HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Planning Commission - 07/29/1992 MINUTES
REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
JULY 29, 1992 - 6:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Mims, Chairman
Mike Karm, Vice Chairman
Ralph Hall
Alma Meinrath
Jake Sanchez
Lamont Taylor
Ro Wickham
MEMBERS ABSENT: Bobby Canales
William Sanderson
STAFF PRESENT: Brandol M. Harvey, Director of Planning & Development
Michael Gunning, Senior Planner
Lorraine Del Alto, Recording Secretary
Lynn Nunns, Assistant City Attorney
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Mims called the meeting to order and described the procedure to be followed.
PUBLIC HEARING
Thomas-Spann Clinic: 792-2
REQUEST: From "R-1B" One-family Dwelling District to "AB" Professional Office District on
Lots 49 through 56, Block 1102, Bay Terrace Unit 2, located on the east side of 14th
Street, approximately 200 feet north of McKenzie Street.
Mr. Gunning described the land use and zoning in the surrounding area, and stated that the
applicant is requesting a zoning change to a "AB" Professional Office District for future parking and
use of an existing structure. The property is currently vacant on Lots 49, 50, 51, 52, 55 and 46; and
Lots 53 and 54 are occupied by a vacant house.
Mr. Gunning summarized the Staff Report, and informed the Commission of applicable Policy
Statements.
The applicant has requested a change of zoning from "R-1B" One-family Dwelling District
to "AB" Professional Office District to develop the subject property of 0.57 acre, lots 49-56, for
parking and storage. The lots, which front 14th Street, are located to the rear of the Thomas-Spann
Clinic and are currently vacant, except for a residential structure on lots 53 and 54. The structure
is 900 square feet and will be used for storage.
SCANNED
Planning Commission Meeting
July 29, 1992
Page 3
The Thomas-Spann premises include lots 5 though 22 on Brownlee Street, a collector, and lots
43 through 60 on 14th Street, a local street. The clinic building fronts Brownlee on lots 12 through
16. The existing parking areas are located on both sides of the Clinic and the subject lots between
Brownlee and 14th Streets. Through an agreement with the adjacent church to the south, additional
parking, approximately 28 spaces, are available on the rear lots (lots 61-64) along 14th Street to
McKenzie Street. All proposed and existing parking is surrounded by a chain link fence located along
14th and McKenzie Streets. Except for a gate located in front of the residential structure on 14th
Street and a gate on McKenzie Street, there are no other open points of access from the local streets.
These gates are not used for public access. Two existing driveway curb cuts do not have gates and
are blocked by the existing fence.
Directly across 14th Street from the subject property are single-family residences and two
vacant lots. The parking expansion and accessory building for proposed storage of non-perishable
supplies (in the existing structure) should not change the impact of the current clinic use on the
residential uses. The subject lots are bounded on three sides by "AB" zoning for the Thomas-Spann
Clinic parking and building. Rezoning to "AB" would provide a more consistent zoning district for
the primary clinic use and restrict access to only Brownlee Street. Compliance with the Landscape
Ordinance is required if the number of added spaces exceeds 10 and the parking area is increased by
10 percent or more.
Mr. Gunning read to the Commission the pros and cons of this application from the Staff
Report (Copy on file).
Staff recommends approval of the "AB" Professional Office District. Twenty-three notices
were mailed, of which one (1) was returned in opposition and three (3) were returned in favor.
Dr. Jerry Whitehead, appeared before the Commission as the representative for the Thomas-
_ Spann Clinic. He stated that the expansion of parking area was needed for additional physicians. He
asked the Commission to consider approving this change of zoning.
No one appeared in opposition. The public hearing was declared closed.
Motion by Hall, seconded by Meinrath, that this application for "AB" Professional Office
District be approved. Motion passed with Hall, Meinrath, Sanchez, Taylor, Wickham, Karm and
Mims voting aye, and Canales and Sanderson being absent.
Mr. Robert J. Heim: 792-3
REQUEST: From "B-3" Business District to "R-1B" One-family Dwelling District on Lot 22A,
Block G, Flour Bluff Estates, located on the southwest corner of Mounts Drive and
Linnet Court.
Mr. Gunning described the land use and zoning in the surrounding area, and stated that the
applicant is requesting a zoning change to construct a second single-family residence.
Mr. Gunning summarized the Staff Report, and informed the Commission of applicable Policy
Statements.
Planning Commission Meeting
July 29, 1992
Page 4
The Flour Bluff Area Development Plan, adopted December 6, 1982, recommended that this
area develop with industrial uses. The requested "R-1B" One-family Dwelling District is inconsistent
with the adopted Plan.
The applicant is requesting a change of zoning from "B-3" Business District to "R-1B" One-
family Dwelling District in order to add a second single-family residence on lot 22A and to make the
existing single-family residence conforming. The "B-3" zoning on the subject property and
surrounding properties west of Mounts Drive does not permit permanent residences. The site is
approximately 1.14 acres in size with frontage on Linnet Court and Mounts Drive, local residential
streets. The existing single-family home fronts Mounts Drive. Vacant land adjoins the subject
property to the south and west with single-family residences to the west and north along Linnet Court
and to the east across Mounts Drive. The only commercial development in this area is located 250 feet
to the south on South Padre Island Drive (SPID) at Mounts and Fawn Drives.
