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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/30/1973 - Minutes - Planning & Zoning Commission fjk MINUTES 411) PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSfDN April 30, 1973 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman M. R. Calliham; Commissioners James Wallace, Bill Cooley, George Boyett, Tom Chaney, Ed Miller, John Longley; City Planner George Eby MEMBERS ABSENT: Council Liaison Don Dale VISITORS PRESENT: See Guest Register The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Calliham who stated that the special meeting was called to review the Interim Report of the Comprehensive Development Plan for the City of College Station as developed by Pinnell, Anderson, Wilshire and Associates, the City's consultants on the 701 plan. Dr. Pinnell emphasized that it was to be considered an interim report which contains basic data to be used to build the plan and some recommendations for city action. An ,, outline of the study is as follows: I, Introduction A. Interim Report B. Phase II II. Goals and Objectives A. Citizens Involvement B. Summary Reports C. Preliminary Goals and Objectives III. Base Studies A. A&M Growth 20, 000 - 22, 000 $200 million budget $85 million construction $10 million visitor potential 8700 faculty-staff B. High Average Family Income Commercial Growth Visitor Potential Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission April 30, 1973 7:00 P.M. Page 2 IV. Water Supply TAMU Connection Studies to assure long-range water supply V. Sewer System Areas without service Capacity problems Infiltration and inflow Clean-out and maintenance VI. Solid Waste Land fill capacity - 1979 Collection efficiency - (3 times with bags) (10 times with mech) VII. Electric Tremendous Growth Need for continuous planning • VIII. Drainage and Flood Control Wo1 en and Bee Creeks (improve drainage) Recognize maintenance problem Definition of flood plain Zone - flood plain IX. Public Schools Need for 2 elementary school sites Upgrade high school and middle school Kindergarten program X. Administration and Organization Personnel Increase Large City Operation Cycle Billing Purchasing and Warehouse Maintenance Program Personnel Study XI. General Development Study Land Use Future Land Use 41111 XII. Environment Relocation of railroad Environmental impact Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission 7 April 30, 1973 el 7:00 P.M. Page 3 At the conclusion of the report, the Commissioners commended the planners, and stated that they were anxious to continue the work in the second phase which would be the final comprehensive plan. The Commission then turned their discussion to the topic of the relocation of the railroad. The study reported that there were several distinct disadvantages of the present location of the railroad. Chapter IX-8 Negative Environmental i Factors is as follows: Presence of the Railroad: The railroad was once the focal point of the University and of the City. It is now a main freight line to the Gulf Coast. The negative aspects from a community viewpoint include: (1) creation of excessive noise and disruption, (2) creation of hazards at frequent at-grade crossings, and (3) because of recent disasters in other communities involving railroad accidents and flammable and volatile chemicals, the creation of the possibility of a major disaster. Several streets and highways cross the railroad at grade. The flow of traffic is temporarily disrupted, and at every crossing, the possibility of the loss of life and property exists. In recent years, the Texas Highway Department has constructed a major grade seperation where University Drive intersects the railroad. Also, additional signalization has been added at major crossings. The danger has been greatly reduced, but the possibility for 1 accidents still remains. The fact of whether the railroad or the individual would be at fault would not lessen a tragedy. Also, the railroad is greatly disruptive to the atmosphere of both the community and, particularly, the University campus. Anyone who lives near the tracks or visits the campus can confirm the statement. Also, one can't help but remember recent publicity surrounding railroad accidents and the spilling or burning of noxious flammable and volatile chemicals or gases. These possibilities exist even though they may never happen. The time to avoid these possibilities is now. The railroad also serves as a physical barrier to the development of the City and the University. The University is faced with expanding its operations beyond the railroad and creating additional vehicular and pedestrian traffic volumes across the railroad, which bisects the campus. Development of the City to the south is hampered by the rail- road for much the same reasons. The railroad benefits College Station very little, and it creates greater problem in Bryan. For many years, there have been discussions re- lating to relocation of the railroad to an alternate route, particularly paralleling the West By-pass. This realighment would greatly reduce the impact of the railroad on the communities of Bryan and College Station. Additionally, it would better serve the industrializing western section of the urban area. Such a relocation would possibly benefit the railroad, also. Additionally, the existing right-of-way could possibly be developed as a much-needed additional direction access route between Bryan and College Station. 0 r---- 1 Minutes Planning and Zoning Commission h April 30, 1973 F 7:00 P.M. Page 4 1 It is recommended a jet committee be formed to conduct a study directed toward seeking a solution to the relocation problem. Such a committee must naturally include member- ship from the City of College Station, Texas A&M University, the City of Bryan, the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Texas Highway Department, Brazos County, the Brazos Valley Development Council, and major industries which utilize the railroad. It is re- commended that continual consideration of this joint committee be given to relocation of the railroad to the West By-pass. A solution to the problem exists, but must bear amenity for all concerned. Commissioner Boyett then moved that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that a cooperative effort between the City of College Station, the City of Bryan, Brazos County, Texas A&M University, the Texas Highway Department, the Brazos Valley Development Council, the Missouri Pacific Railroad, the Southern Pacific Railroad, as well as other interested groups, participate in a coordinated effort to relocate the existing railroad right-of-ways that pass through the communities of Bryan and College Station with the aim to improve the transportation, railroad safety, internal circulation, environmental quality, and reduced artificial barriers to development to a new location in the vicinity of the West By-pass (FM2818). Service to existing customers should be preserved by the use of rail spur tracks. 0 The motion, seconded by Commissioner Longley, was unanimously approved. On motion by CommissimerBoyett, seconded by Commissioner Chaney, the meeting was unanimously adjourned, siiiject to call. APPROVED: Chairman ATTEST: Secretary i 0