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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-5430-A Staff AnalysisJuly 6, 2006 ITEM NO.: 10 FILE NO.: Z -5430-A NAME: Westside YMCA Soccer Fields — Conditional Use Permit LOCATION: 401 John Barrow Road OWNER/APPLICANT: LRSD/Westside YMCA PROPOSAL: A conditional use permit is requested to allow for lighting of three of the existing soccer fields on this R-2 zoned LRSD campus. SITE LOCATION: The soccer fields are located on the Henderson School Campus which is located on the east side of John Barrow Road, south of West Markham Street. 2. COMPATIBILITY WITH NEIGHBORHOOD - The soccer fields and school campus are existing and no change is proposed to their configuration. The lighting is proposed for practice times only and will be cut off no later than 9:00 p.m. The lighting is to be designed to shine down onto the fields, not onto adjacent or nearby properties. Staff believes the proposal is compatible with the neighborhood. All owners of properties located within 200 feet of the soccer fields, all residents within 300 feet who could be identified and the Briarwood and Pennbrook/Cloverhill Neighborhood Associations were notified of this request. It is staffs understanding that the Associations support the proposal. 3. ON SITE DRIVES AND PARKING: No changes are proposed to the existing parking lot and driveways and no new soccer fields are being proposed. 4. SCREENING AND BUFFERS: No comments on this issue. July 6, 2006 ITEM NO.: 10 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -5430-A 5, PUBLIC WORKS COMME 1. The positioning of the western light pointing south could create a distraction for drivers on John Barrow Road southbound. If this is found to be the case, the lighting will have to be eliminated or adjusted to alleviate the problem. 6. UTILITY FIRE DEPT. AND CATA COMMENTS: Wastewater: Sewer available to this property. Entergy: No comments received. CenterPoint Energy: No comments received. AT&T (SBC): No comments received. Water: No objection. Fire Department: Approved as submitted. County Planning: No Comments. CATA: The site is not located on a CATA bus route. A bus route is located north of the site, along W. Markham Street. SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE COMMENT: (JUNE 15, 2006) The applicant was present. Staff presented the item and noted there was little additional information needed. Staff asked what months the fields were in use. The applicant responded that they were used all year. In response to a question from staff, the applicant responded that a representative of the YMCA would be responsible to assure that the lighting was turned off at 9:00 p.m. Public Works Staff noted that the positioning of the Western Light could create a distraction for drivers southbound on John Barrow Road. Staff stated the issue would be monitored and if the lighting was a problem, it would have to be adjusted or removed. The applicant agreed. The Committee determined there were no other issues and forwarded the item to the full Commission. 2 July 6, 2006 ITEM NO.: 10 Cont. FILE NO.: Z -5430-A STAFF ANALYSIS: The R-2 zoned property located at 401 John Barrow Road is occupied by Henderson Middle School. The Henderson Soccer Complex is located on the north end of the school campus. The soccer fields are maintained by the Westside YMCA to facilitate the organization's Youth Soccer Program. The Westside YMCA is requesting approval of a C.U.P. to allow for lighting of three of the soccer fields to allow extended practice times. Lighting is proposed to consist of a single pole with lights on either side to light fields 5 and 6 and two poles with lights aimed onto field 4. The lighting would not be sufficient to allow games but will adequate to allow practice times up to 9:00 each evening. The lights will be turned on early evening and turned off no later than 9:00 p.m. Key volunteers and staff only will have access to the lights which will be controlled by a locked control box. The applicant has submitted a lighting plan showing how the lighting will be directed onto each field. The lights will be mounted onto 50 foot tall poles. Staff is supportive of the request. Allowing the lights, with the time limit proposed by the applicant, should have minimal effect on nearby properties. Once the lights are in place, any that are determined to create a distraction for motorists on John Barrow Road will need to be redirected or removed, as determined by the Public Works Department. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the C.U.P. subject to compliance with the following condition: 1. Any lights which are determined to create a distraction for motorists on John Barrow Road must be redirected or removed as determined by Public Works. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (JULY 6, 2006) The applicant was present. There were no objectors present. Staff presented the item and a recommendation of approval, subject to compliance with the conditions outlined in the "staff recommendation" above. There was no further discussion. The item was placed on the consent agenda and approved as recommended by staff by a vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent. 3