The following is a letter to the editor from Pete Smyke of Alpine:
The Alpine Planning and Zoning board will be reviewing the Historical District ordinance at [its] meeting this Tuesday, March 25, at 5:30 pm at the City Council chambers on W. Holland Ave. The agenda says they should review it and suggest amendments for the City Council to adopt. At the last city council meeting, the city manager mentioned this and said he wanted a “fast review” so they could put the changes in place quickly that would be favorable for development. (The present ordinance is pasted below.)
The Historical District ordinance was put in place to regulate construction of “pre-fab” houses (towed to a lot and put in place without a solid foundation) in neighborhoods that otherwise contain site-built homes, where the new housing would lower the property values. It has worked well to keep these neighborhoods safe from unscrupulous developers and maintain the historical nature of these areas. Changing it, especially via a “fast review,” should be done in full sunlight with plenty of citizens present.
P&Z meetings aren’t very long so it’s not a huge time commitment. Please try to make it to the Planning and Zoning meeting this Tuesday at 5:30 pm to make sure that a “fast review” doesn’t mean “pulling a fast one” on local homeowners.
Pete Smyke, Alpine
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE II OF THE ZONING MAP TO INCLUDE A HISTORICAL OVERLAY DESIGNATION ON CERTAIN AREAS OF TOWN AND PROVIDING CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGNATION AND DESIGNATING THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AS AN ADVISORY BOARD TO REVIEW THE CRITERIA.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Alpine has determined that a “Historical District”←→ be created to preserve the integrity of the homes and businesses that are landmarks and enhance the city’s culture, and
WHEREAS, the creation of the district will enhance, will protect the historic landmarks, will safeguard the city’s historic and cultural heritage, will stabilize and improve property values, will foster civic pride and beauty, and will protect and enhance the city’s attractions to tourists and visitors to our community, and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission has studied and reviewed standards for the administration of the “Historic Overlay District” for the enhancement and protection of the district for preservation of its landmarks.
Now, therefore, be ordained by the City Council of the City of Alpine, Texas that the following District, Criteria, and Advisory Board be adopted:
1. That an Overlay District be established that would include the area west of Loop Road (State Hwy 223) that being the east boundary, the area south of Brown Street that being the north boundary, the area east of South Orient Railroad right-of-way that being the west boundary and Sul Ross Avenue being the south boundary. The area south of Sul Ross Avenue that being the north boundary of the commercial area, the area east of 15th Street being the west boundary on the commercial and residential area along Avenue E and Holland and then the area east of 7th street that being the west boundary on the south commercial area up to “A” Mountain, the area north of “A” Mountain would be the south boundary and the west boundary would be Neville Haynes street and connecting to the Loop Road.
2. That an Advisory Board (Planning and Zoning Commission) be appointed to review plans, specifications, and criteria to meet historical preservation standards.
3. That the following criteria be adopted:
(A) Buildings must be built on site and a solid foundation or approved building foundation as set by the advisory board.
(B) Building must have an outside aesthetic cover that is compatible to the buildings within the historical district;←→ examples are adobe, stucco, rock, wood and brick.
(C) Metal buildings must have an exterior finish that is compatible to the historical buildings within the Historical District.←→
(D) Industrialized homes in Residential Zoning District shall meet all the requirements of the district in which the industrialized home is located.
(E) Have a value equal to or greater than the median taxable value for each single-family dwelling located within five hundred feet (500′) of the lot on which the industrialized housing is proposed to be located as determined by the most recent certified tax appraisal for Brewster County.
(F) Have exterior siding, roofing pitch, foundation fascia, and fenestration compatible with any single-family dwelling located within five hundred feet (500′) of the lot on which the industrialized housing is proposed to be located.
(G) Comply with aesthetic standards, building setbacks, side and rear yard offsets, subdivision standards, architectural landscaping, square footage, and other site requirements applicable to single-family dwellings in the zoning district in which the industrialized home is located.
(H) Be securely affixed to a permanent foundation.
4. All signs and billboards within the Historical District ←→ must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission before a building permit is issued. the Building Official will prepare the documentation and present it to the Commission. he shall bring the drawings and specs of each individual sign or billboard.
Passed by a two-thirds majority of the City Council of the City of Alpine, Texas on February 15th, 2011.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
