HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-10 MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held on Monday, November 10, 2003 at
5:30 p.m. in room 219 of the City Administration Building, 113 W. Mountain, Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
CUP 03-30.00: Conditional Use (Jernigan, pp 524)
Page 2
ADM 03-29.00: Administrative Item
(Cliffs Blvd. Eastern Extension)
Page 5
PPL 02-13.10: Preliminary Plat
(Stone Mountain, pp. 488/489)
Page 5
Nominations for Vice Chair & Secretary
Page 18
MEMBERS PRESENT
Don Bunch
Alan Ostner
Loren Shackelford
Jill Anthes
Alice Church
Sharon Hoover
Christian Vaught
Nancy Allen
James Graves
STAFF PRESENT
Dawn Warrick
Mau Casey
Suzanne Morgan
Jeremy Pate
Tim Conklin
Renee Thomas
Kit Williams
ACTION TAKEN
Approved
Forwarded to City Council
Approved
Commissioners Bunch & Ostner
MEMBERS ABSENT
STAFF ABSENT
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 2
Hoover: We are ready for the November I Oh Planning Commission meeting. We will
wait for Commissioner Allen to get seated. While we're doing that, Renee,
would you call the roll please?
Roll Call: Upon the completion of roll call there were nine Commissioners present.
Hoover: Before we go any further, we should announce our new Commissioner, James
Graves, in case everyone hasn't met him. Congratulations on joining our
group. We will move on. We need to approve the minutes of the October 27`h
meeting and the prior meeting of which the minutes were tabled at the last
meeting. Is there a motion to approve these two sets of minutes?
Shackelford: So moved.
Hoover: There is a motion by Commissioner Shackelford.
Bunch: Second.
Hoover: A second by Commissioner Bunch. Renee?
Roll Call: Upon the completion of roll call the motion to approve the minutes from the
October 27"' meeting and the October 13`h meeting was approved by a vote of
9-0-0.
Thomas: The motion carries nine to zero.
CUP 03-30.00: Conditional Use (Jernigan, pp 524) was submitted by James P. Jernigan for
property located at 604 Blair Avenue. The property is zoned RMF -24, Residential Multi-
family, 24 units per acre. The request is for an approval of a tandem lot.
Hoover: Item number one on the agenda is CUP 03-30.00 submitted by Jim Jernigan
for property at 604 Blair Avenue. Suzanne?
Morgan: Thank you. The subject property is located at 604 Blair Avenue which is just
north of Blair Avenue on Lucien Street, an undeveloped street. The site is
existing nonconforming lot with no existing structures and is zoned RMF -24,
Residential Multi -Family, 24 units per acre. Surrounding land use is single
family in nature and with the same zoning as the subject property. The
property has approximately 20.6' of street frontage on Blair Avenue. A single
family home on this lot is required to have 60' of frontage. As such, the
applicant is requesting approval for a tandem lot which is defined as a lot
which does not have the required frontage on a public street and which is
located behind a lot or a portion of a lot which does not have frontage on a
public street. The applicant proposes to construct a single family home of no
more than 1,800 sq.ft. on this lot with two off street parking spaces. I would
like to read several of the findings made when reviewing this project.
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 3
Granting the requested conditional use will not adversely affect the public
interest. This action will allow the subject property to be developed in
harmony with surrounding properties. The amount of traffic and noise
proposed with this request will not significantly increase the total amount of
traffic along Blair Street. Regarding ingress and egress from the property,
there is an existing turn -around at the north end of Blair Avenue. The
applicant proposes to construct a 25' wide drive extending north from the
existing turn -around at the north end of Blair Avenue. The applicant proposes
to construct a 25' wide drive extending north from the existing turn around.
Additionally, the constructed drive will serve the single-family dwelling on
this property with a required minimum of two off street parking spaces.
Concerning utilities, the applicant has supplied a letter indicating that there is
an existing sewer line tap located adjacent to the southwest corner of the
property and that Mr. Dave Jurgens, the Water and Sewer Maintenance
Superintendent, has approved a water meter for this lot to be included in the
accelerated water line replacement project for Lucien Street. The water meter
will be located 15' east of the existing sewer tap and the accelerated water line
project for Lucien Street is scheduled to be started as early as this summer.
