Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-07-03 C Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission July 3, 1979 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall by Chairman Neal Adams. Other members present were Messrs. John Deithloff, Carl Tyson, Chris Jones, and Bob Williamson. (Absent were Mr. Bob Eden and Mrs. Helen Lightbody) Also present were Planning and Zoning Coordinator Kent Flynn and Recording Secretary Becky Gunter. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were Messrs. Jess Lewellyn, Dr. R. Goode, E. J. Thomes, Richard J. Thomes, Frank J. Svochak, R. Dale Turns, Harold F. Hall , and Mesdms. Jo Svochak and Willie Mae McCormick. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Mr. Tyson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Jones made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting dated June 19, 1979, as written. Mr. Deithloff seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Jones, Deithloff, Tyson, Adams, and Williamson Nays: None Chairman Adams declared the motion carried. (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) PUBLIC HEARING - ZONING CASE 289. REQUEST OF RICHARD J. AND EDWIN J. THOMES FOR CHANGE OF ZONING FROM "R-1" SINGLE FAMILY TO "R-2" TWO FAMILY ON LOTS 1-6, BLOCK 1 , OAKWOOD ACRES ESTATES LOCATED EAST OF NORTH MAIN STREET AND NORTH OF EAST ASH LANE Chairman Adams stated the rules of a public hearing; proponents will be heard first, and then opponents. He opened the public hearing. Mr. Richard Thomes stated he resides at 3934 Buckingham Drive in Irving and is one of the co-owners of the subject prop- erty. They are requesting the change of zoning from "R-1" Single Family to "R-2" Multi-Family because they have been unable to sell the lots as presently zoned within the past two years. Therefore, they are planning to build some duplexes on the property. Chairman Adams asked Mr. Thomes if his company would actually be building the duplexes. 41) Mr. Thomes stated his father would be building the duplexes. Mr. Tyson asked if the duplexes would be for sale or for rent. Mr. Thomes stated they would be for sale. Chairman Adams asked the square footage of the duplexes. Mr. Thomes stated the minimum would be approximately 2400 square feet per building. Mr. Tyson inquired about the garage facilities. Mr. Thomes stated there would be a two- car garage provided foreach unit; a four-car garage per building. Mr. Jones asked the proposed selling price of the duplexes based on the present market value. Mr. E. J. Thomes stated they would sell for approximately $43.00 per square foot. Mr. Tyson asked if the property would be replatted. (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) Mr. Richard Thomes stated the lots would be developed as they are presently platted. Mr. Deithloff asked if there would be a problem with the Arco pipeline running through Lots 3 and 4. Mr. Thomes stated there would not be a problem. Chairman Adams asked if there were any other questions of Mr. Thomes. There were none. He asked if there were any other proponents. There were none. He asked if there were any opponents. Mr. Turns stated he resides at 1607 North Main Street, which is located across the street from the subject property, and he is opposed to the requested change of zoning. He stated that, since the apartments have been constructed to the southeast of the subject property, the area has been considerably more noisy. He feels the development of duplexes would deteriorate the neighborhood somewhat. This could set a precendent for the va- cant tract immediately north of the subject property. With apartments across Ash Lane, and the duplexes on the north side of Ash Lane, it would be easier for the owner of the tract to the north to obtain multi-family zoning which he would be very much opposed to. Chairman Adams asked Mr. Turns how long he had resided at 1607 North Main Street. Mr. Turns stated they have owned the property for about 22 years, but have resided there for only about one year. Chariman Adams asked if there were any other opponents. Mrs. Svochak stated they reside directly across the street from the subject property. Before they purchased the lot, they checked the zoning of the area property and found it to be zoned residential . They were told that a request was made to rezone the property for multi-family but that the apartments would be east of North Main and not fronting on North Main. Mr. Thomes stated he had attempted to sell the lots. However, the sign was up on the lots for only a very short time. Therefore, she does not feel Mr. Thomes made an earnest attempt to sell the lots. Mr. Tyson asked Mrs. Svochak how long they have resided at that location. Mrs. Svochak stated they have lived there for almost three years. She feels the proposed duplexes would devalue their prop- erty tremendously. The reason the request is now being made for the duplex zoning is because of the proximity of the subject property to the apartments. Chairman Adams asked Mrs. Svochak why she feels the proposed two-family zoning would devalue her property. (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) Mrs. Svochak stated the potential tenants are normally transit-type people. Also, once the "R-2" zoning is approved, the next step is "R-3", and then possibly commercial-type uses. It is setting a prec- edence for the area property. Chairman Adams asked if there were any other opponents. Mr. Svochak stated his wife and Mr. Turns discussed general objections to the zoning change. He would, however, like to be more specific. When he purchased his property, located at the corner of Ash Lane and North Main Street, he paid a considerable amount. Mr. Thomes built the apart- ments southeast of the subject property and, as a result, was unable to sell the residential lots. If the property were developed as residential rather than apart- ments, there would not be a problem. Therefore, he feels the City made a mistake in approving the zoning change required for the apartments and is