Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-05-21 Ihre Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission May 21 , 1974 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall by Chairman Carl Tyson. Other members present were Messrs. Bob Pippin, Richard Leggett and Ray Ozebek. (Absent were Messrs. Herman Wallace, Don Perkins and Robert Johnson.) Also present were City Inspector Jack Bullard and Recording Secretary Della Houy. VISITORS Visitors in attendance are as follows: Messrs. Robert McMurtre, E. N. Bradford, Buddy Johnson, John Stigler, Robert Power, Reid A. Rector, Ron Nery and H. M. Huffman; Mesdms D. L. Carter, E. N. Bradford, Buddy Johnson, Willie Mae McCormick and John Stigler. INVOCATION The invocation was presented by Mr. Carl Tyson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Pippin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting dated May 7, 1974, with the correction of the spelling of Mr. Daryl Cozby's name on page nine (9). Mr. Leggett seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Leggett, Ozebek and Tyson Nays: None Chairman Tyson declared the motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING - ZONING CASE NO. 242 REQUEST OF LAWLER CORPORATION FOR CHANGE OF ZONING FROM "C-2" COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT TO "R-5" MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING • DISTRICT ON LOT A-1 , BLOCK 1 , OAKWOOD TERRACE ADDITION. (PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF SH183, BETWEEN VINE STREET AND NORMAN DRIVE) Mr. Tyson opened the Public Hearing on Zoning Case No. 242, request of Lawler Corporation for change of zoning from "C-2" (Page Two, Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission, May 21 , 1974) Community Business District to "R-5" Multi-Family Dwelling District on Lot A-1 , Block 1 , Oakwood Terrace Addition and recognized Mr. Robert Power. Mr. Power stated that he is representing the Lawler Corporation and his client is requesting this. zoning change in order to build apartments on this property. Mr. Power stated that when the property was rezoned "C-2" Community Business District, apartments could be built in this zoning classification. He further stated that when his client came to City Hall to obtain a building permit for the apartments, they were advised that the City ordinance had been changed and apartments could not be built in "C-2" zoning. He stated that his clients believe this is the best use of the property, they have the property set-back from the residential area to the south and have two (2) parking spaces per unit, with good spacing of units to allow proper traffic circulation and these apartments would be a good buffer between the residential section on the south and the commercial along SH183. Mr. Tyson inquired if Lawler Corporation has any construction plans and Mr. Powers stated that they are ready to proceed if this zoning change is approved. Mr. Pippin inquired how long Lawler Corpora- tion has owned the property and Mr. Powers stated that approximately five (5) or six (6) years, that he did not know for sure. Mr. Ozebek inquired about the percentage of the acreage that will be used for the apartments and Mr. Powers stated that approximately 37% to 40%. Mr. Buddy Johnson, 313 Vine Street, inquired the distance between the proposed playground area and parking area and the houses to the south, and if there would be "NO PARKING" signs erected on Vine Street to prevent parking on Vine Street. Mr. Powers stated that a screening fence would be required on the south boundary of the property between the complex and the houses and that his client is putting in two (2) parking spaces per unit so there *will be no need to park on Vine Street. Mr. Bullard stated that the developers will have to meet the requirements of the Fire Marshal in the arrangement of the buildings to provide adequate fire lanes and have the proper egress and ingress. Mrs. D. L. Carter, 312 Vine Street, inquired the number of apartment units proposed in this complex. • Mr. Powers stated that 96 units were proposed, 32 - 1 bedroom units and 64 - 2 bedroom units. Mr. E. N. Bradford, 302 Oakwood, inquired how it is determined if apartments will benefit better than commercial businesses. Mr. Tyson stated that the Commission makes their recommendation to the City Council and the City Council decides the best use of the land. (Page Three, Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission, May 21 , 1974) Mr. Tyson inquired if there were other proponents who wished to speak in this zoning case. There being none, inquired if there were opponents present. Mr. Buddy Johnson stated that these apartments do not directly effect him, but he lives behind the apartments between Vine Street and Martha and most of the time his yard is covered with litter that the tenants throw over the fence and the fence is not kept in good repair. Mr. Bullard stated that the owners of the apartments that Mr. Johnson spoke of have to be contacted to repair the fence and with a wooden fence, it can be repaired and two weeks later some of the boards have been knocked out. Mr. E. N. Bradford stated that he is opposed to more apartments in this area as the most undesirable people live in apartments. Mr. H. M. Huffman, 401 South Norman Drive, stated that he is opposed to the zoning because these may be nice apartments but this complex would create a solid row of apartments along the south side of SH183. He further stated that the present apartments are more trouble and cause more traffic congestion and he is sure the City has better use for the land. Mr. Leggett inquired the type of clientele this complex would cater to, individuals or singles. Mr. Powers stated that they would be a very high quality of apartment because of today's market and the improved City standards, and would have both single and family units. Mrs. McCormick inquired about the square footage in the apartments. Mr. Powers stated approximately 670 square feet in the one bedroom apartments and 921 square feet in the two bedroom units. Mr. Pippin inquired the per square footage rental fee of the units and Mr. Powers stated that he did not have that figure. Mrs. Carter stated that she has a list of items in opposition to this request, as follows: 1 . depreciation of property 2. there will be no privacy 3. men who sleep days will be desturbed by the noise from the playground 4. people will walk their dogs in their yards and the children will play in their yards 5, the traffic will be very heavy and people will use the driveways for turning and parking (Page Four, Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission, May 21 , 1974) 6. there will be excess car noise tor Mr. Johnson stated that the