01-26-1993 PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES
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The Schertz Planning and Zoning Commission convened in
regular session on Tuesday, January 26, 1993 at 7:00 P.M. in
the Municipal Complex conference room, 1400 Schertz Parkway,
Schertz, Texas. Those present were as follows:
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION OTHERS PRESENT
BOB ANDREWS, CHAIRMAN
GEORGE VICK, VICE-CHAIRMAN SERAFIN MARTINEZ
OLIVER NELSON, SECRETARY CITY STAFF
MERWIN WILLMAN
KEITH VAN DINE STEVE SIMONSON, _
BOBBIE VONADA ASST. CITY MANAGER
DAVID RICHMOND NORMA ALTHOUSE
KEN GREENWALD, COUNCILMAN
RECORDING SECRETARY
#1 CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Andrews called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: public Hearing, Regular Session and
Public Meeting January 12, 1993
Bobbie Vonada made a motion to approve the minutes for the
public hearing, regular session and public meeting January 12,
1993. George Vick seconded the motion and the vote was as
follows:
AYES: B. Andrews, G. Vick, O. Nelson, M. Willman, K. Van Dine,
B. Vonada
NAYS: None
ABSTENTIONS: D. Richmond
Motion carried.
#3 CITIZENS'-INPUT OTHER THAN AGENDA ITEMS
There was none.
#4 CONSIDER AND MAKE RECOMMENDATION: Development and Growth
Plan Update - Utilities (copy attached)
Chairman Andrews asked the Commission for ideas.
Steve Simonson noted .that he makes reference to the study done
by the VISIONS group, and that study .is kept on file in the
Planning office.
Mr• Simonson further stated that 'after looking over the
Utilities, even though at the -last meeting the Commission
decided to discuss only water this time, he just included all
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of them since the City has :control only over the water. .
Chairman Andrews commented that even though, when it's
finished, the Plan will only be a synopsis like they've got
here, he would like to see, somewhere in the City, one Plan put
together as a unit with all the appendices, maps, etc. Steve
Simonson affirmed there will be one in the Planning Department.
Water
Oliver Nelson, referring to the Objective, asked what the
second source of water is and was told by Councilman Ken
Greenwald the City has considered joining in with Canyon
Regional Water Authority. Mr. Greenwald indicated the problem
is in moving the water through another system's lines, which in
our case would have to be Green Valley, and it is not an
approved system. There's a chance of mixing water.
Mr. Greenwald then went on to say the City is also looking at
New Braunfels water. Looking long-range and depending on the
outcome of the Edwards District lawsuit, the EPA, and the
Sierra Club, we could be in dire straits for water.
George Vick asked if Schertz is part of the Edwards Underground
District and Councilman Ken Greenwald replied no, we are
considered just a transporter.
George Vick asked if the City doesn't have wells and was told
by Councilman Ken Greenwald they have four.
There was some discussion about the size of the wells and the
quality of water therein.
Oliver Nelson asked if he understands correctly that Schertz
has four wells pumping water from the Edwards Aquifer, but is
not -part of the Edwards District and if they want to put a~
limit on the amount of water we pump, they could. Mr. Nelson
was informed that is correct.
In regard to Canyon Regional, Councilman Ken Greenwald
mentioned that if the City doesn't run separate transmission
lines, there is no way of getting the water from McQueeny to
our lines except through Green Valley.
Bobbie Vonada questioned the ramifications of not having an
approved system versus having a non-approved system and was
informed there are several :things, the main one being State
} certification.
Keith: Van Dine brought up the Schaefer water system bought by
the City of .Schertz some years ago and wondered if they had
their: own well'. Steve Simonson replied they did not, they just
set up a transmission system and bought the water and-sold it
to the residents.
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Mr. :Van Dine related that lots of people in the Schirmerv
area still have their water hauled in, they still use cisternse
Steve Simonson stated the City has two wells at FM 3009 and
FM2252 and-two near the Golden Corral in Universal City.
Oliver- Nelson commented there must :have been a leak in one of
the Universal City wells yesterday because of all the water
running down Pat Booker Road from the direction of the tanks
there.
