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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Planning Commission - 01/20/2010 4 MINUTES RECEIVED REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Council Chambers- City Hall Wednesday,January 20, 2010 FEB 1 0 ?UiO 5:30 P.M. CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE COMMISSIONERS: STAFF: Rudy Garza,Chairman Johnny Perales,P.E.,Assistant City Manager, A.Javier Fluerta,Vice-Chairman Engineering and Development Services James Skrobarczyk Faryce Goode Macon,Assistant Director of John C.Tamez Development Services/Planning Johnny R. Martinez Miguel S. SaldaOa,AICP, Senior City Planner Evon J. Kelly Robert Payne,AICP,City Planner John Taylor Lisa Wargo, Senior City Planner Mark Adame Deborah Brown,Legal Counsel Govind Nadkarni Debbie Goldston,Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER A quorum was declared and the meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Commissioner Govind Nadkarni was absent. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion for approval of the minutes from the January 6, 2009, regular Planning Commission meeting was made by Commissioner Tamez and seconded by Commissioner Taylor. Motion passed unanimously. III. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEMS A. PLATS Mr. Miguel Saldafa read the Time Extension requests for items "a" through "d" (shown below) into the record stating that the applicants requested a continuance of these plats. Mr. Saida'la explained that items "a" and "b" are extension requests for a period of one year and that items "c" and "d" are extension requests for a period of six months. Staff recommended approval of these continuance requests. 1. Time Extensions a. 0106023-NP010. River Bend Ranch Subdivision (Preliminary- 215.32 Acres),located south of Yorktown Boulevard and east of Rodd Field Road. b. 1006184-NP106. The Grand Reserve Subdivision (Preliminary- 71.525 Acres), located south of Glenoak Drive and east of Flour Bluff Drive. c. 0108004-P003. Shoreline Oaks Subdivision Unit 2 (Final- 9.313 Acresl, located north of Purdue Road and west of Flour Bluff Drive. tl YI Y r1���y t$ r ,. im Harming Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 2 d. 0109002-NP002 (08-21000029). Brighton Village Unit 3,Block 1, Lot 17A(Final Replat-5.316 Acres) located west of Cimmaron Boulevard and north of Brockhampton Street. At this time,the public hearing was opened by Chairman Garza for public commenting. No one came forward in favor or in opposition. Motion for approval of items "a" through "d"was made by Commissioner Tamez and seconded by Commissioner Taylor. Motion passed unanimously. B. ZONING 1. New Zoning a. Case No. 0110-04 —Maxwell Properties,LP. A change of zoning on a 1,000 square foot portion of the property from the"I-2" Light Industrial District to the "I-3" Heavy Industrial District for an Above Ground Fuel Storage Tank. Allen& Cameron Ind Pk5, Lots 6C and 6D, generally located at 7410 and 7412 Leopard Street, approximately 740 feet northwest of Southern Minerals Road. Senior City Planner Lisa Wargo stated that the representative for this case is James Zigler. Ms. Wargo presented a Power Point presentation. The applicant is requesting a change of zoning from the "I-2" Light Industrial District to the "1-3" Heavy Industrial District for a 1,000 gallon, UL 2085, "above ground" fuel storage tank. The"I-2" Light Industrial District provides for light manufacturing, fabricating, warehousing, and wholesale distributing; this district does not permit above-ground fuel storage tanks except through the Special Permit process. The "I-3" Heavy-Industrial District Permits industrial operations of all types, provided that potentially hazardous industries and uses are reviewed and approved through the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Staff Recommendation is denial of an "I-3" Heavy Industrial District in lieu of approval of a Special Permit with the following four(4)conditions: 1. Uses: All uses allowed by the "I-2" District plus up to one UL 2085 above ground fuel storage tank, not to exceed 1,000 gallons. 2. Fire Department Approval: The above ground fuel tank shall meet all Fire Department requirements. 3. Zoning Board of Adjustments Approval: The above ground fuel tank will not be allowed without Zoning Board of Adjustment approval. planning Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 3 4. Time Limit: Such Special Permit shall be deemed to have expired within one year of the date of this ordinance, unless the property is being used as outlined in Condition#1 and in compliance with all other conditions. Six (6) notices were mailed within the 200 foot notification area and two (2) outside the 200 foot area. Zero was returned in favor and zero was returned in opposition. There were no zoning code violations and the site has not been platted. The public hearing was opened for a public commenting period by Chairman Garza. No one came forward in favor or in opposition of the applicant's request. The public hearing was closed. Chairman Garza asked the Commissioners if there were any questions for staff. Commissioner Skrobarczyk asked if storage tanks were ever added to the zoning ordinance as a permitted use in the "I-2" District? He thought that the fuel storage tank issue was updated to be included in part of the ordinance. Mrs. Faryce Goode Macon stated that the issue was part of the base zoning committee for the UDC. The issue was addressed, but no decision would be made until the whole process was reviewed. The fuel storage tank issue will be a part of the committee's recommendation when the process