The Zoning Commission of the City of Athens, Texas met in Regular Session on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall Annex, 501 N. Pinkerton Athens, Texas with the following members present, to-wit:
Chris Tinsley Tony Kalawe Gail Chock Aaron Smith Donna Meredith
Gary Crecelius, Director of Planning & Development Bonnie Hambrick, City Secretary
others present: Toni Thompson, Jeffery Enoch, Danny Tidmore, Stan Love, Terri Hill,
Michael Hadnot, Gloria Hunter, Craig Crayton, Shirley Rogers, Gina Hunter, Phyliss Cook, James Robertson;
constituting a quorum at which time the following proceedings were enacted, to-wit: CONSIDER APPROVING THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 21, 2014 REGULAR SESSION
A motion was made by Member Meredith, seconded by Member Chock to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2014 Regular Session, as written. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING REZONING OF LOT 11, BLOCK 113 ATHENS ORIGINAL TOWN FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL-5 TO OFFICE-SPECIFIC USE PROVISION, OWNED BY JEFFERY & WEADER ENOCH (726 UNDERWOOD)
Gary Crecelius, Director of Planning & Development, explained that Mr. Enoch had presented a rezoning request in 2014 for Single-Family Residential-5 to Office and the Zoning Commission denied the rezone. Mr. Enoch appealed before the City Council, and the City Council denied the rezoning based upon concerns and objections from the neighborhood.
Mr. Crecelius, explained that the owner is before the Planning and Zoning Commission, requesting that this property be rezoned to Office Specific Use Provision to allow him to move two (2) buildings onto the property to be used as an office for the NAACP and Henderson County Black Rodeo Association. He stated that fifteen (15) surrounding property owners were
Mr. Crecelius, explained that a site plan is required, and Mr. Enoch has proposed a basketball court and a carport.
Jeffery Enoch explained their purpose is to enhance this area of the community, and have offices for the NAACP and the Henderson County Black Rodeo Association.
James Robertson, Media Specialist for the Henderson County Black Rodeo Association, spoke on behalf of Jeffery Enoch, stating the mission is to bring people together regardless of color or creed for a common good. He stated they need a professional office space for meetings. He stated as a gesture of good faith they have proposed a basketball court that would be open to the public.
Member Kalawe questioned if it was being designed as a Recreational Center or Office. Mr. Enoch explained they were adding the basketball court as an ad hoc gesture.
Michael Hadnot, expressed he lives on Underwood Street, and they have requested use for an office for the NAACP and there’s no NAACP.
Gina Hunter, explained they are not in support of the rezoning. She stated they do not want it in the area or in their neighborhood. She stated they have appeared before the Planning and Zoning Commission for the past four (4) years. She wanted to know what could be done to stop
appearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission for rezoning this property. Mr. Crecelius, stated that if a request for zoning is denied; the Zoning Ordinance has an allowance for a Citizen to come back before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council ninety ( 90) days after the last appeal.
Toni Johnson, C.E.O. for Henderson County Black Rodeo Association, explained that she has been handling all administrative work out of her home and they would like to have a professional meeting place. She stated we requested the rezone for Office -Specific Use Provision as it can only be used for offices for the NAACP and the Henderson County Black Rodeo Association. Nikki Enoch, Secretary for the Henderson County Black Rodeo, explained that it is for offices for the NAACP and the Henderson County Black Rodeo Association, she wanted to make sure the residents understood this.
Member Chock, asked how would the basketball court be maintained.
Mr. Enoch, explained that if the basketball court is a problem they would delete this from the request. He explained it would be an open court.
After discussion, a motion was made by Member Kalawe, seconded by Member Smith to close the public hearing. The motion carried unanimously.
CONSIDER REZONING OF LOT 11, BLOCK 113 ATHENS ORIGINAL TOWN FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL-5 TO OFFICE-SPECIFIC USE PROVISION, OWNED BY JEFFERY & WEADER ENOCH (726 UNDERWOOD).
