HomeMy WebLinkAbout12111969 ZPC Minutesi"`
REGULAR MEETIl~TG
ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION
DECEMBER 11, 1869
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The Zoning and Planning Commission of the City of West University Place convened
in regular session at the City Hall, Thursday, December 11, 1969, 7:30 p.m., with
the following members present: David W. Hannah, presiding; members L. B. Bricker,
R. C. Hilton, E. Gene Hines, and H. E. Lott. The City Attorney was also present.
Motion by Mr. Hines, seconded by Mr. Hilton, that the Public Hearing called for
7:30 p.m. to consider subdivision of Lot 11, Block 22, West University Place 1st
Addition, City of West University Place, Texas located at 6317 Westchester, be
opened.
Voting Aye: All
Voting No: None
Chairman Hannah stated for the record that notice was published in the CLOSE-UP
section of THE HOUSTON POST on Thursday, November 20, 1969 and"~ridtice was mailed
to all property owners within 200 feet of the property as required by law.
Mr. Eddie J. Knebel, owner, was administered the oatli~'~iyl~ha~n'ari Ha,~.nah, and stated
that it was his desire to have Lor 11, Block 22, Tnfie~t'~nverSty Place l'st'Addition
subdivided into two lots, each 50' x 150', both fronting on West Chester Street. Mr.
Knebel presented an official survey of the property showing the lot in question to
be 100' x 150' and also showing the proposed subdivision. He also stated that
existing buildings on the property are being demolished and that this would be accom-
plished within the next six days.
There were rio'persons to be heard, either in favor or opposition, to the request of
Mr. Knebel.
With no further questions or information to be presented, the following action was
taken: Notion by Mr. Hines, seconded by Mr. Lott, that the Public Hearing be closed.
Voting Aye: All Voting No: None
Motion by Mr. Lott, seconded by Mr. Bricker, that Lot 11, Block 22, West University
Place 1st Addition, City of West University Place, Texas, be subdivided into two lots,
each 50' x 150', both fronting on Westchester, as requested, subject to all require-
ments of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of West University Place, Texas.
Voting Aye: All Voting No: None
Upon motion duly madem seconded and carried, the meeting was recessed until 8:00 p.m.
The Zoning and Planning Commission reconvened in regular session at the City Hall on
Thursday, December 11, 1969 at 8:00 p.m. with the following members present: David
W. Hannah, presiding; members L. B. Bricker, R. C. Hilton,. E. Gene Hines, and H. E.
Lott. The City Attorney was also present.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Hannah who reviewed the procedure to be
followed.
Motion by Mr. Hines, seconded by Mr. Hilton, that the Public Hearing called for
8:00 p.m, to consider an application for rezoning of Lots 1,2,3, 4. Block 25,
Collegeview 1st Addition, City of West University Place, Texas by the Southwestern
Bell Telephone Company and~or its employees, be opened.
Voting Aye: All Voting No: None
Chairman Hannah stated for the record, that notice was published in the regular
section of THE HOUSTON POST on Thursday, November 22, 1969 and notice was mailed to
all property owners within 200 feet of the property as required by law.
Mr. Howard Burney, District Manager of the MOhawk exchange of the Southwestern
Bell Telephone Company, stated the proposed off-street parking-for their employees
on Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, Block 5, Collegeview lst, City of West University Place was to
control a long standing problem of the city`s, residents and the company. A sketch
showing the proposed parking lot was shown with ingress and egress on Academy and
a single entrance and exit on Ruskin. A screening fence between the existing parking
area and the Corrigan Center was proposed to extend some 25 ft. along the east
property line of Lot 4, and from this point a low hedge to extend to the sidewalk,
then west to the corner of Lor 1, then south along Lot 1 to the entrance. The parking area
would be graded and sloped to drain onto Acedemy where he had been informed there is
adequate facilities to take care of drainage. He stated they did not propose to
install any lights which would be objectionable to residents and if in the future
a patrol of the area was considered necessary to avoid racing when the lot was not
in use, or any other violation that might occur, the Telephone Company would do
so. Mr. Burney stated they were deeply sympathetic with the residents in the area
where Telephone Company employees were parking in front or at the side of their
houses and causing problems for them, and he felt this was the best possible
answer for the residents and the Company to solve the problem. The Telephone
Company is now in the midst of construction on the existing building. and are
adding a third story to it and an addition on the north side of the existing build-
ing. Mr. Burney stated that after construction is completed they will have appro-
ximately 185 employees and with the 74 spaces provided for in this proposal, and
existing off-street parking 100 parking would be provided for their employees.
