Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes - 10/12/2016MINUTES
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
October 12, 2016
PRESENT:
Barney Brock
. Members
Jack Browne
♦ Alternate CM2
Jerry Beaver
Krystal James
Daniel Leslie
4
Rodney Martin, Chairperson
Steve Lane
♦ Allemate $1
Cayce Wendebom
Maris McBurnett
, tx officio
James McKechnie, Assist. City Attorney II
. Legal DW.
Karen Gagne, Planning Administrator
. city staff
Christopher Guess, Planner Il
Matt Prouty, Planner 11
Kyle Caskey, Planning Technician
Leslie Dunn, Senior Administrative Clerk
Rick Branum, Engineer
♦ Public Worcs
Pat Hoffman, Property Administrator
ABSENT:
Jeff Browning
Rick Graham
Anthony Inman
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Mr. Rodney Martin, at 2:00 p.m. Chairperson
Martin proceeded to make the following comments:
a. This meeting is being televised live on Channel 11. It will be replayed at 2:00 p.m.
daily including Saturday and Sunday until the next live meeting is aired which will be the second
Wednesday of next month at 2:00 p.m.
b. 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 and voted on accordingly.
P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 2 October 12, 2016
c. 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.
This meeting is being taped and there Is no microphone to record statements made from the
audience.
d. Please silence all cell phone ringers during the meeting. If it is necessary for you to
have a cell phone conversation during the meeting, please use the hallway outside this room,
It. PUBLIC COMMENTS
No one from the audience wished to address the Commission.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Cayce Wendeborn introduced a motion to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2016
meeting. Ms. Krystal James seconded the motion. The minutes were approved with a
unanimous vote.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
Chairperson Martin asked if there was any item that needed to be brought down from the
consent agenda to the regular agenda. Mr. Christopher Guess advised that staff wished to
bring the preliminary plat for Park Place Subdivision, Lots 1A — 13, Block L down to the regular
agenda.
The Plats Committee recommended approval of the following final plats subject to the Standard
Conditions of Approval for preliminary and final plats and any specific conditions listed:
Standard Conditions of Approval for Final Plats
♦ Provide utility and drainage easements as required by utility companies and
Director of Public Works.
♦ Submit water and sewer plans; street; sidewalk; and drainage plans to the
Director of Public Works and water plans to the l=ire Marshall. 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 and provide utility easements as required by the
Director of Traffic & Transportation.
Note: Approval of a plat does not imply approval of development of property In
violation of the Zoning Ordinance.
P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 3 October 12, 2016
FINAL PLATS
1 Final Plat — Stone Lake Estates, Lots 2-B & 2-C, Block 22
a) Lot 2-B is served by public water and sewer. Lot 2-C is served by public water,
however, a sewer extention will be required to serve lot 2-C, (Public Works/ Property
Management/ Building Inspections/ Legal)
b) Plat requires an extension of municipal facilities (Sewer), hence, the plat is a "Final"
plat. Please resubmit as a "Final' plat with the appropriate signature blocks.
(Planning)
c) All access points to state roadways shall be approved by TxDOT. (TxDOT)
d) Provide utility slips. (Planning)
e) Return to Planning Division by Monday October 3rd 12:00 pm for P&Z preparation.
