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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Planning and Zoning Commission - 1993 - 01/21 - RegularALLEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 1993 ATTENDANCE: Commission Members Present: John Garcia, Chairman Harold Biggs, Vice -Chairman Kenneth Fulk, Secretary Jeffery Kelley Steve Allen Noel Crume Commission Members Absent: Douglas Gallagher City Staff Present: Bill Petty, Director of Community Development Dave Whitehead, Director of Public Works Tom Keener, Development Coordinator Sally Leeper, Secretary CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM: With a quorum of the Commissioners present, the Allen Planning & Zoning Com- mission was called to order at 8:05 p.m. by Chairman Garcia at the Allen Municipal Annex, Meeting Room, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. WORKSHOP - TWIN CREEKS Overview of Thoroughfare Plan: Mr. Keener reviewed the City's Thoroughfare Plan. Mr. Bruce Smith, Arvida, presented their view of the Thoroughfare Plan. He stated that they feel that Bethany, as it is delineated north from McDermott, is not the best use of the roadway system. He stated there is no direct access to the City west of Rowlett Creek to the north. Mr. Richard Ferrara discussed their concept of linking Exchange Parkway to S. H. 121. They feel that Exchange from U.S. to S. H. 121 is of extreme importance. They have visited with the State Highway Department, City staff, and the City of McKinney and have been advised that there was no objection as long as they had no negative impact on the S. H. 121 intersections and ramp designs. Mr. Ferrara indicated that they are proposing to eliminate the continuous loop of Bray Central Drive. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 21, 1993 PAGE 2 Mr. John Friebele, traffic consultant for the City, presented an overview of his study of the traffic analysis prepared for the proponent by Barton Ashmann. His review was in accordance with the methodology used by the Council of Govern- ments. The proponent's study was performed in accordance with the City of Allen standards. He does not feel that the Exchange Parkway request is nega- tive. He does not feel that the deletion of Bethany north of McDermott along the creek detracts from the overall Thoroughfare Plan. The Community Facilities uses have not been assigned any traffic volumes. He felt this could be considered a negative point; however, the proponent stated that the traffic that would be generated by these uses has already been counted in the other uses. The character of the traffic generated from the land uses requested have a considerably high percentage of the total traffic occurring during the peak hours. Although the street lengths do meet LOS C on a 24-hour basis, the peak hour LOS could be reduced. This could possibly be acceptable for a 1 -hour time period. The total traffic generation for this study was based on net acres of development. Most often traffic generation is based on gross acres; however, proponent stated that the request is based on square footage per tract and therefore this should not be a problem. Mr. Friebele agreed with this statement. Exchange Parkwa Mr. Friebele stated that another concern is the designation of Exchange as a 6 - lane arterial with controlled access. He stated the controlled access roadway would generally limit direct access from abutting property. He added that 43,000 vehicles trips per day is equivalent to an 8 -lane divided roadway. He does feel that the City would have the ability to control access all along Exchange Parkway. To achieve this number of vehicle trips per day on a 6 -lane roadway, you could not have a single driveway. He stated that he feels this roadway needs to be an 8 -lane divided roadway. Otherwise, the trips generated on Exchange would need to be reduced. Mr. Ferrara stated that the proponent has agreed that Exchange needs to be 8 lanes from U.S. 75 to Alma Drive. After it crosses Alma it would transition to 6 lanes, and return to 8 lanes north of Ridgeview. They have agreed to intersec- tion improvements at several locations within their property. Mr. Friebele stated he will review these improvements, but they appear to be appropriate to address his concerns. Discussion was held regarding the need for 8 lanes from Watters Branch to Alma Drive, and Mr. Friebele stated that the traffic generation indicates a need for it. Further discussion was held regarding the background traffic volumes. Mr. Petty stated that the intent of the proposal is to cross S. H. 121 with Ex- change. It is his feeling that our jurisdiction in this zoning case is the intersec- PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 21, 1993 PAGE 3 tion of Exchange with the south side of S.H. 121. This process will involve not only the City of Allen, but McKinney, Collin County, and the State of Texas. The proposal also includes a decision to widen Allen Drive west of U.S. 75 to 8 lanes, using additional turn lanes. Mr. Friebele stated that 6 lanes, with controlled access, west of Alma to Ridge - view, will be appropriate; however, peak hour demands will create a higher LOS than C. He agreed that intersection design at Alma and Exchange will allow the 6 lane transition to work. It was noted that the State's criteria will have to be met at S.H. 121 and at U.S. 75. I£ the State does not agree to the intersection at S.H. 121, then Exchange will dead end at S. H. 121. Mr. Gary Yost, Barton Ashmann, explained that controlled access is a policy of limiting curb cuts and median cuts. There was a question as to whether the proponent would agree to an 8 -lane right- of-way dedication (140') in the 6 -lane section from Alma Drive to Ridgeview, and M this issue will be