residents do not need alarm clocks to get up in the mornings, they are awakened by twin tail pipes. Mrs. Johnson stated that there is always trouble from the present apartment complex, and they have been asked several times to call police to prevent people' from killing each other. Mrs. Carter stated that with the new airport, commercial property will help the City as much as apartments, and commercial will not create a mess. Mr. Johnson inquired if apartment dwellers pay any type of property tax. Mr. Tyson stated that their monthly payments to the owners pay for the property taxes, as apartments are based on the same tax rate as residential . Mrs. Stigler, 315 Vine Street, stated that she does not want to see more apartments in this area, as 96 units would permit 96 more cars and there is too much traffic on Vine Street now. Mr. Johnson stated that he is against this rezoning but would vote for Mr. Powers because he liked the way he talked. Mr. Powers stated that he understands the people's objections to apartments but that when the property was rezoned commercial , this zoning did allow apartments and when his clients applied for their permit they were informed that the property was no longer zoned for apartments. Mr. Pippin inquired if Lawler Corporation only builds apartments, and Mr. Powers stated that they have built apartment complexes in Irving as well as commercial and single family, and they are in the process of building a complex in Irving on 75 acres at this time. Mr. Powers further stated that Lawler Corporation owns and operates these apartment complexes. Mrs. Carter stated that if these apartments are built, it will mean more children in schools and will put a heavier tax load on home owners to build more schools. Mrs. Johnson inquired if the property remains commercial , is there a limit to the type of commercial that can be built. Mr. Ozebek read from Zoning Ordinance No. 347. the buildings allowed in commercial zoning. Mr. Tyson inquired if there were other opponents present. There being none, he declared the Public Hearing closed. (Page Five, Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission, May 21 , 1974) Mr. Ozebek stated that there should be a buffer between the commercial and the residential , but he is not in favor of a high density complex. Mr. Bullard stated at the time of rezoning, the City had "R-5" zoning as well and "C-Z" that did include apartment-zoning, and the front 300 feet along SH183 was zoned commercial at the adoption of the City's first zoning ordinance. Mr. Pippin stated the traffic density on Vine Street and possible traffic density on Norman and the overload of the schools is something to keep in mind, as well as the best use of the land. Mr. Ozebek inquired the legal implications if this rezoning is denied. Mr. Bullard stated that this amendment to the zoning ordinance has only been in effect for six (6) months and they do not have an opinion on the legal aspects. Mr. Pippin moved to recommend denial of Zoning Case No. 242 for request of Lawler Corporation for change of zoning from "C-2" Community Business District to "R-5" Multi-Family Dwelling District. Mr. Leggett seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Leggett, Ozebek and Tyson Nays: None Chairman Tyson declared the motion carried. Mr. Ozebek inquired if the Commission could submit to the City Council their reason for denial . Mr. Tyson stated the Commission would send a letter to the City Council listing their reasons for denial . Mr. Pippin inquired what the home owners present would prefer - apartments or commercial . Mr. Johnson stated that he has no objections to apartments, but would be more in favor of seeing a plan that the developers intend to build, that the builders would have to build exactly what was submitted, and would prefer the playground be further from the homes, and the additional traffic would create a noise problem. He stated that arrangement of the buildings is fine but the parking spaces would create a noise problem next to the homes on the south and there should be some provision to prevent parking on Vine Street as people park on the east side of Vine Street now. Mr. Bradford stated that he does not want to see anything over one (I) story high built on this property. He further stated that there are too many apartments between Simmons Drive and Martha now. Mr. Johnson stated that if this property is rezoned planned development with 96 units, 96 more people would be too many. • (Page Six, Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission, May 21 , 1974) II . NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS PLANNING AND ZONING INSTITUTES Mr. Bullard passed out programs for the North Central Texas Planning and Zoning Institute to be held May 23, 1974, at the Cibola Inn in Arlington and advised the members of the Commission to advise him Wednesday, May 22, 1974,' if they plan to attend. III . SCHOOL SYSTEM DENSITY Mr. Bullard passed out a report that has been prepared on the school system density. A discussion followed on the proposed population and the proposed school sites. IV. MANNING GRINNAN ZONING CASE Mr. Pippin stated that he has talked with residents of Trailwood Addition concerning the decision of the Board to table the decision and they could not understand why this item was tabled. Mr. Pippin stated that he advised them that they did not have pertinent facts to base a decision on and the Board wanted more facts in order to arrive at the right decision. Mr. Pippin stated that the Trailwood Association has been in contact with Mr. Grinnan, requesting instead of apartments, that they build townhouses, that townhouses would be more compatible with the homes in Trailwood Addition. Mr. Pippin stated the home owners were concerned the Board would make a decision without letting them know. A discussion followed on the City's Master Plan. Mr. Bullard stated that thoroughfares and collector streets are based on 85,000 population and that you cannot have that many people without some traffic congestion. He further stated that water lines, sewer lines, schools and the City operate on the concept that the demand reach complete capacity before additional services are built. Mr. Bullard stated that the City of Euless, for its size and shape, has a better traffic circulation than most cities larger than Euless. • Mr. Tyson stated that at the meeting he attended in Austin, it was stated that some administration retards growth of cities because they do not have adequate water, sewer and streets. LIN A discussion followed on building streets. (Page Seven, Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission, May 21 , 1974) V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. APPROVED: Chairman / • L