HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 09/21/1970 - SpecialMINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
September 21, 1970
2:00 P. M.
PRESENT:
Mayor Jack R. Blackmon
Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Lozano, Sr.
Commissioners:
Dick Bradley, Jr.
Eduardo E. de Ases
Ken McDaniel
W. J. Roberts
Ronnie Sizemore
Assistant City Manager Archie Walker
Assistant City Attorney Bob Coffin
City Secretary T. Ray Kring
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Mayor Jack R. Blackmon called the meeting to order and stated the purpose of the
Special Meeting was to hold public hearings on four zoning cases and any other business as
may properly come before the Council. He asked that it be noted that a quorum of the Council
and the required Charter officers were present, and explained the procedure to be followed.
Senior City Planner Larry Wenger presented Application #870-1, Hulen H. Hunt,
for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "A-2" Apartment. House
District, being a portion of Lot 12, Section 18, Flour Bluff and Encina) Farm and Garden
Tracts, located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Nile and Williams Drive;, having
a frontage of approximately 226 feet in the 6700 Block of South Padre Island Drive and a depth
of approximately 1120 feet. He pointed out the existing land use and zoning in the immediate
area, stating that the residential properties are located to the west, south and southeast;
neighborhood business district zoning on the northeast corner of Nile and South Padre Island
Drives, and apartment zoning immediately adjacent to the south of the "B-1" zoning. He stated
that an apartment complex was proposed for the properly which is now vacant; that the request
was heard by the Planning Commission August 18, 1970, et which time Mr. Hunt appeared and
explained that he had received several inquiries for sites for apartment complexes in this particular
area, and felt that this would be a logical expansion of the apartment zoning adjacent to the south.
Mr. Wenger stated that prior to the Commission hearing, the staff mailed out five notices, none
were received in favor and none in opposition. He stated that there had been no opposition voiced
at the hearing; that it was the joint recommendation of the Commission and the Staff that the
request be approved as a logical use due to the other existing uses in the surrounding area.
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Minutes
Special Council Meeting
September 21, 1970
Page 2
Mr. Huien Hunt, applicant, spoke in support of the application stating that he was the
owner of the property; that he plans to build from 124 to 150 apartment units according to the
apartment regulations now under consideration by the Council, but that more land is required
per unit and for more parking space. He stated that the adjacent section is too small for this
development; that the subject property is not appropriate for residential uses, and developers
would have difficulty selling the residences because the area fronts onPadreIsland Drive. He
pointed out that the residential area is separated by Williams Drive and a large drainage ditch
and_ that the proposed apartment complex would serve as a buffer between the residences and
the Freeway.
Assistant City Manager Archie Walker reported that a letter had been received from
Mrs. Helene Rummler, 6906 Yukon, stating that she was opposed to the proposed zoning change.
Mr. W. O. Watts, 1810 Amazon, spoke in opposition, stating that when the owners of
the residential property in the adjacent subdivision purchased their properties, they did so with
the understanding that there were deed restrictions on the land, and that they would be protected
by the City's zoning laws. He stated that the area would become more congested around the
Weldon Smith Elementary School; that Nile Drive k the only access to and from the homes of
the residents; that there is only one entrance to Lexington Park 1 and II, and that they dolnot
want to live adjacent to an apartment complex such as is proposed.
Others appearing and speaking in opposition, generally concurring in the remarks made
by Mr. Watts, were: Mr. Harold D. Walrath, 1710 Nile; Mrs. Grady Phelps, 1809 Jordan;
Mrs. Myers; Mr. and Mrs. Don Oliver, 1801 Jordan; Mr. Francis R. Collins, 1826 Jordan;
Mr. Herbert Johnson, 1806 Jordan; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Gard, 1802 Seine; Mr. Ted Wade,
1809 Seine; Mrs. Noble Kidd III, 1803 Seine, Mrs. Lennon, 1722 Amazon; Mrs. Langdon;
Mr. McDowell, Ryan Street; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gardner, 1226 Dona; Mr. M. J. Pritchett;
and Mr. Phillips, 1701 Jordan Drive.
Mr. Hunt pointed out that Willians Drive is between 60 and 80 feet wide and adequate
to handle the traffic, and will be open to traffic to Padre Island Drive instead of Nile Drive.
He further stated that the area contains 12.7 acres and that he does not plan to construct as many
units as would be allowed on that much land.
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Minutes
Special Council Meeting
September 21, 1970
Page 3
Motion by Bradley, seconded by Roberts and passed, that the hearing be closed.
Motion by Bradley, seconded by Roberts and passed, that the foregoing application be
tabled for further consideration.
