Brownsville City Commission: Proposed Planned Development District approved

Donald Hamm (left) and Antonio L. Caldwell accept a Black History Month proclamation last Tuesday from the City of Brownsville. Also shown is City Manager Helen Ramirez. Estefania Ramirez/THE RIDER
Martin Vega, senior planner for the City of Brownsville Planning and Redevelopment Services Department, requests to establish a Planned Development district for the installation of live oak trees on 1.9630 acres on East Alton Gloor Boulevard “abutting the Brownsville Historic Battlefield Hike and Bike trail” during last Tuesday’s city commission meeting. Estefania Ramirez/THE RIDER
Christopher Nelson, Multimodal Transportation Department bicycle and pedestrian planner, proposes to allow additional space in the required bicycle racks to accommodate nonstandard bikes, including cargo bikes, unicycles, tricycles and tandems. The Brownsville City Commission approved the proposal last Tuesday. Estefania Ramirez/THE RIDER
Christopher Hopkins, assistant director of the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, requests to simplify and update the language of the landing fee ordinance to reflect the correct title of the aviation department during last Tuesday’s Brownsville City Commission meeting. Estefania Ramirez/THE RIDER

The Brownsville City Commission on Tuesday voted to establish a Planned Development District, proclaimed February as Black History Month and appointed members to the Affordable Housing Committee.

During a public hearing, Martin Vega, senior planner for Planning and Redevelopment Services, said the Planned Development District would create development-specific landscaping on 1.9630 acres on East Alton Gloor Boulevard bordering the Historic Battlefield Trail.

The Planned Development District would require the installation of live oak or similar trees and the installation of an irrigation system. The vegetative buffer and irrigation system will be maintained by the property owner.

Vega said they received complaints from a resident and code enforcement officer that the property had all landscaping cleared without a permit. Because of this, the property was downzoned as a penalization to the owner.

He said there was a verbal agreement between the owner and the city that reinstated its original dual zoning. However, the owner has not restored the equal caliber of trees that were on the property.

Vega said if the property were to be developed, the Planned Development District would freeze any permit petitioned.

District 3 City Commissioner Roy De los Santos said he was not opposed to the proposal.

“But, it’s offensive that a citizen had already committed to doing something to mitigate the damage that had been done, and two years later nothing’s happened,” De los Santos said.

Vega suggested adding a limitation to the Planned Development that would place a hold on permits until the issue is addressed.

De los Santos proposed adding a 12-month timeline to install the trees and irrigation system.

City Manager Helen Ramirez suggested citing the property owner if they were to not comply after the 12-month period as a code enforcement violation.

De los Santos motioned to close the public hearing and approve the proposed Planned Development District with the stipulation that improvements be made within 12 months. The motion passed.

In other business, the City Commission proclaimed February as Black History Month. Antonio L. Caldwell, deputy director of animal services for the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center, and Donald Hamm, accepted the commission’s proclamation as Mayor John Cowen recognized the history and encouraged residents to educate themselves on Black Americans’ contributions and experiences.

In the second public hearing, De los Santos motioned to approve an increase in the amount of space of bike racks from obstacles in order to facilitate the parking of larger bikes.

Residents appointed to the Affordable Housing AD Hoc Committee for the Capital Recovery Fee are Nick Mitchell-Bennett, Wendy De Leon, Carla Mancha and Juan Andrade Jr.

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