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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Planning Commission - 07/17/1991 s MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL JULY 17, 1991 - 6 : 30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Mims, Chairman Lamont Taylor, Vice Chairman Ralph Hall Elizabeth C. Hoelscher Mike Karm Alma Meinrath Jake Sanchez William Sanderson Ro Wickham STAFF PRESENT: Brandol M. Harvey, AIA, AICP Director of City Planning and Urban Development Marcia Cooper, Recording Secretary Michael Gunning, Senior Planner Ruben Perez, Assistant City Attorney David Seiler, Traffic Operations Engineer CALL TO ORDER Chairman Mims called the meeting to order at 6 : 37 p.m. , and described the procedure to be followed. PUBLIC HEARING NEW ZONINGS Mr. Gunning stated that Mr. Roland Tello has requested that Application 791-1 Roland's Tire Service, be tabled, due to illness in the family. Motion by Sanderson, seconded by Taylor, that this application be tabled until the next regular meeting of the Commission. Motion passed unanimously. EXXON Company, U.S .A. : 791-2 REQUEST: From "B-1" Neighborhood Business District to "B-4" General Business District on Lot 1, Block A, Brentwood Village Community Center, located on the northeast corner of South Alameda Street and Airline Road. Mr. Gunning described the land use and zoning in the surrounding area, and stated that the applicant is requesting a zoning change to increase the allowable signage. The property is currently occupied by a full-service station. SCANNED Planning Commission Meeting July 17, 1991 Page 2 Mr. Gunning summarized the Staff Report, informing the Commission of applicable Policy Statements . The applicant plans to increase the size and height of the existing freestanding sign and to bring the full-service station use into conformity. The existing full-service station is nonconforming due to a Zoning Ordinance amendment approved in February 1990 that excluded most auto-related uses from the "B-i" District, including full-service stations . The service station may continue operating at its current capacity as long as it does not expand or close for more than one ( 1 ) year. The area of request has frontage on two ( 2 ) major intersecting arterials, Airline Road and South Alameda Street, therefore, the traffic generated by any "B-4" use will not adversely impact the surrounding area. The subject property is bordered on the north and east sides by a "B-1" Neighborhood Business District which are developed with two ( 2 ) story apartments . North of the "B-1" District is single-family development. The policy statements indicate that the low-intensity area ( "R-1B" District) should be buffered from a high-intensity area ( "B-4" District) by a medium intensity area ( "B-1" District) . The applicant does not intend to expand the current service station but only to install a larger freestanding sign. The "B-i" District permits one ( 1 ) 40 square foot, 20 foot tall freestanding sign. The "B-4" District permits one (1) 40 square foot, 25 foot tall freestanding sign located within the 20' front yard setback for each street frontage. Freestanding signs located behind the front yard setback are unlimited as far as number, size, and height are concerned. The current freestanding sign is located within the front yard setback and has sign area of 48 . 7 square feet and a height of 12 feet. The proposed sign will be approximately 64 feet in area and a height of 30 feet. Under a "B-4" District, the applicant may retain his existing freestanding sign, but must locate the proposed sign behind the 20 foot front yard setbacks . The applicant considered requesting a conditional sign permit, however, the maximum amount of signage the permit would allow the applicant was an area of 60 square feet and a height of 30 feet. Furthermore, .the findings necessary to approve a conditional sign permit could not be made. The findings are that there are 1 ) conditions that make the matter-of-right commercial signs unreadable from the adjoining roadway or 2) non-commercial signs visible from the public right-of-way. The existing sign on the property is a commercial sign and highly visible from the adjoining roadway. The Zoning Ordinance has been amended to prohibit using Special Permits to grant increase in signage, therefore, the decision should be based on whether a "B-4" District is appropriate at this location. As Staff has indicated previously, property Planning Commission Meeting July 17 , 1991 Page 3 located at the intersection of two ( 2 ) major arterials with direct access to arterials would be appropriate for "B-4" District uses, provided there is an adequate buffer zone to protect the surrounding residential properties . Mr. Gunning read to the Commission the pros and cons of this application from the Staff Report (copy on file) . Five notices were mailed, none were received in favor or in opposition. Staff recommends approval . Mr. Murray Bass, Munroe & Bass, appeared representing the applicant. He stated that the primary reason is to obtain additional sign, but the increased zoning would allow them to better utilize the property. Mr. Bass answered questions from the Commission, stating that the applicant will erect one sign which would not be over 25 ' . No one appeared in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Mr. Harvey stated that based on Planning Commission and City Council actions amending the Zoning Ordinance as to where full service stations should be located, and based on the Policy Statements of the Comprehensive Plan where general business district should be located, the subject property meets both tests, and therefore implements the actions of the Planning Commission and City Council . Motion by Karm, seconded by Lamont, that this application for "B-4" General Business District be forwarded to the City Council with the recommendation that it be approved. Motion passed unanimously. Shoreline Boulevard Lighting/Signalization Standardization Mr. Harvey stated that the traffic signalization and street lighting standardization issue was raised by City Council last April when improvements were made to the Cooper's Alley/Shoreline intersection. At that time, City Council asked if they were suppose to continue the People' s Street intersection design or do something else. Since the question was put to various boards and commission several years ago, City Council asked Staff to go back to those boards and Commissions and raise the question again. After City Council forwarded that request to boards and commission through staff in May, City Council adopted Planning Commission's South Central Area Development Plan. At that time the plan said that there shall be a special design created for the Bayfront. Planning Commission Meeting July 17, 1991 Page 4 Mr. David Seiler, Traffic Operations Engineer, stated that there was an attempt to have a joint meeting of boards and commissions on June 18, 1991, but that the Planning Commission and two other committees did not have a quorum. He gave a detailed presentation of lighting along Shoreline Boulevard, and stated that the two points which are the subject of discussion are: 1 . Should the City continue uniform application of the "modular style" traffic signalization (presently installed at the Peoples/Shoreline intersection) at all intersections on Shoreline Boulevard, adopt use of some other "unique" signal standard design, or maintain the conventional "steel-galvanized" mast arm signalization presently installed at the Shoreline/Cooper's Alley, Shoreline/Park, and Shoreline/Magee Beach locations? 2 . Should the City provide a "unique" style street light standard uniformly along the length of Shoreline Boulevard, compatible with the style of street lighting presently installed at the Peoples/Shoreline intersection, continue application of the concrete pole/box luminaire standard presently used on Corpus Christi Beach, or maintain the conventional "cobra head" street light standard and "spun aluminum" support pole style presently installed along Shoreline Boulevard? Mr. Seiler reviewed actions taken by boards and commission, as well as the City Council in 1985 on this subject, and presented a slide presentation of lighting along Shoreline Boulevard. He continued that a wide range of factors including aesthetics , safety, utility maintenance and cost should be considered when making a decision. He answered questions from the Commission. Mr. Harvey stated that Planning Commission's role is to advise City Council from a Comprehensive Planning perspective what options are available to them regarding standardization of street lighting and traffic signalization on the Bayfront. He suggested that the Commission advise City Council to follow the direction stated in the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Hall was of the opinion that the bayfront does not need expensive and beautiful traffic lights on Ocean Drive, as all the beauty is with the bayfront. If traffic signals have to be erected, he recommended that the conventional (steel galvanized) design be used, until a change has to be made. He recommended that the Commission take the position that the conventional standard be used as the standard street signal . Planning Commission Meeting July 17 , 1991 Page 5 Mr. Harvey stated that if that is the Planning Commission's