Finally, addressing the general compatibility with adjacent properties and
other properties in this district, staff finds that the adjacent properties consist
of single-family residential dwelling units. The proposal to utilize this lot for
the development of a single-family dwelling will make this property
compatible with adjoining properties and enhance the neighborhood. Based on
these findings, staff is in support of the creation of a tandem lot at the north
end of Blair Avenue. The result of this action will be that the property will be
developed in harmony with the surrounding neighborhood. Staff is
recommending approval with the following conditions: 1) The only principal
structure permitted on this tandem lot shall be one single-family home. 2) A
new access drive shall be paved a minimum of 25 feet in length from the
intersection of the drive and the paved portion of Blair Avenue and a
minimum of 20 feet in width in order to meet Fire Code requirements. 3) No
vehicles shall be parked at any time on that portion of a tandem lot utilized as
a private drive. 4) Complete building plans shall be submitted to the City to
secure a building permit. 5) Payment of $630 in lieu of sidewalk
construction. Mr. Rutherford, Sidewalk Coordinator, has recommended
money in lieu of a sidewalk due to the lack of roadway and that a sidewalk at
this location would not generate pedestrian traffic (see attached memo). Staff
is in support of this recommendation. 6) Prior to issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy the applicant shall coordinate with the Solid Waste Division for
appropriate solid waste disposal. Any solid waste containers shall be stored in
a screened location except on collection days. Staff recommends the use of a
residential cart that may be wheeled to an appropriate location on collection
day only. 7) Minimum building setbacks shall be 20 feet from all property
lines and 25 feet from all street right-of-way lines. 8) Water and sewer shall
be extended to serve the property prior to issuance of Certification of
Occupancy. Staff has received signed conditions of approval.
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 4
Hoover: Would the applicant come forward and if you have anything to add, do so
now.
Jernigan: Hello, I would like to answer any questions you might have. It seems that it is
all fairly self explanatory.
Hoover: We will go ahead and take public comment right now. Is there anyone in the
audience that would like to address this Conditional Use for 604 Blair
Avenue? If so, would you come to the podium and please sign in.
Williams: Hello, I am Kit Williams. I have got my public hat on because I am a
neighbor of Jim Jernigan. This lot that he has adjoins both my lot and also my
older brother's lot who has a house that will be close to the structure being
proposed here. I would like to say that we've worked with Mr. Jernigan,
walked over his lots, looked over his particular drawings and his plans and I
think we've all come to an agreement that this is an acceptable use of the lot
so we are in favor of the Planning Commission granting this Conditional Use.
Hoover: Thank you Mr. Williams. Is there any other member of the public that would
like to address this Conditional Use on this tandem lot? Seeing none, I will
bring it back to the Commission for discussion.
Bunch: I move that we approve CUP 03-30.00 subject to the stated conditions of
approval.
Shackelford: I will second.
Hoover: We have a motion by Commissioner Bunch and a second by Commissioner
Shackelford. Is there anymore discussion? Seeing none, Renee?
Roll Call: Upon the completion of roll call the motion to approve CUP 03-30.00 was
approved by a vote of 9-0-0.
Thomas: The motion carries nine to zero.
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 5
ADM 03-29.00: Administrative Item (Cliffs Blvd. Eastern Extension) Master Street Plan
Amendment.
PPL 02-13.10: Preliminary Plat (Stone Mountain, pp. 488/489) was submitted by
Jorgensen and Assoc. on behalf of Bill Conner for property located South of Hyland Park and
east of Crossover Rd. The property is zoned RSF-4, Residential Single-family and contains
82.74 acres. The request is for a residential subdivision with 115 lots proposed.
Hoover: Item number two on the agenda is ADM 03-29.00 for Cliffs Blvd. eastern
extension.
Warrick: If I might request that we hear items two and three together, this is a Master
Street Plan amendment that is being brought forward because of the
Preliminary Plat, which is the following item.
Hoover: Great. That would be item two and then item three that we are going to hear
with it is PPL 02-13.10 for Stone Mountain submitted by Jorgensen &
Associates on behalf of Bill Conner. Suzanne?
