HomeMy WebLinkAbout884-OB
DATE: July 16, 2017
TO: Planning Commission and City Council
FROM: Chris Boone, Director of Planning and Community Development
SUBJECT: Consider a request for a sidewalk waiver.
FILE: 884-OB
STAFF REPORT
Samuel Fountain, P.E., is requesting a waiver to the requirements for a sidewalk. The
sidewalk would be required as part of a new storage facility. The development is being
constructed at 9695 College Street.
Reasons stated for the waiver request include distance to other sidewalks, ditches that
future portions of the sidewalk would need to cross, and the location behind the existing
TXDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) ditch along College Street.
With regard to the waiver, the ordinance states:
(3) The planning and zoning commission may grant a waiver to the sidewalk requirement
if the applicant can prove that there is an engineering reason for not installing a
sidewalk. (Chapter 26, Section 26.03.004 (3))
Although a letter has been submitted from an engineer, City Engineering has reviewed
the request and states, "While I agree that several reasonable points are addressed in the
letter in favor of not needing a sidewalk, none of them are considered engineering
reasons such as unsafe slope, inaccessibility, design conflicts, etc. This area seems
suitable for sidewalks, and the future goal is to have the adjacent properties also
installing sidewalks, to eventually create a safe pedestrian path off the highway."
At the June meeting, there was discussion concerning the engineering necessity for this
waiver. At the time of this report, no additional documentation had been submitted by
the applicant.
Planning staff recommends denial of the request.
Exhibits are attached.