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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08151978 ZPC Minutest e ~~: 'C~ 1.f~ `-~ Q 1 SPECIAL MEETING ZONING AND PLANNING COb4h1ISSI0N AUGUST 15, 1978 The Zoning and Planning Commission of the City of West University Place convened in special session on .Tuesday, August 15, 1978, 7:30 p.m., with the following members present: Chairman Norton, presiding; Members Berg and LaCook. Motion by Mr. Berg, seconded by Mr. LaCook, that Public Hearing to consider the application of J. P. Semmelrogge to rezone Lot 1, Block 17 Colonial Terrace Addition for townhouses, be opened. Voting Aye: All Voting No: None Chairman introduced himself followed by other members of the Board. Mr. Casey came to_the meeting at this time and introduced himself. Chairman ascertained from secretary that publication was made in The Southwestern Agus on July 26, 1978, letter mailed to all property owners within 200 feet of property on July 26, 1978, and notice of meeting posed in City Hall lobby on August 11, 1978. The Chairman explained the procedure to be followed during the Public Hearing. Mr. Semmelrogge presented sketcheds of .the property in question with existing im- provements and proposed townhouses on the property. He stated that the property is triangular in shape with the house being located at the wide (east) end; that it appeared the house had at one time faced Bissonnet, but at this time a large hedge was along Bissonnet and the house had a Coleridge St. frontage; that this apparently occured at .the time Bissonnet was widened; that pointed small end of the propserty (west) was of no use to him; that he did not mow it or intend to spend his time mowing-it; that the street is not paved and has a drainage ditch; that two large trees on the north side are so close to the house they have buckled the siding and he fears will soon damage the foundation if not removed soon; that he desires to build three townhouses on the property and occupy one for .himself and family and sell the remaining two; that he wished to stay. in Wes University Place because of the location, but that he is dissatisfied with his present dwell- ing. Mr. Semmelrogge pointed out on his sketch one manner in which the property could be developed with three townhouses, leaving open spaces and possible parking spaces on the site. No one spoke in favor of the application. Harold Bates, 5804 tNest Point, Mr. and Mrs. John Willis, 4221 Coleridge, Mrs. Cole, 4211 Coleridge discussed with the Zoning and Planning Commission and the applicant their concern. about increased traffic, parking and effect rezoning would have on the value of their property. Mr. Bates' only objection to rezoning was that he felt his property should also be rezoned if I~4r. Semmelrogge was allowed to rezone his. Mr. erg asjed the opinion of Mr. Semmelrogge as to how this rezoning would bene it the City of West University Place.. Mr. Semmelrogge stated that the other side of that question was how would it hurt West University Place; that he thought it would be in tersm of aesthetics - which looks best the existing house with aluminum siding or townhouses with masonry ex- terior and hedges or hedges and masonry wall; that it would generate more tax dol- lats; which would ..look best - an old style single-family house or new architectural design of townhouses. Mr. Berg stated that his arguments seemed to have more to do with his case than that of the city and that he could also tear down the existing house and build a new one and it would look nice, too.- Mr. Semmelrogge stated that he did not think it would devalue neighbor's property. and it would be to-the advantage of the city to have.. three townhouses instead of one singe family residence and that he had no intention of building another house at , this location as he would still have a pasture to take care of. Mr. Willis advanced his opinion as to advantages to the city.- He pointed out that citizens had recently gone through the strain and stress of MTA: that the further out you go the worse the congestion is; that anything that makes it worthwhile to live in inner city is worthwhile - townhouses or single family houses; that they were talking about small lots where more people are allowed to live: in a convenient area reducing traffic problems or forcing people to move out to find more desirable residences; that it is a value to West Univer- sith Place for tax basis and increased business to city; that it is a value to the city to have desirable people who will bring in money and a better level of citizenship; that anything we do that improves the quality of our citizen- ship is a help. The meeting was recessed for ten minutes. Motion by Mr. Casey, seconded by Mr. Berg, that Public Hearing be closed. Voting Aye: All Voting No: None Mr. LaCook stated that there .has always been a great