HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-18-17 PC Minutes
* M I N U T E S *
REGULAR MEETING
JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS
PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Chambers
December 18, 2017
A Joint Public Hearing of the Planning Commission and City Council was held on December
18, 2017 and called to order at 3:25 p.m. with the following members present:
Commission Members present: Commissioner J.P. Colbert
Commissioner Shawn Javed
Commissioner Bill Little
Commissioner Lauren Williams Mason
Alt. Commissioner Marty Craig
Commission Members absent: Chairman Sina Nejad
Commissioner Lynda Kay Makin
Commissioner Eddie Senigaur
Commissioner Roy Steinhagen
Commissioner Johnny Beatty
Alt. Commissioner B. Eliot New
Alt. Commissioner Sandy Pate
Councilmembers present: Mayor Becky Ames
Mayor Pro-Tem Gethrel Williams-Wright
Councilmember Mike Getz
Councilmember Audwin Samuel
Councilmember W.L. Pate
Councilmember Virginia Jordan
Councilmember Robin Mouton
Councilmembers absent: None
Also present: Chris Boone, Director of Planning and
Community Development
Adina Josey, Senior Planner
Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney
Katrina Purcell, Recording Secretary
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Planning and Zoning
December 18, 2017
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Mason made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting held on
November 20, 2017. Commissioner Little seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 5:0.
REGULAR MEETING
1) Preliminary Plat, Diamond D Ranch: Request for a Preliminary Plat approval of Douget’s
Diamond D Ranch, Phase 4, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas
Applicant: Fittz & Shipman
Location: South of U.S. Highway 90 along the west side of Pine Island Levee Road within
the Planning Area of the City of Beaumont E.T.J.
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Fittz & Shipman, Inc. has requested preliminary plat
approval of Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch, Phase 4. The project is located south of U.S. Highway
90 along the west side of Pine Island Levee Road within the Planning Area of the City of
Beaumont E.T.J. The 35.239 acre development is a thirty-five (35) lot, single family, residential
subdivision. All lots have frontage on the existing Pine Island Levee Road which has a one
hundred (100) ft. R.O.W. and eighteen (18) ft. pavement width. Water will be provided by
Meeker Water Supply Corporation and sewer will be individual septic systems.
Since the subdivision lies within the Planning Area of the E.T.J., Jefferson County construction
specifications and regulations shall apply.
This item was sent to all interested parties. Slides of the subject property were shown. Staff
recommended approval. Don King representing Fittz & Shipman, 1405 Cornerstone Court,
addressed the Commission. Commissioner Little suggested to Mr. King that he changes the street
name Christina Lane. No discussion followed. Commissioner Little made a motion to approve a
request for a Preliminary Plat of Douget’s Diamond D Ranch, Phase 4 as requested.
Commissioner Mason seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 5:0.
2) Preliminary Plat, Diamond D Ranch, Phase 5- Request for a Preliminary Plat approval of
Diamond D Ranch, Phase 5, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas
Applicant: Fittz & Shipman, Inc.
Location: South of U.S. Highway 90 along the west side of Pine Island Levee Road within
the Planning Area of the City of Beaumont E.T. J.
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Fittz & Shipman, Inc. has requested preliminary plat
approval of Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch, Phase 5. The project is located south of U.S. Highway
90 at the intersection of Diamond D Drive and Bond Road in the Planning Area of the City of
Beaumont E.T.J. The 29.274 acre development is a twenty-nine (29) lot, single family,
residential subdivision. All lots have frontage on the existing Bond Road which has a sixty (60)
ft. R.O.W. and twenty (20) ft. pavement width. Water will be provided by Meeker Water Supply
Corporation and sewer will be individual septic systems.
Since the subdivision lies within the Planning Area of the E.T.J., Jefferson County construction
specifications and regulations shall apply.
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This item was sent to all interested parties. Slides of the subject property were shown. Staff
recommended approval. Mr. Don King, 1405 Cornerstone Court, addressed the Commission. No
discussion. Commissioner Little made a motion to approve a request for a Preliminary Plat
approval of Diamond D Ranch, Phase 5 as requested. Commissioner Colbert seconded the
motion. Motion to approve carried 5:0.
3) File 879-OB: A request for abandonment of the 5’ utility easement between Lots 11 & 12, the
10’ utility easement between Lots 12 & 13 and the perimeter utility easement around Lots 10, 11,
12, and 13 Comstock Place.
Applicant: Berrick and Chelsea Pete
Location: End of Larry Lane
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Berrick and Chelsea Pete have requested abandonment of
all easements on their property located at the end of Larry Lane. Several easements cross the
property including a five (5) foot wide utility easement between lots 11 & 12, a ten foot wide
utility easement between lots 12 & 13, and utility easements along the rear lot lines of each lot
varying from 10 feet to 22 feet deep. Mr. & Mrs. Pete have asked for the two (2) interior utility
easements to be considered separately from the perimeter easements.
City of Beaumont Water department is in opposition to the abandonment of the perimeter
easements.
