Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - 07/10/2024 MINUTES
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
July 10, 2024
PRESENT:
David Cook •Chairman
Michael Grassi •Member
Mark McBurnett •SAFB Liaison
Douglas McCulloch •Member
Noros Martin •Member
Wayne Pharries •Member
Blake Haney •Member
Steve Wood •Member
Jeremy Woodward •Member
Brady Enlow •Alternate No.1
Alan Sizemore •Alternate No.2
James McKechnie, Legal Department •City Staff
Russell Schreiber, Director of Public Works •City Staff
Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services •City Staff
Fabian Medellin, Planning Manager •City Staff
Christal Cates, Planner II •City Staff
Cedric Hu, Planning Technician •City Staff
Robin Marshall, Admin Assistant •City Staff
ABSENT:
Matt Mars ♦Member
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mr. David Cook, at 2:00 p.m.
Chairman Cook proceeded to make the following comments:
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Cook asked if there were any comments from the public. With no
response, Chairman Cook closed public comments.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Noros Martin, made a motion to adopt the amended, June 12, 2024,
minutes.
Commissioner Jeremy Woodward seconded the motion. The motion was passed
unanimously, 8-0.
IV. REGULAR AGENDA
1. Case C 24-18— 3200 Kenesaw Avenue & 3205 Kessler Boulevard
Consider taking action on a conditional use at 3200 Kenesaw Avenue & 3205
Kessler to allow for expansion of a non-conforming cemetery in a Single Family2
zoning district.
Applicant: Dcn. David Bindel
Commissioner Steve Wood made a motion to approve the case. Commissioner Doug
McCulloch seconded the motion.
Mr. Fabian Medellin presented the case to council and stated that Dcn. Bindel had met
with staff regarding the lot, that the church has owned for a number of years, and they
have been unable to expand or make this petition due to a deed restriction. That deed
restriction expired two months ago, so the church is wanting an expansion of the use of
the cemetery. The major thoroughfares near this property are Wenonah Blvd, Kessler
Blvd., Seymour Road as well as Santa Fe. Mr. Meddelin showed aerial views of the
property showing that the lot has an existing cemetery on the southern (Kenesaw) end of
the property, with the vacant proposed site being located on the northern (Kessler) end of
the property. The Site is within a Single Family 2 zoning district which does not allow a
cemetery, but under Section 6100, if the property is located on the same lot, a petition can
be made before the Commission to allow for that expansion. He stated, as a part of our
process, we have notified all property owners within 200 feet, but we did not receive any
responses back from. When we look at the staffs recommendation,we look at the impacts
the cemetery would create if expanded. It would have services and visitors, but this would
be conducted during daytime business hours. When looking at the proposed use and
expansion, and looking at the layout, the 3205 Kessler touches the neighboring property
(3209) but is very minimal. The majority of the expansion will be abutting the residential
uses by right of way through Kessler and Santa Fe. Coupling that with the low use of
visitation, staff does make the recommendation to approve the conditional use for the
expansion for the non-conforming cemetery in the Single Family 2 zoning district with the
two following conditions:
1) The lots, 3200 Kenesaw Avenue and 3205 Kessler Boulevard, be combined
through the platting process. and
2) That any development shall comply with any applicable building codes.
Chairman Cook asks if the applicant is in the audience, and would like to speak. Dcn Bindel
stepped forward to address the Commissioners. He thanked the Commissioners for their
consideration of this motion, and Mr. Medellin for the work he has done for Sacred Heart
and the cemetery, and would appreciate the Commission's approval.
Chairman Cook asks if there is anyone else that would like to speak. No one steps forward.
Chairman Cook then asks if there is any discussion about the motion. Commissioner
Norris Martin asks why they are voting to approve something that already is being used
for a cemetery, because even though the 3205 Kessler section does not have any
tombstones or markers, the 3200 Kenesaw section does. Mr. Medellin explains that the
ordinance for that zoning district does not allow use for a cemetery, but the existing one
is there so we continue to let it exist, perpetuity, until something changes on that land.
The ordinance doesn't allow for expansions, except through this process, through the
conditioning experiment process. So, prior to them expanding on that, the secondary lot,
the ordinance required that it only be expanded on the same existing property. So, a
combining of the laws would be required, and then your approval also to be required,
before they can expand on that piece of land.
