Council upholds P&Z denial of amenity center downsizing

During its regular May 16, 2017 meeting, the Forney City Council met and (this is the preliminary report, subject to change):

• Oath of office given to newly elected council members Myers and Moon
  
• Recess for punch & cookies.
  
• Recognition of Girl Scout Troop 2887
  
• National Police Week Proclamation
  
• National Public Works Week Proclamation
  
• Presentation by Terri Shatter of Oncor Electric - she explained the reason for two of the recent power outages, April 15 affecting 572 customers on one feeder, 4000 were affected on another feeder. On April 23 the 572 customers were affected again. There have been some storm and tree-related outages. Doing maintenance S of Hwy 80 and on 1641, due to growth. Building new substation, Buffalo Creek, between Heath and Forney. She presented outage reporting options, at http://oncor.com
  
• Mid-Year Budget Update - Ms Woodham said budget revenue is expected to come in at 125%. Have spent 52% of budget at 58% of FY. EDC budget expected to be at 118% due to increased sales tax. HOT tax expected to be 112%.
  
• Approved as consent items in one motion:
  • a site plan for 114 W. Pacific Street.
    
  • a preliminary plat for Bush’s Chicken, located south of F.M. 741 and east of F.M. 548.
    
  • a final plat for Bush’s Chicken, located south of F.M. 741 and east of F.M. 548.
    
  • a final plat for Gateway Pines, located south of N. Gateway Boulevard and east of F.M. 548.
    
  • a final plat for Gateway Parks Addition, Phase 6, located north of F.M. 1641 and south of C.R. 212.
    
  • a final plat for Gateway Parks Addition, Phase 3, located north of F.M. 1641 and south of C.R. 212.

• Approved the quarterly investment report ending 3/31/17. Ms. Woodham said were able to invest more. Ms. Penn commented about the terrible interest rate.
  
• Held Public Hearing - Watch Video
  • Tabled an Ordinance rezoning property from Mixed-Use District to Planned Development District with single-family residential, multi-family residential and non-residential (General Retail, Office and Neighborhood Service) uses on 108.2 acres of land located south of U.S. Highway 80 adjacent to the western city limits boundary of the City of Forney, Texas.
        Mr. Morgan briefed the council on the plans for the parcel: 57 acres were annexed on Mar. 17, 2015 and zoned Mixed Use. Five tracts provide Single-Family (SF6), Multi-Family (MF) and retail/office. 202 SF units on lots 7,700 sq. ft. which matches SF6 with min. home size 2,000 sq. ft. which exceeds SF6 min. of 1,500. Structures will be min. 75% brick, CMU or stone; staff removed non-durable alternative materials. 486 MF units are similar in density to Gateway. The Comprehensive Plan shows retail/neighborhood office at 80 and 460, but nothing for property behind it so Future Land Use map will need to be amended. P&Z Public Hearing approved with 2 stipulations - adding a trail, and amenity center. Staff is preparing an amendment to require amenity centers for new developments. No responses were received to legal notices, or at P&Z hearing.
        Mr. Pat Atkins, representing Dollar-Flowers partnership, showed a presentation labelled Wellington Ridge, have been working with staff for 9 months. He mentioned working with the concrete batch plant and the power plant. They have revised the plans to have larger lot sizes of 7,700 sq. ft. He showed tentative entrance plans, dependent on what TxDOT is going to do with service road. It will have two entry points. Homes will be about 250k+. It's important to them to create an identity for this entrance to Forney.
        Mr. Johnson asked which builders were committed - they have many interested, but none committed without approval of documents. Mr. Myers asked when the retail would start - Mr. Atkins said traditionally must have rooftops first, no specific plans now. Mr. McGee asked if they considered all the people in development North, such as Travis Ranch - yes, that will increase demand for the 11 acres of retail/office. Ms. Powers moved to table the item, to allow time to review the plans. Mayor Wilson said a motion was not appropriate in Public Hearing. He then asked Mr. Atkins if they have met all P&Z requirements - Mr. Atkins complimented staff and said this will have the quality Forney wants and requests approval.
        After exiting public hearing, Ms. Powers again moved to table item until next meeting, Ms. Penn seconded, motion approved with Mayor Wilson & Mr. Johnson voting nay.

• Tabled an Ordinance amending the City of Forney Comprehensive Plan, by amending the future land use map for 108.2 acres of property located south of U.S. Highway 80, adjacent to the western city limits boundary of the City of Forney, Texas.
      Mr. Morgan recommended this also be tabled. Mr. McGee asked if thought was given to a grander scale of retail; Mr. Morgan said additional retail was not discussed. Mr. Fisher said he spoke with developers in early stages, they could not support retail beyond the planned development. Ms. Penn asked if they considered Travis Ranch - Mr. Fisher said generally put in neighborhood services for that development. Mr. McGee said when Hwy 80 expansion occurs, it will narrow down to two lanes at the Clements exit, retail space there would be a home-run. Mr. Fisher pointed out there is much space further down that could fill in.
  
• Approved an Ordinance approving a negotiated settlement agreement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee (“ACSC”) and Atmos Energy Corporation regarding the company’s 2017 rate review mechanism filings, and all related issues.
      Mr. Thatcher said Forney was now one of 170 cities in the negotiation; Atmos requested $57 mil, negotiated down $9 mill reduction. Ms. Penn asked if the settlement was the rate. Mr. Thatcher said state law allows utilities to request increase, what citizens will see is a decrease in what the increase would have been. Ms. Powers asked how much; about $2.5 / customer.
  
• Approved a Resolution declaring 7,700 linear feet of Low Profile Concrete Traffic Barrier (Type I) and 80 linear feet of Low Profile Concrete Traffic Barrier (Type II) surplus and authorizing the City Manager to execute sale or disposal of said property.
      Mr. Sullivan said the items were stockpiled in the park after construction was finished; it is something city doesn't have much use for, is difficult to move, recommend allowing city manager to to sell. Mr. Johnson asked if the buyer would have to move it - yes.
  
• Discussed a revised site plan for the Gateway Parks Amenity Center, located at 1351 S. Gateway Boulevard.
      Mr. Morgan said Mr Bain is requesting this, the original plan was 8900 sq ft center, this amendment is 2,600 ft. on May 4 P&Z voted to deny. Applicant has appealed, council may override by a 3/4 vote.
      After a lengthy discussion expressing displeasure, adjourned into executive session.
  
• Denied a revised site plan for the Gateway Parks Amenity Center, located at 1351 S. Gateway Boulevard.
  
• Held another executive session
  
• Took no action after executive session