02172009 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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• 19. Public Hearing to receive comment for and against an amendment to the future land use map from "GC" General Commercial, "CC" Community Commercial, and "OS" Open Space, to "HDR" High Density Residential for a 22.504 acre, more or less piece of land; and amending the official zoning map of the City changing the base zoning from "GC" General Commercial district to "MF-18" Multi-Family district for a 12.743 and 9.761 acre, more or less, tract of land out of the JM Veramendi Survey No. 1, Abstract No. 17; and approving a land use plan and development standards for the Purgatory Creek PDD; including procedural provisions; and providing for penalties, and consider adoption of Zoning Ordinance 2009-12. At approximately 8:03 p.m. Mayor Narvaiz opened the Public Hearing. Charles Blue, 1001 W. San Antonio, reminded everyone about the hearing on land use and zoning several years ago. It was decided at that time that the property was appropriately zoned commercial. Due to the current economic situation, it is that much more important that we keep our commercial property intact. A commercial project would serve those individuals living out Hunter Road. He suggested that Hopkins needs an expansion to five lanes. He asked Council to keep this property commercial and take care of the streets. Gary Gazaldo, 734 W. Hopkins, Acting President of the Historic Neighborhood Association, urged Council to vote against this project. The property was designated commercial for a reason and this is the best use for that property. It is intuitive due to the intersection. People would • shop light industry there and wouldn't have to go downtown. He asked that Council consider the integrity of the neighborhood. This would add more traffic to those streets. He asked how would this benefit the city, let alone those residents impacted? He has heard plenty of reason why this is a bad idea, but he has not heard why this is a good idea. The project has been moving along very quickly, and there has been no time to get the word out. If these apartments are approved, it will generate more apartments. Is this the best place for apartments? If apartments are built, then they will be there for 100 years. A commercial project has more flexibility. He asked Council to vote against this, or at a minimum, to please table. Tom Wassenich, 11 Tanglewood, stated that traffic studies reflect that apartments generate the lowest number of cars per day. But the specifics that should be considered is where those cars go, what kind of people will be driving them, and the times of day they will be driven. The neighborhood does not mind a commercial district with daytime business traffic. With apartments, the tenants associated with University will go several times a day to the university and back. He also noted that all the bars in town are downtown, resulting in an increase in traffic at 2:00 a.m. This would be more dangerous traffic and noisy. There would be enforcement problems and would deteriorate a neighborhood. Rob Roark, a San Marcos resident, said that he lives close to where we want to put an entrance on Hunter Road. He has seen fatalities less than 100 yards from where this entrance will be put. The bus can barely slow down on Hunter Road now. He will not allow his children to go to the bus stop due to the danger. He asked Council to not leave an entrance on Hunter Road for the project and to please note the P&Z stipulations that were given for Council's consideration. • There are problems with blind spots, and a traffic impact analysis is needed. RM021709 Minutes Page 5