Chairman Cook took the motion to a vote, and the motion passed 8-0 in favor.
2. Case R 24-03—4307, 4309 &4311 Canyon Trails Drive
Public hearing to consider taking action on a proposed amendment, Canyon Trails
Planned Unit Development(Ord. 07-2016), to allow for the conversion of 4307, 4309
&4311 Canyon Trails Drive(Lots 120-122, Canyon Trails, Section 5)from dedicated
open space to single family lots permitted on the Master Plan by the proposed three
lots.
Applicant: Esther Muratha
Chairman Cook notes that this is a public hearing, and opened it at 2:08pm. Mr. Medellin
presented the case and stated that the three parcels, 4307, 4309 and 4311, are part of a
master planned unit development that was established in 1992. Since then, there have
been a couple revisions to that, one in 2004 and one in 2016. The applicant, Esther,
purchased the three properties from a third-party vendor on behalf of a consortium of
trustees in the City being one of them, the school district and the county. These properties
were struck off, meaning the original developer and owner, Mr. Rhone, was unable to
make payment of his property taxes, and because of such, the properties were seized.
They weren't acquired by anyone, so they were struck off and became ownership under
the trustee group. Ms. Muratha met with staff after she acquired the properties to begin
discussions on what can be developed, and it was at that time she was informed of the
PUD and the very unique development of that neighborhood. The three properties that
Ms. Muratha purchased (pictures of the three properties are displayed for the
Commissioners to see)were all designated as open space. As pointed out in the pictures
in an overhead view of the entire early subdivision, and looking at the layout and the
adjacent uses, for the most part it is all residential other than the open space directly to
the southeast, northwest and the southwest as well. This planned unit development is
incomplete. It hasn't been finished out. There are a couple other portions still left
remaining to be developed. Canyon Trails, as part of the last layout, is proposed to extend
and connect to Turtle Creek and then just north of that are two additional cul-de-sacs
proposed that were approved as part of the 2004 amendment to the PUD. Mr. Medellin
shows a more precise look at the zoning district and the adjacent uses and states that it
is all single family and open space. Just outside of the PUD, portions of Tanglewood are
Single Family 1 zoning district. Showing a view of the subject site, Mr. Medellin shows
that a gazebo was built and installed by the original owner/developer early in the 2000's
with a dedication ceremony, basically an unveiling of the gazebo for the neighborhood.
That has remained there since. Showing other views of the properties and the surrounding
uses, Mr. Medellin states they are primarily residential or open space and points out that
those are east and west views along Canyon Trails Drive. When the owner met with the
Planning and Development department, and learned of the PUD and the limitations of its
uses, we suggested before moving forward that she should reach out to the neighborhood
and do a door-to-door survey to really get some insight and opinions from the
neighborhood. When she returned, she stated that she received mixed reviews, some in
favor, some opposed, but no real clear line on if the neighborhood would support her
efforts. We suggested she do a second survey, and we offered to host it or even
participate in it. We couldn't mediate, but we could observe and take notes of the
interactions. Then after some time, due to personal reasons (Ms. Muratha had a baby)
and after two years the applicant came back and wanted to move forward with the petition.
She informed us that nothing had changed in regards to the surveying of the neighbors,
and that it was still mixed reviews. The staff began to weigh what was going to be our
recommendation, and this was not an easy decision. What we use are some of our
previously guiding principles, we try to use equity and fairness as best as we can in the
application of all of our laws, and that's the way they are written. And then the way we try
to make recommendations, whether it be a duplex or a manufactured home, but we want
to give housing options. And that is one reason we gave this recommendation.
The properties are platted right now, This is a unique set of circumstances for these
properties. The layout changed in 2004, however, these properties were platted in 1997
in contradiction to that layout. In contradiction to the Master Plan Layout, and those were
done by the original developer in 1997, so that lends staff to believe that would have been
the developers path moving forward and his intention to build on those parcels. Why else
plat them? This was another thing the staff considered. The second thing is, as a part of
the development, the developer placed deed restrictions on the property. Really, that is a
civil matter unrelated to land use regulations. However, in addition to those deed
restrictions, we do have a very hefty developmental regulations, as you can see in the
current adopted PUD plans for any new single-family home that do include things like
square footage requirements, height requirements and so forth. Leading to a standard of
a product that would be built. So, there are protections for products that would be built. In
our estimation, it would be at least a $400,000 home that would be built. Now, that is just
our opinion, and we are not in the building business, but there are protections today that
will set those requirements of what can be built, and we are not asking to change those.
