Loading...
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - 01/11/2012• l MINUTES PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION January 11, 2012 PRESENT: L. O. Nelson, Chairman ♦ Members Stephen Anderson ♦ Alternate #2 Jeff Browning ♦ Alternate #1 Warren Gardner • John Harmon • Karla Miller • Deborah Morrow • Vicky Payne • R. C. Taylor • Mary Ward ♦ Council Liaison Kinley Hegglund, Senior Assist. City Attorney ♦ Legal Depart. Kevin Hugman, Asst. City Manager /Dir. of Community Development . City staff Karen Gagne, Planning Supervisor Marty Odom, Planner III Leo Bethge, Planner II Diane Parker • ABSENT: John Kidwell • David Schmid • I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nelson at 2:00 p.m. Chairman Nelson then proceeded to make the following comments: a. This meeting is being broadcast live on Channel 11. It will be replayed at 2:00 p.m. daily including Saturday and Sunday until the next live meeting is aired which will be the second Wednesday of next month at 2:00 p.m. b. Motions made by the Commission members include all staff recommendations and developmental requirements listed in the staff report. Any deviations will be discussed on a case -by -case basis and voted on accordingly. c. Applicants and citizens who wish to address the Commission or answer questions from the Commission members are asked to please speak into the microphone at the podium. P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 2 JANUARY 11, 2012 This meeting is being taped and there is no microphone to record statements made from the audience. d. Please silence all cell phone ringers during the meeting. If it is necessary for you to have a cell phone conversation during the meeting, please use the hallway outside this room. II. OATH OF OFFICE The newly appointed Planning and Zoning alternate members, Stephen Anderson, Jeff Browning, and Karla Miller were welcomed and introduced by Chairman Nelson. Mr. Odom administered the oath of office to these new members. III. PUBLIC COMMENTS No one from the audience wished to address the Commission. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Gardner made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2011 meeting. Mr. Taylor seconded the motion. The minutes were approved with a unanimous vote. V. CONSENT AGENDA Public Hearing on Final Plats The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the following plats subject to the Standard Conditions of Approval for Final Plats and Replats and any specific conditions listed: Standard Conditions of Approval for Final Plats Provide utility and drainage easements as required by utility companies and Director of Public Works. Submit water and sewer plans; street; sidewalk; and drainage plans to the Director of Public Works and water plans to the Fire Marshall. Drainage plans must be complete enough to include impact on surrounding property and include detention facilities as required by Director of Public Works. Coordinate street lighting plan and provide utility easements as required by the Director of Traffic & Transportation. Note: Approval of a plat does not imply approval of development of property in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. l P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 3 JANUARY 11, 2012 CARPORTS: 1. Case C 12 -02 Carport 4820 Bonny Drive Mr. Mark Cole requested conditional use approval to construct a carport within the front setback of his residence on Bonny Drive. There are no (0) properties within 200 feet with carports in the front setback. Seventeen (17) surrounding property owners were notified of this request. Two (2) or11.76% replied in favor and none (0) were opposed. Ms. Payne made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda; Mr. Gardner seconded. The motion carried. Chairman Nelson announced the carport for 4820 Bonny Drive received conditional use approval. VI. REGULAR AGENDA 1. Case C 12 -01 Request for conditional use approval to locate a utility wholesale supply company within an existing vacant commercial building 2701 Avenue K Mr. Gary Mehan requested conditional use approval to operate a plumbing and HVAC wholesale supply store on Avenue K in a Limited Commercial (LC) and Single Family -2 (SF -2) zone. Morrison Plumbing operated at this location from 1991 to 2002. The conditional use process is required in order to re- establish this property as a nonconforming use. The company indicated vehicle activity would range from pick -ups to two -ton, 24 -foot flatbeds. They will also have semi - trucks making occasional monthly deliveries. They cater to the wholesale trade from residential to commercial projects. Four or five employees will be employed at the beginning. Normal business hours will be Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Staff recommended approval of this request. Twenty -four (24) surrounding property owners were notified of this request. Four (4) or 16.67% responded in favor and none (0) were opposed. Mr. Mehan was in the audience and available for questions from the Commission members. Chairman Nelson announced the meeting was closed for public comments. Chairman Nelson noted that it appears to be a good use for this property and Mr. Taylor agreed. Mr. Taylor made a motion to approve this conditional use permit; Mr. Harmon seconded. The motion carried. P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 4 JANUARY 11, 2012 2. Proposed Amendment to the Thoroughfare Plan Changing a portion of Midwestern Parkway East from a major arterial to a minor arterial Mr. Odom stated the Thoroughfare Plan is a long range plan ensuring logical street connections and appropriate street widths to meet the demand. It is amended periodically based on an overall review or a specific study within a particular area. He then reviewed the different street classifications and their uses shown on the Plan. This amendment focuses on the section of Midwestern Parkway East from Henry S. Grace Freeway to Hammond Road. Each end of Midwestern Parkway East has been constructed leaving an undeveloped area between them. It is currently classified as a major arterial with a proposed right -of -way width of 120 feet. We have a request to analyze this section for a possible downgrade to a minor arterial with a proposed right -of -way of 90 feet. Planning, Public Works and Traffic have reviewed the traffic counts, existing right -of -way widths, and the potential growth of that area. Staff determined a minor arterial is an appropriate classification of this portion of Midwestern Parkway East. The following are the explanations for the change: 1. A reduced right -of -way width may stimulate growth in the area by lessening developmental requirements. 2. Engineering analysis of the area indicates a minor arterial will meet the demands of future traffic volumes. 3. Central Freeway East to the north may absorb much of the land bypass traffic in the area. The portion of Midwestern Parkway between Hammon Road and Fisher Road is proposed to remain at its current classification of Major Arterial to accommodate the expected future traffic generated by the Wichita Falls Business Park. Staff recommends the approval of the proposed amendment and requested the Commission's recommendation for approval to City Council. Chairman Nelson asked if there had been a specific issue creating a staff review of this area. Mr. Odom replied the northeast undeveloped corner at Henry S. Grace has been proposed for commercial development. Mr. Sam Cruse, 2550 Windthorst, stated Midwestern Parkway dead ends into his property and he would be affected by this change. Several inquiries have been made about developing this land. He continued by stating he has lost some sales of this property because of Midwestern Parkway's 120 foot right -of -way requirement. Mr. Burns owns a tract to the north on Midwestern Parkway and was successful in having City Council reduce that setback. Mr. Cruse stated he would like to have the same agreement Mr. Burns has [with a 90 foot right -of -way]. Mr. Taylor asked if the reduction in right -of -way would make the land marketable for commercial development. Mr. Cruse responded it would not totally be for commercial use; there might be some residential consideration. He stated he wanted to work with the City and he supports development in that area. Mr. Cruse commented once Midwestern is completed, it would be a viable asset for our community. Mr. Taylor asked about the zoning. Mr. Cruse replied his land was SF -1. P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 5 JANUARY 11, 2012 Chairman Nelson asked if Midwestern Parkway would be reduced in width to align with the existing portions. Mr. Odom stated it is the developers that construct the roads when there is a development. The Thoroughfare Plan is what the City proposes for future development. The purpose for this amendment is to reduce the width of the street and reduce the right -of -way. Future development would be obligated to adhere to the 90 foot right -of -way, if passed by City Council. Mr. Taylor commented this proposal would be an asset to the City. Mr. Taylor made a motion to recommend approval of this change to City Council; Ms. Morrow seconded. The motion carried. VII. OTHER BUSINESS City Council Update Mr. Odom reported no items from this Commission were presented to City Council for approval. Vice Chairman Chairman Nelson stated the previous Vice Chairman, Ripley Tate, reached term limits at the end of December, 2011 and now there is a vacancy for this position. In the event the Chairman is unavailable, the Vice Chairman acts on his behalf. Ms. Miller suggested R. C. Taylor and he was agreeable. Mr. Harmon made a motion to approve R. C. Taylor as the Vice Chairman for the Planning and Zoning Commission; Ms. Payne seconded. The motion carried. VIII. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 2:24 p.m. L. O. Nelson, Chairman ATTEST: Marty Odom, DeW. of Community Development e)3_ / 1-/— 12- Date 3liy /�Z Date "JJ"'J"