Morgan: Thank you. Item two again, is an amendment of the adopted Master Street
Plan to relocate and change the destination of Cliffs Blvd. eastern extension, a
proposed minor arterial connecting Crossover Road and Starr Drive. Planning
staff recommends approval of a resolution to amend the Master Street Plan to
eliminate Cliffs Blvd. eastern extension, a proposed minor arterial from this
policy document. This request, will, as stated, be heard as part of the Stone
Mountain subdivision Preliminary Plat. For some background, Cliffs Blvd. is
a proposed connection between Crossover Road and Starr Drive that has been
identified on the Master Street Plan for several years. Staff recommends
removing this extension based on findings from the City of Fayetteville's
traffic analysis performed by BWR and their recommendations regarding the
Master Street Plan. Approval for a Preliminary Plat is currently being sought
and will go ahead and read staffs comments on the Preliminary Plat for
Stone Mountain. This was submitted by Jorgensen & Associates on behalf of
Bill Conner for property located south of Hyland Park and east of Crossover
Road. The applicant is requesting to create a residential subdivision of 115
lots on 82.74 acres. Two lots are to be used for detention and one 8.19 acre lot
is proposed for park land dedication. The location of the proposed
subdivision extends east off of Crossover Rd to the border of the City and
Planning Area and is zoned RSF-4, Residential Single-family with 4 units per
acre. Land to the north, south, and west is zoned RSF-4 with Planning Area to
the east. All land is single-family residential in nature. Water and sewer will
be extended to serve this development. The applicant requests an amendment
to the Master Street Plan for the minor arterial (90') bisecting the property.
The request is to relocate this planned road further south as Stone Mountain
Drive at a lesser dedication of 70', a collector road. All other streets will have
50' of right of way. For tree preservation, existing is 33.94%, Required
canopy is 25.0%, Preserved canopy proposed is 24.88% and Mitigation
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 6
required is $3,150 to the Tree Escrow Account. Parkland dedication for 112
single-family lots is 2.68 acres and the owners have proposed a dedication of
8.19 acres leaving a banking credit of 5.51 acres for the southeast park
quadrant. Staff recommends approval of PPL 02-13.10 with the following
conditions: 1) Add a note to the plat stating the existing private drive shall be
removed prior to Final Plat approval. 2) Payment into the Tree Escrow
Account in the amount of $3,150. 3) All street names shall be approved by
the 9-1-1 Coordinator. 4) Any outstanding issues with the legal description
shall be resolved prior to final plat approval. 5) Necessary property line
adjustments to the east of the project boundary and to lot 51 shall be approved
prior to Final Plat. 6) If any water pressure problems arise that might impact
this proposed subdivision or the adjacent residents preventative actions shall
be addressed and resolved through an approved water system design. 7)
Planning Commission determination of waiver request for Stone Mountain
Drive to be constructed at a 14% grade for approximately 1400 feet. City
street standards allow for a 10% grade with an allowance up to 15% for 300
feet. Staff is in support of this request due to the connectivity Stone Mountain
Drive provides to the east on Crossover Road. 8) Planning Commission
determination of the proposed Master Street Plan Amendment to relocate the
planned minor arterial Cliffs Boulevard to the proposed location of Stone
Mountain Drive and to reduce the street classification from a minor arterial to
a collector street. Staff recommends removal of the Cliffs Boulevard eastern
extension. The proposed revision to the Master Street Plan based on the
recent traffic study performed by Bucher, Willis and Ratliff does not include
the construction of the minor arterial in this location due to unsuitable
topography. 9) The developer shall comply with all conditions of the Parks
and Recreation Board. All conditions as noted in the attached Memo dated
October 29, 2003 are applicable and shall be considered, by reference, as part
of the official Conditions of Approval. Items ten through fourteen are
standard conditions of approval.
Hoover: Thank you. Would the applicant come forward?
Brackett: Good evening, my name is Chris Brackett, I am with Jorgensen & Associates
representing the owner tonight. We are in agreement with all of the
conditions of approval and I would be happy to answer any questions that you
may have.
Hoover: At this time will ask if there is any member of the audience that would like to
address this ADM 03-29.00 for the amendment to the Master Street Plan or if
you have comments about PPL 02-13.10.
