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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-15-20 P&Z Min.T H E T 0 W H O F W ESTLAKE MINUTES OF THE TOWN OF WESTLAKE, TEXAS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING June 15, 2020 PRESENT: Commission Chairman Tim Brittan and Commissioners Michelle Lee, Brad Swearingen, and Kim Morris. ABSENT: Commissioners Liz Garvin, Ken Kraska, and Sharon Sanden. OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Town Manager Noah Simon, Assistant Town Manager Jarrod Greenwood, Director of Planning & Development Ron Ruthven, Town Secretary Todd Wood, Fire Chief Richard Whitten, Finance Director Debbie Piper, IT Director Jason Power, Building Official Pat Cooke, Development Coordinator Nick Ford, and Robin McCaffrey from Mesa Planning. Regular Session 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brittan called the regular session to order at 5:12 p.m. 2. CITIZENS COMMENTS No one addressed the Commission. 3. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MEETING HELD ON MAY 11, 2020. MOTION: Commissioner Lee made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Morris seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 3-0. P&Z Minutes 06/15/20 Page 1 of 3 4. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF SOLAR FACILITIES AND POTENTIAL SOLAR FACILITY POLICIES IN WESTLAKE. Planning & Development Director Ron Ruthven introduced this item. He stated that this project would be the first of its type in the Town of Westlake, and representatives from Fidelity Investments and Hillwood Properties had been working with the Town for some time on the project. He then noted that this project was originally discussed with the Planning and Zoning Commission last September. Mr. Ruthven then introduced Fidelity representatives Mr. Scott Orr, Mr. Brian Daigle, and Mr. Chuck Carberry to provide a presentation to the Commission detailing the project. Mr. Orr began by stating that this project is important for Fidelity and would provide a sustainable and renewable resource that would supply 50% of the power needed for one building. Fidelity currently has similar solar facilities located on three (3) other properties. Fidelity engineer Mr. Brian Daigle then provided a presentation to the Commission. He stated that the team has dedicated a great degree of time and effort with the design to ensure that the solar array would be hidden from public view. The location for the project is on the far western portion of the Fidelity property, minimizing the number of trees that would need to be removed. Mr. Daigle then shared a drone video of the project site from Capital Parkway and Dove Road at eye -level and at 150 feet. It was stated that the solar arrays would not be visible from any neighborhood. The next video showed the drone on the project site, providing views of the surrounding area that would be hidden by the topography and the strategically placed berms. Fidelity landscape architect Mr. Chuck Carberry then provided detail of the landscaping design around the project site. He began by stating that Westlake has a unique sense of place, and this is important to preserve. Their team has worked very hard to minimize the footprint of the project and protect the native habitat. This plan achieves the desired blend into the landscape using specially designed berms, site topography, and replacement of any trees affected by the construction. Chairman Brittan thanked Mr. Carberry and stated that Fidelity has been a fabulous corporate citizen to Westlake. Chairman Brittan then asked the Commission if there were any questions for the Fidelity representatives. Commissioner Lee asked about reflective light, what degree of glare could be expected from the panels and how it may affect DFW and Alliance airports. Mr. Daigle responded that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requires a glare analysis to be performed due to Fidelity's proximity to these major airports, and no concerns were identified. Commissioner Lee then asked what the height of the panels would be, and if they would remain tilted. Mr. Daigle stated that the panels would rotate with the location of the sun using a tracking system, minimizing reflective glare. These panels would not exceed eight (8) feet in height. Commissioner Lee asked if there was any concern that the panels may become less efficient once the berms were in place. Mr. Daigle said that this was a concern, and the placement of the berms was sufficiently offset from the panels to ensure that efficiency would be compromised. This became possible when Hillwood allowed portions of the berms to be placed on their property. Commissioner Lee then asked if any Town revenues that would P&Z Minutes 06/15/20 Page 2 of 3 be lost due to taxes on electricity once the project was operational. Assistant Town Manager Jarrod Greenwood responded that the Town does receive taxes based on electrical usage, so there would be a small financial impact. It is not estimated that this amount would be significant. S. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCE 306 APPROVING THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT 2 (PD 2) ZONING DISTRICT IN ORDER TO CONSTRUCT A SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY. THE PROPERTY IS GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF STATE HIGHWAY 114, BETWEEN DAVIS BOULEVARD AND WESTLAKE PARKWAY, NORTH OF DOVE ROAD. Chairman Brittan opened the public hearing at 5:53 p.m. Joe Schneider from Hillwood Properties located at 9800 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth addressed the Commission. Mr. Schneider stated that his first meeting with Mr. Daigle occurred about one year ago and noted that this project has come a very long way, and the Fidelity team has been very good to work with. He stated that there were initials concerns regarding visibility of the project site and they were able to identify a solution. Mr. Schneider then stated that Hillwood was excited to offer their support. Chairman Brittan closed the public hearing at 5:55 p.m. MOTION: Commissioner Lee made a motion to approve the proposed project, subject to staff conditions. Commissioner Morris seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 3-0. 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commissioners, Chairman Brittan asked for a motion to adjourn. MOTION: Commissioner Morris made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Swearingen seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 3-0. Chairman Brittan adjourned the meeting at 5:59 p.m. APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2020. ATTEST: Todd Wood, Town Secretary TE X PS. n C1 P&Z Minutes 06/15/20 Page 3 of 3