Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/1970 - Regular Minutes - City CouncilMINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS March 23, 1970 7:00 p. M. Members Present: Mayor D. A. Anderson; Councilmen Bill J. Cooley, James H. Dozier, Joseph J. McGraw, O. M. Holt, Dan R. Davis, and C. H. Ransdell; City Manager Ran Boswell; City Engineer Lloyd James; City Planner George Eby; City Secretary Lynda. Swoveland; and Assistant City Attorney Tom Giesenschlag Visitors Present: Mrs. G. H. Alani, M, K. Thornton, D. D. Burns, Jr., Dave Mayes, E. F. "Woody" Sevison, J. D. Lindsay, Harrison E. Hierth, Frank Coulter, Elizabeth Coulter, Frank G. Coulter, Mrs. H. S. Creswell, H. S. Creswell, Mrs. David Fleming, H. Miller, Leslie King, Fredda King, Robert Wimblish, Sharon Van Doren, Mrs. E. O. Hefti, Edward O. Hefti, Peng James Li -Wei, William B. Davis, Mrs. William B. Davis, Gail Cooley, Tim Vick, Sue Vincent, Roy W. Kelly, Mary Bryan, Chet Leediker, Ronald Bryan, Arthur Martell, Alton Risinger, and W. D. Fitch Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room of the City Hall in College Station, Texas. On motion by Councilman Davis, seconded by Councilman McGraw, the Minutes of the February 23 regular council meeting and the March 9, 1970 Special Council Meeting were approved as written. Motion carried. Mayor Anderson briefly reviewed each Agenda item for the benefit of citizens present. He then opened the floor for discussion relative to Agenda items. There being no comment, he closed the floor for discussion. The next item on the Agenda under consideration was Ordinance No. 675, which is an ordinance calling for a public hearing on the question of rezoning Lots 7, 1, 8 and 6, Block 2, of the Kapchinskie Subdivision, from District No. 1, first dwelling house district to District No. 4, first business district. ( P&Z Case Numbers 1-70, 2-70, 3-70 and 4-70). Mayor Anderson asked City Planner Eby to show the property in question on the maps, which he did. He pointed out that the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval of these requests with the stipulation that the zoning be conditioned upon dedication of an easement for straightening of Wolf Pen Creek. He further pointed out that, because Highway 6 was going to have to eventually be widened, it would be desirable to obtain right of way along State Highway 6 now, before the zoning was granted. He explained that he had discussed this matter in depth with the Texas Highway Department officials but that he had not had time to prepare a report on the matter. Councilman Cooley suggested that Mr. Eby prepare his recommendation in writing and submit such to the Council before the next regular Council Meeting on April 27th. Councilman Holt stated he felt Mrs. Boriskie, the property owner of these four tracts, should be made aware of the possibility of granting additional right of way of approximately 32 feet. GIZ33 Minutes of March 23, 1970 Council Meeting Page 2 Councilman Holt moved that Ordinance No. 675, an ordinance providing for a public hearing on the question of rezoning Lots 7, 1, 8 and 6, Block 2, of the Kapchinskie Subdivision, from District No. 1, first dwelling house district to District No. 4, first business district, be adopted. Motion was seconded by Councilman McGraw. Motion carried. Councilman Dozier stated that he would like to make the public aware of the fact that the zoning requests which are granted, will result in an increased city tax. This tax will be increased because the value of the property is automatically worth more if it is zoned apartment or commercial. Mayor Anderson then asked for the pleasure of the Council in relation to Ordinance No. 676, an ordinance calling for a public hearing on the question of rezoning a 10.84 acre tract of land, located at the southwest corner of Welsh Street and Southwest Parkway, from District No. 1, first dwelling house district to District No. 4, first business district. ( P&Z Case No. 8-70). Councilman McGraw asked City Planner Eby if there was any type of plan presented at the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting for this zoning request ( Ordinance No. 676). Mr. Eby stated that he really could not speak for the owner of the property in question. He asked Bill Fitch if he would come before the Council and explain his plan for this area, which he did. Some discussion followed between Mr. Fitch and Councilman McGraw con- cerning this zoning request. Councilman Holt moved that Ordinance No. 676 be adopted, an ordinance calling for a public hearing on the question of rezoning a 10. 