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MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 5:30 P.M.
Chairman Bill Purifoy called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 11977 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas.
Members Present: Others Present: Bill Purifoy, Chairman Ruthie Sager, City Administrator Bob Croyle, Vice Chairman Steve Smith, Director of Public Works Gary Orr Jay Smyre, Council Representative for P&Z Gerald Teel Andrew Newton
Absent: Joel Phipps Al Augustine
1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING MINUTES OF July 31, 2008 Motion was made by Bob Croyle and seconded by Gerald Teel to approve the minutes of July 31, 2008 minutes as submitted. Motion carried 5-0. 2. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A REQUEST FOR A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL SIGN TO BE LOCATED AT THE MEMORIAL DRIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 12211 MEMORIAL DRIVE, HOUSTON, TEXAS, 77024. John Jobe, Property Committee Chairman of the Memorial Drive Lutheran Church presented a letter to Ruthie Sager prior to the meeting being called to order. The letter states the following: “Peter Yong requested that a new church sign for his Lutheran Church be erected adjacent to our church sign within the confines of our property. This matter was taken to a congregational vote at our spring meeting and passed. On behalf of the church I give permission for Peter Yong to purchase his sign and erect it next to our sign on our property.”
Peter Yong stated that his congregation, of about 30 people, requested that they be allowed to erect an additional sign at the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church to identify the location of the Korean True Presbyterian Church. The Korean Church is holding service at this location on Sunday afternoons, at 2 p.m.
Members of the Commission reviewed the proposed sign and stated that it does not meet the requirements for institutional signs. Mr. Yong was asked to come back to the Commission with a sign that meets the requirements stated in the zoning ordinance.
3. PRESENTATION BY BUILDING OFFICIAL TO REVIEW SUGGESTED CHANGE TO DEFINITION OF “NEW CONSTRUCTION” IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE Mr. Smith stated that the definition of remodeling or modification of an existing structure is defined in the city’s ordinance as an increase in valuation of the structure by 50% of the appraised value of the structure as set forth in the most recent Harris County Appraisal District appraisal role.
Permitting Example: If the improvement is on the tax roll at a value of $50,000, the property owner is allowed to do $25,000 in remodeling projects without bringing the entire building to current code. If the improvement is on the tax roll at a value of $200,000 they are allowed improvements of up to $100,000. The International Residential Code does not require permitting for items considered cosmetic, only structural, electrical and plumbing. This leaves an older house with a very low slab that does not meet the current slab requirement to remain. In the rain event in April, 2009, the reported homes that flooded were all older with very low slabs. The city has spent a considerable amount of money on drainage but still has issues with older homes and slabs that do not meet current codes. Commission members agreed that blending the older homes with the new ones becomes very difficult regarding drainage. After a lengthy discussion on the matter, Mr. Smith was asked to investigate further how other cities are handling the issue.
4. ADJOURN Motion was made by Gary Orr and seconded by Gerald Teel to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
Approved and accepted on January 28, 2010.
___________________________________ Bill Purifoy, Chairman
Attest:
____________________________________ Ruthie P. Sager City Administrator |
