Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2089-ZP DATE: June 20, 2011 TO: Planning Commission and City Council FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager SUBJECT: Consider a request for a zone change from RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District to RM-M (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling-Medium Density) District or more restrictive district and a specific use permit to allow an adult day care in an RM-M (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling-Medium Density) District FILE: 2089-Z/P STAFF REPORT The Planning Manager recommends denial of the zone change and specific use permit based upon the fact the he believes that the zone change constitutes spot zoning. Melody Peters has applied for a zone change from RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District to RM-M (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling-Medium Density) or more restrictive district and a specific use permit to allow an adult day care in an RM-M (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling-Medium Density) District. The property is located at 1635 W. Highland Drive. Ms. Peters states that the day care would target individuals 55 and older. The facility would initially operate 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and some Saturdays. Depending upon demand, the hours of operation may expand. Activities would include social and recreational activities, health maintenance, transportation, meals, occasional weekly dining out, swimming pool activities and trips to museums and performances. The subject property is zoned RS. An adult day care is not permitted in the RS District so a zone change is needed. This zone change request could constitute spot zoning. In evaluating whether a zone change is spot zoning, there are several issues or questions that need to be addressed. Spot zoning connotes an unacceptable zone change that singles out a single tract for treatment that differs from that accorded similar surrounding land without proof of changes and conditions. When faced with such a situation, the following issues must be resolved to determine whether a spot zoning situation exists: 1. The law demands that the approved zoning plan should be respected and not altered for the special benefit of the landowner when the change will cause substantial detriment to the surrounding land or serve no substantial public purpose. Would the zone change be in compliance with the adopted comprehensive plan? ANSWER: The entire area surrounding the subject property is zoned RS. The rezoning of this property would be of special benefit to the landowner in that she cannot operate her adult day care without the rezoning. The zone change request is not in compliance with the comprehensive plan. The Development Strategies Diagram designates this area as A Stable @. Stable areas are defined as built up areas which are generally characterized by good to excellent structural conditions and neighborhoods that are free form blighting influences such as incompatible land uses, dilapidated and derelict buildings and a deteriorated or poor public infrastructure. Vacant parcels which may exist are good to excellent development sites. Rezoning this property would allow for the potential of higher densities and the introduction of land uses that are incompatible with single family residential. 2. Will this change adversely impact the surrounding properties? The nature and degree of an adverse impact upon neighboring lands is important. Lots that are rezoned in a way that is substantially inconsistent with the zoning of the surrounding area, whether more or less restrictive, are likely to be invalid. ANSWER: This rezoning would allow development at a higher density than what is permitted on surrounding lands. The maximum density in an RS District is 8 units per acre. The RM-M District would allow a maximum density of 17 units per acre. The surrounding area is developed in large lots. In addition, the RM-M District permits, either by right or with a specific use permit, rooming and boarding houses and social services, including residential care facilities and halfway houses for offenders and delinquents. None of these uses are permitted in the RS District. Some of these uses could have detrimental effects on surrounding properties. 3. Is the tract of land suitable or unsuitable for use as presently zoned? This is a factor. The size, shape and location of a tract of land or lot may render it unusable or even confiscatory as zoned. ANSWER: The property is currently used as a single family residence. The surrounding lots are developed as single family as well. The subject property is suitable for single family uses. 4. Does the proposed zone change bear a substantial relationship to the public health, safety, morals or general welfare or protect and preserve historical and cultural places and areas. The amendatory ordinance must bear a substantial relationship to the aforementioned considerations. ANSWER: The proposed zone change does not bear a substantial relationship to the public health, safety, morals or general welfare or protect and preserve historical and cultural places and areas. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices mailed to property owners 20 . Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition . LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Being Lot 1-F, Block 15, Annie T. Warren Addition, City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, containing 0.306 acres, more or less. GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES APPLICANT: Melody Peters PROPERTY OWNER: Same LOCATION: 1635 W. Highland EXISTING ZONING: RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District PROPERTY SIZE: 0.306 acres, more or less EXISTING LAND USES: Single Family Residential FLOOD HAZARD ZONE: A X @ - Areas determined to be outside 500-year floodplain SURROUNDING LAND USES: SURROUNDING ZONING: NORTH: Residential, vacant RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District EAST: Residential RS SOUTH: Vacant RS WEST: Residential RS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Stable Area STREETS: W. Highland Drive - Local street with a 45' wide right-of-way and an 18' pavement width DRAINAGE: Open ditch WATER: 6" water line SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: 8" sanitary sewer line PROPERTY OWNERS BALL CAROLYN S BENNETT MELODY BOARD DEMETRA A CARTER CECILIA CLARK DONOVAN CLARKE KENNETH J COLLINS OGDEN CORMIER FREDA L GRAY BETTY JEAN HARRISON DWIGHT LEGATO J P ESTATE MANSFIELD WALTER P MARTIN RAYMOND L PUMPHREY GREGORY A SR RICHARD JOYCE & RHONDA BROWN THOMAS GEORGE THOMAS GEORGE JR