Loading...
1997-07-24CITY OF SOUTHLAKE SPIN Standing Committee Meeting Thursday, July 24, 1997 City Council Chamber SPIN Representatives present: David Baltimore (#12), Chair; Joe Mast (0), Secretary; Martin Schelling (#2), Jan Francis (0), Tom Ward (0), Darrell Faglie (#7), Michael Boutee for Laura Miklosko (#9), Doug McKelvey (#14), Wayne Haney (#15), John Wilder (#16) SPIN Representatives Absent: Cara White(#1), Janet Murphy (#4), Pattie Minder (#8), Al Morin (#10) Roger Hutton (#11), Katie Holzgraefe, Youth Delegate Staff Present: Kevin Hugman, Community Services Manager; Nona Whitehead, SPIN Coordinator David Baltimore called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Agenda Item No. 2, Approval of the 6/24/97 SPIN Standing Committee Minutes Darrell Faglie moved to approve the minutes. It was seconded by Joe Mast and the minutes were approved unanimously. Agenda Item No. 3, Administrative Comments David Baltimore noted that the time for the Budget Work Sessions has been changed to 5:00 p.m. It was noted from the calendar that next week is a busy week for SPIN with two citywide SPIN sponsored meetings on the proposed Reinvestment Zone, a SPIN #13 vacancy meeting and a neighborhood #6 meeting. In relation to the ongoing boundary review, David Baltimore said that SPIN #2 has expanded to include the Solana annexation and that the map adjustments will be coming forward for review by the Standing Committee in September. Mr. Baltimore gave the update on the Summit, noting that the City Staff was very supportive. It is hoped that there will be at least 15 participants in the Summit. The names of the Summit panel members will be included in the publicity for the event so that they can receive input from residents as to ideas for projects or goals. Tom Ward handed out a presentation to help committee members further understand the concept of the Summit. The next executive committee meeting on August 8 will include the next update on the Summit. David Baltimore also urged the committee to vote on the homestead exemption. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. 4W Joe Past, SPIN Secretary A st 7 CITY OF SOUTHLAKE Joint SPIN/Planning & Zoning Commission Thursday, July 24, 1997 City Council Chamber Representatives Present: David Baltimore (#12), Chair; Joe Mast (0), Secretary; Martin Schelling (#2), Jan Francis (0), Tom Ward (#6), Darrell Faglie (#7), Michael Boutee for Laura Miklosko (#9), Doug McKelvey (#14), Wayne Haney (#15), John Wilder (#16) Representatives Absent: Cara White (#1), Janet Murphy (#4), Pattie Minder (#8), Al Morin (#10), Roger Hutton (#11), Katie Holzgraefe, Youth Delegate Planning & Zoning Commission Members Present: Joe Wright, James Murphy, Ann Creighton, Rob Jones, Debra Edmondson, Lanny Tate, L.C. LeVrier Staff Present: Shana Yelverton, Assistant City Manager; Greg Last, Director of Community Development; Kevin Hugman, Community Services Manager; Nona Whitehead, SPIN Coordinator David Baltimore called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. SPIN Chairman David Baltimore had each member of the respective groups introduce themselves. Ivlr. Baltimore thanked Planning and Zoning Chairman Joe Wright for placing this meeting in their busy schedules. Agenda Item No. 2. City 'Tanager's Report Curtis Hawk was unable to be present and the City Manager's Report was given by Shana Yelverton. Mrs. Yelverton mentioned that in relation to the Westlake situation, Southlake has extended a settlement offer to Westlake. Mrs. Yelverton said that Southlake has made the offer because Judge McGrath would like to see this case settled and this agreement makes it possible for Westlake to remain a town. There is a copy of the proposed settlement offer at the City Manager's office. Shana Yelverton also mentioned that there are three opportunities to get information about the proposed reinvestment zone next week. Staff is currently meeting with the various taxing entities in regard to their interest in participating in the TIF. Debra Edmondson asked for fact sheets and a copy of the TIF legislation. SPIN/Joint Planning & Zoning Meeting, July 24, 1997 Page 1 of 6 Mrs. Yelverton reported that the Charter review committee of council members has sent a list of items for consideration to the city attorneys for review. It will be returned to the committee for further review and eventual citizen input. Mrs. Yelverton reported that the City Council has approved a contract to move forward with a strategic plan which will help create a vision for the community. She indicated that SPIN will probably be asked to participate in the strategic planning in some manner. The current committee is composed of Mayor Stacy, Ralph Evans and David Harris. Agenda Item #3. Discussion of Items Related to Planning & Zoning Chairman Wright said that the Planning & Zoning Commission welcomed the opportunity to meet with SPIN. Ann Creighton said that she felt that it will be helpful to have this opportunity for SPIN Reps to bring their neighborhood concerns to the attention of P&Z. John Wilder mentioned that in SPIN #16 the role of SPIN has been to help the neighborhood find alternate options that will be acceptable to everyone. Joe Wright said that Wayne Haney has worked hard and how P&Z needs people like Wayne to come forward to speak positively in regard to issues and that the Church of Christ/SPIN meetings were very helpful to the Planning & Zoning process. 