Steve Simonson informed Mr.
radio-controlled, but it's Nelson their system is
overflow or a valve might haveobeenlstuckre might have been an
George Vick asked about the possibility of catching rainwater
and treating it.
Steve Simonson reported there had been some talk about claiming
some of the water from the Cibolo Creek and building their own
treatment plant, but it is extremely expensive.
Councilman Ken Greenwald informed the Commission any water can
be treated to drinking water quality, it depends on how much
You want to pay for treatment of it.
Commission that Dr. Howe from UTSA gives arvenwald told the
talk on this subject. rY interesting
Keith Van Dine mentioned recycling water where you have two
faucets - one for drinking and one for bathin
clothes, etc. Steve Simonson observed that is called thesgray
water re-use system.
Chairman Andrews, referring to the Objective where it mentions
that before January 1, 1997 a seconda
secured, asked if that's realistic.. s°urce of water will be
replied it is realistic based on projectedcgr wthKen Greenwald
Steve Simonson added that Schertz has well pumping ca acit
a population of 50,000. P y for
Mr. Simonson then went on to say there is lots of water
conservation going on. There are new codes for homes, there is
serious talk about gray water re-use, and the City is looking
into a plan that would offer the
(one for the house and one for outside)rty owner a second meter
George Vick suggested using 1998 since that is five ears aw
and the Plan should be updated once a Y ay
year.
Bobbie Vonada pointed out nothing can be done until the Edwards
lawsuit is settled, but Councilman Ken Greenwald admitted the
can press on with Canyon Regional. Y
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Electric
George Vick asked if anything can be done about networking with
~ other- electrical. sources since GVEC has only .one pole.
Councilman Ken Greenwald replied there is a second source of
power, but it's on the same pole.
Bobbie Vonada commented on windmills and George~Vick remarked
that other areas of the country have grids. Steve Simonson
noted that GVEC has grids, but Schertz is at the end of the
wire.
Chairman Andrews said he thought GVEC had mentioned looking
into installing a loop so an incident like before, when the
pole fell and everyone lost power, wouldn't happen again-. It
was not known for sure if GVEC is still considering- that
possibility.
Steve. Simonson noted that one thing the City had looked into
was buying the electrical system and being their own utility.
They could buy from anybody.
Gas ~
Oliver Nelson asked about the gas situation in Schertz and
Steve Simonson informed him that GVEC outbid Entex every time
when all the new subdivisions were built. GVEC made a deal the
subdividers couldn't pass up - that field is strictly market
driven.
Chairman Andrews added that maybe Entex will be more agreeable
when new subdivisions .start building, but Councilman Ren
Greenwald said they can't give up the $750 tap fee, it is
mandated by the Railroad Commission. When new developers come
in, GVEC will have the edge.
Steve Simonson commented GVEC has done a pretty good job and
tries to cooperate with everyone.
George Vick suggested maybe :.the City should look at buying its
own system.
.Sewer.
Steve- Simonson pointed out :sewer is regional and mandated by
the State.
Telephone and Cable
Chairman Andrews asked if anything more had been heard from
Excel Cable. Councilman Ken Greenwald replied they are still.
working. on it_, it:isn't dead yet. ~ .
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" George Vick made a motion to a
=in the Development and Growth Planoon~Utilitiesen~OliversNetion
seconded the motion and the'vote was .unanimous in favson
Motion carried. or.
#5 GENERAL DISCUSSION
David Richmond:
(a) Commented on recycling, saying the Schertz citizens had
rate increase on January 1 and the only solution to the problem
offered by Alamo Waste is a 96 gallon trash container and the
citizens have to pay for the container.
Mr. Richmond went on to explain that it seems we are totally
being bypassed on recycling and stated he takes his recyclables
to Randolph AFB. Universal City has a door to door recycling
program and he feels something other than a 96 gallon trash
container should be offered by Alamo Waste. Why can't they
come up with some way of offering us curbside recycling? Why
aren't they interested?
Councilman Ken Greenwald pointed out they are interested, but
the State raises dumping fees every year and there is a problem
in the transfer of recyclables. Recycling is, however, the
wave of the future.
Mr• Richmond, noting we have no landfills, expressed the
opinion something should be done.
Steve Simonson indicated the government needs to get behind
some incentives for recycling. Mr.
