Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_P&Z_09.06.2012Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission City of Georgetown, Texas Thursday, September 6, 2012 The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Thursday , September 6, 2012. Members Present: : Ercel Brashear, Chair; Annette Montgomery, Sally Pell, John Horne, and Robert Massad Members Absent: Porter Cochran, Roland Peña Staff Present: Jordan Maddox, Principal Planner; Valerie Kreger, Principal Planner; Kathy Ragsdale, Conservation Director; Christina Richison, Planning Specialist; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary. Minutes Regular Meeting Chair Brashear called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Chair Brashear stated the order of the meeting and that those who speak must turn in a speaker form to the recording secretary before the item that they wish to address begins. Each speaker will be permitted to address the Commission once for each item, for a maximum of three (3) minutes, unless otherwise agreed to before the meeting begins. 1.Action from Executive Session. There was not an Executive Session called. Consent Agenda The Consent Agenda includes non-controversial and routine items that the Commission may act on with one single vote. A Commissioner or any member of the public may request that any item from the Consent Agenda be pulled in order that the Commission discuss and act upon it individually as part of the Regular Agenda. The Planning and Zoning Commission's approval of an item on the Consent Agenda will be consistent with the staff recommendation described in the report, unless otherwise noted. 2.Consideration of quarterly report consisting of planning and housing data. (Jordan Maddox) Maddox reported that there were no major changes to report at this time. This is based on GIS Data. Chair Brashear asked that a summary of the data changes per quarter be included. Pell appreciated the information. Motion by Pell to approve the consent agenda item. Second by Massad. Approved 5 - 0. Regular Agenda 3.Public Hearing and possible action on a Rezoning to amend a Planned Unit Development (PUD) District for 31.94 acres, known as The Summit at Rivery Park, being Lot 1, Block A, and Lots 1 - 4 and 11, Block B, of Brownstone at the Summit Phase 1, Lots 1-3, 4 (pt), and 5-7, Block A, The Rivery Park II, and Lot 2, Block A, Rivery Park, located on Rivery Boulevard. REZ-2012-006 (Valerie Kreger) Kreger presented the staff report. The applicant is requesting a third amendment to the PUD in order to list multi-family and educational uses as permitted uses in Zone A of the development. Section C is the Brownstones, Section B is the Conference Center and retail and Section A was a proposed multi use, i.e. hotels, office with upper story residential. The developer has potential new buyers for apartments or educational uses. This is an expansion of the existing uses. Additionally, certain review criteria related to the Brownstones is being updated to allow for a review process that addresses the unique nature of the project, allowing review as single-family homes not townhomes. Staff recommends approval of the requested amendments. Jeff Novak, owner and developer of the property, explained that the existing Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) currently includes education and multi-family exclusions, which was needed for original funding, but these uses are allowed to be added now that the TIRZ is established. Chair Brashear opened the Public Hearing. Brian Ortego, 125 Cedar Elm Lane, Georgetown, expressed concern that the entire Rivery project was losing its value based on the residential development being put there. He was concerned that a TIRZ is not justified and the city should not be investing so much money into this project. Chair Brashear explained that Mr. Ortego could go speak to City Council about his concerns. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:14 p.m. Mr. Novak appreciated the comment and explained that a lot of the changes in the project could be “blamed” on the economy and that the public does not really understand the TIRZ money. He explained that the TIRZ is tax money paid to the city by Novak based on the increased value of the property that is then given back to him as a rebate, to reinvest back into the property. There is not a golden check. He states he appreciates the entitlements that he has received. Motion by Montgomery to recommend to the City Council approval of the requested amendments to the Summit at Rivery Park Planned Unit Development District. Second by Pell. Approved 5 - 0. 4.Public Hearing and possible action on a Rezoning of 51.82 acres in the Flores Survey from the Residential (RS) District to the Public Facilities (PF) District for the Georgetown Community Solar project, located near San Gabriel Park. REZ-2012-010 (Jordan Maddox) Maddox presented the staff report. The applicant is the city that is requesting to rezone a portion of the old landfill site adjacent to the San Gabriel River to allow part of the property to be used as a proposed solar farm that would allow the community to invest in a renewable energy and receive a financial return on the energy generated. This is an appropriate zoning for this use and other public facility uses also. Staff recommends approval of this request. Kathy Ragsdale, Conservation Director for the City, explained that the proposed system would be a 1 - 2 megawatts facility that will feed into the distribution system. The exact benefit to the public is still being analyzed . Pell asked if this land could ever be used for anything else. Ragsdale explained that it was an old landfill, surrounded by the San Gabriel River and the wastewater treatment plant, so not likely. Brashear opened the Public Hearing. Brian Ortego, 125 Cedar Elm Lane, Georgetown, spoke in favor of the project stating it gives the people an option to buy into the project. Motion by Massad to recommend to City Council approval of the request to rezone the 51.82 acres in the Flores Survey from Residential (RS) to Public Facilities (PF). Second by Horne. Approved. (5-0) 5.Questions or comments from Commissioners-in-Training about the actions and matters considered on this agenda. 6.Reminder of the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. 7.Adjourn Chair Brashear adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m.