HomeMy Public PortalAboutPlanning and Zoning Minutes 11-14-2016RICHLAND HILLS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 14, 2016
REGULAR MINUTES
Roll Call:
Members present: Members Absent:
Athena Campbell, Chairman
Jonathan Mercer, Place 2
Kyle LaPointe, Vice Chairman
Lisa Skier, Place 5
David Baker, Place 3
Staff
Rachel Powell, Administrative Assistant
Jason Moore, Assistant City Manager
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman LaPointe called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
Vice Chairman LaPointe, constituting a quorum, at which time the following business
was conducted:
3. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 11, 2016 MEETING MINUTES
Motion: Motion was made by Member Lisa Skier, and seconded by Member
Jonathan Mercer to approve.
Motion carried by a vote of 3-0.
4. Election of Board Officers-Chair
Motion: Motion was made by Member Lisa Skier and seconded by Member
Jonathan Mercer to postpone to the next meeting.
Motion carried by a vote of 3-0.
5. WORK SESSION:
Jason Moore, Assistant City Manager, gave a presentation on various sections of the
current zoning ordinance that staff requests direction and clarification on from the
Commission.
A. Work Session to consider amending the zoning regulations for the
following:
a) Potential Overlay District
Staff presented the latest Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plans for
the 820/121 interchange, which includes a pedestrian bridge that terminates in
front of the vacant lots west of the Public Storage facility.
Member LaPointe commented that these plans will prohibit businesses from
accessing the land.
Staff made a recommendation to look at an overlay district to open up the zoning
beyond just retail.
Member Skier would like to keep the current type of businesses in the zoning
district.
Member Mercer agreed as well but would like to make sure we don't restrict the
business's ability to bring in revenue.
General consensus was provided by the members for staff to proceed with efforts
on creating an overlay district as the TxDOT plans develop.
b) Section 4.02.01(c) -Non-Residential Carport
Staff recommended adding a clarifying statement, as a fourth point, to codify that
carports are not permitted in non-residential zoning districts.
Members agreed with Staff to add clarifying language that carports are not
allowed in non-residential districts.
c) Section 4.02.01-Accessory Structures
Staff recommended that we discuss the non-residential districts as accessory
structures relate to their proportion of floor area to the primary structures.
Staff presented an example of a 50,000 sft primary building that recently
completed a 25,000 sft accessory structure. Staff wanted to know if this was the
intent.
Members discussed and agreed that staff should revisit the text but to consider
variations to the proportionate area with respect to each zoning category within
the non-residential districts. For instance, Industrial zoning districts might have
different requirements than Retail areas.
d) Sections 4.02.02-Swimming Pools
Staff explained that swimming pools are listed in the accessory structure section,
and as such, could be located in a side yard.
Commission members did not have an issue with that since swimming pools
require a fence by state law.
e) Section 91-100- Screening and Fencing
Staff recommended that we clarify masonry construction, per the definition, to
prohibit construction related materials due to one recent example on Scruggs.
Members generally agreed that we need to specifically prohibit the use of
materials that are not of true masonry intent. .
f) Article 8 Defitions; including, but not limited to definitions related
to accessory structures, floor area, corrugated metal
siding/roofing, masonry construction, and carports.
Staff recommended that we clarify our definitions as they relate to accessory
structures, floor area, corrugated metal siding/roofing, masonry construction, and
carports. Staff will continue to research these areas and provide additional
suggestions at a future meeting.
Members agreed with staff that we needed to add more specific language on
these points.
g) Re-Zoning of Bertelsen Addition
Staff requested the commission's input on rezoning the Bertelsen property from a
Single Family Estate zoning category to a higher density like SF-10 or SF-7.
Members provided general consensus that higher density would be fine but no
commercial uses would be an option.
2. Appendix a Fee Schedule Amendment- Planning Fee's
Staff presented several areas from a plan review standpoint that currently take a
lot of staff time for review, etc., that we currently do not charge for because there
are no codified rates/fees. Most surrounding cities charge fees for these items
and staff is proposing we add them but remain more competitive than our
neighbors.
Member LaPointe agreed with staff that we would need to take a look at fee
schedule.
3. Chapters 14 and 38- Building and Fire Code Amendments.
Staff made mention that they would be seeking Council approval on adopting the
2015 Building and Fire Codes.
Commission members discussed the verbiage provided in the current fire code,
and specifically the local NCTCOG amendments, that require buildings over
6,000 sft to have a fire sprinkler system installed. There was debate on whether
or not this requirement affected the city's ability to promote redevelopment in
Richland Hills due to smaller, older buildings.
4. Chapter 62- Sign Code; including, but not limited to size, materials and
placement, definitions and electronic message centers.
Staff discussed that the existing sign code does not specifically mention material
requirements and proposed that we look at adding some in the near future.
Additionally, staff recommended that we consider only allowing pole signs on
major arterials like Boulevard 26 and perhaps Baker Blvd, but not on Glenview,
and other minor arterials or major collectors.
Commission members agreed that we need to look at the sign code and give it
an update.
Motion:
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
None at this time.
7. SET THE DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED
COMMISSION MEETING.
Monday December 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
8. ADJOURN
Motion: Motion was made by Member Lisa Skier and seconded by member
Jonathan Mercer to adjourn
Motion carried by a vote of 3-0.
ATTEST
C
R chel Powell, dmin. Assistant
APPROVED
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K LaPointe, Vice Chairman
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