recommendation to City Council, the Planning Commission would be obligated to explain to the City Council why the Commission is changing the South Central Area Development Plan that was adopted by the Planning Commission a few months ago. Mr. Hall clarified that he had no problems pursuing a special design for the Bayfront, but that the conventional design should be used until that design is identified, and economically feasible to install . Commissioners concurred to hear the Heart of Corpus Christi' s presentation on Visions at this time, rather than later in the agenda. Motion by Taylor, seconded by Sanderson, and passed unanimously that discussion on the Waterfront Management District Design Plan (Vision) be removed from the table, and heard at this time. Discussion and Action on the Waterfront Management District Design Plan (Vision) , implementing the adopted South Central Area Development Plan. Mr. Kevin Walker, Heart of Corpus Christi, reviewed the Visions document, and pointed out that this document had no specific traffic signal standard recommended for the Bayfront. He pointed out the street light standards that are being recommended for the downtown and those that are being recommended for the Bayfront (contained in the Vision document) . He stated that both standards are very similar, and pointed out the difference between the two. Commissioner Hoelscher commented that she liked the proposed light standards, adding that they would tie in with the Bluff and also the Bayfront. Commissioner Wickham stated that he hoped that there would be no more modular traffic signals installed along the Bayfront. Commissioner Sanderson commented that Visions was an excellent plan and well thought out. Motion by Sanderson, seconded by Hall, that Visions be accepted. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Hoelscher pointed out that the plan indicates that the McCampbell House will be demolished, and asked for an explanation. Planning Commission Meeting July 17, 1991 Page 6 Mr. Walker indicated that it is only an idea, and does not mean it will happen. Following broad discussion by the Commission, motion by Hoelscher, seconded by Sanderson to approve the temporary use of the conventional steel-galvanized standard signalization in lieu of the Peoples Street modular unit, and instruct the Staff to find a comprehensive plan for signalization that will fit in with the Vision Plan. Motion passed unanimously. NEW PLATS Consideration of plats as described on attached addendum OTHER MATTERS None. MATTERS NOT SCHEDULED Chairman Mims reminded Commissioners that financial statements are due in the City Secretary's office by July 25, 1991 . Mr. Ruben Perez advised the Commission that the City Council passed an ordinance that states if Planning Commissioners neglect to file a financial statement in a timely manner, they are automatically removed from the Commission. EXCUSED ABSENCE Motion by Hoelscher, seconded by Karm, that Commissioner Meinrath be excused from the meeting of July 17, 1991 . Motion passed with Meinrath abstaining. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Wickham, seconded by Karm that the minutes of the regular meeting of July 3, 1991 be approved. Motion passed unanimously. )44e.:44-a/A41 /1"1/ Brandol M. Har ey Marcia Cooper J Director of City Planning and Recording Secretary Urban Development Executive Secretary to Planning Commission Planning Commission Meeting July 17 , 1991 Page 7 NEW PLATS Addendum to minutes of consideration of plats 1 . 069127-P15 Arbor Terrace (Final Replat - 14 . 77 acres ) Located between Roscher Road and the Cayo Del Oso north of Caribbean Drive Owner - Dyke Henderson & Blenda Kay Henderson Engineer - RDC Shearer, Inc . Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Sanderson, seconded by Taylor, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed with Hall, Hoelscher, Karm, Meinrath, Sanchez, Sanderson, Taylor, Mims voting aye, and Wickham out of the Council Chambers . 2 . 069128-P16 Hilltop Village Lot 20 (Final - 0 . 31 acres ) Located east of Cynthia Street and north of Figueroa Street Owner - Manuela Leal Engineer - David M. Pyle Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Sanderson, seconded by Karm, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed with Hall, Hoelscher, Karm, Meinrath, Sanchez, Sanderson, Taylor, Mims voting aye, and Wickham out of the Council Chambers . 3 . 069129-P17 Molina Subdivision No. 2, Block 6 , Lots 24A & 24B (Final Replat - 0 . 46 acre) Located west of Angela Drive north of Villarreal Drive Owner - Fabian C. Gonzalez & Adela Gonzalez Engineer - RDC Shearer, Inc. Planning Commission Meeting July 17, 1991 Page 8 Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Meinrath, seconded by Hall, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed unanimously. 