(Planning)
2 Final Plat—Rolling Hills Estates Sec. 7 Lots 14-18, Block 10; Lots 5-7, Block 11;
Lots 2-5, Block 12; Lots 1-6 & 13-14, Block 14; Lots 18-24, Block 15
a) The property is served by public water and sewer. (Public Works)
b) Please resubmit your plat with the 4 lots, and portions of Lantana Dr. and Blackstone
Dr. removed. (Public Works/ Planning)
c) Remove portion of temporary turnaround easement from over existing drainage
ROW. (Public works)
d) Add basis of bearing. (Public Works)
e) Please utilise a separate instrument to dedicate and vacate temporary
turnaround. (Public Works/Property Management)
f) Please add Stormwater Compliance note. (Public Works)
g) No park or open space in this subdivision. (Parks)
h) Additional easements may be required. (Oncor)
1) All access points to state roadways shall be approved by TxDOT. (TxDOT)
j) Provide utility slips. (Planning)
k) Return to Planning Division by Monday October 3rd 12:00 pm for P&Z
preparation. (Planning)
3 Final Plat — French Country Meadow Lot 1, Block 1
a) The property is not served by public water and sewer, an on-site sewage system will
be required. (Public Works)
b) Please submit black line copies (Location Map) of the plat. (Planning)
c) FM Highway 367 should be a fully dedicated 70 foot ROW, please confirm with
TxDOT that the proposed ROW dedication of the triangle portion is not already
dedicated. (Public Works/ Planning)
d) Please resubmit legible 8.5 x 11 PDFs. (Planning)
e) All access points to state roadways shall be approved by TxDOT. (TxDOT)
Q Provide utility slips. (Planning)
g) Return to Planning Division by Monday October 3rd 12:00 pm for P&Z
preparation. (Planning)
Mr. Jack Browne introduced a motion to approve the consent agenda of the October 12,
2016 meeting. Mr. Barney Brock seconded the motion. The consent agenda was
P & 2 COMMISSION PAGE 4 October 12, 2016
approved with a unanimous vote with the exception of the Park Place Subdivision
Preliminary Plat.
V. REGULAR AGENDA
1. Preliminary Plat— Moved down from Consent Agenda
Park Place Subdivision, Lots 1A-13, Block L
Mr. Barney Brock made a motion to approve. Ms. Krystal James seconded.
Mr. Christopher Guess presented the application to replat Lots 1A-13, Block L, Park
Place Subdivision, more familiarly known as the Wilson House. He stated the property
was located at 4015 Lake Park Drive and was zoned Single -Family 2 Residential (SF -2).
The proposed preliminary plat would subdivide the property into thirteen lots, twelve
would be single family detached lots, and one would be the lot containing the existing
structure known as the Wilson House as well as the features and structures associated
with it.
Mr. Guess stated Mrs. Cayce Wendeborn had brought up some concerns related to
flooding in the area. He pointed out that the plat did not trigger a notification because it
is still in the preliminary stage. He stated notifications would be required when the plat
reached the final platting phase of the process. Mr. Guess stated staff had reviewed the
plat and found it in compliance with the subdivision and development regulations. He
stated staff recommended approval of the preliminary plat as submitted.
Chairperson Martin asked if the applicant was in attendance and wished to speak, and
there was no one present to represent the case. Chairperson Martin opened the motion
to discussion among the commission. Mrs. Cayce Wendebom suggested bringing the
plat down for discussion because the streets adjacent to the area being platted had a
tendency to flood whenever it rained for any prolonged period of time. She stated her
concern was that the over development of the parcel being platted could add to the
drainage issues in the area.
Mr. Rick Branum, Civil Engineer in the Public Works Depatment, stated the
development being proposed would not solve the drainage issues being experienced on
Lake Park Drive and Brenda Hursh Drive, but it would not exacerbate the problem. He
stated a new drainage ordinance passed in 2011 required each new development to
provide detention for run-off water. This particular project had a large detention basin in
the north-east comer of the property that would handle drainage for the development.
Mr. Branum stated the improvements being made would provide some relief to the
drainage onto Lake Park Drive, but it would not solve all of the drainage issues In the
area. He also noted the area being discussed had been identified by Public Works for
future projects targeted at drainage.
Mr. Dan Leslie stated he was concerned with the potential increase in traffic In the area.
He asked If there was going to be rear alley access, or if the new homes would all have
parking that fronted Lake Park Drive. Mr. Branum stated that he believed the homes
would all front Lake Park Drive, and there would not be a back alley. Chairperson
Martin pointed out that all of these issues would be addressed when the plat went
P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 5 October 12, 2016
through the process as a final plat and that the specifics of the layout were not known at
this point in the process.
Mrs. Wendebom asked if there was any way for the City to make a recommendation
that an alley be included as part of the development plans. Mr. James McKechnie
stated that if it was included in the subdivision and platting ordinance, staff could make a
recommendation. If it was not included in the ordinance, they could not. He explained
that plats are hyper -technical in nature and if staff recommended approval of a plat, it
has met all of the subdivision regulations and should be approved.
Mr. Guess stated the current stage of the platting process was to prepare the land for
development and staff did not yet have the design for the built environment. He stated
he could make an educated assumption based on the information currently available
that access would be received from the frontage. He pointed out that there would be a
notification required during the final platting process and any overarching concerns
could be addressed at that phase in the process.
