11.16.2010 P&Z Minutesi 1�
TOWN OF
SPER
Prosper is a place where everyone matters.
1. Call to Order / Roll Call.
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m.
Roll call taken by Melanie Videan, Planning Technician.
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
Prosper Planning & Zoning Commission
108 W. Broadway Street, Prosper, Texas
Town of Prosper Municipal Chambers
Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 6:00 p.m.
Commissioners present included: Chair Mark DeMattia, Vice Chair Mike McClung, Secretary Herb
Trenham, Christopher Blair, Chris Keith, Rick Turner, and Jim Cox.
Staff present included: Hulon T. Webb, Jr., Director of Development Services/Town Engineer; Chris
Copple, Planning & Zoning Manager; Wade Harden, Parks and Recreation Senior Planner; and Melanie
Videan, Planning Technician.
2. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA
3a. Consider and act upon minutes from the following Planning & Zoning Commission meeting:
• November 2, 2010 Regular Meeting
3b. Consider and act upon a final plat of Hunter Gateway Centre, Block A, Lots 4 and 7, and a
conveyance plat of Hunter Gateway Centre, Block A, Lots 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8 on 17.2f acres,
located on the northeast corner of U.S. 380 and La Cima Boulevard. The property is zoned
Planned Development-2 (PD-2). (D10-0026).
3c. Consider and act upon a final plat of Barnes Addition, Block A, Lots 1 and 2, on 2.6t acres,
located on the east side of Parvin Street, 200t feet south of Seventh Street (304 N. Parvin
Street). The property is zoned Single Family-15 (SF-15). (D10-0027).
Motioned by McClung, seconded by Trenham to approve item 3a, and items 3b and 3c subject to staff
recommendations. Motion approved 7-0.
REGULAR AGENDA
4. A public hearing to consider and act upon a request to rezone 24.5t acres, located on the north
side of Fishtrap Road, 500t feet east of F.M. 1385, from Agricultural (A) to Planned
Development -Retail (PD-R). (Z10-0019).
Summary
Copple: Summarized request to rezone, and briefed on conditions surrounding the subject property including
the densities of Savannah & Glenbrooke. Informed on items proposed in the planned development which
includes the following: 1) permitted uses, 2) building height and distance from residential districts, and 3)
requirement of conceptual plan approval before development of the property. Advised the request does
satisfy criteria set forth in the Comprehensive Plan to deviate from the Future Land Use Plan, and the
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Commission should evaluate whether a Specific Use Permit should be required for certain uses as noted in
the staff report. Informed notification was given in accordance with State law, and six reply forms were
received by the Planning Division with none in opposition to the request. Recommended approval.
Discussion
Trenham: Asked staff if past questions regarding building height had been asked or addressed.
Blair: Asked staff how the concept plan would be presented.
DeMattia: Commented on the preference to have a concept plan included with the zoning request, as there
would be an opportunity at a later date to alter the said plan.
Copple: Explained town standards regarding building height and the purpose for the applicant requesting to
postpone the concept plan, which is typically Exhibit D in the zoning request.
Motioned by McClung, seconded by Blair to open the public hearing. Motion passed 7-0.
Public Hearing Discussion
Scott Norris (applicant): Extended explanation on purpose for postponing submittal of Exhibit D (concept
plan), noting they will, at a later date, submit a detailed concept plan. Gave presentation showing future
thoroughfare configurations and surrounding area from an aerial perspective, noting an expected higher
traffic count for F.M. 1385 once the general area is populated with a higher density. Answered Commission
questions with regards to the following: 1) open storage as a secondary use to compliment the primary use
(such as a Lowe's or Home Depot), 2) the indoor gun range use is included as there may all ready be a user,
3) the proposed height would be to accommodate hotel or office uses, noting proper screening would be
constructed, and 4) explained the benefit of a four story or sixty foot structure for hotel or office uses, noting
optimal use of square footage and elevator expense.
McClung: Concerned with the mini -warehouse, open storage, and indoor gun range uses. Commented the
building height appears undesirable near residential uses. Asked what role a four story or sixty foot structure
plays in the success of the development.
DeMattia: Asked for clarification on which uses would consist of four stories, or sixty feet in height.
Blair: Asked applicant if the intention of the development is to be similar to Frisco Square in regards to the
height of the buildings.
Mike Smith (resident): Concerned with the building height, noting his level of concern hindered on the
location of the hotel. Also concerned with the indoor gun range use, but as long as it meets the Town's noise
ordinance, does not oppose the use.
Motioned by Keith, seconded by McClung to close the public hearing. Motion passed 7-0.
Discussion
Keith: Concerned with the building height. Voiced interest that only one reply from the public hearing
notices appeared to be from a resident, while the other replies were from developers. Supported request to
rezone and the possibility of requiring a Specific Use Permit for certain uses.
Turner: Concerned with the two hundred foot separation between the residential areas and the non-
residential buildings that would be four stories or sixty feet in height. Also concerned with the open storage
use being in proximity to residential areas. Mirrored Commissioner Keith's interest on who replied to the
public hearing notice.
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Trenham: Concerned with the two hundred foot separation, as the uses on the property are unknown at this
time. Noted that while a Specific Use Permit does allow some control as to what use goes on the property, it
is unfair to the developer. Commented on the ease of settling the building height issue now instead of later.
Supports the mixture of business and retail, commenting on his experience with residential above office or
retail, noting such uses of less than three stories tend to be unsuccessful.
DeMattia: Preferred to eliminate mini -warehouse and indoor gun range from the list of uses. Suggested
allowing four stories or sixty feet for building height, but restrict such heights to hotel or office use only, and
eliminate open storage from the list of uses.
Cox: Commented that the presence of one use will drive the presence of the next use and so forth. Shared
concerns of other Commissioners; however, asked Commission about their objections to the indoor gun
range.
Blair: Asked Commissioner McClung to clarify which type of open storage he objects to. Voiced support
for the request in general, given the realignment of F.M. 1385, but concerned with the four stories or sixty
foot height and the potential for open storage as a primary use, but not as a secondary use. Relayed no
objection to an indoor gun range, and agreed on limiting the four stories or sixty foot building height to hotel
or office use only. Noted the preference to view a concept plan.
McClung: Voiced support and reiterated his concerns regarding the three uses he previously noted and
regarding the building height. Answered Commissioner Blair that he would support an open storage use as a
secondary use to the primary use, such as that seen with a Lowe's or a Home Depot retail store.
Scott Norris (applicant): Suggested the mini -warehouse use is a good one, provided that additional
screening is required per the planned development. Noted the planned development requires a Specific Use
Permit for an indoor gun range. Indicated such buildings with height of four stories or sixty feet would have
a retail use between it and the residential areas, noting the line of site would be hindered by screening and the
use between.
Commission members and the applicant discussed right-of-way, setbacks, usability, and availability of land.
Copple: Noted the Zoning Ordinance does have certain requirements for open storage, especially with
regards to screening. Informed the proposed setbacks exceed requirements for the Commercial Corridor
district, which is a common district along US 380 and the Dallas North Tollway. Informed on certain uses
with regards to open storage.
Motioned by McClung to approve item subject to revisions in the planned development to eliminate indoor
gun range, mini -warehouse, and open storage as allowable uses, and to restrict building height to two stories
or forty feet. Motion died due to lack of a second.
Motioned by Blair, seconded by Cox to approve item subject to revisions in the planned development to
eliminating open storage as an allowable use, and limit building heights of four stories or sixty feet to hotel
and office uses only. Motion approved 5-2 with Commissioners Keith and McClung in opposition.
5. A public hearing to consider and act upon an amendment to Sections 10.5 (Sidewalks) and
10.13 (Thoroughfare Screening) of the Town's Subdivision Ordinance. (SA10-0001).
Summary
Copple: Summarized recommended amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance including the purpose of
such, providing background information on the Visioning Committee and items they discussed and current
standards and options developers have. Presented examples of thoroughfare screening and sidewalks,
including berms seen throughout the town. Addressed the Prosper Developers Council (herein called the
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PDC) comments to the proposed amendments. Presented the Commission with a revised redline to address
comments one through four of the PDC's comment letter.
Discussion
DeMattia: Commented on items one through four on the PDC's comment list as adequate. Asked questions
regarding thoroughfare screening material.
Blair: Asked about language on item one on the PDC's comment list.
McClung: Asked for clarification regarding sidewalks.
Copple: Affirmed items one through four of the PDC's comments are adequately addressed by the revised
redline. Clarified what is currently allowed and what would be allowed with the proposed amendment.
Motioned by McClung, seconded by Turner to open the public hearing. Motion passed 7-0.
Public Hearing Discussion
Matt Robinson (PDC President): Noted the PDC comments are taken from experiences in the field and
briefed on PDC, concerns which included limits on screening with certain types of residential uses, and
screening on collector roads (preferring to not categorize such roads with thoroughfares). Noted that a
planned development can cite specific criteria with regards to thoroughfare screening and landscaping.
Shawn Gillian (LandPlan): Commented on experienced success with eight foot sidewalks, but noted
meandering of such causes a "race track" feel. Commented the proposed amendment locks the locations of
large and small trees, and can pose certain restraints, especially along collector road. Suggested the
amendment does not address culverts, transformers, et cetera.
George Dupont (Visioning Committee member): Summarized purpose, activities, and results of the
Visioning Committee meetings, explaining the difference between a "thoroughfare feel" versus a "parkway
feel", adding the proposed twenty five foot setback allows for the "parkway feel".
McClung: Asked staff the following: 1) to explain the difference between a collector road and a major
thoroughfare, and 2) where these amendments would apply at.
Cox: Asked if issues which concern the PDC could be addressed with a planned development rather then in
the proposed amendment.
Blair: Commented on collector roads.
Copple: Explained the difference between a collector road and a major thoroughfare, noting the amendment
would apply to all road types in the Thoroughfare Plan, and that developers can voluntarily choose to have
collector roads through their development, citing Three Stones as an example with their planned
development. Clarified a property not platted would not have vested rights, and would therefore be subject
to the amendment, unless otherwise specified in their planned developments.
Motioned by Keith, seconded by Trenham to close the public hearing. Motion passed 7-0.
Discussion
Cox: Supported the open feel of thoroughfares, but concerned with the wrought iron fences with regards to
children. Preferred to see the issue addressed with a planned development. Agreed the amendment should
be further discussed.
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Blair: Supported the plant selection, but felt the need to for radii to be straightened. Preferred to keep the
requirement for landscape approval three months rather than six months as suggested by the PDC. Not in
support of the wrought iron fence, suggesting more discussion on the matter to consider alternatives.
Understood the need for flexibility, as each development is unique.
Trenham: Supported an approval timeframe of three months, and supported the amendment, noting any
deviations can be corrected with planned developments.
McClung: Supported amendment as written with revisions to include PDC comments one through four, but
not five and six on the PDC comment list.
DeMattia: Clarified to the Commission the document of which they need to reference and comment on,
which is the amendment, not the PDC comment list. Agreed the amendment needed further study and
consideration. Asked staff to email PDC comments to the Visioning Committee members and solicit for
feedback.
Turner: Commented on the amendment's ability to limit a homeowners options, noting the wrought iron
fence could allow pets and children to go through the wall to the thoroughfare. Understood the desire for an
open feel, but noted the need for privacy and security. Preferred to not have such a uniform regulation on
these matters, and instead would like to see them addressed in planned developments.
Keith: Cited items five and six on the PDC comments appears ambiguous, and asked for clarification on
what was to be approved. Agreed the amendment may need to be studied further before approval.
George Dupont: Explained that lot depths would remain as required by the planned development.
Matt Robinson: Noted having wrought iron fencing would force Homeowners Association (herein called the
HOA) deed restrictions.
Scott Norris (PDC member): Requested the Commission specify an appeals process for staff to adhere to as
a part of the amendment, otherwise, appeals would, by default be heard by the Board of Adjustment whom
would deny such requests as no developer would meet the requirements to warrant a variance from the
amendment. Informed that rezoning to a planned development for the purpose of deviation from the
thoroughfare screening and sidewalk requirements would not financially be worth it to a developer.
Kenneth Dugger (Visioning Committee member): Commented on item four of the PDC comment list. Asked
staff to add language to the amendment to address the issue of material behind a wrought iron fence being the
decision of the HOA. Cited Whispering Farms as an example of wrought iron fencing along a thoroughfare.
Webb: Explained the task the Visioning Committee was charged with, noting the desire for flexibility in
making parkways their own, but to have a consistency about their character. Cited the screening along
Prosper Trail as an example of existing fencing that is open. Asked the Commission to keep in mind the
landscaping will eventually grow to cover the wrought iron fence.
Committee members, staff, and PDC members discussed wooden fencing being adjacent to to ornamental
metal fencing.
Copple: Clarified the Commission can recommend other materials for thoroughfare screening to the
Council. Briefed on the appeals process, agreeing the matter could be further explored by the Commission.
Informed should the item be tabled, staff will deliver the same recommendation as that suggested by the
Visioning Committee, and then the Commission can recommend approval to the Council subject to their
suggested revisions.
Motioned by Cox, seconded by Blair to table the item until the December 7, 2010 Planning & Zoning
Commission meeting. Motion approved 7-0.
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6. Possibly direct Town Staff to schedule topic(s) for discussion at a future meeting.
Discussion
McClung: Requested a discussion item on the December 7, 2010 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting
agenda to gain a consensus on what the Commission would like to discuss with Town Council.
Adjourn
Motioned by McClung, seconded by Turner to adjourn. Motion approved 7-0.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Melanie Y. V"n, Planning Technician
Herb Trenham, Secretary
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