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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Planning Commission - 01/22/2004 160 Minutes of Planning Commission Public Hearing South Central Area Development Plan Bayfront Plaza Convention Center,Room 203B January 22,2004 CALL TO ORDER The public meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m. A quorum was declared with Commissioners Berlanga, Mims, Pusley, Salazar, Stone and Zamora being present; Commissioners Amsler, Richter, and Smith being absent. Chairman Berlanga informed those in attendance that the Draft South Central Area Development Plan has been presented to several City committees and recognized the stakeholder group which was instrumental in the creation of the plan. Chairman Berlanga added that the plan would be presented to City Council on February 10,2004. With regard to the public meeting, Chairman Berlanga explained that the public would be able to discuss specific topics with City Staff during a breakout session. He introduced Michael N. Gunning, Assistant Director of Development Services/Planning who presented a computerized slide illustration of the plan and explained its components. Mr. Gunning stated that the plan is a policy plan for development in the downtown area. After the presentation by Staff,the public was invited to meet with city Staff at the rear of the room to ask questions and provide comments. Meeting reconvened at 7:17 p.m. The public was invited to provide comment for the record. Johnny Cotton, 410 Peoples, stated that he was excited about the overall concept, but addressed certain issues such as the Coliseum being preserved. He expressed concern about demolishing old buildings. He stated that he was interested in the bayfront area which would support the design. Mr.Cotton also added the trolley idea needs to be examined and overhead lines for the trolley should be clarified and aesthetically reviewed. Michael McCutchon, 203 Jackson, stated he has brought regattas to the town. Mr. McCutchon referenced Policy Statement D-2 as a concern. He stated"residential and hotel"uses are not appropriate in the area. There is other vacant land that could be used. Mr. McCutchon stated the other uses would be appropriate as long as the marina uses are preserved. Marcie Taylor,5 Hewitt Drive,expressed similar concerns as Michael McCuthon. She added that she was also concerned about the lack of parkland. With regard to the seawall,Ms. Taylor was concerned about the benches on the seawall which block the view of the water. Traffic around the arena is another concern. She stated she would like access to the Art museum. Leon Loeb, 924 N. Chaparral, provided written comments. Mr. Loeb stated he has been in the downtown area since 1978. He referenced Area C emphasizing rehabilitated buildings and suggested the City research the feasibility of modular housing for infill development. Mr. Loeb stated developers do not believe the downtown area is profitable and expressed concerned that the plan did not address the urban residential and general tourism industry. Kevin Latone,General Manager of Omni Hotel/f. R. Tate Development,stated his concerns were based on the limitation or lack of use proposed for office development as being non-tourism. One Shoreline Plaza offers opportunity for hotels, i.e. revenue. Mr. Latone suggested expansion of McGee beach to the downtown area could be catalyst for economic development. He added he was opposed to the hotel-motel tax which being maintained once the new arena and Convention Center expansion are completed. SCANNED N Planning Commission Public Meeting January 22,2004 Page 2 Gretchen Arnold stated she was glad to see that the plan focused on multi-modal traffic. The plan should identify specific improvements for bicycling in the area. Tracy Carrillo,Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation,stated the plan needed to address protection of bay waters. Ms.Carrillo states she appreciated the Storm Water language in the plan, and that the language also needed to be in the Storm Water Master Plan. She added that the Shoreline Boulevard realignment needed to accommodate the traffic issue and parkland should be identified as conservation easement. Brooke Sween-McGloin, participant in the South Central Area Development Plan stakeholder group, stated she was supportive of the plan. Ms. Sween-McGloin addressed the Colisuem issue and requested that the arena should focus on outside conventions, not local. She suggested smaller functions, such as family parties and weddings, could be held at the coliseum. The trolley is an important issue, and location is critical because there are safety issues and the trolley should serve a double loaded corridor. Ms. Sween-McGloin stated she was in favor of the trolley line along Chaparral and Water Street not Shoreline Boulevard. Vince Dennis, 4501 Gollibar Road, stated that water is the most valuable asset. Another asset is the wind which is valuable to sailors. He stated$4 million was received from three regattas last year and presented a proposal for the breakwater to be extended to Cole Park creating a day-sailing area and bayfront park expansion. Johnny French, 4417 Carlton, stated that breakwater could be extended south to protect McGee Beach. He also suggested that the marina be treated as a park for the landmasses and opposed theme park development. Jose Flores,717 Mohawk, addressed Policy C.I I and expressed concern that the grass park being proposed in front of seawall would be dangerous to pedestrians and requested that it be relocated. Bill Grady, 330 Aberdeen, requested that City Staff preserve the bayfront and marina. He expressed concern with Chaparral Street area was being abandoned. Mr. Grady stated that the City of Baltimore provided incentives for developers to move downtown. The attraction was mainly to college students and affluent persons. Frank Hankins, 721 Crestview, stated that the marina landmasses does not need anything else put on them. Connie Valhi,302 Waverly,agreed with previous speakers,Mr.French,Ms.Sween-McGloin,Mr. Flores, and Mr. Hankins. She added she was opposed to overdone landscape and added that the current bike paths are dangerous. Rick McCabe, 3706 Panama, stated Texas A & M University was considering extending it's location to the central area for dorms or university village. He requested that the bayfront and skyline be protected. Van Huseman, 600 Building, stated city staff should consider moving small businesses to the waterfront. He stated the plan has too much of everything, lacks a simple theme and fimding sources. The plan should address the needs of local citizens. Roy Pell, 5022 Rasputen Court, stated that if a consensus is needed behind the central theme, it will not happen. He asked the Commission to focus on long range and forward a recommendation to approve the plan to City Council. L v Planning Commission Public Meeting January 22,2004 Page 3 Chairman Berlanga thanked the public for participating in the public meeting and expressing their comments to City Staff regarding their concerns. He reiterated that the City Council would be acting on the plan on Febmary 10,2004. With no further business,the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Michael N.Gunning,AICP Lucinda P.Beal Assistant Director of Development Recording Secretary Services/Planning