All we are asking is to allow for those three lots to be changed from open space to new
residential homes. As part of the requirement, we do send out notices. This is a little
different from your typical conditional use permit, because we are changing the whole
district. It's not just a lot or two lots, it's the whole planned unit development that we are
changing. So, we had to notify everyone within the planned unit development, and 200
feet around that. So, 188 notices were sent out, and of that we received, actually received
one just now just before the presentation. So as of now, we have 26 opposed, six in favor
and four undecided responses. State law requires that once we hit a threshold of 20% or
either lots, or land within the area being changed, or within the area of +200 feet, that a
supermajority approval by the governing bodies is required. Now, that would be City
Council and we are making the recommendation today that it go to City Council. Looking
at some of those considerations, some of the history of the PUD, and some of our planning
philosophies, and the one that weighs on me most is the housing density burdens. Every
month we approve duplexes in Single Family 2 zoning districts in the most dense
neighborhoods. So, Mr. Medellin states he feels it is not the responsibility of those, the
typically disadvantaged communities, to bear the burden of housing densities. He
believes there is an opportunity here to create more housing options now, whether if you
want to live in a duplex apartment or a $400,000 home, that their property owner's
prerogative. Right?You choose where you live.
The staff recommend that we make those changes to the planned unit development, to
change those three properties, 4307,4309, and 4311 Canyon Trails, from open space to
a Single-Family dwelling unit lot. And to increase the number of lots allowed within that
planning and development by those three.
Chairman Cook asks if anyone would like to come up to the podium and speak, and
informs all that there will be a three-minute time limit to present one's case.
Frank Jarrett comes to the podium, and states that his house is right across the street.
He states that he did not respond to the notification letter, but says this is a bad
development. He notes that there is a steep hill on a very sharp shallow lot, with narrow
building boundaries. He objects to the proposed changes and says there are better places
to build. He feels that whoever buys those lots to build will have a difficult time maintaining
the hill due to land sliding. He says it has nothing to do with his sense of privacy or having
people in the neighborhood.
Commissioner Doug McCulloch asks, if the hill wasn't there would you still object? Mr.
Jarrett says that conceptually, in terms for housing, he has no problem. But the problem
is those plat lines do not do justice to the terrain. That is an old gully. I think the hill is a
bad place to build, basically.
Dan Gagne steps up to the podium to speak. He states that he lives down the street and
across the road from the property. He is also adjacent to a major drainage easement
there. He is opposed to changing the designation of the open area/park to residential.
Adding these residential properties in Canyon Trails, as Fabian said, they will be$400,000
homes. It does not add to affordable housing in Wichita Falls. That's not what we are
looking for. The Canyon Trails PUD is unique in that it combines urban living with wild
scape. It's the only place like that in all of Wichita Falls. All the homeowners in the
development, whether they know it or not, have paid some premium to have a hundred
and some acres developed out of a 300-acre development. Leaving all that, Rhone
Construction left a lot on the table. He could have popped homes in on top of each other
and made a whole lot more money. Over the years there's been a lot of changes, as they
mentioned, and you have talked about it already. But one thing remained consistent, that
we preserve open space or wild scape. That's important. Dave Rhone built the gazebo in
around 2002. Mr. Gagne stated he doesn't have notes on it or pictures, but he was at the
picnic that he threw, the BBQ that dedicated that area to the homeowners. Why did he do
that? Because, as Frank mentioned, the lots are unbuildable. He platted them out, or his
architect platted them out, and then they found out that building there was not going to be
a good idea. So, unfortunately Rhone Construction declared bankruptcy after Dave
Rhone passed away, and the lots were seized by the city. They were sold through public
auction and people bought them. Mr. Gagne looked at them, and thought of buying some,
but didn't because it didn't make logical sense to him for his finances and for location. But
other investors bought them, seeing the same thing he did, that these were nonresidential.
