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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-01 1987-074 AGENDA REGULAR MEETIENG Euless Planning & Zoning Commission. 201 N. Ector Drive Euless, Texas September 1, 1987 7; 15 p.m. - Pre-Commission Meeting 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order for Commission Consideration of Scheduled .Teems PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Mr. Larry Ingrain INVOCATION - Mr. George Zahn APPROVAL OF MTN€TF—S - Regular Meeting Dated August 18, 1987 NEW BUSINESS I. PUBLIC HEARING ° VZC.-87-14 Request of Concept, inc. , for a change of Toning on Tract. �4A, of the A.M. Downing Su.rve , (We-stern Hills Inn) FROINI C­2 TO C:-2 with a Specific Use Permit to allow for a hospital for the care and treatment of substance abase patients. The total acreage involved is 8.276 and the property is located at 1102 West Euless Blvd. Il. REPORTS 1987-075 REGULAR MEETING Planning & Zoning Gomi.s§I.c� i September 1, 1987 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Planning & Zon.ing Cot:ulission was called to order at 7:45 pm. in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall- by Chairman Larry Ingram, MEMBERS & STAFF PRESENT MSS ABSENT Larry I.ngra i John. Deithloff :den Balsinge Tack hill. Billy Owens George Zahn Carl Tyson Bob McFarland, City Attorney Rod `Eyler, Senior Planner Valerie Keelen, Staff Secret.a;-y VISITORS Ms. Nancy Lyma Pat Kant Donna Hooker Robert Wathen David Newman Randy Matthews Mona Kirsch Diane.Sebastian Mrs. John Vandiver Debra Newman Bobby Baker Roy Grisham Calvin Wide Karen g r igmore. Vii; Schwartz Suzy Bridges Jerry Dodson Marie TrIchka Hari. Barnett Sherry Lime Barbara Murdock and approximately 7.50 other interested citizens INVOCATION The invocation was given. by Mr. George Zahn. PLFA)GE OF ALLEGIANCE The pledge of allegiance was led by Mr. Larry Ingram. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the :regular meeting of A.Exgust 18, 198-, were approved subject to two changes requested which are as follows- in.;licate that Chairman: Ingram closed the public hearing on ;i;ZC--87-1 ; and indicate that Mr. Owens abstained from the vote for iiFV-87-01 due. to legally jeopardizing the city acid city cara�i�:si.a:�ers �e.rsrnally. labt-076 PLANNING & 1ING__COW1SSIO1% SEP`I'JKQMj 1 1987 PAGE TWO FUBLIC HEARING T #ZC°87-14 - REQUEST OF CONCEPT, INC., FOR A CAGE OF ZONING CAN TVACT 4& OF THE A. N. DOWNING SU VZY, (WESTERN III T..S INN) #ROK C-2 TO C-2 WITH A SPECIFIC USE YKRMIT TO A11.OW` FOR A HOSPITAL FOR TUE +CARR AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE PATIENTS. THE TOTAL AGREACE 1N`W A`E[3 IS 8.276 ATE) THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 1102 WEST HESS BLVD. Chairman Ingram explained the rules governing a public hearing and. then opened the public hearing. Mr. Robert Wathen, Executive Vice President, Concepts, Inc.. , presented this request.. He explained they were proposing to establish a. hos- pital for the treatment of substance abuse patients. He explained the treatment provided would be the same type as what —E-P South, or HCA hospitals provide. Mr. Wat.h en continued to explain that unt.i.l. Monday afternoon, he was under the impression this request was scheduled for the September 1.s, 1987, P & ' agenda. Due to the fact his staff was spread all over the United States and there was not enough. preparat i.on time, he asked for a delay until the September 1.5th meeting. Ife, further stated he ;.could be willing to schedule a meeting, aside from the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, for any and all citizens that would like to ask questions, express concerns or offer any comments. Hit explained that they could schedule this meeting for a Saturday where everyone could attend. At this point, some discussion ensued among the Commissioners as to whether or not to grant the applicant's request for tabling. Because notification had been sent: and interested persons were present, it was decided to continue with the publ:i.c. hearing. `1r. Bob Mc.ar Wand, City Attorney, explained that the applicant was proposing a Qs i.tal for the t'r'eatment: of alcohol and substance abuse patients. No offenders of the criminal just ce system, housing/- half--way house, or 'restitution center would be permitted. Mr. Mc- Farland reiterated that should this request be approved by the Plan- ning & Zoning Conn issi.on and City Council., only a hcispitai for the. treatment of alcohol and substance abuse patients would be allowed. Chairman Ingram asked for any additional proponents. There being none, Chairman Ingram asked for any opponents. Ms. 