Loading...
1959-08-31 CC MinutesMINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF COUNCILMEN FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS August 31, 1959 Present: Mayor Pro-Tem Councilmen City Manager City Planner City Secretary 7-7 Thomas Reeder Oley Attebery H. N. Mallon Don Knox John Wilsey J. M. Orman Robert Hollin Dorthanna Williams Mayor Pro-Tem Thomas Reeder called the Public Hearing to order. City Planner Robert Hollin presented the proposed text. He explain- ed it is basically the same as that published in the newspaper. Mr. Charles Shields, representing Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, property own- ers in Sunbeck Circle, asked that the addition be zoned R-2 rather than R-1 Residential. He explained the deed restrictions were un- realistic in that they call for one acre lots with 1,000 sq. ft. area in the houses. Mr. D. M. Teague, Attorney for C. B. Collins, 2505 Farmers Branch Lane. Mr. Collins property is bordered by Rawhide creek on the north, a railroad on the west, Bee Street on the east and Farmers Branch Lane on the south, and near commercial and L.M. zones. The area would not be desirable for homes because of location. He explained that Mr. Collins would be damaged and harmed by the change from Com- mercial to R-4 Residential. Mr. Collins has been approached by MKT Railroad for someone who is interested in establishing a business there. Mr. Collins runs his business from his home. Mr. Ed Halbert, 2602 Farmers Branch Lane, asked for Light Industrial zoning on his property south of his home property and to Forest Lane. He said he would like to have a map from Dallas showing their plan for the area south of them that is in the City of Dallas. The area bound by Webb Chapel, Valley View Lane, Marsh Lane and Belt Line Road is owned by Brookhaven Development Company, Mr. Fritz Hawn, President. General Manager, Don Moore, was present representing this organization. He explained that they have started with the Parade of Homes which they hope they can continue. They want to build the most expensive home they can and create a beautiful sub-division. He asked how many people can afford to buy $35,000 to $45,000 homes? He said he has had a number of loan representatives to come out and it will take a $20,000 a year man to buy one of these houses. He was satisfied with the R-2 Residential zoning on the southern part of the area but asked for a graduation of R-3 and R-4 Residential to the north. Councilman Attebery said his understanding was that northernmost area may be industrial development. Mr. Moore said it would be logi- cal to be industrial. Councilman Attebery said, assuming it is zoned industrial, will they still keep a high grade of lots. Mr. Moore answered, if industrial idea comes in then they will come to the Council and ask for a buffer zone. Mr. Bob Langdon, ex-member of the Planning and Zoning Commission asked about the proposed Shopping Cen- ter. Mr. Moore said they have a special permit for this, subject to certain conditions, recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Langdon said he was on the Commission at that time and would like to go on record that the Commission did not recommend this special permit even though the development company has a letter to that ef- fect. Councilman Attebery said the City Council has not approved said shopping center. Mr. R. W. Holman, Brookhoilow Estates, said Mr. Moore is entirely wrong in saying that it takes a $20,000 income for buying that price house. He presented and read newspaper articles by Don Moore pub- lished in the Dallas Morning News and Dallas Times Herald stating that all the homes in the development would average $40,000. He said he would like to see the recommended plan left as it is. Attorney John Green, representing Mr. Nasher, Marsh Development Com- pany, said their property, bounded by Marsh Lane, Valley View and Templeton Trail is presently zoned equivalent to R-5, recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission R-3 with a buffer zone of R-2 Resi- dential. He said they have presented a plat for the entire area and the Commission rejected the plan. Now they have presented the plan to the Adjustment Board. He said the public should not have a good reason for the change. He asked that zoning conform with the plat. Mr. Bell Sample, ex-member of the Planning and Zoning Commission asked if the vacant area on the plat might be a park, Mr. Green, said, no, actually it is an area for a shopping center. Mr. Muse asked for the area to be pointed out for the proposed shopping area. (It was explained that they have made no application for this shopping center.) Mr. Addison Bradford, Brookhollow Estates, stated that as citizen of Farmers Branch he brings thoughts of himself and others. He spoke on the Nasher property. He said he has been coming to the Council since February and has presented petitions requesting the City to change the zoning from R-7.5 to R-16. Their property, Brookhollow Estates, is of the highest classification in the City, across the street is the lowest classification. He presented letters from ap- praisers which he said are considered the best in this part of the country. He said he has no objections to any developer building but a developer builds and leaves. He gave his approval of the map original- ly presented by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their Public Hearing on July 29, 1959. Mr. Green said Mr. Bradford spoke of cheap 1&3 and shoddy homes in Johnston Park. He said this area had already been zoned and a business man cannot depend on zoning in