Planning Commission recommends approvals on multiple rezoning, PUD and abandonments; also approves subdivision code amendment

The City of Waco Planning Commission on Jan. 28 recommended approval of multiple land-use items, a planned-unit development, two right-of-way abandonments and an amendment to the city’s subdivision ordinance. The commission also continued one Baylor University rezoning for additional neighborhood outreach (see separate article).

Key actions taken by the commission, all recommendations to the City Council unless otherwise noted, included:

• Z-25-1: Special permit for an auto body shop — The commission recommended approval of a special permit for an auto body shop in an M-2 zoning district for property described as Lot 36, Block B, The Crow Scales addition (318 Depot Drive). Planning Services reported 22 notices mailed and 0 returns. Staff based its recommendation on findings that the use complies with the comprehensive plan, is compatible with surrounding development and will not be more objectionable than permitted uses in the district; staff cited section 28-122 of the City of Waco Zoning Ordinance for special-permit findings. Motion to recommend approval was made by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Embry; roll call recorded yes votes from Allen, Embry, Givens, Ingram, Smith, Pickers and Cole.

• Z-25-2: Land-use plan change and rezoning from C-3 to R-2 — Planning Services recommended approval of a change from mixed-use flex to medium-density residential/office flex and rezoning from C-3 to R-2 for multiple Summer Avenue and North 19th Street parcels (addresses included 1925, 1923 and 1917 Summer Avenue; 1915 and 1911 Summer Avenue; and a property on North 19th Street). Staff reported 40 mailed notices and 0 returns. Commissioners voted to recommend approval (motion by Commissioner Smith; second by Commissioner Vickers). Roll call recorded yes votes from Allen, Campbell, Embry, Givens, Ingram, Smith, Vickers and Cole.

• Z-25-4: Final PUD (Fourth Street PUD) — The commission recommended approval of the final Planned Unit Development for the Fourth Street PUD on approximately 1.03 acres at 3212 South Fourth Street (Lot 2, Block 1, James R. Kersey addition). Planning Services listed conditions including submission of full building plans that meet City of Waco development requirements, compliance with college and university district overlay standards, site grading and drainage, parking, signage, access, landscaping and fire protection; building permits will not be issued until full compliance is met, and required planting must occur before permit issuance. Motion by Commissioner Smith and second by Commissioner Vickers; roll call recorded affirmative votes (Campbell, Embry, Givens, Ingram, Smith, Vickers and Cole).

• AVD-25-1: Three right-of-way abandonments for parcels around the McLennan County Courthouse and annex — A request by Walker Partners on behalf of McLennan County to abandon three small right-of-way tracts in the block containing the McLennan County Courthouse and annex was recommended for approval with conditions. Planning Services said the abandonments will support courthouse and annex renovation and listed conditions including rerouting a public sewer line and transferring ownership of the sewer line to McLennan County after rerouting, retention of a general utility easement in the 20-foot alley area, installation of removable bollards for fire-department access, required platting of the tracks with adjoining lots, and coordination on utility relocation or retained easements at developer expense. Motion by Commissioner Smith and second by Commissioner Embry; roll call recorded yes votes from Allen, Campbell, Henry, Givens, Ingram, Smith, Vickers and Cole.

• ABD-25-2: Alley abandonment (1210 Kellum Street area) — A request by Blackland Surveying LLC for abandonment of a 0.0256-acre portion of a 15-foot alley in the Paul Quinn addition (adjacent to 1210 Kellum Street) was recommended for approval with the condition that any utilities in the abandoned tract be retained by easement or relocated at the developer’s expense. Staff reported the alley was undeveloped and not in active use and that abandonment would promote infill residential development. Motion to recommend approval by Commissioner Smith, second by Commissioner Vickers; roll call recorded yes votes from Allen, Campbell, Embry, Givens, Ingram, Smith, Vickers and Cole.

• Ordinance amendments (Appendix B — Subdivisions) — City staff presented a public hearing on proposed ordinance amendments to Appendix B (Subdivisions) to remove embedded design criteria for streets, stormwater, water and wastewater and instead reference the city’s most recently adopted design criteria documents; the amendments also included updates to definitions and document titles. Staff recommended approval and the commission voted to recommend the amendment (motion by Commissioner Smith; second by Commissioner Givens). Roll call on this item recorded affirmative responses from multiple members on the record.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Z-25-1 (Special permit for auto body shop at 318 Depot Drive): Motion by Smith; second Embry. Vote — Allen (yes), Embry (yes), Givens (yes), Ingram (yes), Smith (yes), Pickers (yes), Cole (yes). Outcome: recommended approval to City Council. - Z-25-2 (Land-use change and rezoning to R-2 for Summer Ave/N. 19th St parcels): Motion by Smith; second Vickers. Vote — Allen (yes), Campbell (yes), Embry (yes), Givens (yes), Ingram (yes), Smith (yes), Vickers (yes), Cole (yes). Outcome: recommended approval to City Council. - Z-25-4 (Fourth Street Final PUD at 3212 S. Fourth St): Motion by Smith; second Vickers. Vote — Campbell (yes), Embry (yes), Givens (yes), Ingram (yes), Smith (yes), Vickers (yes), Cole (yes). Outcome: recommended approval with conditions. - AVD-25-1 (Three abandonments for McLennan County Courthouse block): Motion by Smith; second Embry. Vote — Allen (yes), Campbell (yes), Henry (yes), Givens (yes), Ingram (yes), Smith (yes), Vickers (yes), Cole (yes). Outcome: recommended approval with conditions. - ABD-25-2 (Alley abandonment adjacent to 1210 Kellum St): Motion by Smith; second Vickers. Vote — Allen (yes), Campbell (yes), Embry (yes), Givens (yes), Ingram (yes), Smith (yes), Vickers (yes), Cole (yes). Outcome: recommended approval with condition.

Several items had no public opposition on the record; a small number of items did draw neighborhood questions off the docket after votes. The commission adjourned at approximately 9:24 p.m.