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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/25/2010 P&ZMINUTES CITY OF THE COLONY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 25, 2010 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, May 25, 2010 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: Board Members Present: Karen Hames, Chairperson; Deville Hubbard; David Terre; Eddie McCormick; Helene Parker; Brian Wade (arrived at 6:38 pm). Board Member Absent: Debbie Morrison Staff Present: J. Michael Joyce, Development Services Director; Andrew Sheridan, Senior Planner; and Felicia Koppang, Development Services Coordinator. 1.0 CALL REGULAR SESSION TO ORDER Chairperson Hames called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. 1.1 Citizen Input No citizen input received. 2.0 CONSENT AGENDA No items on the Consent Agenda. Chairperson Hames adjourned Regular Session for Work Session. 3.0 WORK SESSION 3.1 Introduction of Andrew Sheridan, Senior Planner. Mr. Joyce introduced Mr. Sheridan to the Commission. Mr. Sheridan indicated he was happy to be working in The Colony and proceeded to give a background of his experience. Chairperson Hames welcomed Mr. Sheridan and stated that the Commission looked forward to working with him. Planning and Zoning Commission May 25, 2010 Page 2 of 5 1 3.2 Discuss the development of a work plan for 2010-2011 long range projects. Mr. Joyce presented the Commission with the listing of a Work Program for Development Services. Mr. Joyce discussed the Neighborhood Enhancement Program, the Property Maintenance Code and the Housing Condition map that was generated with survey information gathered by the Code Enforcement Officers. Commissioner McCormick asked if the Neighborhood Enhancement Program is expected to have the cooperation from landlords, specifically with the northeastern corner of the City. Mr. Joyce responded that many of the duplexes in the northeastern corner of the City are rental units with each side owned by a separate owner. Mr. Joyce continued stating that one good thing with these units being rentals is Building Inspections conducts inspections to make sure that the units are habitable. The standards which they are inspected by are the standards that were required when they were developed. Chairperson Hames asked what the intention is of the yellow properties on the survey map. Mr. Joyce responded that those properties are the ones that we will be getting in contact with once we have the program in place via mail. Mr. Joyce continued explaining the incentive program that will be in direct relation to the Neighborhood Enhancement Program. Commissioner Parker stated that she was curious as to how cities can get beautification programs started, using the example of Swiss Avenue in Dallas, Texas, and how investors come in, purchase homes, tear the old houses down and rebuild. Mr. Joyce responded that Planning Departments are no longer Planning Departments, but Planning and Redevelopment Departments and the goal of what we do is to work together with Economic Development to increase sales tax base, bringing more money into the community and making the community a better place to live. Commissioner Parker asked how much of the 25% of the houses that are 30 years or older are rental, percentage-wise. Mr. Joyce responded he did not know that percentage. However, Development Services keeps a listing, so we can find out that information for the Commission. Ms. Koppang stated that 1,300 letters were mailed out for rental units, one letter per property owner, within the past year. Commissioner Parker continued that she would like to specifically know the percentage of the properties in yellow on the survey map that are rental. Owners of the properties in yellow on the survey map that are using the property as a rental do not really have an incentive as a homeowner to take care of it as much as if they reside in it. Planning and Zoning Commission May 25, 2010 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Joyce responded that rental properties are part of the rental program, therefore there's more that we can regulate with them than the properties that aren't rentals. Mr. Joyce continued that Denton County recently passed a Property Maintenance Code for the county itself. Commissioner Hubbard asked for a link to Denton County's Property Maintenance Code to be sent to the Commissioners. Mr. Joyce advised we can provide that link. However, as of last week, Denton County's Property Maintenance Code had just been adopted, and had not yet been posted on their website. He continued in stating that Carrollton and Richardson have also passed Property Maintenance Codes. Commissioner Hubbard asked if the other cities had any meaningful enforcement capabilities. Mr. Joyce responded yes. Mr. Joyce then