11 Chairman Wright asked to hear from SPIN on the positive issues as well as negative concerns. Mr. Wright reminded the group that SPIN is not really a part of the legislative process. Tom Ward said he felt that rezoning cases should be encouraged by P&Z to meet with affected neighborhoods prior to bringing their cases forward. Shana Yelverton added some input explaining that developers are encouraged to hold SPIN meetings and that there is a step by step process outlined for initiating those meetings. Jim Murphy shared how some issues in recent development cases have been worked at the neighborhood level prior to coming to P&Z. Ann Creighton mentioned that some homeowners have complained that they have not been notified and that room for improvement might include making SPIN Reps more aware of the yellow zoning change signs so they in turn can double check to make sure that homeowners are notified. David Baltimore responded by saying that notification is not a formal process in place and that SPIN can not guarantee every homeowner affected will be notified. He suggested that instead of notifying the specific Neighborhood SPIN Rep that instead, Community Development should consider sending all zoning change announcements to Nona and she could copy the information and distribute to all SPIN Reps because often these changes affect more than one SPIN Neighborhood. Mr. Baltimore indicated that the registered letters often get sent back to the post office and that he would rather find the information in his packet. SPIN/Joint Planning & Zoning Meeting, July 24, 1997 Page 2 of 6 Joe Wright indicated that the neighborhood meetings he has experienced were not being well attended. Darrell Faglie agreed that it usually takes a hot topic to draw people out for a meeting. Debra Edmondson mentioned that it is becoming difficult to get individuals to P&Z meetings as well, unless an issue directly affects their property. F.C. LeVrier said that it would be helpful to P&Z if SPIN would help educate residents that are coming forward with concerns. Citizens need to be aware that there has to be a legal reason to not support the development in question. He asked SPIN to give P&Z "something to hang our hats on legally." Mr. LeVrier said that requests can not be denied just because folks do not like the project. There are site plans and platting. If the developer meets the criteria for the platting and the site plan, there is not a lot that can be done. Mr. LeVrier said that during zoning, the Planning and Zoning Commission has discretion. Zoning changes can be denied on the basis of popular opinion, provided these opinions reflect concerns of health, safety, or welfare issues. Debra Edmondson said that all P&Z can do is recommend something. The recommendation may be no, or it may be yes, or it may be passing an ordinance against what the attorneys advise. But whatever P&Z does, it doesn't have the force of law. The Council is really the group who can enforce. They (City Council) are "where the rubber meets the road" and they are the ones who, when they vote, and someone decides to take the City to court, they are the ones who are accountable. P&Z is just a recommending body. Joe Wright said that it is true that they are a recommending body. However, P&Z can approve a final piat. Also, if a denial is recommended on zoning, it takes a super majority to override at City Council. Thus, P&Z does have responsibility for ensuring that decisions are made within state law. John Wilder said that a document with guidelines for granting a zoning change might be helpful to educate SPIN Reps. Jim Murphy said that the Land Use Plan is the set of guidelines that P&Z uses for making decision. Joe Wright said the Land Use Plan is indeed guidelines, not rules. Rob Jones added that the Corridor Plan Overlay would also be used as a guideline. There was interest expressed in having a set of zoning ordinances available for SPIN Reps. Joe Wright requested that SPIN Representatives come to staff or to P&Z to get their facts straight before they host a meeting. Citizens are often irate but do not have their facts straight. Mr. Wright used as an example the letter that was written to the Dallas Morning News that mentioned his name and Martin Schelling, which did not have correct information. He also wanted SPIN to be aware that all ordinances have to be considered. Citizens tend to zero in on one issue, but that P&Z must look at all the ordinances and fit everything together. Ann Creighton mentioned that it might be wise for SPIN Reps to look at issues like the Chevron station controversy and to let their constituents know that issues discussed at SPIN meetings are not binding or legal if a written form was not given. The service station issue is a good example that it was not binding to just have an item discussed. SPIN/Joint Planning & Zoning TNIeeting, July 24, 1997 Page 3 of 6 Tom Ward asked about off premise liquor sales being discretionary. Joe Wright responded that most of those issues are determined by state law. The formula can not be more restrictive than state law. F.C. LeVrier mentioned that P&Z and City Council listen carefully to organized opposition that is based on facts or law. Rob Jones said that pictures are helpful in documenting needs. Ann Creighton said that the number of