84 acre tract of land, located at the southwest corner of Welsh Street and Southwest Parkway, from District No. 1, first dwelling house district to District No. 4, first business district. (P&Z Case #8-70). Councilman Ransdell seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor Anderson explained that Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Alani had requested rezoning of Lots 6, one-half of 7 and a 3 foot strip on the rear of Lots 4 and 5, Block 1, of the College Park Subdivision, from District No. 1, first dwelling house district to District No. 3, apartment house district. He further explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission at their March 2, 1970 meeting had recommended denial of this request to the Council. However, Mr. and Mrs. Alani were requesting repeal of the decision from the Council. City Planner George Eby pointed out the area in question on the map. Mr. Eby stated that the area under consideration has non -conforming buildings that were in existence prior to zoning as Residential R-1. Mayor Anderson also pointed out that the Alani's had submitted a zoning request on January 6, 1968, which had been denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission at that time also. Mrs. Alani presented a letter to the Council which is attached and made a part of these Minutes as ATTACHMENT A. Mayor Anderson read this letter aloud for the benefit of citizens present. Mrs. Alani stated that, in support of her request, that if she desired to build a $25, 000 home on her lot, it would be "undesirable" due to the commercial property Minutes of March 23, 1970 Regular Council Meeting Page 3 and the duplexes around her lot. She stated that her lot size was approximately 69 x 125 feet. She stated that she does have plans for the property she owns, if the apartment zoning were granted. She would like to build a four -unit luxury type apartment with 2 parking spaces for each tenant. She stated she had built a very nice apartment in Bryan, which would be similar to the one she planned for the University. Councilman McGraw asked Mrs. Alani if she would consider duplex zoning. She stated that she felt apartment zoning would serve the students better. Mayor Anderson opened the floor for discussion, asking if there was anyone who wished to speak concerning this request. Mr. Frank Coulter read a letter addressed to the Mayor and Council, which he presented to each. This letter is attached and made a part of the Minutes as ATTACHMENT B. He was representing the interested persons in the neighborhood on Fairview Street that zoning was requested in. He stated that he, as well as others in the neighborhood, opposed the zoning and requested that it be denied. Mayor Anderson read a letter from Mrs. Spriggs, Mrs. George Potter and Mr. and Mrs. James Brown, who also opposed the rezoning on Fairview Street. This letter is also made a part of these Minutes as ATTACHMENT C. Mr. Harrison Hierth and Mrs. Fleming also objected to the rezoning. After considerable discussion, Councilman McGraw moved the rezoning request to rezone Lots 6, one-half of 7, and a 3 foot strip on the rear of Lots 4 and 5, Block 1, College Park Subdivision, be denied. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ransdell. Motion carried unanimously. The next item on the Agenda was the Master Preliminary Plat of the West Knoll Subdivision, and the Preliminary Plat of the West Knoll Subdivision, Section 1. (P&Z Case No. 9-70). Some discussion followed among council members and Mr. Fitch concerning this plat. Councilman Holt moved that the Master Preliminary Plat of the West Knoll Subdivision be approved. Motion was seconded by Councilman Cooley. Motion carried. A discussion followed among citizens and council members concerning the proposed streets shown on the West Knoll Subdivision Plat. Mrs. Van Doren, a citizen in the audience, stated she was very concerned because she had children walking to school each day and she lived on Glade Street and the traffic problem there was a serious one. Mayor Anderson explained that the Council realizes this and there are several streets which must be considered for construction during the next fiscal year and the Southwest Parkway was one of the streets they hoped to extend. Minutes of March 23, 1970 Regular Council Meeting Page 4 The next item under consideration on the Agenda was that of the Subdivision Plat ( Final) of Runaway Acres, which falls within the city's extraterritorial juris- diction. This property is approximately 3. 3 miles west of FM 60. Mayor Anderson explained that the preliminary plat had been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, subject to street right of way width on Mary D Street being increased to 56 feet. Mr. Davis, the Developer of this Subdivision, had complied with this request and had submitted his Final Plat with this correction made. On motion by Councilman McGraw, seconded by Councilman Cooley, the Subdivision Plat of Runaway Acres was approved. Motion carried. Mayor Anderson announced that he had just been handed a note that President Earl Rudder of Texas A&M University, had died. He made this announcement with deep regret, asking for a moment of silence. Councilman Holt made a motion to recommend that the College Station City Council approve the request from Brazos Valley Development Council for the proposed water line extension in the Wellborn Water Supply Corporation area. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ransdell. Motion carried. The Mayor then asked City Manager Boswell to give his report to the Council. The first item Mr. Boswell reported on was the status of the Quit Claim Deeds for Holleman Drive extension. He explained that all but two of the Deeds had been signed. Mr. Boswell asked the Assistant City Attorney Tom Giesenschlag, to report on the status of these two deeds if he wished. Mr. Giesenschlag stated that he would prefer to talk to Mr. Martell, one of the property owners who had not signed the deed, personally, in view of the fact that he had received a letter this date from Mr. Martell. However, Mr. Martell stated that he would like to make a statement to the Council. He explained that he did not feel the granting of these Quit Claim Deeds was necessary for the extension of Holleman. He feels the width of 6, 000 square feet in area could be made up with additional width and not depth. There was considerable discussion concerning this item among councilmen. Councilman Cooley moved that City Engineer Lloyd James be authorized to plat Holleman Drive and proceed with engineering estimates, including the bridge cost. Councilman Holt seconded the motion. Motion carried. The City Manager stated that the next item was the consideration of a Sanitary Land Fill site. He recommended an area located west of the Heavy Equipment School which ':has a total of 56 acres. The price of the land is $50, 000 for the 56 acres. The agreement which has been worked out would be that the City of College Station would pay $500 per month for three years, and at the end of the three year period, the money paid would apply against the purchase price and at that time, we would pay $32, 000 and the Deed to the property would be signed over to us. Mr. Boswell asked City Engineer James if he thought this property was a good site for the sanitary land fill. Mr. James stated that he felt it was a good site due to the nature of the soil and that it was gullied, which is good for bulk items. Also, it has drainage into the Brazos River Watershed. 0:11�, Minutes of March 23, 1970 Regular Council Meeting Page 5 City Manager Boswell pointed out to the Council that we had been paying $600 per month for the use of the University's sanitary land fill. Councilman Davis moved that the City Manager be authorized to purchase the land on the property which he had described, with the terms as spelled out above. Motion was seconded by Councilman Holt. Motion carried. The next item brought up by the City Manager was that of the Contractor's Certifi- cate for Payment ( dated April 19, 1970) on the City Hall and Fire -Police Station. The City Manager asked for Council concurrence in paying this estimate. Councilman Ransdell moved that the City Manager be authorized to pay this estimate in the amount of $47, 661.31. Motion was seconded by Councilman Davis. Motion carried. City Manager Boswell gave the following report on finances relative to items shown and asked for concurrence of the Council in transferring funds out of Water Improvement Account to pay deficits in capital outlay accounts: City Hall, Police/Fire Station $ 6,720.15 University Drive $29,373.75 City's Cost of participating in an 8 -inch $10,013.00 Water Line to Texas International Speedway City's Cost of participating in street $14,000.00 lighting along FM 2154 Water line extension across West Loop $ 2,500.00 Transfer from Water Improvement Fund $62, 606. 90 Councilman Holt moved the City Manager be authorized to transfer these funds. Motion was seconded by Councilman Ransdell. Motion carried. The next item reported on by the City Manager was that of financing of the fire trucks. Mr. Boswell stated he needed authorization to have the Mayor sign a note with University National in the amount of $69, 976.00. Councilman Dozier moved that the Mayor be authorized to sign the note with University National Bank in the amount of $69, 976. 00. Councilman McGraw seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mayor Anderson expressed, on behalf of the City Council, his appreciation to Councilman O. M. Holt, who has served the city faithfully for six years. Mayor Anderson stated that he regretted seeing him leave the City Council and wanted to make a public acknowledgement of all the contributions he had made as Councilman. Mayor Anderson stated that, as everyone was aware, the Airport Authority had been defeated. He stated that the City of College Station stands ready to work with the other governing bodies to do anything it can to try and resolve the problem of financing the airport. He acknowledged the importance of the airport to our community as a whole. `, 267 ' 1 Minutes of March 23, 1970 Regular Council Meeting Page 6 Mr. Thornton inquired as to the paving of Harrington and Gilchrist Streets. City Manager Boswell stated that the street paving for last year had been started, which will include the streets referred to. He stated that relocating the gas, water and sewer lines took time and that the city had also gotten behind due to the weather. Mrs. Ed Miller stated that she hoped that they would do some patching on Guernsey. Mayor Anderson asked City Manager Boswell to attend to this matter. Councilman Holt moved the meeting be adjourned, subject to call. Councilman Dozier seconded the motion. Motion carried. APPROVED: Mayor ATTEST: City Secretary las ATTACHMENTS A, B AND C made a part of these Minutes 'he City Council ATTACHMENT A Minuted of March 23, 1 70 City of College Station, Texas Gentlemen 1 am t.t'1e owner of Lot; 6, 1, and `) :i_ t . ,�';Y.'ip on t;i-e roar of Lotst - and 5, Block 1, College Park, College Station, Texas. 