1996-06-10 Public Hearing Regular Meeting

Browse Search

e e Minutes Public Hearing and Regular Meeting La Porte City Council June 10, 1996, Page 3 Mr. Peter Barnhart, 1126 Manne Lane, Houston, Texas, 77090, spoke as the representative of the potential buyer of this property, Byzance, Inc. Mr. Barnhart handed out a sheet of background material (Exhibit A) and pictures of complexes owned by Byzance, Inc., and he reviewed their background and management practices for Council. Mr. Barnhart reported that in its present state the mini warehouse property did not warrant an on site manager. He said they would want to take the extra land Mr. Moore owns and expand onto it. Take what is presently there and turn it into a more acceptable storage facility to the community, from an aesthetic standpoint, and it will add to the tax base. Mr. Barnhart stated, "We estimated there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 160 residential lots available for development in the Northside of La Porte. We are asking for eight (8) lots which would not be as attractive to a homeowner because they are already sitting next to a mini-storage warehouse. I would understand the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation if it had been a block that was one half residential, and we were trying to add another half of the block as commercial. If I were a City Manager or City Planner, to me, that would be against the comprehensive plan. When you have a block that is already half commercial and you are counting on the other half to be zoned residential, be occupied, and for that to be the highest and best use for that property, that is where I do not agree with this. I certainly hope you will vote in favor for changing this zoning." Mr Barnhart answered questions from Council. He reported if rezoned, Byzance, Inc. would buy the existing buildings as well as the land that Mr. Moore owns, renovate the existing buildings, and add on to the existing property. They would have to have a larger facility to justify a resident manager on site. Mr. Barnhart estimated a completion date of the facilities would be twelve (12) months after the purchase of the property. Mr. Barnhart stated, "We have a contract on the property contingent on the zone change. If the vacant land is changed to General Commercial (GC) then it will become a valid contract, and we will go through all the proceedings in closing. We have not already purchased the property." Mr. Barnhart answered Council's questions and indicated If they do not get the additional land rezoned, Byzance, Inc., would not go forward with the contract. Mayor Malone called on the next speaker, Mr. Jim Johnson, whose business address is 2537 South Gessner, Suite 200, Houston, Texas, 77063, residence is 1111 Golfview #1002, Richmond, Texas. Mr. Johnson indicated he is the real estate broker who represents the potential buyer Mr. Barnhart of Byzance, Inc. He stated he has worked with them for about eight years, and that he is very familiar with the company, their integrity, and their development and ownership capabilities. Mr. Johnson said he would highly recommend them to the City Council and to the City of La Porte. He reported to Council that Byzance, Inc., has upgraded other properties which they own and some are in residential neighborhoods such as the one Councilman Gay lives in and represents as well as some of the satellite cities such as La Porte, which one would wish to move into. Mr. Johnson said, "Byzance, Inc., uses state of the art security systems, high intensity lighting, and an on site person that will be there 24 hours to protect both property and those leasing there. Mr. Johnson answered questions from Council and restated Mr. Barnhart's position and plans for the property if rezoning is approved. He also reported to Council Mr. Barnhart's intent to purchase the warehouses on the property to the southeast which is located in a General Commercial zone. Mr. Johnson said his question to staff was if this property was under one common ownership and half of the property changed to a (R -1) zone because of some line drawn down Polk Street, then why wouldn't there be an exception granted to "Grand Father" the other tract? Mr. Johnson said he would leave it up to Council to consider. Mayor Malone called on Mr. David Moore, 620 South Iowa, La Porte, Texas. Mr. David Moore stated, "Bryan and I own what they call the La Porte Mini-Warehouse. We started building on the Polk side in 1973, finished two projects, and started in late 74 or early 75 to build a fourth project on the north side of Polk. We have the permits and zoning at our office. Quite frankly, I do not recall how the land action deal went down because my uncle was involved in it, and I wasn't. I was more in the building part of it.