Sunday, September 13, 2009

Rockwall City Council 08 September

Started with executive session action, spendin money it sounded like.

III. Proclamations.

1. City Secretary accepts a proclamation for National Preparedness Month. She asks who has a emergency action plan? No one. Guess 911 isn't enough.

2. National Drug Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Chief of Police accepts without any words.

IV. Open Forum.

1. Lady who owns Lake Rockwall and a bunch of flood plain wanted to talk about zoning. Guess she didn't understand the rules laid out by the Mayor. Repeatedly.

V. Consent Agenda.

#7 pulled. The speed limit on 205 is FINALLY gin to increase from "crippled snail" to reasonable.

Glen wanted it slower for a longer distance, Matt thought it should be faster sooner. Glen's motion failed 2-5, motion to approve as recommended by TxDOT passes 5-2.

Rest of consent passes 7-0.

VI. Appointments.

1. P&Z Chairman Michael Hunter talked briefly about P&Z's recommendations regarding LRE zoning.

2. Fella who has a perfect view of the park at Fox Chase doesn't like cars parking in front of the trees and pond cuz it distorts "his" view of the park. He would like the city to restrict parking from Summer Lee to either oak or Secret Cove. For those familiar with the layout, this is basically all the street in front of the park itself. He would like to restrict the parking to be from Summer Lee to Horizon on both sides of the street.

According to the complainer it is not about "who uses the park" it's about "cars ruining the look of the neighborhood."

Then for what was a ridiculous amount of time for discussion the complainer made a smokescreen giving reasons why cars shouldn't park the way the cars are normally parked. Claimed "safety" for kids as the reason to restrict parking.

Oh, he's a former city councilman from Arkansas. hrd to believe a (former) government official could come with such a ruse.

In summary: too many people using the park and the only way to reduce the patronage is to claim safety issues on the street. Huh?

The solutions? There will be a temporary parking set up near the park (preceded this guy's complaint) and make people park on both sides of the street to use the park. Because crossing the street is safer than parking on the side of the street as your destination.

Also, there need to be signs to let folks know when the park closes because people are playing basketball at midnight. (for real?)

This was brought to council 6 months ago (and shot down I presume?)

Motion made to send the arking ban to parks board I think, or maybe to ban parking. Who can tell sometimes?

VII. Public Hearings.

2. LRE Zoning!

Mayor Cecil laid out te rules: 3 minutes, don't be repeptitive, and don't talk about water (which is triple the rate paid by the vast majority of the city).

P&Z power point laying out the plan with P&Z commission's recommendations added.

P&Z Director stated that t town halls "many" had "varied" opinions on zoning. (And by "many' he means "all" and by "varied" he means opposition and strenuous opposition.)

Four spoke asking council to vote against multifamily.

Matt stated there has be a lot of "misinformation" about zoning. There was no "secret push" for multifamily. Especially once it was exposed.

The subcomitee wanted to make sure that existing renters weren't displaced once the city begins demolishing unsafe inhabited homes. (<--My summary)

He then claimed a market for renters was the same as a market for multifamily. Also, a developed property with multifamily was more valuable than a vacant lot. Valuable = taxable. Also, multifamily would not lower property values. Which is why you see such a push in the Shores and "buffalo" neighborhoods to have multifamily built there.

"Some thought after a voice was heard that would be the end." He was talking about yours truly.

He said he thought MF would be needed and wanted, it might be needed, but not wanted though.

He then stated this PD will increase the cost of living. Again:Huh?

Matt makes the motion to approve.

David mentioned those who fought MF in the past.

Mark mentioned "Neighborhood Emowerment Zone", can't just leave it alone?

Cliff thanked Margo for he "try and change your mind" tour of multifamily.

Glen then stated they like citizen input, and that "blogs" were spreading misinformation. By "blogs" he means yours truly again (possibly timeonehands on MyDFW blog).

Glen then stated this council is ethical and no special interest were considered. Not-so-special interest?

Mayor Cecil then noted that council took longer than public in the public hearing. No surprise here.

Motion passes 7-0.

Does that mean my opinions matched my neighbors' opinions all along? Hard to believe I might actually be more in tune with my neighborhood than outsiders.

1. Budget public hearing.

Nobody speaks.

VIII. Action Items.

1. Soon to be sign on Ralph hall needs a variance and got it.

2. After hours usage by teens at the harbor parking lots. City is going to do something to restrict usage very soon, restrict hours, etc.

IX. City Manger's Report.

-Cell phones banned in school zones and city must post signs (which have been ordered).
-Floodplain notice thingy in the works.

Cliff asked about the quadplex built in violation of state law that should have been dealt with by the county and is now the city's problem.

The city is going to allow it to become a single or duplex. But duplexes are violation of deed restrictions, said Cliff I think.

Glen then parroted the false claim that the HOA's allowed MF before annexation and used the deed restriction angle as leverage against the city. (As stated by the HOA president Joan Stanley repeatedly at town halls, there was no money to fight the multifamily units. Guess that didnt make the P&Z's report....)

Meeting adjourned.

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