Nasworthy Development Plan.

I attended the October 21, 2013 public meeting on the "Nasworthy Development Plan" Below is my general view of what was discussed. This plan will be presented to San Angelo City Council for adoption at the councils Nov. 5, 2013 meeting.


To view the full plan go to: http://www.sanangelotexas.us/index.asp?SEC=%7B51CE3483-024F-45EA-9094-F235235006F9%7D&Type=B_BASIC&persistdesign=none

Meeting Notes:

1. There has been much concern about Commercial Development in the Lake Nasworthy area. Home owners and lease holders do not want an abundance of commercial development. Gateway Panning Group's representative reassured local residents proposed zoning of areas around Lake Nasworthy would limit commercial development to the areas across Knickerbocker Road from the present day Stripes Convenience Store. This is area near the present marina.

They pointed out that business investors are more likely to invest in areas where they know the ground rules and limited commercial development is desirable to bring a commercial tax base to the area to help fund Lake Nasworthy maintenance cost.

The remaining areas around the lake will be zoned for recreational use.

If San Angelo City Council adopts the proposed plan it will become part of the city's comprehensive plan. It was pointed out that having a plan in place which is part of the City Of San Angelo's Comprehensive plan helps the city to control development as opposed to ad hoc development.

2. The need to maintain water quality was discussed as well as the need to extend the San Angelo City's sewer system to all house along the lake and in the area.
3. Water safety was discussed. This included policing, the number of boats allowed on the lake at anyone time and recognition of the rights of non-motorized water craft such as canoes and kayaks. There was some discussion on designating and area for only non-motorized water craft such as canoes and kayaks.

4.Their was a concern raised about property tax increases by one individual who wanted property taxes frozen at their present level to protect Lake Nasworthy residents who live on fixed incomes. However it was pointed out that tax increases are inevitable and citizens in all areas of San Angelo where dealing with tax increases and not likely to look favorably on tax freezes for only one area of the city.

Say No To Apartment Complexes in Single Family Housing Zones.

A proposal has come before San Angelo City Council to change a lot directly across the street from Bonham Elementary School from single family residential zoning to multi-family residential zoning so the property owner can build a 144 unit, three story apartment  complex.

Area residents are concerned increased traffic  along Southland Boulevard which would create a new safety concern for staff  and children at Bonham Elementary School and increase emergency response time from Fire Station 2. They are also concerned the construction of the apartment complex will decrease their property values.

This is also a concern to all San Angelo city residents who live in single family residential neighborhoods and runs counter to San Angelo City governments stated policy of coordination residential development to increase harmony in neighborhoods.

Good city planning will put multi-family dwellings such as apartment complexes in areas of San Angelo  zoned as multifamily zones and keep single family housing  zones intact.

The area in question is in San Angelo City Council SMD 6 which is Council Member Charlotte Farmer's district however this proposed zoning change affects all San Angelo City residents who live in single family housing zones.  And keep in mind every council member including our mayor will have a vote on this zone change. I ask you to contact your city council member and voice your objection to this zone change.

San Angelo City Council Contact Information.

 

Mayor: Dwain Morrison,        325-262-1857

SMD1: Rodney Fleming,        325-939-3361

SMD2: Marty Self,                 325-276-1598

SMD3: Johnny Silvas,            325-212-1452

SMD4: Don Vardeman,          325-340-2667

SMD5: H. R. "Winkie" Wardlaw,      325-939-3061

SMD6: Charlotte Farmer        325-212-5183

 

dwain.morrison@cosatx.us,

rodney.fleming@cosatx.us,

marty.self@cosatx.us, 

 info@johnnysilvas.com,

 don.vardeman@cosatx.us,

hr.wardlaw@cosatx.us,

cr2jr2@aol.com,

 

 

Displaying pictures and videos accusing citizens of wrong doing in a public place at a San Angelo City Council Open Public Meeting

October 14, 2013

San Angelo City Attorney: Lysia H. Bowling,
San Angelo City Council Members:
Mayor: Dwain Morrison,
SMD1: Rodney Fleming,
SMD2: Marty Self,
SMD3: Johnny Silvas,
SMD4: Don Vardeman,
SMD5: H. R. "Winkie" Wardlaw,
SMD6: Charlotte Farmer

Dear: Ms. Bowing and San Angelo City Council Members,

It has come to my attention that Single Member District One Council Member Rodney Fleming plans to bring and play videos of walkers and joggers on Gun Club Road ( (a public place) and claim these citizens are a problem and/or are creating a problem.

