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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-12-12 D Called Meeting of the Euless City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission December 12, 1966 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P. M. by Mayor W. G. Fuller, in the Conference Room, Euless City Hall , with the following present: Councilmen Bobby Fuller and Don R. Warren; Planning and Zoning Commission Members: Messrs. Bill Tench, Don Hastings and Len Weber. Also in attendance were: City Manager LP' Cowell , City Secretary Vada Ferris, City Attorney James Cribbs and Planning Con- sultant Mr. Robert Caldwell . Mayor Fuller welcomed Mr. Robert Caldwell to the Joint Meeting, and Mr. Caldwell stated that his purpose for requesting this Joint Meeting is to discuss the Land-Use Plan, from which a zoning ordinance will b' prepared. Mr. Caldwell commented that he will welcom_ criticism, comments and suggestions on this Land-Use Plan -- that his firm may have overlooked something that the Council or Planning and Zoning Commission may desire included in this plan. Mr. Caldwell presented a map of the new airport and stated that a great deal of the information had been obtained from the airport engineers -- that the airport engineers will not definitely list the exact boundaries, for fear of prt,perty owners offering to sell their land on a specula- tive basis. He commented that he has several suggestions to make on the location of some of the streets and thoroughfares in the ,area adjacent to the new airport. Mr. Caldwell then presented a Land-Use Map in very vivid colors, which show the different zoning classifications proposed for the City of Euless in the up-dating of the City's Master Plan. He commented that these maps were co-ordinated from four (4) sources: 1 . From the 1960 Comprehensive Plans which his firm prepared and is presently being used by the City of Euless. 2. Recognizing present usage and developments. 3. Recognizing present zoning used by the City at this time. 4. Projecting the number of acres, estimated population, etr . for the next twenty-five (25) years, on each zoning classification. He stated that at the last Texas Municipal League meeting, in Fort Worth, it was pointed out that a Municipality should plan to have an area to accomodate aircraft industries near an airport, and he pointed out that his firm has zoned a certain area adjacent to the airport for such businesses. Mr. Caldwell then commented on the loca- tion of Spur 360 from Highway 103 North in the airport area. He commented that, in his opinion, the location of Spur 360 , as proposed by the Airport Authority and Texas Highway Department, is not to the best interest of the City of Euless in its future planning, and with the City's permission, he will make efforts to relocate this portion of Spur 360. Mr. Caldwell stated that he has informa- tion pertaining to the existing Greater Southwest Airport facilities which has not (Page Two, Minutes of Called Meeting of Euless City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission, December 12, lg6'.) been released to the public at this time; that American Airlines plans to use this facility as a training base for pilots, co-pilots and engineers and inactivate the other five (5) American Airlines training facilities in various parts of the coun- try -- that by 1970 thirty-five million dollars will be spent on this training facility. He stated that, in his opinion, the personnel being transferred here, from other areas, and those to be enrolled in the future, will be persons desiring the highest type development, and that if the City continues to spot zone, and re- zone in the manner used in the past, the City will be "junked-up" rather than attractive. He stated that Euless can be what it wants to be. He commented that there are several natural open areas, or beautification spots in Euless, and that we should work to preserve them -- that Texans are an outdoor type people and need the natural areas in their community. He commented that he has co-ordinated this Land-Use Map with Mr. Gene Schrickel , pertaining to parks. Mr. Caldwell commented on locations of future elementary schools. Mr. Caldwell stated he does not recommend strip-zoning on major thoroughfares -- that these places tend to deteriorate after a few years because people traveling on major thoroughfares, at the rate of speed accelerated now, do not see the businesses, unless they are looking for a specific firm. Mr. Cowell pointed out several areas on th:: land-use map which do not conform to the present zoning in Euless, and stated that he does not recognize all of the present zoning. Councilman Fuller inquired the method of changing the zoning from it3 present zoning status. Mr. Caldwell stated that it can and has been done -- that it is necessary tc have a Public Hearing in these cases. (Doctor Warren left the meeting at approximately 3:35 P. M. after receiving a tele- phone call .) Mr. Hastings commented that he has heard that several people are planning on the Spur property adjacent to the airport being zoned commercial . Mr. Caldwell commented that by zoning Spur 360, adjacent to the airport, as commercial property, the commercial businesses on Highway 183 will deteriorate and Highway 183 will not develop further. (City Attorney James Cribbs arrived at 8:'45 P. M.) Mr. Caldwell commented that tha State Highway Department should be contacted in the very near future concerning the pro- posed thoroughfares in the City. City Attorney Cribbs stated that, as he has stated several times in the past few years, the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission should adopt a Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map and def'nitely de- fine commercial property. Mr. Caldwell stated that he is desirous that his firm work very closely with the Council and the Planning and Zoning Com- mission, and that these two groups are aware of plans being formulated by his firm and are in agreement on the Land-Use Map, in order that they may proceed with the (Page Three, Minutes of Called Meeting of the Euless City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission, December 12, 1966.) 4Isr Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Cribbs commented that you simply do not rezone from Commercial to Residential , and that a property owner with commercial property would be reluctant to have the property rezoned as residential ; that, in his opinion, there are citizens in Euless, who would not, under any circumstances, wish to revert to residential zoning from commercial zoning. Mr. Caldwell stated that this is a basic map, from which his firm can proceed with a more detailed map and Zoning Ordinance, and he is desirous of knowing if the Council and Planning and Zoning Commission generally agree with this type of plan. Mr. Caldwell stated that he would site as an example the City of Denton, in rezoning property; that over a period of eight (8) months, the City administrative officials met with property owners, individually and explained a new zoning ordinance and map; that, at the time the public hearing was held to rezone these properties, there were only a few persons present. Mr. Caldwell informed Mrs. Ferris, the City Secretary, that he plans to return the zoning map he received a few month:. ago. requesting that the zoning be up-dated and returned to him as soon as possible. Mayor Fuller inquired of those present their opinions of the land-use map, as presented by Mr. Caldwell . All present were in general agreement with Caldwell 's proposed land-use map. Mr. Caldwell statod thrt the next step is to develop a district zoning map and ordinance. He commented that he would like to co-ordinate planning through Mr. Stone, of the Texas Highway Department, as a means to eventually discussing the proposed Thoroughfares and Spurs, in Euless, with Mr. Crook, District Engineer of the Texas Highway Department. Mr. Caldwell stated that he desires to keep the Planning and Zoning Commission and Council cognizant of all phases of the project. Mr. Caldw^1l stated that he would like for the zoning to remain as it is now, but that he thinks,for the best interest of Euless in the future, the present zoning should be reconsidered and that all future zoning should be scrutinized very carefully. He stated that by advising the people that it is to their best interest to up-grade their property, the majc ity of the citizens will be agreeable. Mayor Fuller thanked Mr. Caldwell for his presentation and those present for their attendance of the meeting. II . ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:50 P. M. APPROVED: ATTEST: Mayor City Secretary VF:fsm