HomeMy WebLinkAbout1482-PDATE: November 15,1999
TO: Planning Commission and City Council
FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Request for a specific use permit to allow a residential care facility in an existing
house at 1695 Milam Street in an RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -
Highest Density) District.
FILE: 1482-P
STAFF REPORT
The Planning Manager recommends denial of the specific use permit because it fails to
comply with four of the eight conditions necessary for approval, including the policies stated
in the Comprehensive Plan. Also, this application is contrary to the objectives and goals set
by The Avenues/College Street Area Neighborhood Plan.
Mrs. Delores Davis of the House of Praise Deliverance Ministries, Inc. has made this request
in order to house homeless and destitute persons, adults and children.
A residential care facility, SIC Code 8361, which includes residential shelters for alcoholics
and drug addicts, delinquents, offenders and homes for destitute men and women and the
mentally handicapped, is a permitted use in the RM-H district, subject to the regulatory
requirement of Special Condition 19. This condition requires that an applicant furnish
documentation to the Building Official of the City describing the type of operation, proposed
activities, site plans and a list of the licenses and grants the facility will operate under. In
lieu of information submitted showing that the facility will be licensed, certified or
accredited by an agency of the county, state or federal government prior to providing
services, the City Council may consider and approve a specific use permit.
Mrs. Davis allowed 26 homeless persons including children to occupy the house at 1695
Milam and Avenue "D" without following proper procedures. She did not receive a
Certificate of Occupancy fi-orn the Building Official, Later, investigations by the Building
Official, Fire Marshal and City Health Department officials revealed that the premise was
in violation of several fire, building and health code ordinances and regulations. The City
Council, after a public hearing held on October 15, 1999, found that the structure and use of
the property was a public nuisance and ordered the house closed, pending correction of
deficiencies. The 26 residents were offered temporary shelter by the Salvation At -my. Mrs.
Davis also operates the "Youth Rescue Mission" at 1930 Franklin, three blocks southwest
of the Milam residence.
Exhibits are attached.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Notices mailed to property owners 15
Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition
LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES
Lots 31, 32 and 33, Block 3, Blanchette 1st Addition to the City of Beaumont, Jefferson
County, Texas, containing 0.26 acres, more or less,
III I qip� q qp�
04
1930 Franklin, P.O. Box 653, Beaumont, TX 77704
(409) 835-7912
September 30, 1999,
Dear Members of the Planning Commission and City Council:
The House of Praise Deliverance Ministries, Inc. is applying to the City of Beaumont for a
Specific Use Permit for the property located at 1695 Milam Street. We plan to use the building as a
temporary shelter for homeless families with children. We will offer shelter, food, clothing, counseling,
and supervision for families who are temporarily homeless.
Our proposed use of this property conforms with all eight conditions specified in Section 30-26
of the City of Beaumont's Zoning Ordinance:
1.) Renovating the house and providing temporary shelter for families with children is
C:-M/p ille with and not injurious to other property in the area which includes
C arches, single and multiple family residents and small businesses. Property
values will not be adversely affected.
2.) Our use of this property will in no way impede any future development or
improvement of surrounding vacant property.
3.) This building was used for many years as multiple family dwelling and it already
possesses adequate utilities, access roads, drainage, etc.
I
4.) As can be seen on the enclosed site plan, the design, location and arrangement of
driveways and parking spaces provides for safe and convenient movement of
vehicular and pedestrian traffic without adversely affecting the general public or
adjacent development.
5.) Nothing that we will be doing in this building will cause any offensive odors,
-fumes, dust, noise or vibration.
6.) Directional lighting for the building and parldng area will be set up so as not to
disturb or adversely affect neighboring properties,
7.) The property already has sufficient landscaping and is in harmony and compatible
with adjacent property,
8) Our proposed use of this property does not conflict with the City's
comprehensive plan.
Your prompt attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
kDelores Davis
Director
FILE 1482-P: Request for a specific use permit to allow a residential care facility in an NORTH
existing structure in an RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling - High Density) I I
District. A
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THE A VENUES / COLLEG- E S TREE T AREA
LAND USE PLAN
F-]Lo,,v Density RasideutW
Mixed U5p- Residential Conunproial
con nerd
ElRe-Developutent Area
Light Inittirl l
Tynisportation
h
public
Greelispace I parks
Open Spap-e
H.zjmtjojjltyeet Extexujoll Conidar
fW1,11 MajorStreet
ANALYSIS
CONDITIONS FOR APPROVAL OF SPECIFIC USE PERMIT
(SECTION 30-26.E, ZONING ORDINANCE
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;
2. That the establishment of the
specific use will not impede the
normal and orderly development and
improvement of surrounding vacant
property;
3. That adequate utilities, access
roads, drainage and other necessary
supporting facilities have been or
will be provided;
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;
5. That adequate nuisance prevention
measures have been or will be taken
to prevent or control offensive odor,
farnes, dust, noise and vibration;
6. That directional lighting will be
provided so as not to disturb or
adversely affect neighboring properties;
7. That there are sufficient landscaping
and screening to insure harmony and
compatibility with adjacent property; and
8. That the proposed use is in accordance
with the Comprehensive Plan.
