HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 03.19.2019
Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Page 1 of 10
March 19, 2019
City of Georgetown, Texas
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Courts and Council Building, located at 101 E 7th Street Georgetown, TX 78626
Commissioners present: Ercel Brashear, Chair; Kaylah McCord, Marlene McMichael and
Travis Perthuis
Commissioners Absent: Tim Bargainer, Vice-Chair; Ben Stewart, Secretary; Gary Newman
Commissioners-in-Training: present: None
Commissioners-in-Training absent: Aaron Albright and Glenn Patterson
Staff Present: Chelsea Irby, Senior Planner; Andreina Davila-Quintero, Current Planning
Manager; Sofia Nelson, Planning Director; Ethan Harwell, Planner and Stephanie McNickle
Recording Secretary.
Chair Brashear called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and asked Commissioner McMichael to
lead the pledge of allegiance.
A. Public Wishing to Address the Board
As of the deadline, no persons were signed up to speak on items other than those posted on the agenda.
Legislative Regular Agenda
B. Public Hearing and possible action on a request to zone a 0.63-acre tract in the L.P. Dyches
Survey, Abstract No. 171, to the General Commercial (C-3) district upon annexation, for
the property generally located at 8400 RR 2338, to be a part of Highland Village. (2019-1-
ANX) Chelsea Irby, Senior Planner
Presentation by Chelsea Irby. The applicant is requesting annexation and initial zoning
designation of General Commercial (C-3) for 0.63 acres. The subject property will be a part
of the Highland Village development. The small portion of land was not originally
included in the Highland Village Annexation, Development Agreement, and PUD.
The applicant is requesting annexation and initial zoning designation of General
Commercial (C-3) for
0.63 acres. The subject property will be a part of the Highland Village development. The
small portion of land was not originally included in the Highland Village Annexation,
Development Agreement, and Planned Unit Development (PUD) approved by City
Council in 2018.
Staff has reviewed the request in accordance with the Unified Development Code (UDC)
and other applicable codes. Staff has determined that the proposed request meets 5 of the
5 criteria established in UDC Section 3.06 for a rezoning.
Chair Brashear invited the applicant to address the Commission. The applicant was
present but declined to address the commission.
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March 19, 2019
Chair Brashear opened the Public Hearing. No one came forward. The Public Hearing was
closed.
Motion by Commissioner McCord to recommend to City Council approval of the request
to zone a 0.63-acre tract in the L.P. Dyches Survey, Abstract No. 171, to the General
Commercial (C-3) district upon annexation, for the property generally located at 8400 RR
2338, to be a part of Highland Village. Seconded by Commissioner McMichael. Approved.
(4-0) Commissioners Bargainer, Newman & Stewart absent
C. Public Hearing and possible action on a request for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for the
specific uses of 1) “Bar, Tavern, or Pub”, and 2) “Event Facility” within the Mixed-Use
Downtown (MU-DT) zoning district, for the property located at 718 S Austin Ave, bearing
the legal description of 0.14 acres consisting of the south one-half (1/2) of Lot 8, and the
East one-fourth (1/4) of Lots 6 and 7, Block 41, of the City of Georgetown, to be known as
Barrels & Amps (2019-2-SUP). Madison Thomas, AICP, Historic & Downtown Planner
Staff presentation by Madison Thomas. The applicant is requesting a Special Use Permit
(SUP) for the specific uses of “Bar, Tavern, or Pub” and “Event Facility” within the Mixed-
Use Downtown zoning district to open a piano bar to be known as Barrels & Amps.
According to the applicant’s letter, there will be two areas of interest. A pub/gathering
place on the 8th Street side, offering food, drinks, and entertainment such as music or
comedy acts. The Austin Avenue side will be a versatile space for a dueling piano bar,
nostalgic film nights, and private party/reception use.
Staff has reviewed the request and determined that the proposed request complies with
the criteria established in UDC Section 3.07.030.C for a Special Use Permit
In summary, staff finds that the proposed use of Event Facility is appropriate for the
subject property should adequate parking be provided due to the building’s square
footage and Downtown location. The event facility specific use would be appropriate at
this location if the applicant can find a way to provide shared parking to accommodate the
increased need for parking.
