow the city's staff to come up with some ideas and definitions to be added.
Commissioner Scherrer made a motion to table the proposed amendment of Exhibit A of
Chapter 27 of the Subdivision Ordinance. He stated that he would like to somehow
exclude property owners of a small acreage of land who might have to subdivide their
property. Commissioner Selemon seconded the motion.
Motion to table passed 4 to 1.
Vice-Chairman Glenn was against the motion to table.
Exhibit B
Development Coordinator Mona Phipps explained they are trying to incorporate different
documents into one document.
Vice-Chairman Glenn made a motion to forward the amendments of Chapter 27, Section
B of the Subdivision Ordinance to City Council for approval. Commissioner Selemon
seconded the motion.
Motion to approve passed 5 to 0.
E. DISCUSSION ITEM – Preliminary review of Canterbury Park, R-2 Planned Unit
Development Zoning Request. (Applicant: Sowell & Company)
Jamie Cornelius of Sowell & Company, Inc. showed the property and explained the
difference between the "R-2" zoning he has received and his "R-2 PUD" request. He
stated the area would remain the same, however the lengths of the lots are different. He
explained that there is no other zoning category that allows for the strip of detention on
the east side of the subdivision.
Chairman Viktorin stated that he appreciates the developers effort, however he reminded
him that the Commission was not in favor of putting residential property along the
railroad tracks. He explained that if their "Commander in Chief' (City Council) does
approve the request then the Commission would support it but they are not in favor of it.
Commissioner McDonald stated that he would like to echo the Chairman's concerns. He
added that he has two other concerns as well. Mr. McDonald stated the first concern is
the water is too narrow. He stated the second concern is that the masonry wall should be
along the outside of the entire property.
"— Commissioner Scherrer stated that it would be a better idea to have the fence on the side
of the subdivision so the kids will not play in the detention area.
Mission Statement: To make informed recommendations regarding zoning change requests,capital improvements,and other tasks as mandated
by the City Charter.
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Planning and Zoning Commission
Commissioner Scherrer asked if the detention area is owned by a M.U.D. and Mr.
Cornelius replied that he is going to ask to be annexed into a M.U.D.
Commissioner Selemon asked if there would be a Home Owners Association and Mr.
Cornelius replied there would be one.
Commissioner Selemon asked what could keep the kids from playing in the detention
area and using it as a football field. Mr. Cornelius suggested having screening on the
fence.
Commissioner Selemon asked if the fencing would have to be added in the PUD and Mr.
Cornelius replied that it would be added.
Mr. Cornelius explained the big picture is that he is trading off his "R-2" zoning for the
"R-2 PUD" to allow for the separation of the subdivision and the railroad. He stated that
they are having the Joint Public Hearing on May 13th.
III. NEXT MEETING DATE: April 15, 2002 (Regular Meeting)
April 22, 2002—Joint Public Hearing
April 29, 2002—No Meeting
IV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.ea, . in essereespect .1 y submitted by:
iid
Jeer i onzales, 'warming & Zoning Secretary ���,/
Minute a roved asat.:
submitted and/or corrected on thisday of /�Ul v , 2002.
Charles Viktorin, Planning & Zoning Chairman
Mission Statement: To make informed recommendations regarding zoning change requests,capital improvements,and other tasks as mandated
by the City Charter.
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