CITY OF LAREDO

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

M2000-R-32

PLANNING AND ZONING AGENDA

CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1110 HOUSTON STREET

LAREDO, TEXAS 78040

NOVEMBER 27, 2000

5:30 P.M.

 

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER

 

            With a quorum present Mayor Elizabeth G.  Flores called the meeting to order.

 

II.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

            Mayor Elizabeth G.  Flores led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

III.       ROLL CALL

 

            In attendance:

            Elizabeth G.  Flores,                                                                 Mayor

            Louis H.  Bruni,                                                                        Council Member, District II

            John C.  Galo,                                                                          Council Member, District III

            Johnny Amaya,                                                                         Council Member, District IV

            Eliseo Valdez, Jr.,                                                                     Council Member, District V

            Joe A. Guerra,                                                                          Mayor Pro Tempore, District VI

            Jose A.  Valdez, Jr.,                                                                 Council Member, District VII

            Juan Ramirez,                                                                           Council Member, District VIII

            Gustavo Guevara, Jr.,                                                               City Secretary

            Larry Dovalina,                                                                         City Manager

            Cynthia Collazo,                                                                       Assistant City Manager

            Jerry Bruce Cain,                                                                      Assistant City Attorney

                       

            Motion to excuse Cm.  Agredano.

 

            Moved:  Cm.  Galo

            Second:  Cm.  E.  Valdez

            For:    7                                                Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

IV.       MINUTES

 

            None.   p

 

 

 

V.        COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

           

Announcements

 

              Mayor Flores publicly announced the projects summary for FY00 from the Engineering Department as follows:

 

212 projects are presently under construction resulting in $128 million incurred for projects   

that have been constructed or are under construction

1,167 blocks were paved for a total of 66 miles

647 blocks of sidewalks were completed for a total of 40 miles

703,800 linear feet of curb and gutter were placed for a total of 133 miles

68,034 tons of asphalt were placed for a total of 2,720 truck loads

52,020 of cubic yards of concrete were used for a total of 5,780 truck loads

133 letters of credit were checked totaling $30 million for construction projects 

$43 million in private development has been initiated

1,968 acres were developed as subdivisions

2,574 lots were developed for construction

150,974 feet of sanitary sewer lines were placed for a total of 28 miles

120,632 feet of water main lines placed for a total of 22 miles

66,205 linear feet of storm sewer lines placed for a total of 12 miles

2,182 street cut permits were issued for a total of  102,000

166 subdivisions constructed

           

Mayor Flores announced that Mr. Frank Leach, former director of the Laredo Development Foundation, passed away this morning and requested a moment of silence in his memory.

                       

            Cm. Bruni submitted a Rain Enhancement Report from the Southwest Texas Rain Enhancement Association for seeding flight activity for October, 2000, along with minutes of the October 10, 2000 SWTREA Board meeting.  He mentioned that the association has suspended the project for the rest of this year being that November, December, and January have only one seedable rain event.  They will resume the program on February 1, 2001.  A detailed report is available at the City Secretary’s Office for public review.

 

            Cm. Amaya publicly thanked the businesses that contributed to his first Annual

Turkey Give-Away to benefit the low income families and senior citizens of District IV.

            He also thanked the Laredo Housing Authority Director Abraham Rodriguez, Jr. and Administrative Assistant Mrs. Romy Dovalina for their assistance in facilitating this event.  He further thanked the volunteers Aurora Rendon, Manuel Reyna, Francisco Llanes, Gilberto Mancha, Rogelio Rodriguez, Pete Ramirez, and Lily Perez for their assistance.

 

            Cm. Jose A. Valdez, Jr. thanked Mrs. Gloria Sanchez Webber of Hamilton Trophies for inviting him to be the starter at this year’s Guajolote 10K Run.  He also thanked the Parks & Recreation Department director and staff for their assistance in coordinating the Recreation Center Thanksgiving holiday feast.

