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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - 09/11/2024 MINUTES PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION September 11, 2024 PRESENT: Jeremy Woodward *Vice-Chair Steve Wood *Member Blake Haney •Member Michael Grassi •Member Noros Martin •Member Doug McCulloch •Member Matt Marrs •Member Wayne Pharries •Member Mark McBurnett •SAFB Liaison Brady Enlow *Alternate No.1 Richard Mithollon •SAFB Liaison James McKechnie, Legal Department •City Staff Terry Floyd, Director of Development Services •City Staff Fabian Medellin, Planning Manager •City Staff Cedric Hu, Planning Technician •City Staff Robin Marshall, Admin Assistant •City Staff ABSENT: David Cook *Chairman Alan Sizemore *Alternate No.2 Councilor Bobby Whiteley *Council Liaison I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Jeremy Woodward, at 2:00. Vice-Chairman Woodward took a few moments to talk about what was decided at the last City Council meeting. He noted that it had been a long process for that decision to be made, and he wanted show his appreciation (and on behalf of all the Commissioners) to thank the staff, the Commission members and the public for all that they did, and the involvement from all that had a part in it. II. PUBLIC COMMENTS Vice-Chairman Woodward asked if there were any comments from the public for any items not on the agenda. With no response, Mr. Woodward closed public comments. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Planning and Zoning 2 September 11, 2024 Commissioner, Noros Martin, made a motion to adopt the August 14th, 2024, minutes. Commissioner. Matt Marrs seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously, 8-0. IV. CONSENT AGENDA Vice-Chairman Woodward asked if there are any items on the consent agenda that should be moved down to the regular agenda. Mr. Fabian Medellin stated that there are not any items that should be moved to the regular agenda. Vice-Chairman Woodward asked if there is a motion to approve the consent agenda. Mr. Martin made the motion to approve the consent agenda, and Commissioner Marrs seconded the motion. The motion passed 8-0. V. Regular Agenda 1. Case C 24-21 507 South Rosewood Avenue Consider taking action on a conditional use to allow for the development of a manufactured home in a Single-Family 2 Residential (SF-2)zoning district Owner: Martia and Chukwudalu Mocha Address: 507 South Rosewood Avenue Vice-Chairman Woodward asked if there was a motion to approve the case. Commissioner Marrs made the motion and Commissioner Wayne Pharries seconded the motion. Mr. Cedric Hu presented the case and stated that the city requires a Conditional Use permit for manufactured homes in any residential district. Mr. Hu presented location maps and pictures of the property showing it is currently a vacant land. The manufactured home specs were presented and shown that the unit is 28 feet by 76 feet, and has combined square footage of 2001 square feet. The model has five bedrooms and three bath rooms. Mr. Hu provided a map based on the site plans and showed that it will meet and exceed all setback requirements, with site setbacks proposed to be at least 10 feet and 20 feet from the interior property lines and 25 feet for their front setback as well. He continued to present various views of the property and homes/ land around this site. Part of the Conditional Use process is to notify all properties within a 200-foot radius of the applicant's property. A total of 16 were notified but the planning department did not receive any responses. With that, Mr. Hu stated, that staff does recommend approval of this Conditional Use for a manufactured home at 507 South Rosewood Avenue with the conditions that the home will meet the requirements of section 5600 for infill manufactured housing of the zoning Planning and Zoning 3 September 11, 7n24 ordinance. And that the proposed home must comply with all codes and ordinances at the time of construction permitting. Vice-Chairman Woodward asked if the applicant would like to make a presentation. There was no response. He then asked if there were any other comments from the public, which there were none. Vice-Chairman Woodward then asked the Commissioners if there was any discussion to be had on the case. Commissioner Pharries stated he feels the Commission should discuss concerns of setting a precedent for out-of-town investors coming in and setting mobile homes up on lots. He stated that mobile homes do not hold the value and he has concerns about that. The applicant, Martia Mocha comes forward to the microphone to state that she and her husband are both from Wichita Falls originally, but had to move away to get good jobs. She stated that most all of their families are still in the area and spoke of their family ties to the city, the schools and Midwestern State University. She explained how they acquired the properties, that her and her husband are really not making anything because of the location of the properties, and the cost to fix a house up on that side of town that they are doing work on. (Cost of living is low there, but cost of work for improvements is high.) They hope to be able to come back to Wichita Falls sometime in the future, but they cannot do that at this time. They are working at improving the neighborhood and renting out their units. Mr. Pharries stated that her presentation changed how he felt about this particular case opposed to just someone from out of town coming in and buying up lots. He is still predisposed against manufactured housing, and part of his motivation is to protect that part of town from someone coming in and putting in junk. Mr. xxx said Ms. Mocha doesn't strike him as someone who is going to do that, and stated he wasn't planning on voting against it, but just wanted a discussion for the panel about whether we want to set a precedent for putting a bunch of manufactured homes in any part of the town. Commissioner Doug McCulloch pointed out on Ms. Mocha's application that it refers to a "mobile home", and asks for clarification between a mobile home and a manufactured home. Mr. Fabian Medellin explains that Ms. Mocha's home is a manufactured home. The main difference is the place of construction. The manufactured home will be constructed at a HUD Licensed facility, stamped with a HUD serial number and inspected during the entire process. Mobile homes were built pre-1974, built in facilities that don't have the same level of standard of construction that we have today. Mr. Pharries commented in reference to out-of-town owners, that people that live here care more about their properties than people that don't, pointing out that he wasn't meaning the Mokah's because they have ties to this town. And he continues that not everyone that's out of town is that way, but the tendency is if Planning and Zoning 4 September 11, 2024 .