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CC approval on 11/11/97 AGENDA REQUEST FORM The Ci~ With ^ ~utiful Furze ~ CITY CO~CIL MEETING: November 11, 1997 ITEM ITEM CAPTION: CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING: Consider approval of Case No. S-1084R, Kwik Kar, zoning change for property zoned C-S.U.P. (Commercial, Special Use Permit), by amending the Site Plan for an automotive service center to permit a 900 square foot building expansion for two additional service bays on property located approximately 300 feet south of Bethel School Road, along the west side of Denton Tap Road. SUBMITTED BSj~*J~ry L. Sieb ~ TIT~.' Director of P~mn~ing and Community Services STAFF RE OMMENDS: Approval X STAFF COMMENTS: Date of P&Z Meetinq: August 21, 1997 Decision of P&Z Commission: Approved (6-0) with Commissioners Redford, Cruse, Lowry, McCaffrey, DeFilippo and Stewart voting in favor. None opposed. Commissioner Jones resigned from the Commission. Approval subject to the following recommended conditions: (2) (3 7 8 (~) Restriction of the removal of existing trees to the 2 post oak trees located closest to the existing building. Removal of all attached signs except for the letters which read Kwik Kar Lube & Tune, the Official Inspection Station sign, and 6 customer directional signs, limited to 3 on each side of the building located on every other space between bay doors. Removal of all portable signs, since they are not now and never have been permitted by Coppell sign regulations. Relocate the overhead power line a minimum of 80' from the Denton Tap right-of-way line. There will be no additional fill beyond the retaining wall to the west side of the property. Placement of temporary protective fencing along the eastern edge of the wooded area to prevent construction and construction equipment from disturbing more than 25% of the area under the drip line of the 5 trees shown to be preserved east of the City sewer easement. Construction of a screening wall on top of the retaining wall to comply with Section 33 of the Zoning Ordinance. Additional light fixtures on the rear of the building addition shall be shielded. The west end of the property be maintain in accordance with City standards. Agenda Request Form - Revised 1/97 CITY MANAGER REVI Document Name S1084r. PZ CITY OF COPPELL PLANNING DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT CASE NO.: S-1084R, KWIK KAR P & Z HEARING DATE: August 21, 1997 C.C. HEARING DATE: September 9, 1997 LOCATION: SIZE OF AREA: Approximately 300 feet south of Bethel School Road, along the west side of Denton Tap Road 0.8 acres; proposed 900 s.f. addition to a 2,250 s.f. existing building CURRENT ZONING: C -S.U.P. (Commercial, Special Use Permit) REQUEST: Amend the Site Plan to permit a 900 square foot expansion for two additional service bays. APPLICANT: Kwik Industries, Inc. 4725 Nail Road Dallas TX 75244 214-458-9761 Fax 214-458-0948 HISTORY: On August 9, 1994, upon a favorable recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council approved a Special Use Permit for a four-bay automobile service facility. The City approved the final plat for the property later that year. On July 17, 1997, the Planning and Zoning Commission considered the current application and continued the public hearing to August 21. The principal purpose was for the applicant to provide more detail regarding the location of trees and measures to preserve them. TRANSPORTATION: Denton Tap Road is a P6D, six-lane divided thoroughfare built in a 100'-wide right-of-way. Nearby Bethel School Road is a collector street built in a 60'-wide right-of-way. Item # 4 SURROUNDING LAND USE & ZONING: North South - East - West - hardware store; C dry cleaners; C post office; C single-family residential development; SF-12 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The Comprehensive Plan shows the property suitable for mixed uses. DISCUSSION: When an applicant decides to expand upon an obvious commercial success, it presents an opportunity to correct small details which detract from the overall vis.~ accomplishments of a project. This is particularly important when the project faces a major thoroughfare in a primary image zone. The original development of this site resulted in the removal of virtually all of the natural vegetation on the front portion of the property, pavement of more area than necessary, provision of minimal additional landscaping, inclusion of ten attached signs in addition to the business identification sign on the building, and installation of a highly inappropriate power pole with overhead transformers on the front property line. The consequence is a visual appearance that, while better than similar installations in other Dallas area cities, is still somewhat below the quality this community has come to expect. It is too late to put back the trees. It is probably impractical to remove concrete and replace it with landscape. However, the cost to improve on the signage and power source will be only a small fraction of the total value of on-site facilities, would greatly improve their appearance, and therefore may be well worth doing. To be sure, solving the power service problem now will be more expensive than it would have been to do it right in the first place. It will cost about $10,000 to move the pole farther back on the property and saw cut through 25 feet of pavement width to provide underground lines between a new pole location and the old one. This is by no means the ideal solution, but it would provide a measure of improvement. The ideal solution would be to bore service under Denton Tap Road and place a pad mounted