HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 01/05/1977 - SpecialPRESENT:
Mayor Jason Luby
Mayor Pro Tem Bill Tipton
Councilmembers:
Eduardo E. de Ases
Ruth Gill
Bob Gulley
Gabe Lozano, Sr.
Edward Sample
Hall.
meeting.
MINUTES
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 5, 1977
3:30 P.M.
City Manager R. Marvin Townsend
City Attorney J. Bruce Aycock
City Secretary Bill G. Read
Mayor Luby called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers of City
City Secretary Read noted there was a quorum present for a legally constituted
City Manager Townsend announced the public hearing on Application 111176-2,
W. Sam Perkins, for change of zoning from "R-2" Multiple Dwelling District to "A-2"
Apartment House District on Carrolleton Annex 3, Blocks A and B, located along the
west right of way line of Carroll Lane, south of Houston Street and north of Copus
Street. He stated that the Planning Commission's recommendation is that "A-2" be
denied, but in lieu thereof a special permit be approved for senior citizens housing
subject to an appropriate site plan indicating that the structure will not exceed
36' in height; and that the site plan has been received and approved. He explained
that the Planning Staff recommends denial of the application because they believe
"R-2" is the maximum density that should be allowed in that particular area. Mr.
Townsend reported that in response to notices of the public hearing on the zoning
application, 29 letters have been returned in favor and five in opposition.,
Chief Planner Larry Wenger then summarized the surrounding zoning and land
uses, and explained that the applicant wishes to build apartments for the elderly.
He explained his memorandum regarding the zoning application, giving background on
the past zoning of the subject property and explaining the necessary amendments to
Ordinance No. 12385 if the request is approved, in order for Mr. Perkins to proceed
according to his present proposal for an apartment hotel to provide housing for the
`elderly. He also reviewed the requirements of the site plan as approved by the
Planning Commission.
Minutes
Special Council Meeting
January 5, 1977
Page 2
Mayor Luby opened the floor for those in opposition to the application, and
Mr. H. C. Arbuckle protested the increase in traffic he thought the housing complex
would create --citing that there are a lot of small children in the area. He also
told the Council that there are not enough fire hydrants in the area to insure fire
protection for the apartments; he asked that the application be tabled until the
. Staff could complete a combustibility study of the proposed structures as opposed
to the availability of fire hydrants in the vicinity.
City Manager Townsend clarified that before the building could be constructed,
the owners would have to pay for installation of a sufficient number of fire hydrants
in the area as required by the code --if a sufficient number does not already exist.
Mr. Arbuckle continued and suggested that the City contact the nearby property
owners and attempt to get them to purchase the land and convert it into a park for
the children in the area.
Mr. Charlie Bellah, architect and engineer representing Mr. Perkins, the
applicant, showed an architectural rendering of the proposed four-story building
which he said would cost about two million dollars, generating several million
dollars into the City's economy and also boosting the tax base. He pointed out
that there would be laundry facilities and other conveniences in the complex; that
it would be attractively landscaped; that there is bus service on Carroll Lane and
they also plan to provide a mini -bus for their residents. Mr. Bellah stressed that
58 units could be built under the present zoning, which he said would be a higher
density than under their proposal., -due to the fact that elderly people usually live
alone. He added that they are agreeable to a special permit for the project.
Mr. Sam Perkins explained the methods of financing they are seeking and
HUD's guidelines for the project, and asked that the Council grant the special
permit for a five-year period to allow plenty of time for the loans to be approved
and construction to begin; that otherwise they might have to make application and
go through the whole zoning process again if they were only given a special permit
for a year and could not begin construction within that time.,
Minutes
Special Council Meeting
January 5, 1977
Page 3
Motion by Lozano that the hearing be closed; seconded by de Ases and
passed unanimously.
Motion by Lozano that a special permit be granted for a three-year
period for senior citizens housing according to the site plan submitted, with
landscaping required along the perimeter, and that automobile engress and egress
be from Carroll Lane only; seconded by Gulley.
Motion by Tipton to amend the motion that the permit be limited to one
year. Motion to amend died for lack of a second.
The Motion as originally stated passed --with Luby and Tipton voting No.
Motion by Lozano that the Staff be instructed to bring forth an ordinance
to amend Ordinance 12385 relating to the closing of Kay Street and Ordinance 12386
on the sale of property to Mr. Perkins to eliminate the requirement that abutting
property first be used for public housing, and to incorporate therein that the
property must be used first for housing for the elderly and to relocate the 10'
pedestrian access and utility easement. It was seconded by Gulley and passed
unanimously.
At this point Councilmember Sample asked for more order in the meeting,
and that members of the Council ask to be recognized by the Chair before speaking
for more orderly and efficient handling of business.
City Manager Townsend then announced Application No. 1176-7E, Fox Photo,
for an exception to the screening fence requirement 175' along the southeast
property line of Lot B, Casa Linda Estates #4, located at the southwest corner of
S. Staples Street and Kostoryz Road. He reviewed that the Planning Commission
recommends that the request be granted.
