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Meeting Minutes
Planning Commission
Wednesday,July 26,2017 5:30 PM Council Chambers
I. Call to Order, Roll Call
The meeting was called to order and a quorum was established with
Commissioners Williams, Hastings and Baugh absent.
II. Approval of Minutes
1. 17-0926 Regular Meeting of July 12, 2017
A motion to approve item "1"was made by Commissioner Hovda and
seconded by Commissioner Schroeder.The motion passed.
III. Public Hearing Agenda Items
A. Zoning
New Zoning
2. 17-0929 Case No. 0617-03 -CC Ventures Equities IV, LP:A change of
zoning from the "CN-1" Neighborhood Commercial District to the
"CG-2" General Commercial. The property to be rezoned is described
as being the west 170 feet of Foxwood Estates Phase III, Block 11, Lot
2, located along the east side of Weber Road, north of Bratton Road
and south of Saratoga Boulevard.
Laura Sheldon, Development Services,read item"2"into record as shown
above.She presented several aerial views of the subject property. She stated
the purpose of the rezoning request is to allow for the construction of an
Express Tunnel Car Wash .The property abutting the residential zoning will
remain CN-1 to maintain the current buffer to protect the residences.The retail
development will still need to abide by all requirements of the Unified
Development Code(UDC).Specific requirements would entail a 10 foot buffer
between the"CN-1" district and the residential area.Additionally,the"CN-1"
district does not allow bars, pubs,taverns, or nightclubs.There was a previous
case in 2005 for multi-family and commercial use for this property.At that time
the application specified the land would be used for multi-family and
commercial uses,however,the specific commercial use was not indicated.The
application was denied for the multifamily use and the commercial use was
maintained.Surrounding properties have been rezoned with a pattern towards
commercial development.
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Ms.Sheldon informed the Commission that zero public notices were returned
in opposition of the change of zoning request and one notice was returned in
favor. Staff recommends approval of the requested change of zoning as it is
compatible with the Future Land Use Map, PlanCC,and the Southside Area
Development Plan (ADP); the use is appropriate for the APZ-2 overlay.
After Staff's presentation,Chairman Villarreal opened the public hearing.With
no one coming forward the public hearing was closed.A motion to approve
item"2"was made by Commissioner Schroeder and seconded by
Commissioner Crull. The motion passed
3. 17-0930 Case No. 0717-01 -Alrich Enterprises Inc., D/B/A Richard Sanchez
Motors and Ben L. Herndon, Jr.: A change of zoning from the "ON"
Neighborhood Office District and the "CN-1" Neighborhood
Commercial District to the "CG-2" General Commercial District. The
property to be rezoned is described as Koolside, Block 6, Lots 24 and
25, less portion to right-of-way and Lot 26, located at the intersection
of Airline Road and Gollihar Road, north of McArdle Road and south of
South Alameda Street.
Andrew Dimas, Development Services,read item"4"into record as shown
above. He presented several aerial views of the subject property. He stated
the purpose of the request is to allow for the continued operation of a vehicle
sales establishment. Mr. Dimas went over the zoning patterns/zoning decisions
of the surrounding area.Several rezonings have occurred along this portion of
Airline Road since 1974. Three Special Permits have been granted along Airline
Road between South Alameda Street and McArdle Road. The first in 1987 for
the Crossroads Shopping Center(Catfish Charlie's). The second in 2001 for
House of Cars which limits the number of cars that can be sold(11 cars).The
third in 2004 is for Airline Motors which limits the number of cars that can be
sold(14 cars).Currently, both Special Permits for vehicle sales are in
nonconformance. House of Cars has 14 vehicles posted for sale and Airline
Motors has 24 vehicles for sale.Mr.Sanchez's unpermitted vehicle sales
establishment(Sanchez Motors)has 32 vehicles posted for sale. Despite the
notification by the City's Code Enforcement Department,Sanchez Motors has
continued to operate with several non-conformities with the UDC and without a
Certificate of Occupancy.
Mr. Dimas went over the Code Enforcement history of the property which dates
back to the first notification in December of 2016 through the rezoning process
which began in March 2017. He explained the UDC requirements such as
noise,setbacks and parking; non-conforming factors such as dumpsters,
lighting,gates/stacking and fill. He informed the Commission that one public
notice was returned in favor and one notice was returned in opposition.Staff
recommends denial of the change of zoning request as it is incompatible with
PlanCC and the Southeast Area Development Plan.
Commissioner Crull asked whether City Staff and the applicant have had
discussion regarding the option of a Special Permit. Mr. Dimas said that Staff
has had a discussion with the applicant and the option of a Special Permit is
available but Staff feels that the Special Permit history proves to be
unsuccessful. Discussion continued with questions regarding the roles/duties
of the Planning Commission verses Code Enforcement and also parking
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requirements.