about to make another mistake if the requested change is approved. Chairman Adams asked if there were any other opponents. Mr. Goode stated he resides at 101 Ash Lane and has lived there since August of 1970. He is very concerned with this area. He stated he attended each meeting which involved the zoning for the apart- () The City required the buffer of houses along the east side of North Main Street between the apartments and existing houses on the west of North Main Street as a result of concerned citizens in the area. Each person that purchased property in the area paid a considerable price for the property and were assured by the plan of the City that the total area was zoned "R-1" residential . Today, they cannot get back what was paid into the homes. Considering the increased valuation of homes, he should be able to sell his home for about $75,000.00 with no problem. However, due to the location of the apartments and the possible construction of duplexes, it is questionable whether he will even be able to get back the actual cost of his home. This is, therefore, degrading his property. The "For Sale" sign on the subject property was up for only a short time. He feels, therefore, that there has been no great effort to sell the property. When he first moved, in August of 1970, it was a nice area of the community to live in. However, in the last two or three years, several things have taken place that he now no longer desires to live there. He discussed this with several realtors in the area and was told that he would not be able to sell the house for what he would have to pay for another comparable one in another area due to the location of the apart- ments. Therefore, he has to stay there. In the past, he could go to bed at ten or eleven o'clock at night and be able to go to sleep. However, in the past year, that area has become very noisy all night long preventing him from sleeping. Also, cars are now coming into his yard, thereby ruining what was once a very nice yard. He is, therefore, very concerned about the neighborhood. Chairman Adams asked if there were any other opponents. Mr. Hall asked if the proposed duplexes would face Ash Lane. 11) (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) Chairman Adams stated they would be required to face Ash Lane as there would be no other access. Mr. Hall inquired about the corner lot. Mr. Richard Thomes stated they would all face Ash Lane, including the corner lot. Mr. Hall stated he is not against the requested zoning change. He was, however, concerned about the access to the duplexes. Chairman Adams stated one of the con- cerns with the houses in the original development was that they faced North Main Street. This was one of the reasons for the exception to allow the private drive to the back of the houses, thereby keeping as much ingress/egress off of North Main Street as possible. Mr. Hall stated he is concerned with the duplexes facing into his property, which is located immediately north of the subject property. Chairman Adams stated this would be very unlikely as it would require another street to be built along the north side of 41) the property. Mr. Tyson asked Mr. Hall if he has any plans for his property. Mr. Hall stated he does not have any immediate plans. However, the proposed zoning change will have an effect on the use of his property. Mr. Turns stated Mrs. Svochak was asked why she feels the proposed zoning would devalue her property. He stated Mr. Thomes answered this question at the beginning of his presentation when he stated he has had the lots for sale but has been unable to sell them due to their proximity to the apartments. Chairman Adams asked if anyone else would like to address the Commission concerning the proposed zoning change. There were none. He declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Tyson stated he was on the Commission at the time the property was rezoned to allow the apartments, and the residential buffer was a compromise between the property owners in the area and the city. He stated if a commitment was made to the existing property owners requiring a single family buffer between the existing single family and the multi-family, this should be upheld. Chairman Adams stated there was not a commitment made concerning the subject six lots. The commitment was concerning the ten lots south of East Ash Lane which fronted on North Main Street. 41) (Page Six, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) Chairman Adams requested the Land Use Summary for Zoning Case 289 be made a part of the minutes. Mr. Jones stated if a commitment was made, he would like to know what the commitment was. Chairman Adams asked Mr. Flynn if he is aware of the commitment. Mr. Flynn stated he would have to check the minutes of the meeting to find out about the commitment. However, he is aware that the single family buffer was put there as a compromise. Chairman Adams stated another factor is that North Main Street has been widened to a major thoroughfare since the time the apartment zoning was approved, thereby providing more distance between the existing single family and proposed duplexes. Mr. Tyson pointed out the data base information within the Land Use Summary. He stated that, of the total 24.570 acres of "R-2" zoned property, 17.495 acres are vacant. Mr. Deithloff stated there is an error in that the total occupied area and the total vacant area should equal the total 41) "R-2" zoned area, which it does not. Mr. Flynn stated the 2.075 acres of occupied area should be changed to read 7.075 acres. Chairman Adams asked if there were any other comments. Mr. Williamson asked if the subject six lots were platted at the same time the other ten lots were platted. Chairman Adams stated they were. Mr. Tyson stated he would like to refer to the minutes of the meeting at which the zoning change was approved to allow the apartments. Mr. Flynn stated he can get the minutes for the Commission. Chairman Adams called a five-minute recess to allow Mr. Flynn to obtain the