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Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - 05/14/2025MINUTES PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION May 14, 2025 PRESENT: Jeremy Woodward *Chairman Blake Haney *Vice -Chair Steven Wood *Member Noros Martin *Member Michael Grassi *Member Matt Marrs *Member Brady Enlow *Member Doug McCulloch ♦ Member Jack Browne *Alternate No.1 Richard Milhollon ♦ SAFB Liaison Terry Floyd, Development Services Director ♦ City Staff Fabian Medellin, Planning Manager ♦ City Staff Christal Cates, Planner II ♦ City Staff Kinley Hegglund, City Attorney ♦ City Staff Cedric Hu, Planner I ♦ City Staff Robin Marshall, Admin Assistant ♦ City Staff ABSENT: Alan Sizemore *Member Aston Pecor *Alternate No.2 GUESTS: Paul and Donna Sunderman *Applicants NCTC Healthcare Center Representatives *Applicants I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jeremy Woodward at 2:00 pm. II. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Woodward asked if there were any comments from the public for any items not on the agenda. No one from the public had any comments. III. ADOPTi 0iJ OF MINUTES 7 Chairman Woodward asked if any of the members of the Commission have a motion to approve the April 9, 2025 meeting minutes. Commissioner Noros Martin made the motion, and Commissioner Jack Browne seconded the motion. Chairman Woodward asked if anyone from the public would like to make a comment. No one came forward with any comments. TAW minutes to a vote. FVTOPTOT14�1 I �M 11 Chairman Woodward then asked if there were any items that were to be moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda, Mr. Fabian Medellin stated that there were none Chairman Woodward asked if there was a motion to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Matt Marr's made the motion to approve, and Commissioner Steve Wood seconded the motion, Chairman Woodward asked if anyone from the public would like to speak abo the consent agenda, and no one made any comments. I Chairman Woodward took the motion to approve the consent agenda to vote, and it passed with a vote of 9-0. EE= 1) Case C25-09 - 2300 Tinker Trail Request to allow for a carport in the required front setback in the Single Fami zoning district. I M Chairman Woodward asked if there was a motion. Commissioner Michael Grassi made a motion to approve, and Commissioner Matt Marrs seconded the motion. Mr. Cedric Hu presented the case and showed a location map and aerial views of the property and surrounding area. The Commissioners were shown the site plan for the 24' by 24' proposed carport, which will be built two feet from the front property line, and will be supported by four posts that will be each be eight feet tall. Mr. Hu showed multiple slides that gave views of the property from various directions to see where exactly the carport would be placed. The Commission was then informed that staff had notified all properties within a 200-foot radius, which was a total of sixteen properties for this case, and had no responses. Staff does recommend approval of this carport request, subject to a site plan review by Planning and Building Inspections at time of permitting to verify conformance with Section 4220, and that all other codes and ordinances are in compliance. Chairman Woodward asked if the applicant would like to make a statement, and no statement was made. Chairman Woodward opened up comments to the public, and with no comments from the public he opened up comments to the Commission. Commissioner Jack Browne spoke up to clarify that there are three carports already in the area of the subject property. Chairman Woodward took the motion to vote, and the motion was approved with a vote of 9-0. 2) Case C25-10 - 300 Lee Street Request to allow for the reduction of 25' to the side interior setback in the Light Industrial (LI) zoning district. Applicant - North Central Texas Community Healthcare Center Commissioner Steven Wood recused himself from this case, and discussion, due to a conflict of interest. s Chairman Woodward asked for a motion, and Mr. Marrs made the motion M, approve the request following with Commissioner Noros Martin seconding t motiorr, I Mr. Hu presented the case, and explained to the Commission that the applicant is asking for a reduction of 25 feet to the side setback of the south end of their property. He informed the panel that the proposed warehouse on this parcel is next to a residential property, and normally such a structure would be required from the L�Pme-enkw-i-�t", ixi!