is completed. Commission Skrobarczyk inquired about the zoning to the east of Southern Minerals Road. Staff replied the zoning was "I-2" Light Industrial. Chairman Garza asked if the applicant was present and if he agreed with staffs recommendation of the special permit with conditions. The applicant answered yes to Chairman Garza's question. Chairman Garza asked the commissioners for a motion. Motion to approve staffs recommendation for denial of the "I-3" District in lieu of a Special Permit for an above ground fuel storage tank with the 4 conditions stated was made by Commissioner Skrobarczyk and seconded by Commissioner Taylor. Commissioner Nadkarni was absent. The motion passed unanimously. C. FUTURE LAND USE AND URBAN TRANSPORTATION PLANS Robert Payne, Senior City Planner, gave a Power Point presentation regarding the Future Land Use and Urban Transportation Plans. Mr. Payne stated that the updating process for the Urban Transportation Plan began in June. Meetings were held with the Metropolitan Planning Organizations Technical Advisory Committee, TxDot, Nueces County, and San Patricio County. A number of comments were received from the committee members. Two meeting were held with the City Transportation Advisory Committee and comments were received from them. A Smart Growth workshop was held and rlanning Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 4 several meetings were held with the Corpus Christi Bay Area Smart Growth Initiative. There was a meeting with the Corpus Christi Builders Association a few weeks ago and several comments were received from them and the Port of Christi staff. A month ago, approximately 1000 notices were sent out to various groups regarding this issue and phone calls were received from those groups. If the Planning Commission votes to approve the proposed plan,the next step would be for the plan to be presented to the City Council on February 9, 2010. The first reading and public hearing of this plan would be on February 23, 2010 and the second reading and adoption of the ordinance would be on March 9,2010. Mr. Payne explained that the Transportation Plan will be used to build a transportation network to accommodate the adopted Future Land Use Plan. Also, it will be used to guide capital improvement decisions. Lastly, the plan is a guide for development decisions especially pertaining to the amount of right-of-way to be dedicated during the platting process. Mr. Payne explained the three arterial types. The first is the largest arterial type Corpus Christi has which is called the "A3 Primary Arterial" with six (6) lanes and a median with 130 feet of right-of-way. The second type of arterial is the "A2 Secondary Arterial" with four (4) lanes and a median with 100 feet of right- of-way. However, the most typical arterial in Corpus Christi is the "Al Minor Arterial" with four(4) lanes and a continuous turn lane having 95 feet of right-of- way. At this point in the presentation, Vice Chairman Huerta asked about how this plan will affect the bikeways. Mr. Payne said that the 130 foot or 95 foot right-of-way could be expanded. Mr. Payne said that a bikeway committee was very recently formed and that the committee will present recommendations in the near future. Commissioner Skrobarczyk had a question regarding the differentiation of the arterial streets. He asked for clarification as to which type of arterial street would accommodate the bike lane. Mr. Payne said that on shared vehicle-bicycle streets, there must be 14 feet of space between the lip of the gutter pan and the stripe for the lane and each of the arterials have enough right-of-way to accommodate bikeways. The next item of the presentation was in regards to Airline Road. On Airline Road from SPID to Wooldridge Road, the recommendation is to increase the planned street classification from an "A-1" Minor Arterial to an "A-3" Primary Arterial. Airline Road is currently operating at a level of service F. This road is operating very poorly at operating level F which is the worst level of service. Upgrading to an "A3" Primary Arterial road includes a median and two more lanes which will protect four through-lanes of traffic from right turning movements. Mr. Payne also explained where obtaining additional right-of-way is not feasible, Transportation Planners should look for other ways to increase capacity, i.e. smart signals, intersection widening, etc. rlanning Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 5 Staples Street is currently an "A2"Arterial and the recommendation is upgrading Staples Street to an "A3"Arterial. On Staples Street from Saratoga to Oso Creek, the recommendation is to expand from an "A2" with 100 foot right-of-way with four lanes and a median up to the "A3". That upgrade would provide 130 feet of right-of-way with six lanes and a median. This proposed change envisions a modified "A3" with six lanes in a narrow right-of-way due to existing development. The next street to be discussed was Navigation Boulevard. Staff recommends reducing the planned street designation from an"A3"Arterial to an "Al" Arterial based on the projection of future traffic. The Tule Lift Bridge has been removed and a continuous left turn lane allows a larger queue for truck stacking and left turn movements. The current location of Compton Road west of Flour Bluff Drive is in conflict with TxDOT safety standards. The MPO supported maintaining at least a conceptual connection to SPID east of the present location shown on the plan. The next item to be discussed was the explanation of the Williams Drive extension, east of Rodd Field Road. The recommendation is to realign and change from a C3 4 lane collector to a C2 3 lane collector. The next slide of the presentation was regarding Weber Road South of Saratoga Boulevard to Oso Creek. That recommendation is to change from an A2 Secondary Arterial with 100 feet of right-of-way and four (4) lanes to an A3 Primary Arterial with 130 feet of right-of-way and six (6)lanes. Mr. Payne then pointed out the planned capacity of the Transportation Plan Streets. The MPO suggested staff review the planned capacity (average daily trips) of the arterial streets. Using Austin, Texas and Ft. Worth, Texas as models the following is recommended: 1) The Al Arterial, four (4) lanes with continuous left lane turn - 24,000 trips per day and no change is recommended. 