transformer in an inconspicuous location on site. However, the same voltages are unavailable from pad mounted transformer units, making the ideal solution far more costly today than it would have been originally (+$30,000 versus $11,000). Considering, however, that upon completion of the expansion the total value of the property is likely to exceed $500,000, an expenditure of even $30,000 (or less than 6% of total value) does not seem too excessive to remove an eyesore. Item # 4 As for the signs, the current number is unnecessary, as evidenced by a similar Kwik Kar facility in Southlake. The only sign shown on the building elevations for the Coppell facility, as submitted for Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council review in 1994, was one which read Kwik Kar Lube & Tune. After receiving approval of those building plans, the applicant installed 10 additional attached signs not shown on the building elevations submitted. The 10 additional signs are a Texas Vehicle Inspection Station sign, 3 Pennzoil signs and 6 customer directional signs. Had the planning staff seen all those signs on the drawings submitted originally, it is doubtful that we would have recommended approval of all of them. While most of these signs may be useful and some of them even necessary, visually they would not detract so much from an otherwise attractive building if they were at least color coordinated with the building materials and one to the other. As for the propose~ expansion, the applicant has submitted a site plan which meets most City requirements and a landscape plan which exceeds City requirements. However, the site plan does not provide a screenwall on the west. In 1994, Council waived the requirement because of the resulting tree removal that would have occurred by placement of a screenwall on the western property line. Staff points out that City regulations do not specify that the wall be located on the property line. They simply say that a screenwall shall be located in such a way as to separate the rear of a non-residential use from an adjacent residential district. Therefore, a screenwall located at the edge of development, approximately 5 feet west of the western edge of the proposed expansion of concrete pavement, would satisfy screening requirements. Such a location would avoid cutting down more trees and would provide an effective sound barrier between the automobile service facility and the housing on the other side of the creek. With expansion of the paved area and additional bays located nearer to a residential neighborhood, requirement of the screenwall now would be fully justifiable. You will recall that issue being discussed at our first public hearing by a resident from Grand Cove Estates, the residential area just west of this site. According to the tree survey, only 3 trees are located within the building and pavement expansion area. Actually, thc one shown in the third parking space north of the dumpster does not exist, so there are only 2. These are post oaks, in the 14" to 18" caliper range, located in the buildable portion of the lot. As such, under current regulations, the applicant would be entitled to remove them for expansion of a dry cleaners, hardware store, dental office or any number of other uses not requiring a special use permit in the "C" District. The landscaping plan provides 5 crape myrtles and 5 redbud trees to mitigate the loss of natural vegetation due to the encroachment of building and pavement. In addition, it provides automobile screening along Denton Tap Road which was inadvertently omitted from the original landscaping. Item # 4 The applicant proposes to preserve the 2 existing trees actually located within the building and pavement expansion area by removing 2 parking spaces. However, this area has already been filled upon to provide the slope for the existing parking area, which is elevated at least 3 feet above natural grade. Expansion of site development will only aggravate the situation. Therefore, staff is of the opinion that tree preservation measures are unlikely to be successful. Due to the existence of 11 additional large post oaks in the area west of proposed development, as well as numerous additional smaller understory trees, the planning staff considers the loss of 2 trees to be acceptable, but agrees with Commissioner Stewart that measures need to be taken to protect the root systems of other nearby trees. Finally, staff assumes that the building expansion will match the existing building, but has ho.documentation to provide that assurance. RECOMMENDATION TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION: Planning staff recommends approval of the amendment to the Special Use Permit to allow expansion in accordance with the site plan and landscape plan submitted and subject to: 1) Restriction of the removal of existing trees to the 2 post oak trees located closest to the existing building. 2) Addition of concrete pavement to provide 2 additional parking spaces in the area where the 2 existing trees are removed. Architectural elevations, to be provided by the applicant, which show building materials and style of the same nature as the existing building. Removal of all attached signs except for the letters which read Kwik Kar Lube & Tune, the Official Inspection Station sign, and 6 customer directional signs, limited to 3 on each side of the building located on every other space between bay doors. Redesign of the 6 customer directional signs in colors to match and coordinate with the business identification sign. Removal of all portable signs, since they are not now and never have been permitted by Coppell sign regulations. 7) Provision of underground utility service beneath Denton Tap Road. 8) Construction of a retaining wall 5 feet beyond the edge of proposed pavement, to prevent filling over the root systems of 4 Item # 4 9) lO) 11) existing post oak trees within 25 feet of the proposed pavement. Placement of temporary protective fencing along the eastern edge of the wooded area to prevent construction and construction equipment from disturbing more than 25 % of the area under the drip line of the 5 trees shown to be preserved east of the City sewer easement. Construction of a screening wall on top of the retaining wall to comply with Section 33 of the Zoning Ordinance. Engineering Department comments. ALTERNATIVES: 1) Recommend app.roval of the Site Plan amendment 2) Recommend disapproval of the Site Plan amendment 3) Recommend modification of the Site Plan amendment 4) Take under advisement for reconsideration at a later date. ATTACHMENTS: 1) Landscape Plan 2) Letter from U.S.A. Professional Services Group, Inc. 3) Departmental Comments Item # 4 DEVELOPMENT ~VIEW COMMIITEE ENGINEERING COMMENTS DRC DATE: CONTACT: S-I048R, K~iic gmr, zoning clumge from C-S.U.P. (~~ S~ Use P~) ~ C-S. U.P. (~~ S~ Use P~), ~ ~ fca of ~ ~n for ~ ~~ ~e ~s, on pm~ ~ ~~ 3~ lea ~ of ~ ~wea of ~ ~s, I~. COMMENT STATUS: DDE'F ~i#IX~A D~ /REVISED No Comments. EZCE~ ~ 7/].7/97 p&z (C~;. CO~r~'Z~) 1'O 8/21/97) Page ! of ! PUBLIC HEARING: To consider the approval of S-1084R, Kwik Kar, zonin.o change for property zoned C-S.U.P. (Commercial, Special Use Permit), by amending the Site Plan of the automotive service center to permit a 900 square foot building expansion for two additional service bays on property located approxinmtely 300 feet south of Bethel School Road, along the west side of Denton Tap Road, at the request of Kwik Industries, Inc. Assistant Planning Director Pert Virtanen introduced the item to the Commimion, showing exhibits of the proposed project. The existing facility has four bays and two additional bays to the rear are being proposed which will be built in an area which is currently paved. Additional pavement will be added to the rear, including additional landscaping. A tree survey of existing trees was not included with the proposal, but Mr. Virtanen showed a diagram illustrating where visually Staff ~ the trees exist east of the City sewer easement which runs diagonally across the property at the rear. The additional pavement will require the removal of at least two trees. Staff fecommend~ approval of this Special Use Permit amendment in accordance with the Site Plan and Landscape Plan as submitted, subject to the seven conditions as listed in the Staff Report. Sid Hollingsworth, 4725 Nail Road, Dallas, TX 75244, was present to represent this item before the Commission and answer any questions, stating that he would like to address two of Staff comments. He relayed to the Comrni~ion his discussions with Mr. Jeff Key of T.U. Electric regarding the cost of a power pole which would cost approximately $11,000, or bringing service across Denton Tap Road via underground utility service, which would be cost prohibitive. Mr. Hollingsworth also disputed the suggestion to revise the existing siguage, staling that this signage was allowed by the ~ Inspection Delnuiment when the original Special Use Permit was al~'oved. Some discussion followed regarding existing signage, which elevation was considered as that fronting Denton Tap Road, etc. Chairman Lowry opened the Public Hearing, asking for people present who wanted to speak in favor of this request to come forward. There were none. Chairman Lowry then asked for people present who wanted to speak in opposition to this request to come forward. The one person speaking in opposition was: Joni Freeman, 473 Wales Court, Coppell, TX ChaLrman Lowry closed the Public Hearing. Additional discussion followed regarding the trees, fence, safety, siguage and utility issues. Gary Sieb, Director of Planning, reminded the Cornmi~ion that when Kwik Kar was originally going through the system, Council waived the 6' high masonry screeni%o wall because of the natural buffer between this property and the residential property to the rear, stating that if a solid masonry fence were to be cons~ucted at the back of this property, more trees than necessary would be destroyed. Chairman Lowry suggested this case be continued; that the existing signage remain, with no additional signage; ask the applicant to be more definitive relative to the tree issue (how many will be removed, how existing trees will be protected and preserved) a~t have Staff verify the utility situation, e~. Commissioner Stewart made a motion to reopen and continue the Public Hearing on Case No. S-1084R, Kwik Kar, to August 21, 1997. The motion was seconded by Commissioner M¢Caffrey. Motion carried (5-0) with Commi~ions Redford, Lowry, McCaffrey, DeFilippo and Stewart voting in favor. None opposed. EXCERPT FROI~I 8/21/97 P&Z I~NgTES Page 1 of 2 CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING: To consider the approval of Case No. S-1084R, Kwik Kar., zoning change for property zoned C-S.U.P. (Commercial, Special Use Permit) by amending the Site Plan of an automotive service center to permit a 900 square foot building expansion for two additional service bays on property located approximately 300 feet south of Bethel School Road, along the west side of Denton Tap Road, at the request of Kwik Industries, Inc. Assistant Planning Director Pert Virtanen introduced the item to the Commission, showing illustrations of other Kwik Kar facilities in near-by cities and exhibits of the proposal stating that from Staff perspective, since Denton Tap Road is a primary image zone, the City wants to get the best quality development possible and there are several recommendations listed in the Staff Report which need to be considered. He also stated that originally, City Council waived the requirement of a screening wall because it was conceived that it would have to be located at the rear property line which would require the removal of trees. However, this is not the case -- it can be located anywhere between the development and the rear of the property. Staff feels that since this proposal will extend the facility to the rear, the screening wall is appropriate and should be located at the edge of the development before the wooded area so that the trees can be preserved. Mr. Virtanen explained that the applicant proposes to remove two parking spaces with the thought that two trees could be preserved, although Staff doubts that these trees could be preserved because the fill of the current parking area is already sloping onto the root system of those two trees. If the parking lot is extended even further to thc west, it seems highly likely that the root system of those Post Oak trees will get covered and within five years they'll die. Since there arc 11 large trees back ia the western portion of the property, Staff has no major problem with the removal of the two trees in order to accommodate the expansion. He stated that Staff recommends approval of the request with the 11 conditions as listed in the Staff Report. Sid Hollingsworth, Kwik Industries, Inc., 4725 Nail Road, Dallas, TX, was present to represent this item before the Commission and answer any questions. He stated that he had a few questions and problems with a few of the recommendations and relayed his feelings to the Commission. Discussion followed pertaining to the power line issue. Siace this Public Hearing was a continuation from the July 17th meeting, Chairman Lowry asked for people present who wanted to speak in favor of this request to come forward. Those in favor were: Ray Ellis, 4725 Nail Road, Dallas, TX Bob Voelker, 335 Still Forest, Coppell, TX Chairman Lowry then asked for people present who wanted to speak in opposition to this request to come forward. Those in opposition were: Roger Ryan, 470 Wales Court, Coppell, TX Lisa Titensor, 474 Wales Court, Coppell, TX Page I of 2 Joni Freeman, 473 Wales Court, Coppell, TX Chairman Lowry closed the Public Hearing. Considerable discussion followed mainly pertaining to signage, the power line issue, lighting for the building, screening wall, etc. City Attorney Hager reminded the Commission that with regard to the C.I.V.I.C. recommendations, unless there is an Ordinance or other regulation adopted by the Council, it makes it difficult for the Commission to consider that group's recommendations. He stated, however, that there is an existing Subdivision Ordinance provision which says "where practical or reasonable, all utilities shall be placed underground." Commissioner McCaffrey made a motion to approve S-1084R, Kwik Kar, zoning change for property zoned C-S.U.P. (Commercial, Special Use Permit), by amending the Site Plan for an automotive service cente~ to permit a 900 square foot building expansion for two additional service bays, subject to Engineering comments and the following conditions: (1) Restriction of the removal of existing trees to the 2 post oak trees located closest to the existing building. (2) Addition of concrete pavement to provide 2 additional parking spaces in the area where the 2 existing trees are removed. (3) Architectural elevations, to be provided by the applicant, which show building materials and style of the same nature as the existing building. (4) Removal of all attached signs except for the letters which read Kwik Kar Lube & Tune, the Official Inspection Station sign, and 6 customer directional signs, limited to 3 on each side of the building located on every other space between bay doors. (5) Redesign of the 6 customer directio~ signs in colors to match and coordinate with the business identification sign. (6) Removal of all portable signs, since they are not now and never have been permitted by Coppell sign regulations. (7) Relocate the overhead power line a minimum of 80' from the Denton Tap right-of-way line. (8) Construction of a retaining wall 5 feet beyond the edge of proposed pavement, to prevent filling over the root systems of the existing post oak trees within 25 feet of the proposed pavement. There will be no additional fill beyond the retaining wall to the west side of the property. (9) Placement of temporary protective fencing along the eastern edge of the wooded area to prevent construction and construction equipment from disturbing more than 25 % of the area under the drip line of the 5 trees shown to be preserved east of the City sewer easement. (10) Construction of a screening wall on top of the retaining wall to comply with Section 33 of the Zoning Ordinance. (11) Additional light fLxtures on the rear of the building addition shall be shielded. (12) The west end of the property be maintain in accordance with City standards. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Cruse; motion carried (6-0) with Commissions Redford, Cruse, Lowry, McCaffrey, DeFilippo and Stewart voting in favor. None opposed. (Commissioner McCaffrey suggested that replacement of dying trees within one year be added as a condition. After discussion, it was determined that this condition could be enforced for new additional landscape; however, in this case, it would be unenforceable. The condition was eliminated.) Page 2 of 2