HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Committee For Persons With Disabilities - 06/21/2006 - Special r
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI-COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Summary Minutes for the Special Called Meeting of June 21, 2006
I. The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
Roll call:
Present Committee Members:
Linda Faliwell-Stover, David Walker,Abel Alonzo, James Duerr, To Ila, ;�
Mary Saenz, Eloy Son, Brian Watson ry°�' ;
Post Roll Call Arrivals: none A ft'i
Absent Committee Members:
Robert Flores
Present Staff Members:
Leon Bazar, Wanese Butler, April Moffett, Michael Gunning, Sylvia Arispe,
Sharon Murphy, Mary Frances Teniente, Alonzo Garza, Margie Rose-Assist
City Manager, Guadalupe Rocha, Maureen Mahoney
Public:
Crystal Lyons, Judy Telge, Lee Jones, Tim Clower, Trevor Hadley
II. Presentation and Public Comments:
Presentation:
Michael Gunning - Interim Director of Development Services Department
The Chairperson welcomed Mr. Gunning, Acting Development Services
Director and his staff and stated the purpose of this Special Called Meeting
was for a presentation from Development Services and public hearing on the
Draft Unified Development Code. She further stated after the presentation
there would be the opportunity for questions.
Michael Gunning thanked the Committee and introduced his staff to the
Committee. He informed them that the current Land Development Code was
written in the early 40's and he stated many amendments had been done
them over the years. As a result, many of the code's, language had not been
clear and the amendments had been written in various documents.
The first purpose of the Unified Development Code is to consolidate the
existing land development regulations into a single document. The two
documents that are addressed are the Zoning Regulations, which are used to
regulate how land is used and the documents on Subdivision Regulation
which is used to regulate the plotting of lots and infrastructure necessary to
serve the lots in any capacity. The proposed Unified Development Code will
create a friendlier format for developers and citizens to understand, eliminate
inconsistency between documents that currently exist, and will be a single
document that will being all of the codes together. The Unified Development
Code will also eliminate conflicting definitions, establish procedures for
development, coordinate a system of review, enforce the development
regulations and bring forth a higher quality of development which in turn will
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reap economic development benefits. The Unified Development Code will
represent a change in how the development community would do business.
There will be a 45-day review period for discussion of this proposed
document. Michael Gunning then proceeded with a PowerPoint presentation
on the proposed Unified Development Code.
The first slide of the presentation was a general overview of the entire
presentation. The second slide indicated, in red print the existing zone
districts that are in the current code. The Historic Overlay District is new to
this section. This will allow the City to apply historic designations to single
pieces of properties for a historic home or building and apply that for the
entire neighborhood. Newly annexed areas will remain unchanged.
On the next slide, Mr. Gunning highlighted landscaping, buffering and
screening. He stated that this is the component that will help beautify the
City. Many of the sign amendments have already been accomplished and
have been included in the new unified development code.
Access and Circulation was the next slide in Michael Gunning's presentation.
He stated that driveway width specification, separation requirements to street
type, shared access at the discretion of the Development Review Committee
(DRC), and cross-access provisions will be accomplished to minimize the
number of driveways on arterial. Therefore, this will minimize the impact the
traffic will have on those streets.
Mr. Gunning's next slide gave examples cross-access in graphic form. He
stated although there have been some issues, that the parking requirements
worked well for this community. Alternative parking plans will be considered.
The next slide was titled, Landscaping, Buffering, and Screening. The current
landscaping ordinances were approved in the late 80's. This code would
eliminate the complicated point system. It would also standardize planning
areas. The standardize planning areas will be used to eliminated problems,
increase street beautification, flexibility in creating wider buffers and fewer
plants, and requiring canopy trees and tree protecting for existing trees.
There are three types of buffers: street, parking and zoning district boundary.
On the Building Standards slide, Mr.Gunning gave an illustration of
Articulation Horizontal were the projections or recesses 20 percent of the
length of the building and Articulation Verticals were the change in height
based on the height length of a building.
The new sign regulation ordinance'Applies" in the ETJ. Prior to the sign
amendments approved by the City Council, signage was determined by what
zoning district you were in. With the Unified Development Code, a business
will only be allowed one sign and there will be a different method for
calculating the signs.
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Michael Gunning also informed the Committee that the 45 day comment
period ends July 19, 2006 and the Committee may obtain the entire copy of
the unified Development code via the City's web site.
Mr. Gunning then answered questions from the Committee and stated that
the Development Review Committee has met with the Developers of other
interest groups. He stated the developers are concerned with the increased
cost of buffering and tree planting. He reminded the Committee members
that the City's website can also be used to ask questions about the Unified
Development Code. There will public hearings regarding the Unified
Development Code in October for the Planning Commission and November
for the City Council. The City's Code Enforcement Department will be
responsible for the application of the ETJ. Alonzo Garza then informed the
Committee the Unified Development Code would not replace any Texas
Accessibility Standards (TAS) already has in place by the Texas Department
of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
The Chairperson then expressed concern regarding guidance given to
developers here in the community. The Chairperson would like to supply
sufficient accessibility guidance through the Unified Development Code.
Alonzo Garza further informed the Committee if there is a commercial facility
that is over$50,000.00, then TDLR accessibility standards will apply. If the
building cost less that$50,000.00, then the City's policy will apply those
standards.
Public Comments:
The Chairperson then opened the floor for public comment.
