Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - 08/10/2005MINUTES
PLANNING S ZONING COMMISSION
August 10, 2005
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date q_ z r_ O 5
By Ss Time 10:25 A
PRESENT:
L. O. Nelson, Chairman ♦ Members
Charles Barr •
Ken Birck
J. C. Bradberry
Ken Dowdy •
John R. Stephenson
Ripley Tate ♦ Alternate #1
Charles Elmore ♦ Council Liaison
David A. Clark, Director of Community Development ♦ City Staff
Marty Odom, Planner II •
Paul Stillson, Planner II
Diane Parker
ABSENT:
Cayce Cleary ♦ Members
Steve Lane •
Rusty Sons
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nelson at 2:00 p.m. Chairman Nelson made the
following announcements:
This meeting is being broadcast live on Channel 11. It will be played
tonight at 7:00 p.m. and replayed tomorrow night and Friday night at 7:00
p. M.
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.
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. The meeting is being taped and there
is no microphone to record of statements made from the audience.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Bradberry made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted of the July 13, 2005
meeting. Mr. Stephenson seconded the motion. The minutes were approved with a unanimous
vote.
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PAGE 1
III. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Public Hearing on Preliminary Plats - none receieved
2. 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
below:
Provide utility easements as required by utility companies and Director of Public Utilities,
and drainage easements as required by Director of Public Works.
Submit water and sewer plans to the Utilities Engineer; water plans to the Fire Marshall;
and street, sidewalk and drainage plans to the Director of Public Works. 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 with Director of Traffic & Transportation, if underground
electric utilities are to be provided.
Note: Approval of a plat does not imply development of property in violation of the
Zoning Ordinance.
1. Belair Addition, Replat Part Block 7, Unit 7 (August 2005)
a. Provide utility slips.
2. Hillcrest Addition, Block 9, Lots 1 -A & 2 -A [replat] (August 2005)
a. Provide utility slips.
b. If proposed use is residential, provide a 15 -foot setback along Bluff Street. For
all other uses provide a 25 -foot setback.
C. Correct spelling of "Addition" in plat subtitle.
d. An additional five (5) foot easement is needed along the south property lines of
both lots. (TXU E. D.)
3. Norman Nelson Addition, Block 1, Lot 1 (August 2005)
a. Provide utility slips.
b. Remove "proposed" from utility easement.
C. Provide dimensions for location of easements.
d. Lot is currently served by water. (PUBLIC WORKS)
e. Extend sanitary sewer to serve property. (PUBLIC WORKS)
f. Comply with stormwater detention ordinance. (PUBLIC WORKS)
4. Swan Addition, Block 1, Lot 1 [ replat] (August 2005)
a. Provide utility slips.
b. Also include "and a portion of Lot 4 -A, Block 2, Edgemere Heights" in subtitle.
C. Lot is served by water and sewer. (PUBLIC WORKS)
d. Comply with stormwater detention ordinance. (PUBLIC WORKS)
e. Additional easements are needed prior to final plat approval. (TXU E. D.)
f. Utility easement of 75 needs to be added along north and west line backing up
to existing 7.5' utility easement. (TXU E. D.)
g. Dedicated utility easement of 10' needs to be added along south and east
property lines along right -of -way of Jacksboro Highway and Southwest Parkway.
(TXU E. D.)
Mr. Barr made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Bradberry seconded the motion.
The Consent Agenda passed with a unanimous vote.
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IV. REGULAR AGENDA
1. Case R 05 -08
Rezone from Single Family -2 to Limited Commercial and Amending the Land Use
Plan
2803 Montgomery Place and Adjacent Right -of -Way
Mr. Phuong Khong requested approval to rezone a residential lot that is adjacent to the
commercial plaza on Kemp Street. He is proposing to use the lot for parking; the house will
remain. The existing fence meets the six -foot privacy fence requirement.
If approved, the Land Use Plan will be required to be updated on this property from low density
residential to light commercial.
Twenty surrounding property owners were notified of this request. Two (2) responded in favor
and six (6) were opposed.
The applicant, Mr. Khong, stated this (Kemp Street) area is growing. He commented that he
needs additional parking for his business. Mr. Khong stated that this lot would give him 16 to
20 additional parking spaces. He also stated he has had problems renting the two additional
spaces because of inadequate parking. Mr. Khong told the Commission that the tenant in the
house does not have a problem with this proposed parking arrangement.