In 1980, the Navy presented to the City an Air Installation Use Zone Report (AICUZ) which
defined a three tier ranking of accident potential zones for Naval flight patterns. The zones were
based on the acceptability of certain land uses given an area's potential for aircraft accidents. The
subject site is located on the eastern fringe of the Navy's designated Accident Potential Zone 1 (APZ-
1). In this zone no residential development nor commercial or industrial development which
congregates large groups of persons was recommended. The Flour Bluff Area Development Plan
(FBADP), adopted December 6, 1982 recommended that the areas located within APZ-1 develop with
industrial uses. On March 2, 1983, City Council adopted a comprehensive zoning plan for Flour Bluff
based on the approved FBADP. The area south of Judie Court and west of Mounts Drive, which
includes the subject property, was rezoned from "B-4" General Business District to the present zoning
of "B-3". The "B-4" District permits residential uses, whereas, the "B-3" District prohibits residences.
The "B-3" District does allow, however, activities which can attract large groups of people
such as hotels, motels, retail shopping centers, nightclubs, and enclosed amusement places and
theaters. Regarding the applicant's property, the adjacent and surrounding uses are predominantly
residential with vacant tracts to the south closer to SPID. Directly across Mounts Drive to the east,
the residences are zoned "R-1B" One-family Dwelling. In relation to the APZ-1 boundary, the
subject property, as well as, the residential uses zoned "R-lb" on Mounts Drive, are located within
the APZ-1 along the eastern edge. Extending one block north from the subject property, Judie Court
to Skipper Lane, there are large residentially developed areas within the APZ-1 boundary that are
zoned "R-1B" and "RA".
The minimum lot sizes and densities per acre for the "R-1B" and "RA" Districts are 6,000
square feet per 7.26 units and 15,000 square feet per 2.9 units, respectively. A low-density
residentially use, such as 2.9 units under the "RA" District, would be preferable to "B-3" allowable
uses in the APZ-1 due to their conflict with the aircraft accident potential. The current "B-3"
regulations allows activities that attract large groups, while the "RA" regulations are much more
restrictive, even prohibiting churches which are permitted in other residential districts.
Under the "RA" District, the applicant must replat to create a maximum of three lots and add
two single-family units for a total of three dwelling units.
Mr. Gunning read to the Commission the pros and cons of this application from the Staff
Report (Copy on file).
Planning Commission Meeting
July 29, 1992
Page 5
Staff recommends denial of "R-1B" One-family Dwelling District, approval of an "RA"
Residential Acreage District. Twenty-seven (27) notices were mailed, of which one (1) was returned
in opposition and two (2) were returned in favor and one (1) was returned in favor from outside of
the 200' radius.
Mr. Robert Heim, 15369 Sabre Drive, applicant appeared and stated that he would like to
build a house on this lot. He does not believe that businesses will be built in that area in the near
future and would like to utilize this area with his house. He asked the Commission to consider
approving this zoning change.
Mr. Robert O'Brien, 313 Meldo Park, property owner of 438 Linnet Court, appeared in
opposition and stated that the reason he bought this property was for business investment purposes.
This lot is zoned "B-3". He feels that it would serve the community better to have a shopping center,
then to have residential houses within this area. He is opposed to any residential within this area.
He asked the Commission consider denying this zoning change.
Commissioner Hall asked Staff to identify the lot owned by Mr. O'Brien shown on the land
use map.
Mr. Arthur Davis, 434 Linnet Court, appeared in opposition to this zoning change and stated
that he also bought this lot for investment purposes. He feels that this area should be commercial
property.
Mr. Brandol Harvey, related to Mr. Davis that the applicant's property would be the only
property in which the zoning would be changed.
Mrs. Barbara Woldstad-Heim, 15369 Sabre Drive, applicant appeared before the Commission
and stated that they want to build a home for themselves. She does not feel that businesses would
be proper in that area. She would like for the request to be approved.
No one else appeared in favor or in opposition. The public hearing was declared closed.
Mr. Harvey stated that as far as infrastructures are concerned and other land use
considerations, this area could either be commercial or residential zoned because of its location to
South Padre Island Drive. However, an additional consideration is the Air Accident Potential Zone
1, which is the highest risk property that may be developed. Corpus Christi Naval Air Station
commented and made a suggestion on this zoning change that this area may be changed to single-
family provided there are no more than one unit per acre and there be sound proof construction of
the house, to try to diminish the noise of air craft in the area. Corpus Christi Naval Air Station's
primary concerns regarding residences is the noise created by the aircraft. Other concerns for
residential and non-residential uses involve loss of life and property due to an accident. When
APZ 1 was designated and comprehensive zoning was finalized for this area, the only zoning
classification meeting these objectives was "B-3" Business District, which did not allow any
residential. "B-4" for example, allows over 30 units per acre. Staff suggests that because the property
is on the edge of APZ 1, they will support a residential development at 15,000 square feet per lot with
no higher density than this and continue to support the transitioning to commercial for the rest of the
property between this area and South Padre Island Drive.