clarified at the next meeting. md Mr. Whitehead suggested an ordinance might be necessary for this 6 -lane section of roadway to control the access. Mr. Yost stated that their vision is that the road be similar to Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. F.M. 2170 West (McDermott): The design of McDermott west of U.S. 75 was discussed. It will be 8 lanes from U.S. 75 to Alma Drive, and 6 lanes from Alma to Custer. Facilities agreements are in place at this time with other property owners adjacent to this roadway. The proponent's responsibility on this road is only on the north half of McDermott. Watters Road The Commission questioned whether Watters Road was appropriately designed and Mr. Friebele stated that he did not foresee the peak hour LOS dropping from C on Watters Road. COG Commissioner Allen questioned the relationship between the professional communi- ty and COG and Mr. Friebele stated that COG is a good technical resource for the area, and provides data and analysis from a regional perspective. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 21, 1993 PAGE 4 Alma Drive Commission questioned whether Alma, from McDermott to Exchange, was appro- priately designed. Mr. Friebele stated that his comment regarding this roadway was based on peak hour demands. He added that this includes a great deal of gray area, and that the numbers used to generate the analysis are most likely inflated and these are only potential problems. He does not feel that these problems will be as severe as the initial analysis indicates. He stated that he is comfortable with the plan for Alma Drive. Amendment to Thoroughfare Plan Mr. Ferrara questioned the process for amending the Thoroughfare Plan. Mr. Petty stated that this question could be brought before the City Council at the same time as the proposal goes before the Council. Bethany Drive The Commission discussed various issues relating to Bethany Drive. Facilities Agreements, etc. Mr. Keener discussed the design of Bethany Drive in the Comprehensive Plan. The proposal will include an amendment to the Thoroughfare Plan. The public hearing notification process regarding the amendment to the Thoroughfare Plan has not been completed. Mr. Terry Haines, Baldwin Company, stated that the ownership along Bethany Drive is mostly involved in this case. They have visited with Mr. Campbell, Mr. Wines, and Opubco. Proponent was questioned as to whether other property owners affected could be asked to attend the next meeting, or to send letters of support for the thoroughfare amendments proposal. Proponent advised they will attempt to contact these owners. Linear Park Access Mr. Smith stated that they are requesting a change to the Community Facilities area. They do not feel that Bethany is needed along the golf course. There is also an environmental problem. He discussed the desire to retain as many trees as possible and how this relates to the location of roadways. He stated that their proposed restrictions include strict rules for preserving the trees. He stated that as Bethany is designed on the Thoroughfare Plan it will necessitate the removal of a large number of trees and is located in a very low spot. He also discussed the need to handle the runoff from the creeks. The Commission discussed the need for access to the creeks through the golf course area. Mr. Smith discussed the natural areas that are being planned within the golf course. The Commission indicated that the realignment of Bethany is appropriate in order to save trees and for safety, and that the golf course has changed the need for PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 21, 1993 PAGE 5 access to the linear park. The intent is to maintain public access to the linear greenbelt area, which can be accomplished through residential collector streets. Traffic Generationl Communitv Facilities Tracts The Commission discussed the question of traffic generation as it relates to the Community Facilities tracts. Mr. Yost stated that the traffic generated by the schools is counted on the residential side of the equation, and should not be counted again. Mr. Friebele agreed that the CF tracts generate 0 trips. He stated that he feels that this issue is practically unimportant. The consensus was that the impact of the CF on traffic generation is negligible. Rowlett Creek Bridge The Commission questioned the design of the Rowlett Creek bridge and Mr. Smith stated it will be a piling bridge and will be situated at its present location. This location was chosen for safety reasons and to save the trees. Summary 1 Chairman Garcia indicated that there is an open issue regarding other property owners and Bethany and Exchange, regarding the intersection improvements, and the issue of Bethany as it relates to the linear parks. There was a consensus that if Mr. Friebele agrees, after review, with the intersection improvements, then the thoroughfare plan is acceptable with regard to lane widths, the 8 lane right-of-way through the 6 -lane area of Exchange was agreeable to the proponent, except for reservation regarding controlled access as mentioned above, and that the facilities agreement and the timing of the roads will be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Petty stated that the next meeting is planned to finish the thoroughfare plan issues. The Park Board will be meeting Monday night. Mr. Ferrara stated that they were requested to make a presentation at that meeting. ADJOURN: Upon a motion by Commissioner Crume and a second by Commissioner Biggs, the Commission voted 6 FOR and 0 OPPOSED to adjourn the January 21, 1993, meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission at 10:50 P.M. These minutes approved tbis_-47 day of 1993. Jo rarcia, Chairman KennetlK Fulk, Secretary