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.