Application Application
is in is not in 00(yurients
Compliance Compliance Attached
A
x
ANALYSIS continued
This application is in compliance with four of the eight conditions necessary for approval.
Comments on conditions 1, 2, 4 and 8 follow:
The City of Beaumont adopted The Avenues/College Street Area Neighborhood Plan
on February 23, 1999. This plan was endorsed by the residents of the area and
approved by City Council. One of the objectives of the neighborhood plan is to
"Discourage the introduction of new commercial, industrial, institutional, or multi-
family development within areas which currently are predominately in a single and
two family residential use or which, in an adopted plan, has been designated as being
only for such use."
The land use element of the neighborhood plan depicts the northwest quarter of the
block in question as Low Density Residential. Thus, the request for a high density
residential care facility would not be compatible with the adopted neighborhood plan.
2. The proposed facility will impede the development of the Parks and Open Space
Elements of the Neighborhood Plan. The block bound by Milam, Avenue D, Gilbert
and Avenue E is vacant and owned by the Beaumont Independent School District.
This block is adjacent to the Fletcher Elementary School and is proposed by the
school district for future use as a playground or school expansion. The neighborhood
plan's land use element depicts the north side of Milam between Avenue C and
Avenue D to Gilbert as a park. There is a small City park already in place at Milam
and Avenue C. The Avenues Neighborhood Plan proposes expansion of this park to
the west to connect with the Fletcher Elementary School tract. Objective #12 of the
Neighborhood Plan states "to either expand Fletcher Park at its current location or
relocate the park to a new location adjacent to or as a part of Fletcher Elementary
School in order to reduce the amount of unlawful activities occurring at the park and
also to better meet the recreational needs of the neighborhood."
4. The site plan does not address off-street parking as required by City ordinance. The
Transportation Manager wrote that one space is required per staff member and one
space per family unit. The City at present has no information regarding the total
numbers of the staff of the proposed facility or the number of "family units".
8. This application is not in compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan. This is
an area of Conservation and Revitalization. However, one of the adopted policies for
residential land use is that..."Child care centers, halfway houses and other social
service facilities should not be permitted in low density single-family residential
areas." The "Avenues" neighborhood plan, as described above, has determined this
immediate vicinity as a low density residential area.
GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES
APPLICANT:
PROPERTY OWNER:
STATUS OF APPLICANT:
LOCATION:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
EXISTING ZONING:
PROPERTY SIZE:
EXISTING LAND USES:
FLOOD HAZARD ZONE:
SURROUNDING LAND USES:
NORTH: Vacant lot, residence, small City park
NORTHWEST: School grounds, public elementary
school
EAST: Vacant 1/4 block
SOUTH: Residence, commercial building, stores
WEST: Residences
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
Delores Davis
House of Praise Deliverance Ministries, Inc.
Owner
1695 Milam at Avenue "D"
Lots 31-33, Block 3, Blanchette Ist Addition
RM-H (Residential Multiple Family
Dwelling -Highest Density) District
0.26 acres, more or less
Two-story fi-ame house with basement
"C" - (Minimal Hazards)
SURROUNDING ZONING:
RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest
Density) District
RM-H
NC (Neighborhood Commercial)
RM-H and NC
RM-H
Conservation and Revitalization
OTHER PHYSICAL House declared a public nuisance by the City
FEATURES: Council on October 5, 1999. Occupants
evicted,
STREETS: Milam Street, a 60' residential right-of-way
with an 18' pavement. Avenue "D",, a 60'
residential right-of-way with a 30'pavement.
DRAINAGE: There are 12" storm sewers in the Milam and
Avenue "D" rights -of -way.
GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES continued
WATER:
SANITARY SEWER
SERVICE:
M DO
There are 2" water lines in the rights -of -way
of each street.
There is a 6" sanitary sewer in ilam and a
12" in Avenue "D".
Fire protection is provided by Station # 1, 747
College Street.
Services and utilities are adequate.