2000-05-08 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 8, 2000
STUDY SESSION ROOM
13000 WILLIAM DODSON PARKWAY
FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS
5:00 P.M.
The following members of the City Council were present:
Mayor Bob Phelps
Councilmembers: Charlie Bird
Jim Robbs
Calla Davis
Bill Moses
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The following member of the City Council was absent:
Councilmember:
Paul Walden
The following members of City Staff were present:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Director of Community Services
Director of Planning
Communications Director
City Secretary
Richard L. Escalante
Linda Groomer
Michael Spicer
Kaizer Rangwala
Tom Bryson
Cindee Peters
Mayor Phelps opened the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
Mayor Phelps stated that he had received an email from Paul Walden stating
the City Council would not be speaking for him at this meeting between the
Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council.
DISCUSS WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PLANNING AND
ZONING COMMISSION AND THE FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL.
Mayor Phelps stated this is a joint meeting between the City Council and the
Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss any problems or conflicts
relative to the working relationship between each. Mayor Phelps explained
that the entire City Council appreciates the dedication of each member of the
Planning and Zoning Commission.
Volume 83, page 86
Mr. David Merritt, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, agreed
with the comments made by Mayor Phelps. Mr. Merritt felt it is a healthy
process to disagree on items presented between both the Planning and
Zoning Commission and the City Council.
Mayor Phelps explained the City Council respects all members opinions and
choices of the Planning and Zoning Commission members. Mayor Phelps felt
any questions by commission members should be addressed to the City
Council in person.
Mr. Merritt stated he had written a letter to find out why the City had not
informed the Planning and Zoning Commission concerning certain facts about
a particular case.
Councilman Bird discussed political issues, and correspondence between the
City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Councilman Bird
stated the City Council is planning to meet with all the boards and
commission members to promote a healthy working relationship and to see
how the City Council can assist all the members.
Councilman Moses stated he had requested this meeting. Councilman
Moses stated the City Council represents all of Farmers Branch and not just
a small group of people in Farmers Branch. Councilman Moses stated in
each Council agenda packet he looks to see what the Planning and Zoning
Commission has recommended which helps him make his decision.
Councilman Moses stated sometimes the City Council disagrees with City
staff on certain issues.
Stan Armstrong, member of the Planning and Zoning Commission asked
what brought about this discussion.
Councilman Moses stated a man approached him during a neighborhood
meeting and asked why the City Council had gone against the decision of
the Planning and Zoning Commission on a recent case.
Mr. Armstrong stated on the particular case he did not go against the entire
project, just certain issues.
Councilwoman Davis reminded the Planning and Zoning Commission
members that an item on Study Session entitled Board Requests is for
boards or commissions to bring any requests or problems they may have
before the City Council.
Volume 83, page 87
Mr. Merritt felt there should be more discussion between the City Council
and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Councilwoman Davis explained the reason the appointments to the Planning
and Zoning Commission were postponed was due to the fact of Student
Government Day on that particular agenda and also a member of the
Planning and Zoning Commission was out of town.
Councilman Robbs stated he had been a member of the Planning and Zoning
Commission for nine years. Councilman Robbs stated in the particular case
there were ten items requested by the opposing homeowners and the City
Council approved seven of the items.
Councilwoman Davis felt that Farmers Branch has never made the headlines
like neighboring cities because the City Council may disagree with the issue
and not the individual. Councilwoman Davis explained with all the
development coming before the City, there will be hard issues to resolve in
the future.
Ruben Rendon, member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, stated it
would help him personally to make decisions if he knew what direction the
City was going. He feels there are not enough homes in Farmers Branch and
would like to see residential areas developed on the west side of the City.
City Manager Richard Escalante felt another tour between the City Council
and the Planning and Zoning Commission may help members with the
direction the City is going.
Councilwoman Davis discussed the serious concerns she has with residential
areas being developed on the west side of the City.
Nancy Hardie, member of Planning and Zoning Commission, felt perhaps a
quarterly meeting between the Planning and Zoning Commission and City
Council would help with their decisions. Ms. Hardie also felt an explanation
during the Council meeting as to why the appointments were postponed
would have stopped any questions among members.
Mayor Phelps thanked the members of the Planning and Zoning Commission
for taking time to have this meeting.
Volume 83, page 88
ADJOURNMENT.
The serial peeing of May 8, 2000 adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Bob Pholp
City Secretary
Volume 83, page 89