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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/13/09 P&Z MINUTES CITY OF THE COLONY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 13, 2009 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 January 13, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in City Hall, 6800 Main Street, The Colony, Texas, at which time the following items were addressed: Commissioners Present: Karen Haines; Chairperson; Deville Hubbard; Eddie McCormick; Helene Parker; David Terre; and Brian Wade. Commissioners Absent: Debbie Morrison Donna Bateman; Development Services Director; Wes Morrison; City Planner; and Tracey Sherman; Administrative Assistant. 1.0 CALL REGULAR SESSION TO ORDER 1.1 Citizen Input 1.2 Recognition of former Planning & Zoning Commissioner Mike Barrett for his years of service. No citizen input received. 2.0 CONSENT AGENDA 2.1 Consider approval of the minutes from the November 18, 2008 Regular Session. Commissioner Terre moved to approve the minutes from the November 18, 2008 meeting. It was seconded by Commissioner Wade and carried (5-0). 3.0 WORKSESSION 3.1 Receive a report from staff regarding the proposed schedule of uses for the new development code and definitions for those uses. (SI06-0021, Zoning Ordinance Rewrite) Wes Morrison presented the proposed schedule of uses for the new development code and definitions for those uses. Commissioner Hubbard asked how a Halfway House would be classified. Mr. Morrison stated possibly group home and asked the Commission to direct their attention to the definition for a Group Home. Mr. Morrison suggested creating a term for halfway house and allow staff research the issue. Commissioner Hubbard stated he would like the definition of halfway house researched. Commissioner Hubbard stated he would like to see halfway houses located in a less dense area of town. Commissioner Hubbard asked if the definition of single family included how many different families could live in a home. Mr. Morrison stated the definition of a family and who lives in a Planning and Zoning Commission January 13, 2009 Page 2 of 3 single-family home are difficult to enforce. Mr. Morrison reviewed the definition of a family for the Commission. The use of Group Homes located within the Single-Family district with an approved Specific Use Permit was discussed. Commissioner Parker stated she would be concerned with the welfare of the city. Commissioner Hubbard stated he would rather see them in commercial districts. Commissioner Parker stated we already have Sexually Oriented Businesses with an approved SUP in the Agriculture district and questioned why Group Homes would not be allowed in the same district. Mr. Morrison stated he will bring maps to the next meeting in order for the Commissioners to have a better look at the different zoning areas. During the discussion of Community Centers, Commissioner Wade asked why an amenity center would need an SUP in single family or multi-family zoning districts. Ms. Bateman stated that Community Centers may include Civic Centers or other assembly areas that may be private or public. You may want to apply certain conditions to the development which can be done by an SUP. Commissioner Parker asked if taking care of someone else's children would be considered a home occupation. Ms. Bateman stated a state license is required if caring for more than 5 children. Anything requiring a state license would not be considered a home occupation. Commissioner Parker asked the difference between Office-1 and Office-2. Mr. Morrison stated there are no areas zoned Office-2 in the city. Ms. Bateman stated the only difference between the two is the height. Commissioner Parker questioned why we cannot remove the 1 from the Office designation. Mr. Morrison stated that would require rezoning property which the City was trying to avoid. Commissioner Hubbard asked if we could restrict bio-hazards in the Support Laboratory uses. Mr. Morrison stated staff would research the Support Laboratory use more for the next meeting. Commissioner Parker asked if a lab inside a veterinarian's office be considered a support laboratory. Mr. Morrison stated no, it would be considered an accessory use to the veterinarian clinic. The Commission questioned the types of transit facilities that would be allowed and the districts that might be appropriate. Mr. Morrison stated the transit uses may need to be divided into two sections, one for park and ride and another for actual station locations. Commissioner Terre asked if an SUP could be required for some of these uses; Mr. Morrison stated it could be a possibility. Commissioner Wade and Parker voiced concern with the use of Kennels and outside pens. Mr. Morrison suggested allowing Kennels with outside pens in the Light Commercial, Heavy Commercial, Industrial, and Agricultural districts. Commissioner Parker agreed but voiced concern about distances to residential uses. Ms. Bateman asked if the Commission would like to see a distance requirement from the pens to the residential area. Commissioner Terre stated yes because _ the noise and smell of the animals are factors. Commissioner Parker stated there can be a limit on the number of animals placed in the runs. Chairperson Hames asked staff to research this item further. Planning and Zoning Commission January 13, 2009 Page 3 of 3 The Commission discussed the need for different regulations and definitions for neighborhood churches versus mega churches. The Commission seemed to all agree that specific regulations for larger churches should be considered. Commissioner Terre voiced support for requiring an approved SUP for Bar/Lounge/Tavern/Club uses. Chairperson Haines asked why a Special Use Permit is required in the Heavy Commercial district and requested those uses not be allowed in Heavy Commercial districts. Commissioner Hubbard asked if office/warehouse spaces are defined. The offices are located in the front of the property and the warehouses are in the back. Mr. Morrison stated no but would look at options for including those uses. Commissioner Wade stated the Driving Range/Putting Course/Miniature Golf section should be divided up into different sections. After a long discussion, staff stated they would look at reorganizing the Recreation Sections and possibly combining the indoor and outdoor sections. Commissioner Hubbard asked staff to research stand alone gas stations. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. 2L~/~ A~~r a n Haines, Chairperson , ~-a2im (ivo Tracey Sherm n, Recording Secretary