There being no further discussion/questions amongst the Commissioners,
Chairman Villarreal opened the public hearing. Patrick Beam at 924 Leopard
Street and the attorney representing the tenant, Richard Sanchez,addressed
the Commission. He stated his client is trying to do his due dilegence.The
property has been used for many years as a car lot before Mr.Sanchz became
the tenant.Currently,the Code Enforcement case is with the Municipal Court
with no convicition.If the "CG-2" General Commercial District is not approved
then his client is agreeable to the option of a Special Permit; his client will turn
in a site plan meeting UDC requirements. He also stated they have reached out
to the nearby property owner who was in opposition to the request and they
have considered retracting their opposition. He stated the property owner in
oppositionwas not aware of what the plans were for the subject property.
Ben Herndon,the owner of the subject property at 901 Airline Road,addressed
the Commission and gave some background information regarding the
property. He said in 1981 he was issued a Special Permit that was filed
through the Planning Commission and assumed it was still in effect when he
leased the property to Richard Sanchez. He said the property has had ongoing
businesses and has never been vacant. He also stated Richard Sanchez is a
good tenant.
The tenant of the subject property, Richard Sanchez,addressed the
Commission and also gave some background information as to how/why he
started the business. He said he obtained his dealership license and employs
six to eight people; he is in partnership with his wife. Mr.Sanchez stated he
has not had any issues while the business has been in operation up until now.
Alice Sanchez,wife of Richard Sanchez and co-owner of Alrich Enterprises,
addressed the Commission in support of her husband and asked the
Commission to consider a favorable decision.
Lisa McDonald,the accountant for Mr.Sanchez addressed the Commission
and in support of Mr.Sanchez. She stated that in the short time the business
has operated,it is successful and profitable.She also stated Mr.Sanchez is of
good character.
With no one else coming forward,the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Crull asked Staff if there was a Special Permit that was granted
in 1981 as Mr. Herndon revealed. Mr. Dimas stated that Staff found no
historical evidence through the Geographic Information System nor hardcopy
maps. Commissioner Crull suggested to do some further research with the
City Secretary's office for City Council records. A motion was made by Vice
Chairman Lippincott to table item"3"to the regularly scheduled Planning
Commission meeting of August 23,2017,so Staff can further discuss with the
applicant the option of a Special Permit with terms/conditions. Commissioner
Hovda seconded and the motion passed.
4. 17-0931 Case No. 0717-02 - Bradley W. Shirley &Valerie V. Shirley: A
change of zoning from the "RS-6" Single-Family Residential District to
the "IL" Light Industrial District. The property to be rezoned is
described as Bohemian Colony Lands, 6.379 acres out of Section 7,
Lot 5, located north of Saratoga Boulevard and east of Greenwood
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Drive.
Andrew Dimas, Development Services,read item"4"into record as shown
above. He presented several aerial views of the subject property. He stated
the purpose of the request is speculative zoning for sale of the property which
is vacant.Mr. Dimas went over the zoning patterns of the surrounding area and
the UDC requirements.Specific requirements would entail buffer yards and
setbacks.
Mr. Dimas informed the Commission that zero public notices were returned in
favor or in opposition.Staff recommends approval of the requested change of
zoning as it is compatible with the Future Land Use Map, PlanCC,and the
Westside Area Development Plan.
After Staff's presentation,Chairman Villarreal opened the public hearing.With
no one coming forward the public hearing was closed.A motion to approve
item"4"was made by Commissioner Crull and seconded by Commissioner
Hovda. The motion passed
B. Presentations
5. 17-0932 Airport Zoning Commission - Establishment& Implementation
Chairman Villarreal informed the Commission that Staff recommends to table
item"5". Commissioner Hovda made a motion to approve Staff's
recommendation to table item "5"for a future Planning Commission meeting
date. Commissioner Dibble seconded and the motion passed.
6. 17-0933 Downtown Area Development Plan
Daniel McGinn,Assistant Director of Planning and Environmental/Strategic
Initiatives(ESI)addressed the Commission and gave a brief update for item
"6". He stated work began in 2014 on the Downtown ADP and was suspended
in 2015 to allow focus on completing/adopting the City's comprehensive plan
(Plan CC).With the adoption of Plan CC in the fall of 2016,work to finalize and
adopt the Downtown ADP has resumed.
