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<br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Minutes Public Hearing <br />and Regular Meeting <br />La Porte City Council <br />June la, 1996, Page 4 <br /> <br />On the land use and the rezoning 1 really wasn't involved in that. My Uncle was involved and that was <br />when the City applied for the rezoning. It surprised me there was so much commotion raised by us trying <br />to get it rezoned to commercial where we could finish out the project. 1 guess it is (R-1). We have owned <br />the property for twenty two years, and never once has anybody ever come to us and asked us to buy the <br />property or even set a price on it. 1 know some of you remember back when prime interest rates went to <br />21 %, that is what stopped our building. Things are better now, and we were thinking about building out <br />the project. We were contacted by this real estate agent, which really surprised me, who was interested <br />in coming in and buying the project. We set a price on it, and they agreed under the circumstances they <br />could have a thirty day trial period to see how our business was run and see if they could get the property <br />rezoned so they could build enough warehouses to put a person in there to have full time service." Mr. <br />Moore said, "I felt like the City erred when they zoned it (R-1), but how are your going to prove it wrong <br />as it was just an opinion and everybody has their opinion. 1 do not think there would be anymore traffic <br />at a mini-warehouse, if any of you have every been around them, as they are very slightly used. People <br />in that area use it and it is at about 85% capacity. The Council needs to notice what is best for the City. <br />Who knows what will happen in 20 years. You are talking about a 30 foot storage facility over there. It <br />has to go through the permit system, so 1 am sure if Council is wise enough to change it we can get this <br />new money to come in and get a new tax base. They (Byzance) can do a lot more than Bryan or I. That <br />is their business, and they do a first class storage station. Why shouldn't Old La Porte in the downtown <br />area have one? 1 see no reason. These people are willing to come in and spend $300,000.00 to put a new <br />storage station in Old La Porte on 8 lots. That is all we are asking for; 8 lots that have been vacant for <br />20 years." Mr. Moore indicated if the matter could be taken back to Planning and Zoning perhaps <br />something could be done to solve the problem. Mr. Moore said, "Brian and 1 grew up here, built a lot <br />of things here, and followed all the City codes to the best of our ability. It is not going to make or break <br />us 1 guess, but the City is going to miss out. We do not have the money to build these things and put in <br />something that you need." After discussion and comments from Councilperson Gay, Mr. Moore said, "I <br />am just thinking what is good for La Porte, and you are just thinking about the people there. 1 can <br />understand their feelings; warehouses are already there and it is not going to change anything, not for John <br />Vann or the people, so 1 can't see any problem with somebody improving the neighborhood." <br /> <br />Mr. Randy Russell, 604 Marina Bay Drive, Kemah, Texas, stated he is the real estate agent representing <br />David Moore, and he spoke in favor of the rezoning. Mr. Russell said, "The property that is in question <br />right now does not look very good. 1 understand that and David understands that. Maybe that is why they <br />don't want to have more warehouses. 1 have seen Susan's warehouses. She has 25 units all over the <br />Houston area, and they are beautiful, and it would be much nicer for the people who have businesses along <br />there. Also, for the residential people that would be living there and go by there everyday. You have a <br />very different community, and 1 understand you are worried about someone upsetting the zoning laws. <br />Maybe there is something, like one of the fellows was saying, that you could put some restrictions on it <br />so they would not build a 30 foot high building or something of that nature. On another thing too, you <br />will get a good tax base. These guys will pay their taxes and for the people in that area of town it would <br />be a lot better looking. If this doesn't go through you will get what is there now." <br /> <br />Mayor Malone called on those who wish to speak in opposition to the rezoning question. <br /> <br />Mr. J. C. Vann stated, "I was in here about a month ago on this same meeting. My decision has not <br />changed. 1 am opposed for various reasons. First of all, when 1 purchased the property, 1 purchased it <br />as a remainder for my children. 1 don't own to much in La Porte, but 1 do have off-springs and would <br />like to leave something for them. Now 1 hear there are no records back in 70 or 71. 1 don't have any <br />records either, but 1 do have a remembrance. 1 moved into the place where 1 live in now right across from <br />