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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - Planning and Zoning Commission - 1994 - 07/27 - WorkshopALLEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING JULY 27, 1994 Kenneth Fulk, Acting Chairman Harold Biggs Jeffery Kelley Steve Allen John Garcia, Chairman Douglas Gallagher, Vice -Chairman Noel Crume George Conner Tom Keener, Development Coordinator Sally Leeper, Secretary With a quorum of the Commissioners present, the Allen Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Acting Chairman Fulk at the City Council Chambers, One Butler Circle, Allen, Texas. DISCUSSION OF TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE: The Commission considered the revised Tree Preservation Ordinance dated July 14, 1994 The following comments and recommended changes were made: Mr Tary Arberburn indicated the following changes have been made: PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JULY 27, 1994 PAGE 2 1. Tract 8b and 9 have been added to the purpose. 2. Page 29, Section E on preliminary plat has been added indicating an aerial tree survey would be submitted at the time of preliminary plat. On -the -ground survey might be requested by staff. 3 Section F - Regards final plat and included information regarding tree removal. 4 Page 30, Item I - regards removal of trees outside buildable area; trees would be replaced with trees of comparable species. 5. Page 31 - approved species list; native to this area of Texas, except Bald Cypress. 6. Section K- Gives developer flexibility for grading variances in the right-of-way 7 Page 32 - Tree preservation easement along property lines. 8. Page 31, K - regards grading variance; HW should be changed to may C The Commissioners expressed the following concerns: 1. Commission suggested that Tracts 3, 3A, 5, 5A be included in the tree preservation policy; however, proponent requested that these parcels not be included in this policy, recognizing that they would be covered by any future tree preservation ordinance that should be adopted by the City Mr. Arterburn suggested adding text indicating that "tree policy submitted. on all tracts of this planned development." 2. Commissioner Kelly clarified that the trees would be replaced inch for inch; however, street rights-of-way, utility easements and building pads are exempt. 3 The proponent discussed the fact that the Watters Crossing and Twin Creeks develop- ments are not at this time subject to a tree preservation ordinance. 4 Paragraph B - Definitions Buildable Area: includes structure (house pad), driveway, improvements. The buildable area is that land within the setbacks. The only trees covered under the policy are those outside the building line on each lot except for areas where driveways and other exempt structures are. Mr Rich stated that he would remove the term "pool and other construction or attached building improvements" from the definition. He added that as a developer he will be required to remove trees during the develop- ment process, and these are the trees intended to be covered under this policy at the time of development. Mr. Rich further indicated that the term "parking lots" will be removed from "buildable area." The text would read "that portion of the building site PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JULY 27, 1994 PAGE 3 area on which a structure or attached building improvement may be erected as shown on the site plan." 5. Section B-2 - Drip Line - OK 6. Section B-3 - Historic tree - OK 7 Section 4 - Person - OK 8. Specimen tree - OK 9 Tree diameter should be changed to caliper measured at 41h feet. 10. At this point in the meeting Ms. Mary McDermott Cook expressed concern regarding the lower canopy trees in the definition of "tree." Mr. Arterburn indicated that if it would be required to preserve all the under -story trees, it will be too difficult to monitor. Mr. Rich further indicated that these smaller trees often can be relocated. Commissioner Kelley suggested adding a definition of 'lower story trees" and a statement that they be preserved or relocated if possible. He suggested that possibly the understory trees could become specimen trees. Mr. Arterburn suggested adding text under the "intent" of the policy that it is the intent to preserve the important under -story trees. He added that the majority of under -story trees are located in the areas defined as parkland. Mr. Rich stated he would be willing to include a limited list of under -story trees. 11. Yard Area - Comprehensive Zoning Code should be changed to ordinance. 12. Page 29-C - OK 13. Section C5 - Plats approved by the City Council should be changed to Planning & Zoning Commission, Add private rights -of -ways and easements not indicated on plats. 14. All exclusions should be included in this exclusions section: building pad, rights-of- way, easements on a public plat. 15 Section D - no comments 16. Section E - Preliminary plat - Director of Planning should be replaced with Dwart- ment of Community Development wherever it appears in the document. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JULY 27, 1994 PAGE 4 17 Section F - Final Plat - no fee is indicated for permit to remove, etc. It was indicated that this would be included in the fees to be paid for plat application or building permit. 18. Section F-1 - OK 19 Section F-2 - Mr. Rich indicated that these requirements are intended to be used at the time a permit for removal of trees is requested. This paragraph only comes into play if the developer is requesting a permit to remove trees. He stated that the on - the -ground survey which can be required at the time of preliminary plat should take care of the proper layout of streets and alleys. 20. Section G - OK 21. Section H -1-B - This section conflicts with other ordinances and "addresses emergen- cy clause." Add text "at the discretion of City Staff." 22. Section H -1-C - OK 23. Section H-2 - Question regarding adjacent areas for equipment. Mr Rich stated he would eliminate this language. 24. Mr. Arterburn questioned whether this paragraph would suffice for the earlier dis- cussed exceptions paragraph This could be moved next to "Applicability " 25 Section I - May be required should be changed to shall. 26. Section J - Drip line. It was discussed that this is an industry standard term. 27 Term City Council should be changed to City Staff. Consideration should be given to the repetitiveness of this section - see Section H. 28. Section L - Change 1YW to may 29 Section M - OK Mr. Arterburn stated that revised copies of the tree preservation policy will be available for the July 28th meeting. Acting Chairman Falk read into the record the following statement from Leah Magruder of the Park Board: PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JULY 27, 1994 PAGE 5 "It is at this time that the Allen Parks & Recreation Board is unable to make a recommendation concerning the Villages of Sun Creek. Due to time constraints, our recommendation will most likely be brought forward after our August board meeting. Thank you.° MOTION: Upon a motion by Commissioner Biggs and a second by Commissioner Kelley, the Commission voted 4 FOR and 0 OPPOSED to adjourn the July 27, 1994, meeting at 10:35 p.m. These minutes approved this l/ day of , 1994 John arcia, Mairman Kenneth Fulk, Secretary