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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 04/24/1972 - Special• MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING WEST OSO HIGH SCHOOL CAFETORIUM April 24, 1972 7:30 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Ronnie Sizemore Mayor Pro Tem Charles A. Bonniwell Commissioners: Roberto Bosquez, M.D. Thomas V. Gonzales Gabe Lozano, Sr. J. Howard Stark City Manager R. Marvin Townsend Assistant City Attorney Bob Coffin City Secretary T. Ray Kring Others Present: Director of Engineering Services James K. Lontos; Director of Public Utilities Bob Schneider; Director of Traffic Engineering Tom Stewart; Director of Planning William Anderson; Administrative Assistant Andy McCown; and Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Bill G. Read. • Mayor Sizemore called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at West Oso High School Cafetorium, and announced the purpose of the meeting was to hold a public hearing for con- sideration of a drainage plan for the area south and west of the City, and to amend the Master Drainage Plan adopted November 6, 1963. He asked that it be noted that a quorum of the Council and the required Charter officers were present to conduct a valid meeting, and explained the procedure to be followed. City Manager Townsend presented subject matter of the hearing and explained the Charter provisions that the City shall have a master plan which shall designate location and sizing of utilities, buildings, water lines, sanitary sewers, streets, and a related zoning plan. He explained that a portion of this plan was adopted in 1963 and the balance of that plan is the subject of this hearing. He explained that once the plan is adopted it will prohibit actions contrary to that plan and will be recognized by future subdivision development. He explained Staffing procedures prior to this hearing, stating that the plan was initiated by the Staff and submitted to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation; stated that the Planning Commission met January 25, 1972, and took the following action: "That the 1970 Master Plan for Storm Drainage for the western part of the City and Flour Bluff area and an amendment to the existing 1961 Master Plan for Storm Drainage, comprising a relocation of the drainage ditch along Bear Lane from the Kelly Ditch to the Navigation Boulevard Ditch to a new location approximately 1500 feet north, be forwarded to the City Manager with the recommendation that they be adopted." • Minutes Special Council Meeting April 24, 1972 Page 2 Director of Engineering Services James K. Lontos presented the Master Storm Drainage Plan for the area west of Clarkwood Road and the Flour Bluff area which was prepared by Naismith Engineers in 1970. He gave a detailed description of the general topography of the City and pointed out the areas on the map; gave background information on what has happened in the City relative to drainage and drainage problems and growth since the original Master Plan was adopted in 1961, discussed the need for the original plan and the first authorization. He named accomplishments of this plan which included the Schanen Drainage, County Club Drainage, Williams Drive (Gardendale Drainage, Richter, 41o, Johanna Area), Carroll Lane (Lynwood Area), Kelly Drainage Ditch , Clarkwood Ditch, and other Capital Improvement projects. He described the general plan for drainage facilities in the present 1970 Master Plan for Flour Bluff and the Western Area; explained the methods used in developing the Plan, and its importance both with respect to the capital improvements and its relationship to subdivisions which may be developed in the future. He also discussed the need for this plan, and the effect of the annexation of the Western and the Flour Bluff areas in the 1960s. Mr. Lontos pointed out that there is a need to amend the existing Master Storm Drainage Plan around the new West Oso High School where development is taking place and wherefuture development is anticipated. He explained that the drainage outfall shown in Bear Lane (formerly Kosar Road) on Plats 12 and 13 of said Master Plan is to be voided and a proposed location for another outfall channel, parallel to and approximately 2,000 feet north of Bear Lane is to be considered, such channel beginning approximately 3,700 feet east of Padre Island Drive, crossing Padre Island Drive and terminating at a State Highway Department easement approximately 4,800 feet west of Padre Island Drive, cross Padre Island Drive and continue 4,800 feet to the Kelly Ditch. He stated the ditch would require 100 feet of right of way, and is planned to run in back of the school because it was felt an open ditch in front of the school would be unsightly. He explained the ditch is needed to drain an area bounded by Highway 44, Navigation Boulevard, South Padre Island Drive and Bear Lane. Mr. Lontos discussed the study for Flour Bluff area, and summarized the entire plan from maps and diagrams, stating the conditions differed somewhat because of the sandy soil; pointed out areas planned for open ditches, dense areas recommended for closed conduits, and erosion control. • • Minutes Special Council Meeting April 24, 1972 Page 3 He stated that the Flour Bluff area was an area of approximately 13.8 square miles, and the Western area comprised some 32.2 square miles. Persons in the audience were given an opportunity to question Mr. Lontos relative to the Master Drainage Plan. Mr. R. S. Garza, member of the Planning Commission and Principal of Kennedy Elementary School, questioned the logic of the location of the ditch in back of the school. Mr. Lontos explained the plan stating that the area is very flat and is drained by -a series of ditches which terminate along Bear Lane, and that the existing ditch is