Minutes P&Z 02/18/2010
TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 18, 2010
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Trophy Club, Texas met on
February 18, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 100 Municipal Drive, Trophy
Club, and Texas 76262.
COMMISSIONERS ATTENDANCE:
Chairman Hill Present
Vice Chairman Stephens Present
Commissioner Reed Present
Commissioner Ashby Present
Commissioner Davidson Present
Commissioner Forest Present
Commissioner Sheridan Present
STAFF AND GUESTS PRESENT:
Carolyn Huggins Planning & Zoning Manager
Tom Rutledge Town Engineer
Ray Holiday BRW Architects
Matt Faulkner BRW Architects
Danny Thomas Fire Chief
CALL TO ORDER AND ANNOUNCE A QUORUM.
Chairman Hill called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with a quorum present.
1 REVIEW AND APPROVE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 4, 2010 PLANNING
AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING.
Commissioner Forest motioned to approve the minutes for the February 4, 2010,
Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Davidson.
Ayes: Hill, Reed, Ashby, Davidson, Forest, Sheridan, Stephens
Nays: None
Action: 7-0, Approved
2 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO TOWN COUNCIL IN REGARD
TO GRANTING A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE REQUEST TO THE TROPHY CLUB
WOMEN’S CLUB TO HOLD TWO COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE EVENTS IN
2010. APPLICANT: DIANNE RABBE ON BEHALF OF TROPHY CLUB
WOMEN’S CLUB.
Dianne Rabbe, 2 Ridgewood Dr., President, Trophy Club Women’s Club, stated that the
Women’s Club is requesting approval for the dates for the annual Spring and Fall
Community Garage Sale Events – Saturday, April 10, 2010 and Saturday, October 9,
2010. There will be no rain dates so the garage sales will be held rain or shine and they
request a waiver of the $25 permit fee. Ms. Rabbe stated that she will be happy to
answer any questions.
There were no questions from the Commissioners and the Chairman called for a
motion.
Commissioner Davidson made a motion to recommend approval to the Town Council of
granting a special privilege to allow the Trophy Club Women’s Club to hold two
community garage sales events – one on April 10, 2010 and the other on October 9,
2010. The Commission recommends that the Town Council allow waiver of the permit
fees for these events. Commissioner Reed seconded the motion.
Ayes: Hill, Reed, Ashby, Davidson, Forest, Sheridan, Stephens
Nays: None
Action: 7-0, Approved
The Town Council will hear this item on March 8, 2010.
3 PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER SITE PLAN APPROVAL FOR A NEW FIRE
STATION TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE EXISTING FIRE STATION,
LOCATED AT LOT 1, BLOCK 1, MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1
COMPLEX, INCLUDING A LANDSCAPE PLAN AND PLANT LIST,
IRRIGATION, AND BUILDING ELEVATIONS. APPLICANT: MUNICIPAL
UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1, REPRESENTED BY BRW ARCHITECTS, AND FIRE
CHIEF DANNY THOMAS. (SP-09-011)
Chairman Hill opened the public hearing.
There were none wishing to speak and the public hearing was closed.
4 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION REGARDING SITE PLAN
APPROVAL FOR A NEW FIRE STATION TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE
EXISTING FIRE STATION, LOCATED AT LOT 1, BLOCK 1, MUNICIPAL
UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 COMPLEX, INCLUDING A LANDSCAPE PLAN AND
PLANT LIST, IRRIGATION, AND BUILDING ELEVATIONS. APPLICANT:
MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1, REPRESENTED BY BRW
ARCHITECTS, AND FIRE CHIEF DANNY THOMAS. (SP-09-011)
Danny Thomas, Fire Chief, stated that they are bringing this project before the
Commissioners and that it has been a long time in coming – four years. The drawings
before the Commissioners are what are proposed for the present site. The architectural
firm of Brown Reynolds Watford is represented by Ray Holiday and Matt Faulkner.
Mr. Faulkner and Mr. Holiday came forward. Mr. Holiday gave a PowerPoint
Presentation of the proposed new Fire Station which will be located at Trophy Club
Drive and Municipal Drive. Mr. Holiday pointed out the visitor parking and employee
parking, expanded curb cut along Trophy Club Drive, and a retaining wall between the
Fire Station and the residents to the south with a wood fence on top of the retaining
wall. He showed renderings of the building. There is a standing seam metal roof with
galvanized downspouts which should not require maintenance or painting for years to
come. The facility consists of 3 truck bays, 80-ft. long, which allows for various
combinations of vehicle stacking within the truck bay. Mr. Holiday pointed out the
administration area of the building with a main entrance with vestibule, offices,
conference room, restroom and break room. The public area of the building has
restrooms and a large conference room that can be used as a training room. The public
area is secured from the rest of the Fire Station. There are offices and living areas on
the remainder of the first floor with the living areas consisting of a day room with a
kitchen and small eating area off of the day room. Upstairs are bedrooms, restrooms
and storage areas.
Mr. Holiday pointed out the pull-through bays, lighting, and trench drains in the floor. He
stated that there is an open kitchen plan with a large food preparation area with food
pantries for the different shifts. There are a number of safety elements built into the
system such as a fire sprinkler system, alarm system and smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors. There is a communication room, emergency generator and ATS. The UPS
is a battery backup so that if power is lost the building goes to battery for about 30
seconds until the generator gets up enough RPM’s to run the building.
Chairman Hill asked for confirmation of the parking, stating that the parking to the east
is for public access, i.e., visitor parking and parking on the west side of the building will
be for employee parking with the driveway off of the west side parking for the fire trucks
to have an entrance to the apparatus bays. Mr. Holiday confirmed that the west side
drive doubles as an access to employee parking and an entrance to the vehicle bays.
The trucks will exit onto Trophy Club Drive.
Chairman Hill asked if there is a new cut in the median on Trophy Club Drive. Mr.
Holiday stated that there is an existing cut in the median on Trophy Club Drive, but the
cut will be widened. The northern median will be cut back and the southern median will
be increased a little bit.
Vice Chairman Stephens asked if there is enough room for the fire trucks to turn south
onto Trophy Club Drive out of the new drive. Mr. Holiday responded that there is a long
driveway and they will swing over on the driveway to exit southbound onto Trophy Club
Drive. If the truck pulled straight out there would be a little bit of a problem.
Commissioner Sheridan asked if the radius of turn will accommodate vehicles in the
future (if they get bigger and longer). Chief Thomas responded that with the existing
station they pull out of the far north end of the building with the ladder truck, and the
new driveway will make the turning radius to get onto Trophy Club Drive much more
accessible.
Commissioner Forest and Reed did not have any comments.
Commissioner Ashby stated that he likes the design of the building and thinks it looks
nice.
Commissioner Davidson stated that there is a line drawn on the plans to the left side
entrance of the bays. He asked if that is for drainage. Mr. Holiday explained that it is a
trench drain since the driveway slopes down to a low point at the truck bays and then
rises back up so that there is no possibility of water getting into the truck bays.
Commissioner Davidson asked where that water goes. Mr. Faulkner stated that it goes
underground and up to the north side of the building and then east along Municipal
Drive and ties into the existing storm sewer system that runs along Trophy Club Drive.
Commissioner Davidson asked for the size of the drain, stating that the concern is that a
fair amount of concrete is being added to that area, plus the roofline, as compared to
the existing large lot of trees, so the drainage is going to be fairly significant. Mr.
Faulkner stated that it is a 12-inch wide, 12-inch deep trench drain and it ties into a 15-
inch diameter underground pipe. There is also an area inlet that picks up some
drainage. These flow north to Municipal Drive then east to the existing storm sewer
along Trophy Club Drive. Commissioner Davidson asked if there is enough slope to do
that. Mr. Faulkner responded that there is a 20-ft. drop from northwest corner to
southeast corner. Commissioner Davidson responded that he understands that drop
but what about the flow from the trench drain to Municipal Drive. Mr. Faulkner stated
that there will be enough height. Commissioner Davidson stated that there is a very
large retaining wall along the edge of the property, which he understands is necessary,
but any residual water that runs off the building has got to be collected and moved off
that wall. Mr. Faulkner agreed and stated that if the water were to build up in any way
there is a small swale that runs along the south side of the property that dumps out onto
Trophy Club Drive.
Commissioner Davidson stated that Mr. Holiday mentioned that there is a UPS inside
the building run through an automatic transfer switch (ATS) which means there is a
generator. Where is the location of the generator? Mr. Faulkner pointed out the
location of the generator which is on a concrete pad on the southwest corner of the site.
Commissioner Davidson asked if it has an acoustic housing. Mr. Holiday stated that it is
a standalone system and has a muffler system. Commissioner Davidson asked if it will
be diesel, gas, natural gas….? Chief Thomas responded that it will be diesel. He
stated that there is currently a 100 kilowatt diesel generator serving the building which is
fairly quiet. Commissioner Davidson asked if there is an environmental muffler on it.
Mr. Holiday stated that it is required.
Chairman Hill asked if the public area of the Fire Station will be held exclusively for the
Fire Department or if there will be access for other Town functions. Chief Thomas
stated that it is could be used for small community service meetings. The conference
room seats approximately 35. [Immediate Fire Station parking is limited to 18 spaces,
one of which is handicap accessible.]
Commissioner Ashby asked if there is a pole. [Lots of laughter] Mr. Holiday stated that
question comes up in every project and due to insurance requirements and lawsuits,
unfortunately, there is no pole. The grade school kids wish there were poles but in this
day and age, unfortunately, there are few stations with them.
Commissioner Forest asked for the purpose of the tower. Mr. Holiday stated that the
design of the station draws from the historic fire stations of years past. Many stations,
before the turn of the century, had towers which were used to dry hoses. In today’s
technology the hoses are synthetic and don’t need to be dried like they used to, but the
tower is retained as a symbolic element of a fire station and gives a quick icon of
recognition to the public that the building is a fire facility. Commissioner Forest asked
what will be in the tower. Mr. Holiday responded that the first floor of the tower is part of
the administration area and the second floor is storage. There is an access stair ladder
in the tower that ascends to a platform and there are lights in that part of the tower to
light the tower as a beacon. Chief Thomas stated that there will also be communication
antennas in that area of the tower along with weather instruments.
Commissioner Sheridan stated that he emailed questions regarding energy efficiency of
the site plan to Ms. Huggins and would the architect answer those questions. The
architect asked for help in recalling the specific questions. Commissioner Sheridan
stated that he asked if any consideration was given to using a pervious material for the
parking areas to not force the storm water off the property using big pipes, as currently
proposed, but detain the water for water conservation onsite as much as possible. Mr.
Holiday stated that they tend to do that with large parking areas, but with the weight of
the trucks the civil engineer usually does not advise that. Commissioner Sheridan
stated that he would agree with the civil engineer regarding driveways and that’s why he
specifically asked about the parking but not the driveways.
Commissioner Sheridan asked if there has been any conscious movement toward trying
to conserve energy and follow any of the green building codes. The Town has not
upgraded their codes because there isn’t a need – the Town is too small – but that
doesn’t mean that the energy codes are not good codes. They should at least be
considered. Mr. Holiday responded that ASHRAE (American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), which is a society that governs codes –
mechanical, heating, ventilation, air conditioning – sets a minimum standard that must
be met on commercial and residential buildings. This building is not the bare minimum
of those codes nor the very top because of budget and economy. This project is not a
LEED (Leadership in Environmental Energy Design). There are many elements that
were incorporated into the building – R30 insulation in the roofs, 19 in the walls -- a low
coefficient of heat gain and loss in the windows with a very good glass product that
reduces any heat gain or loss. LEED was not pursued because of the expense, but
there are elements of this building that are cost effective and give a good value to the
building. There are different levels of LEED. Commissioner Sheridan stopped Mr.
Holiday to state that he didn’t expect the building to be LEED qualified but he was
interested to know if there was an attempt to use LEED guidelines towards doing some
energy efficiency. Commissioner Sheridan stated that in his email he also asked about
a wind sensor for the sprinkler system so that in a high wind the sprinklers wouldn’t go
off and water the street. He stated that his questions were specifically based on the site
plan, since that is the agenda item being considered this evening and that he wanted to
see addressed some of the newer products coming into vogue for conservation such as
rain and temperature gauges more so than the building. Commissioner Sheridan stated
that he had forwarded the email to Ms. Huggins a couple of days ahead of time to give
the architect time to address his questions and he stated that he is upset that the
architect didn’t even mention it. Mr. Holiday responded that he got it and reviewed it
but they were unsure of the format of how to address the questions. Mr. Holiday stated
that in regard to sensors, he is a licensed irrigator in Texas and the way that the rain
sensors work is that if a certain amount of rain occurs the irrigation system will kick off
so that sprinklers aren’t going when it is raining. Temperature sensors usually turn off
the irrigation system when the temperature falls below a certain degree – Mr. Holiday
believed it was 48 degrees. A wind sensor is normally set to 5 a.m. – which is usually a
time when wind is not occurring – and it is usually not an issue. Commissioner
Sheridan stated that he is upset that his questions were disregarded but doesn’t want to
pursue this discussion further at this time.
Chairman Hill asked the Town Engineer, Tom Rutledge, if he had any comments. Mr.
Rutledge stated that he went through several reviews with the architect and they have
addressed all outstanding comments.
There was no further discussion or comments and Chairman Hill called for a motion.
Commissioner Ashby motioned to recommend approval to the Town Council of the Site
Plan, Landscape Plan and Plant List, Irrigation, and Building Elevations. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Davidson.
Ayes: Hill, Reed, Ashby, Davidson, Forest, Sheridan, Stephens
Nays: None
Action: 7-0, Approved
This item will be heard by the Town Council on Monday, March 8, 2010.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Hill adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m.