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Planning & Zoning Commission Agenda / May 6, 2008 Page 1 of 4
City of Georgetown, Texas
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Council Chambers
101 E. Seventh Street, Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members Present: Harry Gibbs, Chair; Sarah Milburn, Vice Chair; Marlene McMichael, Secretary; Patrick
Lawson, Don Padfield, Clare Easley and Chris Damon.
Members Absent:
Staff Present: Elizabeth Cook, Interim Director, Carla Benton, Planner; Valerie Kreger, Planner; Jordan
Maddox, Planner; David Munk, City Engineer; Jennifer Bills, Housing Coordinator; Robbie Wyler,
Historic Planner; Trish Carls, City Attorney and Stephanie McNickle, Recording Secretary.
Chair Gibbs called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chair Gibbs stated the order of the meeting and that those who speak must turn in a speaker form to the
recording secretary before the item that they wish to address begins. Each speaker will be permitted to
address the Commission once for each item, for a maximum of three (3) minutes, unless otherwise agreed
to before the meeting begins.
1. Action from Executive Session. There was not an Executive Session.
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda includes non-controversial and routine items that the Commission may act on with
one single vote. A Commissioner or any member of the public may request that any item from the
Consent Agenda be pulled in order that the Commission discuss and act upon it individually as part of
the Regular Agenda. The Planning and Zoning Commission's approval of an item on the Consent Agenda
will be consistent with the staff recommendation described in the report, unless otherwise noted.
2. Consideration and possible approval of the Minutes of the April 1, 2008 meeting of the Planning and
Zoning Commission.
Motion by Padfield to approve the Consent agenda including the March 4,2008 and April 1, 2008
minutes. Second by Milburn. Approved. (6-0)
Regular Agenda
3. Public Hearing and possible action on a Rezoning to amend the Development Plan for a PUD,
Planning Unit Development District for 104.95 acres in the Clement Stubblefield Survey known as
Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Amended Plat of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lots 2 & 8,
Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lot 4, Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision,
Block A, Lot 4B, Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lot 4C, Resubdivision of Wolf
Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lots 5, 6 and 9, located in the 1000 Block of W. University Ave. (CB)
REZ-2008-005. Staff report given by Carla Benton. This property is currently developed as Wolf Ranch
Shopping Center, located at the intersection of IH 35 and SH 29 West.
Planning & Zoning Commission Agenda / May 6, 2008 Page 2 of 4
During the development of the shopping center several areas of clarification with regards to the
Master Signage Plan were addressed with staff to facilitate the application of the signage standards of
the PUD. It is typical for a Master Sign Plan to incorporate a palette of colors to address approved
signage which was omitted from the original PUD. Additionally, Lot 9A, located at the intersection of
SH29 and IH35, was the site for the primary Monument Sign for the shopping center. This sign was
modified from the original PUD Master Signage Plan and was installed on Lot 9A, which was not
included in the PUD at that time. In order to bring the Master Signage Plan up-to-date for the existing
signage and establish the needed clarifications, the developer has provided revisions to the Master
Signage Plan. These revisions are not changing the existing signage design of the PUD, but bringing
the documentation into consistency with the interpretations applied during construction. The
Landscape Plan, has been revised to reflect changes made during the development process on
proposed preserved and replacement trees. The replacement shade trees have been revised from 502
to 506. The ornamental trees were revised from 220 to 226 to reflect a total of 55 inches of trees
removed during construction that were not originally identified for removal. The development
remains within their proposed overall percentages for tree preservation.
Commission asked if the preservation of the heritage tree was being passed for this application. Carla
stated City Council passed the heritage tree preservation. Chair Gibb invited the applicant to speak.
Jason Rammel, Sheets & Crossfield, P.C. stated he is here representing the applicant and will be glad
to answer any questions. Chair Gibbs opened the Public Hearing. No one came forward to
speak. The Public Hearing was closed. Motion by MilburnApproval of a Rezoning to amend the
Development Plan for a PUD, Planning Unit Development District for 104.95 acres in the Clement
Stubblefield Survey known as Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Amended Plat of Wolf Ranch Subdivision,
Block A, Lots 2 & 8, Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lot 4, Resubdivision of Wolf
Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lot 4B, Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lot 4C,
Resubdivision of Wolf Ranch Subdivision, Block A, Lots 5, 6 and 9. Second by Padfield. Approved.