'fancy Lynn, 8€ 0 East Cliff, :Mated that in her many calls to City Hall on this day, she had been given assorted information, and that what Per. McFarland was saying was different even from the information given to her as late as 4:00 p.m. on this day. Mr. Tyler stated that, as Mr. McFarland stated, the applicant was requesting as ,substanc_e abuse treatment facility. He explained, as it was explained to him, that approximately one-third of the facility would be used for the treatment of "parolees/pre-parolees". He further stated that was what he had told. Ms. Lynn on the phone at 4:30 p.m., and that was still how the request stood at this time. :1987-077 P TIHM After some discussion between Commissioners, it was determined that. since the majority of people had questions for Mr. Wathen, he would return to the podium and answer- these questions for everyone. Chair- man Ingrain asked that all questions be asked through the chair,, and Mr. athen would be allowed they opportunity to respond. Mr. i'iathen explained that there are 151 rooms in the hotel and t three wings, being A, €3, & 0 The back wing, being C wing, as 50 roads. at is separated from the resit of the facility exce=pt by a c.or.r.idor entrance in the hack of the facility. He explained than IF there were any correctional clients., this was the- particular wing where. they would he placed. Be further stated that it was mistakenly referenced as being leased to the Board of pardons & Paroles and explained this was incorrect. Be clarified that, as part of the Board of Pardons & Paroles reintegration process, they would be trying to reintegrate inmates that had been convicted because of a substance related crime, He explained that this area would have security of its own, and the rest of the facility would be private pay patients. Air. Tyson asked if the bed space to be furnished for the reintegration process would be funded by the State or individually paid.. Mr. Wathen stated it would be paid. for by the Hoard on a "per bed. basis". Mr. Owens stated that, although he was totally in favor of a drug and alcohol treatment facility, he was not in favor of this facility being in this location. Mr. Hill stated that until the intent and purpose was clear, he did not agree .nit's continuing this hearing. He suggested the client withdraw and resubmit. After some deliberation between the Commissioners, it was determined the hearing would continue. Ms, Pat Summers asked why Concepts, Inc:. , wanted to come to Euless, and what kind of study had been clone to justify their reasoning. If theme was a study done, she wanted to see a copy of it. Mr. Wathen stated that a study had been done. Ms. Donna hooker, 405 i";ilshir*s Drive, stated that the county has sufficient centers for substance abuse treatment and strongly felt. this was not needed in Euless. Mr. Eat Kent, 1901 N. Cliff, wanted to know who initiated the conver- sations between Concepts and the Huard of pardons & Parolees; what the age: range of patients and type of security, Mr. Kant- also stated that should this go through, Concepts should consider :caking it a juvenile. treatment center only. 1.987-0 PLANNING & Z DING COMMSIQN SEPTEMBER 1 1987 PAGE FOUR Mr. Wathen stated the Board of Paz-dons & Parole had contacted Con- cepts, Inc.; that there would be no age limits either maximum or minimum; wad that, as he stated before, the security would be their Owl. Mr. David 'fewnan, 1505 Topl.ea, asked if Concepts, Inc. , was seeking ten locations throughout `T'e'xas, and if he was financially helped by the government in any way. ;fir. Wathen stated they were not seeking ten locations throughout the state, and the government was absclute.l.y not helping Concepts, inc. , in any way. Psis. Mora Hirsch, 2537 :lent Oaks Court, Bedford, stated that:, although she lives in Bedford, her child attends Wilshire Elementary and wanted to know what kind of investigation the Commissioners and City had darts into Concepts, Inc. Chairman Ingram stated that was the purpose of this hearing, and that it was not a practice of the City nor- the Commissioners to investigate everyone wanting to bring business into the City. He explained the Commission was here to make a decision based on the information that was brought out at the hearing. Ms. K:i.xsch then asked where: the present facilities Concepts, inc. , currently manages area located and how they could be contacted if the C'o.mniss.ioner-s were not willing to do so. Mr. Wathen stated that, at this time, they werw proposing simil.iar facilities in other states besides Texas. These states are Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. He explained that Concepts, Inc. , is the result of a lot of years of experience pooled together throughout the country. He further stated that a "witch hunt" appeared to be occuring, and he felt: it was needless. He explainer that Concepts, Inc. ' was not here to cause