DEPARTMENT: Planning and Community Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Bridgett White, AICP
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Second public hearing regarding the annexation of 202.79 acres located at 11625 Old Corpus Christi Highway and at South IH 37, as requested by II Southfork Development, LTD.
SUMMARY:
This is the second public hearing regarding the voluntary annexation of 202.79 acres consisting of 128.87 acres at 11625 Old Corpus Christi Highway, described as CB 4007 P-146 (128.376 Ac) and P-312 (0.497 Ac) ABS 11, and 73.92 acres, located at South IH 37, described as CB 40079-310 ABS 11, as requested by II Southfork Development, LTD, as required under Chapter 43 of the Texas Local Government Code. The first public hearing was held May 18, 2016.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
II Southfork Development, LTD (Owner) requested full purpose annexation by the City of San Antonio of approximately 202.79 acres consisting of 128.87 acres at 11625 Old Corpus Christi Highway and 73.92 acres located at South IH 37. (The annexation petition is attached as Attachment I and the site location map is attached as Attachment II.) The proposed annexation area is contiguous to the City limits and within the City of San Antonio’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Presently, the subject property is appraised for ad valorem tax purposes as agricultural, wildlife management or timber use (A site location aerial is attached as Attachment III.) The existing Owner, II Southfork Development, LTD is selling the property to Nabors Drilling USA, LP, who plans to construct and develop a centrally located facility to repair and manufacture rig components.
The City of San Antonio approved development agreements with the existing Owner for the two tracts (Ordinance No. 2014-01-09-0002) which are related to the January 2014 Limited Purpose Annexation of South San Antonio. The development agreements guaranteed the continued extraterritorial status of agriculture properties pursuant to Section 43.035 of the Texas Local Government Code. The agreements automatically terminate with the filing of a subdivision plat or related development document and include the owner’s agreement to consensual annexation.
Both the existing and proposed Owners have requested to terminate the development agreements and request full purpose annexation by the City of San Antonio. Since this is a voluntary petition for annexation, the annexation does not require inclusion in a three-year municipal annexation plan. After annexation, the property would be located in City Council District 3.
The subject property consists of two tracts of vacant land. The Heritage South Sector Plan designated the subject property as Agribusiness/RIMSE (Research, Industrial, Manufacturing, Sport and Entertainment) Tier land use, which recommends a variety of uses and intensities including neighborhood commercial, agribusiness, and light industrial uses.
ISSUE:
Annexation of the subject property will provide a uniform level of City services across the development, thus avoiding the difficulties associated with multi-jurisdictional public safety boundaries. Once the subject property is annexed into San Antonio, it would benefit from standardized full City services including public safety services, such as police protection, fire fighting, hazardous material response (hazmat), and emergency medical services. The subject property will be served by the South Patrol Substation located at 711 W. Mayfield Street and by Fire Station No. 20 located at 3347 S W.W. White Rd and Fire Station No. 29 located at 827 Hot Wells. Fire Station No. 53, which will provide service to the annexation area, is anticipated to open on December 31, 2016. The proposed annexation will increase the City’s public safety service area but will also expand the City’s corporate area and tax base in the future.
In order to secure this competitive project in San Antonio, the City’s Economic Development Department offered, and the company has accepted, a 6-year term with 50 percent tax abatement on personal property only. The final terms of the agreement are still being negotiated and are subject to City Council approval.
The property owners have submitted a plan amendment for Specialized Center land use and an associated zoning change to “I-2” (Heavy Industrial) zoning district. The Specialized Center land use designation accommodates heavy industrial, business parks and offices. Staff proposes that the City annex and zone the subject property, which is proposed to be effective upon the date of annexation.
On April 28, 2016, through Resolution, the San Antonio City Council directed the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) to prepare a service plan for this property prior to the publication of the notice of the required public hearing, in accordance to Chapter 43 of the Texas Local Government Code. The intent of Municipal Service Plan is to provide specifics about the implementation of municipal services provided by the municipality after annexation for full purposes, and their associated costs.
The City is publishing the availability of the “Municipal Service Plan for the 202.79 Acres”, and will present it at the City Council public hearing as a requirement of Section 43.056(j) of the Texas Local Government Code. (The service plan is attached as Attachment IV.) “The Service Plan for 202.79 Acres” will be available for public viewing at the DPCD Office, located at 1400 South Flores, and will be posted on the City’s DPCD web page.
State law requires that the municipality follow certain provisions for annexation which includes the publication of the public hearing notification, two public hearings by the governing body and the adoption of the annexation ordinance and a service Plan for the proposed annexation area. Additionally, the City Charter requires consideration by the Planning Commission, and the publishing of the annexation ordinance 30 days prior to the final adoption. Below is the schedule for the annexation:
|
Date (2016) |
Annexation Procedures |
|
April 18 |
Written notice provided to property owners and service providers |
|
April 28 |
City Council Direction to Prepare Service Plan |
|
April 28 - May 8 |
Publish notice of both Public Hearings |
|
May 11 |
Planning Commission Hearing and Consideration |
|
May 17 |
Zoning Commission Briefing and Consideration |
|
May 17 |
Publish the Ordinance |
|
May 18 (6 PM) |
First City Council Public Hearing |
|
May 19 (9 AM) |
Second City Council Public Hearing |
|
June 16 |
City Council’s Consideration and Action on Annexation Ordinance |
|
July 16 |
Date Annexation Ordinance is Effective (The day the property is annexed into the City and services are provided.) |
ALTERNATIVES:
There is no alternative associated with this public hearing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The expansion of City Limits through full purpose annexation of the subject property will have a negligible fiscal impact. No significant fiscal impact related to services is anticipated since the subject property is contiguous to current City limits and will be served by existing public safety resources.
RECOMMENDATION:
Action will be required at the consideration of the annexation ordinance.