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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 06/05/1974 - SpecialPRESENT: Mayor Jason Luby Commissioners: Rev. Harold T. Branch Thomas V. Gonzales Ricardo Gonzalez Gabe Lozano, Sr. J. Howard Stark MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING June 5, 1974 3:00 P.M. City Manager R. Marvin Townsend City Attorney James R. Riggs City Secretary T. Ray Kring Mayor Jason Luby called the meeting to order in the Council Chamber of the City Hall, stating the purpose of the Special Meeting was to hold public hearings on zoning applications and any other business as may properly come before the Council. It was noted that a quorum of the Council was present. City Manager Townsend presented Application #474-12, Robert M. & Vera D. Veselka and Harold T. Hartgraves, for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "B-4" General Business District on Lot 9, 16 and the northeast 45' of Lot 17, Block 6, Woodlawn Estates, located between Clare and Woodlawn Drives, south of Padre Island Drive. The request was heard by the Planning Commission April 31, 1970, and forwarded to the Council with the recommendation that it be denied on the basis that it would be an intrusion into this established residential area. The Planning Staff concurred in this recommendation stating that it would also add to the traffic congestion of the two residential areas. Mr. Harold Hartgraves, co -applicant, spoke in opposition to the recommendation of the Planning Commission. He explained that he owns a U -Store -It Warehouse adjacent to the north and that a boat barn operation is located adjacent to the property owned by Mr. Veselka. Mr. Hartgraves stated that he is requesting "B-4" zoning and that he had no plans to construct apartments at this location, but the lots would be used for additional storage units. He pointed out that this is an old neighborhood, that there are no sidewalks or curbs and gutters, that the traffic is not heavy on normal days, and the lots are too Targe to be practical from an economical standpoint for the type building that would fit into the character of the neighborhood. He stated it was his opinion that the use proposed would be an improvement to the area, and that he would submit a letter -agreement that the lot would not become a junk yard. Mr. Robert Hutchins, 1524 Clare Drive, owner of adjacent property, stated he had opposed the request at the Planning Commission hearing, but since that time he had discussed the matter with Mr. Hartgraves, and if he is willing to restrict by a binding agreement, the use to • Minutes Special Council Meeting June 5, 1974 Page 2 storage together with a standard screening fence separating the two lots, he would not be opposed. Mr. Hutchins commented that he definitely is opposed to general "8-4" zoning on this lot. Mr. Hartgraves stated a special permit would be acceptable. No one appeared in opposition to the foregoing request. Motion by Lozano, seconded by Stark and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Lozano, seconded by Ricardo Gonzalez and passed, that Application 0474-12, Robert M. & Vera D. Veselka and Harold T. Hartgraves, for change of zoning from "R -1B" One - family Dwelling District to "8-4" General Business District on Lot 9, 16 and the northeast 45' of Lot 17, Block 6, Woodlawn Estates, be denied, but in lieu thereof a special permit be approved for storage units subject to an acceptable site plan, and an ordinance be brought forward effectuat- ing the permit. City Manager Townsend presented Application 0374-13E, D. L. Smith dba Der Wienerschnitzel, for an exception to the Standard Screening Fence requirement on Lot 1, Lexington Plaza Annex, located on the southwest corner of Carroll Lane and South Padre Island Drive. The request was heart! by the Planning Commission April 30, 1974, and forwarded to the Council with the recommendation that it be approved. The Staff's opinion was that the standard screening fence should not be waived in this instance on the basis that there is a need for screening the business property from the church property. The 20 percent rule is in effect. Mr. D. L. Smith, applicant, explained that he had discussed this matter with the pastor of the Lexington Baptist Church located on property adjoining this tract, and they were in agreement that there was no need for the fence between the two properties since they shared their parking lot with the church on Sundays and have cooperated their efforts to keep trash picked up. He also stated the six-foot standard screening fence would cut off the view which is essential to his business from Padre Island Drive. Mr. Smith stated he would be willing to look into the possibility of constructing a hurricane fence if the trash is a problem. Mr. Smith further commented that the standard screening fence was economically unfeasible and if he is required to build the fence, he will move the business to another location. No one appeared in opposition to the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Motion by Lozano, seconded by Ricardo Gonzalez and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Ricardo Gonzalez, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the foregoing Applica- tion 0474-13E, D. L. Smith dba Der Wienerschnitzel, be tabled for further consideration. . • Minutes Special Council Meeting June 5, 1974 Page 3 City Manager Townsend presented Application 0474-16, Tom Swantner, Trustee, for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "A-1" Apartment House District on approxi- mately 38.218 acres out of Lots 17, 18, 31 and 32, Section 18, Flour Bluff & Encina) Farm & Garden Tracts, located on the north side of Holly Rood, south of Erskine Drive, between Toben Drive and Airline Road. The request was heard by the Planning Commission April 30, 1974 and forwarded to the Council with the recommendation that it be approved on the basis that it is the highest and best use of the property and a logical extension of apartment zoning in the area and would also serve as a buffer zone. Chief Planner Larry Wenger explained that the Planning Staff's opinion was that this request should be denied on the basis that it would create an undue concentration of population by adding some 800 additional units. He explained that a land use map indicates that 1,008 apartments exist in the area, not counting single-family; that zoning has been approved for future construction of another 2,228 units which would total some 3,308 apartment units, not including some 1,517 units that could be constructed on business zoned properties. City Manager Townsend reported that since the Commission hearing, four letters had been received in favor of the request and three in opposition. Mr. Townsend stated he shares the Planning Staff's opinion and is concerned as to whether or not this land could support that many people. He pointed out that at present, the sewerfacilities are substantially overloaded, and no recreation facilities, that the water service is adequate, but the land is not designed for that high density. Mr. Tom Swantner, applicant -trustee, stated they feel the proposed use is the highest and best use of the land and a logical extension of "A-1" zoning in the area; that single-family residences are unfeasible because of the high cost of loans, and the current trend is for cluster type housing with open space. He explained that they do not have an over-all plan for the development of the property because they did not want to expend that much money until the zoning is assured. No one appeared in opposition to the recommendation of the Planning Commission. Motion by Stark, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Ricardo Gonzalez, seconded by Lozano and passed, Luby voting "Nay", that the recommendation of the planning Commission be concurred in and Application 0474-16, Tom Swantner, Trustee, for change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "A-1" • Minutes Special Council Meeting June 5, 1974 Page 4 Apartment House District on approximately 38.218 acres out of Lots 17, 18, 31 and 32, Section 18, Flour Bluff & Encinal Farm & Garden Tracts, be approved and an ordinance be brought forward effectuating the change. There being no further business to come before the Council, motion by Stark, seconded by Lozano and passed, that the Special Meeting be adjourned at 5:30 p.m., June 5, 1974.