This item was sent to all interested parties. Slides of the subject property were shown. Staff
recommended approval. Berrick Pete, 1350 Long Street, addressed the Commission. Mr. Pete
stated that he accepted not abandoning the easements around the entire perimeter. No further
discussion. Commissioner Colbert made a motion to approve the request for an abandonment of
the 5’ utility easement between Lots 11& 12, the 10’ utility easement between Lots 12 & 13
excluding the perimeter utility easement around Lots 10, 11, 12 and 13 Comstock Place for File
879-OB.Commissioner Mason seconded the approval. Motion to approve carried 5:0.
4) File 880-OB: A request for a sidewalk waiver.
Applicant: Joe Pattie, RPS Group
Location: 4575 N. Major Drive
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Joe Pattie of RPS Group, is requesting a waiver to the
sidewalk requirement along 4575 North Major Drive. According to Mr. Pattie, there is not
ample space between the top of the bank and the property line, particularly with overhead
utilities anchored by poles across the frontage, for a sidewalk. The ditch would need to be
moved approximately eight (8) feet over to accommodate a sidewalk. This would not be
compatible with drainage strategies in this area.
This item was sent to all interested parties. Slides of the subject property were shown. Staff
recommended approval. Joe Pattie representing RPS Group, 4180 Delaware Street, addressed the
Commission. Mr. Patti stated that TX DOT had no objections to the request. No further
discussion. Commissioner Little made a motion to approve a request for a sidewalk waiver as
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December 18, 2017
requested for File 880-OB.Commissioner Colbert seconded the motion. Motion to approve
carried 5:0.
JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mayor Ames called the Joint Public Hearings of December 18, 2017 to order and explained the
purpose of the Joint Public Hearing process and then turned the meeting over to Commissioner
Craig.
1) File 2315-P: A request for a Specific Use Permit for storage of empty trash containers in a
GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) District.
Applicant: 2S Roll-Off Service, LLC
th
Location: 3999 S. 11 Street
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Mr. Boone presented the staff report. 2S Roll-Off Service,
L.L.C. is requesting a Specific Use Permit to store empty trash containers at 3999 S. 11th Street.
The property is fully enclosed by fencing, and no utilities will be used as the property is only to
be used as storage.
This item was presented to the Planning Commission at the October meeting, and the item was
tabled due to the applicant's absence. An additional portion of the property has been added and a
new site plan submitted for consideration. Slides of the subject property were shown.
Nineteen (19) notices were mailed to property owners with 200 feet of the subject property. One
response was received in favor and one response was received against. Staff recommended
approval with the following conditions:
1. No storage of containers used for collection of food waste or other odor causing
materials.
2. No direct access from Edmonds Avenue.
Councilmember Mouton asked could a privacy fence be installed around the entire property. No
further discussion. Commissioner Little made a motion to approve a request for a Specific Use
Permit to allow storage of empty trash containers in an GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple
Family Dwelling) as requested for File 2315-P. Commissioner Colbert seconded the motion.
Motion to approve the request carried 5:0.
2) File 2316-Z: A rezoning study for the newly annexed area west of Major Drive and South of
Folsom Road.
Applicant: City of Beaumont Planning Division
Location: West of North Major Drive and South of Folsom Road
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. In September of 2016, City Council voted to approve the
annexation of 77.73 acres of land at the southwest corner of Major Drive and Folsom Drive.
This property includes several existing developments including a senior living apartment
complex, convenience store/gasoline retailer, a non-profit organization and a church. Zoning
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December 18, 2017
regulations mandate that newly annexed properties be designated RS (Residential - Single
Family Dwelling), at the time of annexation. None of the annexed property uses are compatible
with RS zoning.
Due to the location of the properties along a Major Drive, a major arterial and the intersection
with Folsom Drive, a secondary arterial, and the proximity of residential neighborhoods across
Major Drive, staff is recommending GC-MD-2 (General Commercial - Multiple Family
Dwelling - 2) for the properties in question. GC-MD-2 zoning would not impede further
development of these newly annexed properties, and would offer a measure of protection for
nearby properties as all future development would require a Specific Use Permit and public
notification.
During a prior hearing for this study, several issues were raised. First, as a substantial portion of
this property is at the intersection of two major arterial streets, GC-MD would be an appropriate
zone. However, as discussed, rezoning the property to GC-MD-2 would allow for an extra layer
of review. It should also be noted that more only half of the property in question is undeveloped.
Another issue discussed was the tax implications to the owner of property. While a valid
concern, to maintain this policy and be fair and consistent would necessitate the downzoning of
all undeveloped property, resulting in the Zoning Ordinance no longer being a tool to implement
the Comprehensive Plan.
Another issue raised was to simply wait until the owner applies for a rezoning. This could be
problematic in that if the parcel being considered for rezoning were small and away from
Folsom; this may be considered Spot Zoning.
Given this, staff maintains that the zoning of this area for commercial uses would be in keeping
with the development pattern laid out in the Comprehensive Plan and the development pattern
typical of this area. In addition, the proposed GC-MD-2 would reflect our plan as well as
development pattern effectively while allowing additional control over exactly what is developed
in this area.
