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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Planning Commission - 03/10/1999 MINUTES SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING • Council Chambers - City Hall 0p6l Wednesday, March 10, 1 5:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Bert Quintanilla, Chairman William J. Kelly Sylvia Perez Richard Serna Brooke Sween-McGloin David M. Underbrink MEMBERS ABSENT: Ron Guzman, Vice Chairman Danny Noyola STAFF PRESENT: Norbert Hart, Director of Housing and Community Development Jo Ann Dominguez, CD Administrator Hector Vallejo, Program Manager Kenneth Tyrrell, Senior Accountant Daniel Gallegos, Management Assistant Martha G. Macias, Recording Secretary Michael Gunning, Acting Planning Director Lisa Aguilar, Assistant City Attorney Commissioner Elizabeth Chu Richter arrived at 5:40 p.m. Staff W. Thomas Utter arrived at approximately 7:15 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Bert Quintanilla called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Michael Gunning addressed the Commission stating the CDBG process is presented once a year. There are two meetings before the Planning Commission and one before City Council. This meeting is for public comments from the community and the next meeting on March 17, 1999, Planning Commission will take action on these items. City Council will receive these items for action in April. Mr. Gunning introduced Mr. Norbert Hart, Director of the Housing and Community Development Department. PUBLIC HEARING Mr. Norbert Hart addressed the Commission by announcing thatthis is the 25th year anniversary of the CDBG program and are excited about all the things that have happened in the community within the past 25 years. In the last 25 years, over 4,500 dwelling units have been rehabilitated either by new construction or strictly rehabilitation. Homebuyer assistance has been provided to nearly 1,000 families to get them out of an apartment into SCANNED • .. ., . • Special Planning Commission Meeting March 10, 1999 Page 2 • the American dream of owning their own home. Over 125 miles of streets have been paved, the majority of that being in the west side of town where previously there were no curbs, gutters, sidewalks, just the swells. Funds have also been administered to the Minority Business Opportunity Committee. Some of the improvements include the Boys & Girls Club, Neighborhood Centers of Corpus Christi; Park & Rec. centers such as TC Ayers, HEB pool and the Youth Sports Complex for the Westside, International and Universal little leagues; Northwest, Oveal Williams and Zavala Senior Centers. Homeless shelter funds have been provided to Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Dos Mundos, Salvation Army, The Women's Shelter, and Gulf Coast Council of La Raza. The neighborhood care centers, the public libraries, Joe Garza Community Center and Ethyl Eyerly Community Center are public facilities where improvements have been made. A lot of accessibility projects around town have been made, to include curb ramps, bathrooms, entrances to public buildings, elevators and many, many more. The latest projects done in street areas have been the Wynn Seale area, the Southmoreland Addition, Harvard Street and Bonita Street. Child care facilities at Dos Mundos, Bethune and Brooks Chapel have also been done. Over the years, CDBG funds recommended by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council have hit all aspects of our community and many worthwhile projects. Over $115 million have been put into our community through these funds. HUD allocation for this year is $6,893,000, which includes $4,929,000 for Community Development Block Grant programs, $1,789,000 for the Home Investment Partnership Program and $175,000 for Emergency Shelter Grants. We also have program income from the mortgages that we hold on the new and rehabilitated homes of about $750,000. The allocation does reflect an increase of $141,000 but there is a small reduction of$18,000 in ESG programs. However, by separate allocation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated $1,427,818 to the continuum of care programs in the city so they have provided some funds in other areas, that is not available for the commission to recommend. With that, our recommendations to the council and the programs are based on the council policies. Attachment A is the current resolution reaffirming some of the guidelines. Attachment B is a comprehensive list of funds recommended to be reprogrammed and the number is less this year because the Council reprogrammed some funds for us already. For example: $182,000 for the disparity study, $30,000 for an empowerment zone application, and a couple other smaller things. There are no indications of funds available for reprogramming in FY98. Chairman Bert Quintanilla opened the public hearing and stated comments would be limited to three minutes per individual and five minutes per organization. He also explained that they would be making their recommendations on March 17, 1999, partially based on staff recommendations and the input given at the public hearing. 99MINUTS.WPD 41110• Special Planning Commission Meeting March 10. 