-�,' Street property is in a light industrial zoning district, and the residential property next door is in a general commercial district, the subject site property is eligible acquiring a conditional use permit. Mr. Hu then presented slides showing various anales and views of the owner's property, and the surrounding properties, pointing out exactly where the subject site is located. He pointed out that this property is right next to offices and other residential uses, from north to south in this area, and added that the General Commercial district runs along MLK in that area with light industrial zoning by the railroad tracks to the west. Staff contacted landowners within a 200-foot radius of the applicant's property, and fourteen property owners were sent a notification letter., Mr. Hu stated that staff had not received any responses for this case. It was noted that staff recommends the approval of this conditional use permit conditions that: A) There will be screening for the use of a privacy fence (wood or mason of six feet) provided on the interior side south property line next to th residence. B) The maximum height of the structure will not exceed one story. C) A Site Plan Review by Planning and Building Inspections at the time permitting for construction, in order to verify conformance with all oth applicable codes and ordinances. MeW The applicants were present, but did not wish to make a statement. Chairman Woodward opened up comments to the public, and with n,1 comments from the public he opened up discussion with the Commission. There was no further discussion, in Chairman Woodward took the motion to vote, and the motion was approved with a vote of 8-0. (With Mr. Wood having recused himself.) Mr. Wood rejoined the Commission panel 3) R25-03 - 2707 West Rathgeber Road Annexation Zoning Recommendation Consideration to recommend a zoning designation of Single Family-2 (SF-2) and a Land Use Plan classification of Low Density Residential for a petitioned annexation at 2707 West Rathgeber Road (2.00 Acre Tract Out of a 5.00 Acre Tract in the Green Reynolds Survey, Abstract 251, Wichita County, Texas) Applicant — S&S Investments/Larry Scott Chairman Woodward asked Mr. Fabian Medellin to present the case. Mr. Medellin started by mentioning that with the annexation of new land in the city, there comes all the services that go along with that, zoning being one of them. The default classification for new annexed land is Single Family-1. However, in order to be as efficient as possible, we would like to propose the annexation petition along with your recommendation for a zoning classification of Single Family-2, which is consistent with the surrounding properties. Mr. Medellin stated that staff met with Nash Gann and Kerry Maroney of Bigs & Matthews on behalf of the property owner, Mr. Scott, to discuss the proposal for a new single-family residence out on the two acres there. Slides were presented showing the proposed site and location, pointing out that the site is currently undeveloped, and the area around the property is primarily undeveloped all around it to the north (which is in within the city limits). There were some residential uses just to the south-east that were pointed out to the Commission as well. The owner, Mr. Scott, prepared the petition and it was submitted for annexation on his behalf, and exhibits, as part of the petition annexation request were shown. Mr. Medellin reiterated that we're doing this for the sake of efficiency and continuity, and trying to streamline the process, because the petition is proposed to go to City Council the first meeting in June. Using those exhibits and slides, he pointed out surrounding properties to the north and west are currently classified as Single Family-2, and those to the south and east are out m of city limits, 'Therefore, that area has no classification Staff is wanting to ntinue the 9_ftle_Fwf�' y-2 .11, n, since . u-z-e-r,�_ the classification around him and the surrounding uses. Also, with that zoning classification, is the designation of the land use plan classification, which we are also proposing to mirror what's surrounding that site (which wouid be low density residential). In addition to the zoning classification, we would like to adopt the newly annexed land with that low density residential land use plan classification. Mr. Medellin concluded by stating that staff does recommend the permanent designation of Single Family-2 (SF2) Zoning District, and the low -density Rathgeber Road Chairman Woodward asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak or this case. Seeing that no one wished to speak, he closed the public hearing on case R25-03 at 2:15. ............ #.W TK;MV TUTXb= 'IFFUM made the motion to approve the case, with Commissioner Doug McCulloch seconding the motion. There was a concern that was brought up by possibility of landlocking the back half of the property. Mr. Medellin stated th, the owner owns the lot directly to the west, and had mentioned (through h point in time and developing an additional residence. Mr. Medellin also clarifie that the entirety of the lot to be annexed will have to be replatted, and the pl, for this parcel will have been submitted for review by the time this case goes i the City Council. Commissioner Steven Wood voiced a concern if 2719 to the west could b sold, and it could become annexed, and create a pocket that is not in the cil limits. Mr. Medellin stated that our planning requirements, and our view, ai limited to "at the time of development.." Since it is still agricultural/undevelope land, we can't trigger any requirements to provide access agreements ( easements until such time. He assured the Commission that we always high recommend (in pre -development meetings) if the owner decides to do anythin with this piece of tract later, that they sell it to one of those adjacent propertie� Then the access wouldn't be an issue at that pointBut if not, then that something to consider. IN With no more comments or questions, Chairman Woodward took the motion to vote, and it passed unanimously 9-0. 