Richmond that both Gail Douglas and MarknMarqueznhaved worked
hard on the recycling program and he might want to contact them
for information.
Mr• Richmond wondered what Randolph AFB does with their
recyclables and Steve Simonson said he would also like to know.
Councilman Ken Greenwald related they are picked up by MWR and
taken to Kelley AFB for salvage.
Chairman Andrews asked if something should be included in t
Development and Growth Plan about rec clin he
agreed something should be included, so Steve Simonsonmsaidihe
will add something which will be in their package for the ne
meeting, xt
Keith Van Dine•
(a) Stated he thinks the Cit
y needs to take a look at the .guy
getting .water out on Pfeil Road.
where 'he The pavement is~eroding away
pulls in to hook up. Steve Simonson said- he would
check into it.
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Bobbie Vonada•
Reported that the Schertz Business Association voted today to
name their scholarship fund' the "James Shriver Memorial
Scholarship Fund." The Commission liked that idea.
M= Willman•
(a) Remarked there are two streets in the City with the same
name - Live Oak Road and Live Oak Blvd. Said he thought it
would have been a good idea to have recommended Live Oak Road
be named after Roy Richard instead of Jack Hays Blvd. being
renamed. Chairman Andrews remarked that recommendation had
been made.
Mr. Andrews then asked where Live Oak Blvd. is and was
informed in 13th row also known as Live Oak Hills Subdivision.
After some discussion, Mr. Willman requested discussion of a
possible name change for Live Oak Blvd. be placed on the next
agenda and asked that the Commission have some names ready for
suggestion to City Council.
George Vick•
(a) Asked what all the fill dirt is by the Animal Shelter and
was informed by Steve Simonson they are filling in the erosion
on the edge, but the dirt is not reaching the bottom of the
creek. Mr. Simonson acknowledged he is keeping an eye on it.
Councilman Ken Greenwald:
(a) Reported that the name of Jack Hays Blvd. was officially
changed to Roy Richard Dr.
(b) Informed the. Commission that opening day for BVYA is April
3rd at 9:00 A.M.
Steve Simonson•
(a) Related that it looks-like we no longer have a buyer for
. Greenshire -the RTC changed the rules. Also, Merwin Willman.
showed him an article saying the RTC is moving from San Antonio
to Dallas.
Mr. Simonson .then told David Richmond he wanted him to be
aware that Hallmark-Gharmley, who .were going to buy Greenshire, .
' were going to work with the homeowners on moving the Greenshire
. entrance.. Now .that they're not buying, he .doesn't know -what
will happen.. The City has no plans to .do anything with the
entrance.- The same thing is ,true for Savannah Square and
Woodland Oaks.
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(b) Stated he had a long talk with the- eo le who bought the
rest of Woodland Oaks. They are awarepthere is a drainage
problem up there. Also, he saw a Master Plan and they are
stubbing out going to FM 1518 and stubbing out going to the
north. Told the Commission they may see a plat in the next 3-6
months.
David Richmond asked who bought the rest of the property and
Steve Simonson replied Dover.
(c) Advised that the developers for Richland properties have
bought the CDR property.
(d) Commented the Commission should see a plat and a site plan
soon for property around McDonald's and Diamond Shamrock. The
main concern is sewer. Mr. Simonson brought in the Master
Plan for Corridor 35 for the Commission to see and explained
several ways they could run the sewer lines.
Bobbie Vonada asked if they've indicated what's going in there
and Steve Simonson replied an H.E.B. shopping center.
Chairman And_
r_ews;
(a) Asked if the building code requires water from your washer
to tie into water Lines and Steve Simonson replied yes it does.
Mr. Andrews asked if that can be changed, but Steve Simonson
replied it is State mandated.
(b) Inquired if Steve Simonson heard anything from Mark Vaughan
regarding the plat for Greenshire Estates. Mr. Simonson
replied he had heard nothing.
George Vick recommended a list be added to-the agenda of tabled
items and Mr. Andrews suggested it be the last. item before
General Discussion. Bobbie Vonada requested the minutes of
when the item was tabled also be listed.
#6 AD•7OURNMENT
Chairman Andrews adjourned the meeting at 8:20 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is February 9, 1993.