2) The A2 Arterial, four (4) lanes with median has currently designated with 26,500 average daily trips and the proposed average daily trips is 32,000. 3) The A3 Arterial is six (6) lanes with median currently has 36,000 average daily trips and is recommended for 48,000 average daily trips. The following slide illustrated Nile Drive/Pharaoh Drive. The proposed changes were per the planned off campus expansion of Texas A & M University Corpus Christi. The South Loop Corridor is a future freeway and the recommendation is to replace the South Loop Corridor with a conceptual south loop inset map. The next recommendation was the deletion of the Tule Lift Bridge Ship Channel Crossing on Navigation Boulevard. The Port of Corpus Christi suggested that the City remove the crossing since the bridge has been removed. There is no expectation that there will be a future crossing at this location. Harming Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 6 The next item proposed changing a pedestrian beach accessway on Mustang Island to a C-1 Collector. The recommendations were to change a pedestrian Beach Access on the Current Plan to a C-1 Collector at an existing 80 foot right- of-way located 3.1 miles north of the State Park next to the Porto Villageo Subdivision. As far as a consideration for the future, the High Speed Water Taxi and Light Rail concepts were explained by Mr. Payne. The high speed water taxi concepts were smaller water craft than past proposals, tourist links, and Economic Development Links, i. e., Texas A & M Corpus Christi, Naval Air Station, Ingleside, Portland, Port Aransas. With the Light Rail Concept, the Smart Growth group has suggested that the City consider a Light Rail Concept whenever large regional transportation corridor projects like the South Loop are considered. The 2007 National Survey suggested that 75% said that improved public transportation and building communities that don't require as much driving are better long term solutions for reducing traffic than building new roads. Another suggestion was to include a Light Rail Concept Map on the Transportation Plan to be considered as an alternative to major regional transportation projects. There is also a recommendation to adopt a policy for the creation of a complete Streets Program. "Complete Streets" programs have the goal of recognizing the need of all users of city streets, not just motor vehicles, when designing or improving streets. The Proposed Vision Statement is "Corpus Christi's streets will continue to be safe for all to travel, even our most vulnerable citizens, children, older adults and those with disabilities and, our streets will promote health through physical activity and active transportation." Mr. Payne explained that the Policy Statement on Achieving Street Capacity includes a policy statement indicating adding right-of-way to achieve more traffic volume is only one of several potential ways to increase street capacity. Other methods to increase capacity may include: alternative street designs, i.e., tied to curb sidewalks, narrower lanes, etc., intersection improvements, and access management. The next topic of the presentation was Street Widening for Bikeway Improvements. The Transportation Advisory Committee recommended adding language to the plan stating that street widening maybe required for streets designated on the City's Bikeway Plan. Regarding the Future Land Use Plan, changes of future land uses from Low and Medium Density Residential to Commercial. The Smart Growth goals were explained to be: 1. Mix land uses. 2. Take advantage of compact building design. 3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices. Nanning Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 7 4. Create walkable neighborhoods. 5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place 6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas. 7. Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities. 8. Provide a variety of transportation choices. 9. Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective. 10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions. The 2009 Urban Transportation and Future Land Use Plan Amendments in the area of Ennis Joslin Road were then discussed. From SPID to Wooldridge showed the existing Ennis Joslin Road has 130 ft. right-of-way, six (6) lanes, and divided. The proposed plan is from SPID to Holly Road there is no change needed. It was proposed to maintain the existing 130 ft. of the A3 cross section and obtain 130 ft. of right-of-way. The initial construction could be only two or four lanes. Ultimately, six lanes will protect the through movement of the inside four (4) through lanes. From Holly Road to Wooldridge Road, reduce cross section from an A3, 130 foot cross section to an A2, 100 foot cross section. On Holly Road, the existing plan is 130 foot right-of-way with six (6) lanes divided. The proposed plan is to maintain