HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Mn 02-19-07
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS
MINUTES
February 19, 2007
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of University Park met on Monday,
February 19, 2007 at 5:00 P.M. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 3800 University
Blvd., University Park, Texas. The following are minutes ofthat meeting.
Commission Members Attending
Staff Members Attending
Robert H. West - Chairman
Bill Foose
Doug Roach
Randy Biddle
Reed Shawver, III
Harry Persaud - Community Dev. Mgr
Lorna Balser- Planning Assistant
Present and Seated
Jerry Jordan(absent)
Bea Humann (pre-session only)
Ed Freeman (absent)
Mr. West opened the public hearing and then read the specifics ofthe case.
PZ 07-004: Hold a public hearing and consider making a recommendation to the
City Council regarding the adoption ofthe Snider-Hillcrest Strategic Plan.
Mr. Dennis Wilson with Townscape, Inc. was introduced, who in turn introduced his
associates, Mr. Jim Richards, Townscape, Inc. and Kurt Schulte, with Kimley-Horn &
Associates.
Mr. Wilson presented a PowerPoint presentation explaining the Snider Plaza Strategic
Plan addressing some of the issues of height limits and parking solutions. Highlights of
those topics included: parking shortages - short term and long term, the "vision" of
Snider Plaza, and the implementation strategies for the plan.
Short- Term Strategies proposed include 160 spaces for the parking shortage being
identified, 133 spaces of near term parking spaces found (75 during the summer at SMU).
Long- Term Strategies include a possible under plaza parking garage with below grade
parking which would require a joint effort with the Snider Plaza property owners.
Another long term strategy discussed is the possibility of three story development with
retail provided at grade level with offices or town homes located above.
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Mr. Wilson made recommendations for Hillcrest (north & south of Daniel). His "image
& identity" long term strategies propose the replacement of surface parking and green
space in the middle ofthe plaza. Implementation strategy time periods were outlined as:
short term (12-24 months) which includes pedestrian/roadway improvements, mid-term
(2-5 years), long-term(5+ years).
Bob West invited public input which was limited to approximately 3 minutes per
individual.
John Jackson, a resident who resides at 3425 Colgate & owns 2 buildings in Snider Plaza
came forward. He feels that the creative Strategic Plan is functional, achievable, and
practical but; parking is the #1 issue. He said that he does not feel that paid parking or a
parking green is the answer though. Mr. Jackson expressed concern that Page 22 of the
Strategic Plan concerning parking beneath the redevelopment is not uniform with the
atmosphere which exists now and feels that a tram service might possibly be a good
alternative.
Carl Kuby who owns Kuby's Restaurant in Snider Plaza at 660116603 Snider Plaza came
forward. His main comment is that the bank lot (Chase) is the key to the redevelopment
of the area.
Frank McEntire, a resident who resides at 3434 Westminster came forward. He would
like to see a return of the neighborhood back to the high standards of the Park Cities area
as a whole. He expressed concerns for the West end of Snider Plaza because of its
proximity to a residential neighborhood. Mr. McEntire is in favor of a maximum of a
three story development in Snider Plaza. He feels that the architecture should be
consistent on both sides of Snider Plaza. He questions the 17 parking spaces "found" by
Townscape, Inc. He feels that diagonal parking is fine for Snider Plaza and feels that the
city should not rule out underground parking since the Medical Center showed that it can
be done. He expressed concern with the amount of money being spent by the city on this
project but highly recommended continued development of a plan.
Bill Minnick, a resident who resides at 3547 Haynie came forward. He recommended
approval of the plan but feels that the Chase lot development should be included in the
Snider Plaza Strategic Plan.
Diane Carson, a resident who resides at 3434 Haynie came forward. She expressed a
major concern for parking on Danial Avenue along with the Chase Bank and with so
many multi-family driveways.
Bob Teeter, a resident who resides at 3309 Colgate and owns buildings in Snider Plaza
came forward. Mr. Teeter defends the four story height restrictions in the Plaza for the
future and recommends maintaining current zoning within Snider Plaza. He presented a
map to the Council which showed Snider Plaza property owners who approve of
maintaining a four story height restriction. He supports Mr. Kuby who spoke earlier
promoting the city moving on with Mr. Huddleston's plans (Chase Bank Project) and to
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proceed with the Snider Plaza Strategic Plan. He stated that he feels uncomfortable with
the current redevelopment standards. He owns the building next to Wachovia and says
that a simple change of the red awnings was a simple change but very improving to the
look of his building. He expressed concern for P.22 ofthe Strategic Plan which
addresses the parking beneath the redevelopment. He suggested a parking analysis be
done as well as assurance that ADA standards are met.
After a 5 minute break, Max Bukes, a property owner of 6717 Snider Plaza came
forward. He stated that he wants to retain a free parking standard for the Plaza. He
opposes parking in the center of the shopping center and maintaining street parking.
Roger Fullington who owns Plaza Properties in Snider Plaza came forward. He
recommends accepting the building standards of the Strategic Plan. He stated that he
hopes that the eclectic look of Snider Plaza is retained. The fact that there is no
"standard" look gives the Plaza a great strength.