1 am requesting that the zoning on this property be changed .from R-1 single family dwelling to R-3 Apartment dwelling due to the following reasons: 1. 'Tii.e adjoining };property at the corner of Jersey and Montclair_ streets is being used as a filling; station. 2. The adjoining property to the North Lots 4 and 5 ( facing Jersey street) are being used as a duplex. 3. The property to the West (facing Montclair) is being used as a duplex - Lots 12, 1.3, 14 and 15. 4. The adjoining property to the South is being used as a multiple dwelling occupied by the owner and two tenants - Lots 8,9, part of Lot 7. 5. The area at this time is deteriorating with age. Most of the structures in the area were constructed around 1130. In order for me to improve and upgrade the property I feel I am fully justified to brink, my property into a more general conformance.- with onformance:with the actual land use in the neighborhood by building a four unit modern luxury type apartment house for '.Texas A&M students and personnel. On March 2, 1970 I appeared before the Planning and Zoning Commission. of the City of College Station for the purpose of considering the zoning change. However, the request was denied without concrete justificat=ion. `.Therefore, I find it necessary to appeal_ the action taken by the said Planning and Zoning Commission to the City Council of the City of College Station, Texas for further consideration to rezone my property to R-3 apartment district. The reasoz-ifor this request are as -follows 1. One adjoining property is being occupied by the owner and. two -tenants. According to Ordinance No. 38 Section 1, Definitions nos 3 and 4 this property is used as an"apartme'lt house" and not a duplex. 2. Ordinances no. 415 passed. on July 27, 1964 and no. 537 passed on September 25, 1967 regarding rezoning Lots 1, 2, and 15 feet of Lot 3 and 7.5 ft. of the alley, Block 1, College Park, College Station, from R-1 to R-3 and from R-3 to District 49 respectively are not in conformance with Article 1011f of the Civil Statutes of the State of Texas pertaining to Zoning and Section 26 of Ordinance No. 38 passed by the City of College Station. r -2- Z ( ' I ! -t, �� t'� I () r� , . i : �' I U i � K' C 0 r 1 .3 1, 1., U't 11, 0 " Lk Jk t 1"(' 1 f.i 1JAIle, o t proj)ert�y Atid, i ti my o 1) t' , A. 0 j I s Ci () 0' - 11, 1 reo.11J-1.,011le -f Ordinanc'e No. 58. 1� o c 1"J" oil 8 -- property y council to rezone my f o R-1 to R-5 U (.' �3 t the City .1 r r m aj)artinent district. If the City Council feels t 1i a t t h. e area is worthy of being R-1 and should stay that way then it is the duty of the City of College :)tation to safeguard the interests of all the citizens and to enforce the zoning Ordinance as specified in Article 1011h of the Civil Statutes of the State of Texas pertaining to Zoning and to Section 25 of Ordinance No. 58 passed by the City of College Station. Furthermore, the propertyin, the area should ,be used as R-1 (including the filling station) and that any duplex built prior to the zoning ordinance should be used as a duplex and not as an apartment. Yours truly, Mrs. Leatrice Alani CJ:Lz^i'f14& .� ij ATTACHMENT "B'+ to Council Minutes of March 23, 1970 March 23, 1970 TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF COLLEGE STATION Re: Rezoning on Fairview Street in College Park Addition Fairview Street is zoned residential from jersey to Park Place, with the exception of two duplexes built before the city was incorporated. Many of us have elected to improve and maintain homes on Fairview and in the surrounding neighborhood because our investments ARE protected by zoning. We object to having our future jeopardized by an individual who chooses to live in another community and to allow the character of a neighborhood to be changed for personal gain. This was the initial reason for zoning, and we object to rezoning simply because someone requests it. We do not want College Park to become another North Gate area. Either we have zoning and our elected officials uphold it—or we don't! The Planning and Zoning Commission has rejected this particular proposal and if the City Council chooses to overrule the P&Z, there is no point in having such a commission. 