Mrs. Wendebom stated she was aware that the properties are already being marketed
by the developers, and was concerned about the issues of flooding and traffic being
addressed before the development moved forward.
The motion was taken to a vote and passed by a vote of 6 to 2.
2. Case P 16-08
Request to replat (3602 & 3604 Glenwood Avenue) tots 10-A & 11-A, Block 2,
Willow Brook Estates, Section 4
Mrs. Cayce Wendeborn made a motion to approve. Mr. Barney Brock seconded.
Mr. Guess presented the case to replat two lots at 3602 & 3604 Glenwood Avenue. He
stated the plat had been presented at the September 14"' meeting of the Planning and
Zoning Commission and staff had recommended denial based on non -adherence to
subdivision and development regulations. Mr. Guess stated the plat had since been
brought into adherence. Staff notified 24 properties; 6 responded in favor, 0 in
opposition, and 0 with no opinion/undecided.
Mr. Guess stated staff recommended approval of the plat for Lots 10-A & 11-A, Block 2,
Willow Brook Estates, Section 4
Chairperson Martin asked if the applicant was in attendance and wished to speak, and
there was no one present to represent the case. Chairperson Martin asked if there was
anyone else in the audience who wished to speak, and there were none.
Chairperson Martin opened the motion to discussion among the commission, and there
was none. The motion was taken to a vote and passed unanimously.
3. Case C 16-25
Request for a Conditional Use to allow a carport in the required exterior side
setback In a General Commercial (GC) zoning district, This request is for 1508
Bluff Street.
Mr. Dan Leslie made a motion to approve. Mrs. Cayce Wendebom seconded.
P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 6 October 12, 2016
Mr. Christopher Guess presented the case to allow a carport in the required exterior
side setback at 1508 Bluff Street. Staff notified 25 properties; 2 responded in favor, 0 in
opposition, and 0 with no opinion/undecided. He stated the proposed carport was on a
property that had been sold by a meets and bounds description and had not be
replatted. He explained that the new property lines crossed preexisting legal lot lines
and the property, as currently situated, is not a legal lot of record. The proposed carport
would be 25 ft. x 20 ft., and would be built over the exterior side property line. The
property was in a General Commercial (GC) zoning district and there were no other
properties within the 200 ft. notification area with carports in the required exterior side
setback.
Mr. Guess stated staff recommended approval of the carport at 1508 Bluff Street with
the conditions outlined in the staff report.
Chairperson Martin asked if the applicant was in attendance and wished to speak. Mr.
Henry Hernandez, the applicant, stated he wanted the carport to protect his vehicles
from the weather. Chairperson Martin asked if there was anyone else in the audience
who wished to speak, and there were none.
Chairperson Martin opened the motion to discussion among the commission.
Chairperson Martin asked Mr. Hernandez if he understood staffs condition requiring a
replat of the property. Chairperson Martin explained that there was both a process and
a cost Involved with a replat. Mr. Hernandez asked what the cost would be for a plat.
Mr. Guess stated that the cost would be determined by the engineering firm that
performed the plat.
Mr. Guess stated that, in order to correct the problem fully, the replat would need to
include all three of the properties that had been illegally subdivided. He stated, because
there were multiple properties involved, the cost associated with the replat would
threefold. Chairperson Martin asked Mr. Hernandez if he owned all three of the lots
involved. Mr. Hernandez stated that he only owned the one lot. Mr. Guess asked if It
was his sister that owned one of the adjacent lots. Mr. Hernandez stated it was sister-
in-law that owned the adjacent, vacant lot.
Chairperson Martin asked what would be the recourse if Mr. Hernandez could not get all
three property owners to agree to a replat. Mr. Guess stated, if this were the case, the
condition would be prohibitive of Mr. Hernandez building a carport.
Mr. Jerry Beaver asked if it was known when or how the illegal plat came about. Mr.
Guess stated the specific were not known, but explained that the owner of the two legal
lots had divided them Into three lots and sold them by meets and bounds. The deeded
parcels had been filed with the County and made into taxable entities, but the lots were
never platted by the City, hence were not legal lots of record. He stated City
infrastructure had never been considered and quasi -public entities had not been
consulted when the lots were created. Mr. McKechnie stated similar situations existed
throughout the city, but the City does not seek these situations out. He stated that when
these situations come to the City's attention, it is certainly the goal to bring them into
compliance as a platted lot.
P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 7 October 12, 2016
Mr. Beaver stated he felt like Mr. Hernandez was being punished for circumstances that
were beyond his control. Mr. McKechnie stated the conditions are staff's
recommendations and the Commission does have the authority to add or retract
conditions when making a motion. Mr. Steve Lane asked Mr. McKechnle if there was a
provision that could potentially grandfather the lots to exist as they are deeded. Mr.
McKechnie stated grandfathering is applied to how land is being used and didn't really
apply to this particular situation. Mr. Lane asked if there was a provision under which
the City could replat the lots to bring them into compliance. Mr. McKechnie stated the
City does not have the ability to do so. Chairperson Martin elaborated that there would
be costs incurred by a surveyor or civil engineer.
Chairperson Martin asked if the illegal subdivision would affect the title commitments of
the properties if they were to be sold. Pat Hoffman, Property Management
Administrator, stated it would. She stated it would create a problem with chain of title
because there was a platted lot on record and the deeded lots dispute what is
represented in the plat. Chairperson Martin asked if the recommendation to replat were
removed from the motion, would approval of the carport have any further adverse
effects on the title commitments. Ms. Hoffman stated the issues already existed and the
approval of the carport would not exacerbate them.
Mrs. Wendeborn made a motion to alter the existing motion by removing the condition
requiring the applicant to replat the lots. The motion was seconded by Barney Brock.
The motion to alter the existing motion was taken to a vote and carried unanimously.
The motion to approve the carport at 1508 Bluff Street with the exclusion of the second
condition was taken to a vote and carried unanimously.
4. Case C 16-26
Request for a Conditional Use to allow a carport in the required front setback in a
Single -Family 2 Residential (SF -2) zoning district. This request is for 2316
Rockhill Road.
Mrs. Cayce Wendebom made a motion to approve. Mr. Barney Brock seconded.
Mr. Matthew Prouty presented the application to allow a carport in the required front
setback at 2316 RockhIll Road. The requested 20 ft. x 24 ft. carport would be located
approximately 3 ft. 9 in. from the front property line, 25 ft. from the interior side property
line, and 10ft. from a drainage easement along the interior side of the property. There
was 1 property within 200 ft. that had a carport within the required front setback area.
Staff noted 24 parcels; 2 responded in favor, 1 In opposition, and 0 with no
opinion/undecided. There were no responses received from outside the notification
area.
Mr. Prouty stated staff recommended approval of the carport at 2316 Rockhill Road.
Chairperson Martin asked If the applicant was in attendance and wished to speak. The
applicant was present but chose not to speak. Chairperson Martin asked If there was
anyone else In the audience who wished to speak, and there were none.
Chairperson Martin opened the motion to discussion among the commission.
Chairperson Martin asked if there had been another case recently before the
P & Z COMMISSION PAGE B October 12. 2016
Commission that was in the same neighborhood. Mrs. Gagn4 stated there had been.
Mr. Darrel Kirkland, the contractor for the project, stated the previous carport case had
been for Mr. Thomas Taylor, the next door neighbor to the current applicant.
Chairperson Martin asked if the carport being proposed was going to be similar in style
to the one built for Mr. Taylor. Mr. Kirkland stated that it would be exactly the same.
The motion was taken to a vote and carried unanimously.
S. Case C 16-27
Request for a Conditional Use at 2714 Palmetto Drive to allow a carport in the
required front setback In a Single -Family 2 Residential (SF -2) zoning district.
Mr. Jack Browne made a motion to approve. Mr. Dan Leslie seconded.
Mr. Christopher Guess presented the application to allow a carport in the required front
setback at 2714 palmetto Drive. The requested 24 ft. x 24 ft. carport would be located
approximately 5 ft. from the front property line and 11 ft. from the interior side property
line. There were 5 properties within 200 ft. that had a carport within the front setback
area. Staff notified 28 parcels; 3 responded in favor, 0 in opposition, and 0 with no
opinionlundecided. There were no responses received from outside the notification
area.
