HomeMy WebLinkAbout8 Tauber Stasneyj~ A&M
United Methodist Church
Sharing the Heart of Christ
August 11,2010
Dear Mayor Berry and Members of City Council Coll ege Station,
417 University Drive
College Station, Texas 77840-1375
Office: 979-846-8731
Fax: 979-846-3387
www.am-umc.org
Email: office@am-umc.org
First of all, let me express my sincere appreciation to you and to the City Staff members who
have been so responsive to our need to be heard. The 1,371 members of A&M United Methodist
Church along with the hundreds of visitors and guests who worship and serve with us are grateful to
have our ministry base in the Northgate area of College Station.
We realize that all the stakeholders in Northgate are impacted by the changes that continue to
be made in this part of town. I am convinced that the aesthetics are improving and that the intent is
to make this area more pedestrian friendly. I appreciate the desire to maintain and even add some
vegetation to an area that is designed to be densely populated. About 16 months ago I came before
City Council with a major concern regarding the Tauber/Stasny project. I was hopeful that the
existing curb lines on Tauber between Church Avenue and University Drive could be maintained,
and that two way traffic and two-sided parking in this one block, be preserved. My understanding is
that this is not a possibility due to potential fire fighting needs. I further understand that the parking
will be retained on the west side of Tauber and that the sidewalk will be widened to eight feet. While
this is not my dream, I understand that aesthetically speaking this will further enhance the Northgate
area.
Will McColl um and I had the opportunity to meet with Chuck Gilman, David Gwin, Bob
Cowell, and Councilwoman Lyles this past Monday to walk the bl ock mentioned above. The current
plans showed placing trees and benches along the eight foot sidewalk that will run beside our
Sanctuary and Administration Buildings. Not only will this significantly compromise the pedestrian
access that a wider sidewalk was hoped to provide, it also has the potential to negatively impact the
aesthetics of the block and hinder the firefighting efforts that have been a key element in this
discussion. The staff was responsive of the potential problems with stairways and doorways that
need to be considered when implementing the pan with the current U.D.O. They agreed that benches
and trees would not be appropriate in the 100 feet from either corner (Church/Tauber and
University/Tauber). Trees and benches were acknowledged as an integral part of our courtyard
design, causing them to be redundant there. The only sticking point of the current plan seems to be
the stretch of block next to our 60 year old sanctuary. We were advised that the City Council would
need to respond to our request regarding that part of the block.
Therefore, I am requesting that the City Counci l waive the implementation of the U.D.O.
related to this southern part of the west side of Tauber Street between University Drive and Church
Avenue. I request it for three reasons. Quite honestly, first and foremost is that as these trees mature
they will block the natural light that comes through the stained glass windows that were set in this
building in 1950. These windows have been the subj ect of many "Stories of the Windows" sermons
that I have preached and an even bigger part of the lives of those who have worshipped in this
building since that time. The second reason is for the same reason that two sided parking is being
eliminated on this block. To plant trees right next to a building that was strongly considered in worse
case scenarios of it catching fire, seems to be creating potential difficulties for fire fighters. The third
reason is that I believe A&M United Methodist Church is proactive in making the area more green.
We planted the live oaks that face University Drive in 1936. We have a canopy oak on the corner of
Tauber and Church. There are five 14-16 feet tall crepe myrtles and three other trees on the property
being considered (only the block between Tauber and Lodge and University and Church). We also
have five trees in planters in the design of the Diane Welch Memorial Pedestrian Mall. The other
blocks that make up A&M United Methodist Church are just as green with vegetation. I want to
assure every member of this City Council that we are interested in the beauty of this area and
committed to its aesthetic integrity.
We are also interested in serving our members with as much access and aesthetics as
possible. Therefore, we request that along with the cooperation of the City Staff, who have.spent
time on the property, as City Council members you waive the requirement of trees being planted next
to our historic sanctuary.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Kip R. Gilts
Senior Pastor