Forney P&Z Jan 08 gets much public input regarding rezoning requests

During its regular Jan. 08, 2015 meeting, the Forney Planning & Zoning commission, with a large S.R.O. audience attending, spent 3 hours and:

• Held these public hearings:
  • Approved a request for a rezoning from AG Agricultural District to PD – Planned Development District with a base zoning district of SFA – Single Family Attached District and approved uses from the SF-6 Single Family District. The property consists of 546.034 acres out of the A. Hyer Survey, Abstract No. 203, City of Forney, Kaufman County, Texas. The property is generally located northeast of F.M. 1641 and southwest of County Road 212.
    
       This item drew the vast majority of speakers, most of whom were less opposed to the project than they were at the first meeting, given the substantial changes made to the PD. The developer agreed to make more changes in the future (during the platting phase), and pointed out some requests might not be possible given the restrictions imposed by city ordinances and TxDOT rules.
  • Approved an amendment to the City of Forney Comprehensive Plan, specifically to amend the future land use map designation from Commercial to Residential for 40.854 acres of property east of F.M. 740 and south of Bowie Street.
  • Approved a request for an amendment to an existing Planned Development District for Single-Family Residential (SF-6) uses for 40.854 acres of property currently known as Stonebriar Estates, PD# 1214. The proposed amendment includes renaming the Planned Development to Brooklyn Village, amending the development regulations, and amending the concept plan. The proposed base zoning district is SFA – Single-Family Attached Residential District. The property is generally located east of F.M. 740 and south of Bowie Street.
    
       After some time, it was established that the property was to be developed and built by the same person/company, thus removing some ambiguity about the home designs and construction. Maintenance of the front yard areas will be done by the HOA. It was generally agreed this product is much better than what the existing PD allows.
  • Approved an amendment to the City of Forney Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Section 48, entitled “Signage”. The amendment will clarify existing definitions and regulations, create new definitions and regulations, and provide visual examples.
    
       The major changes were to allow signs on buildings that have rear customer entrances, to remove restrictions on neon signs, and to allow electronic signage - with significant restrictions.