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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-26-07 PC MinutesMINUTES REGULAR MEETING PLANNING COMMISSION February 26, 2007 City Council Chambers A Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was held on February 26, 2007 with the following members present: Commission members present: Chairman Glenn Bodwin Vice Chairman Lynda Kay Makin Commissioner Sina Nejad Commissioner Dale Hallmark Commissioner Marty Craig Commissioner Walter Kyles Alternate Commissioner Randall Collins Commission members absent: Commissioner Laurie Leister l Commissioner Greg Dykeman Commissioner Ted Moor Alternate Commissioner Steven Johnson Also present: Stephen Richardson, Planning. Manager; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Adina Abshire, Planner; Kyle Thomas, Assistant City Attorney; Torn Warner, Public Works Director APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting and Joint Public Hearings held January 22, 2007. Commissioner Makin seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. REGULAR MEETING 1) File 710-OB: Request to abandon a portion of Main and Blanchette rights -of -way. Location: Corner of Main and Blanchette Applicant: City of Beaumont for the Port of Beaumont Mr. Richardson presented the staff report for the abandonment of a 0.546 acre portion of Main and Blanchette. Ronnie Pullin, Real Property Coordinator for the City, is requesting this approval as part of an agreement with the Port of Beaumont. Planning Commission February 26, 2007 The Port recently donated the southeast corner of Block 8 to the City for the purpose of improving the intersection of Main and Blanchette. In exchange, the City agreed to abandon a portion of Main and Blanchette so that the Port could extend its existing fence on the south side of Blanchette to its existing fence on the east side of Main to close the gap for security purposes. The request was sent to all interested parties. Water Utilities and Streets and Drainage have facilities in the street. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request subject to the retention of the abandoned right-of-way for a general utility and drainage easement.. Chairman Bodwin asked for the applicant's comments. Mr. Richardson responded that the City is the applicant. Commissioner Kyles made a motion to approve the abandonment of a 0.546 portion of Main and Blanchette rights -of -way as requested in File 710-013, subject to the retention of the abandoned right-of-way for a general utility and drainage easement. Commissioner Makin seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 2) File 711-OB: Request to abandon a portion of Iowa Avenue. Location: East of Cheek and west of Cunningham Street Applicant: Mark Whiteley & Associates, Inc. Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The applicant, Mark Whiteley & Associates, is requested the abandonment because Lamar University is in the process of building additional student housing on the south side of Iowa. The request was sent to all interested parties. Water Utilities and Centerpoint Energy have facilities in the right-of-way. They recommended approval subject to the retention of a utility easement. The Fire Department recommended approval subject to the retention of a fire access easement Mr. Richardson recommended approval subject to the following conditions: Retain the street right-of-way as a general utility easement and a fire access easement. No structures shall be placed within the easement. The City shall not be held responsible for any surface restoration when water or sewer main repairs are necessary. Chairman Bodwin asked for the applicant's comments. Tom Rowe with Mark Whiteley & Associates, Inc., addressed the Commission. 01 Planning Commission r February 26, 2oQ7 Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve the abandonment of a portion of Iowa Avenue, east of Cheek and west of Cunningham Street as requested in File 711-OB subject to the following conditions: Retain the street right-of-way as a general utility easement and a fire access easement. No structures shall be placed within the easement, The City shall not be held responsible for any surface restoration when water or sewer main repairs are necessary. Commissioner Collins seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 3) File 712-OB: Request to abandon a portion of Hospital Drive. Location: North of Medical Center Drive Applicant: City of Beaumont for Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. Ronnie Pullin, Real Property Coordinator for the City, is requesting the abandonment of a 60' x 316' portion of Hospital Drive. Hermann Memorial Baptist Hospital recently was granted a license to encroach for an aerial pedestrian crosswalk over Hospital Drive. After review by the hospital's legal department, it was determined