4) R25-04 — 5201, 5203, 5205 & 5207 Stone Lake Drive Public Hearing to consider recommending a request to rezone 5201, 5203, 5205 & 5207 Stone Lake Drive (Stone Lake Estates, Lots 33-36, Block 1, Phase 9) from Single Family-2 (SF2) to the General Commercial (GC) zoning district and amend the Land Use Plan from Low Density Residential to Commercial to allow for the construction of an office building. Applicant: Brian Blair Commissioner Steve Wood recused himself from the case. Chairman Woodward opened the public hearing at 2:19. He stated that there will be the Public Hearing, and the Commission will then take action after the closing of the Public Hearing. Mr. Fabian Medellin presented the case and stated that staff met, with Mr. Blair and Mr. Wood to discuss the potential new development of an office building. These four lots were previously subdivided and are currently zoned to allow for residential uses within the Single Family-2 (SF2) zoning district, which was done in 2022. He stated that these parcels are currently undeveloped, and the large tract of land to the east is currently owned by Stone Lake, LLC. Showing an aerial map of the area, Mr. Medellin pointed out some of the uses along Stone Lake Drive stating that some are residential, and going towards Southwest Parkway the uses are commercial, and are some civic in nature. He noted some of the large developments there, being the Bill Bartley YMCA, Christ Academy, and showed on the west side of Stone Lake are some offices, a bank, House of Hope, and pointed out Grace Church directly across from the subject tracts. He also explained to the Commission that Stone Lake is a "major collector" (as classified on our thoroughfare plan), which is intended to move people from their residential streets to higher classification streets — giving them ease of access to the city and throughout. Mr. Medellin stated that there is a difference with Stone Lake Drive, and that most major collectors are not paved as wide as Stone Lake Drive has been paved. The typical collector is paved to 36 feet wide, and Stone Lake is paved to 48 feet wide. He added, that based on the already existing uses there, it looks and feels like a commercial corridor. Mr. Medellin said that on the west 13 side is General Commercial zoning, and south of the YMCA on the east side residential, Staffs proposal is to have the General Commercial district that on the west side to now encornpass the four subject lots. We discussed th layout of the lots with Mr. Blair and Mr. Wood, and how they could meet ot developmental guidelines,. They prepared a concept that meets our guideline! and even took into consideration the neighbors and set the proposed buildin as close to the front setback line, buffered the residential area with parking an landscaping, and will be required to use screening to further separate th residential use from the commercial use. Mr., Medellin reiterated that staff is proposing to rezone the four tracts of Ian from Single Family 2 (SF2) to General Commercial (GC), and change the Ian use classification from low density residential to commercial. Since this was full rezone, staff did send out notices and received four in favor responses an one undecided response. (The undecided response noted that they did n( have any concerns for the proposed development.) Mr. Medellin stated that staff does recommend the rezoning the four propertie (5201, 5203, 5205 & 5207 Stone Lake Drive) from Single Family to Genen Commercial, and amending the Land Use Plan designation to commercial. Chairman Woodward asked if anyone from the public would like to make a cornment. Brian Blair came to the podium and gave some addonal information to w, they are wanting to move their business to this location, and described in mo I detail how they will be using the parcels,, He stated that the business is a 9 1 business with very little foot traffic, as most of their clients meet via zoo i meetings. Chairman Woodward asked if anyone else would like to comment, and the were no additional comments by the public. I Commissioner Matt Marrs made a motion to recommend the case, and Commissioner Blake Haney seconded the motion. Chairman Woodward asked if there was any more discussion with the Commission. Commissioner Jack Browne stated a concern of safety for the lack of s,idewalks there, The panel discussed the dedicated bike lane that is 14 available, and the street having been paved wider than most. Mr. Medellin stated that sidewalks are not put in, until actual development has been started. Chairman Woodward took the motion to vote and it passed 8-0 (Mr. Wood had been recused from the vote). Mr. Wood returned to his position on the Commission. VI. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Medellin briefly discussed the Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, now known as The Heart of the Falls Revitalization Area. He informed the Commission, that they had met with the sub -committee (made up of some of our commissioners) to discuss some zoning amendments, both to the district boundaries and to use classifications. Ms. Christal Cates (our Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator) will be presenting the actual text of the changes to be made. Ms. Cates informed the Commission that staff has been working with the Heart of the Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee since it was formed in May, and have been working on ways with them to revitalize initiatives, to grow the neighborhood, and make it a better place or quality block for the citizens there. Since it was formed, the committee has been meeting about every two weeks to try to get the framework built. This is the first revitalization area that we have in the city, so we are starting from scratch and having to build up. She stated that we have been researching the ways we could create development over there, and how to make redevelopment easier. Looking at zoning: One of the first things we wanted to do is an overlay district. We have noticed that a lot of municipalities are going to overlay zones. It makes it easier to go in and address specific issues that we would have. Ms. Cates showed a slide and pointed out an older area that needs revitalization, with homes 80-100 years old. The use of an overlay will help streamline and stimulate some redevelopment in this area. The overlay will have the same boundaries as the Heart of the Falls. She stated that the sub -committee, made up of Commissioners Steven Wood, Doug McCulloch and Jeremy Woodward, helped develop this plan that Ms. Cates has laid out. She provided the Commission a version of the new plan and zoning changes. One of the first 15 zoning changes is to eliminate the parking requirements for all non-residenti uses in that area. They have a lot of commercial places there, like Mom -an Pop shops, where people can come in and the structure is already there. B ihat area is always lacking parking. A person will go to develop, and we ha parking requirements, we can't always make their proposed project wor 14MM h and while trying to help them we find out that parking is an issue. Ms. Cat said that through their research they found that other cities have gotten rid parking requirements, and she noted that even we don't have any parkin requirements in downtown Wichita Falls. Sometimes it is difficult to find parking space, but we have done well with it. IA She also added that the commission wanted to allow for alternative paving material, like gravel, which would help those in that area with costs. With the lot size, they are wanting to amend the setback requirements to both residential and non-residential uses fitting with the current built environment to allow for the expansion of the available area. We want give the owners the largest building envelope over there for them to be able to use. Some of those lots in that area are very small, and we want to allow them to have as much area as they can to build or to revitalize that area. Referencing the information she gave to the Commissioners for this meetin and pointing out the zoning map, she said that they are going to extend t General Commercial Zoning District that is currently Limited Commercial. Th will be extended down ninth and 10th Street from Polk Street to Ke Boulevard, for commercial uses to be able to use that there. Then, the Limit Commercial will be extended to cover the gaps that are currently zoned Sing Family-2 Residential on the west side of Harrison Street, from Avenue C. Avenue F. She stated those uses are already on both sides, so we just wa to fill those gaps in to make it more continuous there.. Another one would be extend Limited Commercial Zoning to cover the gaps currently zone E Family-2 Residential on both sides of Monroe Street, from Avenue E. to Avenue H. Ms. Cates then spoke about Kemp Boulevard (which is north of 287), and was zoned the Commercial Corridor, which at the time they wanted it to be a nice area so they put restrictions on building materials. The state now says a municipality cannot tell you what building materials you can, and can't, use. Therefore, having it as a Commercial Corridor now has no point. She noted that the only difference between the Commercial Corridor and General Commercial Zoning District is the building materials restrictions. Since the state says we can no longer require that, then it is General Commercial. This will just be a name change; the use will stay pretty much the same. Then, speaking about Kemp Boulevard, she said they want to extend Limited Commercial zoning along the east side of Kemp there, and down eighth Street. To allow uses and make it easier for the residents to have more redevelopment. She said that is all of the changes for zoning that they have planned, but wanted to present it to the Commission to get any concerns or input with any of it. Mr. Terry Floyd informed the Commission that staff is following some Legislative Bills that may, or may not, impact some of these items. One of them being related to the ADU's and the city's ability to put any restrictions on them at all. There