Mr. Birck inquired if there was sufficient parking when the building was constructed. Mr. Odom
stated that the parking requirement was adequate when the building was approved for
occupancy. Mr. Birck stated that if Mr. Khong needs an additional 16 to 20 spaces, there will
not be enough room (from the adjacent lot).
Mr. Khong stated that this building was leased to a flower shop and beauty salon. The flower
shop moved out; however, the beauty salon is growing and requires additional parking. He
would like to rent the vacant spaces to retail establishments.
Mr. Clark stated that it is difficult to determine where commercial should end and residential
should begin, such as with this case. The primary buildings front on Kemp which has a heavy
commercial aspect. The map shows the proposed property situated closer to Kemp than the
lots on Wolfe Street. The view seen from 2803 Montgomery is the Pier One trash container
which lends a commercial atmosphere to this location. He noted the number of negative replies
from the surrounding residences.
Mr. Barr recognized that this is not the only location in the City where there are residential
properties behind the businesses on a commercial street. He stated that he has a problem
changing a residence to commercial because the homeowners purchased their property with
the assumption that it would always be located in a residential area.
Mr. Victor Avenius, 2805 Fleming, voiced concern for increased traffic in the neighborhood;
parking problems, specifically on the street; and privacy screening problems. He noted that the
fence needed repair between GEICO and the store that Kocks Liquor previously occupied;
Chairman Nelson assured Mr. Avenius that staff would research the problem. There was
discussion regarding the logistics of using the yard for parking. Mr. Avenius asked if the renter
moved from the house, could it be rented to a business. Chairman Nelson acknowledged that,
if a business occupied the house, the commercial aspect would penetrate more into the
neighborhood.
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Ms. Berniece Knightstep, 2809 Montgomery Place, stated she was concerned about the
possible future use of house on the proposed lot. When asked where her house was, she
stated it was three houses away.
Ms. Margaret Stewart, 2805 Montgomery Place, expressed concern about a parking lot being
located next door to her residence as well as the future use of the house.
Chairman Nelson stated that, if this lot were rezoned to Limited Commercial, there would be
permitted uses not requiring approval by this Commission and the owner could use that house
for any of these uses. He stated that he visited the location and felt the parking was adequate.
He acknowledged concern for intrusion into the neighborhood even though the zoning district
boundary appears to align on the map.
Mr. Bradberry stated he was not in favor of this change because of the effect on the
neighborhood. Mr. Birck stated that business and residential side by side is not a problem. He
cited Parker Square Shopping Center where the two zones coexist. He continued by
commenting that office uses would not be objectionable; however, a service type of business
might not be appropriate for that location. He stated that the parking was determined based on
the building being used for offices. If a retail establishment were to move in, there would not be
adequate parking. Mr. Khong explained to his tenant that he was going to construct a parking
lot in the rear yard. Mr. Birck asked if there would be an access off Montgomery. Mr. Khong
replied that there would be adequate space to access behind the building on Kemp (not using
Montgomery).
Mr. Birck suggested using a conditional use permit instead of rezoning the property. He
explained that the permit would be able to be monitored and approval would be based on
certain conditions. Mr. Odom stated that, with Single Family zoning, there are no provisions to
allow a parking lot to extend into that zoning. Mr. Clark commented that the conditional use
process would not apply and he felt the rezoning should either be approved or denied.
Councilor Elmore asked, if this rezoning were not approved, would there be more parking on
the side street. Chairman Nelson replied that he felt people would park on the street, especially
for the business located on the Montgomery side of the building.
Mr. Odom reported that one unit in this building has a retail conditional use permit. Additional
conditional use permits would be required if more units were leased for retail purposes.
Mr. Barr asked if a business could go in the house if the current tenant vacated. Staff
responded that was correct if the rezone request was approved.
Mr. Birck made a motion to recommend approval to City Council to approve this rezoning
request and change the Land Use Plan. Mr. Bradberry seconded. The vote was zero (0) in
favor and seven (7) opposed. The recommendation failed.