Earff: Good evening, my name is Jeff Earff, I live at 2711 Woodcliff Road which is
in Hyland Park which is north of the proposed development. The first thing I
would like to comment on is the change to the Master Street Plan. I just
wanted to remind you all that a few years ago the city spent about $460,000
upgrading Cliffs Blvd. as part of a cost share so that would go from two lane
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 7
to a four lane road. That is back when this connector to Mr. Conner's property
was proposed to be a minor arterial. Also, I wanted to point out that the recent
traffic and transportation study indicated that a signal was proposed for Cliffs
and Crossover, Hwy. 265. It seems to me that it would be better use of that
signal if it was four way rather than three way. If you move the road then that
traffic signal will only benefit traffic going into and out of the Cliffs. Just a
couple of other things, concerning construction traffic, presently there is a
driveway that comes up from that proposed development into Hyland Park on
Cliffside Road and I would like to see a condition that would indicate
construction traffic can not come through the Hyland Park subdivision. That
was talked about previously when the homeowners got together about a year
or two ago. Also, the issue of water pressure, I know it is unclear at this point
what the resolution of that situation is going to be. My understanding is that it
could potentially be a water tower in Hyland Park or perhaps using pumps or
something like that. My question is will there be any grading and excavating
until that issue is resolved? If you approve what's before you tonight does the
developer has to wait for that issue to be resolved for the water pressure? My
understanding is that the reason for the delay was the issue concerning water
pressure. Does anyone have an answer for me?
Hoover: Jeff, we do things differently from Council. We take public comment and
then they will answer questions.
Earff: Ok, I'm done. Thanks for your time.
Hoover: Is there any member of the audience that would like to address this Master
Street Plan amendment and the Preliminary Plat? Seeing none, I will bring it
back to the Commission. Staff, would you answer two of Jeffs questions?
One is confirm that there is no Hyland Park connection, you might just talk a
little bit about that and then we will get to the water pressure issue.
Warrick: We are going to tag team this because it has a lot to do with Engineering as
well. With regard to the access through Hyland Park for construction traffic.
That is not noted as a construction entrance on this plat. It is probably very
reasonable for that not to be utilized for construction traffic. The streets in
Hyland Park are quite curvy and steep in areas and it is not the most direct
route to get construction vehicles in and out of this proposed development.
Typically where people are able to construct construction entrances to projects
are in locations that entrances will be permanent in those projects once they
are built out. I am going to ask Matt to address the water pressure questions.
Casey: As some of you may know, this came through last year and started the process
and was withdrawn at the time because of water concerns. Currently the City
of Fayetteville has hired McGoodwin, Williams and Yates to perform a
Master Water Study. They are preparing a water model which we can analyze
this area and plug in this subdivision and the number of lots that are going to
be in this area and see the effect that it is going to have on this neighborhood.
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 8
We have been waiting on that, the study is almost complete and so we have
allowed the applicant to proceed with this process knowing that there are
going to be offsite improvements required for improving the water situation if
it negatively effects any of the neighboring developments. There have been
several options thrown out there over the past year including a water tank,
pumps, rerouting a line and creating a high pressure line instead of the
existing low pressure line along Hwy. 265. Those items will be worked out
during the construction review after the water model is received and we are
able to analyze that to see what needs to be done. At this time the applicant is
aware that the improvements will need to be made and we will determine
what those are at this time. I do assure you we will not approve any
construction plans that will negatively effect the Hyland Park water situation.
Shackelford: A follow up question with Matt, just to be specific, no construction, grading or
anything is going to be permitted on this until that is resolved?
Casey: We will see the construction plans submitted as a whole. I will not issue a
grading permit without the water design situation worked out.
Shackelford: It is a little confusing. If you look at number six it talks about preventive
actions shall be addressed if there is a problem. What you are saying is the
study that you are doing will be able to show if there is a problem before
construction starts?
Casey: Yes Sir.
Shackelford: Thank you very much.
Hoover: I was wondering if we could have a report from Subdivision. Were there
important issues that we should be looking at on this Preliminary Plat, has it
evolved or anything that you would like to share?
Bunch: Basically, what we addressed at Subdivision was the waiver request for the
grades on the road from Hwy. 265 into this subdivision and we also discussed
the pros and cons of a connection north into the Hyland Park area and also
looked at the eastern extensions of the Master Street Plan. Those are basically
the items that we discussed.
Hoover: Thank you.
Shackelford: Staff, maybe you can help me out a little bit. As I drove around and looked at
this property I was thinking about the waiver request for the grading on the
road. I think we call for 10% grade with allowance for 15%. I not only drove
around this property but I drove around Hyland Park and Lovers Lane and
some of the older properties in that area. Can you tell us an idea of the grades
of those roads in the subdivisions? Are they greater than, equal to, less than
what is being proposed here?