A3 Primary Arterial to provide connectivity and increase capacity near the freeway. Lastly was Wooldridge Road, with the Planned A-3 Arterial, 130 ft. right-of-way and six (6) lanes divided is proposed to be reduced to an A-2 with 100 feet of right-of-way and four(4) lanes. Commissioner Tamez asked how this proposed plan will affect businesses. Mr. Payne explained, in regard to congestion, national studies have shown if it takes too long for a consumer to get somewhere, they will often not attempt the trip at all. Also, if the only option is to take a left turn and the wait is too great, the consumer will just continue to drive straight ahead instead. The better access that can be provided is better to maintain the business. Mrs. Faryce Goode Macon said that is correct and that it is always the advantage to the business to be on the right side of the traffic. The presentation was concluded and Chairman Garza opened the public hearing. 1. David Loeb, 3100 Santa Fe, Apartment 43A, Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Loeb stated that he felt the community should start to consider the light rail system for the future. Some of the roads, especially on the south side will not be able to be widened and we should consider light rail as an option. He said that in the future 66,000 trips daily on Everhart would be unmanageable, and people would no longer want to travel there. Mr. Loeb also said that not immediately, but within twenty years, we may need to look into the light rail concept. 2. Tom Niskala, 5151 Flynn Parkway, Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Niskala and his organization supports this plan and commended staff on hard work. He rlanning Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 8 felt it is important to have the water taxi and light rail options for the future as traffic and population will greatly increase by 2030. 3. Bill Green, Port of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Green complimented staff on hard work for the recommendations presented. 4. Judy Telge, 316 Palmero, Corpus Christi, Texas. Mrs. Talge also supports these recommendations. She said she has never seen anything as far reaching and visionary as this presentation. She appreciates the great job staff has done in the plan amendments. . 5. Bill Brown, 5830 McArdle, Corpus Christi, Texas. Mr. Brown asked how this plan is going to affect land owners, business owners, and developers. He feels that this plan was put together too quickly and without proper notification to the community. Mr. Brown objected to a hasty approach to put this proposal to the City Council to adopt this plan. He supported most of the proposals put forth, but said that most people are unaware of the affects this plan would have on most businesses. He stated that more study and input is necessary, in his opinion. There were no others to speak in the public hearing therefore Chairman Garza closed the public hearing. Commissioner Skrobarczyk stated that he objects to the Smart Growth Principles presented in the plan. He said Corpus Christi was designed with the car in mind and not pedestrian travel. He also inquired if developers would receive a Smart Growth Rating and if that rating hinder the developers to begin their development projects. Mrs. Goode Macon explained that Smart Growth is a directive received by staff from past Commissions and staff is continuing that directive. Chairman Garza further explained that how he understands it is that we are encouraging developers to use a grid system,but the plan is not a rule of law. Commissioner Tamez suggested tabling the vote on this case until a future meeting thinking that the action would give business community more of an opportunity to get more information. Chairman Garza stated that anyone in the business community that has not received the information presented in tonight's meeting will have the opportunity to go before the City Council and express their opinion during the City Council public hearing. Commissioner Martinez had a comment to make which was he feels the City is growing quickly and that it is so difficult to get around town due to so many accidents. Commissioner Martinez stated that the safety of the citizens is the most important thing to consider. Commissioner Tamez made the motion to table the approval of the Transportation Plan to a future date with Commissioner Skrobarczyk seconding that motion. The motion failed. rtanning Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 9 Commissioner Skrobarczyk stated that if the Commissioners were not to table the vote on the presentation at today's meeting, he would like to make a recommendation concerning the issue of the right-of-way plan. He would consider approving the right-of-way plan dependent on separating the water taxi and light rail proposals from this plan and making it an overlay like the South Loop. Commissioner Skrobarczyk said that the Commissioners could approve the right-of-way plan and not to include in that plan the water taxi and light rail ideas, however, those are good ideas for the future. He suggested we make those portions separate from the proposed right-of-way plan. Commissioner Skrobarczyk would also like to keep separate the Smart Growth portion as well as a nice idea to work towards, but not a part of the right-of-way plan. Mr. Payne stated that the plan is not absolutely definitive except for the changes outlined in the Transportation map right-of-way. Chairman Garza stated that there was a motion and second to table this issue. He then asked for a roll call. At this time, Chairman Garza asked for a vote on tabling the issue. He