Chair Brashear invited the applicant to address the Commissioners. The applicant was
present, but declined to address the Commissioners.
Chair Brashear opened the Public Hearing. No one came forward. The Public meeting was
closed.
Motion by Commissioner McCord to recommend to the City Council approval of the
request for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for the specific uses of 1) “Bar, Tavern, or Pub”,
and 2) “Event Facility” within the Mixed-Use Downtown (MU-DT) zoning district, for the
property located at 718 S Austin Ave, bearing the legal description of 0.14 acres consisting
of the south one-half (1/2) of Lot 8, and the East one-fourth (1/4) of Lots 6 and 7, Block 41,
of the City of Georgetown, to be known as Barrels & Amps conditional that the applicant
to provide a documentation of shared parking arrangements sufficient to meet 50% of the
parking requirements for the event center as would be required in a C3 zoned property
outside the Downtown Overlay District. Second by McMichael. Approved. (4-0)
Commissioners Bargainer, Newman & Stewart absent.
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March 19, 2019
D. Public hearing and possible action on proposed amendments to Chapter 2, Review
Authority, Chapter 3, Applications and Permits, Chapter 4, Zoning Districts, and Chapter
16, Definitions, of the Unified Development Code (UDC) regarding the rules, standards
and regulations of the Historic Districts (Amendment No. 2). Sofia Nelson, CNU-A,
Planning Director
Presentation by Sofia Nelson, Planning Director. Ms. Nelson gave a detailed presentation
of the four amendments to Draft Unified Development Code Amendments as submitted
by the Unified Development Code Advisory Committee (DCCAC) recommends to the
Planning & Zoning Commission and to City Council. Ms. Nelson reviewed the boundaries
of the overlay districts and the four national registered districts which includes the
Williamson County Courthouse HD, University Ave-Elm Street HD, Belford HD and
Olive Street HD. Ms. Nelson presented the results of the 2016 Historic Resource Survey
which was adopted by the City Council in September 2017.
Ms. Nelson explained the difference between the Low Priority, Medium Priority and the
High Priority structures that are distributed throughout the community, both inside the
Old Town Downtown District and outside .
All properties identified as High, Medium or Low priority structures, as listed on the
National Historic Resource Survey are subject to regulatory oversite by the Historic
Architectural Review Commission (HARC).
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Ms. Nelson also defined for the Commission what role the Historic Preservation Officer
(HPO) performs in the review of development applications in a historic overlay district.
The HPO presents findings and recommendations to HARC and performs any other
duties granted by this code.
Ms. Nelson reviewed the existing Certificate of Appropriateness and the Council-
mandated amendment process. Ms. Nelson stated that during this amendment process,
staff has had discussions with interested parties, open house presentations of the
proposed amendment, various internal meetings and workshops. As of today, there are
four areas in the proposed draft amendment highlighted by the UDCAC as items
suggested for additional review. Those additional items are identified as:
Item 1. Review of Low Priority Resources inside a Historic District.
Ms. Nelson defined the Review of Low Priority Resources Inside a Historic District as a
structure not associated with a trend in history, significant architectural style, building
form or construction method and/or significantly altered. Ms. Nelson reviewed the
existing language of the UDC and the recommendations from the UDCAC.
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Item 2. Use of In-kind Material.
Ms. Nelson reviewed the of questions and concerns relating to the use of In-Kind
Materials for the low and medium priority structures. UDCAC recommends allowing the
use of In-Kind, or substitute materials within the Historic Overlay Districts “..on a limited
basis and only when the materials will match the appearance and properties of the
historic resource.”
Item 3: Demolition Process outside a Historic District and on the Survey.
Ms. Nelson reviewed the current process of the Demolition Process Outside of a Historic
District and stated all structures on the historic resource survey is reviewed by the
Demolition Subcommittee 30 -45 days after submittal. The Subcommittee will view the
structure and will then be presented to HARC to request demolition 60 days after the
subcommittee review. Ms. Nelson presented the changes recommended by UDCAD and
the differences between current code and proposed changes.
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Item #4. Review Authority Change.
Ms. Nelson reviewed the Current Certificate of Appropriateness Application Process
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Ms. Nelson presented the recommendation of the UDCAC to leave final decision making
authority with HARC, subject to the right of all parties with standing to appeal a HARC
decision to the City Council. HARC to retain current review authority.
