2000-06-12 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 12, 2000
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
Bill Moses
Paul Walden
The following member of the City Council was absent:
Councilmember
1
~j I
Calla Davis
The following members of the Planning and Zoning Commission were
present:
Chairman
David Merritt
Nancy Hardie
Kirk Connally
Joe Patterson
Stan Armstrong
Ruben Rendon
David Stack
John Herndon
The following member of the Planning and Zoning Commission was absent:
Mark Saiter
The following members of City Staff were present:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Director of Community Services
Director of Planning
Senior Planner
Building Official
Office Supervisor
Richard L. Escalante
Linda Groomer
John Burke
Michael Spicer
Kaizer Rangwala
Tina Pflughoeft
Jim Olk
Stacy Henderson
Volume 84, page 20
City Engineer
Assistant to the City Manager
Assistant to the City Manager
Communications Director
Director of Economic Development
City Secretary
Jerry Murawski
Margaret Somereve
John Roach
Tom Bryson
Norma Nichols
Cindee Peters
Mayor Phelps opened the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
2. CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2000-103 AUTHORIZING THE
SUBMISSION OF A PROJECT APPLICATION TO DALLAS COUNTY,
TEXAS FOR THE 2000 FISCAL YEAR OF THE DALLAS COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Ms. Margaret Somereve, Assistant to the City Manager, stated the
City of Farmers Branch has participated in the Community
Development Block Grant Funds from Dallas County since 1994. Ms.
Somereve stated the funds this year have decreased from previous
years because the City of Duncanville has decided to participate this
year.
Mayor Pro Tern Moses asked how many people does the City have on
a waiting list for the home rehabilitation program.
Ms. Somereve stated there are twenty-five people on a waiting list.
There followed a short discussion about the program including, how
much is allowed per home, what improvements can be made,
inspections performed by City staff, and contractors who perform the
work.
A motion by Councilman Robbs, a second by Mayor Pro Tern Moses,
all voting "aye", adopted Resolution No. 2000-103.
MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE DISCUSSED AFTER THE REGULAR
AGENDA ITEM. MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL
CONVENED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:07 P.M. AND RECESSED AT
5:58 FOR THE BUS TOUR AND RECONVENED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
AT 9:25 P.M. AND CONCLUDED AT 10:07 P.M. TEXAS GOVERNMENT
CODE CHAPTER 551 OF THE OPEN MEETING LAW PROVIDES THAT SUCH
ITEMS AS PERSONNEL MATTERS, LAND ACQUISITION AND PENDING AND
CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
Volume 84, page 21
E.1 a DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
CHAPTER 551.074
1. DISCUSS COMPENSATION FOR MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGES.
Mayor Phelps explained Staff discussed these items with the City
Council.
E.1 b DISCUSS LAND ACQUISITION - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 551.072
1. DISCUSS PURCHASE, SALE, LEASE, OR EXCHANGE OF
PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH AND
PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CARROLLTON-FARMERS
BRANCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL
SITE LOCATIONS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps explained Staff discussed this item with the City Council.
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ITEMS
BREAK ROOM
City Manager Richard Escalante gave a brief overview for the purpose
of the tour, which included possible zoning needed on the west side of
the City, impact on taxes, schools, and services needed on the west
side. Mr. Escalante stated the City has meet with all the primary
property owners of the 800 acres and would like to see the
development of this area move forward this summer.
BUS TOUR
Mr. Spicer explained and showed the old style of apartments in
Addison at Spring Valley and Marsh along with the newer style
located in Farmers Branch (Sontera and Cortesia) and at Parkside
Center Boulevard.
The tour continued to a location known as Addison Circle which is
located in the Town of Addison. Mr. Escalante and Mr. Spicer stated
the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission would be
taking a walking tour of Addison Circle. During the tour, Mr.
Escalante and Mr. Spicer pointed out and explained items such as
architectural design, green spaces, parking garages, pavement
treatment, design materials, signage, landscaping, hardscape, working
units and living units, and the minimum number of housing units
needed to support retail in this type concept.
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The tour next encompassed the west side of the city including the
new i2 Technologies building, the Doubletree Club hotel, and
undeveloped property on the west side known as the peninsula tract.
Mr. Escalante discussed issues of public access, security needs,
business needs and ingress and egress in the area.
CITY HALL - STUDY SESSION ROOM
Mr. Spicer stated staff has looked at several development scenarios in
the past and the impact they would have on the west side. Mr. Spicer
also explained with possible new zoning amendments, this would be
the time to discourage certain uses in the area.
Mr. Escalante stated the City Council will hold a public hearing in July
for a development called Villa Lago. Mr. Escalante explained this
development would be similar to the development known as Addison
Circle.
Mr. Kaizer Rangwala gave a brief presentation, which included
development on the peninsula parcel, gave the definition of a concept
development known as an urban village setting, and the benefits of a
mixed-use development.
There followed a lengthy discussion concerning city services needed
on the west side, entrance into these proposed developments from the
freeway, traffic impact, no danger of erosion or sedimentation from
the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, and the minimum housing units
required to support this type development.
Mr. Spicer explained that zoning on the west side does not allow for
any residential to be developed at this time.
Mr. Escalante stated the City does not want to use a specific use
permit to dictate the development standards. Mr. Escalante stated a
proposed ordinance would allow development standards to be
administered by staff and not at the site plan level or specific use
permit level.
Councilman Walden asked when the proposed ordinance would be
ready for adoption by the City Council.
Mr. Spicer replied he was not certain when staff could have this
ordinance ready.
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There followed more discussion concerning demographics, bringing in
new corporate employees, the Mobil tract on the east side of the city,
and roadways and landscaping.
Mayor Phelps explained that in a meeting with the owner of Basic
Capital, he told the Mayor that he has a vision for the west side of the
City. The Mayor asked that we help Basic Capital as much as possible
and not drag our feet.
Mr. David Merritt, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission,
asked if his members could have a longer review period of the
proposed ordinance.
Ms. Norma Nichols stated it would be approximately four years before
the developers can be reimbursed as set out in the Tax Increment
Financing plan.
Mayor Phelps thanked the members of the Planning and Zoning
Commission and stated the City Council would now reconvene into
Executive Session at 9:25 p.m.
E.2 CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mayor Phelps stated the City Council was updated on land acquisition and
personnel matters. No action was necessary.
ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Councilman Bird, a second by Councilman Robbs, all
voting "aye", adjourned the special meeting of June 12, 2000 at
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Volume 84, page 24
City Secretary