They were to be kept open space. The designations were there and they were in the
descriptions. One thing he didn't realize was when Mr. Gagne moved in, was how poor
the drainage is in Canyon Trails. They built the drainage for the one hundred and some
houses that were planned there. Just barely, that area drains by a 48-inch culvert. Beside
my house is a four foot by five-foot square culvert that passes under Canyon Trails Road,
that thing fills to the brim. (Alarm sounds that his time is up)
Chairman Cook says that Mr. Gagne can give a closing statement. Mr. Gagne continues
that the 20-foot square cross section is full. It gets down to the four-foot diameter, 12 '/
half square foot cross section, and it backs up all the way into our yard and our neighbor's
yard. That's how much water is coming through this development. He feels that approving
this amendment makes it a dangerous precedent, and say there are other people that
bought some of those lots that want to develop as well. So. how do you tell this developer,
yes, and the next person that comes down the road, no? How do you tell classic builders
that purchased the leftover of the development from Dave Rhone Construction that you
had room for 117 houses in here, but we just gave three of them away to this guy, and we
gave one to that guy...and we, you know, that sort of stuff? So, if we are going to maintain
the 117 homes in the planned urban development, we need to do that starting now. So,
I'm asking you to please stick to the development, the master plan, with all its changes.
Do not allow our open areas to be taken away, because once that open area, the parks,
the wildlife is gone, it will never come back.
Mr. Bob Hamblin approaches the podium to speak, and states that he lives directly across
from the gazebo. Also, he lives next to a drainage ditch, that is concrete and 48 inches
long. It's a good ditch, although it is not big enough. He has lived there for 15 years, and
the water that comes down is red, most of it comes from the bluff across the street behind
those lots at the far end. You have the corner lots, the middle lot and the other lot, and
most of the dirt comes off that lot right next to the third one. It's eroded quite a lot. There's
a sidewalk that runs in front of that, four inches below the red dirt, that's how much dirt
has come off of that thing over the years, and it's coming down through that culvert and
stacks up as soon as it runs out of concrete at the property line, out into the flood lake and
creates a dam. Mosquitos, in the 15 years he has lived there it was only cleaned out once
about four years ago. Mr. Hamblin used to be a builder, and the plats in here, the previous
builder built on the desirable lots. The three lots, he feels as a previous builder, that those
lots are not desirable for putting up a spec house and looking for someone to build it. If
he were building that on there, he would try to put the cheapest house he could on it. Even
if you build a square house on there, you might have 18 feet in the back of the house
before you are up against the bluff, for a backyard. If you build a rectangle house in there,
you might get up to 24 feet for a backyard. He says, so you can see why it would be
undesirable for most people with children or whatever. He is also concerned that they
would not want to build a house that would be comparable in amenities because of the
cost of building it. At the cost of $125 a square foot, which would be cheap in today's
market, those houses would cost about $320,000 to build, and then you would have to
make a profit on top of that. "My house across the street, I could probably sell that thing
for maybe$350,000. But the insurance company that insures it insists they insured the full
replacement value,which is$400,000. So, you can see my concern what they might have
to build across the street from me. Thank you"
Commissioner McCulloch asks Mr. Hamblin what size house does he own, and Mr.
Hamblin states his house is 2170 square feet.
Mrs. Judy Wade steps to the podium and says she lives in the house on the very corner
at the juncture of Canyon Trails and the big hill for 14 years. She says she has watched
cars speed down the hill, with that turn, and then speed down Canyon Trails. She stated
there are children in the neighborhood, and it's a pretty safe neighborhood, but the traffic
is unreliably fast at times. The kids need to be on their bikes, they need to be walking.
She said they have adult runners, bikers using the aerobic opportunity of the hill. A
neighbor or hers was rear ended as he pulled out of his driveway from someone coming
down the hill too fast. She continued, if the gazebo is torn down and they put a large
$400,000 brick and mortar home, that the view will then be almost totally obstructed of the
traffic coming down the hill. She said the kids will no longer be safe. Pulling out of our
driveways will not be safe, because the traffic coming down the hill won't see them, and
vice versa. She continues, if you allow a home to be built on the corner, you have to
assume they are going to want a privacy fence, up the hill so the traffic won't look into their
backyards. That's going to obstruct the view even more, and maybe even cut off a little
bit of the sound of the cars coming down, so walkers and bikers won't even know anyone
is coming down. And, in the winter, it gets icy. Now, she says, if you build a home, you
have to assume they will park their cars in front of their home, or their visitors will be there.
