Video index

1. CALL TO ORDER - Chairman Rebecca Kochan called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

3. ROLL CALL

2. INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-A moment of silence was observed and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD - None present or on-line.

5. CONSENT AGENDA

A. March 25, 2021 – MINUTES- Public Hearing & Regular Meeting

March 25, 2021 - MINUTES (Public Hearing & Regular Meeting)

6. NEW BUSINESS

A. Presentation, Discussion and Possible action regarding Appendix B-Sign Regulations; Section 10.1 Special Sign District 1 (SSUD-1) – M. Hornes
Michael Hornes provided the following points during his presentation:

City Council recently amended the sign code to allow and for the exemption for larger signs (10ft x 20ft) in SSUD-1 for “garden office complexes.”

Questions came up regarding the definition and what qualifies as a “garden office complex.”

He provided the Commission with a map highlighting SSUD-1 and examples of garden offices within the City.

Tonight’s discussion is regarding the language to define a garden office and any additional changes or modifications to SSUD-1 that the P&Z would recommend to City Council.

Staff’s definition of a “garden office” is a follows: “a subdivision of business offices with multiple tenants, where not all the tenants front onto the street.”

Q&A Alt. Commissioner Gary Woppert asked about the medical office next to the Methodist Hospital NE; Mr. Hornes stated the building is part of a master sign plan for the hospital complex that includes an exemption approved by City Council. Commissioner Bill Umphlett asked if staff received a request from a garden office for new signage; Mr. Hornes answered “yes, the garden office complex located at Leafy Hollow and Toepperwein.” He continued by stating “there would likely be more request coming.” Alt. Commissioner Michael Llamas suggested making sure the definition wording would not offer grey areas in the language interpretation and asked if there would be sign limitations; Mr. Hornes stated there would be limitation to signage. The code currently allows one freestanding sign per development. Commissioner Ernest Rosenbaum approved of the language as presented. Mr. Hornes clarified the signage allowed on a garden office development would continue to be one sign but would be large enough to include all tenants including those in the rear away from the street. The change made by Council has been approved to allow the one freestanding sign to be 10ft x 20ft. Staff is asking the Commission to recommend the new language or definition for a “Garden office” development. Mr. Hornes also suggested the language could also be changed to state, no freestanding sign within SSUD-1 shall exceed 200 square feet. Vice Chairman Hovermale suggested “garden offices” be called a “business complex;” Mr. Hornes stated the distinction will still be to define those business that do not front the street and recommends the commission keep the word “garden office” as the descriptor of such business subdivisions. Alt. Commissioner Holly Nguyen commented “garden offices” is the best way to describe the type of developments.

Executive Summary

B. Presentation and Discussion regarding the Legislative Update – M. Hornes
Mr. Hornes provided the following during his presentation:

The 2021 Legislative Session has released significant dates for the proposed bills to become law

SB 10 – Publicly funded lobbying – limits local governmental entities from using taxpayer dollars to influence legislation.

SB 861-expansion of video/teleconferencing for open meetings to make it easier

HB 1686 – regulates fruits & veggie gardens now allowed in front, side or rear of premise

HOA’s can regulate cottage food operations according to HB 1686

HB 1686 moved to the House on April 21, 2021

City can regulate the distance from a chicken coup to the next residential lot.

HB 3167 further tightens the 30 day shot clock for platting deadlines and city approvals

August 31, 2021 bills without specific dates become law

HB 4447 prohibits a municipality or county from requiring a person to submit or obtain approval of a required planning document before the person files a copy of the plan or plat with the municipality.

HB 4447 adds 30-day time limit to any approvals required for those studies as well.

Executive Summary

7. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Commission - City event, meeting information, items of interest and special acknowledgements. - None

B. Staff: City event, meeting information, upcoming ribbon cutting/grand opening dates and times and special acknowledgements.

Ms. Lowder mentioned the following upcoming events:

Next P&Z Workshop – June 17, 2021 6:00 p.m.

Next P&Z Meeting – June 24, 2021 6:00 p.m.

Recognition for former Commissioner Frank “John” Glowacz – City Council meeting – May 25th @ 7:00 p.m.

June 7^th at 4:00 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting - Pediatric Cardiologist of South Texas

Mr. Hornes announced the passing of Commissioner John Glowacz.

