Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on Variances to a Site Plan for Auto Repair Garage (Tovi Motors), Located at 1004 South McDonald Street
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
(1C: Provide a strong city economy by facilitating a balance between industrial, commercial, residential, and open space)
MEETING DATE: December 12, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Jake Bennett, Planner II
Caitlyn Strickland, AICP, Planning Manager
Jennifer Arnold, AICP, Director of Planning
APPLICATION SUBMITTAL DATE: November 7, 2022 (Original Application)
February 2, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
March 9, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
April 28, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
May 19, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
July 17, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
August 11, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
September 21, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
October 30, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
November 21, 2023 (Revised Submittal)
APPROVAL PROCESS: The action of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the proposed site plan may be appealed to the City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the proposed site plan with the following conditions:
1. The applicant receive approval of the following:
a. A variance to Section 146-135(f)(4) (Landscape Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide a street landscape setback of less than 20’ in width along South McDonald Street.
b. A variance to Section 146-135(f)(2) (Landscape Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide a corner clip landscape setback of less than 30’ adjacent to the corner of South McDonald Street and Gerrish Street.
c. A variance to Section 146-135(f)(4) (Landscape Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide a corner clip landscape setback of less than 30’ adjacent to the corner of South Chestnut Street and Gerrish Street.
d. A variance to Section 146-139(9)(a)1 (Architectural and site standards) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide less than 50% of masonry finishing materials on the eastern elevation.
e. A variance to Section 146-139(9)(a)2 (Architectural and site standards) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide darker masonry blocks to cap the elevations, as opposed to a cornice treatment.
f. A variance to Section 146-139(9)(c) (Architectural and site standards) of the Zoning Ordinance to not provide building offsets on the eastern and western building elevations.
g. A variance to Section 146-132(3)(g) (Fences, Walls, and Screening Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance to allow bay doors to be oriented towards South McDonald Street.
Prior to issuance of a building permit:
1. The applicant shall satisfy the conditions as shown on the Standard Conditions for Site Plan Approval Checklist, attached.
ITEM SUMMARY: The applicant is proposing to construct an approximately 5,888 square foot auto repair garage.
Typically, site plans can be approved at the staff level; however, the applicant has requested variances, which require consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval.
This site plan is being reviewed under Chapter 146 (Zoning Regulations) of the McKinney Code of Ordinances, as it was submitted prior to the adoption of the Unified Development Code (UDC) on November 15, 2022.
This site plan was denied at the October 10, 2023 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, due to concerns about the visibility of the bays and accommodating the overnight storage of vehicles awaiting repair.
Since that time, the applicant has revised the plan to add a masonry screening wall around the perimeter of the property and has also included additional ornamental trees along Chestnut Street and Gerrish Street to enhance the screening.
PLATTING STATUS: The subject property is currently platted. An amending plat of the subject property must be approved prior to the commencement of any development activity on the subject property.
EXISTING ZONING AND LAND USES:
|
Location |
Zoning District (Permitted Land Uses) |
Existing Land Use |
|
Subject Property |
“BG” - General Business District (Commercial Uses) |
Vacant Car Wash |
|
North |
“BG” - General Business District (Commercial Uses) |
Retail |
|
South |
“BG” - General Business District (Commercial Uses) |
Auto Dealership |
|
East |
“BG” - General Business District (Commercial Uses) |
Restaurant and Office |
|
West |
“RS-60” - Single Family Residence District (Residential Uses) |
Single Family Residential |
ACCESS/CIRCULATION:
|
Adjacent Streets: |
South McDonald Street, Town Thoroughfare |
PARKING: The applicant has satisfied the minimum parking requirements as specified within Section 146-130 (Vehicle Parking) of the Zoning Ordinance.
LOADING SPACES: The applicant has satisfied the minimum loading space requirements as specified within Section 146-131 (Off-Street Loading) of the Zoning Ordinance.
SOLID WASTE CONTAINERS: The sanitation container screening walls will be brick, stone masonry or other architectural masonry finish, including a metal gate, primed and painted, and the sanitation container screening walls, gate, and pad site will be constructed in accordance with the City of McKinney Design Specifications. The applicant has provided the required notation on the proposed site plan.
LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS: The applicant has satisfied the minimum landscape requirements as specified within Section 146-135 (Landscape Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance, except as follows:
The applicant is requesting variances to reduce the landscape buffer setback from 20’ to 10’ along South McDonald Street and to reduce the corner clip landscape buffer setbacks on two corners on the property. The proposed corner clip landscape buffer setbacks are proposed to be 19’ adjacent to the southeast corner and 22’ adjacent to the southwest corner.
The subject property is located along South McDonald Street (Highway 5) and is zoned “BG” - General Business District for commercial uses. Due to the relatively shallow depth of the existing lot (roughly 120’), it is Staff’s professional opinion that providing the typically required landscape buffers and setbacks may be challenging for any commercial development on the property.
As such, Staff has no objection to the requested variances to:
o Section 146-135(f)(4) (Landscape Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide a street landscape setback of less than 20’ in width along South McDonald Street.
o Section 146-135(f)(2) (Landscape Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide a corner clip landscape setback of less than 30’ adjacent to the corner of South McDonald Street and Gerrish Street.
o Section 146-135(f)(4) (Landscape Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance to Provide a corner clip landscape setback of less than 30’ adjacent to the corner of South Chestnut Street and Gerrish Street.
SCREENING REQUIREMENTS: The applicant has provided the required notation stating that all mechanical, heating, and air conditioning equipment shall be screened from the public right-of-way and from adjacent residential properties. The applicant has properly screened the sanitation container and has satisfied the minimum requirements as specified in Section 146-132 (Fences, Walls, and Screening Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance.