Mr. Guess stated staff recommended approval of the carport at 2714 Palmetto Drive as
submitted.
Chairperson Martin asked if the applicant was In attendance and wished to speak, and
there was no one present to represent the case. Chairperson Martin asked if there was
anyone else in the audience who wished to speak, and there were none.
Chairperson Martin opened the motion to discussion among the commission, and there
was none. The motion was taken to a vote and carried unanimously.
6. Case C 16-28
Request for a Conditional Use at 1 Rob Roy Lane to allow a carport In the required
exterior side setback in a Single -Family 2 Residential (SF -2) zoning district.
Mrs. Cayce Wendebom made a motion to approve. Mr. Dan Leslie seconded.
Mr. Matthew Prouty presented the application to allow a carport in the required exterior
side setback at 1 Rob Roy Lane. The requested 22 ft. x 21 ft. carport would be located
approximately 18 ft. 5 in. from the front property line and be built 6 ft. over the exterior
side property line. There were 0 properties within 200 ft. that had a carport within the
exterior side setback area. Staff notified 20 parcels; 2 responded in favor, 5 in
opposition, and 0 with no opinionlundecided. There were no responses received from
outside the notification area.
Mr. Prouty stated staff recommended approval of the carport at 1 Rob Roy Lane with the
conditions outlined in the staff report.
Mr. Prouty stated there had been some mention in the opposition letters of potential
deed restrictions in the neighborhood where the carpal was being proposed. Mr.
Prouty clarified that deed restrictions would be a wholly civil matter that the City had not
be reviewed or considered in its recommendation.
P 6 2 COMMISSION PAGE 9 October 12, 2016
Chairperson Martin asked if the applicant was in attendance and wished to speak. Mr.
Donald Brown, the applicant, stated he and his wife Sandra had moved into their home
a year ago. He stated that they did not need the carport for their cars, but for a place for
him and his wife to sit. He stated that they would be happy to reduce the size of the
carport to conform with the conditions outlined by staff.
Chairperson Martin asked if there was anyone else in the audience who wished to
speak, and there were none. Chairperson Martin opened the motion to discussion
among the commission
Mrs. Cayce Wendebom stated that it looked from the pictures as though the home had
no back yard and asked the applicant if this was correct. Mrs. Sandra Brown stated
there was very little space at the rear of the home. Mrs. Wendeborn asked if the flat
roof represented in the example photograph was representative of what the applicants
would be building. Mr. Brown stated that the roof of their carport would be gabled.
The motion was taken to a vote and carried unanimously.
7. Case TA 16-01
An ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 94 Streets, Sidewalks
and Other Public Places, Article I In General, Section 94-13 Storage of Material,
Equipment, Goods, Wares or Merchandise on Streets, Sidewalks, & Alleys; and
establishing outdoor display regulations downtown in Appendix B — Zoning,
Section 2030 Terms Defined; Sections 3800 Permitted Uses & 3810 Development
Regulations in the Central Business District (CBD), and establishing Sections
5980 — 5986 Outdoor Display,
Mrs. Cayce Wendebom made a motion to approve. Mr. Dan Leslie seconded.
Mrs. Karen Gagnd stated staff first introduced the potential of this text amendment to
the Commission back in December 2015, then presented the initial draft ordinance in
April 2018. The draft had been reviewed and endorsed by the Commission, but there
had been subsequent collaboration with multiple departments that resulted in some
necessary revisions and additions to the ordinance. She stated one of those changes
was the addition of a definition of hardscape. Also added was a stipulation requiring
that all items in the outdoor display, excluding hardscape, be removed at close of
business each day.
Mrs. Gagnd stated the Downtown Wichita Falls Development (DWFD) Organization had
reviewed and endorsed the current provisions. The development of outdoor patio areas
and outdoor display areas was a trend that had been observed in multiple other cities
and it was reflective of the growth taking place in the City's downtown. Mrs. Gagn6
stated the passage of the Outdoor Dining ordinance the previous year had allowed
several businesses to capitalize on that opportunity. She stated an important element of
these ordinances was the development of an encroachment agreement with the City in
order to ensure utility access and pedestrian movability.