• someone comes from out of town and buys 16 houses and they have no vested interest in our town. Vice-Chairman Woodward put the motion to vote, and the motion passed 8-0. 2. Case C 24-22 724 Indiana Avenue Consider taking action on a conditional use to allow for an indoor amusement use (escape room) in the Central Business District (CBD). The applicant: Michael Hamman Address: 724 Indiana Avenue Vice-Commissioner Woodward asked if there was a motion to approve the case. Mr. Pharries made the motion and Mr. Marrs seconded the motion. Mr. Fabian Medellin presented the proposed addition that is in the Central Business District, the heart of our town. Staff met with Mr. Hamman in regards to the remodel to the second floor of 724 Indiana. He is proposing an Escape Room, which falls within our ordinance as indoor amusement or entertainment. To those that aren't familiar with what an escape room is, Mr. Medellin explained that the rooms will be themed and the participants hypothetically lock themselves in a room, and in order to escape, the participants need to solve a series of puzzles to find the key in order to get out. Generally, within a certain time limit, an hour or so. Mr. Medellin showed pictures of the location and then described the general layout of the proposed use. Stating that they would be creating five individual themed rooms, as well as bathroom facilities, and an observation area where the attendants or groups could phone in for clues or assistance, or to tell them when their time was up. When Planning looked at the proposal, potential impacts were considered. He stated that traffic foot traffic primarily because our Central Business District doesn't have any parking requirements. It was pointed out that the area is completely surrounded by Central Business zoning district with a range of uses immediately below and around it. He stated that the Planning Department went through the notification process and notified property owners within 200 feet of 724 Indiana, and only four responses were received which were all in favor. The potential impacts are limited because the rooms are secluded, and noise or any other kind of potential impacts to the neighbors would be very small, if any. Mr. Medellin said staff does recommend the approval of the proposed indoor entertainment amusement at 724 Indiana, for the second floor, for the use as an escape room with the following condition. That the development shall comply with Planning and Zoning 5 September 11, 2024 all applicable building health zoning codes and fire codes leading to the issuance of a CO for that use. Vice-Chairman Woodward asked if the applicant was in the audience and would like to make a presentation. The applicant was present, but had no comment. Vice-Chairman Woodward opened it to the entire audience, but no one from the audience wished to make a comment. Mr. McCulloch asked Mr. Medellin why this case was brought to the Commission. Mr. Medellin explained that for the Central Business District, indoor entertainment is conditionally allowed. Indoor entertainment is a broad spectrum, so not all cases of indoor entertainment may be suitable within that business district. So, it is up to the commission to determine the suitability for this particular use for this particular site. Questions to determine are, does that use fit? Will it create harmful impacts to those neighbors? Will it be beneficial to the surrounding areas? He then verified that this is more of a family activity. Mr. Medellin also confirmed that before issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, they will be required to go through plan review to make sure they are in compliance with all codes. Vice-Chairman Woodward took the motion to vote, and it passed 8-0. VI. STAFF UPDATE Mr. Medellin gave an update on a couple of P&Z applications that the Planning Department had received. From earlier this year we received an application for a Conditional Use permit to allow for a hydrogen production plant. We have been notified that the applicant has gone through Sheppard's and the Department of Defense clearing process. They have determined that there is potential impact when it comes to bird strike and bird mitigation, however, through an agreement they feel that they can create enough mitigating designs to eliminate that threat. Once that agreement has been solidified and recorded between Sheppard and the applicant, then we will bring it before the Commission, probably in a month or so. The other update is in regards to the rezone south of Kickapoo Airport. Planning has been in talks with the applicants. One of the applicants has verbally told us they will be withdrawing the Ditto Lane application. We feel with the withdrawal of the Ditto Lane application, that the other two applicants will withdraw as well. But we are still doing some coordination between those three property owners. Commissioner Steve Wood took a moment to speak about some recent P&Z meetings, and some comments that were made at a recent City Council meeting on September 9th. He would like to remind the Commission, that we have the opportunity to speak as members of the P&Z Commission, and we have the opportunity to speak in the public at a public hearing of City Council. But he stated Planning and Zoning 6 September 11, 2024 he wanted to remind everyone, in doing so, that the Commissioners need to speak as an individual member and not on behalf of the Commission. Unless this Commission votes, or agrees to take a stance on something, and then we can stand and speak on it on behalf of the entire group. He stated he believes some of the comments made at the last City Counsel, by members of this commission- even if not intended- communicated the view of the whole Commission. Even if it wasn't the intent, Mr. Wood feels that is how it was how it was received, and how it was printed in our local paper. He continued that he just wanted to say that he does not agree with those remarks being made in the public hearing last week, and would like to share his support of the staff.And to the work that they do weekly and monthly with this group. And know, from this Commissioner, that you are trusted, respected, and we appreciate the dedication and hard work they put into help Wichita Falls be a better community. It is a thankless job, unfortunately, and one in which you cannot make everyone happy. Mr. Wood said he believes staff tries to do their best they can to make our community the best that it can be. VII. ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chairman Woodward adjourns the meeting at 2:29pm. David Cook, Chairman Date 10 [51.2 T r F oyd, Director of Development Date