'We object to A city planner I recommending that this area eventually be rezoned completely to business and apartments. The population of College Station and Texas A&M is so mobile today that housing (apartments) and shopping centers immediately adjoining campus are unnecessary. These are our homes and we are prepared to fight to uphold the existing laws to protect them. We acknowledge that College Park is an older section, but we live there by choice and we refuse to permit without protest any attempt to alter the area for the benefit of a few developers and builders who think only of the dollar their dollar! Our community obviously believes in zoning and established it immediately when the city was incorporated. We sincerely believe the zoning principle should be upheld and that citizens should NOT have to meet like this to ask that someone not be given the privilege of setting the law aside. If the Council does not hold -to the law, it will become a clerical group acting on every lot in College Station. We request that this rezoning be denied. FCC:nlm' \� Yours truly, Frank C. Coulter ATTACHMENT C - Council Minutes of March 23, 1970 To the Mayor, members of the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission For a great many people a family residence is a great invest- ment and their home -site is selected as a life -time proposition. Such is the case of us people who reside in this particular area of the College Park Subdivision which has been brought under discussion for re -zoning. We home owners have lived here and paid taxes many years. We bake pride in our residences and surely the members of the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission want home -owners that do have pride in their home sites. Shortly after -the City of College Station became incorporated, a Zoning Committee was established to make laws to protect the rights of the people who had become permanent home -owners in each area. Although in our particular area at that time there were a few duplexes owned by respected citizens, they were no detriment to -the single home residences and did not influence zoning. Nowa, a person becomes owner of a single dwelling, lot 6 and, part of 7 on Fairview Street, and is interested only in financial. gain for himself ignoring the "greatest good for the greatest num- ber of people" and has had the audacity to appear before the Zoning Commission to ask. for re -zoning in this area, purely for his private gain. In the name of justice 1 cannot comprehend how "spot zoning's can improve a city not to mention its harm to the home owners. Isn't it the purpose of the elected officials to protent the rights of the people for whom they serve? Surely -the present city officials and members of -t-he present Plannirig and Zoning Commission believe in the "greatest good for the greatest number of people" and will protect individual home owners in our area. Sincerely yours, hea 1272 AGENDA CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS March 23, 1970 at 7:00 p. m. 1. Approval of Minutes of February 23, 1970 regular meeting and special meeting on March 9, 1970. 2. Hear visitors on Agenda items. 3. Consider Ordinance No. 675, an ordinance calling for a public hearing on the ques- tion of rezoning Lots 7, 1, 8 and 6, Block 2, of the Kapchinskie Subdivision, from D"strict No. 1, first dwelling house district to District No. 4, first business district. 11&Z Case Numbers 1-70, 2-70, 3-70 and 4-70). 4. Consider Ordinance No. 676, an ordinance calling for a public hearing on the question of rezoning a 10.84 acre tract of land, located at the Southwest corner of We':,h Street and Southwest Parkway, from District No. 1, first dwelling house disicri; .t to District No. 4, first business district. (P&Z Case #8-70). 5. Discussion of P&Z Case #5-70, a request to rezone Lots 6, one-half of 7, and a 3 foot strip on the rear of Lots 4 and 5, Block 1, of the College Park Subdivision, from District No. 1, first dwelling house district to District No. 3, apartment house district. 6. Con.3,der a Master Preliminary Plat of the West Knoll Subdivision, and the Pre- liminary Plat of Section 1, West Knoll Subdivision (P&Z Case #9-70). 7. ConsI.der the Final Plat of Runaway Acres Subdivision, which falls within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. (P&Z Case #13-70). 8. Consideration of request from Brazos Valley Development Council for the College Station City Council's approval of the proposed water line extension in the Wellborn Water Supply Corporation. 9. City_ Manager's Report: a. Quit Claim Deeds from property owners pertaining to the extension of Holleman Drive. b. Sanitary Land Fill. c. Contractor's Estimate on City Hall, Fire and Police Station. d. Suggested means of financing current projects: (1) City Hall Fire Station and City Hall/Police-Fire Station and office f urnishings. (2) University Drive curb and gutter and utility adiustments. (3) City's cost of participating in an 8 -inch water 1 ne within the limits of the city, which is serving the Texas International Speedway. (4) Fire Trucks. 10. Hear visitors. 11. And other business.,,6N 2. Adjourn. 1 B :las Y hereby certify that the attached Notice was posted on 1���� � ___ _________— Lynda Swoveland City Secretary Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____—______G—f _� _____ _—____ day or? I 19 D — Notary Public, razos County, Texas