8. ADJOURNMENT at 6:58 p.m.

May 20, 2021 Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting

Full agenda
Share this video

1. CALL TO ORDER - Chairman Rebecca Kochan called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

3. ROLL CALL

2. INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE-A moment of silence was observed and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD - None present or on-line.

5. CONSENT AGENDA

A. March 25, 2021 – MINUTES- Public Hearing & Regular Meeting

March 25, 2021 - MINUTES (Public Hearing & Regular Meeting)

6. NEW BUSINESS

A. Presentation, Discussion and Possible action regarding Appendix B-Sign Regulations; Section 10.1 Special Sign District 1 (SSUD-1) – M. Hornes
Michael Hornes provided the following points during his presentation:

City Council recently amended the sign code to allow and for the exemption for larger signs (10ft x 20ft) in SSUD-1 for “garden office complexes.”

Questions came up regarding the definition and what qualifies as a “garden office complex.”

He provided the Commission with a map highlighting SSUD-1 and examples of garden offices within the City.

Tonight’s discussion is regarding the language to define a garden office and any additional changes or modifications to SSUD-1 that the P&Z would recommend to City Council.

Staff’s definition of a “garden office” is a follows: “a subdivision of business offices with multiple tenants, where not all the tenants front onto the street.”

Q&A Alt. Commissioner Gary Woppert asked about the medical office next to the Methodist Hospital NE; Mr. Hornes stated the building is part of a master sign plan for the hospital complex that includes an exemption approved by City Council. Commissioner Bill Umphlett asked if staff received a request from a garden office for new signage; Mr. Hornes answered “yes, the garden office complex located at Leafy Hollow and Toepperwein.” He continued by stating “there would likely be more request coming.” Alt. Commissioner Michael Llamas suggested making sure the definition wording would not offer grey areas in the language interpretation and asked if there would be sign limitations; Mr. Hornes stated there would be limitation to signage. The code currently allows one freestanding sign per development. Commissioner Ernest Rosenbaum approved of the language as presented. Mr. Hornes clarified the signage allowed on a garden office development would continue to be one sign but would be large enough to include all tenants including those in the rear away from the street. The change made by Council has been approved to allow the one freestanding sign to be 10ft x 20ft. Staff is asking the Commission to recommend the new language or definition for a “Garden office” development. Mr. Hornes also suggested the language could also be changed to state, no freestanding sign within SSUD-1 shall exceed 200 square feet. Vice Chairman Hovermale suggested “garden offices” be called a “business complex;” Mr. Hornes stated the distinction will still be to define those business that do not front the street and recommends the commission keep the word “garden office” as the descriptor of such business subdivisions. Alt. Commissioner Holly Nguyen commented “garden offices” is the best way to describe the type of developments.

Executive Summary

B. Presentation and Discussion regarding the Legislative Update – M. Hornes
Mr. Hornes provided the following during his presentation:

The 2021 Legislative Session has released significant dates for the proposed bills to become law

SB 10 – Publicly funded lobbying – limits local governmental entities from using taxpayer dollars to influence legislation.

SB 861-expansion of video/teleconferencing for open meetings to make it easier

HB 1686 – regulates fruits & veggie gardens now allowed in front, side or rear of premise

HOA’s can regulate cottage food operations according to HB 1686

HB 1686 moved to the House on April 21, 2021

City can regulate the distance from a chicken coup to the next residential lot.

HB 3167 further tightens the 30 day shot clock for platting deadlines and city approvals

August 31, 2021 bills without specific dates become law

HB 4447 prohibits a municipality or county from requiring a person to submit or obtain approval of a required planning document before the person files a copy of the plan or plat with the municipality.

HB 4447 adds 30-day time limit to any approvals required for those studies as well.

Executive Summary

7. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Commission - City event, meeting information, items of interest and special acknowledgements. - None

B. Staff: City event, meeting information, upcoming ribbon cutting/grand opening dates and times and special acknowledgements.

Ms. Lowder mentioned the following upcoming events:

Next P&Z Workshop – June 17, 2021 6:00 p.m.

Next P&Z Meeting – June 24, 2021 6:00 p.m.

Recognition for former Commissioner Frank “John” Glowacz – City Council meeting – May 25th @ 7:00 p.m.

June 7^th at 4:00 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting - Pediatric Cardiologist of South Texas

Mr. Hornes announced the passing of Commissioner John Glowacz.

8. ADJOURNMENT at 6:58 p.m.

© 2003-2025 Swagit Productions, LLC