cc & pz 07-22-1998
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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.
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#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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Mr. Sweatt related that over a year ago, Planning and Zoning studied the
possibilities and made recommendations for areas they would like to see
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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.
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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.
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#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.
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