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                                           MINUTES 
THE MAIN STREET COMMITTEE
REGULAR SESSION
November 21, 2023
 		                                
A Regular Meeting was held by the Schertz City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas, on November 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hal Baldwin Municipal Complex Council Chambers Conference Room, 1400 Schertz Parkway, Building #4, Schertz, Texas. The following members present to-wit:
Present:
Chair Mark Davis  
 
Mayor Ralph Gutierrez  
 
Committee Member Tim Brown  
 
Committee Member Allison Heyward  
Staff present:
Brian James, Deputy City Manager
Sheree Courney, Deputy City Secretary
             
Call to Order
Chair Mark Davis called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
             
Hearing of Residents

This time is set aside for any person who wishes to address the Committee. Each person should fill out the speaker’s register prior to the meeting. Presentations should be limited to no more than 3 minutes.

Committee Chair Davis recognized the following residents:

Ms. Judy Goldick, 807 Main Street, Schertz, asked that the UDC be amended to reduce the required landscape buffer from 20 feet to 10 feet.
             
Discussion and Action Items
             
1. Minutes: Approval of the regular meeting minutes of April 18, 2023. (S.Edmondson/S.Courney)
Chair Davis requested a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of April 18, 2023.
  Moved by Committee Member Tim Brown, seconded by Mayor Ralph Gutierrez
 
AYE: Chair Mark Davis
  Mayor Ralph Gutierrez
  Committee Member Tim Brown
  Committee Member Allison Heyward
Passed
             
2. Main Street Related Ordinance Changes – Briefing, discussion, direction on a number of proposed ordinance changes impacting Main Street, including but not limited to landscape buffers, setbacks, parking on the street for auto related uses, parking on unpaved surfaces. (B.James)

Mr. James opened the discussion by providing UDC Section 21.9.7 D which states "...a nonresidential or multifamily use adjacent to a single family or duplex residential use or single family or duplex residentially zoned property shall provide a minimum twenty-foot (20') landscape buffer adjacent to the proper line of the residential use or residentially zoned property."  If its adjacent to nonresidential or multifamily the buffer is only five feet (5'). 

Staff recommends 5' landscape buffer for consistency and lot size for Main Street area in the incentive grant area.  

Committee members asked for input from the Fire Department and other committees. Mr. James stated that no input was provided by the Fire Department, but all changes will be brought forward to City Council for approval following Planning and Zoning Committee approval.

Mr. David Wissmann, 707 Main Street, asked how the reduction in the landscape buffer would affect sight at the stop signs?  Mr. James responded that corner lots have a minimum 15' side yard setback from the street right-of-way and there are no adjacent uses for them, so there should be no added sight impairment at stop signs in this area.

Councilmember Brown made the motion to approve the 5' buffer, seconded by Councilmember Heyward.
Vote: 4 Ayes; 0 Nays
Motion passed

Staff proposed dropping the corner side yard setback to 10' from street right of way, if approved by City Engineer on sight distance.  This is applicable only to certain side roads in the Main Street area.  

Councilmember Heyward made the motion to approve, seconded by Mayor Gutierrez.
Vote: 4 Ayes; 0 Nays
Motion passed.

Further discussion regarding auto-related businesses brought forth the following issues: (1) parking on the street; (2) parking on unpaved surfaces; and (3) non-conforming issues. Many options were offered and addressed for viability. Mr. James suggested expanding the Parking Subcommittee to include other businesses and residents that are impacted by the non-conformance issues propagated by auto-related businesses.  The City needs to set the tone that parking on the grass is not an option. Enforcement options will need the approval of Council.
             
3.
Main Street Design-Update on the Main Street Design. (B. James/J. Nowak)

Mr. James presented the following update on the Main Street design:
  • Staff is finalizing comments for the preliminary plans for the project.
  • Staff and Kimley-Horn representatives will meet with GVEC to discuss utility relocation costs and finalized easement needs.
  •  Kimley-Horn is working on final exhibits for the architectural items in the project (signs, landscaping, decorative concrete, benches, bike racks, etc.) Upon completion, presentation will be made to Council and a public outreach effort initiated.
  • Kimley-Horn will work to finalize the water and sewer placement portion of the plans and create the bid package. Some coordination with Centerpoint Energy is planned for the replacement of their gas main on Main Street to be completed at the same time.
  • Plan is to present the design to Council for approval in January. Upon approval, City staff will begin the process of acquiring necessary easements for utility relocations.
             
4. Discussion Regarding Existing Nonconforming Uses and Amortization - (B. James)

Mr. James stated that the conforming uses on Main Street are primarily attributed to Automobile Repairs and Service Major which require an SUP.  These include general repairs or reconditioning of engines, air conditioning systems and transmissions for motor vehicles; wrecker or towing services with on-site storage of vehicles; collision services including body, frame, or fender straightening or repair; customizing; painting; vehicle steam cleaning; tire retreading; muffler services; upholstery shot; insurance estimations with onsite storage; undercoating and rust proofing, and other similar uses.

Services considered Automobile Repairs and Service Minor are allowed by right.  These include establishments used for the dispensing of sales of automobile fuels, lubricants, and automobile accessories; the minor repair or replacement of parts and performing State inspections and making minor repairs necessary to pass said inspection; automobile detailing; window tinting; and the sales and installation of automobile radios. 

Mr. James added that businesses in existence prior to code changes or annexation have "non-conforming status" but any change to the business terminates that status.  The status allows a business a certain time frame to ostensibly earn back, or "amortize," its investment in the property.  At the end of this period, the business owner must bring the property into compliance (even if it's not suited to the new zoning rules) or cease operation - and the City does not need to pay any compensation to the property owner.

Committee members were in agreement that they are not against any business on Main Street, but this is a redevelopment project and all businesses are expected to conform.  Committee Chair Davis stated that the expectation from staff is to have an estimated cost of the redevelopment and plan for code enforcement by the end of February.
             
5. Near Term Improvements/Efforts - (B. James)

Mr. James provided the near term improvements/efforts as follows:
  • Traffic issues: a request for a 4-way stop at Main and Randolph has been made.
  • Parking improvements:
    • Contacted a solar lighting company to add lights to both City parking lots.
    • Staff are contacting sign companies to reface/add signage to both lots.
             
6. Next Meeting Date-Discuss 2024 Meeting Schedule

Mr. James recommended adding triannual (every 4 months) meeting dates (January 23, May 14, and September 24) to the Master calendar.
             
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilmember Heyward, seconded by Mayor Gutierrez.

Committee Chair, Councilmember Davis, adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m.
______________________________________
Councilmember Mark Davis, Committee Chair
ATTEST:


____________________________________
Sheila Edmondson,  City Secretary

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