With all due respect to Council Member Fleming it is my opinion that San Angelo City Council or any member of San Angelo City Council has no legal right to present pictures or videos of citizens taken  in a public place and accuse them of wrong doing or creating a problem at an open public meeting of San Angelo City Council without the permission of the individuals in the pictures or video.

If individuals are creating a problem or engaged in wrong doing it is the job of the San Angelo Police Department to investigate any and all complaints they receive.

The State of Texas and the San Angelo City Code of Ordinances address how citizens shall conduct themselves when walking or jogging on a public road or street. This falls under the under the responsibilities of the San Angelo Police Department.

Yours Sincerely,

Bill Richardson

139 River Oaks Street
San Angelo, Texas
325-227-2958

Texas Street Maintenance Sales Tax

San Angelo does  not have the funds necessary to repair and maintain existing streets. Some residents have proposed that San Angelo adopt the Texas Street Maintenance Sales Tax to help provide financial support to repair and maintain existing streets.

Section 327.004 Tax Code allows cities to raise sales rate by 1/8 % or 1/4% of 1 % if the funds are dedicated to street maintenance and repair.

The proposal being presented to San Angelo City Council is to use 1/8% of 1 % of the special use ½ cent sales tax. This proposal will not raise taxes but will redistribute funds  to  necessary street repair and maintenance projects while leaving the bulk of the money collected under the ½ cent special use tax in place.

So far this year council has authorized about $3,000,000 for street repair and maintenance from the general fund. Estimates are that the proposed Street Maintenance Sales Tax will provide an additional  $6,000,000 annually toward street repair and maintenance costs.

Presently cost estimates to bring San Angelo streets up to acceptable levels of condition are $56,000,000. Adopting the Street Maintenance Sales Tax will not solve the total problem immediately but it help to provide a step by step solution to the problem. If we do not being to act now the problem will accumulate and the price will increase three fold in the next 15 years.

As the encroachment of the present oil industry boon moves in on San Angelo sales tax revenue will increase as will the wear and tear on our streets. The Texas Street Maintenance Sales is one viable way we can use the increase in sales tax revenue to protect ourselves.

The Texas Street Maintenance Sales Tax requires voter approval. The city’s council must adopt  an ordinance calling for the proposal to be put on the ballot on a uniform election date. The next possible date in San Angelo will be in May 2014 when elections will be held for council seats SMD1 and SMD5.

Let's Attack Invasive Species

San Angelo always in a near drought situation. The Twin Buttes dams where completed in 1963 however severe drought conditions prevailed in  the Twin Buttes Dam watershed from 1963 to April 1971.

 

From  April to August 1971 above normal rains broke the drought and brought substantial inflow into the Twin Buttes Reservoirs.

 

Since the construction of the Twin Buttes Reservoir the Bureau of Reclamation lands have become heavily infested with invasive plant species. Saltcedar, Mesquite and Willow Baccharis have replaced native gasses and other native plant species..

 

These non-native invasive plants absorb water a more rapid rate than native grasses and plants. The invasive plants adjacent to the lakes, rivers and streams deplete the groundwater at a rapid rate thus lowering the level of the water table. This lowering of the water table causes the ground to absorb water faster than normal greatly reduces the amount of water that reaches the reservoirs.

 

San Angelo city government must deal with the problem of eradicating invasive plant species which have invaded the watersheds of our reservoirs. Eradicating the invasive plant species in not inexpensive and must be realized as a continuous process of maintenance. The scientists of the Upper Colorado River Authority have provided  numerous investigative reports and recommendations to San Angelo City Council. It is time for San Angelo City Council to read these reports and act on the recommendations.