PUBLIC HEARING January 20, 2009

 

 

1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Robin S. Border called the Public Hearing Meeting for the City of Hilshire Village to order at 6:30 P.M. at 8301 Westview, Houston, Texas 77055.

 

Amending Chapter 12, Section 02:G-03, further defining “Detached Garage” to provide a three (3) foot distance requirement from the main building, and to provide standards for a covered walkway between structures; and Section 11:07.02, to provide a three (3) foot distance requirement between a residential accessory building and the main building, and to provide standards for a covered walkway between structures.

 

2. CITIZENS COMMENTS/PUBLIC FORUM

 

Judy Shields, 1302 Glourie, asked if anyone had done a study on the impact of this ordinance. The ordinance could be a burden on owners of small lots. Mrs. Shields understands everyone’s concerns regarding lot size compared to size of residence. She believes this ordinance should go to the Board of Adjustment for their review. She stated time and consideration should be given to this ordinance.

 

Jay Tribble, 8201 Mallie Court, stated he was against this ordinance and the constant tweaking of the ordinances was not a good idea. He believes the ordinance does not have any purpose for the residents.

 

Vimal Patel, 8001 Anadell, stated he was against the ordinance that it did not make any sense and would only cost residents more money to build.

 

Council Member Denninger asked Mr. Patel if he understood what the rear property line set back had to do with the main building. He stated that an attached garage was part of the main building. There was a discussion on the difference in air conditioned space versus non air conditioned.

 

Bill Bristow, 1233 Pine Chase, stated he was against voting on the ordinance at this time. The voting should be postponed until after the next election and the Board of Adjustment had time to look at all the zoning ordinances. He also stated that he could not understand why the City could not have simple building line requirements. Residents should be able to build whatever they want inside the building line.

 

Jay Tribble, 8201 Mallie Court, wanted to clarify what Vimal Patel stated. He said that you can build on top of a garage but under the present ordinances you must maintain certain set back laws in which it keeps windows from being too close to the property line.

 

Mike Gordy, 1241 Archley, understands Council Member Denninger’s point of view in regards to the main structure and the relationship of the twenty-five (25) feet building line; however, he thinks a review should be done and different wording should be used with consideration to corner lots. Mr. Gordy is opposed to quick passing of the ordinance.

 

Mayor Border asked for comments on the Monarch School’s Specific Use Permit. The Mayor stated that Mennonite Church had provided temporary buildings for their use and that the extension of the Specific Use Permit expired in July of 2008. Council had approved the extension to July 31, 2009 but the City had failed to have a public hearing. The Mayor asked for any citizen’s comments.

 

Bill Bristow, 1233 Pine Chase, was in favor of the extension of the permit.

 

Jay Tribble, 8201 Mallie Court, was also in favor of the one year extension.

 

Kathleen Cullen, 1315 Pine Chase Grove, asked if the City had published the purpose of the three (3) feet separation of the garage from the residence and asked what the purpose was.

 

3. DISCUSSION

 

Mayor said that Council was not going to deliberate on this at this hearing and that it would be done during the Council Meeting.

 

Council Member Anderson stated the request for change of the ordinance had nothing to do with the Pine Chase or Anadell residence. This ordinance should have gone in front of the public two months ago. This action was brought before Council by the Building Official, Ted Lazarides, when the plans for 8001 Mallie court were submitted over a year ago. Ted had asked for a clarification of separation of the garage and the building. It has been a long process and was not a knee jerk reaction.

 

Council Member Denninger stated that Hilshire Village is a zoned City. The zoning ordinance does control what you can do with your lot. This ordinance was established in the 1950’s. The question never came up until recently as to how big the separation needed to be. In the past people were more concerned with how big the house had to be and not how big they could build the house. Council Member Denninger stated that the main building has always had to be 25 feet from the property line and the garage was always a one story building.

 

6. ANNOUNCEMENTS: NONE

 

7. ADJOURNMENT:

                                                                                                                                                                        ____________________

                                                                                                                                                                        Robin S. Border, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

__________________________

Susan Blevins, City Secretary