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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - 02/11/2004MINUTES PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION February 11, 2004 CITY CLERK'S OFFI ICE �1 Date i5 -,- U� By Time PRESENT: Cliff Berg, Chairman ♦ Members Charles Barr • Ken Birck J. C. Bradberry • Cayce Cleary ♦ Alternate #1 Ken Dowdy ♦ Alternate #2 L. O. Nelson Rusty Sons Johnny Burns ♦ Council Liaison David A. Clark, Director of Community Development ♦ City Staff Marty Odom, Planner II Paul Stillson, Planner II Diane Parker • ABSENT: Steve Lane Patrick Powers • Bill Rowland • I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Berg at 2:05 p.m. Mr. Ken Dowdy, new alternate member #2, was sworn in by Mr. Stillson. Chairman Berg stated that all motions made by the Commission members include all staff recommendations and developmental requirements listed in the staff report. Any deviations will be noted in the discussion period for that case. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Cleary made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2004 meeting. Mr. Bradberry seconded the motion. The minutes were approved with a unanimous vote. III. CONSENT AGENDA — NO PLATS WERE SUBMITTED FOR FEBRUARY, 2004 IV. REGULAR AGENDA 1. Case R 04 -02 Rezone from Light Industrial to Residential Mixed Use 105 Eastside Drive Ms. Mandelyn Dixon requested rezoning of the two acres located at 105 Eastside Drive. After the demolition of the existing building, she is proposing to construct a new facility for a daycare center at the northeast corner of Eastside Drive and Front Street. This rezoning is considered a down zoning. The land use plan should be changed from Low Density Residential to Commercial for the two acres. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 11, 2004 PAGE 1 Seventeen surrounding property owners were notified of this request. No responses were received. The applicant was present at the meeting and available to answer questions. Mr. Sons made a motion to recommend approval to City Council for this rezoning and amending the land use plan as previously stated. Mr. Barr seconded. The vote was unanimous in favor. 2. Notification Replat Country Club Estates, Block 22, Lot 1 -A 2215 Avondale This replat request proposed to reduce the setback from the original 45 feet to 32 feet for construction of a new home. Fourteen surrounding property owners were notified of this request. Four responded in favor and none were opposed. Mr. Nelson made a motion to approve this plat. Mr. Sons seconded Mr. Richard Boyd, Corlett, Probst and Boyd, stated he was available to answer questions the Commission might have. Attending the meeting with him was the owner of the property, Corky Cummings, and Kenny Cummings, the builder. Mr. Birck asked if platting the property would release it from the deed restrictions. Mr. Clark stated that the only change considered is the reduction of the setback. Mr. Birck asked if this reduction would alter the deed restriction concerning the setback. Mr. Clark replied that all deed restrictions still apply; the City does not enforce those restrictions. The action being considered is to amend the setback. The vote was unanimous in favor of approval. V. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Discussion Item Only — No Action Required Proposed Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Section 6700 Sign Regulations Staff proposed several amendments to the Sign Regulations section of the Zoning Ordinance to clarify problem areas, categorize certain classifications of signs, and generally update the ordinance. Chairman Berg asked for an explanation of the electronic message board requirements regarding bulb wattage and character height. Mr. Odom explained those requirements were previously incorporated into the ordinance. Five new categories were proposed: political signs, three types of temporary commercial signs, and residential signs. Construction, development and real estate signs have been assigned new categories. New definitions for apartment signs, institutional signs, and multi- tenant signs will be added to the definition section. Political signs are being redefined in accordance with the new State law. The definition of "premise" is being included to allow a business to locate a sign on adjacent property if there is the same ownership. This action would eliminate the sign being classified as "off- premise ". PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 11, 2004 PAGE 2 • A new category and definition is being integrated into the ordinance for residential signs. This would include sports signs, home security signs, family event signs, and garage sale signs. Three types of temporary commercial signs are being added. Temporary Commercial Sign I is to be no larger than 16 square feet and located in a residential area. Temporary Commercial Sign II is smaller than 32 square feet and located in a commercial area. Temporary Commercial Sign III is no larger than 100 square feet and advertises lots for sale or pending construction. These signs can be located in either residential or commercial areas. Ms. Cleary asked about a temporary "No Parking" sign on a vacant lot. She stated that because the sign is moved periodically there are no restrictions. Chairman Berg suggested staff research the legality of this situation. A significant change was proposed for an off - premise billboard to create an exemption to the 200 -foot separation requirement if a nonconforming residence is located within a zoning district that prohibits residential use. Another proposed text amendment addresses signs in the Central Business District (CBD). The ordinance does not recognize that setbacks are not required in CBD areas. With this lack of restriction, wall signs are the only permissible signs. It was proposed that the Planning and Zoning Commission would review, through the conditional use process, any sign covering more than 10% of the face of the wall. Mr. Nelson stated some temporary signs have been known to exist for five or six years. He suggested an established length of time and maintenance be considered when dealing with these signs. Mr. Odom commented that this draft ordinance has been sent to sign contractors to receive comments and recommendations. The final ordinance will be reviewed and voted on at the March meeting. Ms. Cleary inquired about Christmas decorations. Mr. Odom stated those are considered to be seasonal displays. After discussion, it was decided to place an exemption clause for seasonal displays in the ordinance. 2. Discussion Item Only — No Action Required Comprehensive Update to the City's Thoroughfare Plan The last update to the Thoroughfare Plan was in 1996 prior to the annexations involving the Reilly Road, Kovarik Road, and City View /Old Iowa Park Road areas. The key factors considered when updating this plan were: 1) Annexed areas and extra - territorial jurisdiction; 2) New developments and platted subdivisions; 3) MPO priorities; 4) Floodplain maps, aerial photography, topography and fieldwork; and 5) National standards for street classification. Nine areas of the City were identified for revisions, reclassifications, or upgrades to the street network: Area A -- Southeast sector of the City, Wichita Falls Business Park, Fisher Road, Midwestern Parkway Area B - Stone Lake Road, Rathgeber Road Area C - Southwest portion of the City, Gregg Road, Sisk Road Area D - Kovarik Road, Lake Wellington Road, Turtle Creek Area E - Old Iowa Park, Valley View, City View PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 11, 2004 PAGE 3 • Area F - Northwest area, Kiel Lane, Huntington Lane Area G - Area between Sheppard Air Force Base and 1 -44, Airport Drive, !cooper Road, Tinker Trail Area H - Sunnyside neighborhood, Windthorst Road Area I - Central section of City of Wichita Falls The plan also addressed two options for the Call Field Reliever. Mr. Clark stated that updating this Plan provides for the development of thoroughfares and plan for the dedication and development of rights -of -way in the subdivision process. He continued by stating the State's proposed access management plan may have a major impact on the fUiure city development. New driveways and streets may be limited with encouragement for internal connections. Mr. Clark stated there would be a public hearing on March 1, 2004 for public input. Thz; Thoroughfare Plan will be presented to this Commission for recommendation then to City Council for adoption. Mr. Birck noted this is a projection of development with the possibility for changes. Mr. Clark agreed that there are issues, such as alignment, that could change during the development process for subdivisions. This is a general plan, not detailed, regarding street locations. VI. Public Comments No one from the audience had comments. VII. Additional Business 1. City Council Update Mr. Clark stated that City Council approved the rezoning request from MFR to SF -2 for the proposed development along 1 -44 and north of North Park Apts. VIII. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. liff Berg, Cl'iai ATTEST: Da e 3 J5 David A. Clark Director Date PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 11, 2004 PAGE 4