Member Tinsley proposed to approve the Office Specific-Use Provision as platted minus the basketball court, with all restrictions for maintaining the landscaping and lighting. A motion was made by Member Meredith, seconded by Member Chock to approve Lot 11, Block 113, Athens Original Town from Single-Family Residential-5 to Office-Specific Use Provision for offices for the NAACP and the Henderson County Black Rodeo Association; minus the basketball court, with all restrictions for maintaining the landscaping and lighting. The motion carried
unanimously.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER REPLAT OF LOT 2F, BLOCK 123, ATHENS, ORIGINAL TOWN, OWNED BY DANNY W. TIDMORE AND JUDY D. TIDMORE TRUSTEE OF THE D.W. AND J.D. TIDMORE LIVING TRUST, 811 E. COLLEGE
Gary Crecelius Director of Planning & Development, explained that the property is located East of Wofford and West of McDonald, combining one (1) lot into two (2) lots. He explained that replats do not require public notices to the surrounding neighborhood; it is up to the Planning and Zoning Commission to approve or disapprove the replat.
A motion was made by Member Kalawe, seconded Member Meredith to approve the replat of Lot 2F, Block 123, Athens Original Town. The motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER REPLAT OF LOT 1-A, BLOCK 120 ATHENS ORIGINAL TOWN AND LOTS 1, 2, AND PART OF 3, CRESTWAY ADDITION, OWNED BY ST. EDWARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH, REVEREND JOSEPH STRICKLAND ( 904 E. TYLER)
Gary Crecelius Director of Planning & Development, explained that this is a reconfiguration of four (4) lots into one (1) lot. A motion was made by Member Kalawe, seconded Member Smith to approve the replat of Lot 1-A, Block 120 Athens Original Town and Lots 1, 2, and Part of 3,
PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING CREATING SITE PLAN OF ST.
EDWARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH LOT 1, OWNED BY REVEREND JOSEPH STRICKLAND ( 904 E. TYLER)
Gary Crecelius Director of Planning & Development, explained that the property is currently zoned Planned Development 1-Retail. This is creating a site plan of the facility. He stated that fourteen (14) surrounding property owners were notified and no written responses were received. Father Pancreas explained funds will be raised for four (4) years and construction will not begin until funds are raised. He explained services have grown from 251 families to 750 families. Chip Perryman, expressed he has lived in the area for 23 years. He stated he and Mrs. Perryman are highly in favor of the site plan for St. Edwards Catholic Church..
Donna Pugh, asked if there were any plans to provide a fence when the greenery comes down. Architect, Stan Love, explained construction does provide for a privacy fence, and lighting. Ann Perryman, expressed concern for down lighting. She explained it would be very important, as well as tall vegetation.
After discussion, a motion was made by Member Meredith seconded by Member Chock to close the public hearing. The motion carried unanimously.
CONSIDER CREATION OF SITE PLAN OF ST. EDWARDS CATHOLIC CHURCH LOT 1, OWNED BY REVEREND JOSEPH STRICKLAND ( 904 E. TYLER)
A motion was made by Member Kalawe, seconded by Member Smith to approve the creation of a site plan of St. Edwards Catholic Church Lot. 1. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING AMENDING TEXT OF ZONING ORDINANCE, NO. O-12-01
Gary Crecelius Director of Planning & Development, explained the Zoning Ordinance is
amending the Text of the current Zoning Ordinance to prohibit Commercial Fertilizer Storage or Manufacturing Facilities used to produce, transfer, store or offer for sale Bulk Ammonium Nitrate, Bulk Ammonium Nitrate Material and/or Anhydrous Ammonia in any Zoning District in the City. A motion was made by Member Smith, seconded by Member Chock to close the public hearing. The motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER AMENDING TEXT OF ZONING ORDINANCE, NO. O-12-01
A motion was made by Member Meredith, seconded by Member Kalawe to amend the text of the current Zoning Ordinance No. O-12-01 to prohibit Commercial Fertilizer Storage or
Manufacturing Facilities used to produce, transfer, store or offer for sale Bulk Ammonium Nitrate, Bulk Ammonium Nitrate Material and/or Anhydrous Ammonia in any Zoning District in the City.
The motion carried unanimously. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned.
PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 20th DAY OF JANUARY, 2015.
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Chris Tinsley, Chairman ATTEST:
______________________________ Bonnie Hambrick City Secretary