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 9
Casey: I'm song, I'm not able to answer that without the plans we have on file for
those subdivisions.
Shackelford: Ok. Have the restrictions on grading changed or have they been in place for
quite some time?
Casey: I believe those were adopted in 1996.
Shackelford: Thank you.
Hoover: In general, why did the traffic consultants recommend that we do not extend
Cliffs Blvd.? I guess one thing is I'm confused on which part is Cliffs and
which part is Stone.
Warrick: I don't know that we are going to find any definitive specific answer with
them addressing this particular segment of the street. The map that is up for
your display is the proposed Master Street Plan developed by BWR with the
current Traffic and Transportation Study that is being considered. It is not
adopted, which is why we are looking at an amendment to the Master Street
Plan that is on the books right now. If you will reference your vicinity map on
your plat, the applicant has overlaid the city's Master Street Plan on that so
you will get an idea of where this project is in relation to the existing adopted
Master Street Plan street. This proposed eastern extension of the Cliffs is
actually not a four way intersection. This particular property does not intersect
Hwy. 265 in the vicinity of Cliffs Blvd. It intersects north of that. The closest
we could get is not a four way intersection. As I said, it is offset to the north.
The proposed street through the development is offset again from what is on
the plans. Keep in mind that the Master Street Plan is not an engineered
study, it is a policy document and it is a guide. Our current Master Street Plan
indicates there is a desire to have a larger street connecting Crossover east to
Stan Drive. The proposed Master Street Plan that BWR has brought forward
has actually eliminated quite a few of the higher level streets that we currently
indicate on our plan. My understanding in that is the number of streets that
are located on our currently adopted Master Street Plan as higher level streets
is unrealistic that they will actually be all built out to those levels that streets
not indicated as collectors or arterials on the Master Street Plan can very well
function and carry similar, if not the same, loads of traffic as local streets.
There was a determination somewhere through the committee process and the
review, I know that staff met many times with the consultants for this traffic
and transportation study and it has been through several public hearings,
through that process it was determined that this particular stretch of collector
street, minor arterial street, should be eliminated from that plan. I can't give
you an exact reason. There is a lot of grade in this area, a lot of steep slopes
and it is very reasonable to expect that that was partly to blame, partly a
reason for them eliminating the street. Fayetteville is a hilly city and we have
a lot of grade.
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 10
Hoover: You are saying they eliminated several streets but they don't reference item
5.3.A is our reason for this one.
Warrick: No, we included in your packet with item number two materials out of the text
document that they submitted to compare with this map.
Allen: I wondered if there had been many comments from neighbors about the traffic
impact for this area.
Warrick: In this round of review we have not heard much from the neighbors.
However, when this project was originally brought forward in the spring of
2002 there were several neighborhood meetings with the Hyland Park
neighborhood association because originally there was a contemplation for a
street connection in the location of the existing drive that comes off Cliffside
Drive into the subject property. It was determined that that would change the
character of that neighborhood significantly that that property was platted as a
single family residential lot, as were the lots around it and it was not desirable
to the neighbors to have a street connection into Hyland Park into Cliffside
Drive where it adjoins this property.
Allen: I guess I would like to have a clearer understanding about condition number
six because it seems to me like the possible ways that the problem could be
alleviated if they find that there is a water pressure problem could certainly
have a significantly different impact on the area.
Casey: I'm sorry, I didn't fully understand your question.
Allen: Well, if there is a water tower up there that seems to me like an eye sorer or
some people might be concerned about that. I just wanted a better
understanding of the ways that water pressure problems could be eliminated.
Casey: I know the different methods that have been discussed, the top option was the
tower. It has been discussed already. I know there has been some opposition
to that but that would be the best way to increase the water pressure and also
give additional capacity in the area. The other options that I'm aware of,
unfortunately I wasn't involved in the review process last year when the
majority of these were discussed, were some line changes out on Hwy. 265
that would convert the pressure of the line that will serve this development
from one tank to the other so it will change the pressure and the other option
that has been discussed is adding some pumps along that line to increase the
pressure in this area as well. Those are the three that I know have been
discussed. Chris Brackett may have some more information on that.
Brackett: There are not any detailed plans because we are waiting on the detailed study
that the city is conducting. Those are the three options that we have before us
now. There may be others but we will not know them until we actually know
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 11
exactly what the pressure problem is. It is our understanding currently that
they don't believe that there is adequate pressure to serve this subdivision.