However, the applicant has requested a variance to orient bay doors towards South McDonald Street.
Section 146-132 (4) allows applicants to request variances to screening requirements with approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission. A variance may be granted if the Commission finds that:
a. Unique circumstances exist on the property that make application of specific items in this section unduly burdensome on the applicant;
b. The variance will have no adverse impact on current or future development;
c. The variance is in keeping with the spirit of the zoning regulations, and will have a minimal impact, if any, on the surrounding land uses; or
d. The variance will have no adverse impact on the public health, safety and general welfare. A financial hardship shall not be considered a basis for the granting of a variance.
The applicant has selected to orient the operation of vehicle repair business, which includes five (5) bay doors, towards South McDonald Street.
Staff understands that the orientation of any business on the subject property should be on South McDonald Street and we have no notable objection to the bay doors being oriented towards South McDonald Street, as this type of orientation has been considered and approved on other sites in McKinney. With the original request, Staff noted concerns with the lack additional features being proposed to mitigate the visual impact that the bay doors will have from South McDonald. As part of the updated site plan, the applicant is now proposing a 6’ masonry screening wall along the eastern and southern boundary of the site to reduce the visibility of the bay doors. They also propose additional shrubs and ornamental trees to help further screen the bay doors.
The applicant also originally proposed to not screen the overnight parking that is required in per the screening section of the ordinance. The lack of screening was a point of concern for Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission at the previous meeting. The applicant now proposes to utilize the 6’ masonry screening wall to screen the overnight parking of vehicles awaiting repair. While Staff has concerns with the way in which the overnight parking is being provided, the 6’ masonry screening wall should provide the required screening for the overnight storage of vehicles awaiting repair.
As such, Staff has no objection to the requested variances to:
o Section 146-132(3)(g) (Fences, Walls, and Screening Requirements) of the Zoning Ordinance to allow bay doors to be oriented towards South McDonald Street.
LIGHTING AND GLARE REGULATIONS: The applicant will be responsible for complying with Chapter 58 (Lighting and Glare Regulations) of the City of McKinney Code of Ordinances. The applicant has provided the required notation stating that the lighting will be in conformance to the requirements of the City of McKinney Code of Ordinances on the site plan.
ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS: The applicant will be responsible for meeting all applicable requirements of Section 146-139 (Architectural and Site Standards) of the City of McKinney Zoning Ordinance. Architectural building elevations are subject to review and approval by the Chief Building Official, prior to issuance of a building permit.
The applicant has requested variances to provide less than 50% masonry finishing material on the eastern elevation, not provide a cornice treatment, not provide an interrupted roof line on the eastern and western elevations, and not provide building offsets to the eastern and western elevations.
On the eastern elevation, the applicant is proposing a horizontal architectural metal feature above the bay doors, which lowers the masonry percentage provided from the required 50% to 39.5%.
For parapet roof buildings, a cornice treatment is required. Instead of providing a cornice treatment to the building, the applicant is proposing to provide masonry of a darker tone to cap the elevations.
For long, uninterrupted elevations, two building offsets are required. The applicant is not proposing to add offsets to the western side of the building in order to maintain the 10’ landscape setback. The eastern elevation includes the vehicle bays, which will provide some offset, due to the doors, but will not provide a full 18” in depth. The office portion of the building will also be offset of the southern side of the eastern elevation, which will provide one offset.
Staff understands the need for these variances in order to promote redevelopment activity on the subject property and to allow the site to be brought up to the majority of current development standards.
As such, Staff has no objection to the requested variances to:
o Section 146-139(9)(a)1 (Architectural and site standards) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide less than 50% of masonry finishing materials on the eastern elevation.
o Section 146-139(9)(a)2 (Architectural and site standards) of the Zoning Ordinance to provide darker masonry blocks to cap the elevations, as opposed to a cornice treatment.
o Section 146-139(9)(c) (Architectural and site standards) of the Zoning Ordinance to not provide building offsets on the eastern and western building elevations.
TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE: The applicant will be responsible for complying with the Tree Preservation Ordinance. The applicant has submitted a tree survey, subject to review and approval of the City’s Landscape Architect.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS:
|
Sidewalks: |
Required along South McDonald Street |
|
Hike and Bike Trails: |
Not Required |
|
Road Improvements: |
All road improvements necessary for this development, and as determined by the City Engineer |
|
Utilities: |
All utilities necessary for this development, and as determined by the City Engineer |
Discussion: Under the requirements of the Subdivision Ordinance, the applicant will be required to construct all necessary public improvements prior to filing the accompanying plat, unless otherwise specified in an approved facilities agreement.
DRAINAGE: The applicant will be responsible for all drainage associated with the subject property, and for compliance with the Storm Water Ordinance, which may require on-site detention. Grading and drainage plans are subject to review and approval by the City Engineer, prior to issuance of a building permit.
FEES:
|
Roadway Impact Fees: |
Applicable (Ordinance No. 2020-12-091) |
|
Utility Impact Fees: |
Applicable (Ordinance No. 2020-12-092) |
|
Median Landscape Fees: |
Not Applicable |
|
Park Land Dedication Fees: |
Applicable |
|
Pro-Rata: |
As determined by the City Engineer |
OPPOSITION TO OR SUPPORT OF REQUEST: Staff has received no letters of support to this request and no letters of opposition. This does not include emails or letters that may have been sent directly to members of the Council or Commission.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: On October 10, 2023, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-1-0 to deny the site plan variances (Chairman Cox opposed).