J. K. McCarty, 4115 Ruskin, H. P. Audley, 4103 Ruskin; Mrs. Connie Lutz, 4011
Ruskin; James A. Tantillo, 4111 Ruskin, and Anthony Harrison spoke in behalf of
the proposed rezoning and presented the following reasons: This will definitely
solve the problem of parking in front of homes which in their opinions detract
from the appearance and value of the properties, with the narrow streets in the
area, a properly controlled parking area would be much better.
Mr. Hannah read the following written statement addressed to the Zoning and Plann-
ing Commission over the signature of the following: Mrs. Vela V. Miles, 4019
Riley; Mrs. L. C. Buxton, 4104 Ruskin; Mr. L. C. Burton, 4104 Ruskin; and Wm.
L. Partridge, 4040 Ruskin:
"We, the undersigned Residents and Home Owners in the City of West
University Place, do respectfully request the Zoning and Planning
Commission of West University Place to favorably consider the appli-
cation of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for the rezoning of
Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, Block 25, Collegeview lst Addition, in the City
of West University Place.
We feel that providing employee parking is essential and would resolve
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the long standing problem of excessive cars parking in front of our
homes. We feel this would benefit the home owners of the area, South-
western Bell Telephone Company, and the City of West University Place."
Questions and answers from the Zoning and Planning Commission members to Mr.
Burney were as follows:
Mr. Hines, How many parking spaces will be available for use?
Mr. Burney: Total parking spaces after completion of construction if this pro-
posal is accepted and existing parking spaces would be 131.
Mr. Bricker: This sketch shows the alley on the east side of the existing
building as being blocked at the northend by parking spaces--would not these
have to be eliminated for a fire lane?
Mr. Burney: Sketch is in error at this point- 2 car spaces are still. left for
passage through the alley.
Mr. Hilton: Will repair trucks be parked here?
Mr. Burney: Only infrequently when repairs are needed for our own equipment.
Mr. Hilton: What times are your employees in the. building?
Mr. Burney: 90~ of the employees are in the building from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.,
Monday. through Saturday. Maintenance crews are on staggered shifts during the
weekends.
Mr. Hilton: Will anything be done about a closing or a gate?
Mr. Burney: We are completely flexible as to plans. We do not at this time feel
a gate is necessary.
Mr. Bricker: How many employees do you expect to gain after the construction is
finished?
Mr. Burney: We do not expect to add any employees. This is an equipment job
and does not require additional employees Anew district is being created and
some of our present employees will be transferred to it, which will probably
reduce the employee .count to approximately 160..
Mr. Hannah: .What percentage of employees will. this proposed parking lot and
existing parking spaces take care of?
Mr. Burney: This will accomodate 100 of employees' cars.
Mr. Hilton: How much longer will the construction be?
Mr. Burney: About 5z months.
Questions from residents:
Jackie Patterson, 3616 Amherst: How long will it take to install equipment. after
construction is completed?
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Mr. Burney: Work will be started about Janury 15, 1971 and expected comple-
tion date by Western Electric is January, 1972.
Mrs. Patterson: How many men will be employed in this. installation?
Mr. Burney: About ~lf a dozen..
