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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-02 PC MinutesMINUTES I REGULAR MEETING AND JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS PLANNING COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL December 16, 2002 City Council Chambers A Regular Meeting and Joint Public Hearings of the Planning Commission and City Council were held on December 16, 2002 with the following members present: Commission members present Commission members absent: Chairman Laurie Leister Commissioner Walter Kyles Commissioner Carlos Hernandez Commissioner Dale Hallmark Commissioner Dohn LaBiche Commissioner Glenn Bodwin Commissioner Marty Craig Vice -Chairman Greg Dykeman Commissioner Bill Lucas Councilmembers present: Mayor Evelyn Lord Mayor Pro-Tem Lulu Smith Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos Councilman Guy Goodson Council member -at -Large Becky Ames Councilmembers absent: Councilman Audwin Samuel Councilmember Bobbie Patterson Also present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Manager; Lane Nichols, City Attorney; Adina Abshire, Planner; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary; Cheryl Robinson, Senior Planner; Bart Baker, Senior Planner; Anna Varela, Code Enforcement Officer; Bonnie Semien, Code Enforcement Officer APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Commissioner Hernandez made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting and Joint Public Hearings held November 18, 2002. Commissioner Hallmark seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. Planning Commission December 16, 2002 REGULAR MEETING File 641 -OB - Request to abandon the 20'alley in Block 3 of the North Addition. Location: Between Texas and Grand Avenue and IH-10 and Catalpa Avenue Applicant: Fittz and Shipman, Inc. Mr. Richardson stated that Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church is planning to expand its church facility at 710 IH-10 E. As a result of the expansion, additional parking is needed. The subject block will be developed as a parking lot, therefore the need for the abandonment of the alley. This item was sent to all interested parties. No negative responses were received. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request. Chairman Leister asked for the applicant's comments. Don King with Fittz and Shipman, Inc., the applicant, addressed the Commission. Commissioner LaBiche made a motion to approve, the abandonment of the 20'alley in Block 3 of the North Addition between Texas and Grand Avenue and IH- 10 and Catalpa Avenue as requested in File 641 -OB. Commissioner Bodwin seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. JOINT PUBLIC ]HEARINGS Mayor Lord called the Joint Public Hearings of December 16, 2002 to order and explained the purpose of the joint hearing process and then turned the meeting over to Chairman Leister. She explained the policies and procedures for the hearing process. File 1646-P: Request for an amended specific use permit to allow the expansion of overflow parking for a dental office. Location: 3395 North Street at 18' Street Applicant: Mark Whiteley & Associates, Inc. Mr. Richardson stated that the subject request was tabled at the November meeting. It is a request for an amended specific use permit to allow the expansion of a parking lot for a dental office in an RM-H District. The property is located at 3395 North Street. In July, 2001, City Council approved a specific use permit to allow a 10 space parking lot for a dental office. However, when the lot was built, another 5 spaces were constructed. Planning Commission December 16, 2002 At the November 18 Joint Hearing, there was discussion about whether the new parking lot was causing flooding on the neighboring property to the east. Since that meeting, staff has been informed that the grades of the subject property have been determined. Mark Whiteley & Associates, Inc. has looked at the situation and have determined that a number of drainage improvements need to be done to the subject property to remedy the flooding situation on Ms. Tullos' property to the east. These improvements include the installation of a surface inlet at 18' Street and North, the installation of an underground pipe for drainage and the straightening and grading of the ditch. As of the November meeting, 14 notices had been mailed to property owners within 200 feet. Three responses in favor and none in opposition were received. At that meeting, Ms. Tullos voiced her opposition to the request. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of the request subject to an 8'tall screening fence along the south and east sides of the property, the planting of shrubs along the edge of the five parking spaces on the north side of the parking lot and installation of the drainage improvements recommended by Mark Whiteley and Associates. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Leister opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Mark Whiteley, the applicant, addressed the Commission. He stated that after the November meeting, his firm looked at the grading to see if the property could be drained. There is an existing swale ditch, but it's not deep enough and it doesn't flow in the proper direction. They propose to redirect the flow from the southeast to the northwest by regrading and relocating the ditch. They will also install a surface inlet at the northwest comer of the property, an inlet manhole storm sewer in North Street at that location that will go underground from the comer of the property into the inlet and drain the entire property, including the parking lot. It will keep the water away from the property to the east. The site plan shows an 8' tall screening fence and shrubs that are adjacent to the five spaces. Discussion followed between the Commission, applicant and staff. Chairman Leister asked for comments in favor or in opposition. Mrs. Tullos, 3365 North, addressed the Commission. She expressed her concern if the proposed drainage doesn't solve her flooding problem. The public hearing was closed. Comments from Commission members followed. 3 Planning Commission December 16, 2002 Commissioner Craig made a motion to approve an amended specific use permit to allow the expansion of overflow parking for a dental office at 3395 North Street at I r Street as requested in File 1646-P, subject to an 8'tall screening fence along the south and east sides of the property, the planting of shrubs along the edge of the five parking spaces on the north side of the parking lot and installation of the drainage improvements recommended by Mark Whiteley & Associates, including the installation of a surface inlet at 18' and North, the installation of an underground pipe connecting the proposed inlet to the existing inlet, and the straightening and grading of the ditch. Commissioner Hernandez seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 2) File 1648-Z: Request for a zone change from A-R (Agricultural -Residential) to GC - MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) District or more restrictive commercial district. Location: 100' south of the southeast comer of Folsom and Major Drive Applicant: Sam Parigi, Jr. for Delaware Extension Development, Ltd. Mr. Richardson told the Commission and Council that the applicant, Sam Parigi, is requesting the rezoning 'of 28 acres of land at the southeast comer of Major and Folsom. On Folsom, the property runs along the south side of a DD#6 drainage ditch for a distance of 1,008 feet. The subject property has 2,027 feet of frontage along Major Drive. This property is part of a 205 acre tract that is to be developed with commercial and residential uses and an elementary school site. In speaking with Mr. Parigi, MK. Richardson was informed that a drainage ditch with a minimum width of 100 feet and running along the east side of the property is being considered. It would separate the commercial from the single family. Mr. Parigi has said that he would recommend that the rear 100 feet be rezoned to GC- MD-2 in case that ditch is not built. Mr. Richardson recommended approval of GC -MD and GC-MD-2 zoning. Seven notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property. One response in favor and none in opposition were received. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Leister opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Sam Parigi, the applicant, addressed the Commission. Chairman Leister asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. The public hearing was closed. 4 0 Planning Commission December 16,2002 Discussion followed between Mr. Parigi, the Commission and Council. Commissioner LaBiche made a motion to approve a zone change from A-R to GC- MD-2 for the rear 100'(east side) of the property and GC -MD for the remainder of the property located 100'south of the southeast comer of Folsom and Major Drive I ai as requested in File 1648-Z. Commissioner Craig seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 3) File 1649-P: Request for a specific use permit to allow a wholesale/retail/fabrication fence company in a GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) District. Location: 2725 S. I I "I Street Applicant: James D. Kemp Mr. Richardson stated that the subject property is located at the former McCoy's Lumber Yard. Mr. I D. Kemp, owner of Bell Fence and Manufacturing Company, wants to relocate his business from its current location at 4' and Crockett. All fabrication of fences will be conducted within the two enclosed buildings. A portion of the former retail building will be remodeled to include offices for the business. The other two buildings on the property will be used for storage. The Traffic Manager approved this specific use permit subject to the disabled parking meeting City requirements. Mr. Richardson recommended approval subject to the disabled parking meeting City requirements. Eight notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. One response in favor and none in opposition were returned. Slides of the subject property were shown. Chairman Leister opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. David Kemp, owner of Bell Fence Company, addressed the Commission. Chairman Leister asked for comments in favor or in opposition. Rex Johnson, 4350 Chaison, addressed the Commission in opposition to the request. He stated that the subject area needs more retail businesses and not more industrial uses or warehouses. Planning Commission December 16,2002 Milt Prewitt of J. M. Prewitt Company, addressed the Commission in favor of the request. He is co -representing the subject property with another real estate broker. The public hearing was closed. Rebuttal by David Kemp. He stated that his business will have a store front that is a retail store. Commissioner Hallmark made a motion to approve a specific use permit to allow a wholesale/retail/fabrication fence company in a GC -MD District at 2725 S. I I' Street as requested in File 1649-P, subject to the disabled parking meeting City requirements and the fencing facing I I' Street shall be of a type that shields the exterior storage area. Commissioner Bodwin seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 4) File 640-OB: Re -adoption, with no significant modifications, of the currently adopted Land Use Plan Element of the Comprehensive Plan and its accompanying "Development Strategies Plan" and re -adoption, with no significant modifications, of the currently adopted Major Street & Highway Plan "Map" and accompanying "Appendix A" defining street and highway development standards of the plan, all of which are components of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Beaumont. Applicant: City of Beaumont Planning Division Mr. Richardson introduced Bart Baker, Senior Planner, who presented the Land Use and Major Street and Highway Plan. He stated these two components of the Comprehensive Plan were adopted January 2001 and at that time, they had completely reworked the document and so they really do not see a need for any major changes to either of the plans at this time, so basically this is just housekeeping. The City is required to adopt this every two years. Chairman Leister opened the public bearing and asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. Chairman Leister closed the public hearing. Commissioner LaBiche made a motion to approve the re -adoption, with no significant modifications, of the currently adopted Land Use Plan Element of the Comprehensive Plan and its accompanying "Development Strategies Plan" and re - adoption, with no significant modifications, of the currently adopted Major Street & Highway Plan "Map" and accompanying "Appendix A" defining street and highway development standards of the plan, all of which are components of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Beaumont as requested in File 640-OB. Commissioner Hernandez seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. R OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Craig calendar as presented. approve carried 7:0. SIGNAGE WORKSHOP Planning Commission December 16,2002 made a motion to adopt the 2003 Planning Commission Commissioner LaBiche seconded the motion. Motion to Mr. Richardson stated that a number of issues have come up recently regarding signs and wanted to discuss them with the Commission and Council. Issue 1: Due to increased activity in the entertainment venues in the Central Business District, staff has looked at amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow flashing signs or intermittent lighting on signs in the downtown area. The Zoning Ordinance currently does not allow flashing signs. If it is the desire of City Council to allow flashing sign in the CBD, Mr. Richardson suggested creating a Downtown Entertainment District that would allow flashing signs, Any property within this district would be allowed to have flashing signs. The next question is how big this district would be. Would such a district only encompass the parts of the two blocks that Crockett Street Entertainment District encompasses or should it be bigger? Issue 2: The City now has four separate sets of regulations governing signs. There are the regulations that regulate signs in all areas of the City except for the three special districts. Those districts are the Historic District, the Urban Corridor District along MLK and the Major/Dowlen District in the west end. Recently, the Planning Commission and City Council have approving specific use permits that require monument signs. If this is the type of sign that is now desired for the City, do we need to amend the sign regulations to require more restrictive sign regulations. Issue 3: Recently, a business owner along MLK Parkway met with staff to suggest that MLK Parkway had not developed the way the City had hoped. This property owner felt that the Urban Corridor District along MLK should be removed and the regular sign regulations be reinstated, except for billboards. Planning Commission December 16,2002 Issue 4: Richard Guseman has asked the Planning Commission and City Council to amend the Major/Dowlen Sign District to allow more than one multi -tenant sign per street frontage. He wants to construct two owner identification signs along Tuscany Park's Dowlen Road frontage. The current ordinance allows one single or multi - tenant sign per street frontage. It was suggested that the Development Review Committee be reinstated to look at these issues. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 5:02 P. M. M