Resolution No. 22-R-119 - Consideration and/or action approving a Resolution by the City Council of the City of Schertz, Texas authorizing a Cooperation Agreement with the Texas Home Collaborative. (M. Browne/B. James)

Mayor Gutierrez stated for the record that Councilman Michael Dahle had stepped down from the dais. Councilmember Dahle is the owner of the property in question, so recused himself from the discussion and had previously signed an affidavit regarding the conflict of interest form.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 22-S-41
 

AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP BY REZONING APPROXIMATELY 15 ACRES OF LAND TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (PDD), GENERALLY LOCATED 2,200 FEET SOUTHEAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF LOWER SEGUIN ROAD AND FM 1518, ALSO KNOWN AS BEXAR COUNTY PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS 309997 AND 309999, BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS.

Mayor Gutierrez recognized Assistant City Manager Brian James who explained that the rezone was to designate the property as a Planned Development District (PDD) for multi-family project. Staff recommended approval stating we want to be a community that is sustainable and that requires a mix of housing options. Concerns regarding the impact on infrastructure have been addressed. Council has approved the Woman Hollering to address the water/waste water concerns, funding has been approved by Council and residents of Schertz to improve FM1518 and to build Fire Station 4.  Development has to happen before infrastructure improvements occur.  

Mayor Gutierrez opened the public hearing to the residents: 

Ms. Jennifer Pugh, 8914 Stage Stem, concern 1.6 parking spaces for each apartment, where will excess cars park.  Will they park on residential streets?

Mr. Todd Bishop, 8926 Green Grant, timing of the infrastructure.  Estimated completion date for FM1518 is TBD.  Construction to begin 5-10 years.  Recommended allowing open discussion with public.

Mr. Robert Marks, 12245 Forbach Drive, not opposed to the project.  Location is confusing because the area isn't built up enough for lower income families, only thing available is Dollar General, there are no grocery stores, no public transportation in this area.  Emergency response time will be delayed due to rapidly growing neighborhoods without the infrastructure support.

Ms. Aubrey Dahle, 9120 E FM1518 N, this issue has been under discussion through Planning and Zoning and brought forward through City Council previously.  Property owner feels it is not up to anyone else to decide what is done

Ms. Anika Dahle, 9120 E FM1518 N, owns cattle that often get out of the property onto public road which is safety hazard for the cows as well as drivers and passengers on the road.

Mr. Wayne Ashebrenner, 1200 N Old Bastrop Road, San Marcos, Tx, Broker handling the sale of this property.  Reached out to Chris Price.  Exhaustive meetings throughout the past several months to allow public discussion one hosted by Councilmember Whitaker.  This is not low income housing, it is workforce housing.  Timing is good.  

Ms. Karen Dahle, owner of 9120 E FM1518, property in question.  Texas provides landowner rights to do with their land as they want.  Went through the process, had experts come in to help, talked to neighbors, wants the right to sell.

Ms. Angela Sherrad 8915 Sage Stem, lives directly behind property in question.  Social worker who has dealt with families in multifamily housing, concern with the traffic, took 30 minutes to get to teh intersection of I-10 and FM1518, concern with legal issues no police officers in the area, takes 15 minutes so will take police officers that long or longer during periods of heavy traffic to respond very concerned that crime will go up in the area.

Mr. Gerald Baldridge, 9323 Winding Bloom, purchased their home and had to agree to restrictions, so property owners don't just get to do what they want.  Concerned with crime rate going up.  Concerned with the children in the schools in the area.  Impressionable kids at an impressionable age.  Police response time will be delayed.  Would like to see studies on how this type of development has on the schools.

Mayor Gutierrez closed public hearing and recognized the developer to address concerns expressed by the individuals that spoke.  Jason Arechiga, 22603 Impala Bend, San Antonio, with the NRP Group, provided a summary of the planned project.  They construct and manage the units.  Not problem free.  Good record of keeping track, zero tolerance of felonies, criminal and credit background checks are done, they worked extensively with the Schertz Housing Authority.  Designed to be a community that protects the residents. Gated property with 300 units mix of 1-4 bedroom units, 1.72 parking spaces, and they plan to provide transportation to residents. Offer many residential services to create and enhance the community. 

Mayor Gutierrez opened to the Council for discussion. 

Councilmember Davis open comment with his biggest concern being the timing of the development with the infrastructure improvements. FM1518 is funded, utility relocation being done, issue with Right of Way with Randolph AFB.  Mr James stated that TXDOT has an alternative plan if they are unable to secure the ROW.  He reiterated that there is little doubt that the development will begin before FM1518 is complete.  Development and growth around us will not stop and will impact the traffic on FM1518. 

Councilmember Whitaker stated that a lot of information gathering has occurred over the past few months. She asked several questions related to the management of the development.  Leading with whether residents were required to show some sort of income, to which Mr. Arechiga responded affirmatively.  He also stated that the Schertz Housing Authority would be a full partner and have full say in the occupancy requirements.  She also asked how occupancy per unit would be managed?  Mr. Arechiga responded with bi-annual inspections, maintenance reviews, being vigilant by seeing whose coming and going. Violations will be addressed. Councilmember Whitaker asked how many staff would be on site? Mr. Arechiga stated a manager, assistant manager, two leasing agents, two maintenance personnel, and roving staff who might work at multiple locations.  Councilmember Whitaker also expressed concerns with issues that arose at other properties managed by the NRP Group and asked how these issues would be averted at the development planned for Schertz. Councilmember Whitaker closed her comments with the timing, home market values, planned infrastructure improvements, and school.  Hopes that residents do feel that their concerns have been heard.

Councilmember David Scagliola questioned the validity of some of the issues that are being brought to his attention.  He expressed the responsibility of resolving issues with the residents falls to the developer.  It is not his responsibility.  Doesn't believe resolution has been met which makes his job easier.

Councilmember Tim Brown growth is happening faster than imagined.  Not a standalone unit in the middle of the field.  Everyone wants rural surroundings, but private property rights belong to the owner.  Schools are ready. TXDOT is planning ahead for the growth. Schertz has no control over the road construction or the timing of it. More propensity for increased crime for the planned 3,000 single residences than a 300 unit multi-family community.

Mayor Pro-Tem Heyward addressed the issue of workforce housing.  Many cities are dealing with the same issue.  We must provide housing that our lower wage employees can afford.

Mr. James added that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved this action with a vote of 6-0 at their last meeting.

Mayor Gutierrez asked for a motion to approve Ordinance 22-S-41.  

Moved by Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, seconded by Councilmember Tim Brown.

AYE: Councilmember Mark Davis, Councilmember Jill Whitaker, Mayor Pro-Tem Allison Heyward, and Councilmember Tim Brown.

NAY: Councilmember David Scagliola

Motion passed 4-1.