Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/22/2014 P&Z MINUTES CITY OF THE COLONY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION APRIL 22, 2014 After determining that a quorum was present, the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of The Colony, Texas convened into Regular Session which was held on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers located in City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, at which time the following items were addressed: Board Members Present: Karen Hames, Chairman; Brian Wade, Vice-Chairman; Cesar Molina, Jr.; Shannon Hebb; Detrick DeBurr; Cody Hall and Brian Buffington. Board Members Absent: None City Council Liaison Present: David Terre, City Council Place 4 Staff Present: J. Michael Joyce, AICP, Planning Director; Brooks Wilson, AICP, Senior Planner; Gordon Scruggs, Engineering Director; Brian McNuelty, Recording Secretary and Ed Voss, City Attorney. 1.0 CALL REGULAR SESSION TO ORDER Chairman Hames called the meeting to order at 6:30 Pm. 1.2 CITIZEN INPUT No citizens came forward during Citizen Input. 2.0 CONSENT AGENDA 2.1 Consider approval of the minutes of the April 8, 2014 Regular Session. 2.2 PP14-0003, Microtel by Wyndham at The Colony Addition, Lot 1, Block A Consider approval of a Preliminary Plat of Lot 1, Block A of Microtel by Wyndham at The Colony Addition, being a 1.37 acre tract of land in the Singleton Survey, Abstract No. 1138, located on the north side of the Sam Rayburn Tollway (S.H. 121) and approximately 250 feet east of Standridge Drive. 2.3 FP14-0003, Microtel by Wyndham at The Colony Addition, Lot 1, Block A Consider approval of a Final Plat of Lot 1, Block A of Microtel by Wyndham at The Colony Addition, being a 1.37 acre tract of land in the Singleton Survey, Abstract No. 1138, located on the north side of the Sam Rayburn Tollway (S.H. 121) and approximately 250 feet east of Standridge Drive. Commissioner Wade moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Hebb seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 3.0 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 3.1 SUP14-0002, Microtel by Wyndham Limited Service Hotel Conduct a public hearing, discuss and consider making a recommendation to City Council on an application for a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to allow a limited service hotel, Microtel by Wyndham, to be located on a 1.31 acre tract of land on the north side of the Sam Rayburn Tollway (S.H. 121) and approximately 250 feet east of Standridge Drive. Mrs. Wilson presented the staff report. Chairman Hames asked the applicant if he wished to speak. Mr. Dayton Macatee, Macatee Engineering, 3519 Miles Street, Dallas, Texas, representing the applicants, explained that the Microtel by Wyndham is a straightforward project for a 78-room hotel that meets the City's limited service hotel criteria for approval. Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission April 22, 2014 Page 2 of 5 Commissioner Wade asked staff if a Specific Use Permit needs to be renewed or is permanently connected to the land. Mr. Michael Joyce, Planning Director, explained that a SUP is a zoning change that adds a specific use to the current zoning district's list of land uses and is permanent. Mr. Ed Voss, City Attorney, went on to explain that the City Council may, at its initiative, reconsider any SUP at a future date to change the zoning back to the original zoning district designation. Commissioner Hall stated that he had economic concerns with the project and asked for counsel from the City Attorney. With prompting from the City Attorney, Chairman Hames closed the Regular Session at 6:38 pm and the Commission convened in Executive Session, pursuant to Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code. Chairman Hames reopened the Regular Session at 6:53 pm. Commissioner Hall asked the applicant the price point of the room rates. Mr. Don Blackwood, 5200 Paige Road, The Colony, Texas, one of the property owners, responded that the room rates are proposed to be approximately $100/night, with price increases as occupancy rises to $135/night. Commissioner DeBurr asked the applicant what type of hotel would be comparable to the proposed hotel. Mr. Blackwood said that the Microtel by Wyndham is similar to a Holiday Inn Express in terms of its size, amenities and materials. He added that although the requirements for a hotel within The Colony changed during their planning process for the Microtel, the owners were happy to comply with the changes. In fact, the owners