Mrs. Gagnd noted the ordinance being presented would only apply to businesses in the
Central Business District. The ordinance would provide standard, consistent
regulations, and it would also address aesthetics. She stated outdoor display has to be
accessory to the main use of the business, and would require an encroachment
agreement between both the tenant and owner and the City. The encroachment
agreement would insure that a minimum of 5 ft. of pedestrian access is maintained and
P & Z COMMISSION PAGE 10 October 12. 2016
that the items will be removed in the event that utility repairs need to be made. There
would also be a one-time fee for the encroachment agreement of $250.00.
Mrs. Gagn6 stated staff would like to recommend the ordinance revisions be endorsed
by the Commission. She stated once the revisions were endorsed, they would move
forward for City Council consideration in November. It's recommended the ordinance
not go into effect until January 1s' of 2017 in order to provide staff time to distribute the
information to downtown property owners.
Chairperson Martin asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak on
the case, and there were none. Chairperson Martin opened the motion for discussion
among the Commission. Mr. Dan Leslie asked if this ordinance would have any effect
on the decoration of trees with lights. Mrs. Gagn6 stated this was something the City
could work out with business owners and elaborated that the section of the ordinance
dealing with lighting was more geared toward outdoor spotlights and lighting that would
be strung across the public right-of-way.
Mrs. Cayce Wendeborn pointed out that there was not 5 ft. of clearance between the
fence and curb at the Iron Horse Pub outdoor dining area. Mrs. Gagn6 stated staff had
measured the distance from curb to fence and found that there was a 5 ft. space
maintained for pedestrian traffic. Mr. Jerry Beaver expressed concern that there would
be issues with code enforcement interpreting the definition of hardscape. Mrs. Gagn6
stated staff had worked closely with code enforcement when developing the text
amendment and several discussions related to proper ways to interpret the definition.
She stated they had researched other similar ordinances and made efforts to ensure
that the terms of the ordinance were outlined as clearly as possible.
The motion to recommend the ordinance revisions for outdoor display was taken to a
vote and was passed unanimously.
B. Case TA 1602
An ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 46 by the addition of
Article VII, Donation Boxes; donation box regulations and permitted uses within
Appendix B — Zoning, Section 2030 Terms Defined; Sections 3000, Zoning District
Types and Regulations, specifically Section 3400 Conditional Uses in the Limited
Commercial (LC) District; Section 3470 Permitted Uses in the General Commercial
(GC) District; Section 3530 Permitted Uses in the Light Industrial (U) District;
Section 3600 Permitted Uses In the Heavy Industrial (HI) District.
Mrs. Cayce Wendebom made a motion to approve. Mr. Dan Leslie seconded.
Mrs. Karen Gagn6 noted the city began to see a proliferation of both for profit and non-
profit donation boxes in 2014. Some of the boxes were being placed on private property
and others in the public right-of-way. In response to several complaints, multiple
departments collaborated in an effort to reach a solution. She stated staff had
examined research from across the country that dealt with donation box ordinances and
focused specifically on Athens, TX as well as Lawton and Duncan, OK.
Mrs. Gagn6 stated in 2015 there was a US Court of Appeals case out of Michigan that
changed how the ordinance could be approached. The case established that certain
content based sections of the ordinance being challenged were in violation of the
plaintiffs First Amendment rights. Due to the case decision, staff was obligated to
scrutinize the ordinance being crafted and remove any provisions that could be
P d Z COMMISSION PAGE 11 October 12, 2016
interpreted as a violation of First Amendment rights. The purpose of this intense
scrutiny was to avoid moving forward with an ordinance that was ripe for challenge.
Mrs. Gagn6 stated that in the fall of 2016 staff had met with multiple entities within the
City, such as Goodwill, Faith Mission, Salvation Army and DARE and gathered feedback
regarding donation boxes. Provisions being considered included a possible cap on total
number and restriction on placement. She stated that several donation boxes currently
placed throughout the city would need to be relocated based on the provisions of the
ordinance.
Mrs. Gagn6 stated that the proposed donation box ordinance fell under the
environmental section of the Code of Ordinances and was being presented to the
Commission for informational purposes only. She stated the secondary proposed
revision dealing with changes to the Zoning Ordinance was the portion of the ordinance
that was before the Commission for consideration. She stated the zones where the
donation boxes were proposed to be a permitted use were the Heavy Industrial, Light
Industrial, and General Commercial zoning districts. The boxes would also be allowed
in the Limited Commercial zoning district as a Conditional Use.
