Loading...
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.