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2008-02-25 Meeting Report (Harris Methodist Southlake)SPIN MEETING REPORT CASE NO. ZA07 -146 PROJECT NAME: Harris Methodist Southlake SPIN DISTRICT: Citywide MEETING DATE: February 25, 2008 MEETING LOCATION: 1400 MAIN STREET, SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS MEETING ROOMS 3C 3D TOTAL ATTENDANCE: Approximately 25 SPIN REPRESENTATIVE(S) PRESENT: Patty Minder APPLICANT(S) PRESENTING: Jay David Watters, Francis Sapienza STAFF PRESENT: Jenny Crosby, Planner II STAFF CONTACT: Jenny Crosby, (817)748 -8195; jcrosby @ci.southlake.tx.us EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This case, which includes a zoning change and concept plan as well as a plat revision, was originally presented to the Planning Zoning Commission on January 17, 2008. At the meeting, the case was tabled with a recommendation to hold a SPIN meeting. Property Situation The property is located at 1545 E. Southlake Blvd. Development Details The entire site is being replatted to divide the existing single lot into three lots for tax purposes. The replat triggers the need for a zoning change and concept plan. No changes are proposed for the northern portion of the property, where the hospital is located. On the southern portion of the property, applicant is proposing a new 2 story medical office building and 270 additional parking spaces. Applicant indicated that they are not ready to build this proposed building in the near future. Since the Planning Zoning Commission meeting, the rear (southern) buffer has been increased to approximately 60 feet and a row of parking has been removed. Applicant will leave as many existing trees in the rear buffer as possible and will also replant as many trees as feasible in the rear yard. The wall proposed on the southern side of the property will be 14 feet tall at the highest point. QUESTIONS DISCUSSION QUESTION: What if Harris Methodist leaves the property? RESPONSE: Harris Methodist has a 20 year lease. QUESTION: What services will be offered in the proposed medical office building? RESPONSE: Unsure at this time, but there will be no competing services with the hospital. It's possible that there will be ambulatory surgery with approval of the hospital. QUESTION: Is Harris Methodist open 24 hours? How many O.R.s does it have? RESPONSE: Yes. There are 4 existing O.R.s and 2 additional O.R.s being built. QUESTION: How will you address the privacy issue? With the new building, we will have parking and windows that look into our backyards. RESPONSE: We will leave everything behind the retaining wall except for a construction zone. We will also be replanting trees. QUESTION: If you're not ready to move forward with this project, why do you have a contractor? RESPONSE: The contractor is building an expansion on the existing building. The on -site trailer and yard are on vacant land on the property. We will put back anything that was taken that wasn't supposed to be taken. QUESTION: Did you have an earth disturbance permit for the existing construction? RESPONSE: We had a permit from the City. We have not been notified that anything wrong has been done on the site. QUESTION: Wasn't a cease and desist order placed on the property? RESPONSE: Not that we are aware of We will contact the City first thing in the morning to find out. QUESTION: What are you willing to do about glass block /privacy windows on the new building? RESPONSE: We have not thought that far ahead. Right now all we are proposing is a concept. We will be coming back at a later date with a more detailed site plan. QUESTION: Why don't you build to the existing grade and take parking underground? RESPONSE: We can't justify underground parking. It doesn't make the project feasible. QUESTION: What about lighting? RESPONSE: Parking lighting is low level, down cast lighting. QUESTION: What hours will the new building be open? RESPONSE: Unsure, but probably from 7 am to 7 pm. QUESTION: I'm concerned about potential uses in the new building. RESPONSE: Willing to limit uses to medical office uses only. QUESTION: What about security? The back parking lot will be too far from the visibility of police and people driving by. RESPONSE: The hospital has 24 hour security. If necessary, we can put cameras on light poles. QUESTION: If you are not ready to move forward with this project, why are you replatting? RESPONSE: We wouldn't be replatting if we didn't have a Tarrant County tax issue. QUESTION: What is the total height of the proposed building? RESPONSE: 35 feet. QUESTION: Are you willing to add specific hours to the building as part of the zoning? RESPONSE: Can't commit to that tonight. QUESTION: Will there be a fence at the rear property line? RESPONSE: We don't plan to do that. DISCUSSION:Tree preservation on the site. A paper was passed around for names and emails of anyone interested in meeting with the applicant on -site to discuss tree preservation, landscaping, and other issues. SPIN Meeting Reports are general observations of SPIN Meetings by City staff and SPIN Representatives. The report is neither verbatim nor official meeting minutes; rather it serves to inform elected and appointed officials, City staff, and the public of the issues and questions raised by residents and the general responses made. Responses as summarized in this report should not be taken as guarantees by the applicant. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to follow the case through the Planning and Zoning Commission and final action by City Council.