 |
|
|
Updated: 12:38 PM Nov 1, 2008
Home Builders Fight College Station Proposals
The gloves are off in a fight between local home builders and the city of College Station. Posted: 10:37 PM Oct 31, 2008Reporter: Ashlea Sigman Email Address: sigman@kbtx.com |
|
23 Comments 
In Wellborn, the city meets country in the Meadow Creek subdivision, and city planners in College Station aren't happy about it.
"We have places in the city for that type of development," said Lance Simms, Assistant Director of Planning and Development Services for the city of College Station.
Meadow Creek is in the three-and-a half mile area outside College Station that the city will eventually annex, known as the ETJ, or extra territorial jurisdiction.
"Up until now there is a way to develop an urban type subdivision in the ETJ and what we're saying is that really not appropriate," said Simms.
If city staffers have anything to say about it, future ETJ neighborhoods would be built on at least two acre lots. At a meeting this Wednesday, they'll propose that ordinance to the College Station City Council.
BCS home builders want lots of people at that meeting. They've produced a commercial against the ordinance saying the council wants a five acre minimum.
While the council can adopt whatever size members like, city staffers say the number they're proposing is much lower.
"The ordinance clearly states a minimum of two acres," said Simms.
Homebuilders say a change to the minimum lot size would be anti-growth.
"Trying to force people back in the city so they're paying city taxes," said Randy French, of the Bryan College Station Home Builders Association.
"Lot prices that you can get now in the $40,000-60,000 range for a minimum, will now go to the $100,000-150,000 range. Its gonna knock so many people out of the market," said French.
City planners don't dispute prices will go up, but say long term, they have the best interests of the tax payers in mind.
"We're not doing the prudent thing by allowing uncontrolled unchecked growth in our ETJ, and that's simply what we want to do," said Simms.
Among other reasons, the city says the changes are necessary because of the amount of traffic county roads receive from ETJ developments.
Also included in the proposal is the of master plans as a requirement or option from ETJ home builders. As well as establishing a minimum lot width of 400 ft along thoroughfares and 100 ft along subdivision roads in the ETJ, and removing urban street design as an option in the ETJ.
The meeting is set for 7pm Wednesday November 5th in the College Station City Council chambers.
Latest Comments
I own a one acre lot in Peach Creek it now has a mobile home on it. The city council ( Who I can't even vote for or against )is saying if I was to to move this home off to build a house on the one acre, I could not because it's to small it needs to be two acres, now think about this.. if anybody owns less than two acres in the ETJ that land will be useless, after working hard and paying for a piece of property to build your dream home on, the City Council says it's to small but come in to the City where you can spit on your neighbors yard from your yard and we welcome you, Oh by the way please pay your CITY TAXES ON TIME!! We need a new builing!!! Wecome to the NEW AMERICA! Is this the begining of NEW HOPE AND CHANGE!
[ Report Abuse ]
I looked at the city council meeting on the cable. It was voted 2 acres, not 5 acres. An examble of the problem can be seen on Capstone. A really serious situation with traffic, student housing and a railroad crossing. This student housing on tiny lots should not be allowed. I realize that the developer will made a lot of money by building the houses so close but this is going to be a traffic nightmare.
[ Report Abuse ]
I work in the on-site sewage facility (septic system) business. A two acre minimum lot size would not be that bad. However, a five acre minimum is absurd. There are currently many new neighborhoods that have one acre wooded lots with very large homes (greater than 4,500 square feet) being built on them with swimming pools and elaborate patios that simply don't have enough room for an adequate septic system. A minimum of two acres would help to allow for the proper design and installation of an adequate system. On a one acre lot, when the system is working OK, no one cares much about it. But when that system fails or is not being properly maintained, all the neighbors know and it can become quite a nuisance. As far as septic systems go, there is absolutely no need for a five acre minimum lot size. But two acres wouldn't be so terrible. Five acre minimum lots would definitely prevent people from building out in the county which would have a negative effect on many businesses.
[ Report Abuse ]
| AP Video |
|
|