called for a roll call. Commissioner Taylor — nay, Commissioner Kelly - nay, Commissioner Tamez - aye, Commissioner Skrobarczyk - aye, Chairman Garza - nay, Vice-Chairman Huerta - nay, Commissioner Martinez - nay, Commissioner Nadkarni — absent, Commissioner Adame—absent from the vote. Chairman Garza stated that the motion fails. At this time, Commissioner Skrobarczyk made a motion to approve the right-of- way plan and not approve the Smart Growth portion of the presentation, but to approve the overlay portion with the light rail and the water taxi. Commissioner Martinez seconded the motion. Commissioner Skrobarczyk asked that a designation be made about the proposed South Loop. The proposed South Loop could draw a lot of traffic away from the major arterials in place at the present time. Chairman Garza agreed that this is a good idea and should be included in the proposed plan. Mr. Payne said he would like to have a dialogue with the MPO. He stated that the input of MPO staff is very important regarding this issue. Commissioner Garza asked that a vote on re-opening the public hearing be made so Mr. Tom Niskala of the MPO be allowed to speak on this issue. The vote was unanimous to allow Mr. Niskala to speak. Mr. Niskala stated that it would be correct to, in the next few following months, make the decision to allow a private public partnership to make the idea of the South Loop a reality much sooner than he had ever imagined it could be. If that does happen, then TxDot could accelerate some of the environmental work and other work that is going on for the whole South Side mobility corridor. A developer may then want to look at this as sections of independent utility. They would then build those sections that would create the greatest traffic first such as Rodd Field over to State Highway 286. It would come further south and west and accomplish some of the things that were just discussed. rlanning Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 10 Former Commissioner David Loeb had some comments. He wanted to address the score sheet which was created by City Council in which staff was asked to create that. Staff and Smart Growth group wrote a score sheet based on what was suitable for Corpus Christi. Dependent on the score the developer received, he/she could use that score for marketing. Smart Growth considers their group to be an enabling entity for developers to do new things such as provide commercial uses near residential. It is not the purpose of Smart Growth for the points received to be a decision-making tool for zoning. Feedback from the business community is that they do not want street construction going on in front of their business due to construction hinders the business. Commercial developers like Smart Growth principles at a mid to moderate level. The interior development people love it. Home builders are between okay to expressing hostility. Mr. Loeb stated it is a good idea to build high density developments around the light rail and have lower density go out from that. Mr. Loeb stated that his group is not about telling developers what they are not allowed to do, but offering developers an option to another way. Commissioner Garza closed the public hearing and stated that there is a motion on the floor to recommend adoption of the transportation plan with omissions of Smart Growth principles and a recommendation to push further study of the South Loop as a possible option and light rail and water taxi as options to explore further in the future. Deborah Brown, Legal Counsel, asked Commissioner Skrobarczyk to restate his motion in its entirety. Commissioner Skrobarczyk amended his motion to adopt the Transportation Plan amendments but let the Transportation Plan with the addition of an accelerated study with a mobility connector from South Padre Island Drive southward to a potential South Loop with an inset map and have an inset map for the light rail and the water taxi. The motion included separating the text of the Smart Growth principles from the plan for further study. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Tamez. The motion was approved unanimously. IV. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ms. Goode Macon gave the Director's Report. A. ABSENCES Mrs. Goode Macon stated all were present at the January 6, 2010 Planning Commission meeting. B. FUTURE PLANNING COMMISSION SCHEDULED MEETINGS Mrs. Goode Macon stated the following were upcoming Planning Commission Meetings Planning Commission Minutes January 20,2010 Page 11 • February 3,2010 • February 17,2010 C. CITY COUNCIL ACTION Mrs. Goode Macon stated the City Council action for the three December, 2009 Planning Commission cases was approved on January 19, 2010. The Cottage Housing District ordinance will go before the Planning Commission again at the second meeting in February, 2010. D. ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON NEXT AGENDA Commissioner Skrobarczyk asked that information be added to the next agenda regarding recusing/abstaining from discussions or voting on zoning cases on the topic of conflict of interest. Mrs. Deborah Brown reported that James Bray is working on clarifying the topic. Mrs. Brown stated that this has been presented to the City Council and she will report on her findings. V. ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Commissioner Taylor and seconded by Commissioner Martinez. Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. An F ce Goode-Ma n Debbie Goldston . d w'dnir c`/ Assistant Director of Development Recording Secretary Services/Planning H\PLN-DIR\SHARED\ZONING\PLANNING COMMISSIOMMINUTES\2010\I-20-10 MINUTESDOC