Planning & Zoning Commission

255 E. Parkway Boulevard City of Coppell, Texas Coppell, Texas 75019-9478 Minutes Planning & Zoning Commission Thursday, October 15, 2020 6:00 PM ZOOM Meeting Edmund Haas Glenn Portman (Chair) (Vice Chair) Sue Blankenship Freddie Guerra Ed Maurer Doug Robinson Jim Walker PRESENT: Chairman, Edmund Haas; Vice Chair, Glenn Portman; Commissioner Sue Blankenship; Commissioner Ed Maurer; Commissioner Freddie Guerra; and Commissioner Jim Walker. ABSENT: Commissioner Doug Robinson Also present were Mary Paron-Boswell, Senior Planner; Matt Steer, Development Services Administrator; Kumar Gali, Engineering Assistant Director; Julian Coleman, Audio Video Technician; and Kami McGee, Planning Secretary. As authorized by Section 418.016(e) of the Texas Government Code, on March 16, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott suspended various provisions that require government officials and members of the public to be physically present at a specified meeting location. Notice is hereby given that the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Coppell, Texas, met in Regular Called Session at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2020, via Zoom Meeting. As authorized by Section 551.127, of the Texas Government Code, one or more Commission members or employees may attend this meeting remotely using videoconferencing technology. As authorized by Section 551.071(2) of the Texas Government Code, this meeting may be convened into closed Executive Session for the purpose of seeking confidential legal advice from the City Attorney on any agenda item listed herein. The City of Coppell reserves the right to reconvene, recess or realign the Work Session or called Executive Session or order of business at any time prior to adjournment. City of Coppell, Texas Page 1 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes October 15, 2020 The following requirements have been suspended by the governor: 1. A quorum of the Planning and Zoning Commission need not be present at one physical location. Id. § 551.127(b). 2. In light of (1), above, the meeting notice need not specify where the quorum of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be physically present and the intent to have a quorum present. Id. § 551.127(e). 3. In light of (1) above, the meeting held by video conference call is not required to be open to the public at a location where commission is present. Id. § 551.127(f). 4. The audio and video are not required to meet minimum standards established by Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) rules, the video doesn't have to be sufficient that a member of the public can observe the demeanor of the participants, the members faces don't have to be clearly visible at all times, and the meeting can continue even if a connection is lost, so long as a quorum is still present. Id. § 551.127(a-3); (h); (i); (j). This meeting is closed to in person attendance by the public to reduce the spread of COVID-19. A temporary suspension of the Open Meetings Act to allow telephone or video conference of public meetings has been granted by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Letters and emails may be submitted by any citizen of the City or other party of interest to express his or her opinion concerning this agenda or other general comments to the Commission. Comments were read into the record during the Citizens Appearance portion of the meeting. Letters may be addressed to the City of Coppell Planning Division, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, TX 75019, by email to planning@coppelltx.gov, or by calling the Planning Division at 972-304-3678. The purpose of this meeting was to consider the following items: 1. Call To Order. Chairman Haas called the meeting to order and convened into Work Session at 6:00p.m. 2. Work Session (Open to the Public) 3. Discussion regarding agenda items. Regular Session (Open to the Public) Chairman Haas called the Regular Session to order at 6:30 p.m. 4. Citizens' Appearance. Chairman Haas advised no one signed up to speak at Citizen's Appearance. 5. Consider approval of the September 17, 2020 Planning & Zoning minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Guerra, seconded by Commissioner City of Coppell, Texas Page 2 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes October 15, 2020 Blankenship, to approve the minutes as written. The motion passed unanimously, (6-0). 6. PUBLIC HEARING: Consider approval of PD-240R6R2-HC, Hat Creek Burger Company, a zoning change request from PD-240R6R-HC (Planned Development-240-Revision 6 Revised - Highway Commercial) to PD-240R6R2-HC (Planned Development-240-Revision 6 Revision 2 - Highway Commercial), to allow a painted sign in lieu of channel letters and to allow for an additional 127 square feet of signage on an approximately 3,000 square-foot restaurant, located at the northwest quadrant of SH 121 and Denton Tap Road, at the request of Scott Brown, the Property Owner, being represented by Tyler Smith of Comet Signs. STAFF REP.: Mary Paron-Boswell Mary Paron-Boswell, presented the case with exhibits and stated that Staff is recommending consideration of PD-240R6R2-HC, Hat Creek Burger Company, subject to the following conditions: 1. If approved, revise the elevation sheets to accurately reflect the signage. The Commission discussed the current Sign Ordinance and the time frame to begin revisions on the ordinance. Mrs. Paron-Boswell stated that the revision and update process could begin within the next year. Scott Brown, Owner of Hat Creek Burger Company, 4407 Bee Caves Road, Austin TX, was present to answer questions by the Commission regarding methods and costs for removing the logo. Mr. Smith stated that the cost could vary if removing it is not cosmetically correct. Tyler Smith, Comet Signs, 2703 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75235, was present to discuss methods Comet Signs would use to remove the logo. Mr. Smith stated that Comet Signs would use either acid wash, which could discolor the brick or, find a paint to match the brick and paint over it. Chairman Haas opened the Public Hearing and advised that no one wished to speak. Chairman Haas closed the public hearing. Commissioner Blankenship stated the existing variance is already over the allowed square footage, and that she could not support a recommendation of approval. Commissioner Guerra stated that his concern was maintaining continuity and was in agreement with Mrs. Blankenship. Commissioner Maurer stated his concern was the potential damage to the building after the sign was removed. Commissioner Walker stated that visibility of the sign was minimal due to the location of it on the building and suggested to table it until the updated Sign Ordinance is completed, to see if the sign complies with the new revisions. City of Coppell, Texas Page 3 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes October 15, 2020 Chairman Haas stated that his concern was setting a precedence for an area that does not currently allow this. Vice Chairman Portman stated that he could not support the approval of the request due to the size of the sign being over the allowed square footage. Commissioner Maurer stated that the Commission should consider what the potential damage could be and the potential downside risk of the removal. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Portman, seconded by Commissioner Blankenship, to deny the request. The vote on the motion was 5-1, with Commissioner Maurer voting in opposition. The motion to deny the request was carried by majority vote, (5-1). 7. Update on City Council items. Senior Planner, Mary Paron-Boswell, provided an update on the October 13, 2020 City Council items. 8. Adjournment. There being no further business before the Planning & Zoning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m. The City of Coppell acknowledges its responsibility to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Thus, in order to assist individuals with disabilities who require special services (i.e. sign interpretative services, alternative audio/visual devices, and amanuenses) for participation in or access to the City of Coppell sponsored public programs, services, and/or meetings, the City requests that individuals makes requests for these services seventy-two (72) hours – three (3) business days ahead of the scheduled program, service, and/or meeting. To make arrangements, contact Kori Allen, ADA Coordinator, or other designated official at (972) 462-0022, or (TDD 1-800-RELAY, TX 1-800-735-2989). ____________________________ Edmund Haas, Chair ____________________________ Kami McGee, Secretary City of Coppell, Texas Page 4