Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-02-26Regular Meeting Euless City Council February 26, 1980 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8 :15 p.m., in the council chambers of Euless City Hall by Mayor Harold Samuels. Other members present were Mayor Pro tern Willie Mae McCormick, Councilmen Robert Pippin, Glenn Walker, and Charles Hunt. Also present were City Secretary Della Houy, City Attorney Bob McFarland, City Engineer James Knight, Administrative Assistant Lynn Shackelford, and Building Official Larry Finney. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were L. J. Conklin, Sam R. Cotten, Ron Sternfels, Clarke Watson, Keith E. Wallace, Don Perkins, and Barry Price. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mayor Pro tem Wi l l ie Mae McCormick. APPROVAL CE MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated February 12, 1980, were approved as written. RECOGNITION CE COUNCIL CANDIDATES Mayor Samuels stated t h a t the C i t y w i l l be holding their Municipal Election on April 5, 1980, for Council Place One, Council Place Three, and Council Place Five. Mayor Samuels recognized the candidates present - Place One - Incumbent Robert Pippin and Sam Cotten; Place Three - Incumbent Glenn Walker; Place Five - Ron Sternfels. PUBLIC HEARING - CHANGES IN THE BUILDING CODE AND AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE Mayor Samuels stated the Council has been discussing some revisions to the Building Code and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and they asked the staff to submit some recommendations after reviewing the codes and ordinances of other cities, after discussions with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and after talking with builders in the area. He stated t h i s w i l l be a public hearing to discuss the various revisions but there will be no decisions made tonight. He stated there may be several public (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, February 26, 1980) hearings pertaining to revisions of the present codes and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, which has not had a major revision in several years. Mayor Samuels opened the public hearing and recognized Larry - 'Finney, Building Official, who presented the proposed revisions to the Building Code, the Mechanical Code, the Plumbing Code, and the Electrical Code. Mr. Finney reviewed the proposed revisions and additions to update the City's current codes. He stated they are recommending adopting the 979 Codes with some fee revisions. Mr. Finney stated, on the instructions of the Council, they are including their recommendation for fire retardation roofing on multi -fami y and townhouse construction. He stated their recommendation is to require Class C roof coverings. He stated wood shingles would be allowed but they would have to be treated to Class C. Mr. Barry Price, owner of Bear's Shingle Savers of Grapevine, stated that there are some factors that the City should be aware of regarding the use of Class C treatment of wood shingles. He stated cedar shingles that are treated cannot retain the treatment for more than three years. Mr. Price stated there are two alternatives to the problem of wood shingles and the first is to purchase pre- treated shingles which have been treated with a sulfate solution, and the second is to pressure treat the shingles with a plasticized resin. Mr. Price stated that he is trying to inform the Council that there are alternatives to pre- treating cedar shingles if they are still going to be allowed, and there are disadvantages in the feeling that the citizens are safe by allowing pre- treated shingles. Mayor Samuels requested Mr. Price to send any information he has on this to the City staff so they can submit a report to the Council for their review. Mr. Finney reviewed the proposed changes in the Plumbing Code and the Electrical Code. He stated approval of these ordinances w i l l supersede any ordinances previously approved by the Council. Mayor Samuels inquired if these ordinances were in line with ordinances of neighboring cities, except for the shingle roofs. Mr. Finney replied affirmatively. (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, February 26, 1980) Mr. James Knight, City Engineer, stated that, at the direction of the Council, the staff has reviewed the different single family dwelling district classifications. He stated they have defined several additional single family dwelling districts, a proposed 5,000 square foot lot size, the existing 7,500 square foot lot size, a proposed 10,000 square foot lot size, a proposed 16,000 square foot lot size, and a proposed one acre lot size. He stated that in each district, they have included the required front yard set -back, the side yard requirements, and the rear yard requirements. He stated in the existing 7,500 square foot lot size the only change would be in the rear yard set -back, which would allow citizens to add -on to the rear of their house. He stated in the small size lots, 5,000 square feet, this district is to cover some of the older subdivisions in the City that were platted with the smaller lots. He stated this will allow them to add -on to their structures too. Mayor Samuels stated that with the high cost of land and high building costs, the Council felt there was a need for allowing smaller lots, in certain circumstances, in the City. He stated the City presently has one category of residential zoning, which is "R -1 ", and with this amendment there will be five classifications. Mr. McFarland inquired how the proposed amendment would apply to existing residential zoned property. Mr. Knight stated that existing residential property in the City would be "R-1" zoning and to be classed in one of the other classifications would require specific zoning for those districts. Mr. McFarland stated the Council has the authority, if they want to in implementing these changes, to provide that if property is presently zoned "R -1" and has 10,000 square feet or more, but less than 16,000 square feet, they would fall under the classification "R -1B ", etc., t h a t t h e Council may not want t o a l l o w a l l existing "R -1" zoned property to have a ten foot rear yard set -back. Mr. Knight stated that by adding more residential districts, it gives the City the opportunity to create more restrictive zoning for larger lots. Mr. Walker inquired if the staff could have some type of form, on one sheet of paper, showing the current codes of Euless, the codes of the three neighboring cities, and the proposed changes on yard