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cc & pz 07-22-1998 . . . JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION JULY 22, 1998 The Schertz City Council and the Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened in Joint Session on Wednesday, July 22, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtney Meeting Room of the Schertz Public Library, 608 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, Texas. The following Council members were present: Mayor Hal Baldwin, presiding; Councilmembers Pia Jarman; Timothy Swinney and Ken Greenwald. Councilmembers absent: Joe Potempa and Norman W. Agee, Sr. The following Planning and Zoning Commissioners were present: Secretary Keith Van Dine; Commissioners Joyce Briscoe; George Maxfield; Gary Wallace and Tony Moreno. Commissioners absent: President Ernie Evans and Vice- President David Richmond. Staff present were City Manager Kerry Sweatt, Asst. City Manager/Planning Coordinator Steve Simonson and City Secretary Norma Althouse. Mr. Sweatt welcomed everyone to the meeting and mentioned it had been decided they would hold a joint meeting annually. They have included several items on the agenda for discussion, none of them requiring action. . #1 Discuss water planning issues for the future of Schertz. Mr. Sweatt advised that Mr. Greenwald has served as a representative for the City on water issues for several years. As everyone knows, there are now serious restrictions on the use of the Edwards Aquifer and these restrictions will increase with time. The City of Schertz must find alternate sources of water and they have been actively searching for those sources for some time now. A current study involves the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer and Seguin has joined the City in that effort. Mr. Sweatt went on to say the City has maintained membership in the Canyon Regional Water Authority (CRWA) which gives us some rights to Lake Dunlap and we have some rights to buy from the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA). Quality and dependability are the issues and a study is an expensive and long-term undertaking. Referring to the study of the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, Mr. Greenwald mentioned the well search area goes from Nixon to Leesville to Gonzales. Mrs. Briscoe inquired if anyone is getting water from there now and Mr. Greenwald replied very few. They have set up an underground water district to protect water rights. It is in the exploratory stage right now. The Carrizo-Wilcox has a very good quality of water. . -263- . . . Mrs. Briscoe asked how deep the wells are and Mr. Greenwald replied one was 750' deep and one was shallow. Mrs. Briscoe then asked if there's a time line for exploration of wells and Mr. Sweatt answered the time line is 90 days. Mr. Greenwald explained each step takes 60 days to complete and it takes 90 days to get the report. Mrs. Briscoe wondered since we're already there, do we get first dibs. Mayor Baldwin stressed the important thing is to find an alternate water source as close to Schertz as possible and to get there ahead of San Antonio. Mr. Wallace asked if we're betting on the come and if we can support development now. Mr. Sweatt noted that in the year 2000 we may be penalized for overpumping from the Edwards and will be able to pump less than we do now. Mr. Wallace then questioned if there's a line to draw. Mrs. Briscoe asked if we can stop building. Mr. Sweatt replied that fortunately, we have a Capital Recovery program in place. Mr. Van Dine asked if the City can be forbidden by the Edwards to draw out water if we find an alternate water source. Mr. Sweatt answered they are doing that right now to New Braunfels. Mayor Baldwin noted we still have some rights to the Edwards and Mr. Greenwald added we will probably have to go to court to get water. . Mayor Baldwin commented that if San Antonio maintains the status quo and does nothing and all the small cities get off the Edwards, then that will probably free up some water. They're pushing all of us to find new ways to conserve water. Regarding the joint effort with Seguin, Mr. Greenwald remarked there are other cities in the area that are in a bind and would be potential customers. Mrs. Jarman inquired how much water we need today and Mr. Sweatt replied 2500 to 3000 acre feet more. In the long term that would satisfy a population of 40,000. Mr. Van Dine observed he can see the City getting into a bidding war. #2 Discuss hike and bike paths. Mr. Sweatt advised the City has had some hike and bike paths on a limited basis for some time using the existing streets of Randolph and Oak. They have proven to be successful and safe, but we need to expand. The possibilities are the widening of Schertz Parkway and the use of major power line rights-of-way, drainage