problems with anyone, and as he had stated be=fore, he would be more than willing to meet with every concerned citizen away from the City meetings and answer any and all questions they tray have. Mrs. john Vandiver, 808 Clehud, stated that two and one-half (2--1/2) years age her home was burglarized and she was :injured. She explained that the young man who bad ,lane this was on parole from the State Department: of Corrections and was a substance ;abuser. She explained there are five hospitals in this area that treat this kind of problem and did not feel another one was needed. in response: to a giiest:i.on, Mr. Wathen stated they would be paying regular business taxes. Mr. Owens stated that he felt the audience should temper their remarks to Mr. Wathen. tie felt that anyone coming into the City, whether their request was denied or approved, should be given the same re-- spec t. He stated that the Commissioners had denied hint, one case, the case of continuance. He stated his opinion was to hear Mr. Wathen out, not to crucify him personally. 1987-€)79 PLANNING ZONIRG COMMISSION, BEER .1-3, 1987 RNGE FIWV Ms. Diane Sebastian, 1607 Signet, stated that as president of the Wilshire Elementary PTA,., she was representing 494 members and 600 students. She explained that this treatment fac:il.ity was too close to the school. Ms. Debra Newman, 1505 Toplea, asked if this facility would ~till. be used as an =alternative sentencing program. :fir. Wathen replied that an alternative sentencing program was still a possibility, and re-emphasized that a structured security program would be implemented. Air. Bobby Baker, a Euless business owner, stated that Western Hills inn could have a great future; or, if not as Western ;dills inn, some other kind of hotel establishment. He explained that this was one of the busiest intersections in the city and felt that a treatment facility was not the bust: use for this area. Several other citizens :Mated concerns that concurred with these already spoken. in response to a question, Mr. Wathen replied that this facility would be :operated under two licenses the joint Commission on Acclamation of Hospitals and the Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse. At 9:30 p.m. , Mr. Wathen stated that, in order to catch his flight, he was goring to have to leave. in response to a question, Mr. Wathen stated that, at ° ,this time, Concepts, Inc. , has no centers in operation. Chairman Ingram stated that he wanted to call for a show of hand: before Air. Wathen left . Chairman Ingram asked everyone who was in favor of Mr. Wathen's request to raise their hands. There was one in favor of this request.. C,ha:i man Ingram then asked for everyone apposed to Air. Wathens request. Everyone except one (1) raised their hands. Ms. Suzy? Bridges, 313 Wilshire, wanted the record to reflect that the one person in favor- of Asir. Wathen's request lives in Austin. Several more concerned citizens spoke and all concurred in the concern that this kind of facility would have a good chance of depreciating he values of their homes. Also expressed by these citizens was the fear that this kind of facility would bring drag dealers to the city. Ms. Nancy Lynn stated that the Euless Police. Department was not doing their job in protecting the citizens now, and she surely did not see them improving in the future to protect: citizens from the convicts that would be sentenced to this facility. . 1987-080 €MANN I.NG 7,U41NG �.1SSION SEPTE�� `4 1987 SIX There being no further citizens to hear from, Chairman Ingram closed the public hearing and opened discussion between the Commissioners. Mr. Balsinger stated that, although he felt a facility of this nature was a ;good idea and greatly needed, he felt this was an inappropriate area. He felt a facility of this nature should be isolated. Mr.. Owens stated that instead of sitting back and waiting for someone else to do something about it, the citizens should get involved on one of the Gityf s m ny boards. He further stated that, although he had come with an open mind to this matter, he was going to vote against it, only because the Western kills Inn, in his opinion, is an i.cnpor-- tant part of Euless history. Chairman ingr<uct asked for arty further discussion. There being no further eomvents from the Cormissioners, Chai.rnzan Ingram stated he would entertain a motion. Mr. Balsinger made a motion to recommend denial. of #ZC-87w14. Per. Dei.thloff seconded the motion, and the vote was as follows; Ayes; Messers. Balsinger, heithloff, Hill., Owens, Ingram, Tyson � Za1ui Nays; None Chairman Ingram declared the motion carried. II. REMRTS There was nothing to report. ADJOURNMENT There being ;nothing further to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:25 Chairmab ry Ian