purchased additional property in order to accommodate the required swimming pool and other minimum requirements of a "limited service" hotel, per the new ordinance. Mr. Blackwood stated that not everyone can afford a $300/night luxury hotel and that the Microtel is intending to reach the mid-priced range hotel user. Commissioner Wade asked the applicant where the Microtel by Wyndham ranked within the range of Wyndham properties. Mr. Blackwood responded by saying that Microtel Hotels had been extended stay hotels prior to being purchased by the Wyndham brand. Since the purchase, improvements have been made to the design of new Microtel by Wyndham hotels to make them competitive with the mid-range hotels, such as Holiday Inn Express and to remove them from comparison to the extended stay hotel type. Chairman Haines opened the Public Hearing. No one came forward to speak. Chairman Hames closed the Public Hearing and asked the Commissioners if there was any further discussion. Commissioner Hall expressed concern with approving this SUP based on the economic impacts to the City. He went on to say that this lot is prime real estate within The Colony and that revenue generated from a Microtel Hotel would be less than what could be earned from other potential land uses. In addition, Commissioner Hall specifically disagreed with Staff's assessment of SUP Criteria No. 10 relating to "the public health, safety and welfare or materially Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission April 22, 2014 Page 3 of 5 injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity." Commissioner Hall stated that allowing this hotel to be constructed may be opening the City to a nuisance and a threat to public safety similar to the situations occurring at Budget Suites. Commissioner Hall then moved to deny Item 3.1. Commissioner Wade seconded the motion. Chairman Hames asked if there was further discussion. Commissioner Molina stated that he was torn on this issue. While he understands the concerns expressed, he went on to say that he was not convinced that the Microtel Hotel is not a good fit for this tract of land, since it does not have frontage on S.H. 121 and is adjacent to a liquor store. Chairman Hames reiterated the applicant's contention that the Microtel by Wyndham is intended to be a higher grade hotel than older Microtel designs. Commissioner Hall stated that Wyndham purchased the Microtel hotel chain in 2007 or 2008 and that during the times he had stayed several times in Microtel Hotels where he typically paid between $45.00 to $50.00 per night. Mr. Hall also indicated that he had not seen any significant improvement in hotel quality during the time period in which Wyndham had taken control of the brand and that the Microtel by Wyndham brand had not achieved the quality that the City of The Colony should expect. Commissioner DeBurr asked staff what the applicant's next step would be should the Commission recommend denial of the SUP. Ms. Wilson responded that the case would be heard by the City Council and that the City Council would have to have a super-majority to overturn the Planning and Zoning Commission's denial recommendation. There being no further discussion, Chairman Hames called for the vote on denial of the SUP. The motion carried (4-3, with Hall, Wade, Buffington and DeBurr for the denial and Hames, Hebb and Molina against the denial). 3.0 PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 3.2 SUP14-0001, Courtyard Marriott Limited Service Hotel Conduct a public hearing, discuss and consider making a recommendation to City Council regarding the approval of a Specific Use Permit (SUP) to allow a limited service hotel, Courtyard Marriott at Cascades to be located on a 2.84 acre tract of land on the north side of the Sam Rayburn Tollway (S.H. 121) and approximately 500 feet east of Cascades Court and to allow a modification to Gateway Overlay District Section 10A-900(c)(1)(C) regarding the percentage of masonry and stucco for exterior finishes. At the applicant's request for a postponement, Chairman Hames opened the Public Hearing. No one came forward to speak. Chairman Hames asked for a motion to continue the public hearing to the May 13, 2014 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, at the applicant's request. Commissioner Molina moved for a continuance of Item 3.2 to the May 13, 2014 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Commissioner Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission April 22, 2014 Page 4 of 5 4.0 DISCUSSION ITEM 4.1 SP14-0003, Microtel by