Planning & Zoning Commission - Regular Meeting

Let's see, let me get started here.

Good evening, everybody. It is 6.03, September 1st, 2026. I hereby call the City of Montgomery Planning and Zoning Meeting to order. First order of business is to pledge the flags, put it on the rise. United States flag, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with one nation, justice for all. Texas flag, honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas, one state, under God, one and indivisible. Okay. Next item is three, citizen comments. Is there anyone out there that want to comment now or during the actual item? We'll do it now or during the item?

How far are we into it?

We're at three. Public hearing, you're up now. Okay, all right. So is there anyone that has anything other than what's on the agenda for this evening? Okay. we'll move on to item number four convene into public hearing on the preliminary report for the rezoning request submitted by jeffrey moon associates inc jack or jake lester related to the montgomery township 07 lot 8a-1 acres 0.718 900 Caroline Street, Montgomery, Texas. This is currently zoned R1 single-family to be rezoned R2 multifamily. Okay. Scott?

Thank you, Chair, members of the planning and government commission. You've already received my brief objections concerning this particular issue at 900 Caroline Street, and I want to fundamental question, why here? Why take a property that is already zoned R1 inside Montgomery's historic district, decide to see it break apart and change it into multi-family use, when the developer has property available to the regular across from the very city hall that's adequate in size, sits outside of the historic district, where new development can occur without further eroding what remains of our historic district? Council recently demonstrated that preservation matters when proposed work that could have been certainly raised in downtown of children, of early families. They listened then, they changed the plans, and that was the right response. It demonstrated that we can develop a government while protecting the things that make the government different from any other growing city. So I'm asking you to apply the same principles here. Once the R1 property in the historic district is re-zoned, that decision will not be viewed in isolation, the next applicant will always point to 900 Carolina, and the next one will point to the next one, and little by little we'll lose the historic district one line at a time. As stated, there are properties outside the historic district owned by the developer where the development can't occur without creating this conflict. The surrounding historic character already exists. Cedar Lake Park already exists. The neighboring urban homes and our living room residents in this area, we already exist. The project does not. The city owes a responsibility to first protect the citizens who currently reside in this district that rely on the zoning, the protections, and the city itself, and that the city itself put in place. There are five zoning properties whose owners would have to live with consequences of this project long after tonight's vote is forgotten. Is it not the city's responsibility to make this development an expanding project, fit where it does not fit, and in turn, Once the story character here is lost, we cannot be zoning back into existence. So keep part nine. I'm Caroline R1. Is it a deny the rezoning? Deny the variances? Preserve the government's historic district and above all protect the citizens currently living in the residential district.

Thank you. Next, Andy Dean.

My name is Dean, and my wife, Norma. We live at 560 Houston Street. We've been there 18 years. Colorado Carolina, Houston Street. The historical relevance of Montgomery drew us to move here. We built our house, split the lots up into three lots. We still have two lots available right now. I feel like that if we allow multi-family dwellings to be a part of the historical district of Montgomery. Like Scott said, we're going to lose that forever. I have two lots. Scott has a lot. That means those lots could be built into the multi-family. And before you know it, we have a lot of multi-family houses around the historical district of Montgomery. Also, it brought to my attention that question about my house, what I have there. He would mention that, oh, well, you know, he's got a multifamily dwelling already there. I want to make sure I clear the record on that. Our house, which was approved by Montgomery over 18 years ago, their storm conditions were in place at that time. The mother-in-law suite that I have attached to my house is actually not a multifamily dwelling. The same AC system operates my master bedroom, my living room, and my motorhome suite. It's on the same electrical meter. It's on the same water meter. It's got the same sewer, everything. It's an extension of my house. We let Chris go pump. It's not a living facility, not a random like that. It's not living. So I'll make sure that's clear. So what Scott Scott just said, I would like to, you know, reiterate what he said. Once this is ever goes through, then we lose our. Thank you.

Anyone else? Okay. We will move out of the public hearing at this time and then move on to the next agenda item, which is consideration of possible action on the planning and zoning meeting minutes of August 4th, 2026.

Do you need one of us to accept it?

Pardon?

Do you need one of us to accept it?

Yeah. Okay. You know, wouldn't you? Okay. I've got a motion.

So I'll say it. Okay.

I've got a motion and a second.

That's the one.