Mayor Blackmon advised those interested in the foregoing zoning matter to submit in
writing any other information which they desire to come to the attention of the Council, and on
request of Mr. Watts, stated that he will be notified when the matter will be discussed further.
Larry Wenger presented Application #870-3, Seymour Mendell, for change of zoning
from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "R-2" Two-family Dwelling District, on Lot 1,
Block 2, Koolside Addition, located in the 1200 Block of Dorthy Drive and McArdle Road. He
pointed out the zoning uses of the surrounding areas, stating they were predominately single-family
except for a small portion of "B-1" on the southwest corner of the intersection of McArdle and
Airline Roads. He stated that at the Commission hearing held August 18, 1970, the applicant
had appeared and explained that he proposes to construct a one-story duplex, stating that there
are several two-story duplexes across McArdle Road; that most of the dwelling units in the area
are rental properties and that he felt the proposed duplex would be an asset to thetarea.
Mr. Wenger stated that prior to the hearing the Staff mailed nineteen letters, one received in
favor and one in opposition, and that one letter in favor and one in opposition had been received
after the hearing; that no one had appeared at the hearing in opposition; that it was the joint
recommendation of the Commission and the Staff that the request be approved os a logical use
for this area since the proposal is a form of residential use. He stated that the opposition registered
in writing would invoke the 20 percent rule in this case.
No one appeared in opposition to the foregoing application.
Motion by Bradley, seconded by de Ases and passed, that the hearing be closed.
Motion by Bradley, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the joint recommendation of the
Planning Commission and the Staff be concurred in and that Application #870-3, Seymour Mendell,
for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "R-2" Two-family Dwelling
District, on Lot 1, Block 2, Koolside Addition, located in the 1200 Block of Dorthy Drive and
McArdle Road, be approved, and that an ordinance be brought forward effectuating the change.
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Minutes
Special- Council Meeting
September 21, 1970
Page 4
Larry Wenger presented Application #870-4, Nicholson Building Supply Company, Inc.,
for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "B-1" Neighborhood Business
District, on a portion of Section Two, Bohemian Colony Lands, fronting on the 6200 Block of
Kostoryz Road. He located the property on the zoning and land use map, stating that properties
adjacent on the east are zoned single-family with scattered development such as an apartment
complex on the northwest corner of Sacky,Drive, and various businessruses on the west side of
Kostoryz Road south of Sacky Drive. He stated that at the Commission hearing held August 18,
1970, Mr. Edwin Prichard, attorney representing the applicant, appeared and stated that there
is no shopping center of any adequate size to serve the residents in this area; that ample apart-
ment zoning exists in the area, and that his clients feel this is a logical request. Mr. Wenger
stated that no one appeared in opposition at the hearing; that the Staff mailed out 13 letters,
two received in favor and none in opposition; that it was the recommendation of the Commission
that the request be approved as submitted, and that it was the Staff's opinion that the change
would only encourage a continuous business zoning which presently exists along Kostoryz Road
north of Padre Island Drive, and if a mixture of professional, apartment, and business zoning
were proposed, it would be more in character with this area.
Attorney Edwin Prichard, spoke on behalf of the applicant, and stated that the subject
subdivision extends on past to Tiger Lane; that there is another tract containing 2.4 acres to the
South shown also as a potential business zone, and that the developers are requesting only
that the subject area be zoned for business and the area to the south be developed as single
family residences; that the Staff's concern that it will encourage a continuous business zone
will not exist because this tract is going to be used as single family. He pointed out that the
developers had a systematic plan when the lots were laid out to face Hitching Post Lane
backing up to the subject area for the reason that this area would be commercial, and that all
the residents were aware of the plan when they purchased their properties. He further pointed
out that the proposed shopping center is needed to prevent residents of this area from having
to cross Padre Island Drive to South Park Shopping Center, and is a logical extension of the
comprehensive systematic plan submitted in 1964.
Mi nut es
Special Council Meeting
September 21, 1970
Page 5
Assistant City Manager Walker read a letter which had been received after the
Commission hearing from Irving C. Eel's, General partner of Lexington Manor, apartments
located directly across Kostoryz Road from the subject property, expressing strong approval
of the proposed rezoning of the property to "B-1".
No one appeared in opposition to the foregoing request.
Motion by Sizemore, seconded by de Ases and passed, that the hearing be closed.
Motion by Sizemore, seconded by Bradley and passed, that the recommendation of the
Planning Commission be concurred in and that Application #870-4, Nicholson Building Supply
Company, Inc., for change of zoning from "R -1B" One-fgmily Dwelling District to "B-1"
Neighborhood Business District, being a portion of Section Two, Bohemian Colony Lands
fronting approximately 640 feet in the 5200 Block of Kostoryz Road and having a depth along
Sacky Drive of approximately 260 feet, be approved, and that an ordinance be brought forward
effectuating the change.
