HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence adiaiL October 13, 2005
INTEGRATED
OCEAN Lance Simms
DRILLING City of College Station
PROGRAM Asst Development Coordinator
JOI ALLIANCE
The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) is an international
research program that explores the history and structure of the earth
as recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks.
Joint Oceanographic Institutions, Incorporated (JOI) and its partners,
the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
(LDEO) and Texas A&M University (TAMU), have been selected by
National Science Foundation (NSF) to be the IODP United States
Implementing Organization (IODP-USIO) for the U.S. riserless
vessel and related activities. These three partners comprise the JOI
Alliance. JOI, the USIO Systems Integration Contractor, is
responsible to NSF and IODP Management International (IODP-MI)
for the overall program leadership, technical, operational, and
financial management, and delivery of services. USIO Science
Services, Texas A&M University is responsible for providing a full
array of science services, ranging from vessel and drilling operations
to ship- and shore-based science laboratories, core repositories,
and publication.
IODP, which receives funding through the US government agency,
National Science Foundation, has applied to lease the 903 Harvey
property for a short term 2 year lease. During this time, we will store
scientific instruments for maintenance and calibration, for
documenting and training staff and students. In addition, the staff
and students will order and purchase additional instruments and
supplies for use on the future vessel. They will train on the
installation, operation, and maintenance of the instrument as they
develop software and methods. This vocational and educational
aspect of the program is crucial to the overall goals of the IODP.
We look forward to using this property over the next 2 years to meet
the long term goals of IODP.
Sincerely,
Brad Julson
Supervisor of Technical Support
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program
Texas A&M University
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program/JOI Alliance
Texas A&M University, 1000 Discovery Drive,College Station TX 77845-9547 USA
Tel: (979)845-3602; Fax: (979) 845-0876; Web Site:www.oceandrilling.org
Olff"
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION
Planning er Development Services
3 November 2005
Clint Schroff
Clark &Wyndham, Inc.
3608 East 29th Street, Suite 100
Bryan, Texas 77802
RE: Written Interpretation for 903 Harvey Road, College Station, TX.
Dear Mr. Schroff:
This letter is in response to your request for a written interpretation concerning
appropriate uses for C-1 zoning districts, specifically as it relates to the proposed use of
the lease space at 903 Harvey Road.
Background
On 6 October 2005, the City received a building permit application and supporting
documentation for remodeling work at 903 Harvey Road. The information submitted with
the building permit application indicated proposed uses such as an"open fabrication
area" and "racked pallet storage". There were also notes on the building plans indicating
that an 8 foot roll up door will be installed at the rear of the lease space along with the
installation of a"loading zone" in an area where three parking spaces are currently
located. On 13 October 2005, Brad Julson, Supervisor of Technical Support for the
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, submitted a letter to the City concerning the proposed
use of the lease space at 903 Harvey Road. Mr. Julson's letter stated that the lease space
will be used to "store scientific instruments for maintenance and calibration..." in
addition to training staff and students. On 17 October 2005, City staff toured the facilities
at the existing Ocean Drilling Program in Research Park and viewed sample equipment.
Staff was informed that the equipment would be trucked from the Research Park location
to 903 Harvey Road for calibration, testing, and storage.
P.O.BOX 9960•1101 TEXAS AVENUE
COLLEGE STATION •TEXAS•77842
979.764.3570
www.cstx.gov
Written Interpretation—Pg.2
Determination
The zoning district for the subject property is C-1 (General Commercial). Based on the
aforementioned information, staff contends that the proposed use of the space at 903
Harvey Road is not a compatible use with a C-1 zoning district. According to Section 5.3
of the Unified Development Ordinance, the C-1 zoning district is designed to provide
locations for retail sales and services that function to serve the entire community. It is our
opinion that this use would be more compatible with the R&D (Research and
Development) zoning district, the M-1 (Light Industrial) zoning district, or possibly the
C-2 (Commercial Industrial) zoning district. When evaluating issues related to the proper
use of zoning districts, one must consider the nature of the proposed use of the property,
the existing use of neighborhood properties and the possibility that a nuisance will be
created by the proposed use. One must also consider the primary or principal use of the
space or building. While we understand that there are other uses associated with the
primary use in this case, such as office and educational uses, the information submitted
for review indicates the primary use will be the storage, maintenance, and calibration of
scientific equipment. Furthermore, the proposed use does not appear to be a service that
functions to serve the entire community. Finally, it is important to note that the lease
space at 903 Harvey Road is immediately adjacent to existing residential property that
may potentially be impacted by the proposed use on said property.