           

 

Invitations

 

Mayor Flores invited the public to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony scheduled for Friday, December 1, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. at the Laredo Center for the Arts.  She mentioned that there would be entertainment for the whole family. 

           

Recognitions

 

a.  Recognizing "The Best Little Blood Drive on the Border." The City of Laredo and Webb

County came together to donate 315 pints of blood.  These donations have the ability to help as many as 1260 people as per the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.  The winner of this year's blood drive is the City of Laredo with 184 pints of blood. Webb County donated 131 pints of blood. There were a total of 42 people who registered to become bone marrow donors. Congratulations City of Laredo and Webb County.

 

                  Dan Migura, Administrative Services Department Director, provided some statistics.  He stated that this is a joint initiative of Webb County and the City of Laredo and, in combination, are one of the top contributors in the area as a result of this event.  The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center was able to collect 315 pints of blood between the county and the city.  The City gained a four percent rise over last year’s contribution.  The number of bone marrow donors also increased from 112 to 154 donors for this year.  He mentioned that the Center expects to assist approximately 1,260 people with these contributions.

 

Communiqués

 

Ron Whitehawk, speaking on behalf of the Hotel Operations Company, Inc., read a letter on an appeal from a denial of a zoning designation on a 13.6-acre tract. 

 

Dear Council Member Guerra:

 

On behalf of Hotel Operations Company, Inc., I would strongly protest the Planning Department Director not placing the above-referenced appeal before the City Council at tonight’s City Council meeting.  This case was heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission on November 2, 2000, and recommended for denial by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  An appeal letter to the City Council was received by the Planning and Zoning Department on November 7, 2000.  Said appeal letter should automatically have qualified our right to be heard this evening.  Instead, the Planning and Zoning Department tried to reach me last Wednesday afternoon after having had the appeal letter for 14 days to advise me that the rezoning case would not be heard as per the schedule laid out in the appeal letter itself. 

 

Planning and Zoning Department personnel advised me this morning that the Planning and Zoning Department Director decided to not place this zoning appeal before the City Council since it represented a substantial change from the original rezoning application.  It does not seem to matter that the substantial change is going from 13.5 acres to a 4-acre rezoning change.  To my knowledge, in the past a reduction in area or a reduction in zoning intensity was allowed to be presented to the City Council upon appeal and decided by the City Council.  I strongly object to the Planning and Zoning Department Director taking it upon himself to not place this before the City Council in a timely manner.  If he had reasons to object to the reduction in rezone area, he could have and should have presented them to the City Council at tonight’s meeting and allowed the City Council to decide upon the appropriate course of action.  A real estate closing was originally scheduled for mid-December and the possible construction of a hospital is pending the City Council’s decision.  There are good and practical reasons to protest the Planning and Zoning Department Director’s decision and action in this matter.  On behalf of Hotel Operations Company, Inc., I would like to ask you and the City Council to instruct the Planning and Zoning Department Director to perform his ministerial duty and place the applicant’s appeal before the City Council at your meeting of December 4, 2000, so that said appeal can be heard by the proper governing legal authority. 

 

            VI.       APPOINTMENTS TO COMMISSION, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

 

a.  Appointment by Council Member John C. Galo of Victor Sauceda and Ricardo Hinojosa,

     Jr. to the Redistricting Committee.

 

     Motion to approve.

 

     Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

     Second:  Cm.  Amaya

     For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

           

VII.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

      

1.  Public hearing concerning an application by Lauro and Olga Villareal amending the

Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 4 and the W1/2 of Lot 5, Block 1394, Eastern Division, located at 2417 Kearney St., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of the proposed zone change.  This is an appeal from an unfavorable recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 4 and the

W1/2 of Lot 5, Block 1394, Eastern Division, located at 2417 Kearney St., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to R-2 (Multi-Family Residential District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:       7                                        Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Keith Selman, Planning and Zoning Director, stated that this item came before the City Council on September 25, 2000, for consideration of an R-3 designation.  At that time, the applicant discussed the notion of attaching the unit as a duplex which would, therefore, convert it to an R-2 designation.  The City Council, at that time, requested for this item to go back before the Planning and Zoning Commission for its recommendation on the R-2 application.