deal of opposition to change in residential character of this city; that he still supports townhouse development which first occurred on Bissonnet; that the Caudill Rowlett and Scott study was followed in designating peripheral area as townhouse area; that he has always been opposed to rezoning for townhouse areas within the interior; that this appli- cation is the first step on an interior lot; that he believes that while this area should be considered for rezoning, not as one lot, but as an entire area or the city ends up in a position of not being able to keep from rezoning every lot in the city for something; that there should be a study. on a proposed need for an entire area along Bissonnet; that his primary objection is that it is not a peri- pheral area; that Caudill Rowlett and Scott gave their reasons for using the peri- pheral area for townhouses to serve as a buffer area; that he is not .satisfied with quality of townhouses now being constructed; that his personal feeling is that he would vote against this application as it would not be to the city's best interests; that it needs to be looked at more thoroughly; that Academy and Bissonnet are- entrance streets; and that the area at Academy and Bissonnet was included in town- ~~" houses because if they had not been they would have been exposed to townhouses across the street. In reply to a question on services Mr. LaCook advised that the city did not plan to overload the utilities; that the burden becomes part of the development p more fire hydrants, possible sewer lines; that College Court and the entire area along the railroad should be looked at as tax base only helps to take care of thos people moving in; and that the Long .Range Planning Committee, of which he is a member is now working on a plan for the entire area, including parks, broadening of the tax base, etc. Mr. Norton stated that he would like to emphasize that their decision should be based on total welfare of city and not one particular area; that city as a whole ~ should be considered; that everything has. to be weighed and balanced again and ~ again so as to keep West University Place upgraded. O '"j Mr. Casey inquired of Mr. LaCook if Long Range Planning Committee 'would make a re- r~ commendation on townhouse development to which Mr. LaCook replied that everything Q would be included in one report: and that the goal in to have the .recommendations completed by December 31, 1978: 0 ~~ Motion by Mr. Casey that the Zoning and Planning Commission recommend that this application be denied until such time as additional information can be gathered on Long Range Planning Committee study on how the property and adjcent property im are would be recommended for use. Mr. Casey stated that he did not. feel the Commission had emough information at this time from applicant or city as far as what is going to happen to this part of city and that it is needed before any action is taken.. Motion died for lack of a second. Mr. LaCook and Mr. Norton agreed .that application, if denied, must be denied on its own merits. Mr. Norton further stated that he could not support this application; that he feels a broader consideration is needed and-the. Zoning and Planning Commission should not rezone this one lot alone; and that is physical geography particu- larly relates it to interior lots.. Mr. Berg stated that there is a potential for spot zoning allegation against the Zoning and Planning Commission; that the next person who made application would reason that his lot could be rezoned also and that it could go on and one; that he agrees that it is to preliminary; that he feels the Commission needs to be a continuation of the catalyst created. by Mr. Semmelrogge's action; and that he does not feel the Commission can just sit on it for townhouse proposal. Motion by 1~4r. Berg, seconded by Mr. Casey, that the Zoning 'and Planning Commission recommend to the City Commission that this application. on Lot 1, Block 17 Colonial Terrace Addition 4210 Coleridge to rezone for townhouses, be denied.: Mr. Berg, with permission of Mr. Casey, withdrew his motion on concern of b1r. Nor- ton as to .the wording. Motion by Mr. Berg, seconded by Mr. LaCook, that the Chairman of the Zoning and Planning Commission be authorized to prepare a Final Report to be filed with the City Commission recommending that the application of Mr. J. P. Semmelrogge to rezone Lot 1, Block 17 Colonial Terrace Addition 4210 Coleridge be denied :and that such Final Report include .a copy of the minutes of this Public Hearing along with such other report as-is necessary to fully set forth the rea- sons, discussions by the Zoning and Planning Commission for the denial of_ this application. Voting Aye: All Voting :No: None With no fruther business to come before the Commission, upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned , ATTEST: __w..- i