(6-0)
At this time Marlene McMichael arrived to attend the meeting.
4. Public Hearing and possible action on a Rezoning for 72.89 acres in the Thompson Survey, to be
known as Weir Ranch from AG, Agricultural and RS, Residential Single Family to C-1, Local
Commercial and RS, Residential Single Family, located on FM 2243 west of Riverview Drive. (CB)
REZ-2008-006
Staff report given by Carla Benton. On July 26, 2005, the City Council approved an ordinance for a
Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change 898.03 acres known as the Weir Charitable Trust Project
for an Intensity Level amendment to facilitate a mixed-use plan. The current application for rezoning
is the east portion of that larger tract. A request for voluntary annexation and a Preliminary Plat are
being processed by separate application for the development of this tract. This application contains
72.89 acres in the J. Thompson Survey to be developed as 167 residential lots and two commercial lots
located at the intersection with RM 2243 as it intersects with the future Southwest Bypass. Of the 72.89
acres, 14.756 acres will be dedicated as public parkland along the South San Gabriel River. The
applicant is proposing to rezone 60.939 acres from AG, Agricultural to RS, Residential Single-Family.
This comprises the land being dedicated as parkland and the 167 residential lots. The remaining
11.951acres is proposed for a change from AG, Agricultural and RS, Residential Single-Family to C-1,
Local Commercial. The proposed C-1 area is located at the proposed intersection of the main road
entering this section of the development, creating two commercial lots. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan
shows this area with a land use designation of Community Commercial. This tract is located adjacent
to the future Southwest Bypass, but will not have access to the Bypass or the balance of the larger
Community Commercial node. The residential subdivision to the east is buffered by Lyndoch Park.
Staff is supportive of the request for the C-1, Local Commercial District zoning. Commission asked
Planning & Zoning Commission Agenda / May 6, 2008 Page 3 of 4
about connectivity. Carla stated there will be an elbow in the road. Chair Gibbs invited the applicant
to speak. The applicant was not present. Chair Gibbs opened the Public Hearing. No one came
forward to speak. The Public Hearing was closed. Motion by Milburn to recommend to City
Council approval of a Rezoning for 72.89 acres in the Thompson Survey, to be known as Weir Ranch
from AG, Agricultural and RS, Residential Single-Family to C-1, Local Commercial and RS,
Residential Single-Family. Second by McMichael. Approved. (7-0)
5. Public Hearing and possible action on a Rezone from TF to MU-DT for Lost Addition, Block 66, 0.191
acres, to be known as The Gilmer Office Building, located at 1102 Rock Street. (RW) REZ -2008-007
Staff report given by Robbie Wyler. The proposed rezoning from the TF District to the MU-DT
District is to allow a mix of office and residential within the structure. Currently, the owner plans to
use the entire structure for office. The existing building can meet all applicable development
standards for the MU-DT Zoning District. This site sits within the Downtown Overlay District and is
close to other MU-DT zoned properties. The applicant believes the zoning would be more consistent
with other uses in the area. The requested zoning district of MU-DT is appropriate given the Future
Land Use Map designation of Specialty Mixed Use and the site’s location within the Downtown
Overlay District. This land use designation supports office use. The MU-DT District is intended to
provide for a mix of land uses in the Downtown Overlay District, including commercial, office and
residential. The MU-DT District may be appropriate adjacent to residential and office uses. The
owner plans to use the building as the “Gilmer Office Building”. This zoning district also allows the
owner to convert the building or part of the building back to residential should she choose to do so.
Lynn Haag, Stegar and Bizzell and will be glad to answer any question. He stated parking will be
available on 11th street and will be public parking, not private. Chair Gibbs opened the Public Hearing.
