HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/2011 P&Z
MINUTES
CITY OF THE COLONY
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MARCH 8, 2011
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, March 8, 2011
at 6:30pm 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: Brian Wade, Chairman; David Terre, Vice-Chair; Karen Hames;
Eddie McCormick; Cesar Molina Jr. and Richard Bambury.
Board Members Absent: Debbie Morrison
Staff Present: Mike Joyce, AICP, Director of Development Services; Brooks Wilson, AICP,
Senior Planner; Gordon Scruggs, Engineering Director; James Schnurr, City Attorney; and
Felicia Koppang, Development Services Coordinator.
1.0 CALL REGULAR SESSION TO ORDER
Chairman Wade called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM.
1.1 Citizen Input
No citizen input was received.
2.0 CONSENT AGENDA
2.1 Consider approval of the minutes of the February 8, 2011 Regular Session.
2.2 RPI0-0005, Lake Park Plaza East Addition
Consider approval of a replat of Lots 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, Block 3 of the Garza-
Little Elm Lake Estates Addition into Lot 1, Block A of the Lake Park Plaza East
Addition, being a 1.60 acre tract of land, located on the east side of FM 423 (Main
Street) and approximately 225 feet north of Lake Highlands Drive.
It was moved by Commissioner Hames to approve Items 2.1 & 2.2 as stated, seconded by
Commissioner McCormick. Motion carried (6-0).
3.0 PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1 RPI1-0001, Babnerino at Tribute Phase I Addition, Lot 19R, Block D
Conduct a public hearing, discuss and consider approval of a residential replat of Lots
19 and 20, Block D of the Balmerino at Tribute Phase 1 Addition into Lot 19R, Block D
of the Balmerino at Tribute Phase 1 Addition, a total of 0.70 acres, located on the east
side of Kingsbarns Drive, approximately 200 feet south of Balmerino Lane.
Mrs. Wilson presented the staff report.
Chairman Wade opened the Public Hearing. No one came forward to speak.
Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission
March 8, 2011
Page 2 of 5
Chairman Wade closed the Public Hearing.
It was moved by Commissioner Molina to approve Item 3.1 as stated, seconded by Vice
Chairman Terre. Motion carried (6-0).
3.2 SPIT -0001, The Education Center at Calvary Christian Church
Conduct a public hearing, discuss and consider approval of a site plan for a school (The
Education Center) to be located within two new buildings located on the site of the
Calvary Christian Church, located on the southeast corner of Blair Oaks and Clover
Valley Drive. This phase of development will include approximately 0.89 acres.
Mrs. Wilson presented the staff report.
Commissioner Harries asked if the residents in the area were notified that there has been an
amendment to the initial request for the structures to be temporary.
Mrs. Wilson responded that the cards did not specify anything other than the name of the
business being The Education Center. The location of the structures has not changed and the
structures were always planned to be modular, however, at one point, there was a discussion of
skirting the buildings to make them appear more permanent in use.
Commissioner Hames asked if the establishment is the same as The Education Center located at
the intersection of South Colony Boulevard and Paige Road and previously on FM423.
Nick Farley, Superintendent/CEO of The Education Center, stated The Education Center is not a
private school but a public charter school. He continued in stating that the establishment is the
same school that is located at the intersection of South Colony Boulevard and Paige Road.
Chairman Wade asked where the school gets its funding since it is a public school.
Mr. Farley responded that the school is funded by the state and federal government.
Vice Chairman Terre asked if the buildings will be totally out of view from the public.
Mrs. Wilson responded that the buildings will not be completely out of view. The shrubs that
will be planted are intended to enhance the appearance of the school.
Vice Chairman Terre asked what the height of the buildings will be.
Mr. Farley responded that the buildings will be three feet (3') off the ground, skirted, with a
maximum height of fifteen feet (15').
Mrs. Wilson continued in stating that the school buildings have a large setback from Clover
Valley.
Mr. Joyce stated that deciduous and evergreen trees will be planted along the street frontage.
Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission
March 8, 2011
Page 3 of 5
Mrs. Wilson followed up in stating that shrubbery and trees will be planted along the sidewalk
on Clover Valley as noted on the landscape plan.
Commissioner Hames asked what the relationship is between The Education Center and Calvary
Christian Church.
Mr. Farley responded that the property is being leased from Calvary Christian Church.
Commissioner Bambury asked why the applicant is choosing temporary buildings versus
permanent buildings.
Mr. Farley responded that The Education Center has six (6) schools and has found it more
feasible to use temporary buildings because they are built to their specifications and the
temporary buildings are less expensive.
Commissioner Bambury asked if they expect to tear down the temporary buildings in four (4)
years.
Mr. Farley responded that he would move the temporary buildings, not tear them down, or make
them permanent by the end of the four (4) year timeframe. He continued in stating that
enrollment in the school is currently down and he is hoping that the move away from the
shopping center will encourage others to enroll and increase his numbers.
Vice Chairman Terre asked if the lease with Calvary Christian Church matches the timeframe
that is being proposed for the temporary buildings.
Mr. Farley responded yes.
Commissioner Harries asked what the sizes of the classrooms are within the temporary buildings.
Mr. Farley stated that each building is approximately one thousand eight hundred (1,800) square
feet and each classroom is approximately four hundred (400) square feet.
Commissioner Haines asked how many children would be in each classroom.
Mr. Farley responded that no more than twenty four (24) children are assigned to any classroom.
He continued in stating that the younger ages of kindergarten and first grade will have no more
than nineteen (19) children in a classroom and second through fourth grade will have no more
than twenty two (22) children in a classroom.
Commissioner Harries asked if they are anticipating elementary, middle and high school aged
students within the two temporary buildings.
Mr. Farley responded yes.
Mrs. Wilson stated that the dimensions on the elevation plans show that each building is seventy
six feet (76') in length by twenty four feet (24') wide.
Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission
March 8, 2011
Page 4 of 5
Chairman Wade opened the Public Hearing.
Mr. Albert Bult, resident of 5021 Atterbury Place, asked several questions about the site of the
building. He continued in stating that the notice that was sent out by staff led him to believe that
The Education Center was a part of Calvary Christian Church and that the notice referenced
permanent buildings.
Mr. Farley answered the questions.
The Commission and staff discussed the site plan further with Mr. Bult.
Mrs. Carol Bult, resident of 5021 Atterbury, asked for clarification of the layout of the site.
Mrs. Wilson explained the site using an aerial view of the property.
Chairman Wade asked Mr. Farley to explain the purpose behind the location of the temporary
buildings on the site.
Mr. Farley responded in stating that The Education Center will be using the building of Calvary
Christian Church throughout the day for their students to eat lunch and use the computer lab.
Chairman Wade asked if the revision to the agenda noting the structures as temporary instead of
permanent is a legal issue in terms of required public notification.
Mr. Schnurr responded no, the intent of the notification was to advise the public of a meeting
being held.
Chairman Wade closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Hames asked where the location is of the entrance to the existing church building.
Mr. Farley responded that the entrance is directly across from the proposed temporary buildings.
He continued in stating that Calvary Christian Church has a long range plan that includes an
addition to the site of a building on the Clover Valley side for a food pantry.
Mr. Joyce stated the setbacks and height requirements of the Zoning Ordinance have been met.
It was moved by Vice Chairman Terre to approve Item 3.2 as stated, seconded by Vice
Commissioner Molina. Commissioner Bambury, McCormick and Hames voted for the
denial of Item 3.2. Motion denied (3-3).
Chairman Wade announced that the next scheduled Planning and Zoning Meeting that was
scheduled for March 22, 2011 has been pushed to March 29, 2011 due to Spring Break.
Minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission
March 8, 2011
Page 5 of 5
There being no further questions or discussion, Chairman Wade adjourned the meeting at 7:06
pm.
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