people present at meetings bear more weight than just a sheet with signatures. Effective citizen input is when there is a good turn out. Greg Last said the Land Use Plan (LUP) update might begin in August. There has been a lot of work on the ordinances. From an involvement standpoint this will be a public meeting explaining the LUP and taking public comment from whoever is present. The staff will collate the feedback for P&Z and start the first meeting in a work session format. There will be a wide variety of vehicles for public input as the city is broken down into bite sized pieces to be looked at. Staff will also be recommending areas that they are aware of for special study. The staff will make SPIN and the media aware of each area undergoing study. Mr. Last estimated that the update will take several months. Greg Last also brought updates on several ordinances: Tree preservation is being worked on by members of KSB, an arborist, developers, staff and council members. Progress is being made and a recommendation is expected in August or September. Ordinance 480-Y on Assisted Living was passed by City Council in July. The ordinance is still being adjusted. There is an unresolved legal issue related to spouses that is still pending. A service station ordinance has been approved by P&Z and will be considered by City Council in August. Variables still being considered include aesthetics, lot lines and exits. A sidewalk ordinance proposed by the Park Board is being revisited by Engineering. It is proposed that the City require developers to build sidewalks that compliment and facilitate the Trail Master Plan. Joe Wright indicated that he does not believe a sidewalk ordinance will be popular with Southlake citizens. Mr. Last also explained the Agenda Management Point System. This system has helped to give a better estimate of when items are expected to be on the agenda. He also mentioned that the development activity list changes hourly. Mr. Last indicated that SPIN should feel free to check with his staff on the status of specific items. Agenda Item #4, Neighborhood Reports SPIN #1 - Absent SPIN/Joint Planning & Zoning Meeting, July 24, 1997 Page 4 of 6 T z: SPIN #2 - Martin Schelling reported that waterline construction is expected to begin on North White Chapel. SPIN #3 - Joe Mast said Lonesome Dove is putting in their last street. He said that SPIN #3 is close to build -out and there has not been much activity. SPIN #4 - No Report SPIN #5 - Jan Francis said that there is a group opposing the TIF and that it is not a SPIN effort. It appears that this group does not have accurate information about the TIF. This same group also sent a lot of mailings in regard to Timarron Commercial. Jan wanted to let the committee know that it was not a SPIN mailing. SPIN #6 - Tom Ward mentioned that the Gun Barrel store is an example of how residential housing needs to be shielded from commercial development. He requested that any future approval of retail should be far removed or buffered from residential. SPIN #7 - Darrell Faglie has some problems related to the proposed school across from his neighborhood. Joe Wright said that the residents requests to P&Z and City Council made the requirements so difficult that the developer could not make a residential development cost effective and now the neighborhood is stuck with a school. The initial request had been for 63 lots and it was pushed back to 55 which did not work. Mr. Wright said it is necessary for P&Z and SPIN to work together to be sure they are not too restrictive, because the schools can do whatever they want. SPIN #8 - Absent SPIN #9 - Michael Boutee reported for Laura Miklosko that there is a lot of building going on the north side of Byron Nelson near the school. There is some concern that Byron Nelson will become a short cut and residents will be watching the traffic. SPIN #10 - Absent SPIN #11 - Absent SPIN #12 - David Baltimore said that his neighborhood could have had an assisted living center, but now it is going to have a gas station. SPIN #13 - Vacant SPIN #14 - Doug McKelvey said that the development on Continental and White Chapel is going on and most residents are in favor of the residential development as versus a commercial development. SPIN/Joint Planning & Zoning Meeting, July 24, 1997 Page 5 of 6 i SPIN #15 - Wayne Haney said that SPIN #15 is getting busy. The Church of Christ expansion project is nearly over. Southlake Woods development is coming along as well as Timber Lakes which was pulled from the P&Z process until they decide if they can purchase more land. There is still concern about the trash in the creek. Mr. Haney mentioned the headwaters of Jellico creek,and asked that P&Z be careful about development on that creek. His neighborhood is also trying to get a mail drop in the Southlake Marketplace. Joe Wright suggested that Martin Schelling might be able to help with that request. SPIN #16 - John Wilder said that the water tank far exceeded his expectations and that residents seem pleased. Greg Last said that irrigation and landscaping is coming subject to budgetary restrictions. Hearing no further business Joe Wright motioned to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Martin Schelling and the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Joe Mast, SPIN SPIN/Joint Planning & Zoning Meeting, July 24, 1997 Page 6 of 6