Larry Wenger presented Application #870-5, Katherine W. Bridges, Trustee, for
change of zoning from "R-16" One -family Dwelling District and "A-2" Apartment House
District to "AB" Professional Office District, on Lots 1 and 2, Block 3, Carver Addition,
located at 2820 Nogales Street. He located the property on the zoning and land use map
and explained the zoning classifications of the surrounding area, stating that there were mostly
residential and semi-professional uses with an elementary school located directly across Carver
Drive; that at the Commission hearing held August 18, 1970, Mr. B. T. Webb had represented
the applicant and explained that a Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge is presently located on Lot 2
and they wished to have the corner lot (Lot 1) properly zoned to provide adequate parking
area. He further stated that it was pointed out that a Lodge is permitted under "A-2" zoning
and Lot 2 is already zoned "A-2", therefore, it would only be necessary to zone Lot 1 for the
same classification for them to accomplish their objective. He stated that no one had appeared
in opposition; that prior to the hearing the Staff mailed out 30 letters, none received in favor and
none in opposition; that it was the recommendation of the Planning Commission that it be approved
as requested, and it was the Staff's opinion that "AB" zoning should be denied, but in lieu
thereof, grant "A-2" zoning on Lot 1, which allows this type of use.
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Minutes
Special Council Meeting
September 21, 1970
Page 6
Mr. B. T. Webb, spoke in support of the request stating that the present lot is too
small and the corner lot is needed for parking space from Carver Drive.
Mayor Blackmon explained to Mr, Webb that the "AB" zoning is not needed, but that
"A-2" zoning on the corner lot (Lot 1) would accomplish their purpose. Mr. Webb agreed that
"A-2" zoning on Lot 1 would be satisfactory.
No one appeared in opposition to the foregoing request.
Motion by Bradley, seconded by de Ases and passed, that the hearing be closed.
Motion by Bradley, seconded by Roberts and passed, that the recommendation of the
Staff be concurred in and that the request for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family
Dwelling District to "AB" Professional Office District on Lot 1, Block 3, Carver Addition,
be denied, but in lieu thereof "A-2" Apartment House District be granted, and that an ordinance
be brought forward effectuating the change.
Commissioner Bradley, Chairman of the sub -committee, composed of four Council members,
for the proposed convention center, reported that the group had met and agreed that a recom-
mendation be forwarded for Council approval that the same architectural firms, Swanson, Heister,
Wilson and Boland of Corpus Christi; and Caudill, Rowlett and Scott of Houston and New York,
being the same firms who did the preliminary convention center study, be retained as project architects
for the second phase, and that the architects be asked to meet with the sub -committee for negotiations
and discussions of specifics, including plans for visiting other cities to view similar facilities.
Motion by Bradley, seconded by Lozano and passed, with McDaniel abstaining, that the
foregoing recommendation of the sub -committee for the convention center be approved, and that
the firms of Swanson, Heister, Wilson and Boland; and Caudill, Rowlett and Scott, be retained
as architects for the convention center studies and proposal.
By way of clarification of a possible misinterpretation of a statement which appeared in
the newspaper last week, relative to his property being deleted from the boundaries of the
governmental center, Mayor Blackmon requested that the minutes reflect that such remark,
"when you get out the scissors, I'd rather you snipped it out", was not seriously intended and
was made entirely in jest.
Assistant City Manager Walker reported that a survey had been made as to what and
how many campers remained in Cole Park, and found that about 75 percent of those remaining
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Mi nutes
Special Council Meeting
September 21, 1970
Page 7
were actually workers; 20 percent border line cases, and 5 percent non workers; that all cars
had been removed and some of them towed to the City pound. He stated that plans have been
made to advise the campers to either move to the H.E. B,.Park or to an approved campsite on
Corpus Christi Beach, and it is hoped that all campers will be out by this weekend.
Motion by Roberts, seconded by de Ases that Saturday Noon, September 26, be set as
the deadline for removal of all tents and campers from Cole Park.
Motion by Sizemore, seconded by Lozano,•that the campers be asked to leave Cole Park
by Wednesday night. The motion failed for lack of sufficient affirmative votes.
Commissioner Roberts, de Ases, Bradley and McDaniel voted "Aye" on the motion that
the date of Saturday at 12:00 Noon be set as the deadline for removal of campers from Cole
Pork, and Mayor Blackmon declared the motion had passed.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned.