MINUTES

Planning and Zoning Commission

CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1101 Texas Avenue

July 3, 2003

7:00 P.M.

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Rick Floyd, Ben White, Carolyn Williams, Wallis McMath, Craig Hall and Scott Shafer.

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Phil Trapani.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: John Happ.

STAFF PRESENT: Staff Planners Hitchcock and Prochazska, Planning Intern Harrell, Assistant City Engineer McCully and Graduate Engineer Cotter, Assistant City Attorney Nemcik, Director of Development Services Templin, Development Review Manager Ruiz, Transportation Planner Fogle, Senior Planner Battle, Economic Development Director Foutz, Action Center Representative Kelly and Staff Assistant Hazlett.

Chairman Floyd called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Public hearing, discussion and possible action on a Rezoning to amend the concept plan and other elements of the PDD-B for the Benjamin Knox Gallery, being Lot 1A, Block D of the College Heights Subdivision, 0.48 acres located on the northwest corner of University Drive and MacArthur Street. (03-142)

Staff Planner Prochazka presented the Staff Report. Ms. Prochazka explained that the applicant is requesting to modify the height and side street setback requirements of the original PDD-B in order to build a third building toward the rear of the lot, which is already built as the Benjamin Knox Gallery. She added that Staff recommends approval of the request.

Ms. Prochazka reported that the area is shown on the Land Use Plan for redevelopment. She added that the changes from the original PDD-B include closing a cross access between the property and adding an additional building and railcar to the already developed site. Also, a small portion of the subject property abuts an alley that is adjacent to single family developed property that is zoned AP, Administrative Professional. The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) contains some residential protection standards that include a height limit for non-residential buildings that neighbor single family uses. In this case, the new building is propsed to be two stories and would not meet this requirement. Therefore, one of the modifications being asked for is a modification to the height requirement. The maximum height proposed is 36 feet. The applicant is also asking for a modification to the side street setback requirement for a railcar that will be used as a small restaurant or ice cream shop.

Chairman Floyd asked clarification regarding the height limit, the zoning of the surrounding properties, and parking and access to the site. Ms. Prochazka pointed out that the UDO allows a maximum of 11 feet and that the surrounding properties will be developed as AP, Administrative Professional, including those that are currently residential sites. She added that another is already a two-story apartment building and would not be affected. She explained that parking and access remains unchanged to the site. In regards to the setback modification, Ms. Prochazka stated that the railcar would extend into the normal setback at an unknown amount since the exact size of the railcar is unknown at this time. However, the applicant will attempt to keep it out of the side setback and added that it would be out of the visibility triangle of a normal AP tract.

Commissioner White asked if sidewalks were being planned for the site. Ms. Prochazka reported that a capital project including sidewalks is planned for the area.

Chairman Floyd reiterated that the request has to do with the internal nature of the property and would not impact the neighbors other than the height, and with Staff having spoken with the neighbors prior to the meeting, it's apparent that there are no objections to the modifications.

Chairman Floyd opened the public hearing.

Jesse Montelongo, 810 Vine, Bryan, Texas, is the adjacent property owner. He stated that he has no objection to the modifications of the subject property but asked if the modifications would impact his property in any way.

Development Services Director Templin explained that the request before the Commission was to modify the already approved PDD with the addition of a third building and a railcar. He stated that the modifications would not affect Mr. Montelongo's property or have a negative impact on parking for either businesses. The only impact would be on the adjoining access alley that can be amicably worked out between the two property owners.

Benjamin Knox, 1101 James Parkway, and the applicant, reiterated the importance of his proposed project and what he hopes to accomplish. His goal is to create a destination place by bringing back the College Station Train Depot with a railcar and locomotive. He stated that Phase 2 is a necessity and by adding building C to the back for a workroom and warehouse to accommodate his national and future growth and to keep his College Station Headquarters intact in College Station.

Chairman Floyd closed the public hearing.

Commissioner McMath motioned to approve the rezoning. Commissioner White seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

FOR: Floyd, McMath, White, Hall, Williams, and Shafer.

AGAINST: None.

P&Z Minutes July 3, 2003 Page 1 of 2