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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-21 WorkshopP & Z WORKSHOP MINUTES APRIL 21, 2009 STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF TARRANT CITY OF GRAPEVINE The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Grapevine, Texas met in Workshop on this the 21st day of April 2009, in the City Council Conference Room, 2nd Floor, 200 South Main Street, Grapevine, Texas with the following members present -to -wit: Larry Oliver Herb Fry Monica Hotelling Gary Martin Wayne Szot Elaine Martin Chairman Vice - Chairman Member Member Alternate Alternate constituting a quorum with B J Wilson, Mark Lowery and Jimmy Fechter absent, and also present: Darlene Freed and the following City Staff: Scott Williams Ron Stombaugh Albert Triplett, Jr. Susan Batte CALL TO ORDER Council Representative Development Services Director Planning and Development Manager Planner II Planning Technician Chairman Larry Oliver called the Workshop to order at 5:46 p.m. NEW BUSINESS AMENDMENT TO SECTION 12 DEFINITIONS RELATIVE TO THE DEFINITION OF PERSONAL CARE FACILITY First for the Commission to consider was possible zoning text amendments to Section 12, Definitions relative to the definition of a personal care facility. At the February 17, 2009 public hearing, a personal care facility project was denied due in part to the ambiguous nature of the development, specifically whether the use was an apartment for seniors or a personal care facility. Discussion was held regarding the State Laws for personal care facilities /assisted living facilities. 042109WK FE17ETYfff M5T9VONNWMFKT9 APRIL 21, 2009 After a brief discussion, staff will work on a new definition and bring it back to the Commission for discussion. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 20, TOWNHOUSE DISTRICT REGULATIONS, RELATIVE TO BUFFER AREA REGULATIONS Next for the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider was possible zoning text amendment to Section 20, Townhouse District Regulations relative to buffer area regulations. At the February 17, 2009 public hearing a personal care facility was considered and denied. The project was located immediately adjacent to the east to an upscale townhouse project (39-unit Linkside townhomes). Currently there is no buffer separation is requirement between structures and common property lines for development adjacent to townhomes, similar to those established for other residential categories. Discussion was held regarding the buffer requirements in all zoning districts. The Commission directed staff to clean up all residential zoning districts including "R-5.0" Zero-Lot-Line and "R-TH" Townhouse District Regulations regarding the 40 foot buffer area regulations. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 31, "Ll" LIGHT INDUSTRIAL RELATIVE TO AUTOMOTIVE SALES AND SERVICE Next for the Planning and Zoning Commission consider was possible zoning text amendment to Section 31, "Ll" Light Industrial relative to automotive sales and service. Section 31, "Ll" Light Industrial District is the only zoning district within the ordinance that allows as a permitted use, the ability to develop an automotive dealership with sales and service of new and used vehicles; used vehicle sales can only occur in conjunction with new vehicle sales. Used car dealerships are not allowed in the "Ll" Light Industrial District. Automotive sales and/or service is allowed only as a conditional use in other zoning districts. With the current language in the ordinance, potential dealers would argue the spirit and intent of the language in Section 31 to avoid the conditional use process or to establish used vehicle sales and service. Staff was recommending a slight amendment to Section 31 to more clearly state the intent relative to new and used vehicle sales and service. 13. Retail establishments for the sale with the Fepaif of new and used cars, light trucks and vans, motorcycles, and boats including display, service and repair. All vehicles must be in operating condition; and all open displays or 042109WK 2 P & Z WORKSHOP MINUTES APRIL 21, 2009 storage areas must be surfaced and developed in accordance with all applicable Ordinances of the City. After a brief discussion, the Commission directed staff to set the proposed changes for public hearing. DISCUSSION OF WIND TURBINES Next for the Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss was wind turbines. On Monday, February 16, 2009, the Fort Worth Star - Telegram ran an article on Electricity Generating Wind Turbines for residential use. The article covered how some of the local cities are addressing those wind turbines. Council briefly discussed the use of wind turbines at their March 24, 2009 workshop. While there seemed to be no clear consensus, the general feeling was that the current technology was probably not appropriate for residential applications in typical subdivisions. However, there did seem to be some interest in considering allowing wind turbines in non - residential districts on a case by case basis, perhaps as with approval of a special use permit. Council requested that the subject be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission at workshop. These wind driven devices need to be 30 -feet above any structure within 100 yards. Therefore, using the maximum height of a structure within our most common Single - Family Residential Zoning District of 35 -feet, a wind turbine would have to be more than 60 -feet tall to be effective. Within Commercial Districts it would be possible that they would need to be much taller. The article stated that average wind speeds of 12 miles per hour and higher are preferable for effective operation; the average wind speed in our area is less than 11 miles per hour. The article noted that one wind turbine manufacturer stated that their turbine could produce about 300 kilowatt hours of electricity a month; the average Texas home consumes 1,136 kilowatt hours per month. Discussion was held and no action taken. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, Chairman Larry Oliver adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m. 042109WK 3 P & Z WORKSHOP MINUTES APRIL 21, 2009 • mpeuuml avi I il, I a I Wf.'Woj gam =I ga I m I= • I= 0 maysel a LVA F-mygill.-mm CHAIRMAN ATTEST: SECRETARY 042109WK 4