HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Planning Commission - 02/29/2012MINUTES
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Council Chambers - City Hall
February 29, 2012
5:30 P.M.
COMMISSIONERS:
Rudy Garza, Chairman
A. Javier Huerta, Vice- Chairman
Mark Adame
Marco Castillo
Gabriel Guerra Absent*
Evon J. Kelly
Govind Nadkarni
John C. Tamez
John Taylor
STAFF:
Stephen Draper, Director, Development
Services
Miguel S. Saldana, AICP, Interim Manager,
Land Development
Pete Anaya, P.E., Director, Planning
Robert Payne, Senior Planner, Planning
Jennifer Ramirez, Interim Senior Planner
Mark Simon, Development Services
Deborah Brown, Assistant City Attorney
Linda Williams, Recording Secretary
Si usted quiere dirigirse a la comision y su ingles es limitedo, habra un interprete de
espanol a ingles en la junta pars ayudarle.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Garza at 5:32 p.m. and a quorum
was declared.
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the February 15, 2012 minutes was made by Commissioner
Nadkarni and seconded by Commissioner Tamez. Motion passed with Commissioner
Guerra absent.
V. PRESENTATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE CAPTIAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Chairman Garza stated he was moving this agenda item to the forefront to allow
Mr. Anaya to give his presentation because he was leaving out of town to attend a
conference. The floor was turned over to Mr. Anaya.
Mr. Anaya stated that Planning Staff was before the Commission last month and
gave a presentation on the Capital Improvement Program process. At that meeting, the
commission appointed a subcommittee to work with staff in formulating recommendations
and a priority list in which direction the process should take. Mr. Anaya continued that
the group met and, as a result, a great dialogue took place and one of the things
discussed was to bring some additional information to the full commission, Mr. Anaya
continued there has been a lot of debate regarding where the different processes should
be listed with the potential funding sources and the potential impact on both the rate and
the tax payers.
Mr. Anaya stated one of the goals for the department was to eventually update all
of the Area Development Plans, but for this budget year, three ADPs have been targeted
for updating. Mr. Anaya referenced the binders that were provided for commissioners.
Mr. Anaya stated he wanted to ensure commissioners were provided copies of the ADPs
that staff would be updating, especially for new commissioners. Mr. Anaya stated that as
was previously stated at the last meeting, most of the ADPs have not been updated in
about ten years. Mr. Anaya continued that for the next budget process, staff would be
requesting funding to acquire additional personnel to help with the updates. Mr. Anaya
continued that with more staff, the goal would be to go back to the master plans and
Planning Commission Meeting
February 29, 2012
Page 2
V. PRESENTATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE CAPTIAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (cont.)
generate a project list based on the plans and hopefully those projects could possibly be
initiated in a two -year time period rather than being incorporated into the 10 -year CIP
priority listing, Staff will layout a time line for those improvements and will include the
potential impact of those projects to both the rate and the tax payers. Mr. Anaya stated
that around the end of July, all city departments will be trying to get their projects included
on the priority listing for adoption. Mr. Anaya continued that one of the goals, at the City
Council level, was to have the CIP and operating budget adopted at the same time. Mr.
Anayd stated that in the past, the CIP was adopted in November after the operating
budget was adopted in the summer. Mr. Anaya continued that last year, staff was
successful in having both adopted at the same time.
Mr. Anaya briefly discussed the CIP calendar. Mr. Anaya continued there were
several milestone dates that the commission should know. On March 27, staff will meet
with management to give an update on where we are in the process and what was being
done, in April, staff will meet with other city departments and different building
associations groups and in May, the back and forth exchange would take place. Mr.
Anaya stated at this time, he did not have a breakdown of the different meeting dates, but
as soon as the dates were confirmed, the commission would be notified.
Commissioner Castillo commented that as he stated in the previous meeting, he
had concerns that the commission would..be requested to review a list of proposed
projects and no funding sources or other vital information were included. Commissioner
Castillo continued that those items would be needed in order to able to provide any
meaningful feedback regarding the project list. Mr. Anaya's response to Commissioner
Castillo's. comment was that it was Staffs goal to provide as much information as
possible so that the meaningful input would be achieved.
