CITY COUNCIL HEARS CONCERNS ON SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR A MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

  

The Brenham City Council was a busy and lively place on Thursday afternoon with several residents who reside in the area of a property that was being considered for a Specific Use Permit to allow a multifamily development on two acres of land being developed.

A public hearing was conducted to get public input on how the specific use permit would affect residents in the Hosea and Bob Street areas.

Huntjon LLC requested the special use permit for 6.274 acres of land, who is working with the Brenham Housing Authority to replace exisiting housing stock for the residents. The applicant told the Council that the repair to the existing units would be more than to build new housing, and without this permit, the development could not occur. Lower density units such as cluster housing, group residential, multifamily on two acres of lress and duplexes are types of multifamily that are allowed "by right."

The land on the proposed 80 unit building in question, Belle Acres, will occupy two or more acres of land, and is being proposed to go to an R-2 Mixed Residential Zoning District.

The proposed complex will have access from Hosea St, which is a local residential street.

Several of the individuals present expressed their concerns, and were not in favor of the request. Concerns such as noise, crime, and possibly the effect on property values.

Brenham’s new police chief Craig Goodman assured those in attendance that his officers will be available to take care of any issues of crime concerns the residents would have.

Also approved was the purchase and installation of the first round of playground equipment for the Michael Mansfield Owsley Memorial Playground.

The Playground will connect Fireman’s Park and the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library.

The Alvin and Lucy Owsley Foundation donated $750,000 to fund the park expansion project, which has been approved by the City Council.

Assistant City Manager Rex Phelps asked for approval for $205,219.47 of that money to submit to PlayWorks, Inc for the playground equipment. The Council also authorized the approval of installation from Playworks, Inc for $43,914.90.

The total cost of the project is expected to be $249,134.37.

Also approved was the purchase on three new, already budgeted police vehicles. The Dodge Chargers currently being used had significant issues with durability of its suspension and braking system.

The new 2016 Ford Explorers will be black and white, with the department’s badge and patch, Texas Best Practices Recognition sticker, and the American flag.

The total cost of the three marked vehicles is $122,095.

Several of the public hearing scheduled to be heard were withdrawn, including the Public Hearing to consider the zoning change on several tracts of land on S. market Street between Baylor and E Mansfield and E Stone is no longer active.

The applicant that originally submitted this request has withdrawn the request from consideration.

The Council approved a recommendation from the Tourism and Promotions Council Sub-Committee related to the use of Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds for the Marketing and promotion of the Simon Conference Center.

Approved was Interlocal Agreement between the City of Brenham and the City of College Station for a Cooperative Purchase Program.

The City Council also approved the purchase of an EZ Hauler Mini-Digger Derrick and Trailer for the City’s Electric Department, and the purchase of two backhoes for the gas and water departments.

Also discussed and approved was an Ordinance on the First Reading Amending the FY 2014-2015 Adopted Budget, which included items such as the General Fund Sale of City Owned Lots, Streets and Drainage Fund, and the purchase of the former Synagogue property in the downtown area, which was purchased for $29,034.

Also,  Ryan Hoffart, with the Community Services Department, was recognized for his time as an intern.