minutes requested. Chairman Adams requested the portion of the April 15, 1975 Planning and Zoning Commission minutes, and the May 27, 1975 City Council minutes pertaining to Zoning Case 244 be made a part of the minutes. He stated the minutes make no reference to the subject six lots. He asked if there was any more discussion of Zoning Case 289. There was none. • 1110 (Page Seven, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) Mr. Jones made a motion to recommend approval of change of zoning from "R-1" Single Family to "R-2" Two Family on Lots 1-6, Block 1 , Oakwood Acres Estates, as requested. Mr. Deithloff seconded the motion and the vote was as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Jones, Deithloff, and Adams Nays: Messrs. Tyson and Williamson Chairman Adams declared the motion carried. II . PUBLIC HEARING - ZONING CASE 290. REQUEST OF JESS LEWELLYN FOR CHANGE OF ZONING FROM "C-2" COMMUNITY BUSI- NESS DISTRICT TO "L-1" LIMITED IN- DUSTRIAL DISTRICT ON A PORTION OF TRACTS 1C1 , 1D, 3E, 3H, AND 3J, J. GROVES SURVEY, ABSTRACT 599 LOCATED SOUTH OF WEST EULESS BLVD. , EAST OF RAIDER DRIVE, AND WEST OF WESTPARK WAY Chairman Adams stated the same rules of a public hearing shall apply to this zoning case. He declared the public hearing open and asked for a representative. Mr. Lewellyn stated he lives in Arling- ton and has a glass business in the Bell Industrial area located at 3524 Bell Drive, as well as a metal products company in the same area. He is requesting the change of zoning to allow the construction of an 18,000 square foot building, which will face West Euless Blvd. , for the relocation of his glass business. The building, which will have a glass front, will have a display area as well as a warehouse for light fabrication and glass cutting. Chairman Adams asked what type of glass cutting will be done. Mr. Lewellyn stated the glass cutting will be that required for manufacturing store fronts. Chairman Adams asked the type of equip- ment involved. Mr. Lewellyn stated a cutting saw with about a twelve-inch diameter blade, as well as hand drills. Chairman Adams asked Mr. Lewellyn if his business would occupy the entire building. (Page Eight, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) 11) Mr. Lewellyn stated he would lease out a portion of the building; he would occupy only about 60% to 75%. He is purchas- ing the strip of land from West Euless Blvd. to South Pipeline Road for future plans of constructing more buildings. Mr. Jones asked if the building to be constructed at this time will be totally within the proposed "L-1" zoning. Mr. Lewellyn stated it will be. Chairman Adams asked Mr. Lewellyn if he was aware of the staff letter of June 29, 1979. Mr. Lewellyn stated he did not receive a copy of the letter. However, he had discussed it with Mr. Flynn. Chairman Adams stated he would like to go over each item of the letter. He stated item one involves the ordinance re- quirement of a screened garbage storage area. Mr. Lewellyn stated there is no problem with this item; a screened garbage storage area will be provided. Chairman Adams stated item two points out the requirement of a minimum of two loading berths which need to be shown on the site plan. Mr. Lewellyn stated four loading berths will be provided. Chairman Adams stated the last item refers to the requirement of twenty-foot side yards. Mr. Lewellyn stated this has been taken care of. Chairman Adams requested the staff letter of June 29, 1979, and the Land Use Summary for Zoning Case 290 be made a part of the minutes. Mr. Jones asked Mr. Lewellyn if he had contacted any proposed tenants. Mr. Lewellyn stated he has not. Mr. Jones asked the type of businesses proposed in the remainder of the building. Mr. Lewellyn stated a business which will have a need for a display area as well as warehouse space. Chairman Adams asked if there were any other questions. There were none. He asked if there were any other proponents. There were none. He asked if there were any opponents. There were none. He de- clared the public hearing closed. (Page Nine, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) Mr. Deithloff made a motion to recommend approval of change of zoning from "C-2" Community Business District to "L-1" Limited Industrial District on a portion of Tracts 1C1 , 1D, 3E, and 3H, J. Groves Survey, Abstract 599, as requested. Mr. Jones seconded the motion. Chairman Adams stated he checked with Mr. Flynn and was told there is adequate parking proposed. Mr. Tyson asked if the property is already platted. Mr. Flynn stated it has not been platted yet, but will be. The vote on Mr. Deithloff's motion was as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Deithloff, Jones, Tyson, Adams, and Williamson Nays: None Chairman Adams declared the motion carried. ® III . NEW BUSINESS Pre-Planning and Zoning Meeting Chairman Adams stated in the future, if there is a long agenda, a pre-Planning and Zoning meeting will possibly be called at either 7:00 or 7:15. This will be reflected on the agenda. Change of Zoning Signs Chairman Adams stated the possibility of placing a sign on the property for which a change of zoning has been requested has been discussed in the past. However, no further action has been taken. He asked the opinion of the Commission of pursuing this. Mr. Deithloff stated he would like the cost involved to be reviewed. Chairman Adams stated this would be discussed with Mr. Sustaire. He stated at this time he only wants to know if the Commission is in favor of the idea. Mr. Jones stated he has seen this in other cities and feels it is a good idea. (Page Ten, Regular Meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission, July 3, 1979) Mr. Flynn was requested to research this further and report back to the Commission. Mrs. McCormick stated this was discussed by the City Council and it was the general consensus that the placement of a sign on the related property would be a good idea. IV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. APPROVED: Chairman