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Home My WebLink About1672-PDATE: June 16,2003 TO: Planning Commission and City Council FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager UIN SUBJECT: Consider a request for a specific use permit to allow the construction of fraternity and sorority houses in an RCR (Residential Conservation and Revitalization) District FILE: 1672-P 6*110 01 V 13 The Planning Manager recommends approval o f th i s request subject ect to the submittal o f deta i I ed drainage plans approved by the City. Lamar University is proposing to lease land to various fraternity and sorority organizations so that these organizations can build residential facilities for their members. These facilities will have accommodations for full time occupancy including bedrooms and cooking facilities. The proposed plans call for ten different houses and related parking. Each organization will be responsible for building its house but will be subject to review by the University. Ownership of the building will remain with the fraternity or sorority. Any fraternity or sorority wishing to provide housing for their members will enter into a ground lease with the University. Each fraternity and sorority will be required to meet city requirements when submitting specific building plans. The only signage involved with these facilities would be attached to the building identifying the fraternity or sorority. Exhibits are attached. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices mailed to property owners 28 Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Being Lots 17-20, Block 6, Lots 2-10 and Lots 15-19, Block 9 and Lots 1-12, Block 24, Lamar Addition, City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, containing 4.47 acres, more or less, --a W!lw K, M, IS 00, 1 BEAUMONT, TEXAS SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR LAMAR UNIVERSITY APPLICATIO] Lamar University is requesting that a special use permit be granted for the following lots and blocks in the Lamar Addition. Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Block 24 Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Block 9 Lots 17, 18, 19, 20. Block 6 These lots total 3.44 acres of land. Lamar University is requesting this specific use permit for the purpose of leasing land to fraternities and sororities to construct residential facilities for their members. These facilities will have accommodations for full time occupancy including bedrooms and cooking facilities. Ownership of the building will be with the fraternity or sorority. Any fraternity or sorority wishing to provide housing for their members will enter into a ground lease with the university. That ground lease will contain specific conditions that must be met. Included in the conditions will be the requirement that any plans and specifications for the facility design will be subject to review by the university. The construction of these facilities will also be subject o the requirements of the City of Beaumont building codes, permitting processes and inspections. Plans will be developed and sealed by a licensed architect. Each proposed facility will be subject to the requirements of the Planning Commission and the City Council. All plans will include the boundaries of their lease, its location on that land, the number of stories, height, roof line, gross square footage, and location of all entrances and exits. Plans will also include walks, drives, trash locations, wall or fence heights, and landscape plans. The only signs involved in these facilities would be attached to the building identifying the fraternity or sorority. The drainage for that area consists of drainage ditches. Each facility will be connected to the municipal water and sewer system. Electricity will be provided by Entergy. Natural gas will be through the Entex division of Reliant Energy. j,1 whl- Ir 1115111.,40,0000 ro "I ma 11,111, Nil 11 19.,14,010 ................. ----------------- - ---------- .... .............. ------------ Ambrose, McEnany and House, Architects South SheDherd Suite 1014 - Houston, Texas 77019 9j FAI 9 m RTM CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF SPECIFIC USE PERMIT (SECTION 30-26.E, ZONING ORDINANCE Application Application is in is not in Comments; Compliance Compliance Attached CONDITIONS: 1. That the specific use will be compatible with and not injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property, nor significantly diminish or impair property values within the immediate vicinity; x x 2. That the establishment of the specific use will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding vacant property; x 3. That adequate utilities, access roads, drainage and other necessary supporting facilities have been or will be provided; x x 4. The design, location and arrangement of all driveways and parking spaces provides for the safe and convenient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic without adversely affecting the general public or adjacent developments; x 5. That adequate nuisance prevention measures have been or will be taken to prevent or control offensive odor, flames, dust, noise and vibration; x 6. That directional lighting will be provided so as not to disturb or adversely affect neighboring properties; x 7. That there are sufficient landscaping and screening to insure harmony and compatibility with adjacent property; and x x 8. That the proposed use is in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, x x ANALYSIS continued This application is in conformance with seven of the eight conditions necessary for approval. Comments on Conditions 1, 3, 7 and 8 follow: I The immediate area around the subject property has been in decline for many years. New investment, under guidelines set by Lamar University, should improve the area immensely. Hopefully, an increase in housing will encourage other development that caters to the new residents in the area. 3. The City Engineer is approving the specific use permit subject to the submittal of detailed drainage plans approved by the City. 7, Landscaping, as well as other improvements, will meet all city code requirements. 8. The South Park Neighborhood Plan designates this area as a redevelopment area. The City recently rezoned this area to RCR to allow for a mix of uses. The proposed use will compliment and encourage other development in the area, �M Fill'! ii i ll'iil lijc 1� I 4911910MIR APPLICANT: PROPERTY OWNER: LOCATION: EXISTING ZONING: PROPERTY SIZE: EXISTING LAND USES: FLOOD HAZARD ZONE: SURROUNDING LAND USES: NORTH: Vacant, Single Family, Apartments EAST: Apartments SOUTH: Single Family, Church WEST: University, Single Family Lamar University Lamar University 1000 blocks of Iowa and Georgia RCR (Residential Revitalization) District 3,44 acres, more or less Vacant Conservation and "X" - Areas determined to be outside 500-year floodplain SURROUNDING ZONING: RCR (Residential Conservation and Revitalization) District RCR RCR RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) District GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES continued COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Redevelopment Area OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES: None STREETS: Georgia Avenue - local street with a 60' wide right-of-way and 18' pavement width; Iowa Avenue - local street with a 60' wide right-of- way and 22'pavement width; Rolfe Christopher Street - major collector with a I 00'right-of-way and 24'pavement width; Cochran Street - local street with a 60' wide right-of-way and 18' pavement width DRAINAGE: Open ditch drainage WATER: Georgia - 6" water line Iowa - 12" water line Rolfe Christopher - 8" water line SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: FIRE PROTECTION: ADEQUACY OF SERVICE: Georgia - 6" sanitary sewer line Iowa - 6" sanitary sewer line Rolfe Christopher - 15" sanitary sewer line Cochran - 6" sanitary sewer line Fire protection is provided by Station #3, 805 Woodrow. Services are adequate.