Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, July 10, 2018: 8 items, 2 split votes; public hearing and consider a request for a zoning district change to allow a C2
2 consent items, 6 regular items, 2 public hearings, 1 executive-session topic; 5 recorded votes. Written from the minutes.
Consent agenda, approved as one vote (5-0, on the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Heidi Wilder): Approved the minutes of the City Council Work and Regular Sessions held June 26, 2018. Accepted a grant through the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to conduct a study and authorize the City Manager to sign an Interlocal Agreement that will seek opportunities to increase waste minimization on a county-wide basis.
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING and consider a request for a zoning district change to allow a C2 Commercial Interstate Zoning District to an Industrial Zoning District at a property located at 1226 W. Park Ave. and described as being approximately 6.85 acres situated in and being a portion of the Clarence A. Lovejoy Survey, Abstract 837, City of Weatherford, Texas. ZCH2018- 0012. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Kevin Cleveland, the Council voted unanimously to remove this item from the table. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Craig Farmer, Director of Development and Neighborhood Services, presented this item. Mr. Farmer stated that the applicant has withdrawn their request and the Planning and Zoning Commission accepted the withdrawal at their meeting on June 27th. At 6:36 p.m., Mayor Swancy closed the public hearing, which had been opened and continued from a previous meeting.
Consider a request to update the site plan for a project zoned C1 Commercial with Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Car Wash, for property located at 1511 Santa Fe Drive, more generally described as being a ±0.88 acre parcel in the E. Miller Survey, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. This is to confirm the plan is in line with the original CUP, and other zoning requirements. Craig Farmer, Director of Development and Neighborhood Services, presented this item. Mr. Farmer briefly reviewed the changes to the site plan and stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval at their last meeting. On the motion of Kevin Cleveland, second by Curtis Tucker, the Council voted unanimously to approve this item. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and consider Resolution R2018-14 acknowledging a proposal to construct an additional skilled nursing facility within the City of Weatherford. City Manager Sharon Hayes presented this item. Jeff Rhodes with The Rhoman Group is seeking a resolution from the Council to submit to the state. The resolution is an acknowledgment of the Rhoman Group’s proposal to construct a skilling nursing facility (SNF) within the city of Weatherford. Ms. Hayes stated that it is not the city’s role to authorize such a facility; that decision is up to the state. Mr. Rhodes stated that this process helps the local community know what is happening and they have to show evidence of community support to the state. Mr. Rhodes stated they are not asking for tax credits. There are eight facilities in Parker County with the newest one in Willow Park, which is full, and which illustrates there is a serious need for SNFs in Weatherford. This project will have $11m investment money in the city and it is the Rhoman Group’s responsibility to convince the state that an additional SNF is needed in Weatherford. If approved by the state, it will take approximately three to four years to complete construction. If built, the facility will bring 80 to 120 jobs to Weatherford with a quiet footprint and quality jobs. This resolution does not ‘approve’ anything; the facility will still have to go through all of [...]
Councilwoman Wilder voted in opposition. Discuss requirements for drafting ordinance allowing residents to keep chickens. Dustin Deel, Director of Municipal and Community Services, presented this item. He spoke about the current ordinance and what types of fowl are allowed only in AG zoning. He reviewed the definition of fowl and stated that under the right conditions, a residential yard could have as many as 150 ostriches, for example, under the current ordinance. The primary factors in developing an ‘Urban Chickens’ ordinance are whether or not to allow roosters, the number of chickens, human housing, and where they will be allowed. Mr. Deel noted that some HOAs and deed restrictions speak to this subject and may prevent some neighborhoods from having chickens, regardless of any ordinance the city may adopt. Staff recommendations included: • Properties less than an acre, residents may have up to six hens • Properties larger than one acre, residents may have 10 hens per acre, limit of 50 hens • Properties larger than five acres and zoned AG, residents may have 10 chickens per acre, with a rooster-to-hen ratio of no more than 1:10, and a limit of 150 chickens • All urban chickens shall be housed in a coop and run in which they cannot run at large o The coop will require five square feet per hen o The exercise run will require 15 square feet per hen o Both coop and exercise run [...]
Councilwoman Wilder and Councilman Robinson voted in opposition. Further discussion included prohibiting roosters, 25 feet from residences versus property lines versus lot sizes, that being too restrictive on distances may prevent a lot of people from having chickens, the number of animal control staff, that waste management could become a problem, whether a fair percentage of people with chickens will follow the rules, that the wings should be clipped, that even with good owners dogs sometimes get out of their fences, public education efforts. Council consensus was no roosters, that the distance is still under debate and that the ordinance needs to address waste management/contamination.
Action on executive session items: To take action, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, VTCS, (Open Meetings Law): In accordance with the authority contained in: Section 551.071 Consultation with Attorney: 1) pending or contemplated litigation: Cause No. CV17-1683 Ed Kramer vs. IESI Landfill, LP. Mayor Swancy announced no action was taken.
Executive session topics, as posted: with the authority contained in: Section 551.071 Consultation with Attorney: 1) pending or.
Compiled from the city secretary's minutes by the Ledger's extractor, in the minutes' own wording, item by item; the Ledger adds no characterization. Read the minutes for the full record.
Sources: City of Weatherford: council minutes, July 10, 2018 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)