Plans to rezone the West U Town Center Retail District are expected to be put on hold until later in 2012 following a planned public hearing next Monday night.
The public hearing will be held on Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers, 3800 University Blvd.
The West U City Council directed staff in September to budget for a non-residential zoning study for the commercial areas in the city and asked that the town center be rolled into the project.
City Manager Michael Ross told InstantNewsWestU that the zoning ordinance needs to be modernized and brought into the 21st century. About $60,000 has been approved for the study in the city’s capital reserve fund, he said.
The city plans to hire a consultant who will be provided with the Town Center Ad Hoc Committee’s report.
Ross said the consultant will work with the Zoning and Planning Commission to bring recommendations to council in 2012. Revisions to the city’s zoning ordinance will require public hearings.
The city council handed off the Town Center report to the ZPC after the ad hoc committee presented it on Jan. 24. Council directed the ZPC to begin drafting proposals for zoning amendments to Edloe Street.
The proposed changes are recommended because in the event of a catastrophic loss, the buildings would lose prior non-conforming status. The current code allows 50 percent of the existing floor space to be reconstructed, which could lead to an economically blighted area.
The proposed amendments enable the retail area of the town center to be reconstructed or redeveloped through private investment.
The committee was formed by council in December 2009 and was given a mission statement in February 2010 “to explore options and create a mixed use development envelope and palette for a City Center zoning district.”
Beware the glittering generalities and pleasing platitudes with which this proposal is couched! Would it not be sufficient/cheaper to change the “prior non-conforming status” requirement to coincide with current building regulations in the event of a rebuild due to a “catastrophic loss”? Slice and dice it how they will, there is still something very troubling about this entire “Town Center” exercise since the get go. It engenders a suspicion that we are not getting the full benefit of the unspoken, unpublished future plans for this area. Reminds one of the redesign of the corner of Edloe and University in which we lost beautiful old oaks that shaded the playground, parking spaces, and gained congestion for the school crossing and increased manpower requirements for safely getting the kids across.
Hey old man, step out of the cloak of anonymity and step up to the podium at the public hearing on Monday night. Apparently you have some wisdom to share with everyone. Here’s your opportunity.
LOL. Nice _real_ name there, Really … a bit of pot calling the kettle black, eh?
When you’ve been in WestU a bit longer you will realize that you’ll be wasting your time bucking the plans of the city manager at a city council meeting. It might make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but that’s the idea … and all you’ll get.
The naive eventually get what they deserve.
Actually Old Man, it will make a difference if you speak your piece to council. Please don’t be just another excuse-maker and not show up.
I guarantee you I’ve had that experience on a number of occasions, and also watched while the preponderance of those signed up to speak we’re frustrated in their appeals. Fool me half a dozen times, shame on you … You know the rest.
Maybe possible conflicts of interest can’t be avoided in small town decisions, but it does create suspicions.
I know the rest OldMan2 – you’re being an Excuse Maker.
Right on Oldman2! Since when do we need a massive business complex looming over the Elementary school. Last time checked there was every store known to man just outside the city limits. This proposal is more worthy of Donald Trump than a quiet residential city!
Great, tree man, another informed resident willing to speak at the public hearing on Monday. Look forward to seeing you there. You will be embarrassed to learn that the actual recommendation from the committee for the height of the buildings was the same 35 foot maximum as it is today. Do you and old man need a ride to the hearing? Might want to read the study before you offer any more comments. See http://www.westutx.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=894
Really now, Really!? Nothing in it has changed since I read it the first time and considered it nothing more than a blueprint to bamboozle.
BTW, how you enjoying that kiddie pool that took the place of a facility that for years was enjoyed by all age groups, instead of just those with kids under 10? Jammed down your throat despite being previously voted down by the citizens; but refusing to take the citizens NO the first time, “repackaged” (at great expense to the taxpayer) and reintroduced in an election year guaranteed to tilt the number in their favor.
Clever these folks with the blueprints are …but just remember to keep your hands on your wallets.
While all your focus is on the taxing entity that reduced taxes guess what you will pay HISD? There should be the outrage?
Zoning is an intrusion of the government into what we do with our own property. End all zoning.
You are in the wrong city, move to Houston.
OCCUPY WEST U!!!!!
Really? You really shouldn’t be telling anyone to “step out of the cloak of anonymity”. I’ll bet you have an interesting résumé. If you are going to challenge statements by residents of West U, you need to identify yourself so that, if necessary, they can bring someone to the meeting that can adequately represent their point of view.
Thank you Katy, Texas.
Lucille, you don’t even live anywhere near West U. Why are you on this board all the time trolling and calling people out?
I participate on the Instant News Katy website, but don’t use my name. It is really not correct to place me in Katy, Texas, but in Cinco Ranch which is a very small part of the Katy Area. The comparison between West University Place and the Katy Area and the problems faced by each are quite different. I lived in West U for over 50 years and frankly, your city is running out of land. The West U I knew didn’t have the money to expand. With so much talent and resources, it is a shame that your city doesn’t have the vast amount of undeveloped land to “play” with. The Katy Area is huge and spread out and is dominated by open spaces, so there is no reason to fight over the use of land or to bully anyone. I think this past summer the drought reminded everyone how dependent we are on water. The wildfires were fought by volunteer fire fighters. I remember when the West University fire fighters were volunteers. I don’t think George Bush Park and part of Cinco Ranch could have been saved without the assistance of fire fighters from the Houston Area. I recently learned that Houston can annex the Katy Area in the future.
The Chronicle placed you in Katy, Texas in your letter to the editor today.
Old Man, you have valid perspectives that many others do not, yet you’ve made it clear that all you want to do is sit at home and yell at your computer screen. Show up to the meetings and share your thoughts with the public.
That goes for anyone else who has a strong opinion about the welfare of our city.
The nice thing about youth is that it isn’t anchored to old views. Anything is possible. Those of you who are young, or just young of heart and spirit, get out of the house and speak your mind.
What does a resident do to make a comment at the November 7 Town Center Public Hearing? Is there a time limit?
Arrive at least thirty minutes early, there should be a sign up sheet in the hall, simply signup for the topic upon you wish to be heard. There is a time limit of about four minutes per speaker. You will be called by name to the podium. You can even bring charts and presentation material to be displayed on the projector if you give them advance notice.
The city councilmembers need a reason to vote against this mess, and that would be the outspoken opposition of their constituents. If nobody makes any valid objections, they are just going to think that the new zoning is the will of the citizenry. Please go speak your piece, Civic-Minded, and you too, OldMan2 (a/k/a ExcuseMaker)