Mrs. M. Allen Banks, 3409 Charleston, owner of 4003 Ruskin; W. J. Rogde, 4101
Case; Mrs. Catherine Dewald, 4104 Cason; W. F. Bennett and Mrs. W. F. Bennett,
w118 Riley; Mr. and Mrs. Horace J. Hicks, 4028 Ruskin; Charles Bowden, 4137
Villanova; W. J. Eubanks,. 4029 Case; J. F. Collier, 3323 Albans; Arthur Gold-
man, 4032 Ruskin; 4Tackie Patterson, 3616 Amherst; E. C. Noble, 3511 Albans;
Susanne Myers, 2619 Robinhood; H. P. Audley, 4103 Ruskin; Mrs. Rose Hansen,
4015 Ruskin; Mrs. Viola Hodnett, 2624 Robinhood; spoke against the proposed
rezoning and presented the following reasons: The residents stated this would
be~~spot" zoning and also that it infringed into a residential area past the
depth of lots fronting on Bellaire Blvd. and it was feared that this would be
the "beginning of the end" of the zoning which has been so successful in West
University Place. The strong zoning Ordinance in the city was the reason they
lived here. Two residents (Mrs. Patterson and Mrs. Hodnett) stated they were
realtors and the strong zoning ordinance kept the value of the property in
West University at a high level. It was also suggested that the Telephone
Company investigate the possibilities of parking on the acreage or triangle
at Stella Link and Weslayan or on property already rezoned on Bellaire Blvd.
Questions from residents:
Mrs. M. Allen Banks: At what point are the negotiations with the persons owning
the properties in question?
Mr. Burney: We hold sale option contracts until a time in the future to exercise
them.
Horace J. Hicks: Has the Telephone Company considered property on Bellaire
Blvd. for parking?
Mr. Burney: Yes sir, and it was discarded because (1) cost was prohibitive
within the confines of good business (2) short depth of lots would make traffic
hazard on Bellaire Blvd (3) the property is non-contiguous to the Company
property.
Mr. Hicks: (Directed to City Attorney)
or not this would be "spot" zoning?
Mr. Cockrell: First, let me say that
an area. There would be a question as
"spot" zoning because it is contiguous
the contemplated use is no-commercial,
class.
Have you given an opinion as to whether
you cannot keep a utility company out of
to whether or not this would be called
to the Company's existing operation and
therefore placing it in a lower use
Questions to the Zoning and Planning Commission and the City Attorney concerning
the legitimate course of action an application for rezoning follows were answered.
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With no further questions or information to be presented, motion. by Mr. Bricker,
seconded by Mr. Hines, that Public Hearing be closed.
Voting Aye: All
~3pon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the
Monday, December 15, 1969 at 7:30 p.m.
Attest:
ecre ary RECESSED MEETING
ZONIlVG AND PLANNIlVG COMMISSION
- DECEMBER 15, 1969
The Zoning and Planning Commission. of the City of West University Place con-
vened in recessed session at the City Hall, Monday, December 15, 1969, 7:30
p.m. with the following members present: Chairman David W. Hannah, presiding;
members L. B. Bricker, H. E. Lott, E. Gene Hines and R. C. Hilton.
Mr. Hannah opened the meeting by stated the Commission was giving further con-
sideration on a request for rezoning by the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company
to rezone Lots 1, 2,3 and ~+, Block 25, Collegeview lst Addition, City. of West
University Place, Texas for the parking of automobiles owned by Southwestern
Bell Telephone Company and~or its employees. He also stated for the benefit
of those in attendance that the Public Hearing on the above application had
been closed and this meeting was for deliberation on the part of ,the members
of the Zoning and Planning Commission for a recommendation to the City Commis-
sion on the request for rezoning for parking.
Mr. Hines: There was obviously a divergence of opinion and during the Public
Hearing more people spoke against the proposal than for it. Duri~ the course
of the conversations, there was reference made to long-range studies in this
area included by planners Caudill, Rowlett and Scott in their report prepared
for the City in 1963 concerning land use and future land use for future develop-
ment. This area was incorporated in one of the case studies in that report.
These lots are only a portion of the suggested study and is one of the draw
backs. If we could do it all there would be no question in my mind. I would
like to read Case Study #3 from this report:
"This area illustrates quite a variety of problems and possible
solutions. It contains development ranging from retail shopping
centers, movie theater and large office building (without adequate
off-street parking) to medium and small sized houses, some of which
are approaching a dangerously low level of maintenance. Here are
some examples of how blighting influences affect housing, and how
differences in orientation and street arrangement can make a great
difference in enviornment. For instance, consdier the condistions on
Voting No: None