HomeMy WebLinkAbout1403-PN
DATE: March 16,1998
TO: Planning Commission and City Council
FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Consider a request for a specific use permit in a GC -MD (General Commercial -
Multiple Family Dwelling) District for a wholesale durable goods classification in an
existing building.
FILE: 1403-P
STAFF REPORT
This application is in compliance with the eight conditions necessary for approval. The City's
Traffic Engineer states that he gives conditional approval of the driveways subject to the
denial of access from Old Voth Road by large trucks delivering or shipping product. The
building and parking lots and drives are pre-existing on the tract.
Four Amigos is a limited partnership which purchased the old Palace Nightclub about four
years ago. Originally constructed as a restaurant, the structure has since been used
sporadically for meetings and banquets.
hydro Action is considering leasing the property for storing, assembling, shipping and
handling aerobic treatment plants and other manufactured products used in the wastewater
disposal industry.
No manufacturing is proposed for the subject property. The products are manufactured in
Kountze, Texas.
During the public hearing, it may be determined by the Planning Commission that additional
site screening may be necessary. Any additional screening requirements could be made a
condition of approval.
Exhibits are attached.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES
Tax Roll Tracts 64-A and 64-C, Plat R5-4, W. B. Dyches Survey, Ab.-17, Beaumont,
Jefferson County, Texas, containing 3.0 acres of land, more or less.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Notices mailed to property owners 19
Responses in Favor , Responses in Opposition
FOUR AMIGOS L.P.
P. 0. BOX 12467
BEAUMONT, TX 77726-2467
PHONE 4ogn55-2919 FAX 409/755-2903
February 17,1998
MY OF BEAUAft'
PLANNING DIVISION
Planning & Zoning RECEIVED
City of Beaumont
City Hall, 801 Main
Beaumont, TX 77701 FEB
Dear Sirs:
Our partnership owns the old Palace at 10255 Eastex Freeway. As you probably know, this
building has been used successfully as a restaurant and nightclub up until about 1990.
It sat vacant for a time, and our company bought it from a bank in Houston that gained
possession through foreclosure. Since we bought it about four years ago, there have been
several tenants, and none have been very successful. For the past year, we have rented it on
a temporary basis as a banquet facility, while we continued our quest for a permanent tenant
that would be good for the building and Beaumont.
I am pleased to say we have found a potential tenant who wants the building, and they are
willing to relocate and make it their international corporate headquarters. By granting a
specific use permit for this company to utilize this property, it will mean jobs and revenue for
Beaumont. The name of the company is Hydro -Action. They will maintain their FRP Plant
in Kountze.
Hydro -Action is a manufacturer of onsite aerobic treatment plants and other products used
in the wastewater disposal industry worldwide. The company was founded in 1989 by the
current president, Gig Drewery. It holds numerous patents and has new products being
developed.
With the new regulations in Texas and other states, as well as global awareness of the need to
"'clean up" our wastewater and conserve ground water, Hydro -Action's innovative products,
that meet these objectives are more in demand.
Planning & Zoning
February 17, 1998
Page Two
Our building would become their "World Headquarters" and would be used for office space
and training facilities for groups of dealers from around the world to be trained, which means
they would come to Beaumont and stay for several days at a time (spending money in our local
area on dining, hotels, travel and entertainment).
In addition to corporate offices, there would also be accounting and financing offices. There
would also be "back office" staff to provide customer service via phone and mail to all of the
U.S., Canada, Central and South America. It is estimated that at least 75% of the building
would be used for office space and training rooms. Approximately 25% of the building would
be used for small parts assembly. Assembly would consist of PVC pipes that are cut and glued
together and assembly of electronic control panels. In addition, there would be assembly of
the aerobic treatment plants. The exterior would be used for storage and shipping of products
to a limited wholesale dealer network as well as parking.
Estimated jobs that would be created:
Temporary Construction Jobs 15-20
Phase I Permanent Jobs
20-30
Phase 11 Permanent Jobs
20-30
Phase III Permanent Jobs
30-40
Estimated Total Permanent Jobs
70-100
Sales Tax:
Immediate estimated sales Ist year - $4 to $6 million, which would generate $350,000 to
$500,000 per year in sales taxes. Because of the fast growth of the industry, the sales could
easily exceed $15 million the 5th year.
We respectfully request that you approve the application for a specific use permit to land
another business and more jobs and tax dollars for Beaumont.
Sincerely,
Bruce A. Craig, President
Centurion Capital, Inc.
Mworim
813
k
FILE 1403-P: Request for a Specific Use Permit to allow a company to conduct a wholesale durable NORTH
goods business consisting of associated offices, training and communication facilities and the storage,
assembly, shipping and handling of aerobic treatment plants and other manufactured products used in the
wastewater disposal industry The roe is AA fr Mr) (General Commercial-Multile V t";1
V I s Dwelling) District, SCALE
1 "= 200'
Location: 10255 Eastex Freeway (U.S. Hwys. 69,96 and 287).
Applicant: Four Amigos, Limited Partnership, for Hydro -Action.
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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 Coffunem
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
movement of vehicular and pedestrian
traffic without adversely affecting
the general public or adjacent
developments; x X.
5. That adequate nuisance prevention
measures have been or will be taken
to prevent or control offensive odor,
fturies, dust, noise and vibration; x
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 han-nony and
compatibility with adjacent property; and X —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. Comments on
Conditions 1, 4 and 7 follow:
1. Hydro -Action wishes to create a headquarters for their company in the former Palace
Nightclub building. The site will be used for offices and training facilities for groups
of dealers from the U.S. and other countries. In addition to corporate offices,
accounting, financing and a communications center will operate out of the Eastex
location. Seventy-five percent of the space will house offices and training rooms.
Twenty-five percent of the building will be used for small parts assembly. All
manufacturing is done at a plant in Kountze, Texas.
4. The property at 10255 Eastex extends west to frontage along Old Voth Road. This
road has an 18'wide pavement and is not constructed to withstand heavy truck traffic.
The City Traffic Engineer will deny large truck access to the property from Old Voth
Road, and gives his conditional approval to the off-street parking lot and driveway
scheme based on the above observation.
7. This is an existing commercial site. All improvements have been on the ground since
the early 1970's. However, information could be offered at the public hearing that
may demonstrate that additional site screening is necessary to protect nearby
residential properties.
GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES
APPLICANT:
PROPERTY OWNER:
LOCATION:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
EXISTING ZONING:
PROPERTY SIZE:
EXISTING LAND USES:
Four Amigos, LP
Four Amigos, LP
10255 Eastex Freeway (U. S. Highways 69, 96
and 287)
Tax Roll Tracts 64-A and 64-C, Plat R5-4, W.
B. Dyches Survey, Ab. 17
GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family
Dwelling) District
3.0 acres, more or less
Two-story building (26,927 sq. ft.), parking
lots
GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTTLITIES continued
NORTH: Girl's Haven
EAST: Eastex Freeway, woods
SOUTH: Woods
WEST: Voth Road, residential
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
OTHER PHYSICAL
FEATURES:
STREETS:
SANITARY
SEWER SERVICE:
FIRE PROTECTION:
"C" - Minimal flood hazard
SURROUNDING ZONING:
GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling)
District
GC -MD and RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling)
RS
RS
Activity Corridor (freeway)
Building was constructed in the early 1970's as
a restaurant. It was later used as a nightclub
(Palace).
Eastex Freeway - U. S. Highways 69, 96 and
287. The freeway has a right-of-way width of
approximately 300'. Southbound service road
of the highway accesses the subject property
on the east. Old Voth Road is a 60' wide
right-of-way with an 18'wide pavement. Voth
"acts" as a collector.
There are ditches along the east and west sides
of the tract along Eastex and Old Voth Road.
There is a 16" water main in Old Voth Road.
There is a 10" sanitary sewer in Old Voth
Road.
Fire protection is provided by Station #14,
8250 Old Voth Road.
ADEQUACY OF SERVICE: Services and utilities are adequate.