Chief Planner Larry Wenger described the surrounding zoning and land uses.
He explained that the Planning Staff recommends the provision in the Zoning Ordinance
of a deferred process for constructing the fence with a contract between the owner
and the City and a cash deposit equivalent to the cost of construction that runs
with the property; that if in the future the zoning is changed to business on the
vacant "A-1" area adjacent, the money plus interest would be returned to the owner
because no fence would be required. He added that one letter has been received
in favor of the zoning change and one in opposition.
Minutes
Special Council Meeting
January 5, 1977
Page 4
There was no opposition from the audience.
Motion by de Ases that the hearing be closed; seconded by Sample and
passed unanimously.
Motion by Gill that the request be denied. Motion died for lack of a
second.
Motion by de Ases to concur with the Planning Commission's recommendation;
seconded by Sample and passed --with Gill voting No.
City Manager Townsend then presented Application #1176-9, Spohn Hospital,
for change of zoning from "B-4" General Business District and "A-2" Apartment House
District to "B-2" Bayfront Business District on Blocks X and XI, Ocean View
Subdivision and Blocks A and B, Bay Front Terrace, located on the block bounded
by Ocean Drive and Third Street, and Elizabeth and Ayers Streets. He explained
that the Planning Commission recommends that the request be approved; and that the
Planning Staff recommends approval of "B-2" with the exception of those lots
fronting on Ocean Drive to retain the character of the area and discourage additional
requests for business zoning along that major thoroughfare. He reported that one
response was returned in favor and one in opposition to the zoning request.
Chief Planner Wenger presented a land use and zoning map of the area.
Mr. Gary Roberts with Veetland Corporation, representing Spohn Hospital,
emphasized to the Council that they are not planning any structures on Ocean Drive
and that the character of Ocean Drive would not be hampered in any way by this
development.
City Manager Townsend inquired why they wish to change the zoning on the
lots fronting Ocean Drive from "A-2" to "B-2", voicing the City's concern of protecting
Ocean Drive from business encroachment.
Mr. Roberts responded that he does not believe a facility like Spohn
Hospital would set a precedent on Ocean Drive; also that one of the buildings
planned for construction would partially lie within the "A-2" area.
Speaking in opposition was Mrs. Carlos Guerguin, who said she owns property
on Third Street. She objected to the change to business zoning to protect Ocean
Drive and the city's beautiful bayfront.
Minutes
Special Council Meeting
January 5, 1977
Page 5
Motion by de Asee that the hearing be closed; seconded by Gulley and
passed unanimously.
Motion by de Aaes to accept the Staff's recommendation for approval of
"B-2" zoning with the exception of those lots fronting on Ocean Drive; seconded
by Sample and passed --with Luby voting No.
City Manager Townsend then announced Application 01176-10, Tony Juarez, Jr.,
for change of zoning from "AB" Professional Office District to "B-1" Neighborhood
Business District on Lots 2R, 3R, 4R, and 5R, David Brown Addition, located at
the southwest corner of Baldwin Boulevard and Cleo Street. He reviewed that the
Planning Commission recommends approval; but that the Planning Staff feels granting
"B-1" would be an intrusion of business into that residential and professional
office area which is fully developed and would set a precedent, thus creating strip
zoning along another major street and, therefore, recommends denial. He reported
that in response to notices of the public hearing, four letters were returned in
favor and one in opposition to the request.
Chief Planner Wenger then explained the surrounding zoning and land uses.
No one spoke to the Council in opposition to the application.
Motion by de Asea that the hearing be closed; seconded by Sample and passed
unanimously.
Motion by de Apes to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission;
seconded by Lozano and passed unanimously.
City Manager Townsend then presented the Text Amendments to Articles 16
and 17 of the Zoning Ordinance, to amend Article 16 "B-4" General Business District,
Section 16-2 Use Regulations, Item (4) by striking the period after the word
"storage" and adding "but expressly excluding the storage of any wrecked vehicles";
and to amend Article 17 "B-5" Primary Business District, Section 17-2 Use Regulations,
Item (1) by striking the period after the word "dwellings" and adding "unless the
dwellings are ancillary to the main use and located in the same structure". He
stated that the Planning Commission recommends that the Text Amendments be approved
as written.
Minutes
Special Council Meeting
January 5, 1977
Page 6
Chief Planner Wenger explained the Text Amendments more fully.
No one addressed the Council in opposition to the amendments.
Motion by Sample that the hearing be closed; seconded by de Ases and
e
passed unanimously.
Mr. James Andrews from the audience stated he favors the Text Amendments.
' Motion by Gulley that the Text Amendments be approved as proposed; seconded
by Sample and passed unanimously.
The Special Council Meeting was then adjourned at 5:11 p.m. to resume the
Regular Meeting.