Motion, yeah. I've got a motion and a second to approve the planning zoning meeting minutes of August 4th, 2026. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? No? Okay. Motion passes. Item number six, consideration of possible action on the preliminary report for a rezoning request submitted by Jeffrey Moon and Associates Inc. Jake Lester related to Montgomery Township 07 lot. 8a-1 acres 0.718 currently zoned r1 single family residential to be rezoned to r2 multi-family residential can i make a motion there's only three of us here tonight can i make a motion to table it until we have one i think it's a very important issue right

I just think it might be in our best interest to table it until we have more members present.

Is that an option?

It is, but it's really going to be a council decision anyways. All you're doing is giving recommendations. I agree. I would like the

The other two aboard during this, if possible. So do you make a motion to table it?

I make a motion that we table it until we have more members present. I just think it's significant. It's important. I understand both sides of the issue. If we do that, when City Council meets, will they just vote on it?

They will be able to vote on it because they take your recommendation and approve it.

So it wouldn't come back until October? Correct.

So I have a motion to table item number six until the October 5th meeting.

I second.

I have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. So right now we are going to table the item number six until we pass it to the city council because I just don't feel I want everybody represented here to get everybody's view. I think we can motion second and approve, correct? Correct. Okay. Let's move on to item number seven, consideration of possible action on the proposal to install a new wall sign at 202 McAllen Suite A. Good evening, Commission Members.

So I put in a list of findings. The next three agenda items are all wall signs that are going into commercial locations in the historic district. This first one is at 202 McCown Street, Suite A. It will be the new pest location. Yes, this is the new text location where I think it was called Wine and Design used to be at that location. Right next to the cottage shop. According to the plans, it will be three feet high, five feet wide. The sign won't exceed 60% of that total wall area. It doesn't project over the roof line. And the sign is placed at the location where the goods are being sold and services are being provided. So according to my findings, I would recommend that the commission members approve this wall sign in this part of the district. And if you have any questions on the design or... You said it's in white and black. Yes. It's a little bit smaller than the line and design sign of that piece over there.

And it's going to be the same size as the whole one?

A little bit smaller.

A little bit smaller.

Not as wide.

Okay. I think it's already up, isn't it?

Okay. All right.

This looks good.

I make a motion to consider the proposal to install the new wall sign at 202 McCown Street A. Second.

Okay, I have a motion and second for the approval of the new wall sign at 202 McAllen Street, Suite A. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. Sign proposal passes for 202 McAllen Street. Number eight, consideration of possible action proposed to install a new wall sign at 210 Palm Street.

So again, this will be another commercial location. It's actually the location where pets used to be. Mr. Hari at the H1, his daughter, is opening up a retail business, and this is her retail shop that's going to move to this location. The sign is going to be the exact same size sign that pets used to have over there. They're just refacing it. The colors, the black and white, still the black and white colors that they're proposing at that location. So really, it's just refacing what was already there. But because it is in the historic district, that's why we're having to review it. And again, it isn't covered any more than 60% of that floor area. It isn't above the roof line. And it will be at the location of those goods and services are being provided. It looks like it's above the roof line, but it's kind of If you look at it more, the same model is the same one. It looks really big in the picture. What are the dimensions of it again? Same as before. Four by ten. So 40 square feet.

Make a motion to approve the proposal to install a new wall sign at 210 Palm Street. Second.

A motion and a second for the approval of the new wall sign at 210 Pond Street. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? No. Motion passes. Item 9, consideration of possible action on the proposed new wall sign at 401 College Street, Suite 150. And this wall sign...

is the location of where Bar and Vines used to be. So right next to the Slice of Garmisch. Their sign is going to be pretty similar to what Bar and Vines also had there. The Palmetto, let's see, 48 inches by 96. So it'll be right on that wall.

Okay. And it's not lit or anything? It's just a plexiglass. It's not lit? Correct. Correct. Okay.

All of these signs are not lit. I make a motion that we approve the installation of the new wall sign at World 1 College Street, Suite 154.

I have a motion and a second to approve the proposed installation of a new wall sign at 401 College Street, Suite 150. All in favor say aye. Aye. Noes. Item passes for the new install sign at 401 College Street, Suite 150. Item number 10, commission... Inquiries. Just do want to remind everyone that we have moved the October meeting to October 5th due to faith and blue. So. Any any other items? You good? You all good?

We got a motion to adjourn in a second.

All in favor say aye. Aye. No. Motion passes. Meeting September 1st meeting is adjourned at 622 p.m.