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Planning Commission Meeting
July 29, 1992
Page 6
Commissioner Karm stated that he does not see any future commercial property being
developed within this area in the future. He added that he does not have any objections to this house
being built by the applicant.
Commissioner Hall stated that he believes it would be difficult to develop a shopping center
within the area; He added that he is in support with Staff recommendation regarding this zoning
application.
Commissioner Wickham stated he does not believe that any shopping center will be developed
within that area in the near future. He replied that he agrees with Staff recommendation.
Motion by Karm, seconded' by Wickham, that this application for "B-3" Business District be
denied, in lieu thereof, approval of an "RA" Residential Acreage District. Motion passed with Hall,
Meinrath, Sanchez, Taylor, Wickham, Karm and Mimsvoting aye, and Canales and Sanderson being
absent.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Bob Payne stated to the Planning Commission that this plan was recommended for City
Council adoption by the Planning Commission on April 22, 1992, but subsequent Staff discussions
with the Texas Department of Transportation have prompted major changes .to the land use,
annexation,, and transportation recommendations. He added that Staff feels that ,these changesare
significant • enough to warrant an additional review/public hearing by the Planning Commission.
Mr. Payne presented several changes for the Port/Airport/Violet Area Development Plan
proposed . by.the Texas Department of Transportation and Staff.
Chairman Mims opened the public hearing :for the Port/Airport/Violet Area Development
Plan for City Council adoption. .
No one appeared in favor or in opposition. The public' hearing .was declared closed.
There was some discussion concerning the right-of-ways and other changes such as labeling
residential facilities within this plan. presented.
Mr. Brandol Harvey asked the Commission to recognize the land use groupings presented for
this plan. The land use explains what the previous plans did not include. He added that this would
help the Planning Commission make decisions on future zoning questions.
Motion by Wickham, seconded by Meinrath that this Port/Airport/Violet Area Development
Plan be forwarded to City Council with a recommendation that it be approved. Motion passed with
Hall, Meinrath, Sanchez, Taylor, Wickham, Karm and Mims voting aye, and Canales and Sanderson
being absent.
Planning Commission Meeting
July 29, 1992
Page 7
TABLED ZONING
1) 692-5 Messrs. Jack O'Hara and Joseph Afram: "AB" to "B-1"
Located on the south corner of Everhart Road and Janssen Drive.
This application was tabled at the June 17 and July 15, 1992 Planning Commission meetings
to allow the applicant time to work with Staff in developing a site plan for Planning
Commission approval. To date, Staff has not received a site plan for review.
OTHER MATTERS
Mr. Brandol Harvey stated the following City Council action:
692-2 Mr. Eric E. Eisenhauer: Approved as recommended by Staff and Planning
Commission.
MATTERS NOT SCHEDULED
Mr. Harvey informed Chairman Mims, Vice Chairman Karm and Commissioner Taylor that
they are required to submit financial statements •by Friday, July 31, 1992.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Chairman Mims and Commissioner Taylor absence were unexcused for the regular meeting
of July 15, 1992.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Minis stated that a correction was to be made for the regular meeting of July 15,
1992. Vice Chairman Karm called the meeting to order on July 15, 1992 minutes. It was moved and
seconded that the minutes of the regular meeting of July 15, 1992 be approved with a correction.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Cetittel.). 491_,
Brandol M. Harvey, AIA, ACCP aine Del Alto
Director of Planning & Development Recording Secretary
Executive Secretary to Planning Commission
(E:MINUTES.12)
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Planning Commission Meeting
July 29, 1992
Page 8
TABLED PLATS
1) 079249-P20
Bayberry Terrace, Block 2, Lot 8R (Final Replat - 0.263 acre)
Located northeast of South Bayberry Place, east of Waldron Road.
Mr. Gunning requested that this plat be tabled for two weeks until the next regular scheduled
meeting of Wednesday, August 12, 1992.
Motion by Sanchez, seconded by Wickham that this plat be tabled for two weeks until the next
regular scheduled meeting of Wednesday, August 12, 1992. Motion passed with Hall, Meinrath,
Sanchez, Taylor, Wickham, Karm and Mims voting aye, and Canales and Sanderson being absent.
2) 079251-P21
Perry's Estate, Block 1, Lot 25 (Final - 0.884 acre)
Located southeast of Dove Lane southwest of Graham Road.
Mr. Gunning requested that this plat be tabled for two weeks until the next regular scheduled
meeting of Wednesday, August 12, 1992.
Motion by Sanchez, seconded by Wickham that this plat be tabled for two weeks until the next
regular scheduled meeting of Wednesday, August 12, 1992. Motion passed with Hall, Meinrath,
Sanchez, Taylor, Wickham, Karm and Mims voting aye, and Canales and Sanderson being absent.