This interpretation may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA). The
next available ZBA meeting date is 6 December 2005. The submittal deadline for the
December meeting is 7 November 2005.
We trust this information is useful. Please contact me at 979.764.3570 should you have
any questions.
Sincerely,
Jo. D , , AICP
D rector of Planning and Development Services
Lance Simms - RE: 903 Harvey Page 1
From: Lance Simms
To: Clint Schroff
Date: 10/18/2005 1:09:39 PM
Subject: RE: 903 Harvey
Clint:
Thanks again for taking the time to show Jennifer and I around the office of the Ocean Drilling Program
yesterday. The visit helped us better understand the issues related to the proposed use of the space at
903 Harvey. After further research into the "use"question, I still feel like the proposed use of the space at
903 Harvey is not compatible with a C-1 zoning district. As you know, the C-1 zoning district is designed to
provide locations for retail sales and services that function to serve the entire community. The uses
described in the information submitted with building permit application for 903 Harvey and contained in the
letter submitted by Mr. Julson indicate a use more compatible with the R&D (Research & Development)
District, the M-1 (Light Industrial) District, or possibly the C-2 (Commercial Industrial) District. That said, I
am not comfortable approving the building permit application for the remodel work at 903 Harvey. As we
discussed last week, you can appeal this decision to the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA). The next
available ZBA meeting date is 6 December. The submittal deadline for the December meeting is 7
November. Should you wish to pursue an appeal of this decision through the ZBA, please submit a
request for written interpretation (as required by Section 3.14 of the UDO)to this office first. We cannot
process a ZBA application until a written interpretation is issued by the administrator. Please Let me know
if you need the application for a written interpretation or the ZBA application.
I trust this explanation makes sense. Please feel free to contact me should you have questions or need
additional information.
Lance Simms
Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services
City of College Station
1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: 979.764.3741
Fax: 979.764.3496
>>>"Clint Schroff"<clint@clarkewyndham.com> 10/18/05 10:07 AM >>>
Howdy Lance:
Have you had a chance to discuss the"use"for TAMU Research?
Thanks,
Clint
Original Message
From: Lance Simms Jmailto:Lsimms(a�cstx.govl
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 8:36 AM
To: Clint Schroff
Cc: Jennifer Reeves
Subject: RE: 903 Harvey
Clint, Monday sounds good. We will meet y'all on site. See you then.
Lance Simms
Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services
City of College Station
1 Lance Simms - RE: 903 Harvey Page 2
1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: 979.764.3741
Fax: 979.764.3496
>>> "Clint Schroff'<clint(c�clarkewvndham.com> 10/13/05 4:36 PM >>>
9am Monday would be great. Would you like us to pick you up or meet you
in the parking lot?
Physical address is 1000 Discovery. West on University, left on
Discovery, they are the 2nd building on the corner on the right.
Thanks and let me know your preference.
Clint
Original Message
From: Lance Simms jmailto:Lsimms ancstx.govl
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 4:29 PM
To: Clint Schroff
Cc: Jennifer Reeves
Subject: Re: 903 Harvey
Clint-that sounds like a good idea. We have some time early next week
(either 9:00 am on Monday or 10:30 am on Tuesday). Would one of those
times work for y'all?
Lance Simms
Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services
City of College Station
1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: 979.764.3741
Fax: 979.764.3496
>>>"Clint Schroff'<clint(a�clarkewvndham.com> 10/13/05 2:36 PM >>>
Hi Lance &Jennifer:
Thanks for meeting with us today to discuss the TAMU Research
Lease/Permit. I'm feeling like we missed the boat(no pun intended)of
accurately describing the day to day business and activities that TAMU
Research would actually do at the Center.
In an effort to try to resolve this matter expeditiously, I was
wandering if one or both of you would be willing to go over to the
Research Park and walk thru the existing office building of the JOI and
the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program to get a better understanding of
the operations and activities that would actually take place at their
•
LLance Simms - RE: 903 Harvey - Page 3
satellite location at 903 Harvey Road?
Let me know.
Best regards,
Clint Schroff, CCIM
Broker Associate
Clarke &Wyndham, Inc.
3608 E. 29th Street, Suite 100
Bryan, TX 77802
979-846-4384
www.clarkewyndham.com
College Station. Heart of the Research Valley.
College Station. Heart of the Research Valley.
CC: Jennifer Reeves