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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970 Subdivision Draft ShownCS Planers Review Proposed Ordit Subdivision Draft By KATE THOMAS Eagle Staff Writer College Station planners had their first look at a preliminary draft of a proposed subdivision ordinance Monday. The ordinance was prepared by a three -man committee and presented to the full commission for their review. Revision of the ordinance has taken two ,years. College Station currently operates under an ordinance that is 20 years old. In presenting the draft copy, Codie Wells, acting chairman, explained that the parts dealing with zoning remained in- complete and that the com- mittee was waiting on the zoning committee. The commissioners decided to wait until the Jan. 19 meeting to consider the ordinance in order to give them time to study it. BRYAN BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION —Your SAVINGS Center since 1919. Adv, Commissioner Jim Gardner suggested that the commission study the proposed ordinance and be ready to make suggested changes at that time. He said he felt some parts needed strengthening because some standards were too low in the draft copy. "I think we ought to make a stronger attempt to get utilities underground, and consider street tree planting. There are developments here several years old that still don't have trees," he said. Gardner also proposed that once the commissioners had reviewed the suggested or- dinance that a meeting be held with developers to get their views on it. "This proposed ordinance deserves serious attention by all concerned, those directly in- volved — developers, practicing civil engineers and city officials — as well as those indirectly affected, the public as a whole," Gardner said. lance (6(1 Shown The question of "listening sessions" or public hearings came up, and all the com- missioners agreed the idea was a good one. Commissioner Douglas Stone agreed that since the ordinance would affect many people they should have the opportunity to speak. "It will minimize resistance." The commissioners were less willing, however, to give a copy of the proposed ordinance to the news media. Wells first said no then relented after a discussion with members of the commission and the audience. He said that the proposed ordinance reflected the views of only three men not the whole commission and that it was very legal and technical. Commissioner J. D. Lindsay asked why the proposal should be published "and aggravate the people to no avail when there may be changes made." Mrs. Ed Miller, 504 Guernsey, told the commissioners ghat as a taxpayer and an interested citizen she wanted to know what the commission was considering now, not later. Commissioners also voted to send two requests for zoning changes to the city council with recommendations for disap- proval and three for approval. The first recommended for disapproval was submitted by the Dobrovolny family estate and involved a request to rezone a 5.728 acre tract from single family to first business district. The property is located north of Holleman Drive, adjacent to the city's elevated water storage tank. Commissioner Gardner said he would recommend it for disapproval because the property had poor access for general commercial use and (See CS PLANNERS, Page 2) A GREAT PARTNERSHIP FOR THIS COMMUNITY —YOU AND FIRST BANK & TRUST —Adv. Subdivision Code Mulled By Planners Continued From Page 1 state plan for street develop- ment. Lloyd James, city angmeer, said it would be fall before sur- veying is begun on the state program. "The reason for this is that there needs to be a full student load and the state did not have time to prepare for the sur- veying for the spring and summer sessions," James said. Gardner brought up ( duplication of street names in the Bryan- College Station area. "we looked into the problem I and there is no way of finding out all the street names outside the city limits," Wells said. Gardner also said he did not see why the planning and zoning convnission should become involved once any final preliminary plat is approved. "I think it should be left up o the city council, the city manager, or the city engineer," Gardner said. "The laest opinion from the city attorney is that the com- mission passes on any con- sideration of plats including the subdivision plats because we are acting for the city council," I t " Wells said. 1 The commission recom- mended that a citizen's general planning committee be ap- pointed by the city council to work with the commissioners as a go- between between the citizens and the planning and zoning commission. The commissioners agreed that the citizens committee, should include 20 to 25 persons. Wells said the next com- mission meeing will be held for the subdividers and developers. He added the meeting will enable them to express their views concerning the new subdivision ordinance. Sunday, May 3, 177v . THE DAILT EAGLE — bEGTION A Bfyon - College Station, Texas ' Fagy 9 • • Subdivision o e Studied The College Station City `may' (require sidewalks) in- sidewalks would drive buyers to The council decided that ,Council reviewed the proposed stead of `must'," Ransdell said, Bryan because they raise the underground utilities should by draft of the new subdivision "If we say may, we won't price of lots by $500. optional and that Depnisson and ordinance during a 41/2 hour get them. Dodge City, Kansas, "We are building the city of Wells should resolve the issue special meeting Friday night. in the time of Marshall Dillon Bryan if we require sidewalks be f ore the ordinance is After a lengthy discussion had sidewalks," Councilman Joe and we would be in the sidewalk prepared for a public hearing. concerning sidewalks in new McGraw said. building business," Councilman The council did not complete Iresidential subdivisions, the council agreed W. D. Fitch, developer, said C. H. Ransdell said. their discussion of the proposed to recommend that sidewalks owhe talked to many persons in- The council agreed that the ordinance and agreed to meet and collector streets i terested in buying lots who said problem concerned when the again to finish their review. would be optional at the they did not want sidewalks, sidewalks were to be built, recommendation of the city "Sidewalks are for people, before or after the lot is engineer and would be required and streets are for cars," developed. The developers at Ion both sides of arterial, park- McGraw said. the meeting said many sway, and commercial streets. Codie Wells, acting chairman problems arise when they have The rewording of the sidewalk of the Planning and Zoning to put in the sidewalks before requirement will be left up to Commission, told the council the lot is developed. the Planning and Zoning what other major cities in the "The ordinance gives no Commission. state required concerning leeway for when the sidewalks Councilman C. H. Ransdell sidewalks. are to be built, before or after said he did not think it would McGraw said the council the home," a man in the be right to require sidewalks could waive sidewalks if the audience said. on cul -de -sacs. He added that subdivider wanted more of a Following the sidewalk issue, he was afraid that the country atmosphere or if he the council discussed the requirement would raise the I wanted to establish the atmos- Irequirement of underground price of lots too high. I phere of the subdivision with- utilities. John Dennisson, city "The competition for selling out them. lel engineer, discussed 1houses is too keen. Let's say Fitch said the requirement for the issue.