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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