 

Mrs. Olga Villarreal, petitioner, requested an R-2 zoning designation for construction of a dwelling adjacent to the existing property. 

 

Motion to close the public hearing, override Planning and Zoning, and approve the zone change and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  E.  Valdez

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Bruni

 

2.  Public hearing concerning an application by Lewis and Elaine Calk, amending the

Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 110.003 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located east of Ejido Ave. and north of Eistetter Rd.  (Wormser Rd.), from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 110.003 acres,

as further described by metes and bounds, located east of Ejido Ave. and north of Eistetter Rd.  (Wormser Rd.), from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to R-1A (Single Family Reduced Area District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change; providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

 

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:      7                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  E.  Valdez

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

3.  Public hearing concerning an application by Killam Oil Company amending the Zoning

Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 56.4870 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located on the northwest corner of Bob Bullock Lp. and Clark Blvd., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 56.4870 acres,

as further described by metes and bounds, located on the northwest corner of Bob Bullock Lp. and Clark Blvd., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-3 (Community Business District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  E.  Valdez

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Bruni

 

 

 

4.  Public hearing concerning an application by B. B. Loop - 20 Property, Ltd. amending the

Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 28.916 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located east of Bob Bullock Lp. and north of Maria Luisa Dr., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-4 (Highway Commerical District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 28.916 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located east of Bob Bullock Lp. and north of Maria Luisa Dr., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Bruni

For:      7                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Richard Haynes, developer, requested approval of the zoning designation change.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Bruni

 

5.  Public hearing concerning an application by B. B. Loop - 20 Property, Ltd. amending the

Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 8.084 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located west of Bob Bullock Lp. and north of Maria Luisa Dr., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Commercial District).  This item was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission as a 31.931 acre tract, from R-1 to B-4.  The Commission recommended approval of a B-1 zone on this 8.084 acre tract.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

 Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 8.084 acres, 

 as further described by metes and bounds, located west of Bob Bullock Lp. and north of

 Maria Luisa Dr., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-1 (Limited      Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Bruni

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Bruni

 

6.  Public hearing concerning an application by B. B. Loop - 20 Property Ltd. amending the

Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 23.847 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located west of Bob Bullock Lp. and north of Maria Luisa Dr., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District).  This item was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission as a 31.931 acre tract, from R-1 to B-4.  The Commission recommended approval of a B-4 zone on this 23.847 acre tract.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 23.847 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located west of Bob Bullock Lp. and north of Maria Luisa Dr., from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Motion to close the public hearing, concur with Planning and Zoning with a B-4 zoning designation on Lot Number Six (6), and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Bruni

 

7.  Public hearing concerning an application by Lakeside Subdivision, L.L.C., amending the

Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 73.0759 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located east of Bob Bullock Lp. and south of Lakeview Blvd., from AG (Agricultural District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 73.0759 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located east of Bob Bullock Lp. and south of Lakeview Blvd., from AG (Agricultural District) to R-1 (Single Family Residential District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Bruni

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

There was no public input.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:      7                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Bruni

 

8.  Public hearing concerning an application by the Webb County Correctional Center

Public Facility Corp. amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1, Block 1, Webb County Detention Center Plat, located north of the City of Rio Bravo and west of South Highway 83, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of the proposed zone change and recommended approval of a Conditional Use Permit.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 1, Block 1, Webb County Detention Center Plat, located north of the City of Rio Bravo and west of S. Hwy. 83, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to M-1 (Light Manufacturing District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Amaya

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Alfonso Garza and John Salazar representing WSBC Civil Engineers inquired as to the restrictions imposed on the site.