Wyndham at The Colony Site Plan Discuss and consider making a recommendation to City Council on a request for approval of a Site Plan for Microtel by Wyndham to be located on a 1.37 acre tract of land on the north side of the Sam Rayburn Tollway (S.H. 121) and approximately 250 feet east of Standridge Drive, also known as 3909 S.H. 121. Ms. Wilson presented the staff report. Commissioner Hall asked if the parking included the handicapped accessible parking. Ms. Wilson responded in the affirmative. Commissioner Molina asked about the free right turn land off of S.H. 121. Mr. Gordon Scruggs, Director of Engineering, stated that the right turn lane already exists. Mr. Blackwood added that the deceleration lane was constructed about 15 years ago and that the entrance shown on the site plan would be shared with the Microtel Hotel, Cheers Liquor Store and any future development to be located east of Cheers. Commissioner Molina asked if there would be a conflict between trucks' turning maneuver and the landscaped median shown in the entrance drive. Ms. Wilson responded that the landscaped median is set back from the frontage road right-of- way a sufficient distance so that trucks and fire apparatus will be able to make the turn without damaging the median or the landscaping. Commissioner Hebb asked if the divided fire lane at the entrance met Fire Department standards. Ms. Wilson assured the Commission that the Fire Marshal had reviewed the plans and approved the Fire Lane design. Commissioner Hebb asked about the dumpster enclosure location and suggested that it might be better placed at the northwest corner of the hotel. Commissioner Wade moved to approve Item 4.1. Commissioner Hebb seconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). 4.0 DISCUSSION ITEM 4.2 SP13-0010, Camey Elementary Revised Site Plan Discuss and consider making a recommendation to City. Council on a request for approval of a Revised Site Plan for an 110,545 square foot elementary school for the Lewisville Independent School District, called Carney Elementary, on approximately 18.46 acres, located at the northwest corner of Blair Oaks Drive and Arbor Glen Road. Chairman Hames recused herself from the next two items due to a possible conflict of interest. Vice Chairman Wade presided over these items. Ms. Wilson presented the staff report. Commissioner Buffington asked if the new traffic plan would have potential conflicts with Fire Department operations from Fire Station No. 1. Ms. Wilson responded that the Fire Department approved the revised traffic plan. Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission April 22, 2014 Page 5 of 5 Mr. Robert Howman, Glenn Engineering, 105 Decker Court, Arlington, Texas, explained the new traffic plan and the reasons for removing the parking from the utility easement. Commissioner Wade asked if traffic entering from and exiting to Arbor Glen Road would be allowed to make turns from both directions. Mr. Howman answered affirmatively and added that the design of the traffic plan is meant to alleviate some of the stacking on Arbor Glen Road. Commissioner Hall moved to approve Item 4.2. Commissioner Hebb seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). 4.0 DISCUSSION ITEM 4.3 SP13-0011, Griffin Middle School Revised Site Plan Discuss and consider making a recommendation to City Council on a request for approval of a Revised Site Plan for a new 200,500 square foot middle school for the Lewisville Independent School District, called Griffin Middle School, on approximately 16.80 acres, located on the south side of North Colony Boulevard at Ragan Road. Ms. Wilson presented the staff report. Commissioner Hall asked what would prevent parents from not making the extended south loop, as shown on the traffic plan. Mr. Howman responded that the new traffic pattern would be coned off to encourage compliance with the plan and to alleviate, as much as possible, any stacking from occurring in North Colony Boulevard. Commissioner Hebb asked if the median separating the two sections of parking lot could be extended to permanently separate the north and south ends of the parking lot. Mr. Howman stated that this was not possible since the drive aisle at the front of the school is also a fire lane and must be kept open for emergency access. Commissioner Hall moved to approve Item 4.3. Commissioner Buffington seconded the motion. Motion carried (6-0). Vice-Chairman Wade adjourned the Regular Session of the Planning and Zoning Commission at 7:35 pm. Karen Haines, Chairman Brian McNuelty,`Recording Secretary