Commissioner Taylor asked if the City would be negatively impacting any
developers because the master plans and area development plans have not been
updated and Mr. Anaya responded that the City has an updated Storm Water Master
Plan. Mr. Anaya continued that in order to update any of the plans, there has to be a
funding mechanism in place. There has been great discussion as to who will fund some
of the needed projects. Mr. Anaya continued that one proposal pursued was to create a
separate rate for storm water usage, but that proposal failed. Mr. Anaya continued there
has been ongoing discussion as to should the AICUZ be under a separate study or let
JLUS complete the study. Mr. Anaya stated there were many projects and priorities that
needed to be completed, but there has to be funding available in order to achieve them.
Vice Chairman Huerta stated he felt Planning Staffs effort was visionary and was
ahead of time, but we find ourselves in a situation where we are trying to catch up to
things that have already been done. Vice Chairman Huerta went on to say that Staff has
been talking about the master plans for at least six years and as decisions were made,
the area development plans are still outdated. Vice Chairman Huerta continued that with
the economy improving, the city will experience a growth spurt, but the current plans will
not be ready for that potential growth. Vice Chairman stated this was a difficult task and
he was not sure if we would be able to draw that line, but we needed to figure out a way
to address the problem.
Commissioner Castillo stated in reviewing the Table of Contents contained in the
binder with the area development plans, it referenced a sewer lift Station south of the
Oso and Mr. Anaya responded that a Master Plan was drafted for that area, but the plan
was never presented for adoption. Mr. Anaya continued that one of the charges given to
him was to make sure that this master plan happened. Mr. Anaya went on to say that
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V. PRESENTATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE CAPTIAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (cont.)
one master plan was technically completed, but it was never presented and adopted by
City Council.
Commissioner Castillo asked how would the City ever catch up and implement
some of these plans and Mr. Anaya stated that the City has to make the determination if
we want to participate in extending service lines to these areas. Mr. Anaya continued
that currently, there were approximately 100 lift stations that have to be maintained, and
at some point, we will have to start looking at installing a gravity system. The question to
answer would be whether the city needed six plants. The proposed master plan for the
Oso will be an all gravity system.
Chairman Garza stated that we are living in a changing environment and the City
has to make the decision whether the community can afford the sustaihability of the
smart growth. Chairman Garza continued that the south side needed an updated plan
right now and with the street issue, we have to really think about how these issues can be
handled in the best way. Chairman Garza continued that all of these issues are up for
discussion by politicians, developers, City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County leaders.
Chairman Garza continued that the city has spread out geographically, but the population
growth does not equate and until some of these questions are answered, the discussion
will continue.
Commissioner Tamez stated that the city's sprawl growth should be planned and
the community should be involved to provide input from both the citizens and the
developers. Commissioner Tamez stated that Gene Urban and others participated in
several studies oh sprawl growth. Commissioner Tamez continued that it was important
that the City kept the cost of living down. Chairman Garza slated the bottom line would
be what the City could afford.
After all comments and discussion concluded, no action was taken. Chairman
Garza thanked Mr. Anaya for updating the commission as to where staff was in the
process.
III. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEMS
A. PLATS
Mark Simon, Development Services, read Continued Plats Items "a" and "b" into
record as shown below. Mr. Simon continued that Continued Items "a" and "b" satisfied
all requirements of the Unified Development Code and Staff recommended approval.
Mr. Miguel Saldafia added that Continued Plats Item "b" should be approved subject to
the variance request being approved.
1. Continued Plats
a. 1211082 -NP058 (11- 21000026)
River Square Unit 2, Block 8, Lots 5 -A & 5 -3 (Final Replat — 2,28
Acres)
Located north of Interstate Highway 37 and east of McKinzie
Road,
b. 0212014 -P007 (12- 22000007)
Greystone Subdivision Unit 3 (Final — 7.818 Acres)
Located east of Rodd Field Road and south of Slough Road.
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III. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEMS (cont.)
A. PLATS
1. Continued Plats (cont.)
The public hearing was opened with no one corning forward in favor or in
opposition and the public hearing was closed. Motion to approve Continued Plats Items
"a" and "b" was made by Commissioner Nadkarni and seconded by Commissioner
Taylor. Motion passed with Commissioner Guerra absent.
Mr. Simon read Continued Plats "Item c" into record as shown below. Mr. Simon
continued that the applicant submitted a letter of request to withdraw the plat from further
consideration.
c. 0212021 -NP012 (12- 21000003)
Padre Plaza, Lots 1A & 1B (Final Replat — 4.38 Acres)
Located south of South Padre Island Drive (SH 358) and east
of Airline Road.