After reviewing the November 2015 draft of the Downtown ADP,City Staff
submitted recommended changes of the document to Goody Clancy and
Associates. Ben Carlson, Principal Associate from Goody Clancy and
Associates,traveled to Corpus Christi on March 1,2017 to participate in a
series of City Staff,Advisory Committee,and Stakeholder meetings to discuss
the proposed updates to the Downtown ADP draft. From this meeting,a better
understanding of how to move forward with the document was established,
including changes reflecting current Harbor Bridge Replacement Project
information. Mr. McGinn handed the presentation over to Mr. Carlson. Mr.
Carlson began the presentation with the methodolgy behind the entire process
of the plan. He stated that economic development is at the center of the plan
with a strong demand for downtown living; research has been done with
regards to the real estate market and feasibility.
Mr.Carlson described the five vision themes for the plan. He also explained
the plan has 10 initiatives with three categories: real estate investment,
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infrastructure and great places for people. Mr.Carlson went into detail for each
of the 10 initiatives: the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone#3, public/private
partnership,activate vacant properties,improve key streets/parks, park more
efficiently,organize event traffic,re-connect streets,where fun happens,
embrace the waterfront and keep it clean/safe.
Mr.Carlson listed the following City districts as unique places in Corpus
Christi: the Marina Arts District, Bayshore Neighborhood, Uptown/Surrounding
Neighborhoods,the Washington-Coles area, Hillcrest area,the SEA District
and North Beach.
Additionally,he went over some key elements of development guidelines due
to the high interest of providing a more predictable framework of how
buildings connect to different streets. The guidelines include a primary
walking street,a flexible access street and a gateway street/boulevard. At this
point of the presentation, he handed the presentation to Keren Costanzo,
Planning and ESI,to go over the complimentary North Beach planning efforts.
Ms.Costanzo gave the Commission some background information regarding
the North Beach redevelopment initiative and how Staff came to the decision to
include the plan as an appendix in the Downtown ADP. She provided the
Commission with two maps with different alternatives.She stated that the
primary difference between the two alternatives is in regards to how the
differnet methods of drainage/stormwater issues are mitigated around the
median between Timon Boulevard/Surfside Boulevard. The maps also
correlate to a list of Capital Improvement projects for the redevelopment
initiative. Ms.Costanzo pointed out the area on the map which details the
capital improvement projects for the Timon Boulevard/Surfside Boulveard
area which provide for the drainage solution in line with offering a recreational
trail of amenities.Staff are also identifying which projects are moving forward
due to the Harbor Bridge relocation. Ms.Costanzo went over the next steps for
the adoption of the Downtown ADP.
After Staff's presentation,Commissioners asked questions regarding the
strategy of planting trees/vegatation,tidal canal s/bi oswel Is open space in the
North Beach area and the evaluation of the Hillcrest area.There being no
further comments/discussion by Commissioners,Chairman Villarreal opened
the public hearing.
Carolyn Moon at 4902 Calvin Drive addressed the Commission and stated she
would like the plan to consist of more places available to sit.She is also in
favor of the bioswell for the canal.
With no one esle coming forward,the public hearing was closed. There was
no action taken on thins item.
7. 17-0867 Fiscal Year 2018 Capital Improvement Program (Cl P) Budget- Review
and Make Recommendations to City Council
Mark Van Vleck,Assistant City Manager, presented item "7"as shown above.
He presented this item at the last Planning Commission meeting on July 12,
2017 and went over a few pieces that have changed since then. He said the
changes consist mostly of typographical errors and extended calculations.
The cost estimates for Year 1 and Year 3 have not changed. He informed the
Commission that the project for the Marina Break Water and McGee Beach
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Improvements(#20) has been added which was not in the last presentation.
Staff recommends approval of item "7".
Discussion took place amongst Commissioners regarding how the CIP
planning guide is in a different format from previous years.It was clarified that
the Planning Commission is making a recommendation for"Year 1". Mr.Van
Vleck stated that the plan for the future is to present the CIP throughout the
year with proposed amendments rather than just once year.
There being no further discussion/questions,Chairman Villarreal opened the
public hearing.With no one coming forward,the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner Hovda made a motion to recommend to City Council approval
of item "7". Commissioner Crull seconded and the motion passed.
IV. Directors Report
17-0940 Informal Staff Report/Update on Proposed Unified Development Code
Amendment - "Acceptance of Improvements" (2 Year Warranty)
Bill Green,Interim Director of Development Services,updated the Commission
on the efforts made with the development community regarding the proposed
UDC text amendment"Acceptance of Improvements (2 year Warranty). He
informed the Commission that a meeting took place on Juy 14,2017 with the
development community to form a consensus driven approach. The next
meeting with the development community is scheduled for August 4,2017. It is
planned to bring this item back to the Planning Commission on August 23,
2017 for possible action.
V. Items to be Scheduled
None.
VI. Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss,Chairman Villarreal adjourned the
meeting at 7:10 p.m.
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