not large enough to take care of that much development, and the staff feels this ditch along Bear Lane is not to the best interest of the area, and recommend that instead it be moved to the north of the School, beginning from the back of Village on the Green and the baseball field, across Flato Road and Padre Island Drive and terminate at Kelly Ditch which would be less expensive and also provide better drainage, at the same time resolve some of the school problems which exist in back of the School, and would allow for proper land use of the area along Bear Lane. Mr. Raymond Perez, President of West Oso Independent School District, questioned the location, appearance, and size of the ditch at the back of the school, stating that the School District has plans to construct another school on the property which the ditch would cross. Mr. Lontos explained that the ditch at the back of the school would be no larger than it would have been had it been located on Bear Lane; that it will require approximately three acres of the school property; that it will be an open ditch, and that it is hoped that it will have sloping sides rather than the steep sides which exist on the Airport Ditch. Mr. Robert Gutierrez, President of the West Oso School Board, inquired as to whether or not the ditch could be moved either farther north or south of Bear Lane. Mr. Townsend explained that it would not be practical to move the ditch too far north or south because it would fail to adequately drain the area, and would adversely affect the land use in the area. Also stated there are several erbsion problems on Bear Lane. He gave estimated cost figures at both locations, and explained that the City is working closely with the State and it is hoped that these two ditches will be constructed jointly by the City and the State, which would reduce the cost to the City appreciably particularly if the State does the excavations. •inutes v • Special Council Meeting April 24, 1972 Page 4 Others appearing and making inquiries relative to the drainage system in the West Oso Area were Mr. Ezekel Lopez, Chairman of the Clean -Up Campaign; Mr. Curtis Williams and Juan Gonzales, members of the West Oso School Board; and Mr. B. L. Cobb, Principal of West Oso High School. Questions were raised relative to acquisition of right of way; whether or not the ditch could be constructed on the border line of school property; whether or not concrete boxes will be constructed and difference in cost; and plans for draining adjacent areas, and if another hearing could be held for discussion of the proposal to change the plan relative to the location of the ditch beyond the school. City Manager Townsend pointed out the urgency of moving forward with the plans, and suggested that those persons directly involved remain for an informal discussion immediately following this meeting. Motion by Bonniwell, seconded by Gonzales and passed, that the heating be closed. Motion by Stark, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the Master Plan for Storm Drainage for the area west of Clarkwood Roadiand the Flour Bluff Area of the City of Corpus Christi as pre- pared by Naismith Engineers, Inc., be adopted, and that the proposed amendment to the Master Drainage Plan adopted November 6, 1963, regarding the drainage outfall shown in Bear Lane on plats 12 and 13 of said Master Plan be tabled for further consideration. Mayor Sizemore called for petitions or information from the audience on matters not scheduled on the agenda. Mr..R. S. Garza presented a petition containing 214 signatures of residents in the Molina and Westhaven communities, requesting that the City Council take action to open the street which connects Bloomington and Rockford. He stated that elementary students are forced to either cross a plowed field or travel considerable distance out of their way to make their way to and from school. City Manager Townsend explained that a temporary easement had been given by Mr. Lichten- stein to cross his property with the provision that it could be used by the City until such time as it was needed for development purposes. He stated that Mr. Lichtenstein had indicated a possibility of selling the property and does not want to give another easement at this time. Mayor Sizemore stated the petition would be accepted and filed with the City Secretary, and that an appeal would be made to the owner of the property to see what could be done to get • Minutes Special Council Meeting April 24, 1972 Page 5 another temporary easement for roadway across this area, pointing out that 0 a later dote when the owner is ready to plat the land for development, he would be required to give o" certain amount of right-of-way for a permanent street. Mr. Garza also requested that some improvements be mode on Cliff Maus Road and other streets in the Molina area. He stated that Cliff Maus jsvery narrow,full of chug holes, the traffic is heavy, and that this is presenting a hazard to school children. He also requested that the School Crossing Guards be reinstated at Old Brownsville Road and Cliff Maus Rood. Mr. Lontos explained plans for improvements of the streets in Molina Area, stating that resurfacing of Cliff Maus and Home Road, from 4Columbla;to Old Brownsville: Road, would be considered, but pointed out that any permanent street improvements before the drainage problems were resolved, would not be practicable. City Manager Townsend introduced individual members of"the-Council and membess of the City Staff who were present to answer questions raised by, members of the Audience. Mayor Sizemore expressed appreciation to those attending the meeting and their interest and concern for the improvement of their community. There being no further business to come before the Council,the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m., April 24, 1972.