Chelsea City Council Regular Meeting

Chelsea City Council Regular Meeting
August 5, 2003

The Chelsea Citizens Awareness Committee (CCAC) prepared the following information to distribute to those persons who have asked to receive this information. This information was recorded by a CCAC member and is his or hers understanding of the action taken at this meeting. These are not the official minutes of the meeting.

Call to Order

The City Council Meeting began with an Invocation by Richard Conkle. Col. John Ritchie led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America Flag..
Council Members are: Richard Conkle, Doug Ingram (Streets and Roads), Jimmy Lovvorn (Beautification and Environmental), Earl Niven Jr. (Fire and Police), Mayor Earl Niven and Col. John Ritchie (Annexation).
All Councilmen were present. Chairman Andy Wallace of the Planning Commission was in attendance, as was Bob Wanninger.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the meeting of July 15, 2003 were approved unanimously.

Committee Reports (Councilmen reporting)

Neighborhood Committee – No report.

Beautification and Environmental Committee – Some of the bushes and trees planted during the Beautification Project are being replaced. The County has fixed the water fountain at the park numerous times; however it appears we still have some vandalism going on.

Streets and Roads Committee – The pot hole in High Chaparral is scheduled to be repaired.

Fire and Police – The radar feedback sign is in and will be placed in Yellowleaf Subdivision on Wednesday. They will rotate this sign in different areas and will have a regular schedule in September. Fire Chief Shirley spoke about the CPR training they have been doing. Chief Shirley also said there were some left over smoke detectors that are available at the fire station for Chelsea residents.

Annexation – Col. Ritchie reported that there was a meeting in Kay Springs regarding the Niven/Kay Springs annexation. Also, Shelby Forest has asked for an election to be brought into the city limits.
Mayor's Report

There is a leadership and training session for the council members September 22. Council is asked to begin preparing their budgets. The Mayor also spoke on the wonderful service the City of Chelsea Library is providing. In the new City Hall, the library will be larger with reading times and programs for children, as well as computer desks, etc.

Council Business

Public Hearing Randy Greenhill rezoning Ordinance 03-07-01-220 – This is the property on Liberty Road that was recommended by the planning commission for rezoning. This parcel of land has been in the Renshaw family for over twenty years. The final five heirs are hoping to sell this property to bring closure to the estate. Randy offered a preliminary drawing of his proposed Liberty Cove subdivision but stated that detailed engineering would take place if the rezoning was approved. The preliminary drawing includes three cul-de-sacs of 24 lots. There is one way of ingress and egress, off Liberty Road. Randy plans on doing backyard to backyard layouts to create a buffer. As there is no sewer down Liberty Road so these will be septic tank homes. Randy plans single-family, detached, minimum 20,000 sq.ft. homes, some with basements, one story and two stories mixed. There will be covenants, perhaps three sides brick. Randy plans to clear for roads and utilities, but leave as many trees as possible. He is planning to sell these homes beginning in the low 200's. The crowds were very passionate, following were most of the concerns:
- Septic tanks perking
- The zoning/notification process
- Site distances/traffic
- A repeal (The Mayor stated you couldn't appeal until a decision had been reached. He asked for volunteers to serve on a Board of Adjustment)
- Overcrowding of schools
- Disruption of a tranquil neighborhood
- Fear these homes would not be consistent with Countryside (property values)
- A plea to build less houses on larger lots
- Questions regarding a strain on the water line (someone asked about a water impact study for all proposed Chelsea development)

Environmental Issues/Wildlife
Councilman Niven summarized saying as he lives in Countryside, his wish is that Randy would take care to match consistency; however he has to vote fairly. You cannot keep from changing rezoning to similar current zoning. After an hour and a half discussion, this ordinance was approved unanimously.

Annexation Ordinance X-03-08-05-219 The King's Ranch – This property is on the back of old Grimes Road, approximately 100 acres located behind the Middle School. This ordinance was approved unanimously.

Rezoning Ordinance 03-08-05-224 Murphy and Johnson Inv. Co. – This property is on Highway 36. First Reading: This ordinance was approved unanimously. A public hearing will be held during the first meeting in September.

Adjournment

Submitted by...
Lori Cheney
Chelsea Citizens Awareness Committee
Posted 8/9/2003