04221966 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

," special meeting, april 22,1966 page two to be re-zoned before it could be used for commercial purposes. Alderman Whittenberg said he had given an enormous amount of thought to the matter; that $50,000 was a lot of money for a church to spend. He suggest- ed that the City dedicate a street giving access to the church's property, and then use the remaining parts of the 3.62 acres for beautification - perhaps a rose garden. Edgar Ash, recognized by the Mayor, said he did not think any park property should be sold. He spoke several times during the evening. Mr. Ash said he lived outside the City Limits, on Wimberley Road. Alderman Pool said if additional park sites could be purchased with money derived from the 3.62 acres, he felt it would be beneficial to the City. He said he approved of Mr, Whittenberg's idea, a/so. The Mayor said: "Speaking as a member of the Parish Advisory Board. al I the church wants is assurance that nothing wi I I ever be done with that land (to mar the entrance to St. John's Church)". Mr. Carney asked Father Tre- vino, pastor of St. John's Church, to speak to the quest- ion. Father Trevino said he had met that week with the Bishop and the church's attorney. He had been advised that "access" would not be satisfactory and that the Bishop had decided to go ahead and face the church on Riverside Drive, as the plans originally called for. Alderman Froh asked if the Counci I were to dedicate a street, could the next Counci I close it? Several, ans- wered in the affirmative. The Mayor asked if the Counc; I would consider leasing the 3.62 acres at a nominal price, with the guarantee that nothing objectionable would ever be done with it. Father Trevino said: "The attorney said 'No'". Alderman Korff said the City had had an appraisal and the Council should decide what price they wish to place on -the land. The Bishop is the one who wi II decide, Mr. Korff said, and he should make an offer to the City. The Mayor cal led attention to the fact that the appraisal was made on the basis of commercial property, whereas the church could not be considered in that category. Robert Jay asked ~f the City sold the property, could it get 3 to I value from some Federal aid program. The Mayor said any money from sale of park land would have to be reinvested in park land. Alderman Pool commented that the City needs more parks in other parts of town: "I can see where we could reinvest it to advantage, but I think the price is high", Dr. Pool said. Alderman Damon brought up a solution that had been discussed when the matter was first brought before the Counci I: a swap of land of equal value. Elwood Soechting said that site was a"IOO % loc- ation" for a shopping center. "My persona) opinion is that I' d like the Catho I i c Church to have that property. if a compromise could be worked out - if they'd agree. on a basis of 10-year growth. to put a clause in that they wouldn't sell for a shopping center", Mr. Soechting said. Father Trevino said: "Even if it became necessary to sell, I'm sure th~ church could get together with the business community - that they would guarantee in writing that the 3.62 acres would never be sold. We would move part of the bui Iding into that area." J.B. Roberts re- minded the people that in a request for a zoning change, 80 % of the people with~n 200 feet would have to agree to the change. Father Trevino said again that he felt the church could assure the City that the 3.62 acres would never be sold for a shopping center - if they reserved the right to sel I, say, for an apartment house. I I I