elaborated about the benefits of volunteer programs. Commissioner McCormick asked if there are any limitations on eifs (exterior insulated finish system). Mr. Joyce advised that a green building code will be coming from ICC in 2012 in order to assist with the redevelopment and sustainability of communities. Mr. Joyce continued in stating that the FM423 widening will encourage a lot of redevelopment with the properties that are affected. Commissioner McCormick stated that the majority of people want to do their part to make things greener, as long as it does not create hardship. Mr. Joyce continued with Gateway Overlay District Regulations on the list of Work Programs. Mr. Joyce used examples of issues, discrepancies and changes that he would like to see made to the regulations. Commissioner McCormick stated that that a lot of the limitations were lifted, the City would see a lot of other businesses come in. Mr. Joyce stated that a lot of items need to be revisited, as an example, pylon signs cannot be placed along Main Street; however a 30' tall monument sign could be permitted. Commissioner Hubbard asked if City Council is leaning toward animated signs. Mr. Joyce stated this is a new technology that will be presented to City Council as one sign type option. Mr. Joyce continued that the City currently has a governmental sign code that allows the City to put signs up at any intersection, this adds to the sign clutter, yet the citizenry is not allowed to do the same. The City is looking into putting reader board signs at different locations throughout the City as a way to replace the numerous governmental signs found at intersections. Commissioner Hubbard asked if the City has control over the content on the signs. Mr. Joyce responded no. Planning and Zoning Commission May 25, 2010 Page 4 of 5 Mr. Joyce continued in stating that other items we need to address are the sign ordinance, the zoning ordinance, eliminating regulations within definitions, and temporary snow cone stands. Commissioner Parker commented on issues with garage sales. Mr. Joyce responded that in the ordinance we restrict the number of garage sales that one could have during a year, however we do not require permits so we have no way to regulate them. Mr. Joyce continued in stating that other items that need to be addressed are Subdivision Regulations, the Comprehensive Plan, the Master Thoroughfare Plan and application process procedures. Commissioner Parker asked if there is a timeline as to when the eight items need to be completed. Mr. Joyce responded that the Subdivision Regulations, the Thoroughfare Plan and Zoning Ordinance will take numerous Work Sessions with the Commission and will take approximately 18-24 months. A Unified Development Code is possibly what will happen, where all the items will be put together in the Code in one location. The Comprehensive Plan, Gateway Overlay District Regulations and the application procedure can be done fairly quickly within 6-9 months. The Property Maintenance Code should be approved by City Council within the next few months. Mr. Joyce continued with the explanation of the other documents that were handed out to the Commissioners that included the listing of problem areas within the City codes. Chairperson Hames asked Mr. Joyce what staff wanted the Commission to do with the documentation that was provided. Mike Joyce responded that staff would like for the Commission to look at the listing and determine if there is anything else that needs to be addressed. Mr. Joyce continued that ideally, with the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting twice a month, one meeting will be used as a Work Session and the other will be used for regular agenda items. Commissioner Terre asked if the red and yellow notes are staff's thoughts within the listing. Mr. Joyce advised yes. Commissioner Parker stated that it would be helpful for her to have a copy of the Code of Ordinances so she can understand where everything is within the code. Mr. Joyce responded that it is available online through Municode. Ms. Koppang responded that if the Commissioners think one section is more important to address than the rest within the listing, notify staff so we can make it a priority. Commissioner Hubbard asked if a link to Municode could be sent. Mr. Joyce advised that there is a direct link to Municode from the website on the Planning page as well as the City Secretary's page. Mr. Joyce continued in explaining new items that have been implemented within the Development Services Department, including same day inspections for water heaters and monthly seminars to the public. Planning and Zoning Commission May 25, 2010 Page 5 of 5 Being no further questions or discussion, Chairperson Hames adjourned the meeting at 7:04 pm. Karel-lames, Chairperson "Kop-panj, or ' Secretary 1