 

Keith Selman, Planning and Zoning Department Director, reported as follows:

 

1)    the conditional use permit shall be limited to the correctional facility only;

2)    the conditional use permit shall be issued to the Webb County Correctional Center

       Facility Corporation; and

3)    the conditional use permit shall not be transferable.

 

Motion to close the public hearing approving a conditional use permit for the proposed use and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Bruni

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  City Council

 

9.  Public hearing concerning an application by John S. Jacaman Cattle Company, Ltd.

amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 22.84 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located east of Sinatra Parkway and west of Bob Bullock Lp., from M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) and R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed zone change.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning 22.84 acres, as further described by metes and bounds, located east of Sinatra Parkway and west of Bob Bullock Lp., from M-1 (Light Manufacturing District) and R-1 (Single Family Residential District) to B-4 (Highway Commercial District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  Galo

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ron Whitehawk, representing Sherfey Engineering, recommended approval on the proposed zoning designation for commercial use (multi-purpose area).

 

Cm. Bruni inquired whether the City of Laredo has received a commitment from the Jacaman family to secure the necessary right-of-way to increase the width of the street.

 

Larry Dovalina, City Manager, mentioned that the City of Laredo has received approval on all of the tract of land, with the exception of the one piece of property that was sold, from the owner.  He is anticipating getting the other owner’s approval on that particular tract which will secure the additional footage needed by the city.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm. Galo

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Bruni

 

          10.  Public hearing concerning an application by Enedina Carmona amending the Zoning

     Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 5, Block 1693, Eastern Division,

     located at 2820 Clark Blvd., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited

     Business District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial of the

     proposed zone change.  This is an appeal from an unfavorable recommendation by the

     Planning and Zoning Commission.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by rezoning Lot 5, Block 1693, Eastern Division, located at 2820 Clark Blvd., from R-3 (Mixed Residential District) to B-1 (Limited Business District); providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Bruni

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Keith Selman, Planning and Zoning Department Director, reported that there is an update to the communication.  There is a petition with 42 signatures in favor of the proposed zone change.  His department checked the petition against the mail-out notices and there were 8 individuals in that petition that were within the 200-foot mail-out.

 

Enedina Carmona, petitioner, requested the zone change approval in order to set up a day care facility.

 

Diana Carmona spoke in favor of the zone change request. 

 

Denisha Rodriguez spoke in support of the zone change request.

 

Eloy Rodriguez, owner of the property, requested approval of the zone change designation.  He stated that he favors the regulations imposed on facilities to provide qualified child care in the community.  His wife, who is a speech therapist, will be providing this type of service at the facility once it opens.

 

Laura Vaughn requested approval of the zoning designation change. 

 

Motion to close the public hearing and introduce as a conditional use permit specifically for use as a child day care facility.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Bruni

Second:  Cm.  E.  Valdez

For:     7                                         Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Ordinance Introduction:  Cm.  Bruni

 

          11.  Public hearing concerning an application by Fernando Sada Quiroz amending the Zoning

     Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Special Use      

     Permit for mini-storage warehouses on Lots 7, 8, 9, and 10, Block 431, Eastern Division,

     located at 202 W. Saunders St.  The current zoning for this site is B-3 (Community

     Business District).  The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the

     proposed Special Use Permit.

 

INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE

Amending the Zoning Ordinance (Map) of the City of Laredo by authorizing the issuance of a Special Use Permit for mini-storage warehouses on Lots 7, 8, 9, and 10, Block 431, Eastern Division, located at 202 W. Saunders St.; providing for publication and effective date.

 

Motion to open the public hearing.

 

Moved:  Cm.  Galo

Second:  Cm.  Bruni

For:     7                                          Against:  0                                            Abstain:  0

 

Jesus Romero, of J. Romero Construction, was in agreement to secure a special use permit from City Council.

 

Motion to close the public hearing and approve as a Special Use Permit.