may be some very impactful changes across our entire zoning ordinance, depending on what comes about with these bills. Some other items that may be affected are to do with the ETJ and dis-annexation. Commissioner Brady Enlow asked if we know how many cases, or applications, were denied because of parking requirements or weird setback things and ADU's? Ms. Cates said we do not know, because when we meet with clients for pre -development meetings and that is where we tell them the requirements, but we do not keep cases on them. Mr. McCulloch asked to what extent does the overlay address landscaping? Are there any requirements, changes or nuances now? Ms. Cates stated that there haven't been any changes to landscaping. She added that there is a lot of concrete in those areas, and our manager can do a project -by -project basis that he could evaluate and make the decisions on. Mr. Medellin said, with all of the discussion of potential changes and notices/mailers, the state ordinances allowed for this at the last city council meeting. The City Council adopted a resolution specifically to this text amendment that allows us to deviate from the norm with regard to notices and sign postage. This is because of the size and scale of it. With 2,800 properties, 17 even if we reduce the duplicate ownership, that's still 2,100 individual property owners that we have to mail notices out to, multiple times, Just in postage cost and for the sake of always being efficient, we sought an alternative notification process. We will post signs throughout the areas that are changing the will host a public event in the neighborhood to allow for them to provide feedback to us. Mr. Medellin also informed the Commission that a mural will be created at the Bridwell Park, over the new Futsal Court, and we will use that event as an opportunity to gain feedback, not only on the mural but also on the zoning amendments, Ms. Cates answer a question asked, if the other cities that have used overlay used it to achieve their goal for revitalization too? She respond saying some of it was, adding that the other cities will have their own speci issues that may be similar to ours. She said staff has researched other citi that use an overlay, and cited that Fort Worth has a few (over 10 revitalizati areas) and they are doing extremely well. We pulled from their overla elements that we feel would work, or is needed, in our revitalization area. S also informed the Commission that the Heart of the Falls Committee held public meeting, where anyone with a connection to the area was invited to joi and asked questions about it. There was a great turnout and it was ve supportive in nature for the revitalization efforts there. Residents are happy see that the city is actually moving forward with doing something there, and n just talking about Mr. McCulloch asked about a grant for the area that had been discussed. M Cates said it was a grant for twenty million dollars (that she put a lot of wo, I into) that was frozen when the Trump administration came into office. We ha not been able to get any feedback on it, and at this point we know nothing els about it and/or if they will ever go back and fund it again. If they do, o, application is there and ready to go. 11 Mr. Medellin spoke briefly about issues the recent storms have brought u-m specifically damage to cars. Right after the storms, we had an influx temporary repair businesses come into town for the hail damage. 0 ordinances have a very short list of temporary uses. The category of dent repa falls under the umbrella of auto repair services, which is only allowed by rigi in our industrial districts, and conditionally allowed (which is a 1 112,.- 2-mon process) within out general commercial districts. With this last weath outbreak, and potential disaster outbreaks, we realized there is a need for th M influx of new service providers with regard to paintless dent repair. Mr. Medellin then explained the process of how paintless dent repair is performed. That first week we were preparing 6-10 Conditional Use Permit cases, and then management and the Council wanted to look at a better way of handling this. Temporarily, staff stopped enforcement on that particular regulation. If tents are used or if some of them are actually in a lease agreement, then those are still requiring a permit to ensure any life health safety issues are addressed. Mr. Medellin wanted to proposed to the Commission this as an amendment to our temporary use regulations. This would be the sixth item following E, adding a new item that will allow us to permit these uses. Where would allow us to permit them for about six months. Mr. Medellin stated that all of these amendments will be brought to the Commission as a packet, for their viewing and approval. He also stated that there would be a trigger to qualify for one of these businesses to set up, being a declaration of disaster from city or insurance companies. Chairman Woodward asked if there were any other comments or questions, which there were none. VII. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Woodward adjourned the meeting at 3:03pm. err oyd, Director of Development Date Date 19