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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1490-ZIFIGI P IF$ DATE: January 19, 2000 TO: Plamling Commission and City Council FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager SUBJECT: Request for a zone change from RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) to A-R (Agricultural -Residential) District for a 9.802 acre tract located at 9955 Old Sloth Road, FILE: 149O-Z STAFF REPORT The Planning Manager recommends approval of the zone change request. Mr. and Mrs. Mullenax own a tract of land that is 241'wide at Old Voth Road and extends west for over 1800,'to the bank of the LNVA fresh water canal. Presently the tract is wooded and partially cleared with the Mullenax residence situated in front. They wish to start a Christmas tree faun. and grow and sell berries in the off season. The growing of Christmas trees is in the SIC Code under forestry - timber tracts and blueberry and blackberry growing is under agricultural production - crops. Tile applicants will continue to reside on the property. The Borley Heights subdivision is to the north of the subject tract. The subdivision was developed in 1955 and was brought into the city limits in 1957, South of the Mullenax 10 acre tract are other large acreage tracts and the 200'wide GSU Company power line right-of- way and pipeline rights -of -way. Subdividing the 236' x 1830' tract (average dimensions) for residential -uses is unlikely. Other than passive agricultural uses such as growing trees and berries, other large-scale agricultural land uses would not seem applicable or practical considering the present day economy and the agri-business techniques and marketing strategies of today. In addition, other regulations govern the keeping of animals within the city limits. Little subdivision development has occurred in this area in many years. Exhibits are attached. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices mailed to property owners 29 Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Tax Tract No. 66, Plat RS-4, W. B. Dyches Survey, Ab-17, Beaumont, Jefferson County,, Texas, containing 9.802 acres, more or less. To whom it may concern, We would life to get our property re -zoned to an agricultural/residential status in order to produce agricultural crops. Our crops would include Christmas trees and berries. The types of Christmas trees grown may include Virginia Pine, Deodar Cedar, and Pinus Pinea. The berries may include Blueberries and Blackberries. Christmas trees take an average of 4 - 7 years to mature so we will have our crops planted in succession in order to have mature trees in each of the following years. Some type of ground cover will be planted for weed control and to avoid bare soil) exposure. Christmas tree farms are an extremely friendly farm crop, both to our environment and to people and animals. A broad network of roots holds the soil, and a continuous ground cover prevents surface erosion by water and wind'. As a long term crop, trees allow a natural buildup of bird and animal populations. Tree farms provide stable refuge and feeding areas for wildlife, song birds, quail, doves, squirrels, cardinals, deer and rabbits, to name a few. Some farms allow visits at different times of the year. Their accessability and the quiet, park like surroundings make these farms very pleasing to people. Like all plants, the conifers grown for eventual harvest as Christmas trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow and produce oxygen as a byproduct. One acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen for 1, 8 people. 'Without this process of photosynthesis, life could not exist on earth. Thank you, Don Mullenax Donna Mullenax Request for a zone change from RS (Residential Single Family NORTH Dwelling) to A-R (Agricultural - Residential) to develop property for a tree and berry farm. A Location: 9955 Old Voth Road SCALE Applicant: Don and Donna Mullenax N.T.S. o Qx ff a z "Z so 40 It j®r 10 NON 7l M* w to n MIg 0 0 0 4 a $Go rs SCOTrS DR. LLI z -.0 so, 62 Mt is 0 C 61 rot z HURLEY DR. l r �� AS .Satt a, !sag 3t It f � f � `,l fn rr l�a R� a '� r r / r r s 4 l l � r �' r to INS FM—IIEWW1 M t GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBUC UTILITIES APPLICANT: Don and Dornia Mulleriax PROPERTY OWNER: Don and Dorma Mullenax LOCATION: 9955 Old Voth Road LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Tax Tract 66, Plat RS-4, W. B. Dyches Survey, Ala-1 7, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas. EXISTING ZONING: PROPERTY SIZE: FLOOD HAZARD ZONE: EXISTING LAND USES: SURROUNDING LAND USES: NORTH: Residential (Borley Heights) EAST: Old Voth Road, woods, Eastex Frwy. SOUTH: Residence on large tract (9 acres), gas pipelines, GSU 200'right-of-way WEST: LNVA Canal, wooded tracts COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES: STREETS: WATER: RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) 9.802 acres "C" - (Minimal Hazards) Single family residence SURROUNDING ZONING:. RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District RS RS A-R (Agricultural -Residential) Neighborhood Growth Unit Tract is approximately 236'x 1830'. Old Voth Road - A collector street with a 60' wide right-of-way and an 18' pavement. Bordages Lane - a residential street in the Borley Heights Addition, terminates along a north property line of the applicant's tract. Open ditches along roadside, 16" line in the road right-of-way. GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES continued SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: 10" in the road right-of-way. FIRE PROTECTION: Fire protection is provided by Station #14, 8250 Old Voth Road at Chinn Lane., ADEQUACY OF SERVICE: Existing services are adequate.