that the license to encroach would not suffice as per the requirements of the federal funding the hospital is eligible for. The only solution would be to abandon this portion of the street right- of-way. The request was sent to all interested parties. Water Utilities, Time Warner and the Fire Department all responded and did not object as long as utility and fire access easements were retained. Mr. Richardson recommended approval subject to the following conditions: Retain the existing right-of-way as a 60' wide general utility and access easement. (Fire, Water Utilities, Time Warner Cable) Prepare an indemnification clause stating that the City of Beaumont shall not be held responsible for the structure if the concrete should fail or the water line should rupture. (Water Utilities) Chairman Bodwin asked for the applicant's comments. Mr. Richardson responded that the City is the applicant. Commissioner Collins made a motion to approve the abandonment of a portion of Hospital Drive, north of Medical Center Drive as requested in File 712-OB subject to the following conditions: 3 Planning Commission February 26,2007 Retain the existing right-of-way as a 60' wide general utility and access easement. (Fire, Water Utilities, Time Warner Cable) Prepare an indemnification clause stating that the City of Beaumont shall not be held responsible for the structure if the concrete should fail or the water line should rupture. (Water Utilities) Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 4) File 713-OB: Request to abandon a water line easement. Location: Parkdale Mall Applicant: Faust Engineering & Surveying, hic. W. Richardson presented the staff report. The applicant, Faust Engineering, is requesting the abandonment of two water line easements serving Dillard's department store at Parkdale Mall. The store is expanding and will be built over the existing easements. A new water line and easement that will serve the store will be installed. The request was sent to all interested parties. Water Utilities states that the existing lines cannot be abandoned until the new easement is dedicated and the new water line installed. Mr. Richardson recommended approval subject to the following condition: The abandonment of the existing easements will not be forwarded to City Council for approval until the new water main has been installed, tested and accepted for city maintenance. (Water Utilities) Chairman Bodwin asked for the applicant's comments. The applicant was not present. Commissioner Hallmarkmade a motion to approve the abandonment of a water line easement at Parkdale Mall as requested in File 713-OB subject to the following condition: The abandonment of the existing easements will not be forwarded to City Council for approval until the new water main has been installed, tested and accepted for city maintenance. (Water Utilities) Commissioner Kyles seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. S) Preliminary Plat - Highlands Pointe' II: Request for the Preliminary Plat of Highland Pointe' II, extension of Pointe' Parkway and Tract J. Applicant: Carroll & Blackman, Inc. for LaTEX Investors, L. P. 4 J Planning Commission February26, 2007 Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The purpose of the plat is to create a buildable lot for the Christian Fellowship Worship Center and to dedicate right-of- way for the extension of Pointe' Parkway. An extension of the street will be built to serve the church and the eventual development to the west of the street. Sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of the property. The request was sent to all interested parties. No objections were received. Chairman Bodwin asked for the applicant's comments. Joe Pattie with Carroll and Blackman, the applicant, addressed the Commission. Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve the Preliminary Plat of Highland Pointe' It as requested. Commissioner Makin seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 6) Preliminary Plat - Deerfield, Phase 2: Request for the Preliminary Plat of Deerfield, Phase Two, Lots I 1-16, Block 1, Lots 6-13, Block 2, Lots 8-13 and Lot 26, Block 3, Lots 15-19, Block 4. Location: North of Carrie Lane and Bonner Drive Applicant: Carroll & Blackman, Inc. Mr. Richardson presented the staff report, Deerfield, Phase Two, is a 26 lot, single family residential development. Phase Two will extend street improvements and utilities for Carrie Lane, Winnsboro Circle and Bonner Drive. The request was sent to all interested parties. Water Utilities conditioned plat approval subject to relocating water service for Lot 16, Block 1. Mr. Richardson recommended approval subject to the following condition: The water service for Lot 16, Block 1, will not be permitted in the intersection of Bonner Drive and Somerville Circle. (Water Utilities) Chairman Bodwin asked for the applicant's comments. Joe Pattie with Carroll and Blackman, the applicant, addressed the Commission. Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve the Preliminary Plat of Deerfield, Phase Two, Lots 11-16, Block 1, Lots 6-13, Block 2, Lots 8-13 and Lot 26, Block 3, Lots 15-19, Block 4 as requested subject to the following condition: The water service for Lot 16, Block 1, will not be permitted in the intersection of Bonner Drive and Somerville Circle. (Water Utilities) Commissioner Kyles seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 5 Planning Commission February 26, 2007 7) Replat - Habitat for Humanity: Request for a replat of Habitat for Humanity - West Highland, Tracts A and B. Location: 2195 and 2215 West Highland Drive Applicant: Access Surveyors Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The request is for a replat of a portion of Lot 5, Block 9, Annie T. Warren Addition into Tracts A and B, Habitat for Humanity - West Highland. Habitat for Humanity has purchased 0.457 acres of residentially zoned property to build two houses. The property is located at 2195 and 2215 W. Highland Drive. Each lot will be 66' x 150.77'. The request was sent to all interested parties. No negative responses have been received. Seven notices were sent to property owners within the subdivision and within 200 feet of the subject property. One response in opposition and none in favor were returned. Chairman Bodwin opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's continents. The applicant was not present. Chairman Bodwin asked for continents in favor or in opposition. Tatunisha Lowe, 2175 W. Highland, addressed the Commission and expressed concerns regarding the type of housing that will be built and how it might affect the surrounding property values. Chairman Bodwin closed the public hearing. Commissioner Hallmark made a motion to approve a replat of Habitat for Humanity - West Highland, Tracts A and B located at 2195 and 2215 West Highland Drive as requested with the suggestion that Habitat visit with the neighbors prior to construction. Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 6:1 (Collins). 8) Preliminary Plat - The Regents: Request for the Preliminary Plat of The Regents. Location: Fair Park Applicant: Fittz & Shipman, Inc. for Beaumont Housing Authority Mr. Richardson presented the staff report. The request is for preliminary plat approval of a 37 building, multi -family complex at Fair Park. In December, 2006, the Beaumont Housing Authority was granted approval of a zone change from GC -MD and RCR for 19.6 acres of Fair Park property. At the same time, it was granted approval of the abandonment ofportions of Maime Street, 0 Planning Commission February 26, 2007 Regent Street, St. Helena Street, Jirou Street and the alleys in Blocks 9-11, Gold Hill Addition. The zone change and the abandonments were done in anticipation of building both multi -family and single family, mixed income housing. The first phase is to build The Regents. The request was sent to all interested parties. Comments were received from Entergy, Fire Department, Water Utilities and Engineering. Mr. Richardson recommended approval subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Mr. Richardson also recommended approval of the variance to the cul-de- sac length requirement from 800' to approximately 915'. Chairman Bodwin asked for the applicant's comments. John Holm with Fittz & Shipman, the applicant, addressed the Commission. Commissioner Nej ad made a motion to approve the Preliminary Plat ofThe Regents located at Fair Park as requested subject to the following conditions: • Provide the necessary general utility easements. (Entergy) • Provide a fire hydrant layout as approved by the Fire Marshall. (Fire) • Label all sanitary sewer mains outside of the proposed right-of-way as private. (Water Utilities) • Show the existing 2" water line on the east side of Jirou Street. (Water Utilities) • Label the size of all water mains. (Water Utilities) • Remove the proposed water main which runs south off of Maime and east to Gulf. (Water Utilities) • Provide a 10' exclusive water line easement for all fire hydrant lines outside of the right-of-way. (Water Utilities) • Any dead-end fire hydrant line will be accepted as long as the irrigation meters are installed near the end of the line upon construction of the apartments. (Water Utilities) • Provide the appropriate street right-of-way around the cul-de-sacs at intersection of Jirou at Maime and the end of Maime. Designate the temporary cul-de-sac at the end of Regent. (Planning and Engineering) • Approve a variance to the cul-de-sac length requirement from 800' to 915'. (Planning) Commissioner Collins seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. OTHER BUSINESS 1 THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 2:25 P. M. 7