Now, besides just the brick-and-mortar home obstructing the corner view, now you've got
cars possibly on both sides. You add that to people racing down the hill, and that creates
a very dangerous situation. She strongly opposes the approval of changing the lots to
residential. She asks to please keep it for their wildlife. They do see deer and bobcats
crossing that area in front of the gazebo and no one objects to that.
Chairman Cook asks if anyone else would like to speak, and no one responds. Then he
asks if the applicant, Esther Muratha, would like to make a presentation. Ms. Muratha
and her husband step to the podium. She states that her husband and her are the owners
of those three lots, and they bought them from the Texas Community Group and that they
were not told that the land was open space. Since they purchased the lots, they have
maintained the properties including taxes and mowing. She stated that she understands
that the worry is based on the terrain of the land, and feels that an architect could help
with the concern of the water coming up the hill. She also says they intend to build houses
that will match the value of the neighborhood, trying to brin less affordable houses. And
she understands that while a $500 home may not be affordable for someone else, it is
affordable to some. She said, "so just because the value of a home is high that it doesn't
add to any value. She says she would appreciate the vote of the commission."
Her husband stated his appreciation as well.
Commissioner Wood asked when they were looking at the lots, did they do any research
to determine how large of a footprint that they could potentially put on each of the lots?
And asked if they looked at what kind of retaining wall, or what kind of method they might
use to try to expand that or increase the usable footage of each of the lots? Ms. Muratha
says that the restrictions for the city is about 2000 square feet for a single family. And
stated that during the initial meeting with the city it was acknowledged that there would be
a little bit of a challenge with the drainage, but they said it was doable. Her husband added
that it would be done with an architect's expertise and they will definitely heed their word
and do what they say is best.
Chairman Cook asked if there is any additional discussion from the audience, and there
is none. Chairman Cook then closes the public hearing at 2:37pm.
Chairman Cook asked if there is a motion to approve the case, stating that this is just
approving the case for the discussion here. That they are not voting on the actual change
yet. Commissioner Michael Grassi made the motion and Commissioner Wayne Pharries
seconded the motion. Chairman Cook states that the case is now closed for public
discussion and will now start discussions by the Commission.
Mr. Wood asked Mr. Medellin to give more information about the plat from 1997, when Mr.
Rhone had those lots platted, and wanted to know as they were researching if there was
any discussion about those lots being set aside as open space? He asks, "was that
changed?Was there any discussion there that, you know that planning process that would
basically change the designation from open space to residential lots?"Mr. Medellin replies,
"So, looking through our records,that's 25 plus years ago, not a whole lot of documentation
from any kind of meetings that were held during this planning portion, because, as part of
our PUD processes, the plan has kind of functioned more of the master plan. So now the
plans were submitted, but particularly never proven and that meant, your infrastructure,
your water, your roads or streets. But in those planning kind of discussions, when that plat
came through with those new lot lines, we didn't have any kind of record of where they
came from. It was turned in by a surveyor on behalf of the via developer."
Mr. Grassi asks how long has it been declared open space, and Mr. Medellin said since
1992.
Mr. McCulloch wants to clarify, that they were open space in 1992, then in 1997 the lots
were given separate platting?Mr. Medellin stated they were given lot lines that divided the
open space. Mr. McCulloch asks if there is any idea why someone would put separate lot
lines in an open space? Mr. Medellin says, in his profession, if someone is adding lot lines
they are looking to buy and build. Mr. Grassi asked, but they never changed the
designation? Mr. Medellin said,"they never did."
Mr. Pharries stated, looking at the pictures and the drawings of the development, it looks
like the original stuff that was included with the packet, in the appendix, all show that it is
lots and not open space. On pages 110, 111 and 108 they all show those as houses. He
speaks about one of the prior residents that spoke about when the gazebo was dedicated.