Slides were shown of the subject property. Thirteen (13) notices were mailed to property owners
within 200 feet of the subject property. None were received in favor or in opposition. Staff
recommended approval of the request. No further discussion. Commissioner Little made a
motion to approve a request for a rezoning study for the newly annexed area west of Major Drive
and South of Folsom Road from RS to GC-MD 2 as requested for File 2316-Z. Commissioner
Javed seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 5:0.
3) File 2318-P: A request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a gaming facility, in an existing
convenience store, in a GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) District.
Applicant: Smile Fuels, LLC
Location: 6855 College
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Smile Fuels, LLC, has requested a Specific Use Permit to
allow a Gaming Room at 6855 College Street. A new convenience store has been constructed at
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December 18, 2017
this site, and the owner plans to install five (5) gaming machines. The hours of operation for the
business would be 10am to 10pm.
Security could be a concern due to the close proximity of the apartments located at 1075
Pinchback Road and a city park. The convenience store will be open for business 24 hours per
day. The applicant states that only persons 18 years old and older will be allowed access to the
machines.
Please note that final occupancy approval is subject to review and acceptance of submitted plans
and field inspections to verify compliance with applicable codes.
Slides of the subject property were shown. Nine (9) notices were mailed to property owners
within 200 feet of the subject property. Staff recommended approval with the following
conditions:
1. Limited to no more than five (5) machines.
2. Owner must maintain adequate security.
Discussion followed. Commissioner Mason made a motion to approve a request for a Specific
Use Permit to allow a gaming facility, in an existing convenience store, in a GC-MD (General
Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) District as requested for File 2318-P. Commissioner
Little seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 5:0.
4) File 2319-P: A request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a gaming facility in a GC-MD
(General Commercial- Multiple Family Dwelling) District
Applicant: Yong T. Kim
Location: 2949 College Street, Suite #230
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Yong T. Kim, has requested a Specific Use Permit to allow
a Gaming Room at 2949 College Street. A new shopping center was constructed at this location
approximately three (3) years ago. The applicant wishes to occupy suite #230 in this shopping
center with 100 gaming machines. The hours of operation for the business would be 4p.m. to
midnight, and no one under the age of 25 will be admitted. Security will be present to check ID's
for this purpose.
It should be noted that gaming facilities that have five or fewer machines tend to be considered
accessory in nature, when part of a primary use, and as such tend to result in fewer negative
impacts on surrounding land uses. However, larger game rooms with dozens of machines take
on the scale of a small casino and as a result, require careful consideration as to their location
and compatibility with surrounding land uses. Some of these considerations include
compatibility with other land uses, noise, traffic as well as safety considerations. As such,
proximity to parks, schools and especially residential uses should be carefully considered in the
review of gaming facilities.
This property is located directly across the street from residential properties to the south, and a
short distance from a city park. In addition, there is insufficient parking at this location for a
more intense use such as a gaming site, occupying more than 35 percent of the gross floor area.
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Please note that final occupancy approval is subject to review and acceptance of submitted plans
and field inspections to verify compliance with applicable codes. Slides of the subject property
were shown.
Twenty-three (23) notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet of the subject
property. Staff recommended denial. Discussion followed. Mr. Boone stated that ten or more
machine would constitute as a small casino. Commissioner Mason made a motion to deny a
request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a gaming facility in a GC-MD (General Commercial-
Multiple Family Dwelling) district as requested for File 2319-P. Commissioner Little seconded
the motion. Motion to deny carried 5:0.
5) File 2320-P: A request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a gaming facility in a GC-MD
(General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) District.
Applicant: Hi Seong Yoon
Location: 3985 E. Lucas
Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Hi Seong Yoon, has requested a Specific Use Permit to
allow a gaming facility at 3985 E. Lucas Drive. The applicant wishes to have 50-60 gaming
machines at this location. The hours of operation for the business would be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
It should be noted that gaming facilities that have five or fewer machines tend to be considered
accessory in nature, when part of a primary use, and as such tend to result in fewer negative
impacts on surrounding land uses. However, larger game rooms with dozens of machines take
on the scale of a small casino and as a result, require careful consideration as to their location
and compatibility with surrounding land uses. Some of these considerations include
compatibility with other land uses, noise and traffic as well as safety considerations. As such,
proximity to parks, schools and especially residential uses should be carefully considered in the
review of gaming facilities.
This property shares a property line with a residential neighborhood and residential single-family
dwellings. In addition, there is insufficient parking at this location for a gaming site, occupying
more than 35 percent of the gross floor area.
Please note that final occupancy approval is subject to review and acceptance of submitted plans
and field inspections to verify compliance with applicable codes.
Slides of the subject property were shown. Seventeen (17) notices were mailed to property
owners within 200 feet of the subject property. None were received in favor and three were
received in opposition. Staff recommended denial of the request. Discussion followed.
Commissioner Mason made a motion to deny a request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a
gaming facility in a GC-MD (General Commercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) district as
requested for File 2320-P. Commissioner Colbert seconded the motion. Motion to deny carried
5:0.
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OTHER BUSINESS
THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:22
P.M.
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