Peter Smith who owns property at 7000 Snider Plaza (Tom Thumb), lives in Highland
Park and is president of the Snider Plaza Merchant Association which includes
approximately 20 members came forward. He feels that P.22 of the plan is not going to
address rezoning by changing the height restrictions. He is in favor of allowing a change
from four to three stories. He feels that the redevelopment portion should be removed
from the plan. He feels that P.20 ofthe plan does not adequately address the
redevelopment of the parking spaces. Due to these reasons he is not open to
redevelopment.
Mary Grace who resides at 6716 Hursey came forward. She likes the retail mix that the
Strategic Plan offers. She stated that University Park is a "residential community" but
that the "wildcard" in the redevelopment of the area is going to be the redevelopment of
the Chase bank lot.
John Walsh who resides at 4315 University came forward to speak. He stated that the
plan is general enough and that the community simply needs to face the future.
Bob West closed the public hearing and stated a recap of the purpose of the Planning &
Zoning Commission listening to the comments of the residents. He said that everything
done so far is only the beginning ofthe Strategic Plan for Snider Plaza and that it is not a
rezoning issue and that immediate concerns for the city are to address the beauty of
Snider Plaza and that it is only a place for the city to begin.
Doug Roach agreed with Bob West as well as John Walsh and stated that this is simply a
plan in order to get started with the concept.
Mr. Bob West fielded a couple of general questions. Mr. Bill Foose stated that it is a nice
plan with landscaping. John Jackson agreed with the city that University Park is still a
suburban shopping center with lots of residential existing here. He does not feel that the
high rise zoning will ever occur around Snider Plaza. He said that he feels like some of
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the things will happen as the market dictates. He also stated that the Snider Plaza should
consider a landscape master plan.
Mr. Bob West made a motion for the council to move forward with a plan. Because parts
of the plan were not necessarily agreed upon, the motion was changed. He then made a
motion to table the Snider Plaza Strategic Plan to the next meeting of 3/19/07 so that
necessary changes can be addressed. Randy Biddle seconded that more. The motion to
table the item was approved by all 5-0.
PZ 07-001: Hold a public hearing and consider a request by Analytical
Surveys, Inc. representing the property owner, requesting a replat of Lot 3 and
part of Lot 4, Block 2, Wesley Place Addition, being an Addition of the City of
University Park, more commonly known as 3533 Asbury Street. The replat will
subdivide the lot into two single family attached lots located in Planned
Development District PD-6 zoning district classification. A variance is not
required for the approval of this replat.
Mr. West inquired if the replat met all city requirements.
Mr. Persaud stated yes
Bill Foose made the motion to approve the replat. Doug Roach seconded the motion and
the motion was passed 5-0.
PZ 07-002: Hold a public hearing and consider a request by Analytical Surveys,
Inc. representing the property owner, requesting a replat of Lot 40, Block 1,
Granada Place Addition, being an Addition of the City of University Park, more
commonly known as 3601 Granada Avenue. The replat will subdivide the lot into
two single family attached lots located in Planned Development District PD-6
zoning district classification. A variance is not required for the approval of this
replat.
Mr. West inquired if the replat met all city requirements.
Mr. Persaud stated that it did not meet the lot depth requirements for an SF-A district. He
made the recommendation for the Planning & Zoning Commission to deny the replat.
Randy Biddle made the motion to deny the replat. Bill Foose seconded the motion and
the replat was denied 5-0.
PZ 07-003: Hold a public hearing and consider an Ordinance amending the
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by adding Section 28-106 (a) to provide for
Special Exception for a front yard fence in the SF-2 zoning district.
Mr. Harry Persaud addressed the P&Z members to advise them of where the above item
had originated. He stated that the item was forwarded to the Planning & Zoning
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Commission by the Council. The members of the commission discussed whether or not a
landscape plan for hedging should be provided as an additional condition in the
ordinance.
Bill Foose asked if the city was changing the zoning ordinance.
Harry Persaud responded, "No, this is an amendment for specific properties". He
proceeded to go over the requirements of the ordinance. He also analyzed the difference
between a variance and a special exception for the commission. He stated that the
conditions placed on the amendment should reflect the public interest.
Because the fence in question was put up without a permit, Reed Shawver stated that "we
are granting this exception for an 8' fence in the front yard because of a bootleg fence?"
Bob West made the motion to notify all property owners that fall within the area affected
by this ordinance as well as all residents which reside within 200 ft. of the area.
Bill Foose has no objection for the fence but wanted to know for sure that no neighbors
object to it either.
Bob West then tabled the item with the direction for staff to notify affected residents as if
it is a rezoning case.
Randy Biddle stated that he would like to table the item. With a second from Doug
Roach, Mr. West motioned to return the item to the P&Z agenda on 3/19/07. All
approved the motion 5-0.
Mr. West asked for a motion on the minutes from the December 18th, 2006 Planning &
Zoning meeting. Randy Biddle moved to approve the minutes. With a second from Mr.
West, the motion was approved unanimously 5-0.
jJ~ 9/.1t;;r
Robert H. West, Chairman
Planning & Zoning Commission
3/13/tJ7
Date;' I
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