P&Z approves Best Western signage and Holiday Inn Express plans

During its regular September 01, 2016 meeting, the Forney Planning and Zoning Commission met and (this is a preliminary report, subject to revision):

• Held Public Hearings for-
  • Approved a request to amend Planned Commercial District Ordinance No. 1207, Pinson Crossing Planned Commercial District, by adding a section to provide sign regulations.
    Mr. Morgan briefed the commission - the existing signage does not meet current requirements. This would allow them to put new signs up at the same size they currently have. This only affects the hotel.
    Ms. Coffman asked about the language re: facing hwy 80, if it only applied to this hotel: yes. Mr. Rexrode asked if this was a big difference from normal - Mr. Morgan said the 10% is the standard elsewhere.
    Christy Brau - assistant manager at Best Western, explained they are just asking to keep what they have.

  • Approved a request for approval of the final plat of the Ridgecrest Center Addition, Block A, Lot 4R, being a replat of Block A, Lot 4, of the Ridgecrest Center Addition final plat.
    Mr. Morgan explained this was to allow development of lot 4. The driveway only serves Aldi's, this will allow the drive to serve lot 4. Mr. Cross asked about the future of the lane - Mr. Morgan said will also server the rear lot, it will not goto Ridgecrest.

• Approved a site plan for the Ridgecrest Center Addition, located on Block A, Lot 4R, of the Ridgecrest Center Addition final plat.
  Mr. Patroski explained this was the property just discussed, the exterior will be brick and stone.
  Mr. Cross said never had anything like this, Mr. Morgan said it isn't much different than other GR buildings. Similar to what other cities require. (This may have been a mixup actually meant for the next agenda item)
  Mr. Rexrode asked about # suites. Ms. Coffman asked if businesses had to come back for specific uses - Mr. Morgan said only if not allowed in that district. Mr. Cunningham asked if it was just a 9400 sq ft shell - yes. Ms. Coffman asked about projected time for build to lease - applicant said would come back with designs in a couple weeks, said each business has to come in for approval? Likely to take 5 months.
  
• Approved a site plan for the Holiday Inn Express, located at Lot 2, Block A, of the Forney Center final plat.
  Mr. Morgan said this is behind Applebees, hotel use is permitted, it is 4 stories, 53ft tall, max is 60 ft, it will use existing driveway, will have 80 guest rooms, the ordinance allows stucco, but is primarily brick and stone, a screening wall will be added on the north of the property.
  Mr. Rexrode asked if would be a sign on 80, Mr. Morgan said there is an existing pylon sign, would not be an additional pylon sign.
  Ms. Coffman asked about signage at Best Western - Mr. Morgan said that is in a different PD, applicant is aware of the signage issues.
  Mr. Rexrode asked about the wall - it wil be 6ft and brick, the length of the property. Mr. Cross said back in the early 80s this was a truck stop, with storage tanks, may have been a fuel leak. Mr. Morgan said it has been discussed with Public works and staff has requested that soil sample be taken before permits issued.

  Ms. Coffman verified that a soil analysis is to look for fuel issues - Mr. Morgan said it is a request.
  Applicant rep. Jim Dewey, civil engineer, was involved with this in 2005, with the 2 strip centers, had plans for hotel then until 2008. Now new developer. Everyone knew it had been fuel center, most lenders require environmental checks, don't anticipate it being an issue, probably spills before 2005 have been cleaned up. He thanked staff for being cordial, and requested the commission follow staff recommendation.