Mrs. Gagn6 stated permits would be required for any donation box located within the
city. An application and site plan would need to be submitted for review by Planning and
Building Inspections, and there would be an annual fee along with the initial fee. The
maximum square footage would be 36 sq. ft. and all donation materials must fit inside
the box. Contact information will have to be displayed on the box where it is visible from
the street, the boxes must be placed on an improved surface on real property, and they
cannot be placed on a property that has a residential use, even if it is in a commercial
district. Maintenance and upkeep up the boxes will be the responsibility of the property
owner and permit holder, and the boxes cannot be placed in a setback area. She stated
repeated violations could result in the revocation of a permit.
Mrs. Gagnd stated staff recommended approval of the revisions to the Zoning
Ordinance to allow donation boxes in the outlined districts.
Chairperson Martin asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak on
the case. Mr. Ed Trope, Special Project Manager of Goodwill Industries for Southwest
Oklahoma and North Texas, stated the ordinance being proposed was very similar to
what had been adopted in Lawton, but did not Include a provision restricting the number
of boxes each organization was allowed to have. He stated without limitations on
number, the City would be opening the door to unlimited donation boxes throughout the
city. He also pointed out that the ordinance in Lawton restricted boxes from being
placed within a mile of one another. Mr. Trope stated in Lawton a company called
American Recyclers had planned to put in one hundred donations boxes. He stated the
City Council had passed an ordinance limiting the number of bins and the distance
between bins, which was upheld In court. He stated he believed similar limitations
should be included in the proposed ordinance.
John Tunnell, resident at 4102 Rivercrest Drive and member of the local Maskat
Shriners, stated the Shriners had twelve or thirteen donation boxes located within the
city. He stated all the proceeds went to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children In
Houston. He stated that if any of their donation boxes needed to be relocated to bring
them into compliance with the new ordinance, they would be willing to do so. He stated
their boxes did not bring in much profit and hoped the fees would not be too onerous.
P & 2 COMMISSION PAGE 12 October 12, 2016
Chairperson Martin opened the motion for discussion among t! a Commission.
Chairperson Martin asked if there would be a Conditional Use opt* n -or bins located
within the required setbacks. Mrs. Gagne stated that was not the intention. Mr.
McKechnie clarified that a City Council waiver would be required in these situations.
Mrs. Gagne stated the fees were mirrored after those imposed in Lawto, and in line with
the minimum building permit fees. She stated the fees were necessa, y n order to cover
staff time involved in maintaining the database and annual pert - ".,'ng, along with
processing applications and site plans. Chairperscn Martin stated it a Fees would also
serve to limit the number of boxes located in the city.
Mrs. Wendebom asked if a limit to the number of donation b: "es coy be added to the
motion as a recommendation. Mr. McKechnie stated there h:id been 5th Circuit Case,
National Federation of the Blind vs. Abbott, establishing donatio bins as silent
solicitors. As silent solicitors, donation bins are subject to freedom of s; each protection
under the 1't amendment and cannot be limited without compelling go : rnment interest.
He stated the legal team had made the determination that leaving OW these limitations
could help avoid litigation. He stated by regulating the bores to specific zones and
requiring fees, the City is able to avoid using content based re:7,trictions
Mr. Dan Leslie asked what was to prevent for profit donation boxes from pushing out
those operating not for profit. Mr. McKechnie stated that the same 51, Circuit case had
overturned a statute established by the Texas Legislature requiring donation boxes be
marked 'for profit" or "not for profit" and placed the burden on the individual to find out
for themselves. He stated that this ruling made it illegal to require the boxes be marked
"for profit" or "not for profit". Mrs. Gagne stated there was still ar, active recycling
component included in the City Ordinance dealing with recyl for items Wat do not require
a secondary manufacturing process for reuse.
The motion to recommend the ordinance regulating donation bins was taken to a vote
and was passed by a vote of 6 to 1.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
1. October — National Community Planning Month
2. City Council Update — None
VII. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 3:34 p.m.
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ATTEST: /
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Aaron Hudman, Dept. of Community Development
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