Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout578-OBDATE: July 20, 1998 TO: Planning Commission FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Director SUBJECT: Request by Beaumont Independent School District to abandon E. Woodrow Avenue between Highland Avenue and Grandberry Avenue. FILE: 578-CB STAFF REPORT The Beaumont Independent School District is requesting abandonment of a 594' length of E. Woodrow Avenue. The tracts flanking this section of E. Woodrow are owned by BISD. This abandonment is part of the proposed redevelopment of the Pietzsch/MacArthur school campuses. This work involves demolishing the present Pietzsch Elementary School, renovating certain existing structures on the MacArthur campus and building a new school complex. The: new school would bisect that portion of E. Woodrow Street which is up for abandonment. The City's Traffic Engineer had no objections to the abandonment but stated that the proper on -site pickup/drop-off facilities need to be incorporated into site planning for the new school. The City Engineer conditioned approval upon the storm sewer being moved at BISD's expense or the retention of an easement for drainage facilities. Southwestern Bell objected to the proposed abandonment. SWBT has fiber and copper cable on aerial pole lines, in the right-of-way. The phone company states that these lines could be relocated but would be very expensive to do so and would be at BISD's expense. If this abandonment is approved, it should be subject to the moving of the existing utilities at BISD's expense or retaining the necessary drainage/utility easements. Exhibits are attached. LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Being the 100 block of E. Woodrow Ave., a 50' wide street right-of-way extending east from the: east right-of-way line of Highland Ave. 594' to the west right-of-way line of Grandberry Ave., said E. Woodrow Ave. abutting Block 5, South Park Addition and Block 4, Iowa Colony Addition, said 50' x 594' length of street containing 0.681 acres, more or less. LAW OFFICES OF WELLS, PEYTON, GREENBERG & HUNT, L.L.P. 550 FANNIN, SIXTH FLOOR, PETROLEUM TOWER. 77701 P 0. BOX 3708 TANNER T. HUNT, JR. n' """ITMONT PARTNER BEAUMONT, TEXAS, 77704-3708 1 D I V IS 101 N 409-838-2644 FACSIMILE; 409-630-4713 June 18, 1998 JUN 23 Mr. Steve Richardson Planning Division, Room 210 City Hall, 801 Main Street Beaumont, TX 77701 Re: Request for street closing and abandonment; Woodrow Street (between Highland Street and intersection with Grandberry Street) Dear Mr. Richardson: I write as attorney for Beaumont I.S.D. to formerly request that the City of Beaumont consider closing and abandoning that portion of Woodrow Street between Highland Avenue and the intersection of Woodrow with Grandberry Street. The school district is the sole owner of all property abutting that portion of Woodrow Street for which closure and abandonment is requested. A completed City of Beaumont application form is attached and incorporated, together with a site plan and related documents. The purpose of the request is to permit the school district to undertake a bond issue building project which will involve demolishing the present Pietzsch Elementary School, renovating certain existing structures on the MacArthur campus, and building a new school complex. According to the composite site plan submitted herewith, the new school would essentially bisect that portion of Woodrow Street for which the school district requests closure and abandonment. If the street closing/abandonment request is granted, it will greatly facilitate the school district's plans for school construction on these campuses, resulting in a more economical and student -friendly campus complex. Closing the indicated portion of Woodrow Street to eliminate the bifurcated campus will also enhance the safety and well-being of the small children who will attend and make use of this new and renovated school facility on both sides of the existing street. Mr. Steve Richardson June 18, 1998 Page 2 I also respectfully request that the City waive the $200 processing fee which ordinarily would accompany such an application, in deference to the continuing spirit of cooperation which exists between Beaumont I.S.D. and the City. The application form requires that if the street closing and abandonment request is granted, all necessary work permits will be obtained and all construction completed within one year from the date permission is granted by the Board, or the City's approval will be considered void. Because of the extensive new and renovating construction work to be done at this campus, it is unlikely that it will be completed within one year. Accordingly, I respectfully request that the City grant the school district an extension of time sufficient to permit the completion of the work without voiding the street closing and abandonment permission requested by this application. If additional documentation or other information is needed to process this application, please contact me at the number and address shown above. Also, I would appreciate being notified of the date and time when the board plans to consider this application. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Yours very truly, WELLS, PEYTON, GREENBERG & HUNT, L.L.P. By: AT'T TTHJr: j s Enclosure cc: Dr. Carrol A. Thomas, Jr. Mr. LeRoy Saleme Ms. Dorthy Patterson LAW OFFICES OF WELLS, PEYTON, GREENBERG & HUNT, L.L.P. '350 FANNIN, SIXTH FLOOR, PETROLEUM TOWER, 77701 F. O. BOX 370E TANNER T. HUNT. JR. PARTNER BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77704.3708 409-838-2644 FACWMILE: 409-s38-4713 June 29, 1998 Mr. Steve Richardson Planning Division, Room 210 City Hall, 801 Main Street Beaumont, TX 77701 Re: Request for street closing and abandonment; Woodrow Street (between Highland Street and intersection with Grandberry Street) Dear Mr., Richardson: As a follow-up to our telephone conversation on Friday, June 26, 1998, 1 enclose herewith Application for Right -of -Way Abandonment form referable to the matter above styled. Please incorporate this form with our prior application for Woodrow Street closing and abandonment, together with my letter of June 18, 1998, stating the reasons for the request, and enclosing the site plan for school construction and related documents. on behalf of Beaumont I.S.D., I would like to thank you for agreeing ng to waive the $200 application fee as a courtesy to another local public entity, and for explaining that a street abandonment application does not involve imposition of the one-year completion date referred to in the previously submitted form. If further information or documentation is needed in connection with this abandonment request, we will be pleased to provide it. Yours very truly, WELLS, PEYTON, GREENBERG & HUNT, L.L.P. A T'THJr: j s cc: Dr. Carrol A. Thomas, Mr. LeRoy Saleme Ms. Dorthy Patterson RM ME 578 -OB: Request to abandon 594 feet of Woodrow Street. NORTH Location: Between I-Eghland Ave. & Grandborry. Applicant: Brat. Ind. School District A SCALE t A111=2001 1 a �q -1 n' I �' rk V--.M I 9F'bI E. I-AVACA ST.; : \"e $0 12LO 12, 34 CIL,: xv is 2 Mery ff E. IRBY ST., M /M MM& CASTON 5T. Avfrzsw jcmzt RS Z. W~~ ... 64 VE rAsr 1 50 WOODROW AVE. a SUBJECT MAC AmTHupt HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH PAAK Hia)i SCHOOL J —7 �LL.w Q, I x Pj to Mo k" 11IMMIML, 1 60 1 L, 130 Lr VIR*I#IA 3r )�i=j=jsq joot4os popuedapq luotunisee kill, JIBIUGWGlg MG "' M LU - Jill 1OOqOS A WRA v V io:j jesodoij -----------iN GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES EXISTING ZONING: PROPERTY SIZE: EXISTING LAND USES: FLOOD HAZARD ZONE: SURROUNDING LAND USES: NORTH: School EAST: School, residential SOUTH: School WEST: Commercial COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: OTHER PHYSICAL STREETS: WATER: SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: FIRE PROTECTION: Beaumont Independent School District City of Beaumont, right-of-way 100 block of E. Woodrow Ave. between Highland and Grandberry RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District 0.681 acres requested for abandonment Street "C"- Minimal flood hazard SURROUNDING ZONING: RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District RS RS NC (Neipjiborhood Conmiercial) District Conservation and Revitalization BISD owns all abutting properties adjacent to requested abandonments. Woodrow Avenue, a 50' right-of-way with a 30' asphalt street with curb and gutters. There is an 18" storm sewer narrowing to 15". There is a 6" water line in Woodrow. None Fire protection is from Station #3, Kenneth and Brockman. GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES continued ADEQUACY Existing services are adequate. The City OF SERVICE: Engineer states that the abandonment of Woodrow will be subject to the retention of ,an easement for the storm sewer. Southwestern Bell has a fiber and copper cable: on an aerial pole line that S,WBT could relocate but at great expense to BISD.