Farmers Branch. Mr. Bradford said he did not say they were cheap and shoddy homes. Mr. Ginsberg, Attorney for Marsh View Development Company, said Mr. Bradford brought up petitions, he said Johnston Park was a part of Farmers Branch before Brookhollow was. He added they would be glad to develop into half acre lots if they could put in such a development as Brookhollow; no sewer, no water, gravel streets and few improvements. Mr. Nasher received approval of his plat before Brookhollow was annexed into the City. They have filed four revised plats and would have already developed the area but just now able to sewer area through Town North because the City could not get sewer easements through Brookhollow, They would like to develop with 100 ft. lots with 1,350 sq. ft. floor area houses as a buffer zone. He said this development could in no wise harm Brookhollow addition. Mrs. R. W. Holman asked, did Mr. Nasher develop Forest Crest Addi- tion in Dallas. Mr. Ginsberg said, yes. Mrs. Holman then asked if Centennial Construction Company has an option on this area. Mr. Gins- berg said, no, they do not, but they would be glad to sell to them. Mr. Roger Charlebois said he was in the process of building a home on Spur Trail in Brookhollow Estates and planned to move in within the next few weeks. He said he had received his loan through personal connections because of the location. Mr. E. P. Hamilton, Jr., 13351 Winterhaven, Johnston Park, said he objected to apartment houses to the north of him. The Nasher area has been bounced back and forth for several months. Town North is not legally zoned and if they will do it here they will do it any- where. Master Plan was readily accepted at the Public Hearing of Planning and Zoning Commission, now, they have come up with changes. When will they stop. No reason to believe the zoning will ever be stable. He then read and presented letters to the City Council from appraisers; Mrs. Lucille Mackhardt, Guion Gregg and Leonard M. Cowley. Mr. R. W. Holman then said he had built his home in Brookhollow only after assurance from several City officials that they would not put small homes near and around them. He presented pictures to the Council showing that the developers were profiting by building smaller homes near their large homes. Mr. Ben Fisher, 2929 University Blvd., Dallas, representing property owned by his wife at Valley View and Marsh Lane said he was in accord with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Robert W. Phelps presented maps and a lengthy paper on develop- ment plans for property located at Valley View and Inwood Road owned by Jerome Crossman, Southwestern Transportation Company and Mr. Phelps. Councilman Mallon asked when they plan to start this development. Mr. Phelps said as soon as possible. Mr. Phelps was then asked if what he was talking about would resemble Brook Hollow Industrial Area. Mr. Phelps said it would resemble the development along the Expressway in Dallas. He presented a letter from Mr. Trammell Crow, second paragraph reads as follows; "It is my belief that this property will find its highest and best use as the site for electronics manufactur- ing, engineering offices and business uses of that general character. It would, therefore, require M-1 zoning and I urge that you affirma- tively consider placing said zoning on it at this time." Mr. Jerome Crossman said he is interested very much in this development. They would like to have proper development and prefer Commercial to low income homes. Mr. Randal Cline, Cottonbelt Railroad, said he thinks Commercial would be better than residential. Mr. Muse, Attorney for the Field Estate, said the four-acre tract across the street from the Farmers Branch Elementary School, located at Valley View and Josey Lanes, has been in the Field family for 75 years. He requested zoning for Commercial purposes for all property facing Valley View and to the north for 200 feet. He said they were making a study on the rest of the acreage and may want some of this Commercial, also. Mr. Muse said this property is close to parks, schools, City Hall, Fire and Police Stations, the old commercial area and the churches of Farmers Branch. Also, Valley View Lane is becom- ing a commercial thoroughfare and, to a lesser degree, Josey Lane is too. He added, they feel it is the highest and best use of this par- ticular area, a main thoroughfare is not in best use for residential area, business fits into the pattern, this is logical spot for busi- ness purposes and they respectfully request this 200 foot strip be zoned for commercial purposes. Mr. Henry Miller, Jr., Attorney, then spoke for the Field Estate and stated that the Valley View frontage, in his opinion, is best suited for commercial use and is surrounded by commercial uses. He said he understood the objections were the closeness to the school and there is already enough property zoned commercial. In looking at the map he could see very little area zoned commercial and the City would profit in increased business and taxes. Mr. C. Bell Sample told him he was recognized as an authority and asked if he recommended strip zoning. Mr. Miller said, normally, when he considers the use, and for the present pupulation the City has adequate commercial zoning but Farmers Branch will grow very fast. He added, a home owner would not want a home on Valley View and the amount of traffic there ,will be too heavy for schools whether there is a service station on this corner or not. Mr. Henry Tracy, 13212 Nestle, Mr. Bill Butler and Mr. Hamilton spoke in opposition to this request. City Secretary l&'S_'