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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 08/25/1971 - SpecialMINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING August 25, 1971 4:00p. m. PRESENT: Mayor Ronnie Sizemore Mayor Pro Tem Charles A. Bonniwell Commissioners: Roberto Bosquez, M.D . Rev. Harold T. Branch Thomas V. Gonzales Gabe Lozano, Sr. J. Howard Stark City Manager R. Marvin Townsend City Attorney James R. Riggs City Secretary T. Ray Kring Mayor Ronnie Sizemore called the meeting to order and noted that a quorum of the Council and the required Charter officers were present. He explained the purpose of the meeting was to hold public hearings on scheduled zoning applications and any other business as may properly come before the Council. Mayor Sizemore announced the public hearing on Application 0771-7, J. L. Silverman and J. A. Lewis, for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District and "B-4" General Business District to "1-2" Light Industrial District, on all of Lot 12, Block A, Joslin Tract, Ibcated in the 7500 Block of South Padre Island Drive. He stated that the application was heard before the Planning Commission on July 20, 1971, at which time the Planning Commission recommended that the "1-2" Light Industrial District be denied, but in lieu thereof "B-4" General Business District be approved on the rear portion that is presently zoned "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District on the basis that this use is permitted in the "B-4" District according to the interpretation of the City Legal Deportment. City Manager Townsend stated that the record indicates the applicant concurs in the recommendation. No one appeared in favor or in opposition to the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Branch and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Stark, seconded by Bosquez and passed, that the recommendation of the Planning Commission be concurred in and that Application #771-7, J. L. Silverman and J. A. Lewis, for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District and "B-4" General Business District to "1-2" Light Industrial District on all of Lot 12, Block A, Joslin Tract, located in the 7500 Block of South Padre Island Drive, be denied, but in lieu thereof "B-4" • • Minutes Special Council Meeting August 25, 1971 Page 2 General Business District be approved on the rear portion that is presently zoned "R -1B" One - family Dwelling District, on the basis that this use is permitted in the "B-4" District according to the interpretation of the City Legal Department, and that an ordinance be brought forward effectuating the change. Mayor Sizemore announced the public hearing on Application #771-8, J. Hansler and B. R. Willeford, for a change of zoning from "R -1B" One family Dwelling District to "R-2" Two-family Dwelling District on an approximately 13.4 -acre tract of land out of Lots 19 & 20, Section 18, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts. He stated this application was heard by the Planning Commission on July 20, 1971, and forwarded to the Council with the recommendation that it be approved as a logical buffer zone between the "A-1" zoning to the eost and the single-family zoning to the south and west. Mrs. Dorothy Clayton, 1810 Daly Street, appeared before the Council stating that she had been requested by her neighbors to present a petition signed by 61 persons who would like the Council to limit the number of dwelling units to 8 per acre on the request for a zoning change. Mr. Vaughn Bowen, representing the owners of the property, stated the basic use proposed for the property was duplexes, but that plans are not complete at present and could be changed. No one else appeared in favor or in opposition to the recommendation of the Plonning Commission. Motion by Lozano, seconded by Stark and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Branch, seconded by Bonniwell and passed, that the application be tabled for further study. Mayor Sizemore announced the public hearing on Application 0771-9, Cadwallader Development Corporation, for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "13-1" Neighborhood Business District on TRACT A, a 150' x 150' tract of land out of Block 1, Stonegate North Subdivision, Unit #1; from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "R-2" Two-family Dwelling District on TRACT B, being a 6.5 -acre tract of land out of Block 1, Stonegate North Subdivision, Unit #1; and TRACT C, being an 11.3 -acre tract of land out of • Minutes Special Council Meeting August 25, 1971 Page 3 Lot 4, Oso Farm Tracts (located at the northwest corner of Everhart Road and Bonner: Drive extending to Wedgewood Lane). He stated that the Commission heard the application on July 20, 1971, and forwarded to the City Council with the recommendation that "B-1" Neighborhood Business District be denied on TRACT A because there is already sufficient business zoning in this area and also that it would open up a possible apartment site, but in lieu thereof "R-2" Two-family Dwelling District be approved on TRACTS A, B, & C, conditioned by a deed restriction limiting development to 8.2 units per acre, to be in a form that is acceptable to the City Legal Department, on the basis that the proposed density would not be of an apartment nature, but would be more in keeping with the single-family character of the neighborhood and would fit into the overall pattern of the neighborhood. Senipp City Planner Larry Wenger pointed out the location of the application on the zoning map and stated the zoning usage in the surrounding area. He stated the property is vacant at the present time and totals approximately 17 acres in the three tracts of land involved in this application. He also pointed out that 58 notices had been mailed with eight received in favor and fourteen against, plus a petition with 150 names in opposition with only 20 of these within the 200' notification area. Mr. Jim Ryan, attorney for the applicant, appeared before the Council and stated that the applicants were willing to accepiithe Planning Commission's recommendation for a unified zoning on all three tracts. Mr. Tom McDowell, 5618 Dominica, a director of SPIKE, appeared before the Council in opposition to this application, and stated that this organization is Ornade up of the homeowners in this general area who are not trying to oppose every zoning application that is brought before the Council, but are concerned citizens who want to keep their neighborhood in the single-family concept and not overcrowd with apartments and businesses. He requested that Mr. Wenger show those present a leap which he had prepared showing the complete area covered by SPIKE, from Saratoga to Padre Island and from Kostoryz to Everhart. The map pointed out the Industrial property, Apartments, Special Permits, property for zoning application changes that had been rejected, and single family dwellings. Mr. McDowell stated that the apartments or townhouses only make this area more congested and does not solve their problems. He pointed out that many • • Minutes Special Council Meeting August 25, 1971 Page 4 of the residents did not receive any notice of the Commission hearing and some received only empty envelopes then later some notices were