4 . 0.69130-P18 Sugar Ridge Unit 2, Block 11, Lots 3 through 14 (Final replat - 4 . 28 acres ) Located south of Cedar Pass Drive and west of Gold Ridge Road Owner - Wheatly Properties Engineer - Urban Engineering Mr. Gunning stated that one condition remains to be met on this plat as follows : ( 1 ) Place a note on the plat stating that no driveway access be permitted to Cedar Pass Drive. Mr. Gunning stated that the property owner' s engineer has requested that this requirement be removed. The requirement has been discussed with Engineering, and it has been removed. Staff recommends approval of the plat with no requirements . Ms . Mary Francis Teniente, Engineering Department indicated that Sugar Ridge Unit 5, in close proximity to the subject plat, has the potential to develop with access to Cedar Pass, hence the reason for removing the requirement on this plat. Mr. Edgar Moore appeared in favor of the plat with the requirement removed. No one appeared in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Karm, seconded by Hall, that this plat be approved with no requirements . Motion passed unanimously. 5 . 069135-P19 Hawn Estates (Final - 6 . 37 acres) Located southwest of Ocean Drive west of Hewit Drive Owner - George S. Hawn, Jr. Engineer - Urban Engineering Planning Commission Meeting July 17, 1991 Page 9 Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. Mr. Chuck Urban, Urban Engineering, appeared and stated that the property owner would like to subdivide the property into three residential lots . He proposes to sell the two smaller lots, and will retain the larger lot for himself . Ms . Mary Alborado, 3233 Ocean Drive, appeared, stating that she was opposed to additional people in the neighborhood, and she also felt that there would not be sufficient space for guest parking. She felt that with three additional houses in the neighborhood, the service drive to the rear would be congested. She noted that she would not be opposed to one house, but she was opposed to three houses . Commissioner Wickham stated that he could not comprehend objection to 1 acre lots . Mr. Urban clarified that potentially, all three houses can use the alley. The public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Karm, seconded by Sanderson, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed unanimously. 6 . 069131-NP13 Beach Portion of Corpus Christi, Block 28, Lot 7AR (Final replat - 0 . 050 acre) Located south of Interstate Highway 37 and east of Chaparral Street Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Sanderson, seconded by Hall, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed with Hall, Hoelscher, Meinrath, Sanchez, Sanderson, Wickham, Taylor, Mims voting aye, and Karm out of the Council Chambers . Planning Commission Meeting July 17, 1991 Page 10 7 . 069132-NP14 Caribbean Baptist Church, Block 1, Lot 1 (Final - 0 . 70 acre) Located east of Waldron Road and south of Caribbean Drive Owner - First Baptist Church Flour Bluff Engineer - Associated Engineers & Surveyors Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Taylor, seconded by Karm, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed unanimously. 8 . 069133-NP15 Central Wharf & Warehouse Company Subdivision, Block 9, Lot 1- A (Final replat - 0 . 113 acre) Located south of Kinney Avenue and east of Carrizo Street Owner - John Tamez Engineer - Horacio Oliveira Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Sanderson, seconded by Karm, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed unanimously. 9 . 069134-NP16 Chris-Rae Addition, Block 1, Lot 1 (Final replat - 21 . 05 acres ) Located between South Padre Island Drive (State Highway 358 ) on the north and Williams Drive on the south, east of Rodd Field Road (State Highway 357 ) Owner - PJC Partnership Engineer - Urban Engineering. Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining to be met on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed. Planning Commission Meeting July 17, 1991 Page 11 Motion by Karm, seconded by Hall, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion. passed unanimously. 10 . 069136-NP17 Saratoga Staples Plaza (Preliminary - 72± acres ) Located north of Saratoga Boulevard (State Highway 357 ) and east of South Staples Street (FM 2444 ) Owner - Staples Saratoga Properties Engineer - Urban Engineering Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition, and the public hearing was declared closed.. Motion by Sanderson, seconded by Hall, that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed unanimously. (E: 119MC)