Ms. Nelson closed her presentation by presenting the overall UDCAC Recommendation
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Chair Brashear opened the Public Hearing.
Citizens who addressed the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Wendy Dew, 30109 Spyglass Circle
Ann Seaman, 810 S. Church St.
Mary Volkman, 503 W. 8th St.
Rebecca Pfister, 403 Elm
Richard Cutts, 1312 E. Elm St.
Michael Walton, 1406 E. 15th St.
Ross Hunter, 908 S. Walnut
Helen Elkins, 30009, Oakland Hills Dr.
Will Harris, 1604 E. 19th St.
Linda McCalla, 104 Northcross Rd.
Summary of comments and concerns.
Love the Historic area because of HARC.
HARC is good common sense.
City Council is shady and unprofessional.
Leave HARC alone.
The city will be exploited if not for HARC
The Sun City citizens are upset with the proposal
Georgetown has a rich history and feels more regulations are needed.
Allowing the low priority to be demolished, then anything can be built on the property.
Respect History.
Council only cares about lining their pockets with money.
City Council should not be involved in HARC except for appeals.
HARC is doing a good job.
Maybe the guidelines can be clearer.
The process works, why change?
HARC absolutely needs to review all low priority structures.
There are things needing to be improved, but not HARC.
Moved to Georgetown because the town protects its rich history.
HARC is what made Georgetown what it is today.
Please protect the low priority structures.
Main street program was started in 1982.
Georgetown’s Main Street program captured the State and National attention.
HARC has played an important part in the Historic Preservation of Georgetown.
Chair Brashear closed the Public Hearing.
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Chair Brashear asked and staff responded that currently once a low priority structure is
demolished and as long the residential meets the setbacks required, there is no oversite by
the planning department, nor is it reviewed by HARC.
Commissioner Marlene asked and staff stated that no decision has been made during the
60 day hold after the application has been presented to the HARC Subcommittee. The
HARC Subcommittee physically inspects the property and makes a formal
recommendation of its findings to HARC. During the sixty day wait, staff and the
demolition subcommittee see if any materials from the structure can be reused or history
of the structure can be researched. There is an appeal process after HARC makes their
decision.
Motion by Chair Brashear to recommend to the City Council for the review of low priority
resource inside a historic district is that COA’s for building designated medium and high
priority with a designated historic district shall be reviewed by HARC and COA’s for
building designated low priority with a designated historic district shall be reviewed by
HPO.
All structures to-be-built as replacements to a property designated low priority within a
designated historic district that are subject to demolition shall be reviewed by HARC. All
approved COA demolition properties shall submit a single family or 2-family structure to
be reviewed by HARC for adaptability of a replacement product. Second by
Commissioner Perthuis. Approved. (4-0) Commissioners Bargainer, Newman & Stewart
absent.
Motion by Chair Brashear to recommend to City Council approval of the amendment
allowing the use of In-Kind Materials for low and medium priority resource. Seconded by
Commissioner McCord. Approved. (4-0) Commissioners Bargainer, Newman & Stewart
absent.
Motion by Chair Brashear to recommend to City Council (1) approval of the UDCAC
recommendation retaining HARC review for high priority structures located outside of a
Historic District, including the 60-day review process; (2) approval of the UDCAC
recommendation retaining HPOC review for medium priority structures located outside
of a Historic District, including the 60-day review process. Second by Commissioner
Perthuis. Approved. (4-0) Commissioners Bargainer, Newman & Stewart absent.
Motion by Commissioner McMichael to recommend to City Council no change and
HARC will remain the final review authority. Second by Chair Brashear. Approved. (4-0)
Commissioners Bargainer, Newman & Stewart absent.
E. Discussion Items:
Updates and Announcements (Sofia Nelson) NA
Update from other Board and Commission meetings. NA
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March 19, 2019
Questions or comments from Alternate Members about the actions and matters considered
on this agenda. NA
Reminder of the April 2, 2019, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in the Council
Chambers located at 510 W 9th St, starting at 6:00pm.
Motion to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.
Adjourn.
____________________________________ ____________________________________
Ercel Brashear, Chair Attest, Travis Perthuis, Commissioner