Video index

1. CALL TO ORDER
Councilman Aaron Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the absence of Mayor Mary M. Dennis

2. INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A moment of silence was observed followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

4. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

A. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A RECOMMENDATION AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY’S ZONING REGULATIONS, APPENDIX A-ZONING REGULATIONS, ARTICLE II-SECTION 5: COMPLIANCE REQUIRED, REGARDING BUILDING MATERIAL AND MASONRY REQUIREMENTS.

Councilman Dahl read the item description for the official record and opened the Joint Public Hearing at 7:03 p.m.

a. Applicant Presentation - Staff introduce the item in "Staff Presentation"

b. Staff Presentation - Ms. Matney began her presentation with the history of the current ordinance mentioning the following points:

Masonry Ordinance has been effective since 1984 since its last revision

Over the next year, staff will bring forward revisions for review on several of the old ordinances.

Two variances pertaining to the masonry requirement has been filed recently for a commercial development.

Staff recommends retaining the aesthetics portion of the ordinance in tact but updating the portion for approved building materials with an exception approved by the City Manager for innovative designs or materials and allowances for national brands.

Some commercial developments now require branding requirements that do not meet our aging ordinance.

New innovative products now on the market include, green products, energy efficient and require smaller footprint and are used by commercial development worldwide and internationally.

Currently the ordinance requires ¾ masonry on exterior walls and 100% masonry on exterior walls of the first floor fronting the street side of the business.

The changes proposed would allow for exceptions approved by the City Manager when it does not meet our masonry requirement as it currently reads in the ordinance.

Lengthy conversations at staff level have occurred for months on the masonry topic; all decisions or exceptions would be brought to the City Council and Planning & Zoning’s attention as they are approved.

Currently, two businesses that have variances to our masonry ordinances approved through a Variance request public hearing are Texas Roadhouse and Southland Log Homes. (Ms. Matney provided pictures of both businesses)

Provided examples of innovative designs using materials like glass, metal, painted aluminum and wood for both commercial and residential buildings that are not approved materials but very beautiful.

Staff recommends the approval of the exception so that the City does not miss out on an opportunity for an international business to build in our city due to a stringent masonry ordinance.

New language would allow for an exception while retaining the spirit and purpose of the ordinance in keeping Live Oak aesthetically beautiful.

Notices have been posted in the Northeast Herald twice as required for the public hearing.

c. Proponents and Opponents - None present

d. Questions and Comments by City Council and Commissioners

Councilman Tullgren – None

Councilman Cimics – He stated the current standards are perfect in their current state and believes the variance process should continue for each request for materials that don’t meet the requirement. He closed by stating the current Board of Adjustment variance process does work and agreed with entertaining new innovative materials but does not agree with changing the verbiage of the ordinance would not be necessary at this time.

Ms. Matney explained the standards of the Board of Adjustment during a review of a variance request is a high standard and the applicant must prove a qualifying hardship for the BOA to approve the request. A building material variance brought before the BOA for a national brand would not qualify as a hardship in most cases which is why staff has chosen the “Exception” option.

Councilman Dahl stated as a design professional, these types of materials are being used by many commercial developments. He agreed with using “green materials” and felt the buildings would be just as beautiful as the standard masonry or brick buildings built in years prior.

5. ADJOURNMENT â€“ JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

Sep 21, 2017 Joint Public Hearing with City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission

Full agenda
Share this video

1. CALL TO ORDER
Councilman Aaron Dahl called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the absence of Mayor Mary M. Dennis

2. INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A moment of silence was observed followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL

4. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

A. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A RECOMMENDATION AND CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CITY’S ZONING REGULATIONS, APPENDIX A-ZONING REGULATIONS, ARTICLE II-SECTION 5: COMPLIANCE REQUIRED, REGARDING BUILDING MATERIAL AND MASONRY REQUIREMENTS.

Councilman Dahl read the item description for the official record and opened the Joint Public Hearing at 7:03 p.m.

a. Applicant Presentation - Staff introduce the item in "Staff Presentation"

b. Staff Presentation - Ms. Matney began her presentation with the history of the current ordinance mentioning the following points:

Masonry Ordinance has been effective since 1984 since its last revision

Over the next year, staff will bring forward revisions for review on several of the old ordinances.

Two variances pertaining to the masonry requirement has been filed recently for a commercial development.

Staff recommends retaining the aesthetics portion of the ordinance in tact but updating the portion for approved building materials with an exception approved by the City Manager for innovative designs or materials and allowances for national brands.

Some commercial developments now require branding requirements that do not meet our aging ordinance.

New innovative products now on the market include, green products, energy efficient and require smaller footprint and are used by commercial development worldwide and internationally.

Currently the ordinance requires ¾ masonry on exterior walls and 100% masonry on exterior walls of the first floor fronting the street side of the business.

The changes proposed would allow for exceptions approved by the City Manager when it does not meet our masonry requirement as it currently reads in the ordinance.

Lengthy conversations at staff level have occurred for months on the masonry topic; all decisions or exceptions would be brought to the City Council and Planning & Zoning’s attention as they are approved.

Currently, two businesses that have variances to our masonry ordinances approved through a Variance request public hearing are Texas Roadhouse and Southland Log Homes. (Ms. Matney provided pictures of both businesses)

Provided examples of innovative designs using materials like glass, metal, painted aluminum and wood for both commercial and residential buildings that are not approved materials but very beautiful.

Staff recommends the approval of the exception so that the City does not miss out on an opportunity for an international business to build in our city due to a stringent masonry ordinance.

New language would allow for an exception while retaining the spirit and purpose of the ordinance in keeping Live Oak aesthetically beautiful.

Notices have been posted in the Northeast Herald twice as required for the public hearing.

c. Proponents and Opponents - None present

d. Questions and Comments by City Council and Commissioners

Councilman Tullgren – None

Councilman Cimics – He stated the current standards are perfect in their current state and believes the variance process should continue for each request for materials that don’t meet the requirement. He closed by stating the current Board of Adjustment variance process does work and agreed with entertaining new innovative materials but does not agree with changing the verbiage of the ordinance would not be necessary at this time.

Ms. Matney explained the standards of the Board of Adjustment during a review of a variance request is a high standard and the applicant must prove a qualifying hardship for the BOA to approve the request. A building material variance brought before the BOA for a national brand would not qualify as a hardship in most cases which is why staff has chosen the “Exception” option.

Councilman Dahl stated as a design professional, these types of materials are being used by many commercial developments. He agreed with using “green materials” and felt the buildings would be just as beautiful as the standard masonry or brick buildings built in years prior.

5. ADJOURNMENT â€“ JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

© 2003-2025 Swagit Productions, LLC