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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-21-98 PC Minutest REGULAR MEETING AND JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL September 21, 1998 City Council Chambers A Regular Meeting rand Joint Public Hearings of the Planning Commission and City Council were held on September 21, 1998 with the following members present: Commission members present: Chairman Laurie Leister Vice -Chairman Greg Dykeman Commissioner Sally Bundy Commissioner Dale Hallmark Commissioner Dohn LaBiche Commissioner Bill Lucas Commissioner Glenn Bodwin Commissioner Albert Robinson Councilmembers present: Mayor David W. Moore Mayor Pro-Tem Bobbie Patterson Councilmember-at-Large Andrew Cokinos Councilmember Lulu Smith Councilmember John Davis Councilmembers absent: Councilmember-at-Large Becky Ames Councilmember Guy Goodson Also present: Stephen Richardson, Planning Director; Murray Duren, Senior Planner; Tyrone Cooper, First Assistant City Attorney; Jill Cole, Recording Secretary and Adina Abshire, Planning Technician. Chairman Leister welcomed new members Glenn Bodwin and Albert Robinson to the Commission. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Commissioner LaBiche made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 9, 1998 Regular Meeting, Commissioner Hallmark seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 8:0. Planning Commission September 21, 1998 REGULAR MEETING 1) File 581-OB: Request to abandon the 600 block of Grant Street for a proposed gas station/convenience store and police substation. Applicant: City of Beaumont Planning Division Mr. Richardson told the Commission that the request to abandon the undeveloped 600 block of Grant Street, west of Irving, is tied in with Pile 1427-Z, which is the last item on the agenda. Mobil is developing this property and plans to build a convenience store/car wash/police substation.. This development is part of the continued efforts to revitalize the Charlton -Pollard neighborhood. The Planning Division received comments from Southwestern Bell stating that they had some facilities in the subject right-of-way. If the abandonment request is granted, it should- be conditional subject to the relocation of any existing utilities at the property owner's expense. In response to Chairman Leister, Mr. Richardson said that the City was the applicant in this request. Marie Hubbard, 1990 Nora, addressed the Commission with concerns she had with the proposed use for the property. Chairman Leister told Mrs. Hubbard that the appropriate time for her comments would be when File 1427-Z was presented. Commissioner Bundy made a motion to approve the request to abandon the undeveloped 600 block of Grant Street for a proposed gas station/convenience store and police substation as requested in File 581-013, subject to any existing utilities that need to be relocated be done so at the property owner's expense. Commissioner Lucas seconded the motion. Motion to approve 8:0. JOINT PUBLIC HEAMG. Mayor Moore called the Joint Public Hearings of September 21, 1998 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. 1) File 1424-P: Request for a specific use permit to allow a wholesale durable goods business in a GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) District. Location: 3140 S. Eleventh Street Applicant: Priority Wire and Cable, Inc. Mr. Richardson told the Commission and Council that the request was to allow a wholesale durable goods business selling bulk electrical wire and cable cut to order. The subject property is zoned GC -MD. 2 Planning Commission September 21. 1998 There is an existing concrete and brick warehouse on the 1.5 acre site. The property has been used over the years by various heavy commercial businesses, product storage and industrial tenants. The proposed parking is at the rear of the building and will not require any additional screening. The applicant is requesting that no additional landscaping or screening be required. Twenty-four notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet of the subject property. No responses in favor or in opposition were returned to staff. Chairman Leister opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Garfield Chapel of Priority Wire and Cable, the applicant, addressed the Commission. Commissioner Robinson expressed concerns as far as 18 wheel trucks coming and going from Priority Wire and the damage it will do to 11th Street which has just been resurfaced. Discussion between Mr. Chapel, the Planning Commission and Council members regarding specifics of the business. In response to Commissioner Bodwin, Mr. Chapel said that two of the three employees working at Priority Wire live in the Beaumont area and future employees will also be from the Beaumont area. Mr. Ted Hanchey addressed the Commission. Mr. Hanchey owns the subject property. He said that 11th Street is built to industrial standards. Councilmember Patterson expressed her concerns about an increase in traffic and questioned whether or not industrial uses are in keeping with the Comprehensive Plan. It was clarified for Mrs. Patterson that the request is for a wholesale use and not an industrial use. Commissioner Hallmark suggested that signs be posted on Waverly prohibiting trucks from using it as a through street. In response to Commissioner Hallmark, Mr, Chapel said that storage of wire would be inside only. Chairman Leister asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. Chairman Uister closed the public hearing. 3 Planning Commission September 21, 1998 Commissioner Bundy made a motion to approve the request for a specific use permit to allow a wholesale durable goods business in a GC -MD District at 3140 S. Eleventh Street as requested in File 1424-P, with a modification to the landscaping/screening requirements and subject to prohibiting trucks from using Waverly Street, Commissioner Hallmark seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 8:0. 2) File 1425-P: Request for a specific use permit to allow a fraternal association (Masonic Lodge) in an NC (Neighborhood Commercial) District. Location: 8175 Gladys Avenue Applicant: William R. Lucas (Commissioner Lucas abstained from discussion and participation in this case since he is the applicant.) Mr. Richardson said the subject request was to allow a fraternal association in an existing building at 8175 Gladys. The property is zoned NC (Neighborhood Commercial). A Masonic lodge has contracted to buy this vacant 2,500 sq. ft. building for use as their lodge. This property has been used in the past as a church and also for commercial uses. This area along Gladys is a mixture of uses including offices, retail businesses and townhouses. Existing parking in the front of the building is adequate for the proposed use. Future parking is proposed behind the building. The applicant is requesting that no additional landscaping be required. Twenty-five notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. Two responses in favor and none in opposition. Chairman Leister opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Bill Lucas, 7090 Shanahan, the applicant, addressed the Commission on behalf of the Tolerance Lodge #1165. Chairman Leister asked for comments in favor or in opposition. Steve Lucas, 1301 Westmeadow, addressed the Commission in favor of the request. Chairman Leister closed the public hearing. 