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Home My WebLink About07-06-04380 MINUTES #2417 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY, JULY 6, 2004, 5:00 P.M. Mayor James H. Holmes, III opened the meeting. Present were Mayor Pro Tempore Jim Roberts and Councilmembers Harry Shawver and Syd Carter. Also in attendance were City Attorney Rob Dillard, City Manager Bob Livingston and City Secretary Nina Wilson. Councilmember Kelly Walker was absent and excused. AWARDS & RECOGNITION DEPARTMENT PINS: City Manager Bob Livingston presented service pins to City Engineer Bob Whaling and Sanitation Secretary Scott Hoover, who each had 15 years of service with the city. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD TO PARK DIVISION EMPLOYEES: Postponed until August 3, 2004. PRESENTATION: Plaque to widow of Warehouse Parts Runner Lindsay Branton postponed until August 3, 2004. GIRL SCOUTS: Mayor Holmes asked Girl Scout Mary Dozier to introduce herself. Mary is working on her Leadership Award as part of the Gold Award and, as such, had elected to shadow a leader for one day. Police Chief Gary Adams was the leader she shadowed on July 6th. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR WATER QUALITY: A public hearing was opened to take public comment regarding the water quality of the City of University Park. As there were no comments, the public hearing was closed. City Manager Bob Livingston announced that the city was rated by the State of Texas as having a superior water system. Mayor Pro Tern Roberts moved acceptance of the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Carter seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the following: CONSENT AGENDA CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPOINTING RAY NOAH AS DART BOARD MEMBER: Approval was given to Ray Noah's representation for the City of University Park as a member of DART's Board of Directors. Mr. Noah will serve a two-year term. RESOLUTION NO. 04-08 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF UNIVERSITY PARK, TEXAS, AFFIRMING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITIES OF ADDISON, RICHARDSON AND HIGHLAND PARK REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR A SHARED MEMBER TO THE DALLAS 381 AREA RAPID TRANSIT (DART) BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPROVE A CANDIDATE FOR BOARD MEMBER. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: For June 18 and June 22, 2004. MAIN AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING FOR ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES AT 4420 AMHERST: Mayor Holmes opened a public hearing. Building & Zoning Supervisor Wade McLaurin stated the following: on December 27, 2003, the residence at 4420 Amherst was substantially destroyed as a result of a fire that started within the structure. After the fire was extinguished, boards were placed over the first floor windows and doors by the fire department to prevent entry into the structure. As directed, the property owner erected a fence around the property to further prohibit entry into the site. In a letter dated April 14, 2004, the property owner, Mr. Marvin E. Thompson, was notified that the demolition or repair of the structure(s) must be permitted and work initiated within 30 days. After receiving the notice, Mr. Thompson made several contacts with the Building Inspection Division to explain his desire to demolish the structure(s), as well as, the problem he was having obtaining a settlement with his insurance company. To date, no demolition or reconstruction of the residence has taken place and, as a result, the city has received numerous complaints and inquiries by surrounding neighbors. As a result of no permits being issued, no work being initiated, and the structure(s) being left open to the weather and also unsecured, the city has determined that the existing structure(s) is in a dilapidated condition and is structurally unsafe, constitutes a fire hazard, and is a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare as defined in Article 3.200 of the City of University Park Code of Ordinances. A request was made to the city council for immediate demolition and removal of the existing structure(s) and all debris on the subject property to eliminate the stated public nuisances, with the property owner being given a specific amount of time to inform his insurance company of said order and achieve the desired cleanup. Mr. Thompson then spoke in support of the demolition. Ms. Sylvia LaRue, 6720 Golf Drive, whose son lives down the street from 4420 Amherst, spoke in favor of immediate demolition and suggested a copy of the order be sent to the Texas Department of Insurance. City Attorney Rob Dillard suggested preparing an order for presentation to the city council and also suggested the city give notice to the insurance company of the demolition and a copy of that notice be sent to the Texas Department of Insurance. Mayor Holmes then closed the public hearing. The council will adopt an order at its July 21 st meeting, giving the owner until July 31st to demolish the structure(s) and clear the lot. If the work has not been completed by that date, the city will proceed to demolish the structure(s) and clear the lot as called for by the council's order, and the cost of such work shall be levied as a tax against the premises. CONSIDER REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION OF DUPLEX ZONING DISTRICTS BY ZONING ORDINANCE ADVISORY COMMTTEE (ZOAC): Separate requests were received for the city to consider the merits of changing the zoning on properties currently zoned for duplexes. Wanda & Richard Means, residents of the city and owners of RAM Custom Homes, requested the rezoning of properties on the north side of the 3200 and 3300 blocks of Rosedale from the current Duplex 2 (D-2) zoning to Multi-Family District 3 (MF-3). The properties on the south side of Rosedale are currently zoned MF-3. Also, Chuck Barnett, owner of Barnett West Custom Homes, requested rezoning of all of the duplex-zoned properties in the city to Single Family Attached (SFA), or amending the current minimum lot-width requirements in the duplex districts 382 to allow for the property to be developed the same as an SFA property. The current minimum lot widths found in the duplex districts do not allow for less than a 70' wide lot in D-1 and a 50' wide lot in D-2. The minimum lot width in the SFA districts is only 25', which gives owners of 50' width or greater lots, the ability to divide the property into two SFA lots. Mr. Barnett states that, since the duplex districts already provide for two residences on a single piece of property, rezoning these districts to SFA would not increase the density in these districts. Staff recommended these rezoning issues be forwarded to ZOAC for discussion on the merits and ramifications of such actions. Councilmember Shawver moved the discussion be referred to ZOAC. Councilmember Carter seconded, and the vote was unanimous to approve the referral to ZOAC. CONSIDER CITY COUNCIL/STAFF PLANNING RETREAT FOR OCTOBER 7 AND 8, 2004: Several members of the city council have expressed an interest in conducting a planning retreat with city staff. The goal is to provide a longer period for the staff and council to interact, as well as, provide time to develop short- and long-term goals and a vision for the city. Consideration is being given to a one and one-half day session with Drs. John and Carol Nalbandian. Dr. John Nalbandian brings the unique perspective of a professor in public administration and eight years on the Lawrence Kansas City Council, including two years as Mayor. Since the timeframe is agreeable with council and staff, City Manager Bob Livingston will reserve a meeting place. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. PASSED AND APPROVED this 21st day of July 2004. ATTEST: /-~s~retary /a~el h. Hol[nes~II, Mta3or