areas and greenbelts. There are greenbelts in Aroya Verde, Greenshire and Dove Meadows. In the long term, there may be something on the Cibolo Creek from Boerne on down. There is a wetland area behind Lone Oak before it gets to the plant and there is the possibility of Pecan Grove tying in with Schertz Parkway. . Mayor Baldwin asked if anyone has taken a map and laid out the City to see how certain areas could be tied together. Mr. Simonson replied the Comprehensive -264- . . . Plan committee did something similar to that. The City tries to obtain greenbelts from developers. Mr. Swinney related that some kind of proposal was made to the Greenshire Homeowners Association and he thinks it will have lots of opposition. Mr. Simonson pointed out these proposals have to be presented properly and his feeling is that the population is now getting v~ry supportive. Mr. Swinney commented a trail around the Greenshire/Royal Oaks area would be good for the new school. Mayor Baldwin insisted something about hike and bike paths needs to be included in the Comprehensive Plan and we need to hold developers feet to the fire as far as obtaining greenbelt areas. Mr. Simonson indicated he can provide preliminary work to Council that Planning and Zoning has been working on that very thing. There was a brief discussion about the maintenance of hike and bike paths and Mr. Sweatt added that along with the maintenance, there are also the social issues such as crime. Mr. Swinney mentioned the possibility of a Police Department bike patrol. . Mayor Baldwin said the exercise track at Schertz Elementary has proved to be a good project. Lots of people use it. Mr. Simonson pointed out that if we only get hike and bike paths along Schertz Parkway it will be a big plus to the City. Mr. Sweatt advised the TIF Board has plans calling for the widening of Schertz Parkway with an esplanade in the center, but the plans are stalled right now. Mayor Baldwin wondered if it would be too much to ask developers to build sidewalks (not in the subdivisions) through drainage areas and high power line areas before the houses are built. Mr. Maxfield mentioned seeing hike and bike paths down the middle of esplanades in other cities. Mr. Sweatt asked everyone to keep in mind that even though people seem to want more hike and bike paths, the crime factor is a realistic issue. #3 Discuss rural road improvement policy. . Mr. Sweatt explained that except for Green Valley Road, there does not appear to be an urgency for upgrading due to growth of traffic. However, we all know it is only a matter of time before some of our roads will need serious work to bring them up to urban standards. Some examples of the cost for rebuilding are $900,000 plus for Green Valley Road and $2,300,000 for Ware Seguin Road. The question really is who would pay for the upgrading. In the past, developers have paid for new roads. In the case of Borgfeld Road, the City set up a development cost per linear foot for each new development along its length in Schertz. An estimate of cost was established to rebuild the road to urban -265- . . . standards and each new development contributed to the fund, paying one half the full cost per linear foot of frontage. The question is whether for other rural roads with many people already having frontage on them, do we assess each landowner, look to bonds, or some combinations of grants, landowner and City participation. Mr. Swinney asked how the County plays and was told by Mr. Sweatt that once you annex a road, it's yours. The City has the right of assessment, but can we assess at someone's back door. Mr. Wallace asked what prompted the Wiederstein overpass. Mr. Sweatt replied the fact that the service roads will be one-way and the desire to have no more than one mile between connections. Mr. Swinney inquired if there's any way to get the low water crossing to Universal City off ground zero. Mr. Sweatt answered the Universal City city limits do not come all the way to the creek and Universal City is not willing to talk. When the plans were designed for the widening on FM 78, we tried to convince TXDoT to build a detour bridge, but they claimed it is too expensive. They say they can build a bridge and keep traffic flowing at the same time. Mr. Simonson reminded everyone that when the widening of FM 78 is completed, the underpass will no longer tie into FM 78. . Other points of discussion regarding roads were as follows: Bexar County has to step up and fund improvements to Trainer Hale - it is not a TXDo T project. The Kitty Hawk extension between Schertz and Universal City is another place a bridge is needed. We need to be proactive rather than waiting until things are half built. We need to find out if it's legal to ask all developers to put money in a pot for upgrading and perhaps asked our Representatives to