1999 Page 3 CDBG Project#41 - Corpus Christi Hope House: Jack Stine requested funding to rehabilitate the sidewalks, the roofing and the windows and siding. ESG Project#4-Corpus Christi Hope House: Jack Stine requested funding to take in pregnant girls who have nowhere to go and help get them on their feet and help them be independent people. CDBG Project#24-New Central Kitchen:Alan Bligh with SCS Advisory Committee, requested funding to demolish their old building and build a new facility. They would like to build a new kitchen and use some of the equipment that is salvageable. They believe the new facility is the best route but would accept remodeling if they had to. CDBG Project#60-The RC Foundation Inc.: Dr. Ridge Hammons,Vice Chairman, requested funding to renovate the building formerly know as the Harlem Theater at Staples and Cepeda which would be a major step for providing a safe haven for Northside youth to help them make wise choices in life. It's a large facility and is ideally suited to serve as a youth center in a part of town where a youth center is needed. CDBG Project#47-HIV/AIDS Housing Center, Inc. also known as"The Passage": Ann Wardle requested funding for Phase I which is for office space and transitional housing for people who can do better while they are on medication. Phase II would include acquiring the property next door, which is a vacant lot and constructing two more houses that would each house two clients. ESG Project #10 - The Women's Shelter: Shirley Esparza, Residential Program Coordinator, requested funding to be used for case management, for part of the resource program coordinator's position, and to offer first months rent and deposits for the victims. CDBG Project #59 - Nueces County Community Action Agency: Larry Rodriguez requested funding to enhance home repairs which the States'weatherization money does not cover,which includes bathtubs for the disabled, elderly or disabled families, bathroom fixtures, flooring, plumbing, electrical and wheelchair ramps. They target the elderly, the disabled and also do outreach to the low to very low income families here in Corpus Christi. CDBG Project #42 - Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Ginger Flewelling-Leeds requested funds to renovate Rainbow House restrooms and bring them up to ADA standards and city code compliance. CDBG Projects #43 - Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Ginger Flewelling-Leeds requested funding to renovate the entrance to Rainbow House by installing an elevator and bringing it up to ADA standards. Metro Ministries is also pledging $15,000 of existing money to this project. 99MINUrS.WPD NNW 'NS Special Planning Commission Meeting March 10, 1999 Page 4 ESG Project #5 - Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, Ginger Flewelling-Leeds requested funding to provide meals, employment placements, safe shelter, clothing, counseling referral services and primary health care assistance and operations for $100,000. CDBG Project #46 - Greenwood-Molina Nursery: Edna Jackson, Director, requested funding to provide more space for children from the age of 11 months through 12 years old and to be able to serve two shifts of care. Greenwood-Molina raised a maximum of $7,000. They secured $22,000 in foundation grants and were awarded $260,000 from Ed and Janet Harte. $144,000 is being requested to increase space to 3,500 square feet and to make the necessary renovations to the existing facility to serve more than 160 children. CDBG Project #17 - Greenwood Community Learning Center/Corpus Christi Literacy Council: Curtis Dyer requested funds to enlarge the size of their facility by adding 1,000 square feet and to add bathroom facilities. CDBG Project #57 - Mary McLeod Bethune Day Nursery, Inc.: Jimmie McCurn, Executive Director requested $150,000 for a multi purpose building which will house a large motor-skilled program development for the children that are enrolled into the program. The building for which funds are being requested will be named after the late Janet Harte,which was part of$250,000 grant they received. The$150,000 will match the $250,000. Bethune Day Care has secured other support totaling $12,000. CDBG Project#38 and ESG Project#2-Coastal Bend Legal Services(CBLS); Errol Summerlin, Executive Director requested ESG funding to continue their project. They were funded $7,500 last year. This year they are requesting $10,000. CBLS has been in the community since 1956 and have served literally tens of thousands of poor folk in this community and throughout the 20 counties that they serve. The building is located on Agnes Street and needs rehabilitation. It houses the main focus of what CBLS is doing and has done in the past 43 years. Chairman Bert Quintanilla requested a description of services they provide the community. Mr. Summerlin stated that they have actually 4 or 5 special projects. They have a domestic violence project here in Corpus Christi. They have offices in Laredo as well as Victoria, Sinton, and Robstown. In Corpus Christi they have a disability rights project where an attorney handles cases for persons with disabilities, a domestic violence project and a community education project, where staff presented over 150 presentations last year to over 5,000 individuals who attended. They also provide a variety of services. 99MINUTS.WPD it V Special Planning Commission Meeting March 10, 1999 Page 5 Chairman Quintanilla requested that they consider one more project to help citizens who own property in this community that have to go through this commission to have all ordinances and codes explained to them. Discussion continued on services provided by Coastal Bend Legal Services. CDBG Project #60 - The RC Foundation Inc.: Lena Coleman, Executive Director emphasized what Dr. Ridge Hammons mentioned earlier regarding this project that is so badly needed on the Northside and it's not just a recreation center but will be a learning center. Linda Ard representing herself as a taxpayer and a citizen requested that the commission invest the funds and not simply allocate them to projects. 