mailed. Mr. McDowell stated that they were opposing this application because the did not want any more apartments or townhouses in this area. Dr. Joseph Rupp, 4509 Coventry Lane, Nueces County Medical Examiner, pointed out that this area is really one complete block with no access on Holly Road or Padre Island Drive; that these properties were shown to prospective buyers as single family dwellings; and residents prefer their neighborhood to remain that way. Mr. James Cazamias, 4650 Bonner, stated that he moved into his home in 1968 and it was shown as a single-family dwelling area. He is tired of fighting constant applications for zoning changes in this area and believes that the City has a moral obligation to keep the area as single-family dwellings. Mr. Bill Fordtran, 4622 Sheffield, presented a letter in opposition to the application for change in zoning and stated he did not receive a notice of the Commission hearing. Mr. Charles Molleur, 4645 Sheffield, stated that he bought hishome after the Hurricane last year, did not receive a notice of the Commission hearing and is in opposition to the zoning change because of no access roads which would cause traffic problems. At this point, Mayor Sizemore requested information in relation to the lack of notices being received for the Commission hearing and Larry Wenger advised that a mistake had been made in the notices after preparing them for the mail. When corrected, some notices did not get back into the envelopes, therefore, empty envelopes. When this was discovered, new notices were mailed to the property owners. Mr. F. A. Erickson, 4649 Bonner Drive, submitted a letter in protest to the application, and stated that he thought this area should remain single-family as it was developed. Mr. Jack Shanks, 4626 Sheffield, also presented a letter in protest to the application, stating he had not received notice of the Commission hearing and was in opposition because a complete plan for the Tracts proposed to be changed had not been presentOd. Mr. Albert Danield, 4646 Sheffield, stated he received an empty envelope and opposes because this area backs up to his home. • • Minutes Special Council Meeting August 25, 1971 Page 5 Mrs. George Stephens, 4605 Bonner, stated that Bonner Drive is the only through street in this area that goes from Everhart Road through and across the drainage ditch into the Carroll Woods Subdivision. She stated that all school children must go down this street regardless of whether elementary, junior high or high school, and this already causes a traffic hazard. Mr. David Harrison, 4629 Sheffield, appeared in opposition and stated that he had already signed a petition which had been submitted at the Commission hearing. Mr. Jim Ryan, attorney representing the applicant, pointed out that there were many people present at the Commission hearing who were in favor of the application for zoning change as well as those in opposition. He proceeded to point out that the residents in this area would not want to buy homes that were backed up to the "3-4" business zoning of K -Mart and that the homes in this area have sold well because of the planning that has been done. He stated that the townhouses would serve as a buffer zone between the residential area and the business area. Mr. Ryan pointed out that Stonegate is actually two subdivision;, and that his client did not build Stonegate South. He stated that townhouses usually have younger couples or older couples. Therefore only a few children would be living there. Also he pointed out that his client will be selling these townhouses, not leasing them, and presented a site plan to give the audience an idea of what they would like to build. He stated this site plan was shown at the Commission hearing, but not preseniedasa formal site plan and the same is true now. It is just to show what they hope to do with the property. Mr. McDavid, President of Cadwallader Development Corporation, appeared to express his interest in the project and stated that there should be at least 100 units built on this property in order to make it successful; that the vacant business property located on the Padre Island side of these tracts will proloably be developed as business; and that it would not be feasible or economical to develop business property into apartments or townhouses. Mr. Cliff Zarsky, Builder, stated that he has lots for building purposes, but has no financial interest in the subject project. He stated that homes are selling well in this particular area, but that there is a misconception on the part of the residents that this townhouse project will depreciate the value of their homes and make it less desirable for them to live here. The • Minutes Special Council Meeting August 25, 1971 Page 6 • traffic in all probability would be no greater than that of single-family residences and he has traveled to other cities to see what they are developing and what is best for the area as a whole. He stated the proposed townhouses would blend in with the area and be an asset to the community. Several of those present who previously spoke in opposition, again reiterated that they did not want any change in zoning, but preferred single family residences to be built on the subject property. Seven letters in opposition were presented at the meeting. Citizens of the area present registered indicating their opposition to the proposed zoning. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Branch, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the foregoing application be tabled for further study. City Attorney Riggs will study legal technicalities in relation to the lack of notices being rekeived for the Commission hearing. Mayor Sizemore announced the public hearing on Application 1771-10, Louie Buhidar, for change of zoning from "AB" Professional Office District to "B-4" General Business District on all of Lot 18, Block 20, Windsor Park Unit 44, at 4512 S. Staples Street. He stated that the application was brought before the Planning Commission on July 20, 1971, and forwarded to the Council with the recommendation that it be denied on the basis that the desire for a large sign does not justify a zoning change and it would tend to break down the character of this professional office district. No one appeared in favor or in opposition to the foregoing application. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Stark and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Stark and passed, that the recommendation of the Planning Commission be concurred in and that Application 0771-10, Louie Buhidar, for change of zoning from "AB" Professional Office District to "B-4" General Business District on all of Lot 18, Block 20, Windsor Park Unit #4, at 4512 S. Staples Street, be denied on the basis that the desire for a large sign does not justify a zoning change and it would tend to break down the character of this professional office district. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned. I, RONNIE SIZEMORE, Mayor of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas, certify that the foregoing minutes, same being for the period of August 1, to August 31, 1971 lusive, and ving been previously approved by Council action, are by me hereby approv=•. ` a RONNIE SIZEM'RE, City of Corpus Christ