2. Case C05 -29
Convert a Portion of a Convenience Store into a Package Store (Liquor Store)
1135 Central Freeway
Mr. Ajaib Gill requested approval to convert a portion of an existing convenience store into a
package store for off - premise alcoholic beverage sales in General Commercial. The applicant
wants to convert a storage area that was previously used for automotive service into the
package store. Staff recommended approval.
Four surrounding property owners were notified of this request. The only response received
was opposed.
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Mr. Richard Romanek, 43319 Grants Glen, spoke as the representative for the applicant. He
explained that the addition of this package store would be a convenience to the surrounding
areas. The businesses will be operated separately with different hours of operation. The liquor
store will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday. The existing store is
open from 6:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Mr. Stephenson asked about the opposing response; Mr. Odom replied it was the convenience
store across the street that also sells alcohol.
Mr. Tate made a motion to approve this request. Mr. Bradberry offered the second. The liquor
store was approved with a unanimous vote.
3. C 05 -30
Establish a Wine and Beer Off - Premise Sales Adjacent to Single Family -2 Zoning
2214 Ninth Street
Mr. Anil Parikh requested approval to establish off - premise beer and wine sales at an existing
convenience store. Staff recommends conditional approval with a six -foot tall privacy fence
placed along the north property line.
Twenty surrounding property owners were notified of this request. Two (2) responded in favor
and seven (7) were opposed.
Mr. Odom noted that there is a church directly across the street from this location. The method
of measurement is from front door to front door. Staff measured the distance and found it to be
372 feet to the nearest front door which Mr. Odom believed to be the activity center. He stated
that the law reads to follow the property lines. Mr. Barr stated that a new portico was
constructed several years ago between the church and day care and he believed that
technically that was the front door.
In response to a request, Mr. Odom explained that this license was for selling wine and beer
which is to be consumed away from the premises where it is sold.
Mr. Odom stated the applicant contacted him to tell him he would not be at this meeting.
Mr. Steve Robertson, 2202 Berkley, stated that he was the pastor of Floral Heights United
Methodist Church located at 2214 Tenth Street. The front doors of the church no longer open;
they lead to a historic sanctuary that is not longer functioning. The congregation enters from
Polk Street or Tyler Street which are the doors to the office and through the portico. That is
also where the parking is located. The activity center also functions as a latch -key facility, food
pantry, and children's mini -gym. He stated that several years ago, Floral Heights made a
decision to stay in that neighborhood even though the demographics of the neighborhood are
changing. Recently, the Church has added a missionary minister for that neighborhood to the
Church staff. The Church wants to be a positive influence in the community as well as the
neighborhood. He continued by stating that selling beer and wine across the street from the
playground and primary service areas for the children and the latch -key program would be
detrimental to the programs and the Church. With two large parking lots in the vicinity, he
speculated that some of the off - premise consumption might occur in those lots. Even though
the Church is not currently close to an establishment selling alcohol, beer cans are picked up
on the Church grounds on a daily basis. He stated the church is opposed to the approval of this
conditional use request.
Ms. Liz Talbert, 6217 Kovarik Road, asked the Commission to consider that churches,
hospitals, and schools have multiple entrances, not just a main entrance by which the address
is identified. The main traffic pattern is not always through the front door. She asked the
Commission to consider that with this and future alcohol - related cases.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION PAGE 5
Mr. Odom stated the 300 -foot issue is separate from the conditional use approval which is
being considered by the Commission. Chairman Nelson stated the issue is the consideration of
the sale of beer and wine adjacent to a single - family boundary. There is a church nearby and
this alcohol use does not fit at the proposed location.
Mr. Birck stated this is a difficult and delicate question for the Commission to consider. He
stated that it offends him that the applicant or his representative is not in attendance. The
application does not appear to be serious. Mr. Bradberry stated he was opposed. Chairman
Nelson stated it would have been beneficial if the applicant were here to answer questions and
interact.
Mr. Birck made a motion to approve; Mr. Bradberry offered the second. There none (0) in favor
and seven (7) opposed.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
1. Discussion of Items of Concern to Members of the P &Z Commission
Chairman Nelson inquired about a proposed traffic light at North Elmwood and Maplewood. Mr.
Clark stated there is also a traffic light proposed for Elmwood and Kemp but he did not know
when it would be installed. Chairman Nelson asked if he would check on both locations.
VI. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
L. O. Nelson, Chairman
ATTEST:
David A. Clark, Director of Community Development
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Date
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