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Customers of the Liberty Hill Water Supply Corp. are asked to inspect their property for outdoor water leaks. Customers who suspect a leak should contact General Manager Wendell McLeod at 778.5977.

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(Posted: 4 p.m. July 14, 2010)

This residential apartment building on Main Street is the latest property being explored by the City's Planning & Zoning Commission in its efforts to revitalize downtown Liberty Hill. The Commission is recommending the building be demolished to make room for a parking lot. (RFLH Photo)     See Related Stories:   P&Z votes to urge Council to make offer on Garner property, April 17, 2010    P&Z grants zoning change request for lot near downtown, March 9, 2010   P&Z considers new site in downtown revitalization project, Jan. 13, 2010   P&Z Commission suggests City purchase 30 acres bordering railroad track, SH 29, Dec. 3, 2009

The City's Planning & Zoning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend the Liberty Hill City Council begin negotiations to purchase a downtown building that could be demolished to create room for a parking lot.

 

In a unanimous vote, Commissioners recommended the Council consider paying up to $175,000 for the one-acre lot and three-unit apartment building owned by the Holloway family.  

 

Commissioner Mike Jacobs said the property has been on the market for sale for six years. While listed at $235,000, the appraised value is $146,000. Jacobs said the property was listed higher because it is a source of rental income.

 

"It would be bad to try to rehab the building for use, but the lot has street access on two sides, and you could create parking there," said City Planner Mel Yantis. He estimated it might cost $15,000 to demolish the stucco building.

 

Earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Dollie Knox made a motion, which was adopted unanimously, to recommend the Council begin negotiations on a long-term lease agreement with AT&T for its property downtown that the City would turn into a public parking lot.

 

"I think we've gone far enough that it's time to recommend the Council execute a ground lease with AT&T," Yantis said. While AT&T had requested a hookup to the City's wastewater system and a five-year lease agreement on the land, Yantis suggested offering a 25-year lease considering the City would invest about $75,000 to build the parking lot.

Commissioner Glenda Gavin, whose husband serves on the City Council, questioned whether there was a need for two city parking lots downtown. 

 

"I don't think we need all that parking. There's no place to go to," she said.

 

Kathy Canady, who chairs the Commission and is married to the Mayor Pro Tem, said downtown business owners complain about the lack of parking and fight over the available spaces. When the deli addition to Parkers Corner Market opens, Mrs. Canady said parking is sure to become a greater problem.

 

"If we have to buy anything at all, I think the Holloway property would be best," said Jacobs. "That's the best thing we could do for those businesses down there."

 

Commissioner Carol TenEyck said without additional parking options, the downtown area would never be able to develop.

 

If the Council agrees with the Commission's recommendation to make an offer on the Holloway property, the City's Economic Development Corporation will underwrite certificates of obligation toward the purchase. The EDC previously approved underwriting up to $1 million for the purposes of revitalizing business activity in downtown Liberty Hill. If the Council and the property owner reach an agreement, the next step would be for a bond writer to secure a bond for the total amount with repayment pledged with revenues collected by the City's .50 percent sales tax for economic development. 

 

Yantis reminded the Commission that Downtown Revitalization funds can not be used to develop a parking lot on the AT&T property because it is a lease agreement. The funds for Downtown Revitalization can only be used on property that is purchased, he said.

 

"It would be up to the Council to look for the money somewhere," Mrs. Canady said.

 

In the past year, the Commission has voted to recommend the Council take the necessary steps to purchase several properties, however, a purchase offer has only been extended to Hobo Depot. Although the owner rejected the offer and the City chose not to continue negotiations, Mrs. Canady said the owner contacted her recently to drop the price. She asked Commissioners if they wanted to reconsider the property and although no official vote was taken, the consensus was no.

 

The Commission also recommended purchase of the Garner property on RR 1869 near the railroad track. The panel had discussed the possibility of building a train depot there and/or making it a flea market. Another recommendation was a 30-acre tract of land behind the Intermediate School that had frontage on SH 29.

 

Neither the land tract nor the Garner property ever made it to a Council agenda for discussion or consideration.       

 

Also Tuesday, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend the City Council approve a Conditional Use Permit to allow group living at a duplex at 106 Nita Cove. The property will be used by adult residents of Hope House as a sleeping facility with up to four male residents on one side and four female residents on the other.

 

Hope House Executive Director Dave Gould said the residents have severe to profound mental retardation, and the duplex would become a permanent residence for them. However, it would typically be used as sleeping quarters for the residents as during the day they would be transported to the Hope House facility outside Liberty Hill. Gould added that the residents are non-verbal and do not drive

 

Yantis said the permit should state that no signage would be permitted outside the home. And if Hope House discontinues use of the property, it would revert to its present status as a residential duplex.

 

"This is a specific type of people we're talking about, but other types may be something the neighbors need to be notified about," Yantis said. 

 

Mrs. Canady said the proper procedures were followed to notify the community of a public hearing Tuesday on the permit request. However, no one signed up to offer comments.

 

Also Tuesday, the Commission voted to schedule a workshop in the coming weeks. Mrs. Canady said a lot has changed in recent years and it would be beneficial for the group to look at maps and discuss additional things that could be done to improve the community.

 

All P&Z Commissioners were present Tuesday -- the group's first public meeting since April 13. The Commission has one opening created by the election of former member Michele "Mike" Murphy who was elected Mayor in May.