HomeMy WebLinkAbout1483-PDATE: November 15, 1999
TO: Planning Commission and City Council
FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Request for a specific use permit in a GC -MD (General Conimercial-Multiple Family
Dwelling) District to allow a wholesale trade non -durable goods (water) business at
850 McFaddin Avenue.
FILE: 1483-P
STAFF REPORT
The Planning Manager recommends approval of the specific use pen -nit. The request is in
compliance with the eight conditions necessary for approval of the permit.
Mr. Henry Strait, owner and operator of the Southeast Texas Water Company and the
Culligan Water Conditioning Company, is the applicant. He sells treated water and installs
home water systems. His company began operations in Beaumont in 1956and has expanded
twice. The company also serves area businesses, hospitals, labs, hotels and restaurants.
Presently, there are 18 full time employees with additional hires during periods of peak
demand. They are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mr. Strait has a contract to purchase the 2.266 acre site from the Parkview Baptist Church
of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The property and buildings have been vacant and unused for
some time. A previous tenant operated an auto auction barn.
Exhibits are attached.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Notices mailed to property owners 23
Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition
LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES
Lots 1-5, Block 6, Blocks 2 and 3, Tract 1, Y2 of adjacent alley, Fuller and 1".eith Addition,
City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, containing 2.266 acres, more or less.
0 0
October 8, 1999 0
City of Beaumont
Planning Commission and City Council
City Hall
801 Main Street
Beaumont, Texas 77701
Rt: Specific Use Permit Application for 633-B Willow Street, Beaumont, Texas
Gentlemen,
ts-o wFa'ww'n A"'P'
W! so
Thank you for your attention to this matter,. This letter will give you a little background on our
company and describe the processes and activities involved with the proposed use of the property
listed above.
My company, Southeast Texas Water Conditioning, Inc,, better known to some as Culligan
Water Conditioning Company has been a part of Southeast Texas since 1956. My dad bought
the business in 1968. At that time we were located on Major Drive in Amelia. By 1975, we had
outgrown that location and moved to our present location at 1280 Bowie Street. Over the past 24
years we have again outgrown our facility.
Since 1956 we have provided solutions for individual homeowners with problems such as
hardness, iron and sulfur in their well water. We also provide many businesses such as
restaurants, laundries, hotels and car washes with high quality water for their patrons.
Nearly every hospital in Southeast Texas uses our services to improve their water for everything
from washing laundry and cleaning surgical instruments to laboratory analysis, respiratory
therapy and hemodialysis. Labs use our high purity water for analysis and mixing reagents, and
local chemical plants use our high quality water for boiler feed, process water and pretreatment
for their co-gen process.
0 In the past 15 years, the demand for bottled water has increased dramatically, and our business
has grown significantly in this direction. 0
We are an active member of the Southeast Texas community, We are charter members of the
0 Better Business Bureau, and have been members of the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce since 0
1961. We were honored this year to be named a finalist for the BBB Torch Award for Market
Place Ethics, We are active in civic matters as well, supporting Lamar University and the Three
(Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, among many other worthwhile causes. 0
OuUrocesses include regeneration plants for our water softeners, filters and deionizers, as WAII
0 as, our 5-gallon bottling plant. Our regeneration plants are monitored and comply with all CiOf
0 0 0
P. 0. Box 7068, Beaumont, Texas 77726-7068 * (409) 838-6261 - FAX (409) 838-6263
0 a 0 0 0
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Beaumont ordinances, Our new facility will also house our offices, warehouse and service
center.
We have 3 route trucks that make daily deliveries to homes and businesses, and four service
trucks that our service technicians use to make repairs, deliveries, service calls and new
installations. We employ 18 full time personnel year round, with an additional 2-3 part-time
personnel during our peak season (summer). We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00
AM to 5: 00 PM,
Our operations will be compatible and will not conflict with our neighbors. The subject property
has been vacant for several years and has been a growing concern to our neighbors as a haven
and hang out for transients. There has been evidence of ongoing prostitution and drug use at the
building. Earlier this year, the transients started a fire and burned down one of the buildings on
the property. We are good neighbors, and I truly feet that surrounding property values will be
increased by the improvements that we will make.
The property has, adequate utilities, drainage and access. There are two driveways to the
property - one from North Street and one from McFaddin Street. We will provide parking spaces
that will allow for safe and convenient movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic without
adversely affecting the general public or our neighbors.
Because bottled water is a food product, our plant is subject to unannounced inspections by the
Texas State Health Department, Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the bottled
water industry's National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). For, the past three years we have earned
the International Bottled Water Association's prestigious "Excellence in Manufacturing" award,
We take the utmost care to ensure that our facility is free of trash, litter, weeds, dust, odors and
vermin. Our facility will be "squeaky -clean" and presentable at all times.
We will have perimeter lighting to ensure our security, which in turn helps our neighbors. Our
property is 100% concrete, and as such, does not readily allow for landscaping. At this time, our
plans are to use the property solely for our water treatment and water delivery business and no
other use.
Again, thank you for your attention and consideration. It has been a pleasure for my family to do
business in Beaumont for the past 31 years and we look forward to many more years of serving
the needs of the good folks of Southeast Texas. We feel fortunate to be part of this great
community. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.
Respectfully submitted,
Henry Strait
President, Southeast Texas Water
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ANALYSIS
CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF, SPECIFIC USE PERMIT
(SECTION 30-26.E, ZONING ORDINANCE
Application Application
is in is not in colunklis
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
4. The design, location and arrangement
of all driveways and parking spaces
provides for the safe and convenient
movenient 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,
fumes, 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
8. That the proposed use is in accordance
with the Comprehensive Plan,
x
ANALYSIS continued
This application complies with the eight conditions necessary for approval. Conurients on
condition I follow:
1. This wholesale business with 18 full time employees will be very compatible with
other properties in this area. It will improve the property values in the immediate
vicinity. The existing 50'x 240'building has been long vacant.
GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES
APPLICANT:
PROPERTY OWNER:
STATUS OF APPLICANT:
LOCATION:
EXISTING ZONING:
PROPERTY SIZE:
EXISTING LAND USES:
FLOOD HAZARD ZONE:
SURROUNDING LAND USES:
NORTH: Bridge Club, Red Cross, residence
EAST: Parking lot, St. Mark's Resale Shop
SOUTH: YMCA (rear), auto shop
WEST: Convenience store, vacant lot, Greyhound
Bus Depot
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
OTHER PHYSICAL
FEATURES:
Henry Strait
Parkview Baptist Church, Baton Rouge
Prospective buyer
850 McFaddin Avenue (assigned)
GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple
Family Dwelling) District
2.266 acres
Vacant buildings and land
"C" - (Minimal Hazards)
SURROUNDING ZONING:
GC -MD
GC -MD
GC -MD
GC -MD
Conservation and Revitalization adjacent to
CBD.
Property is fenced.
GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES continued
STREETS: McFaddin Avenue - a 60'right-of way with a
40' pavement. North Street - a 50' right-of-
way with a 27'pavernent.
DRAINAGE: There is a 24" storm sewer in McFaddin and
a 12" and 21 " storm sewer in North Street.
WATER: There are 6" water lines in McFaddin and
North Street,
SANITARY SEWER There is a 24" sanitary sewer in McFaddin
SERVICE: and a 12 " and 21 " sanitary sewer in North.
FIRE PROTECTI Fire protection is provided by Station #l, 747
College Street.
ADEQUACY
OF SERVICE: Services and utilities are adequate.