It was dedicated in 2002, and the lot lines were added in 1997. Mr. Medellin says that the
other limitation of those open spaces is only to be used for passive recreation. So, trails,
sidewalks and the gazebo. That's the only use in the open space. Mr. Pharries stated
that Mr. Gannon made a comment that designating these three lots as buildable might
have some effect on other developers who have property. Mr. Medellin says that is correct,
and adds that between the changes in layout from 1992-2004, there was whole other cul-
de-sac added, but the total number of homes allowed within that residential planning
development was never increased by that number of homes by the cul-de-sac. So, they
amended the layout and showed more homes than what the development regulations
allow. He added, that there is going to be a day that the 110 limit is going to be reached
and these other homes in this layout will be denied. Mr. Medellin stated he didn't include
that, because he didn't want that to be seen as the applicant making that position. But Mr.
Medellin says he is in favor of making that change so that the total number of homes
shown in the last layout, in the 2016 layout, be amended to include that last cul-de-sac.
Adding, that it is the prerogative of the Commission, but Mr. Medellin wants to try to keep
her petition and prior developmental regulations separate. Mr. Pharries says he feels they
are setting a precedent here, and that it makes sense in a lot of ways to allow this. But
asked, "at the same time, is that going to cause us a problem when someone comes back
and wants to take some of the other that has never been designated as lots, and turn that
into lots?" Mr. Medellin said that problem exists today.
Mr. Pharries said that he noticed in the request that is being made, is for the approval to
change these from open space to residential lots, but it also says "and increase the
maximum number of single family lots permitted in the master plan by a proposed three
lots." He asks, "so that is part of what we would be presenting and recommending to
Council, could be both, so in sense they'd still be in the same boat tomorrow... whenever...
that they are today. So, I think here we have a chance to approve this and not affect future
development, any more or less, than what's already in place, correct?" Commissioner
McCulloch asks Mr. Medellin, "if we don't approve this, what happens?" Mr. Medellin
states that the property owner gets to maintain an open space/property. Mr. McCulloch
then states that the owner will get to maintain the open space until they stop maintaining
the open space, and then they stop paying taxes, and it starts all over again. Mr. Medellin
answered, yes. Mr. McCulloch then asked, there is no active homeowner association, is
that correct? Mr. Medellin states that is correct.
Mr. Norris asks on open property such as this, are there any property taxes assessed on
these open, and who pays those? Mr. Medellin says that land has a value, and yes there
are taxes, and states that the applicant is paying those taxes for that land and that gazebo.
Mr. Norris says as he understands, Mr. Rhone owned these properties at one time, and
he declared bankruptcy and did not pay the property tax. He asked, who pays the back
taxes and interest? Mr. Medellin replies that the applicant paid them when she purchased
the properties.
Even though the public hearing part of this meeting has been closed, Mr. Hamblin would
like to add something, and the Commission chooses to allow him to speak. He speaks
about the stability of the hill, and that a contractor had come out and poured concrete
down behind the house to keep it from falling down. That was about three to four years
ago he states. Mr. Pharries asks Mr. Hamblin if at the time the lots were listed for sale, did
the homeowners talk to each other about purchasing the properties so they could control
it? Mr. Hamblin says no. Mr. Pharries suggested that they could do that now and it would
make everyone happy, trying to come up with a solution that would be in everyone's favor,
Mr. Hamblin responded that those are not desirable lots.
Mr. Grassi asked City Attorney James McKechnie a question about the HOA that deed
restrictions that are listed in the packet, and asks if the deed restrictions can be viable
since the HOA was never set up? Atty. McKechnie stated deed restrictions in the master
plan are a little bit different than the deed restrictions actually on file. They can be viable
again, but that would have to be a private lawsuit against neighbor-to-neighbor type of
thing. How that would play out would be difficult especially since there is not an HOA. Not
saying the deed restrictions aren't enforceable, and that's why he thinks some of the deed
restrictions are reflected in the PUD ordinance itself...minimum size, house size and
different layout designs, because those are more enforceable than private on private deed
restrictions. Mr. Grassi asks if what they are voting on today would put a restriction that
would require a 2000 square foot living area home. Atty. McKechnie said that is correct.
