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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/27/1993 City Council 004945 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON September 27, 1993 The Work Session of the City Council of the City of The Colony, Texas was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on the 27th day of September, 1993 at City Hall with the following Council roll call: William Manning, Mayor Present Mike Lynch, Councilman Present Toby Pollard, Councilman Absent Joe Agnew, Councilman Present Tom Bogan, Councilman Present John Dillard, Councilman Present Joel Marks, Mayor Pro-tem Absent Planning and Zoning Commission members present were: Carol Chabinak-Ball, Chairman, Julie Bottke, Barbara Crocker, David Salmon, Jim Wagner, Jim Bogers and Steve Swerdloff. and with five councilmembers present, and seven commission members present a quorum was established and the following items were addressed: 1. RECEIVE PRESENTATION FROM STEWART PENINSULA DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF A 40 ACRE TRACT LOCATED ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF ETHRIDGE DRIVE AND NORTH COLONY BOULEVARD Bill Hall stated that an investor had approached the city regarding development of approximately 40 acres of the 205 acre tract located in the western portion of the city. Mr. Hall said he had expressed the city's concerns regarding wastewater capacity to Mr. Rusty Nichols, who is representing the developer. Mr. Hall said the 40 acres is located south of N. Colony Blvd. across from Etheridge Elementary School. He advised the developer had requested this joint session to discuss this project. Rusty Nichols said they are very excited about this project and have done exhaustive market studies to determine the best way to development this property. He said they plan to create a custom feel in the development. Mr. Nichols, using slides, presented the landscaping styles to be used for the entries into the development and the types of screening walls being considered. He also showed several types of drives and garages, i.e. front entry, swing entry, and rear entry. Mr. Nichols asked for clarification regarding the amount of brick required on a 2 story home. He said they have talked to several builders, stating Goodman Homes is very interested in this project and that Mr.' Goodman likes to build on large lots and has said that 3 car garages are selling well now. He stated also that they would like to move some of the homes over on the lots, using 5' and 11' side yards instead 2 0049ov of 8' and 8' on all the lots. He explained this would accommodate the drive ways better, would allow for better views between homes and would help to give the area the custom feel. Member Swerdloff asked for clarification on the wastewater problem. Mr. Hall said we have a 2.5 million gallon plant now, and when we reach 90% capacity we are required to have expansion under construction. He said we do have a permit from the Texas Water Development Board and are currently in the design phase. Mr. Hall said he doesn't want the city to be put in the position of needing a bond issue before we are ready and noted that if we allow one developer to absorb what is left in our capacity it would not be fair to other developers or the city. Mr. Hall said the 400 homes being built by Centex does not take us to 90% and the 112 homes in this development will still leave a buffer. He did say two other developers have approached him about building homes, but that each case will have to be taken individually. Councilman Bogan noted that brick is allowed to the plate line on one story homes and Bill Hall said he and staff agree that would not be a problem for the 2 story homes in this development. Mayor Manning asked how this effects the Planned Development (PD) zoning for the entire 205 acre tract. Mr. van Til noted that technically that PD has expired so it is really of no consequence. Mr. Nichols said they referred to the original PD concerns and the existing zoning when designing this project. Councilman Lynch asked how many lots would have the adjusted side and front yards, square feet and lot size. Mr. Nichols said they hoped the council would establish a percentage, stating they want to accomplish the custom look by having a mixture of entries. Mr Nichols continued stating the homes will be from 2000 square feet to 3500 square feet, according to the market, and the smallest lot will be 65 ft. by 112 ft. Truman Edminster, engineer for Carter and Burgess, stated he is the engineer for this project and went on to ask for input regarding the roadway which, on the plans, ends very close to Holden Cir. He said the city thoroughfare plan shows a lake shore road connecting with the S. Colony extension in the Lakeridge sub division. He went on to say they have designed a temporary cul de sac which can be moved out, depending on what eventually happens with the proposed lake shore road. Mr. Edminster noted the lot on the end will be cut down to accommodate the street r.o.w, as well as the existing drainage ditch. Chairman Ball asked about traffic impact and Mr. Nichols stated the old PD required improvements to the intersection at N. Colony and FM 423, with which the developer plans to comply. Member Crocker asked about the widening of Etheridge and N. Colony. Mr. Nichols said improvements will be made to N. Colony at Etheridge and Member Crocker also asked about traffic control at the primary entrance of N Colony and Etheridge in relation to the