2. New Plats
Mr. Simon read New Plats Items "a" and "b" into record as shown below. Mr.
Simon continued the applicants' representative submitted letters of request to table Item
"a" to the March 28, 2012 meeting and Item "b" tabled to the March 14, 2012 meeting and
Staff recommended approval of the requests.
a. 0212018 -P009 (12- 22000009)
The Cottages at Southlake Unit 1 (Final — 10.236 Acres)
Located east of Rodd field Road and north of Slough
Road.
b. 0212022 -P010 (12- 22000010)
Airline Crossing Unit 2 (Final — 17.70 Acres)
Located west of Airline Road and south of Lipes Boulevard.
The public hearing was opened with no one coming forward in favor or in
opposition and the public hearing was closed. Motion to approve tabling New Plats Item
"a" to the March 28, 2012 meeting and Item "b" to the March 14, 2012 meeting was made
by Commissioner Nadkarni and seconded by Commissioner Kelly. Motion passed with
Commissioner Guerra absent.
Mr. Simon read new Plats items "c," "d" and "e" into record as shown below. Mr.
Simon continued that New Plats Items "c," "d" and "e" satisfied all requirements of the
Unified Development Code and Staff recommended approval.
c. 0212025 -P011 (12- 22000011)
Manhattan Estates Unit 5 (Final — 15.023 Acres)
Located north of Lipes Boulevard and west of Airline Road.
d. 0212023 -P012 (12- 22000012)
Las Palmas Unit 2, Section 1, Block G, Lot 1R (Final Replat —
0.305 Acre)
Located south of Holly Road and west of Greenwood Drive,
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III. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEMS (cont.)
A. PLATS
2. New Plats (cont.)
e. 0212026 -NP014 (12- 21000006)
Airport Industrial Subdivision, Block 2, Lot 3 (Final —1.089
Acres)
Located north of State 'Highway 44 and Heinsohn Road.
Vice Chairman asked to confirm if the Manhattan Estates plat was in compliance
and Mr. Simon answered yes the plat satisfied all requirements and was in compliance
with the UDC. The public hearing was opened with no one coming forward in favor or in
opposition and the public hearing was closed. Motion to approve New Plats items "c" "d"
and "e" was made by Commissioner Taylor and seconded by Commissioner Nadkarni.
Motion passed with Commissioner Guerra absent.
3. ' Time Extensions
Mr. Simon read Time Extensions Items "a" and "b" into record as shown below.
Mr. Simon continued that the applicants submitted a letter of request for a six -month time
extension for both plats. Mr. Simon stated this was the ninth time extension request for
Item "a" and the seventh request for Item "b" and Staff had no recommendation.
a. 0307041 -P014
Northwest Crossing Unit 7 (Final -- 14.213 Acres)
Located west of Rand Morgan Road (FM 2292) and south of
Leopard Street.
b. 0408037 -NP029
Rodd Field Hospital Tracts, Block 1, Lot 1 (Final — 9.926
Acres)
Located east of Rodd Field Road (SH 357) between Holly Road
and Wooldridge Road.
The public hearing was opened with no one coming forward in favor or in
opposition and the public hearing was closed. Commissioner Nadkarni requested that
the record reflect that he abstained from discussion and voting on Item "b" because of
conflict of interest.
Motion to approve a six -month time extension for Time Extensions Item "a" was
made by Commissioner Kelly and seconded by Commissioner Taylor. Motion passed
with Commissioner Guerra absent.
Motion to approve a six -month time extension for Time Extensions Item "b" was
made by Commissioner Taylor and seconded by Commissioner Tamez. Motion passed
with Commissioner Nadkarni abstaining and Commissioner Guerra absent.
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111. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEMS (cont.)
B. ZONING
1. New Zoning
Miguel S. Saldana, Development Services, read New Zoning Item "a" into record
as shown below, Mr. Saldana provided a power point presentation showing several
aerial views of the subject property - main entrance to the property, entrance to the new
subdivision off of Slough Road and an aerial view of Slough Road. Mr. Saldana
continued the property was less than five (5) acres and had access onto Slough Road
and the nearest intersection was Rodd Field Road. The purpose of the zoning request
was to allow the owner to plat the property to connect to public water and wastewater
services. Mr. Saldana continued that nineteen (19) public notices were mailed to
property owners within the 200 -foot notification area and no notices were received in
favor or in opposition. Mr, Saldana continued that Staff recommended approval of the
requested zoning change.
a. Case No. 0212 -05 (12- 10000010) — Juan G: & Rosaura
Romero: A change of zoning from "FR" Farm -Rural to
"RS -6" Single- Family 6 District resulting in a change of
future land use.