50%of what a baby learns or what a person is going to learn is learned by age 3 and 80% by age 8. CDBG Project#37-Boys&Girls Club of Corpus Christi Inc.:Anne Baker,requested funding for the athletic component of Boys&Girls Club on Greenwood. Their gymnasium is the only one in their neighborhood other than at the school,which is dedicated for school functions. It is in its originalcondition built in 1957, and is in dire need of renovation. Commissioner Richter excused herself from the next presentation. CDBG Project #20 - HEB Tennis Center Improvements: Steve Denton, Director, representing the Corpus Christi Tennis Association explained the need to improve the tennis facility and requested funding of$250,000 for improvements. Commissioner Richter returned to the meeting. CDBG Project#45 - Fighting to Rid Gangs in America Foundation: Ben Figueroa, Director requested funding to remove the old carpet and replace it with tile, paint the exterior and the interior, make the restrooms ADA accessible, update the plumbing for the boys and girls showers, and to increase parking on the side of Mary Street. CDBG Project #62 - West Oso Independent School District - Juan Viera Jr. on behalf on West Oso ISD and Avance, requested full funding for the project. This project will be supporting an early childhood development program which is Avance and will also include social services and other services that are very much needed in this community. The land is owned by West Oso ISD and they are going to tear down the first two wings. The third wing is going to have social services that will be offered for the west side community and also for the West Oso ISD community as well. Chairman Quintanilla asked if the funding that is being requested is additional to the project the city council granted last year. 99MiNUrS.WPo •Istr *NO Special Planning Commission Meeting March 10, 1999 Page 6 • Mr. Hart stated that the council last year authorized$16,000 and change to do some restrooms that were at the school, different school location. Chairman Quintanilla asked if it was the same site. Mr. Hart stated that the building is no longer going to be used by the school district so those funds have not been used. Staff is recommending that$16,000 be incorporated with this project. There are currently two school buildings that exist. Those buildings are going to be raised and the westside clinic is going to be put in that location with the parking lot. The proposal is to use the third building of the three buildings that were there for the school as a community multi purpose building for the several agencies that were listed in the proposal. The rehab would take$160,000,the remainder of the intergenerational park area is the remainder of the request. CDBG Project #62 - West Oso Independent School District - Mona Johnson president of the PTO of West Oso ISD also as president of the parent involvement and parent advisory council for West Oso ISD spoke in support of the West Oso ISD project. CDBG Project #56 - International Westside Pony League - Robert Hernandez requested funds for the renovation to comply with ADA standards in the restrooms, for parking, sidewalks, bleachers, lights and concession stands. • CDBG Project #61 - Tract 16 Neighborhood Council, Rev. Claudell Smith, chairperson requested funding for new construction of approximately 32 X 22 to be added to their present facility and some renovations that have been need for a while. These developments would principally benefit low and very low income persons and will better house NCCAA for their outreach services program and their ongoing projects and programs, and accommodating the summer youth program and recreation facilities for our seniors. Mr. Quintanilla asked if the addition being proposed is going to help the programs that are already in place. Mr. Smith stated that the problem is that when the agency and those that come to the center for assistance, have makeshift offices. There is very little or no privacy. CDBG Project#46 - Greenwood-Molina Nursery School; Pamela Stiles spoke in support of the Greenwood-Molina Nursery School. Questions and answers followed several presentations. There being no further comments from the audience,the public hearing was closed. 99MINUTS.WPD V Special Planning Commission Meeting March 10,1999 Page 7 Commissions and staff discussed the reprogrammed funds,the HOME program and staff recommendations at length. OTHER MATTERS There were none. MATTERS NOT SCHEDULED There were none. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.. • Michael N. Gunning, AICP / Martha G. Macias Acting Director of Planning Recording Secretary 99MINUTS.WPD V • PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING • MINUTES MARCH 10, 1999 (CONTINUATION OF CELLULAR TOWER DISCUSSION) COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Bert Quintanilla, Chairman William Kelly Sylvia Perez Elizabeth Chu Richter Richard Sema Brooke Sween-McGloin David Underbrink COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Ron Guzman, Vice Chairman Danny Noyola STAFF PRESENT: Michael N. Gunning, Acting Planning Director Jay Reining,Assistant City Attorney Continuation of Cellular Tower Discussion (from March 3, 1999) Mr. Gunning stated the Commission had continued the public hearing and discussion of the cellular tower regulations from the March 3, 1999 Planning Commission meeting to March 10, 1999. Mr. Reining, Assistant City Attorney, was asked to review the changes. Mr. Reining outlined, as follows, the changes made to the ordinance: Page 2, definition of telecommunication facility. Mr. Reining added language to read "but the term also includes antennas and related equipment installed on roof tops" as