requirements, l o t area, l o t width, minimum footage o f houses, and a l l areas t h a t t h e City w i l l consider keeping or changing. Mr. Keith Wallace, 509 Parker Drive, inquired what t h e zoning r e s t r i c t i o n s w i l l be on the residential property after the amendments are approved, since a l l open available land is presently zoned "R -1 ". Mr. Knight stated that many cities address this by saying that all property that is undeveloped falls within a minimum zoning classification and could be any of the five classifications and if the IIIMMIM% ,..mmilm, ...ww,mm., (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, February 26, 1980) developer wants to build in any other classification than the zoning designated for that property, then the developer would have to request a zoning change. Mr. McFarland stated the Council has the authority to change the standards of the existing zoning on undeveloped land. A discussion followed on the "R -l" classifications and the process a developer may have to follow to develop property in these classifications. Mayor Samuels inquired i f there were any other comments on the changes and amendments. There being none he declared the public hearing closed and stated the Council would give further consideration to the amendments at a later date. CONSIDER PRELIMINARY PLAT - SAGEPOINT ADDITION Mr. Keith Wallace, 509 Park Drive, Euless, Texas, stated he is affiliated with Spann -Ayres and Associates, representing Homecraft Land Development which is a subsidiary of US Homes. He stated he is requesting approval of the preliminary plat of Sagepoint Addition, which contains 150 lots, so they can continue with the development and have homes built and ready for occupancy by the first of next year. Mayor Samuels inquired if the developer concurs with the staff's recommendations, especially since the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the plat subject to the letter. Mr. Wallace stated they are in agreement with all but the first comment which requires a six -inch sanitary sewer line extended the length of the project's frontage on Baze Drive. Mayor Samuels stated the Council does not have the authority to waive that requirement as it is in the Subdivision Ordinance and the Council cannot grant a variance to an ordiance, but can amend an ordinance, and that would take several meetings. Mr. Wallace stated the developer, as per the City ordinance, has had their engineers do a complete soil survey of the property and they are proposing to construct a street of five inches asphalt and five inches cement, stablized subgrade instead of six inches of asphalt and six inches of lime stablization. Mr. Wallace presented copies of the over- size cost tabulations to the Council. He stated the oversize costs are for an eight inch PVC water line to a thirty inch ductile iron line, an eight inch PVC sewer line to a twelve inch PVC sewer line, which is the TRA line, and a forty -eight inch storm sewer pipe to a sixty inch storm sewer pipe, which is required by the City. (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, February 26, 1980) Mr. Knight stated the ordinance does provide for the City paying the oversizing costs. He stated in regard to the storm sewer -, pipe, the ordinance provides that when the amount of water to be carried in a forty -eight inch pipe is exceeded, the developer can go to an open, concrete - lined channel, this at the developer's expense. He stated they discussed this with the developer and they indicated that an open channel wi I I take up quiet a lot of land and wondered if the City would be receptive to a closed system. He stated he informed them that the City did not have any objection to a closed system if it is properly designed and if it is going to cost the City money he would have to take the route that would save the City the most money. He stated that since it is the developer's option to go with the closed system that requires a higher cost, then in his opinion, it should be the developer's costs. Mr. Knight stated that in reference to the twelve inch sewer line, the City requested that the developer size the sanitary sewer line to service the drainage area that would drain into the line and if an eight inch line would service the area the City wouldn't have to pay for any oversizing. He stated the line will not be a TRA line because the Trinity River Authority will not allow the City to tap into the line with individual taps and this line will be a City owned and maintained line. He stated re- garding the thirty inch water line, the Master Plan calls for a thirty inch water line across this property and that if the City has funds available for participation in the oversizing, he would recommend that the thirty -inch water line be constructed in conjunction with this development. Mr. Wallace stated the sizing of this line is largely dependent upon what is being developed to the north in the Grapevine city limits. Mr. Knight stated the City did request the developer to consider the zoning on the property to the north in the Grapevine city limits. He stated they have been in contact with the Trinity River Authority and they have indicated t h a t there w i l l be another TRA Outfal l Line that will go north from the Bear Creek Interceptor Line to the west of the property. He stated that TRA has indicated that this line can be sized to accommodate that area in the event that negotiations can not be made with Euless, to both parties satisfaction, to carry sewage through this line. He stated that the line has been sized as a twelve inch line by TRA because that is the smallest t h a t they w i l l consider as an interceptor line. Mayor Samuels stated it seems a minimal expense for the City in order to get the larger line in that area. Mayor Samuels stated that there seems to be a problem regarding the cost of the sixty inch storm drain. He inquired if the developer w i l l gain building area by installing the storm drain underground. M r . Wallace stated they w i l l gain approximately seven lots by installing the storm sewer underground. Mr. Knight stated that sizing the pipe for the pipe storm drain was based on a five year flood plain by the developer. Mr. Wallace stated the developer is building according to F.H.A. standards and F.H.A. requires a one hundred year flood plain. (Page Six, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, February 26, 1980) Mayor Samuels stated that he cannot remember any time the City has participated in oversizing of a storm drain. He stated the Council has allowed a concrete lined bottom with the sides left in their natural state. Mr. McFarland stated that if the Council approves the plat they don't have to consider the oversizing cost at this time since it is a preliminary plat problem. Mr. Knight stated he only wanted the Council to be aware of the oversizing costs. Mrs. McCormick moved to concur with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the preliminary plat of Sagepoint Addition, subject to the City staff's letter. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Mr. Clarke Watson stated the developer asked Mr. Wallace to review the oversizing items with the staff and to concur with the ordinances. He stated, as he sees it, the ordinance stipulates a larger storm d r a i n and t h e developer w i l l be refunded for the oversize. He stated he cannot see the developer having to pay for a larger storm sewer which is passed on to the home buyer. He stated they have talked to staff members, and they have concurred with the ordinance, but he doesn't feel that they are asking for anything unusual or extra. He stated he would like for the Council to approve the preliminary plat with the oversizing costs, as presented. Mr. Walker stated he would withdraw his second if the developer wasn't going to concur with the City staff's letter. Mr. McFarland reviewed the ordinance regarding the City participating in the oversizing of a storm drain. He stated it is his opinion that the Council can approve the preliminary plat and the developer can install an above ground storm drain with swells, as required by the ordinance, but if the developer wants to install underground drainage in order to have seven additional lots, and the City Engineer has recommended a sixty inch pipe, then the sixty inch underground storm drain should be a cost to the developer. After further discussion, Mrs. McCormick restated her motion to concur with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the preliminary plat of Sagepoint Addition, subject to the City staff's letter and when the final plat is presented, the staff w i l l have a recommendation on the City's participating costs. Mr. Walker seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Walker, Pippin, and Hunt Nays: None (Page Seven, Regular Meeting, Euless City Counci 1, February 26, 1980) Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. IV. CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 484 CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON ZONING CASE NO. 303 FCR CHANGE OF ZONING FRCM "PD" PLANNED DEVELOPMENT TO "PD " PLANNED DEVELOPMENT WITH NEW PLANS FOR TOW\ IONES ON 24.987 ACRES OF LAND I N THE J. E. FIELD SURVEY, ABSTRACT 540 - REQUEST OF BRUCE CASBURN Mr. Walker moved to approve Resolution No. 484 calling a public hearing on Zoning Case No. 303 for change of zoning from "PD " Planned Development to "PD" Planned Development with new plans for townhomes on 24.987 acres in the J. E. Field Survey, Abstract 540 on March 25, 1980. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion and the vote i s as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Walker, Pippin, Hunt, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. V. CONSIDER CITY CF HURST WATER CONTRACT Mrs. McCormick moved to concur with the recommendation of the City Manager and approve the City of Hurst Water Contract. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Pippin, Walker, and Hunt Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. VI. CONSIDER FIRST READING CF ORDINANCE NO. 612 ESTABLISHING AN ASSESSMENT RATIO EQUAL TO THE APPRAISED VALUE OF ALL PROPERTY ASSESSED FOR AD VALOREM TAXES Mr. Walker moved to approve first reading of Ordinance No. 612 establishing an assessment ratio equal to the appraised value of a l l property assessed for ad valorem taxes. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: (Page Eight, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, February 26, 1980) Ayes: Messrs. Walker, Pippin, Hunt, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. VIII. ORDINANCE CHANGES Mr. McFarland stated he submitted a letter to the Council regarding proposed changes, as recommended by the City staff, on the zoning ordinance. He stated they are not making any recommended changes to the Council at this time, but the comments are something that the Council needs to keep in mind as they work on the amendments. Mr. McFarland stated that his comments on the Building Code and the Electrical Code refer to a change in the language on the authority of the inspector and the right of arrest as to the City Electrical Inspector. He stated this change is a change from the existing ordinance. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT, PROBLEMS ON HARWOOD \AELL Mr. Knight stated that the Director of Public Works has informed him that the City is having some problems with the water well on Harwood Road. He stated they have pulled the pump from the w e l l and the w e l l casing w i l l need to be replaced. He stated the company that pulled the pump has recommended that the City contract with a company that can lower a camera into the well to see if there is any damage to the w e l l l i n i n g . He stated they w i l l have to replace approximately five hundred feet of well casing and the estimated cost of replacing the casing is $6.00 per foot. He stated the Director of Public Works recommends using the camera as this is one of the better producing wells and is used in the summer. He stated the anticipated total cost to get the well usable is a minimum of $12,000 and if it should require extensive repairs he will request approval from the Council for the added cost. MIDWAY DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Knight stated that the drainage improvements on Midway Drive are continuing and the contractor is working in Midway Park at this time and they are on schedule. Mr. Hunt stated he has been receiving some complaints concerning the lack of progress being made and he hopes there is no delay in completion of the project. (Page Nine, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, February 26, 1980) Mr. Walker inquired if there is any reason the contractor cannot be working on the street section the same time that they work in the park. Mr. Knight stated the drainage portion is in the street itself and the drainage must be done before the street can be improved. He stated once they start the street improvements they wi I I stay with it until they complete the work. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. APPROVED: /s/ Harold D. Sarnuels ATTEST /s/ Della Houy City Secretary