Chairman Cook clarified that what the Commission will be voting on is not should they
build or should they not build. It's adopting the language presented by staff in order to
meet city ordinances, planning and developing strategies and to allow this to potentially to
go to City Council for final approval. The Commission's vote does not dictate yes or no,
that's being built. It's just giving them the opportunity, if they so choose, to build based
upon city ordinances dictating how a structure is supposed to be built on those lots. The
Commission's responsibility is to interpret what city ordinances allow and doesn't allow.
Mr. Grassi asks Mr. Medellin about traffic concerns that the residents brought up, and how
does the potential connection of Canyon Trail to Turtle Creek for a thoroughfare plan, how
does that all play into this? Mr. Medellin responds that it only adds connectivity. That
adds another means for vehicles to leave Canyon Trails. As part of our subdivision
regulations, it's a requirement, once you get 85 lots in the subdivision, you're required to
have connections to major thoroughfares. So, that way emergency services, evacuations
and just preparedness, will be able to get in and out of the neighborhood efficiently. By
adding that in, it's only going to increase mobility. Mr. Grassi asks if it is the intent of staff
to enforce connectivity? Mr. Medellin responds, that yes, whenever that portion is
developed,that is a part of our thoroughfare plan,that is a requirement of that thoroughfare
plan that that be included in that subdivision. Mr. Medellin also states there are three
regulating authorities; one regulates subdivision, one regulates thoroughfare and one
regulates land use, and they all work in conjunction together. As a part of the subdivision
regs, laying out the lots, the subdivision dictated that it needs that second connection. As
a part of our recommendation, when we said yes, we recommend this, we said it needs
another connection. Mr. Grassi noted that if homes are built or added that it will take away
from the 85-lot requirement and could potentially have a negative impact on a future
development.
Mr. Wood asked, so our recommendation is to convert this from open space to residential
lots and to increase the maximum number of lots by three. That this is a recommendation
from this Commission to Council, that all we are doing is a recommendation to Council?
Mr. Medellin says that is correct.
Mr. Pharries asked if there are any additional three lots available for purchase, that are not
currently designated as open space? Mr. Medellin stated, to his knowledge that all
available lots have been developed. They have been platted and are available to be
developed. Any other lots would have to go through the platting process to develop. Tract
B has 7 lots there available.
Chairman Cook asks if there has been any discussion to form an HOA? Someone in the
audience says it was once discussed but nothing done on it.And has not been brought up
again since 1992.
Mr. Norris Martin calls for a vote. Chairman Cook took the motion to vote.
Votes to oppose: Chairman Cook
Mr. Norris Martin
Mr. Michael Grassi
Mr. Blake Haney
Votes for: Mr. Steve Wood
Mr. Doug McCulloch
Mr. Wayne Pharries
Mr. Jeremy Wood
Chairman Cook states: The case was not approved by Planning and Zoning.
Mr. Medellin says this will be presented to City Council on Aug 20tn
3. Case TA 24-01 —Subdivision and Development Regulations Amendment
Consider taking action regarding a recommendation to City Council for proposed
amendments to Appendix A — Subdivision Ordinance; Stormwater Design Manual;
Pavement Design Manual and additional text amendments
Chairman Cook opens public hearing at 2:59pm.
Mr. Russell Schreiber presented the case. He discussed revisions to the subdivision
ordinances, from previous recommendations.
There was a motion to amend Section 3.6C to include the same language as in Section
3.5C. Mr. McCulloch made the motion and Mr. Grassi seconded it. It passed unanimously
8-0.
After Mr. Schreiber presented the case, he stated that staff recommends for the
Commission to approve that these items be moved to the City Council for ultimate approval,
so these changes can all be put into effect.
Chairman Cook asked if anyone would like to speak. No one comes to the podium.
Chairman Cook closes the public hearing at 3:17pm.
Chairman Cook asked if there is a motion to approve the case. Commissioner Steve Wood
makes the motion to approve the case, Commissioner Jeremy Woodward seconded the
motion.
