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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1374-Zm DATE: October 20, 1997 TO: Planning Commission and City Council FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Director SUBJECT: Consider the request of property owners to rezone lots located at the four corners of the intersection of Franklin Street and Avenue "C" and extending to Avenue "D" from RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) to GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) District or a more restrictive commercial district. FILE: 1374-Z STAFF REPORT From 1955 to 1983 all but three lots of the property being requested for change was zoned R-3 (Modified Two Family and Multiple Dwelling). With the adoption of the 1981 Zoning Ordinance and the 1983 decision to remove all R-3 zoned property, the zoning in the area extending from Victoria Avenue to Avenue "a' was changed. The subject property - except for the above mentioned three lots on Avenue "C" at Milarn. - was changed from R-3 to RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density), At the time of the 1983 change, Tony's Drive -In grocery store and other retail uses existed at the northwest comer of Franklin and Avenue "C", extending to Avenue "D", The southeast corner of Franklin and Avenue "C" was also used commercially. These uses became non -conforming land uses after the zone change to RM-H. One of the applicants wishes to open and operate a restaurant at the southwest comer of the Franklin and Avenue "C" intersection on three lots. The two lots at the northeast corner of the intersection are vacant and the lot on the southeast corner is also vacant now. The three vacant lots are owned by the same person. The strip center and auto repair shop on the north side of Franklin between Avenues "C" and "D" are owned by the Plaia family, Specifically the following property is being requested to be changed from RM-H to GC -MD: • Lots 1-3, Block 3, Blanchette Second Addition, 0.482 acres, George Diarnantis, applicant; • Lot 12, Block 2, Blanchette Second Addition, 0. 160 acres and Lots 215 and 216, Block 18, Crary Addition, 0.344 acres, Guy A. And Jo Lena Rogers, applicants; and STAFF REPORT continued Lots 25 through 30, Lots 35 and 36 and the east 50'of Lot 34, Block 3, Blanchette First Addition, 1,434 acres, Rosalie B. Plaia and Plaia's Inc., applicants. (Total acreage is 2.42 acres, more or less), LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Lots 1-3, Block 3, Blanchette Second Addition, Lot 12, Block 2, Blanchette Second Addition, Lots 215 and 216, Block IS, Crary Addition, Lots 25-30, 35 and 36 and E. 50' of Lot 34, Block 3, Blanchette First Addition, containing a total of 2.42 acres, more or less. (All of the property being requested for GC -MD). PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices mailed to property owners 46 Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition September 25, 1997 Planning Division, Room 2 ' 10 City Hall, 801 Main Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 P.O. Box 3827 77704 RE: Zoning Change To whom it may concern, It has been brought to my attention that the property described in this application is zoned residential and not commercial. The property is presently a retail shopping center and auto repair shop. This property was originally an A&P Supermarket and Texaco gas station, dating back to the late 1930's. The A&P market closed at some point and the shopping center was left vacant. The Texaco gas station was in operation until 1984. In 1964, my father, A.P. Plaia Sr., purchased the shopping center and moved his vending business and record shop there. He began to revive an otherwise vacant building by leasing space for retil business, a grocery store, barber shop and beauty salon. Plaia's Inc. purchaed the Texaco gas station in 1980. When the properties were purchased the zoning was commercial. It is my understanding that sometime in the early 1980's both properties were rezoned residential. The rezoning to residential made it difficult to rent space as a specific use permit is required when a business -type change takes place. Since the property has served the neighborhood for the past 60 years with retail business, I ask that you consider a zoning change back to commercial. Sincerely, e J. Plata� President, Plaia's, Incorporated 9-23-97 To: The Planning Commission and City Council, City of Beaumont, Texas Reasonsfor Request are as follow: We would like to change this property to commercial because it would be good for the neighborhood and the city of Beaumont, A lot of our, neighbors are looking forward to a restaurant. Plus it will mean a job for some indivials. Franklin street should be commercial like the streets in old Town. We want to start somewhere weeding out the bad and replacing with good. This area should be a concern to all citizens of Beaumont. We have too many Half -way houses and not enough places for people to work. One business brings others and more people. Most people in this area do not have dependable transportation. Sincerely: George Diamantis - 5 .- (/-,) -, WO W."m Al -MA To Whom It May Concern: This property has been in our family since 1962, and was zoned commercial at that time. At some time I do not have a year, the zone was changed to RM-H. We own both coners and due to the heavy amount of traffic we believe this would benefit the neighborhood if it would be changed commercial. These coners are dormat as long they remain RM-H zone. Please consider this change of zone as we have tried to sell this land for the pat 16 years with no avile, prospects wanted commercial property, 'r►7V'e appreciate your help and thank you very much. Guy A & Jo Lena Rogers CITY OF BEAUMONT PLANNING DIVISION RECEIVEn SEP 26 1gg7 YLtt ." to 'Li �" t(P tX o tnt ILE 137�4�Z: Request or a zone change from RIVI-1-1 District to GC-NID District or .a Inol-e RN��R't't-t 10 ,�' restrictive district at the tour cot -tiers of Franklin St q d Ave "�" } t= I.' a anc e:� c.nR ang to 'Ave, V Location: 1500 and 1600 