4 Planning Commission September 21, 1998 Commissioner LaBiche made a motion to approve the request for a specific use permit to allow a Masonic Lodge in an NC District at 8175 Gladys Avenue as requested in File 1425-P, with a modification to the landscaping/screening requirements. Commissioner Bodwin seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:0. 3) File 1426-P: Request for a specific use permit to allow a six child day care center to operate in a residence in an RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling - Highest Density) District. Location: 445 Flowers Applicant: Janella M. Keller Mr. Richardson said that this item is a request for a specific use permit to allow a day care center in a home at 445 Flowers. The property is zoned RM-H. The applicant would like to operate a day care center for up to six children in her residence. Two parking spaces will be provided in the front yard. Screening requirements would require an eight foot fence and a ten foot landscape strip on the north, east and west sides of the property. In addition, a six foot wide landscape strip along the south edge of the parking area would be required. An eight foot fence will be installed around the side and rear yards of the property. If the application is approved, a modification to the landscaping/screening requirements will be required. Forty-seven notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. One response in favor and none in opposition were returned to staff. A slide presentation was made. Mr. Richardson answered questions from the Commission regarding parking. Chairman Leister opened the public hearing and asked for the applicant's comments. Janella Keller, the applicant, addressed the Commission. Ms. Keller feels that a day care center in that location would be convenient for her neighbors with small children. She said she has spoken many of the neighbors in the area and received no objections. They were all supportive of her project. Hours of operation will be 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The age of the children will range from 17 months to 5 years old. Ms. Keller said that she is not required to employ any staff if she keeps less than 12 children. Ms. Keller answered questions from the Commission on state licensing requirements, signage, etc. 5 Planning Commission September 21, 1998 Discussion between Commission members and Council regarding size of the sign, parking requirements and the number of children allowed followed. Chairman Leister asked for comments in favor or in opposition. No comments were made. Chairman Leister closed the public hearing. Commissioner LaBiche asked Councilmember Davis to give some insight on the Charlton -Pollard Neighborhood Plan and how this subject business will fit in with that plan. Councilmember Davis said that the Charlton -Pollard area neighbors are very much in favor of the request. Chairman Leister said she is very much concerned of how this business will fit in with this residential subdivision. Councilmember Smith agreed with Chairman Leister that this business may not be appropriate for the neighborhood. Commissioner Dykeman commented that the applicant has met the requirements, the neighbors are in agreement with the request and the Commission should keep that in mind. Commissioner Robinson agreed with Commissioner Dykeman. Commissioner Bundy suggested stipulating in the motion the size of the sign. Ms. Keller said she would prefer that the Commission not limit the number of children to six just because that is what she is starting with. Discussion followed regarding additional workers and parking spaces if the number of children increased. . Commissioner Lucas made a motion to approve the specific use permit to allow a six child day care center in an RM-H District at 445 Flowers with a modification to the landscaping/screening requirements as requested in File 1426-P, with the stipulation that the sign not exceed two square feet. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. Motion to approve carried 7:1 (Leister). 4) File 1427-Z: Request for a zone change from RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) District to GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) District or a more restrictive zoning district. Location: West side of Irving north and south of the 600 block of Grant Applicant: City of Beaumont Planning Division Mr. Richardson told the Commission and Council that the subject property is approximately the rear half of an overall one plus acre development to be built by Z Planning Commission September 21, 1998 Mobil. The facility will include a convenience store, car wash and police substation. The front half of this property is already zoned GC -MD. This new development will be another key element in the revitalization of the Charlton -Pollard neighborhood. Fifty-two notices were mailed to property owners within 200 feet. One response in favor and one in opposition were returned. Mr. Richardson asked if Councilmember Davis would address the Commission. Councilmember Davis addressed the Commission. He said that the residents of the Charlton -Pollard area are very positive and supportive of this development. Councilmember Davis answered questions regarding ownership of the subject property and employees of the convenience center. Chairman Leister opened the public hearing and asked for comments in favor or in opposition. Marie Hubbard, 1990 Nora, addressed the Commission and Council. Mrs. Hubbard said she is very involved in the Charlton -Pollard area. Mrs. Esther Alex addressed the Commission and Council and asked questions regarding who was involved with the development. Discussion followed between Councilmember Davis and Mrs. Alex. Mrs. Hubbard addressed the Commission regarding ownership of the subject property and the proposed use. (Commissioner Dykeman left.) Chairman Leister closed the public hearing. Commissioner Lucas made a motion to postpone action on this case until some more information can be obtained. Motion died for a lack of a second. Further discussion between the Commission and staff followed. Commissioner Hallmark made a motion to approve the zone change from RM-H to GC -MD for the subject property as requested in File 1427-Z. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion. Commissioner Lucas disagreed with the motion and recommended that action on the case be postponed. 7 Planning Conunission September 21, 1998 Councilmember Davis reiterated that the citizens of the Charlton -Pollard area are in full support of the development. Chairman Leister called for a vote on the motion made. Motion to approve carried 4:1 (Lucas):2 (Leister and Bundy abstained). THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED.