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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-16-15 PC Minutes * M I N U T E S * REGULAR MEETING JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS PLANNING COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL City Council Chambers February 16, 2015 A Regular Meeting and Joint Public Hearings of the Planning Commission and City Council was held on February 16, 2015 and called to order at 3:21 p.m. with the following members present: Commission Members present: Chairman Sina Nejad Vice-Chairman Marty Craig Commissioner Walter Kyles Commissioner Lauren Williams Mason Commissioner Eddie Seniguar Commissioner Bill Little Commission Members absent: Commissioner Lynda Kay Makin Commissioner Ransom “Duce” Jones Commissioner Clint Walters Commissioner Frank Messina Councilmembers present: Mayor Becky Ames Councilman Mike Getz Councilman Audwin Samuel Councilperson-at-Large Gethrel Williams-Wright Councilman Bill Sam Councilmembers absent: Mayor Pro-Tem Councilman Alan Coleman Councilman-at-Large W. L. Pate Also present: Chris Boone, Director of Planning and Community Development; Adina Ward, Planner II; Fran Malvo, Recording Secretary; Tyrone Cooper, City Attorney APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Mason made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on December 15, 2014 and Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. Commissioner Seniguar made a motion to approve the minutes of the Joint Public Hearings held on January 26, 2015. Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. Both Motions were approved and carried 6:0. REGULAR MEETING No Regular meeting was held. JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS File 2226-P: Request for a Specific Use Permit to allow professional offices on property zoned RCR- H (Residential Conservation Revitalization-Historic). th Location: 2305-2315 North Street & 637 7 Street Applicant: NAI Wheeler Mr. Boone presented the staff report. Rebecca Bates Pitre, on behalf of NAI Wheeler, is requesting permission for uses such as, but not limited to, real estate, insurance, advertising agencies, legal, investment, engineering, and accounting. This property is located in the Oaks Historic District and has been occupied by such uses for over thirty (30) years. To avoid each office space needing a specific use permit every time a tenant leaves, Ms. Pitre hopes this request will encompass all uses similar to those listed. Slides were shown. Twenty-seven (27) notices were sent to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property. No responses in favor or in opposition were returned. The Planning staff recommends approval subject to the following condition: th The parking lot be restriped and provide a one-way traffic circulation pattern from 7 Street and include handicapped parking. Mr. Boone stated that the parking layout is an issue and that it would be no problem for the applicants to comply. Commissioner Mason questioned why the traffic flows by the back privacy fence because this makes the flow very congested. Mr. Boone stated that with the singular flow it could be a minimum of 11 feet in width and it will be measured prior to the final layout. Chairman Nejad questioned are the number of spots agreeable with the use. Mr. Boone stated yes. The applicant Lee Wheeler with NAI Wheeler at th 470 Orleans, 12 floor. Mr. Wheeler addressed the Commission. Mr. Wheeler stated that he felt certain that it is more than 11 feet but he will measure it to make sure. Mr. Boone stated that before approval is granted the condition could be qualified by stating subject to a Traffic Engineer in case any modifications needed to be made. No other comments were made. The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve File 2226-P with the condition it is approved by the Traffic Engineer. Commissioner Kyles seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6:0. 1) File 855-OB: Work Session to consider a request for an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. Sec. 28.03.024 (d) The City of Beaumont owns and operates the Beaumont Municipal Airport. Located on College Street, just west of Major Drive. This General Aviation airport consists of Runway 13-31, a 4,000 foot asphalt runway and Runway 16-34, a 2,300 foot turf runway, taxiways and hangars. The airport is maintained and operated in accordance with Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and agreements. Recently, an assessment of the airport was conducted and it identified some needed changes and improvements. One such requirement was the implementation of an Airport Hazard Ordinance. Such an ordinance would regulate height of structures and objects of natural growth to prevent the creation of an obstruction to flight operations at and around the airport. It should be noted that a portion of the area to be regulated is outside of the city limits, but within our Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Staff will work with Jefferson County in order to ensure that this area is adequately regulated. The proposed restrictions would allow for exemptions from permitting for structures and natural growth less than certain height, and would allow for variances. Slides were shown. After a recent audit, it was discovered that there are issues regarding tall trees and structures that interfere with flight operations. FTA and TXDOT states that we need to have an ordinance to regulate future interferences with flight operations. The City of Beaumont’s Planning Division is currently working with property owners to secure access easements and trim the trees. The ordinance that’s being discussed would regulate future regulations such as cell towers, trees growing too high or anything that’s too high and that obstructs flight operations. There is currently a map that would be considered the first draft. There are two types of regulated zones. After meeting with consultants, the area may have to be extended and additional zones may have to be added. If a structure was constructed in the county or in the city and depending upon the zoning it was in, the structu re would have to be measured and determine whether or not it would be allowed. This will be brought forward for Ordinance in the near future. Discussion followed. OTHER BUSINESS THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 3:40 P.M.