We understand that we will have to provide adequate pressure for this
subdivision to be able to continue and the owner understands that. As far as
how it is done, right now it is our understanding that the city is not prepared to
go forward with any kind of tower. Our understanding is that we will be
fixing the problem for this subdivision. We won't be fixing the problem for
the entire area. We are prepared to spend the money to fix the problem for
this subdivision.
Allen: Will the method that you use be up to you?
Brackett: Anything that we do will have to be approved by the city. The method that
we believe, we've had discussions with McGoodwin, Williams & Yates and
the last method that was discussed that we were a part of were booster pumps
which is nothing more than a pump station. It is not a tower or anything of
that nature. Like I said, we can't really go any further than just discussions or
what the possibilities are because we don't know exactly what the problem is.
Shackelford: It seems like every meeting that we are here we talk about connectivity.
Every subdivision that we approve we stub out for connectivity. What makes
this different? Can you walk me through the process of the decision to not
require this to tie into the existing neighborhoods and why this is different
than the normal deal that we look at?
Warrick: I don't believe that this is different because this particular project is
connecting to Hwy. 265 and Stonebridge Road and has two future connections
to the east and a future phase. That is the kind of connectivity that we look for
in any development is to identify where an existing piece of property, when
developed, can connect and where possible future connections would lead if
there are adjacent undeveloped tracts of land that we believe will come
through the review process at some point in time. We don't even expect those
adjacent properties to come through in the near future even. Like I said, we
have got connections from this particular project in three directions. The fact
that there is an empty lot in a single family subdivision north of this, we did
not feel that that merited a street. Like said before, it does change what the
expectations were as far as those people who purchased lots and built in the
Hyland Park subdivision when they felt there was a single family lot in that
location. It was and is used for access purposes but it is not a public street. It
is a private access drive. The change in the character of that would be
significant to what everyone expected when they moved into that area which
is primarily single family homes with a large equestrian farm south of it. That
is why we did not feel that this connection was critical. It was not the desire
of the neighbors o the north to have this connection. They are truly the ones
who would benefit the most if they chose to have a connection in that location
because Hyland Park is a one way in and one way out subdivision. That was
really the process that we went through in realizing whether or not it was
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 12
appropriate. We felt that through the connections that were being achieved on
the property we were meeting our mandate, if you will, for providing
connectivity for future developments.
Shackelford: Thank you very much.
Hoover: I would like to focus on the Master Street Plan amendment issue. Do we have
some discussion about that? I'm curious if we are recommending eliminating
it from the Master Street Plan, why are we showing it on the vicinity map a
road connecting?
Warrick: The applicant's request was to downgrade and relocate this street. Staffs
recommendation is just to eliminate it from the Master Street Plan and allow it
to be a local street. It is identified currently, there is a minor arterial identified
currently connecting Crossover and Starr Drive. The applicant is proposing to
relocate that slightly and to downgrade it to a collector street status. In
reviewing their request to amend the Master Street Plan we looked to the
study that the city commissioned recently for traffic and transportation study
for the city. In that, the recommendation is not to have a higher level street,
collector or above, in this location. Staff is recommending that it just be
utilized as a local street and not be identified as a higher level street on the
Master Street Plan.
Hoover: Is that what this says? Maybe I'm misreading it. It just says here eliminate
Cliffs Blvd. eastern extension as a proposed minor arterial.
Warrick: This would not be the Cliffs Blvd. eastern extension. Due to the location of it,
it would not be reasonable for it to be named Cliffs Blvd. because it is offset
to the north. It does not intersection Cliffs Blvd. on the opposite side of Hwy.
265.
Hoover: This street is called Stone Mountain.
Anthes: On the Master Street Plan as it shows now it would actually connect across
Hwy. 265. Two questions of staff, is there indeed a signal proposed at that
intersection and what are the physical reasons on that site that we would like
to shift that road to the north?
Warrick: We don't have the ability with this subdivision to connect in that location. The
property owner doesn't own the property and we don't have control of the
property. I am not aware of signalization being on the city's capital
improvement program for this particular site.
Williams: Of course that is Hwy. 265 so the state would have to approve any traffic
signal that we would ask them to install.