requested by Nextel. Commissioner Sween-McGloin asked if the definition could be misconstrued to include television antennas to which Staff responded there was another definition which excludes television antennas. Page 4 — Applications — Due to confusion regarding "Special Use Exceptions", the following language was added as required by Sections 27C-4.02 and 29-3. A commissioner requested clarification of "Special Use Exception". Mr. Reining stated he would delete Cee from subsection B —Application for Special Use Exceptions on page 5. Mr. Reining stated some Commissioners were not comfortable with the inclusion of provisions set forth on Page 5, subsection B, items 3 and 4. He suggested that the Commission arrive at a consensus as to whether they should be included or deleted. Chairman Quintanilla conducted a vote which resulted in favor of including Item 3 and Item 4. .. 'S Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes March 10, 1999 Page 2 Page 6 — 27E-2.03 — Technical Assistance: Mr. Reining stated the industry had expressed concern regarding a fee of $5,000 if the city had to hire a consultant for technical assistance. Chairman Quintanilla stated the language included "up to $5,000" and was not stating"$5,000". The Commission decided not to amend the language. Page 6 — 27C-2.05 — Master Antenna Plan: Mr. Reining deleted the word "Plan" from the title and substituted the word"Map". Commission agreed with changes. Page 7 — 27C — 3.04C — Fencing and Support Structure: Mr. Reining stated Commissioner Sween-McGloin was not in favor of the language including "neutral aggregate finish". Mr. Gunning stated that after discussing the issue with staff who deal with landscaping, Staff decided not to change the language. Commissioner Sween-McGloin felt that aggregate was not appealing. After a 4-3 vote, Chairman Quintanilla stated "neutral aggregate finish"would be removed from 3.04C. Mr. Reining stated under co-location, the company has to make the tower available to other providers on a reasonable and non-discriminatory basis. Mr. Reining stated Southwestern Bell Wireless was in opposition to this section of the ordinance. Page 8—27C-3.05 —Setbacks: Mr. Reining stated, in Item C,he deleted "ordinance"and added "Article." In Items E and F, Mr. Reining deleted "structure" and added "dwelling." Commissioner Underbrink expressed concern regarding a dwelling being over a garage. Mr. Reining stated a detached building is addressed by the ordinance. If the structure is a legal garage apartment, it would be considered a dwelling. Commission voted unanimously to accept Mr. Reining's changes. Page 9 — 27C-3.08A — Abandonment: Commissioner Underbrink stated he agreed with the language,but wanted to ensure the ordinance was compatible with FCC regulations. Page 10 — 27C — 3.09C Landscaping: Mr. Reining stated that the industry raised questions regarding the landscaping standard and he informed them that the standard is to have enough landscaping to obscure the view. Page 10 — 27C — 4.01 Historic/Cultural — Mr. Reining renumbered sections of the Historic/Cultural subsection. Mr. Gunning stated the industry testified that the 85-foot tower height limit would make the industries purchase custom-made poles and/or towers because the base could be two to three feet above grade. Staff proposed height limitations had been negotiated and used by other cities; therefore, Staff believes the industry could build their foundations at grade. Commission agreed with language to include the limitation of an 85-foot tower height. Commissioner Sween-McGloin expressed concern with allowing self-supporting lattice and guyed towers as a matter of right. Commissioner Seen-McGloin believed that monopoles were more attractive and felt that by allowing lattice and guyed towers as a matter of right represents support of towers at 50 feet. d Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes March 10, 1999 Page 3 Page 11 —270-4.03 Historic/Cultural: Mr. Reining stated Nextel had a comment which indicated they should be able to place panel antennas if they could be hidden. Mr. Reining continued that there were not any historic buildings in Corpus Christi where panel antennas could be placed. Commission voted to exclude the language which states including panel or other antennas installed on a historic/cultural structure that are camouflaged or concealed from view. Page 13 — 27C — 5.02(G) Whip and Panel Antenna Mounting Standards: Mr. Reining stated the height of the whip antenas were being increased to 25 feet at the request of the Police Department. Page 14 — 27C — 5.03 Dish Antenna Mounting Standards: Mr. Reining stated the ordinance is prohibited from restricting dish antennas lower than one (1) meter. Commission accepted changes. Mr. Reining stated that, after discussion with Staff, it had been decided to create Section 27C8 Telecommunication Facilities Authorized in Following Zoning Districts as a table and not a section. Commissioner Sween-McGloin expressed concerns regarding regulation. She felt that the Chairman should provide a memo outlining background information regarding the process which resulted with the ordinance passed. Motion by Sween-McGloin, seconded by Underbrink, to accept the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment with changes. Motion passed unanimously with Guzman and Noyola being absent. Motion by Sween-McGloin, seconded by Quintanilla, to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously with Guzman and Noyola being absent. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m. 4 I Gunning, Michaell NN. Gunn ning, AICP Acting Director of Planning h:\pIri.dirshared\word\pcagcnda\O3 1099sp.doc