No one came forward to speak. The Public Hearing was closed. Motion by McMichael to recommend
to City Council approval for rezone for Lost Addition, Block 66 from TF, Two-Family to MU-DT, Mixed
Use Downtown. Second by Lawson. Approved. (7-0)
6. Public Hearing and possible action on a Special Use Permit for office use in a residentially zoned
area at Montgomery Addition, Block 1, Lots 10 and 11, located at 1903 S. Austin Ave.(RW) SUP-2008-
002. Staff report given by Robbie Wyler. The applicant is requesting a Special Use Permit (SUP) to
allow for office use of the Residential (RS) zoned house. With a Unified Development Code (UDC)
amendment on office, council recently adopted Ordinance 2008-08 stating office use is allowed under
certain conditions with a Special Use Permit for RS properties adjacent to Commercial properties.
UDC Section 5.02.125 has been attached to the report stating the specifications and limitations of such
a permit. On April 24, 2008, the proposed Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) to change the site to
allow the office was not approved by the Historic and Architectural Review Commission (HARC).
The property is located within the Old Town Historic Overlay District and is required to obtain CDC
approval, along with the SUP, for the proposed change to office use. The CDC request included a
parking layout for the future business along with the business sign. The owner has stated she will be
appealing HARC’s decision on the CDC at the June 10, 2008 City Council meeting. Based on the UDC
amendment the requested Special Use Permit is appropriate for the location of the property. A
commercial use exists to both the west and south and the property acts as a buffer between the
residential Old Town section and the more commercial section of South Austin Avenue. The
applicant wants to keep the house and property the same with the exception of adding in the required
screened parking, a business sign, a handicap ramp to the rear of the structure as required by ADA
and updating lighting to non residential standards. In addition, the proposal includes removing the
garage to allow for parking and tree preservation.
Planning & Zoning Commission Agenda / May 6, 2008 Page 4 of 4
The owner has worked with staff in preserving as many large trees as possible on the property while
at the same time trying to reach the required amount of parking spaces. By keeping the trees, the
property will better maintain the residential feel while allowing parking for a future business. All
parking will be screened from Austin Avenue as shown on the Site Plan.
Commissioners asked staff about parking for the property. Staff stated there will be adequate parking
and screening will be covered with shrubbery. Gibbs invited the applicant to speak. Mr. Ions.
Attorney representing the applicant reviewed the history of the application located at 1903 S. Austin
Ave.
Commissioner asked if the property is going to be used for the applicant’s use. Mr. Ions stated he is
not sure if the applicant will keep the property and rent it out or sell. Michelle Ledebohm stated she is
concerned with preserving Georgetown’s historic downtown and if this application is approved it will
set precedence and will continue up South Austin Avenue. Eugenia Harrell, 1304 Olive Street is
requesting a denial. Linda Austin, 1009 Elm Street is requesting denial. Susan Ferth, Board of the
Georgetown Heritage Society read a letter. Austin Ave. is a gateway to historic Georgetown and needs
to be preserved. Nancy Knight representing Historical and Architectural Review Committee read a
letter stating their concerns and strongly requesting denial. Carol Rooke, 1001 Church Street is
concerned with historic downtown Georgetown. She stated there is plenty of office space that is for
lease in Georgetown. Larkin Tom, 502 South Walnut said the integrity of our neighborhood is special
and hopes that we do not turn Georgetown into a swiss cheese for office use. Peter Dana, 1101 Walnut
Street agrees with previous speakers and feels that out of town realtors are not interested with
concerns of the residents. She also ask the Commissioners to please keep old town Georgetown
residential. The Public Hearing was closed. The attorney stated the applicant feels she is preserving
the historic home located at 1903 S. Austin Ave. Motion by Padfield to recommend to City Council on
a Special Use Permit for office use in a residential structure located at 1903 S. Austin Avenue. Second by
McMichael. Approved. 5-2 (Easley and Lawson)
5. Comments from Director.
Elizabeth Cook discussed a possible special meeting in June. June 19th or the 26th.
6. Comments from Commissioners.
Clare Easley stated her disappointment with denying the wishes of the neighbors by approving the
Special Use Permit for 1903 South Austin Avenue.
Motion to adjourn 7:32pm
_______________________________ __________________________________
Approved, Harry Gibbs, Chair Attested, Sarah Milburn, Vice Chair
Certificate of Posting
I, Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of
Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. Eighth Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all
times, on the ______ day of __________________, 2008, at __________, and remained so posted for at least
72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting.
____________________________________
Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary