Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Called Meeting June 4, 2024 2801 Ranch RD 1869 Liberty Hill, TX 78642 6:30PM Meeting minutes:  LIBERTY HILL SMALL TOWN . BIG HEART Commissioners Present: Bryan Rivera Chad Cormack, Vice Chair Sarah Novo  Commissioners: Absent: Steve Messana, Chair  City Staff Present:  McKenzi Hicks, Interim Planning Director Elaine Simpson, City Secretary (Recording Secretary) Stephan Zaparolli, PlannerI Joseph Crawford, City Attorney 1) CALLTO ORDER  The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Chad Cormack at 6:30 PM on. June 4, 2024, at 2801 Ranch Road 1869, Liberty Hill, Texas. Quorum was established and all members were present, except Chair Steve Messana. Vice Chair Cormack led the invocation and led the pledges of allegiance to US and Texas flags,  respectively.  2) PUBLIC COMMENTS  Public Comments are welcome. You may submit. Public Comments inj person, or you may submit them to the City. Secretary at imponglberpAlacgon before 3:001 PM, the day of the meeting.  There were no speakers for citizens' comments.  Planning &2 Zoning Commission Meeting minutes  Page1of8  June 4,2024    3) PUBLICHEARING  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City ofLiberty Hill has been asked to review and  approve the following application(s), to wit:  a) Discussion, consideration, and aj possible recommendation regarding proposed Unified Development Code (UDC) text amendments to Section 6.12 (Sign Regulations) and Section 6.13 (Outdoor Lighting) of the City ofLiberty Hill UDC. (M. Hicks)  a.) Introduction and Staff] Report.  Interim Director of Planning and Development McKenzi Hicks and Vice Chair Cormack explained that the attendees here tonight probably were property owners who received a letter recently from our Planning and! Zoning Department notifying them ofthis hearing. Unfortunately, due to state statutes, our city is required to add verbiage to every notice oft this type. The! letters sent out had this statutory language which reads to be aggressive. We are: not allowed to remove or alter the wording. Statutory language states that the amendments considered tonight, ifp passed, could result in the loss ofyour use of your property (signage). The City is not planning oni requiring that existing signs be taken down ifthey were built to the City codes that were in effect at the time ofinstallation. These signs will be existing non-conforming (grandfathered). No further signs will be allowed unless they are conforming to the new city  code.  b.) Hold Public Hearing  Chad Cormack called thel Public Hearing to order at 6:35 PM.  Speakers:  1.) Thad Gillespie - spoke about his concerns regarding his sign at Liberty Hill Dental. Support Dark Sky, but still want existing signs tol be grandfathered. 2.) Walter Cardwell attorney for Liberty Hill TXI RV's-s spoke about his concerns that resulted from the letter his client received, which had the Statutory language on it, as well as some incorrect statements that claim there are illuminated signs atl LHTX RVs. Also, the LHTX RVi is located in a Planned Unit District (PUD), sO any and all signs that exist on the property were permitted according to the rules oft the PUD in 2022. 3.) Chad Stauss, representing Union Hall Baptist Church. Spoke about his concerns for the church sign. Expressed appreciation for the clarification provided by staff at the first of the meeting regarding the necessity tol have the Statutory language, but still concerns that future city staffi might interpret the code differently. Requested information on the planned process for grandfathering the existing signs in writing. 4.) Nick Page Spoke about his support ofDark Skies. Noted concern about the light pollution coming this way with the development from Leander direction. Explained that no one desires to take all the signs away, would like them turned down so not to cause glare, and for light bulbs to be shielded to focus the light downward.  Planning & Zoning Commission! Meeting minutes  Page 2of8  June 4,2024    5.) Jon Branigan - spoke about! his concerns about the signs and the need for lights for safety reasons. Noted that he found the proposed amending ordinance to be ambiguous. Would like to see proposed amending ordinance redone to be clearer. Also, would like to see input from all the residents and' business owners on the new proposals. Stated he has concerns about the city attracting new businesses if we are currently increasing restrictions on businesses. Lastly, he expressed concerns about the cost ofe enforcement of 6.) Shane White = owner of sign for REMAX Country. Spoke about his concerns that local business owners were not allowed toj provide input before now, should have been involved from the beginning. Asked about the grandfathering language in the Sign Ordinance and how it varied from the grandfathering language in the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. Requested that the City provide the existing sign owners proof of permanent 7.) Clyde Davis = explained that hei is a long-time resident and past member of P&Z. He recalled that when he was on P&Z years ago, he voted against adoption of the Unified Development Code (UDC), because it was Round Rock's UDC. The City ofLiberty Hill just took it and adopted it. It doesn'taddi up tol keep trying to fix this UDC. 8.) Brent Cloyd- - Owner ofThirsty Penguin on Hwy 29 and another business both ofwhich have display signs. These signs cost $40,000 each. Also, the light from the signs provide 9.) Shari Paul- Homeowner in Liberty Hill for last 5.5 years. She spoke about her concern asar resident without al business. Due to ai nearby business having al bright sign, entire rooms in her home are lit with bright lights all night long. There is no way toj persuade the owner oft this sign to turn it off late at night. It prevents her from enjoying her own property, due to the glare and light pollution. She noted that her house cost more than a $40,000 sign. She joined the Save Our Stars group and isi in support oft the Dark Skies Tim Cox - spoke as ai resident on South Ridge for over 25 years. Hei noted that he is also in the Save Our Stars group and supports the Dark Skies initiative. He stressed that the vast majority oft businesses do not need signage that is brightly lit all night long. Bob Head - spoke as ai resident. He lives directly behind thel Forklift facility on 183. The sign at the Forklift business illuminates his home,. just like Ms. Paul explained about her home. Also, the sign at the Forklift business is on all night long.  the Ordinance ifitis amended in this manner.  grandfathering.  additional light for drivers ini the parking lot.  Ordinance. 10.) 11.)  Chad Cormack closed the Public Hearing at 7:101 PM.  There was a discussion about the desire oft the City to work with the property owners, both business and residential. Vice Chair Cormack described what he would like to see, which would be the postponement oft this item tonight, sO that the letters could be resent, with context explaining the statutory language. Also, letters could be corrected, if needed. Vice Chair Cormack gave a briefhistory of thel Dark Skies Ordinance and the city's efforts to implement the regulations for Dark Sky and achieve Dark Sky certification. He noted that the staff and P&Z Commissioners have been and are currently working to re-write the uniform  development code (UDC).  Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting minutes  Page 3of8  June 4, 2024    c.) Consider: recommendations.  City staff explained that it would be beneficial to go back and modify the language in the Amending Ordinance to make the grandfathering clause clearer. Also, Electronic Message  Display (EMD) signage could be defined better.  d.) Possibly take action.  Motion by Vice Chair Cormack, seconded by Commissioner Rivera, toj postpone this item, to modify the proposed amendment, as described and to schedule another Public Hearing and to re- notice the new Public Hearing. This will probably be July 2nd meeting. Vote on the motion: Motion carried unanimously by a vote of3-0. Ayes: Novo, Rivera, and Cormack. Nays: 0, with The Commissioners and city staff thanked all the speakers for attending the meeting and providing input. They were encouraged to send any further input to the Planning and! Zoning  Chair Messana absent.  Department using the information in the letter.  4) CONSENT AGENDA  a) Disapproval of the Margaritas Patio Amending Plat, consisting of approximately 7.17 acres ofland, and legally described as part ofa and out ofthe. Noah Smithwick Survey, Abstract No. 590, Liberty Hill, Williamson County, Texas. (M. Hicks) b) Disapproval of the Stonewall Ranch North Section Eleven Subdivision Amending Plat, consisting ofa approximately 11.8688 acres of land, and legally described as part of and out of the. John B. Robinson Survey, Abstract No. 521, Liberty Hill Extraterritorial Disapproval of the Liberty Hill 214 Brown Bridge Road Subdivision Minor Plat, consisting of approximately 0.922 acres ofl land, and legally described as part ofand out ofthe Thomas PI Plaster Survey, Abstract No. 510, Liberty Hill, Williamson County, d) Disapproval of the Replat ofLot 1, Block A Hwy 29 Subdivision, consisting of approximately 1.374 acres ofl land, and legally described as part ofand out oft the Thomas PP Plaster Survey, Abstract No. 510 in Williamson County, Texas. (M. Hicks) e) Disapproval oft the Reagan Heights Minor Plat, consisting ofapproximately 34.75 acres ofland, more particularly described by Williamson Central Appraisal District Parcel R474844, and legally described as part of and out oft the Burleson Warren Survey, Abstract No. 667, Liberty Hill Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), Williamson County,  Jurisdiction (ETJ), Williamson County, Texas. (M. Hicks)  Texas. (M. Hicks)  Texas. (M. Hicks)  Planning &2 Zoning Commission Meeting minutes  Page 40 of8  June 4, 2024    f) Approval oft the minutes for the May 7,2 2024, Planning and Zoning Commission May 21,2024, P&Z Meeting was canceled due tol lack of quorum. These are the meeting minutes Motion: Motion by Commissioner Bryan Rivera, seconded by Commissioner Novo, to pass all the items on the Consent Agenda, as presented. - Vote on the motion: Motion carried unanimously by a vote of 3-0.. Ayes: Novo, Rivera, and Cormack. Nays: 0, with Chair Messana  Regular Called Meeting. (E. Simpson) that would have been approved at that meeting.  absent.  5) REGULAR AGENDA  a) Discussion, consideration, and a possible recommendation to the City Council regarding directing staff to accept the dedication of parkland from the Mansions at Liberty Hill project, with potential access to the adjacent land for parking. (M. Hicks/K. Amsler) Interim Planning and Development Director Hicks introduced the item and explained that the city's Director of Communications and Community Engagement, Katie. Amsler, was here to give more background on this item. The Parks Department falls under her supervision. The concept of Park Land Banking' is new to Liberty Hill. Land Bank' is a non-profit. Itis established to allow cities to deed park land to the Bank, sO that the city is not the 'official owner' oft the land. The reason this is done is to 'bank' the land with the non-profit, who will hold the deed until the city is ready for the land. When a city applies for a grant, they have to have matching funds. Sometimes the matching funds' can be in the form of "land.' The tricky part is the land' put up as matching funds cannot be land officially already owned by the city. The benefit ofbanking the land is that iti is with the non-profit and not considered owned by the city. The Land Bank takes the land as iti is deeded to the city and the city does not take The cost ofbelonging to the Land Bank is $600 a year. Also, all land 'banked' must be fenced There was an extended discussion oft the timing ofthe land-banking process, and when it would make sense to bank the land. Also, there was an extended discussion oft the platting process and the required timetable for that process. Iti is not possible to accurately predict exactly when the city will be able to provide utilities to allow construction plans. Also, during the platting process, ifthe land is going tol be 'banked' it needs to be platted in a specific way. Right now, the Mansions project is at the pre-liminary platting stage. Also, ifapproved, the pre-liminary plats will have an expiration date. There are too many unknowns to accurately predict when would be  7:28 PM.  ownership. and cannot be used.  Planning &2 Zoning Commission Meeting minutes  Page 5of8  June 4,2024    the appropriate time to determine whether the city took the dedication oft the land directly or There was also al brief discussion regarding why the property has not been developed before now. There have been indications that there may be aj protected species on the land. This would not affect the Parks Department plans, as they only wish to use it as aj passive park, with possibly Since the Parks Board does want thej property, the confusion has just been centered around not being able to have at timeline of when the land would be ready to plat and to determine how to Motion: Motion to forward a favorable recommendation to City Council to accept the dedication ofland for park purposes, as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, from the Mansions, with potential access to the adjacent land for parking. Motion by Vice Chair Cormack, seconded by Commissioner Rivera. Motion carried unanimously by a vote of3-0. This recommendation will go to City Council, but will not clarify the question of whether or not  banked it with the land bank.  some trails.  accept the dedication; to the city directly or to the bank.  Ayes: Rivera, Cormack, Novo. Nays: 0. With Chair Messana absent.  tor recommend banking oft the land.  b) Receive parkland stop gap ordinance update. (Chair Messana)  Since this item was placed on the agenda by Chair Messana, it was decided to postpone  consideration oft this until his return.  6) REPORTS  At this time, the Commission may consider reports which do not require action. Examples might be reports from other committees orj from the Cross-Committee Communications group. a) Receive the Projects in Motion Report. (S. Zaparolli) Planner Stephan Zaparolli introduced the item and noted the highlights' oft the report.  b) Receive Future Items report. (M. Hicks)  Interim Planning and Development Director Hicks introduced this report. The Joint Special Meeting between City Council and the P&Z Commissioners is currently being scheduled.  Planning &2 Zoning Commission! Meeting minutes  Page 6of8  June 4, 2024    The first draft ofthe proposed Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) will be presented to the City Council for their first review at their Regular Meeting on June 12, 2024. This Ordinance will then come  back to the P&Z Commission. A few questions were fielded.  Ms. Hicks explained that research that the department has been doing associated with the Goodwill store item has revealed that Williamson County owns Bronco Blvd. There was discussion about the applicants for the P&Z Commission vacancy left by Diane Williams will come back to P&Z for evaluation at the next meeting. Vice Chair Cormack noted that he is no longer able to assist coordinate the Cross Communications Committee, hopefully ai new leader can be found for the group.  7) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT COMMENTS  City Council Update - P&Z Items appointment if desired Chair Messana Commissioner Rivera  REMINDER: Commissioners with 2024 term expirations need to re-apply for  Commissioner Novo eplafereoppohntment in Feb. 2024) Planning and Zoning Commission Appointments -1 Postponed for New City  Council Consideration  An additional application has been received since appointments were last Ord. No. 2024-0-008. - Wastewater Impact Fee Uplate/Amendment. Approved After executive session, the Council voted 5-0 to suspend acceptance of new  considered by the Commission.  from $4,000 to $5,260  reservation fees until further notice.  8) ADJOURNMENT  Given there were no further agenda items and hearing no objections from the members, Chair  Messana adjourned the meeting at 7:52PM.  PASSED AND APPROVED by the Planning and Zoning of the City of Liberty Hill, Texas on and  Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting minutes  Page 7of8  June 4, 2024    day of  2024, onvoteo of Zays, D nays, and  abstentions.  00  Sieye-MessanaChs  Karlyn HelepActing Lhain City Shenes Semmpo)  I 11 LIBERTNN  IE  Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting minutes  Page 80 of8  June 4, 2024