introduce legislation which would help. Are toll roads a possibility? Ending the discussion on rural roads, Mr. Simonson reported that off Maske Road, on the other side of the Boggess farm, a major soccer camp is proposed. #4 Discuss future annexation matters. . Mr. Sweatt related that over a year ago, Planning and Zoning studied the possibilities and made recommendations for areas they would like to see -266- . . . annexed by the City. The City Attorney has been looking into those recommendations. Be aware that because of ET J's, among other things, annexation is not as simple as it sounds. Legislation is about to get more complicated. Mr. Simonson brought the ET J map to the meeting and pointed out the current City of Schertz city limits and the various ET J's surrounding the City. Mr. Simonson asked where do we want to go. How big do we want to be? Mr. Greenwald stated New Braunfels is planning to come out FM 1863 all the way to FM 3009. Mayor Baldwin expressed the desire to annex some area between 1-10 and the Cibolo Creek. This prompted discussion about 1-10 growth, about the 1-10 water service area, and about who is going to provide sewer service to the area. George Maxfield noted that talk continues about a regional airport between us and Austin. Mr. Van Dine mentioned that the drag strip along 1-10 looks like a done deal and if it goes as planned, whoever gets it will have a nice income for their city. . Mayor Baldwin commented that Northcliffe is pressing for annexation. Mr. Sweatt remarked that has two inhibiting factors - MUD #1 and MUD #2. We would have to take on their debt. Perhaps with some creative financing we could annex them, refinance and have a lower payment. However, U.S. Homes may own more than we want to take on. They are in our ET J and we don't have to annex them until we're ready. The majority of Planning and Zoning members present thought annexation of the areas they recommended previously was a good idea. Mr. Wallace commented Planning and Zoning's interest in annexation was to drive the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Simonson reminded everyone that there is always a cost to annexation, for example, the expansion of City services. Mayor Baldwin observed that all San Antonio has to do is make two more annexations, and it's checkmate for Schertz. His suggestion was to annex more farm land as a means of holding them off. Both Mr. Moreno and Mr. Van Dine thought that was good strategy. Mr. Simonson pointed out if they only fill in their ET J's, that would be an annexation of 40 square miles. Mayor Baldwin suggested the Planning and Zoning Commission take into consideration everything discussed this evening and get back with City Council. Council will be anticipating recommendations from the Commission. . -267- . . . . . #5 Discuss Comprehensive Plan development. Mr. Sweatt reviewed the comments made in the packet regarding the Comprehensive Plan. In light of recent changes in Texas concerning the importance of the Comprehensive Plan, we may be at a point where our draft Comprehensive Plan will require professional assistance for its completion. Mr. Sweatt went on to say a plan is a guide. Planning and Zoning has been working on revisions to the Comprehensive Plan for some time now. What does City Council want? What does Planning and Zoning want? Mr. Simonson felt that because of recent legislation, Planning and Zoning should be better coordinated with City Council as far as the Comprehensive Plan goes. Perhaps, as Mr. Sweatt mentioned, it is time to bring in a professional to get a good document legally. It is becoming very strenuous for volunteers to put the plan together. Mayor Baldwin thought a consultant was a good idea and asked Mr. Sweatt to get some estimates on hiring one. Mr. Moreno commented they already have lots of information and lots of facts, they just need some guidance in putting it all together into a legal document. Before adjournment, Mayor Baldwin said there were a couple of things he would like to bring up that are not on the agenda. One of those is the traffic congestion on FM 3009. He's not sure about a solution, but thinks more traffic controls may help. He told the Council he would like to send a letter to every property owner along FM 3009 asking them to ban together and go to Austin and demand more traffic controls. Secondly, he asked Steve Simonson if he could put the New Braunfels ET J on the map. His suggestion is to get one mile annexed to split New Braunfels and San Antonio. Mr. Sweatt reported the groundbreaking for the new emergency services building has been set for August 8th at 9:00 a.m. Everyone is invited. There being no further comments or questions, Mayor Baldwin thanked Planning and Zoning for the opportunity to meet with them and then adjourned the meeting meeting at 9:35 p.m. -268-