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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 11/10/1976 - SpecialPRESENT: Mayor Jason Luby Mayor Pro Tem Bill Tipton Councilmembers: Eduardo E. de Ases Ruth Gill Bob Gulley Gabe Lozano, Sr. Edward Sample MINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 1976 3:30 P.M. Assistant City Manager Archie N. Walker Executive Asst. City Attorney Michael May City Secretary Bill G. Read Mayor Luby called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City Hall. City Secretary Read noted there was a quorum present. Chief Planner Larry Wenger first described Application No. 876-12, Leonard Martin, for a change of zoning from "B-4" General Business District and "R -1B" One - family Dwelling District to "I-2" Light Industrial District, located on the southeast corner of South Padre Island and Flour Bluff Drives, being a 10.458 acre tract of land out of Lots 1 and 2, Section 48, Flour Bluff and Encinal Farm and Garden Tracts. He reviewed that the Planning Commission's recommendation to the City Council is that the requested "I-2" be denied, but in lieu thereof a special permit be approved for development of a permanent amusement park subject to an appropriate site plan indicating general amusement ride areas rather than specific rides, parking areas and permanent walkways which would be paved, and placement of signs with a waiver of the standard screening fence requirement until such time as residential development occurs on adjacent properties. He added that on October 12, 1976, the site plan was approved as submitted with the standard screening fence waived along the perimeter of the property; and the parking requirement ratio would be 1 per 4 seating spaces on amusement rides and 1 per 50 square feet of game/concession areas plus 1 space for every two employees. Mr. Wenger described the surrounding zoning and land uses, explaining that the Planning Staff recommends denial of the application on the basis that it would be an intrusion into the residential area to the east and that it would be difficult to find an appropriate commercial use for an adjacent area which is presently vacant. He also reported that three letters have been received in favor of the zoning change, and that there has been no opposi- tion from within 200' of the subject property. MICROFILMED SEP 0 31980 Minutes Special Council Meeting November 10, 1976 Page 2 Speaking in favor of the request was Attorney Bill Granberry, representing Mr. Martin, who said he was not aware until this time that the Staff was not in favor of the proposal. He explained their plans for a permanent amusement park which they hope to open next Easter; that it would operate during the summer months and perhaps a few weekends the rest of the year. He presented a petition (#21-76) with 296 signatures in favor of the amusement park. He described the plans and emphasized that the rides for children, the parking lot and a 200' buffer zone would be located closest to the residences for maximum protection. He pointed out that the property is on a main highway and has some business use bordering it. Mr. Granberry stressed that the park would bring tourists and people from other parts of Corpus Christi in to Flour Bluff, generating other revenue. Also in favor was Mr. John Nicholson, speaking on behalf of the Flour Bluff Businessmen's Association. He stated that the park will be landscaped rather than entflrely asphalt; that no alcoholic beverages would be allowed on the premises; and that he feels noise would not affect the nearby residences due to the buffer zone and other considerations. Mr. Eddy Savoy, 131 Skipper, expressed his support --saying it would provide good entertainment for visiting families after they tire of the beach. Mr. I. E. Crane, owner of property in the area, also spoke in favor --citing there is not much for young people in Flour Bluff to do, and the amusement park would be a good source of entertainment for them. Mr. Al Brown, owner of a nearby convenience store and coin laundry, also encouraged the request. Mrs. Raymond Hickman, 334 Caribbean, endorsed the plan and in addition pointed out that the park would provide job opportunities for young people in the vicinity without transportation. Mr. Cliff Spear, publisher of a newspaper in Flour Bluff, also spoke in favor. Mr. Meyer, owner of an adjacent travel trailer park, concurred that the amusement park would provide needed entertainment for tourists and others in the area and would also provide revenue for the City. Mayor Pro Tem Tipton asked Mr. Granberry approximately how many persons the park would employ; he replied about 60, mostly teenagers. Minutes Special Council Meeting November 10, 1976 Page 3 Speaking in opposition was Mr. Gene Evans, 1817 O'Neill in the Baywood Addition, who acknowledged the need for more recreational facilities in Flour Bluff but stressed that that site is not a good location. He said a 200' buffer would not be adequate; that the noise would be too great; that the park would create police problems; and that he feels it would decrease the value of their property. He added that residents already have noise at all hours from the Naval Base,and would like to prevent more noise in the neighborhood. Mr. Jerry Purvis, 1226 Baywood, voiced his opposition --citing traffic problems and noise from the rides and engines. Mr. Ernest Van Duyn, 1214 Baywood, told the Council he has lived in his home for 14 years and moved there because it is a quiet neighborhood; he objected to the noise he feels would be created by the park. Mrs. Gail Purvis stated she and her husband just recently purchased their first home in Baywood and feel an amusement park located nearby would devalue their property. She acknowledged that the park would help businesses in the area, but repeated she is a resident and she strongly opposes the request. Motion by Tipton, seconded by Lozano and passed unanimously, that the hearing be closed. In further discussion, Chief Planner Larry Wenger explained to Councilmember de Ases that the owners did not specify or name the rides on the site plan because they need flexibility to move in new rides and replace those that are less popular. Attorney Granberry explained that almost all the rides are new and would be electrically powered, with the exception of the go-carts in the far corner of the park and one other ride. Motion by Gulley, seconded by de Ases and passed --with Gill and Sample voting No --to grant a special permit for an amusement park as recommended by the Planning Commission and according to the approved site plan. Chief Planner Larry Wenger next announced Applications #976-3, Turner Landscape, Inc. and 976-4, E. K. Turner, for a change of zoning from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District and "B-1" Neighborhood Business District to "B-4" General Business District on Application #976-3; and from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District and "B-4" General Minutes Special Council Meeting November 10, 1976 Page 4 Business District to "I-2" Light Industrial District on Tract A and from "R -1B" One -family Dwelling District to "B-4" General Business District on Tract B, Application #976-4. He reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendation "that Application #976-3 be approved as requested on Lots 10 through 15 and the north 33' of Lot 16"; and on Application #976-4, "that "B-4" be approved on all of Lot 10, and in Lieu of "I-2", that a special permit be approved on Lots 10, 11 and 12 so long as they are being used for a warehousing and storage operation in relationship to Turner's Nursery." He added that the site plan was approved by the Planning Commission on October 12, 1976 as submitted, with a waiver of the standard screening fence requirement and in lieu thereof accepting screening as indicated on the site plan. Attorney John Brooke appeared on behalf of the Turner family, stating that the nursery has existed at that location for a number of years; that they recently acquired additional land for expansion and plan to use it primarily for storage and warehousing. He explained that since that land is located across the street from the existing property, it was unnecessary to make these applications for changes in zoning. Mr. Brooke also cited figures regarding their company's operation and employment. Motion by de Ases, seconded by Gulley and passed unanimously, that the hearing be closed. Motion by Tipton that Applications #976-3 and 976-4 be approved as requested by the applicant. After some discussion it was learned that the applicant favored the recommendation of the Planning Commission according to the site plan approved by them. Mayor Pro Tem Tipton withdrew his motion and made the motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission for Applications #976-3 and 976-4; seconded by Gulley and passed unanimously. There being no further business at this Special Council Meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.