HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_P&Z_07.24.2002
CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS
SPECIAL PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2002, 6:30 P.M.
101 EAST 7TH STREET, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78626
Members Present: Marjorie Herbert, Chair; Audrey McDonald; Robert Seamans; John Kirby;
Linda Turner; Johnny Anderson, Alternate; Harry Gibbs, Alternate.
Staff Present: Amelia Sondgeroth, Director; Patricia Carls, City Attorney; Bobby Ray, Chief
Current Planner; David Munk, Development Engineer; John Aldridge, System Engineer
Manager; Karen Frost, Administrative Manager/ Recording Secretary
Regular Session - To begin no earlier than 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
1. Action from Executive Session – No Executive Session was called.
Consent Agenda
2. Consideration of the Minutes of the June 27, 2002, Special Meeting of the Planning and
Zoning Commission.
Motion by Commissioner Anderson to approve the minutes of June 27, 2002. Second by
Commissioner Turner. Approved 5 – 0. 1 abstention by Seamans as he was not present at
that meeting.
3. Consideration of the Minutes of the July 2, 2002, Regular Meeting of the Planning and
Zoning Commission.
Motion by Commissioner Seamans to approve the minutes. Second by Commissioner
Kirby. Approved 6 – 0.
Regular Agenda
4. Consideration and possible action on a Public Hearing regarding the following policy issues
associated with the Unified Development Code (UDC), Draft #1.
Commissioner McDonald was seated on the dais.
M. Cul-de-sac Length (UDC Section 12.3) Bobby Ray presented the staff report.
Todd Janssen – 112 Ridgewood Drive/ Sun City Georgetown – Stated that he sees a
conflict in language with other sections that state there should not be any single-
family access to connector streets. He feels this section discourages cul-de-sacs
and that the research that has been done says that people want to live on a cul-de-
sac. He would choose not to restrict the use of cul-de-sacs.
Lee Einswieler addressed the concerns of Mr. Janssen. In regards to the collector
street, a neighborhood collector street has been developed. The language on page
183, subsection 5 will be deleted with only the section regarding alternatives to
remain.
Commissioner comments were given.
Thomas Watts - 306 Dunlin, Buda – Stated people want to live on cul-de-sacs and
that it’s not the street that brings people together but the community events. He
stated street design affects people’s lifestyles.
Commissioner comments were continued.
Motion by Commissioner Kirby to recommend to City Council the elimination of the
section that regulates the length of cul-de-sacs, the elimination of the section that
discourages the use of cul-de-sacs, while leaving in the language encouraging other
alternatives and providing for those alternatives. Second by Commissioner Turner.
Approved 7 – 0.
N. Connectivity Ratio (UDC Section 12.3) Lee Einswieler presented the staff report.
Mark Baker – 14205 Burnet Rd/ SEC Planning – Stated he is not opposed to
connectivity. Thinks Georgetown has a good parks system and trails and perhaps
they should be used to tie into. Stated this section would make a subdivision look
like a grid system and the market is not buying the grid system. He likes to design
roads based on the topography of the land, not on a calculated grid system, and not
cutting trees to get a connecting road. Wants plans approved on a case-by-case
basis.
Thomas Watts – 306 Dunlin, Buda – Stated he wants the City to use judgement not
formulas to approve or disapprove a project.
Questions and comments by Commissioners.
Motion by Commissioner Turner to recommend to City Council that the provision be
reviewed by staff who would look into the possibility of scaling the required
connectivity ratio in conjunction with the size of the proposed subdivision. The
subdivision size could be based upon acreage or upon the number of lots. Second
by Commissioner Kirby. Approved 4 – 3. (Opposed by Gibbs, Seaman, and
McDonald.)
O. Traffic Impact Analysis – Threshold (UDC Section 12.5) Bobby Ray presented the
staff report and gave a new staff recommendation.
Questions and comments by Commissioners.
Motion by Commissioner Seamans to accept the staff recommendation maintaining
the current 2,000 ADT threshold, apply this requirements to both residential and non-
residential development, and to direct staff to draft a code section which address the
imposition of an impact fee for future roadway improvements. Second by
Commissioner McDonald. Approved 6-1. (Opposed by Commissioner Gibbs.)
P. Oversize Utility Requirements (UDC Section 13.9) John Aldridge presented the staff
report.
Questions and comments by Commissioners. Lee Einsweiler held a dialog with
Commissioners regarding possible actions.
Motion by Commissioner Kirby to recommend to Council that the cost of oversized
development may be charged to either the developer or the City which shall be at the
discretion of the City. The party bearing the cost of such oversize development shall
nevertheless have the benefit of a reimbursement mechanism under a subsequent
use provision. Second by Commissioner Turner. Approved 7 – 0.
Q. Gateways (General) Amelia Sondgeroth presented the staff report.
Questions and comments by Commissioners.
Renee Hanson – 1252 Austin Avenue. Suggested a landscape buffer requirement,
such as Leander’s which was developed by their staff. Wants to get away from
having Georgetown look like any other town.
Motion by Commissioner Turner to approve the provision as presented with
additional study towards setting minimum standards for gateways and corridors,
direct staff to proceed with both the Williams Drive Corridor Study and the Special
Area Planned Overlay provisions of the UDC. Once these studies are complete,
reassess the need for additional corridor studies. Commissioner Seamans
suggested an amendment to put in place landscape buffers along gateways, with
gateways defined as all State and Federal Highways. Turner agreed to amend her
motion. Second by Commissioner Kirby. Approved 7 – 0.
R. Other UDC Items for Discussion.
Glenda Overfelt – 951 CR 317/ Downtown Georgetown Association. Distributed
handout (attached). Read concerns of entire DGA.
Renee Hanson – 1252 Austin Avenue. Asked that private schools not be allowed by
right in RS District, but be restricted by special permit.
Patty Eason – 1302 Ash Street/ Main Street Advisory Board. Stated that the Main
Street Advisory Board voted to support all items listed by the Downtown Georgetown
Association, given earlier.
Renee Hanson – 1252 Austin Avenue. Asked that a timeline be considered in
forming a study for protecting the courthouse views.
Thomas Watts – 306 Dunlin, Buda. Questioned any other available time to discuss
design standards. The Chair explained that there would be other public hearings
with the City Council.
Renee Hanson – 1252 Austin Avenue. Discussed conflicting language of non-
conforming uses.
Marie Kelley - 103 San Gabriel Boulevard. Offered concerns about day care facilities
and the restrictions placed upon them. Suggested more stringent restrictions for the
safety of the children.
Motion by Commissioner Anderson to direct staff to review the letter offered by the
Downtown Georgetown Association and to provide a written response to those
concerns. Second by Commissioner Turner. Approved 7 – 0.
Motion by Commissioner Kirby to request the City Council the City Attorney to draft
an ordinance that would require developers of residential, commercial and industrial
property to develop property owners associations. After discussion, Attorney Carls
agrees to work on this and bring to the next Council meeting. No second. No action.
Motion by Seamans to redraft the definition of “discontinuation”, delete the provision
allowing continuation of a nonconforming use pursuant to Board of Adjustment
Approval and present to City Council for consideration. Second by Commissioner
Turner. Approved 7 – 0.
5. Staff comments and reports.
a. Council Action update
b. Director’s report
Sondgeroth reported that the next public hearing on the UDC will be with the City Council
on Wednesday, August 7, 2002.
6. Commissioners comments and reports
Motion by Commissioner Seamans to adjourn. Second by Commissioner Turner.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.