HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 24-065ORDINANCE N0, 24-065
ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A
RETAIL SHOP, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, AND ART STUDIO WITHIN AN RCR
(RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION REVITALIZATION) DISTRICT FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2398 LAUREL STREET IN THE CITY OF BEAUMONT,
JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS.
WHEREAS, Meghan Cobb has applied for a specific use permit to allow a retail shop,
administrative office, and art studio in an RCR (Residential Conservation Revitalization) District
for property located at 2398 Laurel Street, being Lots 15-16, Block 24, Averill Addition,
Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, containing 0.255 acres more or less, as shown on Exhibit
"A," attached hereto; and,
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Beaumont considered
the request and is recommending approval of a specific use permit to allow a retail shop,
administrative office, and art studio in an RCR (Residential Conservation Revitalization) District
for property located at 2398 Laurel Street; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council is of the opinion that the issuance of such specific use
permit to allow a retail shop, administrative office, and art studio is in the best interest of the City
of Beaumont and its citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED
BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the statements and findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby, in all
things, approved and adopted; and,
Section 1.
That a specific use to allow a retail shop, administrative office, and art studio in an RCR
(Residential Conservation Revitalization) District for property located at 2398 Laurel Street,
being Lots 15-16, Block 24, Averill Addition, Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, containing
0.255 acres more or less, as shown on Exhibit "A," attached hereto is hereby granted to Meghan
Cobb, their legal representatives, successors, and assigns, as shown on Exhibit "B," attached
hereto and made a part hereof for all purposes.
Section 2.
That the specific use permit herein granted is expressly issued for and in accordance with
each particular and detail of the site plan attached hereto as Exhibit "B," and made a part hereof
for all purposes.
Section 3.
Notwithstanding the site plan attached hereto as Exhibit "B" the use of the property
herein above described shall be in all other respects subject to all of the applicable regulations
contained in Chapter 28 of the Code of Ordinances of Beaumont, Texas, as amended, as well as
comply with any and all federal, state and local statutes, regulations or ordinances which may
apply.
The meeting at which this ordinance was approved was in all things conducted in strict
compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 15th day of
October, 2024.
- iviay Ul 1-VUy YY GJI'
LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCK' PURPOSE'S
Being lots 15-I6, Blook 24, Averill Addition, Boatimont,.lefferson Cowity,'I`mis, containing
0.255 acres, more or less.
BEAUMONT
Planning & Community Qevolopment
Casa TypoWlanning and Zoning
Case Sub Typo: Specific Use/Rezone
Case th PZ2024-253
Looation: 2398 LAUREL ST, BEAUMONT, 77702
Individuals IWO on the rocord.
Applicant
Maghan Cobb
2398 Laurel SI,
Beaumont, TX 77702
Properly Owner
Moghan Cobb
2398 Laurel St.
Beaumont, TX 77702
Agent
Maghan Cobb
2398 Laurel St,
Beaumont, TX 77702
Caso Type: Planning and Zoning
Case fl: PZ2024-253
Case Status: REVIEW
Tag Name: To use my homo as my place of
business
Inillatod On: 8f21/2024 0:61:35AM
Home Phono: 4092214069
Work Phono:
Coll Phono: 4092214069
E-Mall: megrobbIx@gma1I.com
rgmall.com
Homo Phone- 4092214069
Work Phone:
Cell Phone: 4092214069
E-Mall: megcobblx@gntall.com
Homo Phono:
Work Phono:
Cell f lione: 4092214069
E-Mail. rnagcobbtxu@gmall.com
Papa 1 of 3
Printed On:13127/2024
BEAUMONT
plalilting a Cnmltttiltity Development
Legal Description 11,12.5sf properly with 2,409sf single fancily home and detached
garage and apartment
Numbor of Acres
hroposod Use Retail sloro
That the specific tine will be
On the contrary - Taluka Trades would Improve the "look arid feel" of
Compatible with and net Injurious to
the corner of oth and Laurel, and due to my aclettuate parking on site
the use and enjoyment of other
(told even with overflow parking,11 It oeaurs, on $th St.), and with said
property, not, significantly diminish or
parking and business hours occurring during regular daylights hours,
Impalr property values within the
no surrounding residents would be affected In any way whatsoever.
Immediate vicinity
The property will be kept In tho utmost pristine condition as
appearance does hugely Impact business . Taluka will take an
already beautiful historic home and highlight it, creating a draw to Old
Town, with an alm to revive interest In revitalization across line board.