school. Mr. Edminster said there will be a median and that he recommends a stop sign at first. He said the first phase will only be 46 homes. He also stated that eventually the primary entrance will be moved to a point west of the curve in N. Colony. He said it will be closer to the park and away from the school. Mr. Edminster did state that N. Colony will have to be realigned to reduce that curve. In response to Member Bogers, Mr. Edminster said the development will be connected to the existing sewer system, noting there is an 18" line and also a 12" water line. Discussion regarding the screening walls. It was noted the walls will be screening the alleys from N. Colony Blvd. Truman Edminster stated they will comply with the existing subdivision requirements for street construction. Further discussion regarding types of homes to be built. Mr. Nichols said the builders like 2 story homes on large lake lots, going on to say they do not want to restrict the style, which will promote the custom feel of the area. Mayor Manning asked about the right turn lane at the N. Colony and 423 intersection and Mr. Nichols said it is in their plans and they have already met with the State about it. Mayor Manning said he is very sensitive to landscaping and is happy to see their elaborate plans, but wants to know that the landscaping will be irrigated. Mr. Nichols said they are planning to establish a homeowners association in this development and one reason is to pay for maintenance of the medians and the park area. Mayor Manning also advised the city has a strong need for wastewater access in Stewart Creek Park. Mr. Edminster said they can provide a stub into the park, noting there will be some limitations due to gravity and that there will have to be a lift station in the park in the future. Bill Hall noted we do have plans for that. Councilman Bogan asked if mainly two story homes will be built along the lake and Mr. Nichols said not necessarily, but they want the flexibility to put them there if that is what the market demands. He went on to say the land there is flat and there is no view of the lake at that point anyway. Councilman Bogan suggested restricting lots 11, 12 and 13 to single story homes, in order to protect the view of the Holden Cir. residents. Mr. Nichols agreed and suggested perhaps lots 8, 9, and 10 should be single story also. Mayor Manning asked about erosion prevention below Holden Cir. (around lot 13) Mr. Edminster said they will work with the city to ensure proper drainage to eliminate erosion. Chairman Ball asked when total build out of the entire 205 acres is projected and Mr. Nichols said he thinks it will be 7 - 10 years. General discussion followed regarding development of the remainder of the property. Chairman Ball noted that long term impact needs to be kept in mind during development of this property. Mr. Nichols said 70% of the builders will not compete in this market because Centex has so much prominence in the City and that they (developer) have to be responsive to what the builders want. General discussion regarding front swing and rear entry styles. Mr. Nichols said the rear entry eats up a lot of the back yard, view and access to the lake. He said they don't want all the homes to be any one style, but they want a mix. Chairman Ball and Member Bottke both stated they do not have a problem with the front and swing entry styles and Member Bogers agreed, stating the development looks great. 8:30 p.m. - Chairman Ball excused herself from the meeting. Mr. Edminster said they will identify those lots that will have to be flexible with regard to the side yard requirements. He also asked for direction regarding the cul de sac that ends just opposite Holden Cir. He said the street is very long and may not be the best option from an emergency access point of view. Several options were discussed, i.e., 4 00495, extending the alley west of lots 6, 7 and 8 all the way to N. Colony, cutting the street through lot 8 to N. Colony, doing away with the cul de sac and connecting the street with Holden Cir. Member Wagner suggested connecting the street to Holden Cir. with a crash gate placed at the end of Holden Cir. This would allow emergency access but not through traffic. This would also allow maintenance crews access to the area. There was a general agreement with this suggestion. Mr. Edminster asked about the side yards. There was general agreement to allow some of the homes 11 feet on one side and 5 feet on the other. The developer is to identify those lots that will require this configuration. Councilman Agnew said he would like to see no more than 15% front entry garages and Mr. Nichols stated that would not be a problem. Councilman Bogan asked about the "Common Area". Mr Edminster said this is to be maintained by the Homeowner's Association. He said it will have benches and a walk area, noting this area was not suitable to build on and it will allow a common view and access to the lake. Mayor Manning said Centex had discussed a hike and bike trail in the Ridgepointe subdivision. Mr. Nichols said there is not really enough room in this development, but noted they do have some ideas for extensive improvements along Stewart Creek Park. He said he thought a trail might be a marketing problem. It was agreed the developer would work with staff on appropriate screening walls. With no further business to address, Mayor Manning adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. William W. M~tnning, l~lay°r ATI'EST: Patti A. Hicks,TRMC~ ' City Secretary 5