Property is described as Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and
Garden Tract, Section 26, 0.213 acre out of southwest 3 acres
out of Lot 27, located east of Rodd Field Road (County Road 9)
and north of Slough Road (County Road 26).
The public hearing was opened with no one coming forward in favor or in
opposition and the public hearing was closed. Motion to approve New Zoning Item "a"
was made by Commissioner Taylor and seconded by Commissioner Tamez. Motion
passed with Commissioner Guerra absent.
Mr. Saldana read New Zoning Item "b" into record as shown below. Mr. Saldana
provided a power presentation showing several aerial views of the subject property. Mr.
Saldana continued that the purpose of the zoning request was to allow the applicant to
continue an existing fabrication business of plastic products. Mr. Saldana stated the
business currently molds plastic into products that range from pastry containers to
commercial lid holders and he clarified that the business did not manufacture the plastic
used for its products. Mr. Saldana continued that most of the surrounding area where the
subject property was located has developed with commercial uses and there was no
major manufacturing occurring on site.
b. Case No. 0212 -06 — Flour Bluff Plastics: A change of zoning
from "I -3" Heavy Industrial to the "B -5" Business District resulting
in a change of future land use from a heavy industrial toe
commercial use.
Property is described as Flour Bluff Estates, Block 1, Lots 1 and
2, located east of Waldron Road and north of South Padre Island
Drive (SH 358).
Mr. Saldana continued that the requested "IL" Light Industrial District was not
consistent with the future land use of commercial and nor was it consistent with the Flour
Bluff ADP or Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Saldana stated Staff recommended denial of the
requested "IL" Light Industrial District and, in lieu thereof, approval of a "Special Permit"
subject to three (3) conditions. Mr. Saldana stated twenty -one (21) notices were mailed
to property owners within the 200 -foot notification area and none were returned in favor
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1I1. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEMS (cont.)
B. ZONING
1. New Zoning (cont.)
or in opposition. Mr. Saldarta continued that one property owner, located north of the
subject property, was in opposition of the zoning change, but he had been cited by City
Code Enforcement. After Mr. Saldafia concluded his presentation, Commissioner Taylor
stated that the zoning change request printed on the agenda read differently from Staff's
presentation. After consulting with Deborah Brown, Assistant City Attorney, it was
determined that since the agenda stated the zoning change request incorrectly, the
commission could not discuss or take action on the item and the zoning case would be
tabled to the March 14, 2012 meeting.
IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE. ACTION TO AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE
PLAN AND INITIATE REZONING OF LANDS IMPACTED BY THE NAVY AIR
INSTALLATION COMPATIBLE USE ZONES NEAR CABANISS FIELD
Mr. Robert Payne, Planning Department, addressed the Planning Commission.
Mr. Payne stated that recently the Navy did a new study that included new areas in and
near Cabaniss Field. Mr. Payne continued that staff wanted to keep the commission
informed of what had taken place since the last Planning Commission meeting. Mr.
Payne stated he met with staff from Development Services and the Legal Department to
determine the best way to proceed. Mr. Payne continued it was discussed that instead of
making changes to the overlay in the Unified Development Code, Staff proposed
addressing the AICUZ issues discussed at the last Planning Commission meeting by
amending the Future Land Use Map and changing the base zoning for the area under the
Cabaniss Field Air Installation Compatibility Use Zone ( AICUZ). Mr. Payne stated vacant
unplatted properties were of major concern and staff would like to address these areas as
soon as possible. Mr. Payne's proposal would be to rezone those unplatted areas to
commercial uses.
Mr. Payne continued that at the last Planning Commission meeting, no formal
recommendation or action was taken, but Staff presented information regarding the need
to modify the Future Land Use Plan and UDC Overlay District for conformity with the new
AICUZs as soon as possible. Mr. Payne continued that changing the future land use
map has become a high priority. Mr. Payne continued that the City wants to do whatever
it can to help keep the Navy base here in the city. For protection of the Navy's mission
and continuing development of future plans through the Joint Land Use Study (JLUS),
Staff proposes the following actions:
➢ Amending the Future Land Use Map for the areas highlighted to commercial and
industrial uses. The current future land use is a mixture of industrial,
commercial, medium - density residential and low- density residential;
➢ Currently, the zoning for the area is "RS -6" Single - Family 6 District and Staff
proposes a more intense zoning district such as "CG -1" General Commercial
and "IL" Light Industrial should be considered to restrict residential development;
or
➢ Implement a "Special Permit" to reduce the amount of residential development to
one unit per five acres while maintaining the existing base zoning district.
Mr. Payne concluded his presentation by stating that Staff's recommendation
was to move forward with the proposed amendments to the Future Land Use Map and
zoning changes as outlined. Mr. Payne continued that property notification and holding a
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IV. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AMEND THE FUTURE LAND USE
PLAN AND INITIATE REZONING OF LANDS IMPACTED BY THE NAVY AIR
INSTALLATION COMPATIBLE USE ZONES NEAR CABANISS FIELD (cont.)
special meeting with property owners was suggested before any public hearings were
scheduled. After Mr, Payne's presentation, the floor was opened for discussion and
comments.
Commissioner Castillo asked if amending the Future Land Use Map was really
needed since the AICUZ clearly spelled out and covered what zonings could and could
not be allowed. Commissioner Castillo continued he has concern that if the City was to
allow the proposed zoning, it would be viewed as a "taking" of property. Mr. Saldana
clarified that right now, the AICUZ was a recommendation and was not enforceable. Mr.
Saldana continued that, as it currently stands, if a property owner requested a residential
subdivision, they would be able to do that. Mr. Payne added that at this point, the best
thing to do would be to take care of the residential areas first. Commissioner Castillo
asked if this action could be done as a mandate, it would be defector and Mr. Saldana
answered yes. Commissioner Castillo asked when was enough. Commissioner Castillo
stated he felt the overlay would do what was needed.
Mr. Payne stated Staff was trying to address this problem in the most effective
manner possible. Commissioner Tamez asked what was the time line and Mr. Payne
answered he did not have a definite time line, but they were trying to present a proposal
to City Council by spring and have the whole process completed by the end of summer.
Mr. Payne stated two (2) JLUS workshops have been scheduled - April 3, 2012 at the
Flour Bluff High School and April 4, 2012 at Grant Middle School.
Vice Chairman Huerta stated at the last meeting, staff stated that in an APZ -2
zone, one residential structure per acre was allowed and no residential structures were
allowed in the APZ -1. Vice Chairman Huerta asked if was possible to have restricted
language as reinforcement in the proposed master plans. Mr. Payne responded that
would be an option for the committee to consider.
After all discussion and comments concluded, no action was taken.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
A. EAGLE FORD OIL EXPLORATION IMPACT
Mr. Saldana stated he reviewed several maps showing the Eagle Ford Oil
Exploration and the location was several counties away from Nueces County. Mr.
Saldana continued that there should be minimal impact on the city. Mr. Saldana
continued that with the recent announcements of the steel plant corning to Gregory,
Texas and the proposed liquefied gas plant, those two projects may have a significant
impact on the city as far population more so than Eagle Ford. Vice Chairman Huerta
stated with those two new projects coming to the area, there will be a lot of people
looking for property.
Commissioner Tamez stated his main concern was if the city would be able to
handle a large population growth that included an expansion in the availability of
residential homes. Commissioner Tamez continued that if the developers were not
willing to wheel and deal to be able to meet the housing needs, the city needs to be
prepared. Mr. Saldana stated the he did not see the development community standing in
the way of progress for the city. Mr. Saldana continued there were four (4) lift stations
that were not being used and there were approximately 100 acres of land along Slough
Road that could be used for housing development.
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V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT (cont.)
A. EAGLE FORD OIL EXPLORATION IMPACT (cont.)
Commissioner Taylor stated he has seen at least ten (10) light industrial uses off
Leopard Street and he feels the city will see large boom coming in the very near future,
Commissioner Taylor continued that with an increase in development results in more
money for the city.
Chairman Garza stated that because he had to leave, Mr. Rudy Garza, Jr.,
Assistant City Manager, Development Services, requested him to express thanks to the
commission for their support and contribution in helping move the City along, Chairman
Garza shared with the commission that Mr. Garza accepted a new position and he would
be relocating to San Antonio, Texas,
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner
Tamez and seconded by Commissioner Nadkarni. Motion passed with Commissioner
Guerra absent and the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Migue Saida a, .ICP
Secretary to Planning Commission
Lin s Williams
Reco ding Secretary
Date: 3/02
Date: 1
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