That the establishment of tire spacifle
Taluka Trades will Increase the value of any nearby vacant property.
use will not Impede the normal and
There is one lot a little further down Laurel that would certainly not in
ordorly devoloprment and Improvement
any way be negatively Impacted by this specific use.
of surrounding vacant proporty;
That adSgUate utElitEes, access roads,
The site is on a very accessible corner In the beating heart of Old
drainage and other necessary
Town, Inclusive of rostdoncos and established businesses, and
supporting facilities have boon or will
provides more than sufficient utilities, access, drainage, etc.
be provided
Tire design, location and arrangement
There Is a small "parking lot" plus a circle drive on site already, which
of all driveways and parking spaces
can accommodate the parking and departing of more than our typical
provides for tine safe and convonlent
number of visitors at any given limo. If overflow parking needs ariso,
movement of vehicular and pedestrian
there are two more approaches I can employ before parking would
traffic
hoed to occur on 81h St. I have a grassy area in my circle drive which
could become parking for four more vehicles, as well as another area
on the Fast side of the building for two more parking spats (would
noted to be paved).
That aderlUnte nuleanCe prevention
Absolutely none of these nuisances, nor any others, would occur at
moasurres have been or will be taken
my place of business. It Is a beautiful dayllme retail location, and
to provont or control offensive odor,
oven in the event of evening events/rentals, sound or other ordinances
funnes, dust, noise and vibration
would not ho broken and again, no nulsnnce of any kind would result
from any activities at Taluka Trades.
That directional lighting will be
Other than adding a small dlreclional light on my sign arid festoon
provided so as not to disturb or
lighting on one porch, no additional lighting would be required boyand
advorsely affect neighboring
what exists at the site as a current residence.
propertios
That thoro are sufficlont landscaping
Thls Is a yes, with Intent to add some sort of natural screen to
and screening to Insure harmony and
protect nny store from the, vlew/activities occurring at the East side
compatibility with adjacent property
adjacent property. Part of the reason for my Application Is the
ongoing night time nuisance from that residence - my site makes
more sense as a business, al this point, than a residence,
C€rso Type: Planning find Zoning Pa{Ie 2 of 3
Case H: P72024-253 Printed On: AW/2024
Planning & Comtnttnity Development
That the proposed use Is In The proposed use of 2390 Lourot Is completely In accordanco with
aaaordanco with the Comirrohonalvo this plan and all attached Informalion and Intont.
Plan
Notes:
Case Type, Planning and Zoning Page 3 of 3
Coso 11. PZ2024-263 Printed On,. 8/27/2024
-lb Whorn It May Concern;
My name is Meghan Cobb, and my store which Is currently located In downtown Beaumont Is
Taluka Trades. Due to the following overwhelming events In my life and over the entire course of
my new business, I am writing this letter to request a specific Use Permit be granted to relocate
Taluka Trades to my current place of residence, at 2398 Laurel, Beaumont, TX 77702.
I have compelling and heartfelt personal and professional reasons for the request,
To begin on the personal end - I painted a 7,300sf mural downtown in 2022-2023 which allowed
nee to put $28,000 down on a home for my family here In Oki Town. At the time we were a
happy family of eight and we all loved this home very much. I personally have been admiring
this specific property for about 25 years and landed my dream. Then In January of 2024,
another dream carve true and I found a beautiful location for my lifelong vision of having a store,
which would be home to my design office and serve as a retail spot offering the art, crafts and
other works of as many local creators as I could fit Into the space - all with a Beaumont/Gulf
Coast theme. The store location was, and remains, 409 Pearl 5t. In downtown. Twenty four
days after our grand opening, my best friend and spouse unexpectedly passed away and it all
became a nightmare. I lost not only his portion of our income, but due to tale Impact of his
passing, his children from a former marriage are no longer living In the homo, and my two older
children also are no longer in the home (one Is eighteen and In Basic Training with the Army
National Guard and the other has moved in with his father to be closer to school after switching
from Odom to Marshall). My point is that this beautiful 2,489 sf residence Is far too much
mortgage for me to pay for on my own, and is too much house for myself and our five year old.
Selling is out of the question as if I "break even" that really translates to me losing the $28,000 1
put down and the past year and a half of monthly mortgage payments. I am completely unable
and unwilling to face that loss after everything also, I cannot do that, and I would have nowhere
to go and no way to get there.