block of Franklin Street adjacent to Avenue "C" and Avenue "D" r Applicant: George Diarr antis, Cruy A. Rogers, et ux, Rosalie B. Plaia and Plaia's, Inc. SCALE 1 "=2001 t Yti 1� 90 Nil •f Ct Ni. 90 t It tf a l ty' x .1 t L 00a 0 U + b t•% A' Y It '05 t • SAY �S 5 f "En 0�✓ 1�' Y✓ eft 5� toy "� 1 t h t i 4 t� A • inn t �q yvy Yet � v ay a R,r� IA 1,05 nl 0 Pr 7•r -7 � � ' h t A+ M A+ 4s%r A, • Al �A•1 � A 1 1 r% 1, hT V f 'q.aZ ANALYSIS Mr. Jake Plaia and his family have operated the small retail shopping center on the north side of the 1600 block of Franklin since 1964. The site was originally a supermarket and a service station dating back to the 1930's. Several retail uses, personal services and business services have occupied the center for the past 60 years. Three lots fronting the west side of Avenue "C", extending 150" south from Milam (Block 3, Blanchette First Addition) are vacant, contain 0,52 acres, and were originally zoned for multiple family residential use. The lots are still zoned for multiple family use and were never zoned commercial. They lie opposite residential zoning and uses (homes) and a small City park. The old service station at Franklin and Avenue "D" is now an auto repair shop, The shop lies opposite some apartments and residences on the intersection. Tenants in the shopping center vary from time to time. The center and repair shop occupy Lots 28, 29, 30, 35, 36 and the east 50'of Lot 3,4, Block 3, Blanchette First Addition. There is a home located on the front or west 100' of Lot 34, facing Avenue "D". George Diamantis owns the three lots at the southwest corner of Franklin and Avenue "C". He has remodeled a house on the front of the property to be used as a restaurant. He has also prepared an asphalt parking lot around the building. There is a driveway off Franklin and another from Avenue "C". There is an old garage apartment next to and west of the remodeled structure. Archie Land owns the property west of Diamantis' lots. East of Mr. Diamantis' lots on Avenue "C" is W Rogers' vacant lot and a residence which also contains a welding shop. South of the Diamantis property is a vacant lot and residential uses, The three vacant lots owned by Mr. Rogers lie on the east side of Avenue "C" at the Franklin intersection. He has two lots on the north side and one on the south side of Franklin. There were commercial uses on these lots in the past. The Rogers family has owned this property since 1962. Residential and commercial land uses surround the Rogers' tracts. Franklin Street is a busy thoroughfare and Avenue "C" is also a high traffic street. There is a street light located at the intersection. Changing the vacant Lots 25, 26 and 27, Block 3, Blanchette First (Plaia) to a commercial category would not be in keeping with proper zoning standards. These lots could be developed with homes or apartments allowed by the current RM-H district zoning regulations. These lots face into residential uses in the RM-H district, The GC -MD district is for retail businesses, personal and business services and for various institutional uses. However, the district also allows other commercial uses that may not be compatible in the neighborhood today. The GC -MD district puts no restrictions on the building density in the district other than building code regulations and zoning setback and screening codes. The NC district imposes a maximum building area of no more than 4,000 square feet per premise. Yet, a restaurant in the NC district will need a specific use permit before operations ANALYSIS continued can begin. Mr. Diamantis would have to apply and receive a specific use permit after a public hearing in order to proceed with his plans, In the NC district auto repair is only allowed with a specific use permit. In this case, if the district where the existing repair shop is located is changed from RM-H to NC, the shop remains a non -conforming use but would not have to apply for a specific use permit because it already legally exists. The following examples of various land uses and districts is a short list to demonstrate what is allowed in the NC and GC -MD as permitted uses, uses permitted with a specific use permit or uses not permitted in the district: Use NC GC -MD* Video game rooms SUP P Restaurants SUP P Drinking places NP SUP Food stores P P General merchandise store P P Offices P P Service stations SUP P Auto repair shops SUP P Miscellaneous repair shops SUP & P SUP & P Personal services P P Miscellaneous retail P P Liquor stores SUP P Wholesale NP SUP Junk yards NP SUP Financial institutions P P * P = Permitted SUP = Permitted with specific use permit NP = Not permitted GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES PROPERTY OWNER: STATUS OF APPLICANT: EXISTING ZONING: As listed As listed Owners RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling - Highest Density) District PROPERTY SIZE: 2.42 acres, more or less GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES contintied EXISTING LAND USES: SURROUNDING LAND USES: NORTH: Mixed commercial, residential and vacant EAST: Residential, vacant, commercial SOUTH: Residential, vacant, repair shop (Nvelding) WEST: Commercial, apartments, residential COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES: STREETS: WATER: SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: FIRE PROTECTION: ADEQUACY OF SERVICE: Retail commercial, auto repair, business, vacant lots, building remodeled for restaurant and garage apartment. "C" - Minimal flood hazard SURROUNDING ZONING: RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling -Highest Density) District t I. Conservation and Revitalization 125 MW Franklin is an arterial from downtown until it reaches M.L.K. It has a 60" right-of-way and a 30'pavement, Avenue "C" and Avenue "D" each have 60'wide rights -of -way and 30'wide pavements. There are storm sewers in the streets. There is water in abutting streets. There is sanitary sewer service in abutting streets, alleys and easements. Fire protection is, from Station No. 1, 747 College. Services and utilities are adequate,