Mr. McCulloch refers to Section 3.1 regarding parks, and that the city can identify, reserve
and have an option to obtain future land for parks, and spoke about his concern of the 50%
homes completed threshold, and thinks it is unacceptable. He suggested instead of the
50%threshold, that it be changed to 10%. If a developer gets 10% completed, the City will
have to decide if they will buy it or not to put a park on the land. If a park isn't put on the
land in three years, then the developer has the option to buy it back at the same price the
City Paid for it. Atty. McKechnie explains that there is a state law protection that once a
property is taken for a park it is essentially a park forever. Mr. McCulloch is frustrated that
the City doesn't have more parks and more for the youths to do in our area that the City
owns. Director Terry Floyd stated that the Ordinance for the Park passed in 2003, and
stated that any amendments that the Commission would like to make today, we can make
the recommendation, and carry this part of the recommendation to Council. Mr. Medellin
suggested that since the master plan is being developed now, why not have the Planning
and Zoning Commission Board partner with the Parks Board in the development of the
Master Plan as well as the subdivision ordinance amendment.
Chairman Cook recognized the motion on the floor from Mr. McCulloch and Mr. Grassi
seconded it. The motion passed 8-0.
The Commission begins discussion about the cement depth and rebar changes that were
made in early 2024. Mr, Schreiber stated that the change of the concrete depth from 5in
to 6 inches is to increase the longevity of our overall concrete pavement. He noted failures
throughout the city, and noted that local engineers suggest that 6in streets should be the
minimum. Concrete streets last based on the subgrade that is under them, the rebar that
is placed in them (correctly placed as designed), and the thickness of the concrete in them.
A six-inch street will last between 25-30 years. Different factors were discussed, including
the PSI for the concrete, and it was stated that the concrete becomes more brittle and the
engineers don't believe you gain much more longevity by increasing the cement content in
the concrete. Mr. Grassi questioned if there isn't any benefit provided in increasing the
PSI, then why did the city go from 3000 to 3600 PSI during the four-year time frame that
was referenced.
Mr. Grassi makes a motion to change the residential street level to five-inch thickness, and
to allow for #4 bars on 24-inch centers, for #3 bars on 18-inch centers. Mr. Pharries
seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-1
In favor votes: Doug McCulloch
Blake Haney
Wayne Pharries
Norros Martin
Jeremy Woodward
Michael Grassi
David Cook
Opposed votes: Steven Wood
Mr. Kerry Maroney, a local engineer and consultant spoke about the benefits to longevity
with a 6 in depth of concrete for the construction of streets. He is opposed to non-
professional engineers making decisions that should be left in the hands of the consultants
and/or professional engineers.
RJ Walksman states that he disagrees with Mr. Maroney, and cites areas that he had
personally worked on.
Devin Smith from CPB stated that he agrees with Mr. Maroney, stating with his experience
he sees a benefit to the 6-inch depth of streets for longevity.
Chairman Cook called for a motion. Mr. Steve Wood made the motion to have the
Commission make a recommendation to, and approve to go before the City Council. Mr.
Jeremy Woodward seconded the motion. Before the motion could be called for a vote
further suggested amendments were discussed. Mr. Michael Grassi made a motion to
approve the Appendix A— Subdivision Ordinance; Stormwater Design Manual; Pavement
Design Manual with the following; 1) Amend Section 3.6C to reflect the same language in
section 3.5C about sewer and water size; 2) Amend Section 3.15 Parks—To reduce it from
a 50%threshold to a 10%threshold; and 3)Amend Section 3.16 The design on residential
streets, down to 5 inches of concrete with #3 rebar on 18 in, or#4 on 24 inch. along with
additional text amendments. Mr. Wayne Pharries seconded the motion. The vote was
unanimous 8-0 in favor to recommend approval of the amended Subdivision Ordinance;
Stormwater Design Manual; Pavement Design Manual.
The motion was clarified by Atty. James McKechnie as:
Part of those are three amendments:
*µme.
1) 3.6C to reflect the same language in 3.5C about sewer and water size.
2) 3.15 Parks—To reduce it from a 50% threshold to a 10% threshold.
3) 3.16 The design on residential streets down to 5 inches of concrete with #3 rebar on
18 in, or#4 on 24 inch.
Along with the final three documents as amended.
V. ADJOURN
Chairman Cook adjourned the meeting at 4:09pm.
OAL
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David Cook, Chairman Date
T o ry y d, Director of Date