Anthes: I guess that's why I'm still confused. It doesn't appear that the connection to
Planning Commission
November 10, 2003
Page 13
Crossover Road is on this applicant's property either at this current location or
at the north location, is that true or am I reading this map wrong? It appears to
me from this map that the current Master Street Plan connection across
Crossover Road or the new configuration located to the north, neither of those
are on the applicant's property, is that true?
Warrick: That is true.
Anthes: If that is the case, why are we showing this thing shifted north misaligned
with the intersection?
Warrick: Again, our Master Street Plan is a policy document and a guide. It is a line on
the map and it is not an exact engineered location for a future street.
Anthes: I understand that but if it is a line on the map and it currently connects across
and makes a four way intersection with Cliffs Drive and we had to physically
take a pen or a pencil and move it up, what was the reason for that?
Warrick: The location of an opportunity for a development that would provide a
connection.
Anthes: I thought you said they didn't own either location?
Warrick: I must not have understood you, I'm sorry. The area that is highlighted on
your vicinity map that is in dark gray is the project site.
Anthes: Ok, so they do own the northernmost and that is the reason for the shift is
because we have an opportunity to connect to Hwy. 265. That's all I have for
now.
Ostner: My question Ms. Warrick, I wish I could ask BWR why they don't think we
should have any connection across this area, the big drawing wherever it went.
Do you know why? I know the grades are steep but there is just so much from
Mission to Huntsville and from Starr to Hwy. 265 is nothing but local streets
that don't have to connect by policy?
Warrick: How do you mean by policy they don't have to connect because we do have a
policy of connectivity.
Ostner: We do but as a Master Street Plan policy we are saying no.
Warrick: The Master Street Plan identifies higher level streets. It doesn't mean that
local streets would not serve a purpose of getting people from one place to
another. We do, as I said, have a policy of connectivity. Keep in mind, this is
a policy document, this is a recommendation. This is your plan. Please
understand that we are just making a recommendation here. If you don't wish
to change the Master Street Plan that is fine. We are making a
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November 10, 2003
Page 14
recommendation based on the study by transportation engineers and we need
to rely on somebody to provide us with guidance. That is the information that
is current that is available to us right now. Mr. Earff handed me this
information, it is out of the traffic and transportation study, I made a statement
with regard to signalization not being on the city's capital improvement plan.
It is not but it is recommended in the city's traffic and transportation study for
future improvements. I just wanted to clear that up. I didn't want to misstate
anything but it is not in a capital projects list.
Ostner: Is that signal for a normal four way intersection?
Warrick: It is a table in the document. It is certainly not an engineered project.
Hoover: Do I have this correctly then that it would show up on the Master Street Plan
if it is a collector or a higher level street. That does not exclude us connecting
over to Starr Blvd. at a later date whenever that property is developed because
of our connectivity ordinance or policy?
Warrick: That is correct.
Hoover: The only reason it is not on the Master Street Plan is they still can be
recommending it in theory but they don't recommend that it be a higher level
street?
Warrick: Correct.
Hoover: Does everybody understand?
Allen: Finally, yes.
Hoover: Is there any other discussion on this item or would someone like to make a
motion?
Shackelford: I will go ahead and get it on the table. With what you just said was exactly
what direction I was going when I talked about the connectivity of this
subdivision. I think it is a lot more realistic to think that there will be
connectivity through here as this property develops in neighborhood streets
than there ever will seeing a minor arterial or a collector street built across this
property. With that, I am going to support staffs recommendation and make a
motion to approve ADM 03-29.00.
Hoover: I have a motion by Commissioner Shackelford, is there a second?
Bunch: I will second.
Hoover: A second by Commissioner Bunch. Is there more discussion? Seeing none,
Renee?
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November 10, 2003
Page 15
Roll Call: Upon the completion of roll call the motion to approve ADM 03-29.00 was
approved by a vote of 9-0-0.
Thomas: The motion carries nine to zero.
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November 10, 2003
Page 16
Hoover: Onto PPL 02-13.10, is there anymore discussion on this item or motions?
Shackelford: Staff, do we have signed conditions of approval on this?
Warrick: We do not but the applicant's representative stated verbally that they are in
agreement.
Williams: Condition number eight should be modified to show that it has been removed
from the Master Street Plan and not downgraded to a collector.
Warrick: Yes, that is an update from your previous action.
Hoover: Motions?
Anthes: Matt, will you reiterate any problems that were discussed in terms of
emergency vehicle access on the 14% grade for the 1,400 feet?
Casey: Reiterate any that were discussed during Plat Review or Subdivision?
Anthes: Yes.
Casey: I'm sorry, I don't recall any of the discussion. That doesn't mean that it didn't
take place. I am recommending that the waiver be granted because of the
other connectivity that is provided as we discussed previously in this meeting,
the connection to the south to Stonebridge Road as well as to the east for
future connections should provide numerous points of access to this site.
Unfortunately, on this proposed subdivision there is a narrow corridor for this
connection to be made. There is not room to meander the street to be able to
achieve less grades going up the hill. It is a straight shot and for those reasons
we are recommending the granting of this waiver. It is not the only means of
access. There will be more provided.
Anthes: For some period of time though won't it be the only means of access?
Casey: No, at this time Stonebridge Road to the south, I believe last year our
Transportation Division did go in and widen the road and resurface it and add
curb, gutter and storm drain on the east side.
Anthes: Ok, thank you.
Hoover: Motions?
Shackelford: A question for the City Attorney. On condition number eight exactly what do
we need to state in that condition now that we've granted the amendment to
the Master Street Plan to remove the Cliffs Blvd. eastern extension?
Williams: I actually don't think at this point you would need a condition number eight.
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November 10, 2003
Page 17
Shackelford: Can we just strike it completely?
Williams: If the Planning Department employees agree with that I don't see any reason
to have it.
Warrick: That is perfectly fine. We will be required to pursue this through the City
Council because yours is a recommendation with regard to the Master Street
Plan amendment. If the City Council chooses not to amend the Master Street
Plan or to make modifications to it then that will affect this plat placed on
their actions based on your recommendations going forward.
Williams: Should we note in number eight that this is subject to City Council approval of
the amendment of the Master Street Plan?
Warrick: That will be appropriate.
Shackelford: We would have to rehear it if they turn it down.
Bunch: Mr. Williams, if the City Council for some reason were to deny the
amendment to the Master Street Plan then if we leave condition of approval
eight in then should the City Council decide not to accept that amended street
plan then condition of eight would kick in and we would not have to rehear
this item?
Williams: Probably, if they don't approve that this won't be able to be built in this
configuration because the Master Street Plan shows Cliffs Blvd. meandering
through this subdivision. I would say probably with condition eight you say
subject to approval of the City Council. If it is not approved by the City
Council then it is probably back in your lap.
Shackelford: I will make a motion that we approve PPL 02-13.10 with condition eight
changed to read "approval subject to City Council approval of amendment to
the Master Street Plan removing Cliffs Blvd. eastern extension.
Bunch: I will second.
Hoover: We have a motion by Commissioner Shackelford and a second by
Commissioner Bunch, is there more discussion? Renee?
Roll Call: Upon the completion of roll call the motion to approve PPL 02-13.10 was
approved by a vote of 9-0-0.
Thomas: The motion carries nine to zero.
Hoover: I am adding a few items to the agenda. Item four, we need to elect a Vice
Chair and the nominating committee has a recommendation. They are going to
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November 10, 2003
Page 18
give us a recommendation and then Renee will pass out the ballots for us to
fill out secretly and we will hand them back to her.
Anthes: The nominating committee recommends Commissioner Don Bunch to fill the
seat of Vice Chair and that vacates the position of secretary and we
recommend Commissioner Alan Ostner to fill that spot because he is available
in the morning to make those signatures.
Hoover: Thank you. Will everyone take a moment to fill out the ballots. Our retreat
work session, when is that?
Warrick: That is 5:30 on Wednesday, November 19th at Uncle Gaylord's.
Hoover: Ok, thank you.
Warrick: Also, they are starting to do lead work on the downtown master plan and there
will be a meeting tomorrow at noon in room 326 to meet with some of the
consultants on that project.
Hoover: Is that just for Planning Commission?
Warrick: I believe that meeting is just for Planning Commission.
Hoover: We have our Subdivision Committee in tact and our alternate is Jill Anthes.
Renee?
Thomas: The nominations are again, Commissioner Bunch for Vice Chair and
Commissioner Ostner for Secretary. The vote was 8 to 1 for Commissioner
Bunch and 9 to 1 for Commissioner Ostner.
Hoover: Thank you very much. Do we have any other matters of business?
Warrick: I don't believe so.
Hoover: Thank you, we are adjourned.
Meeting adjourned: 6:32 p.m.