On the professional end of why I'm requesting this Permit - 73 days after my husband passed
away, the Gilbert Building burnt. This Is relevant because it is directly across the street from the
door to my business. In fact, I was, along with my building's owner Nan Laing, the first to see
any smoke and to call the Fire Department. I was working unexpectedly late at Taluka Trades,
meeting a local artisan about featuring her handmade Fats in (lie shop. Anyway, the fallout from
(lie fire is ongoing, with our block of Pearl Street still rernaining barricaded off, not to mention
facing a (still) derelict, unsightly and unsafe building. We hope all the best for the restoration of
the once -lovely Gilbert Building, but Taluka and the other three businesses In the Laings'
building are the ones absorbing the blow. I attended and spoke at the August 20th City Council
meeting, and observed discussion about liability in the event the building collapses or otherwise
Is physically Injurious. Well, It's my informed and objective observation that Injury has most
certainly already occurred, and occurs every single day In the form of significant lost profit at
Taluka Trades, 1 now have to work nights and weekends painting extra murals, and I now work
weekdays 8am-3pm managing front of house for a restaurant (Ironically housed in one of the
buildings owned by the owner of the Gilbert). I now cannot work at my own store, acid am not
sure anymore If working the restaurant Is a feasible way to pay my sole employee... or If there's
any point in continuing to try. My employee Is an incredible worker and absolutely adores
working for Taluka Trades.
Taluka was doing so much better than any of us expected when the fire occurred. My proposal
Is now to, in fact, give up on our current location - and to "save the farm" by moving this
beautiful little shop Into 2398 Laurel. The house Is perfect to house the store. It would allow me
to pour 100% of my time, profit and effort Into tile business, and into further beautifying this
lovely Old Town spot. If I can't do this, I aria afraid I'm facing ruin across the board, losing the
legacy for my kids (Taluka is a combination or the namos of my three children - Tucker, Luke
and Ave). It makes sense oil multiple fronts to use tine house for the store.
It may not be grandfathered in per se, but this location was in fact a successful trophy
shop/storefront and still has the back work room I could use as my own work room. There are
multiple businesses of varying types all up and down Laurel, and of course all over Old Town. I
would love to do as much business -to -business networking and marketing as possible, with
Intent to feature area (Colder Ave., etc) businesses' offerings Into my shop In various ways. In
that veln, and as a small example - I recently decided to offer TexJoy and Seaport in my shop
and have wholesale pricing - but have decided to hold hack on opening an account, as l can't
keep going at my current location.
Everything Is on hold and the store, my lifelong dream, is facing an early end If I cannot merge
two visions Into one location and turn a nightmare into a dream come true. I will lose not only
Taluka, but likely the house and even my transportation If I can't make this work. I Implore
consideration acid approval be given to moving Taluka Trades to 239B Laurel.
Site and Use Details;
House Is 2,489 sf
Lot Is 11,125 sf, with dimensions of 09'x126'
Store Is a retail shop featuring high end vintage clothing, local art, pottery, candles, handmade
wood furniture, and some national and international brand such as Case Knives, Ruggabie
Rugs, Consuela Leather Bags, etc. Site would host pleasant daytime and occasional early
evening events and venue rentals for baby showers, yoga classes, barre classes, baking
swaps, etc. Site would also serve as my design office and art studlo - out of which I would
continue my 25+ year career of freelance graphic design, canvas painting and home
remodeling.
Taluka Trades is VERY pro -Beaumont and wants to offer more and more Beaumont and Gulf
Coast-themed Inventory. We are the most regionally -focused store In Southeast Texas that we
know of. We want to stay In business and prosper.
to
OD
W high a@ ton
Boundary/Site Plan
TALUKA TRADES
maU@mogoobb.00m
409,221.4069
Trash storago arse
AUREL
9 SF
€39'
LAUREL
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L2221
Denotes
Entrance/
Exit
Single
story
Roof height
at pitch 22`
Z024-253t Request for a Rezoning from an RCR-H (Residential Conservation Revitalization- Historic)
ling district to RCR (Residential Conservation Revitalization) zoning district and a Specific Use Permit
allow for a retail shop, events venue, administrative office and art studio,
pllcant; Meglian Cobb
,ation; 2398 Laurel Street
o coo
i i __ __ —1 Feet