HomeMy WebLinkAboutMn 10-05-06
III
MINUTES
#2624
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5,2006, 7:00 P.M.
Mayor Blackie Holmes opened the meeting. Present were Mayor Pro Tempore Harry Shawver,
Councilmembers Syd Carter, Kelly Walker and Jerry Grable. Also in attendance were City
Manager Bob Livingston, City Attorney Rob Dillard and City Secretary Nina Wilson.
MAIN AGENDA
PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING SIZE OF HOMES ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS: On
September 20, 2005, the city council received a report from staff evaluating the current building
coverage in single-family zoning districts. Another report was received and discussed on October
20,2005, providing various alternatives for regulating the "Too-Big House". Council forwarded
one of the items relating to tree preservation to the Park Advisory Committee and two items
relating to building setbacks and the size of homes on lots less than 60' in width to the Zoning
Ordinance Advisory Committee (ZOAC) for further review and recommendation. The park
committee is currently finalizing a tree protection ordinance which will address the issue of tree
removal and mitigation in all zoning districts in the city. The city council approved an ordinance
last April amending sideyard setbacks for single family lots 60' wide and greater after receiving
recommendations from ZOAC and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Some residents
continue to express concerns about the size of single-family construction and the impacts on
existing neighborhoods. The purpose of the public hearing was to provide a forum for builders,
realtors, and residents to publicly address the city council on this issue. Community
Development Manager Harry Persaud made a PowerPoint presentation that is available on the
City Web site, www.uptexas.org. Mayor Holmes opened the public hearing. Lee Roever,
President of the Park Cities Historic & Preservation Society, spoke in favor of a change via a
task force. Mike Solari, architect and resident of 3117 Purdue, was neither opposed nor in favor,
but felt that creative architecture was needed. Gage Pritchard, home builder and resident of 3809
Southwestern, stated that buyers drive the size of homes. Ordinances in the city are restrictive
enough now. John Sullivan, 3525 Southwestern, was also opposed to further restrictions on size
and suggested consideration be given to the symptoms, such as removal of trees and noise.
Cindy Abbate, 3616 Marquette, spoke in opposition to large homes that leave no impermeable
surface and contribute to flooding. She was also concerned about fire safety with houses so
close together. She also suggested front entry driveways for all houses and not building more
than one house per block at a time. Harry Hoover, architect and resident of3518 University, was
opposed to large houses. He stated good rules and good oversight were needed and suggested
the city return to the 1985 zoning rules. Kitty Richie Holleman, 3939 Marquette, was opposed to
large houses because the city has lost the little town feel and houses needed more sideyards and
backyards. Gloria Wise, 3444 University, feels the problem is density. Douglas Hitzmann, 4349
San Carlos, was concerned about the overcrowding of the streets presenting safety problems.
112
sideyards and the quality of the building and appearance of the city. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Riddick,
3224 Centenary, felt further restrictions were needed. Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Mims, 3705 Marquette,
were concerned about the quality of life in the city, construction trucks crowding the streets and
inspectors whom he felt favored builders. John Lehman, 4017 Greenbrier, felt that rear entry
garages should be eliminated as well as large houses. Rusty Goff, builder and resident of 3552
Milton, stated that the city is very restrictive, more so than other cities and that builders want to
work with everyone to better the process. Brenk Johnson, 3620 Wentwood, stated that large
houses were being tom down, and he would like to have a consensus from neighbors as to
whether they should be tom down. Jennifer Culbertson, 4116 Stanford, felt that builders were
disregarding neighbors, lots were being raised too much, there was no variety, and nature was
being disturbed. Jenny James, 3625 Marquette, felt more restrictions were needed on height as
well as side and rear setbacks and square footage. Harris Bloch, 4333 Lovers Lane, felt more
restrictions were needed on side setbacks. Meredith Roever, 4141 Stanhope, felt that very
specific regulations were needed for 5,000-7,000 SF homes. Jack Patton, 4009 Marquette, would
like to require builders to clean up trash. Carolyn Loy, 4057 Bryn Mawr, felt people should have
the freedom to build the type and size of house desired. As there was no further discussion,
Mayor Holmes closed the public hearing. He thanked everyone for coming and said that the
council had heard the requests of the community regarding larger sideyard set backs, additional
limitations on house height, staggering building permits to reduce activity on individual blocks,
allowing front-entry garages, requiring architect approval of site plans before construction, limit
construction vehicles that can park on the street, cleaner construction work sites and more
stringent inspection of building sites. He also stated that the council will now go forward and do
what's good for the community.
There being no further business, Mayor Holmes adjourned the meeting.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 24th day of October 2006.
ATTEST:
J
j