Crystal Lyons voiced her concern regarding navigable accessible paths of
travel not being accessible and considered a land development issue. She
then gave examples of current transportation issues that currently exist
because it was not considered during the land development process: there
are no safe access route from the sidewalks to some the major stores in the
city; the ordinance should have some guidance in it so that a developer will
know the exact specifications on parking lots, sidewalks, building sponsoring
community events, curb cuts and ramps, stairs, parks, circulation paths,
protruding objects and vertical clearance, substandard subdivisions in our
communities. Multifamily developments should also be give guidance.
Mary Frances Teniente, Development Services informed the Committee that
this is the time to start drafting the wording that is need so that everyone can
be in agreement, and then the document may be brought back to this
Committee before it is adopted by City Council.
The Chairperson also cited concerns regarding incomplete information
provided to a small developer who was made aware of the obligation to
provide a specific number of accessible parking spaces, but was later cited,
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City of ADVISORY BOARD LISTING FOR THE
Corpus COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Christi
Committee Chairperson: Committee Vise-Chairneraon:
(Term to 02-01-08) (Term To 02-01-07)
Ms.Linda Faliwell-Stover Mr.David Walker
Work: RTA 5413 Parliament
5658 Bear Lane Corpus Christi,TX 78411
Corpus Christi,TX 78404 Home Phone: (361)852-8880
Work Phone: (361)289-2712 Work Phone: (361)854-4359
Fax: (361)289-0605 E-Mail: dlw4walkAswbell.net
E-Mail: Istover@ccrta.ore
Committee Secretary: Committee Member:
(Term to 02-01-08) (Term to 02.01-08)
Mr.Abel Alonzo Mr.James M.Duerr
1701 Thames Apt. 133 411 Pasadena
Corpus Christi,TX 78412 Corpus Christi,TX 78411
Phone: (361)991-3821 Phone:(361)854-2253
E-Mail: info(Tcorpuschristidailv.com
Committee Member: Committee Member:
(Term to 02-01-07) (Term to 02-01-08)
Mr.Roberto M.Flores Ms.Toni Padilla
7502 Milan Work: TX Dept.of Assistive&Rehabilitative Services
Corpus Christi,TX 78414 4410 Dillon Lane,Suite#44
Work Phone:(361)994-3669/Cell 549-3942 Corpus Christi,TX 78415
Fax:(361)994-3622 Work Phone: (361)878-1233
E-Mail: RMF82@GrandeCom.Net Fax: (361)851-8028
E-Mail: marv.sacnzi^udars.state.tx.us
Committee Member: Committee Member
(Term to02-01-07) (Tennm02-01-07)
Ms.Mary J.Saenz Mr.Eloy Soza
Work: TX Dept.of Assistive&Rehabilitative Services 5725 Curtis Clark#3611
4410 Dillon Lane,Suite#44 Corpus Christi,TX 78412
Corpus Christi,TX 78415 Home Phone:(361)992-4621
Work Phone: (361)878-1233 E-Mail: elov-soza(r8sbcelobal.net
Fax: (361)851-8028
E-Mail: in arv.saenz6 .dars.state.tx.us
Committee Member:
(Term to 02-01-07)
Mr.Brian Watson
5813 Hugo
Corpus Christi,TX 78412
Work Phone: (361)994-8228
Fax:N/A
E-Mail: bwatson1027521 !nsn.com
Revised 7282006
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(as a result of an ADA complaint) by city staff because he was not aware of
the obligation to provide additional space for van accessible, (to allow a driver
who uses a wheelchair sufficient space to alight for their vehicle.)
Alonzo Garza then informed the Committee that the City would be adopting
the 2006 International Building Code. This will be done in an effort to update
the City's building codes. These adoptions to the Code Council Catalog of
Books will also be in the City's "Chapter 1". "Chapter 1" is the administration
part of the City's ordinance. Mr. Garza further stated that the State of Texas
requires just the minimum. The City hopes to draft an ordinance that will be
added to the City's Administration Chapter prior to the issuance of the
Certificate of Occupancy, (C of 0), along with the other final inspections of
building, final plumbing/mechanical, final zoning, and final ADA inspection.
The final inspection on a piece of property needs to be completed within 365
days after the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. The Development
Services Department is hoping to do all final inspections at the same time.
Eloy Soza voiced his concern regarding who makes the final decision
regarding the route of travel for those using public transportation to get them
to a place of business. David Walker informed the Committee that TDLR
requires access between public transportation and the property line. That is
all TDLR and the owner of the property has control of.
Sylvia Arispe stated the all issues need to be identified and addressed so that
any gaps in access, (where public transportation ends and entrance to the
public building begins), can be addressed.
James Duerr voiced his concern that there was not enough public interest in
this meeting and voiced interest in another"Special Called"meeting.
Judy Telge, Executive Director for the Coastal Bend Center for Independent
Living, stated that there should be more meetings regarding this Code so that
there can be more discussion. She also stated that the language of
accessibility should be included and she also stated that she feels that the
code should be instructive for all concerned.
Brian Watson voiced concerns on how the Unified Development Codes would
effect existing developments. Sylvia Arispe stated that there are provisions in
the code for both new and existing developments.
Ill. Adjournment:
MOTION: With no further action, James Duerr moved to adjourn the meeting with a
second by David Walker. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 PM.
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Chairperson Date
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