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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 • 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. • • 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. s 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. i • 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. • • 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 i - • 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.