TEXARKANA, Texas - Monday's meeting of the City Council includes only three briefings, with no votes planned except approval of the previous meeting's minutes.
The Council will hear briefings on two rezoning requests and a proposed new ordinance that would regulate where helicopters can land within the city limits.
The ordinance would require a landowner to acquire a temporary landing permit before helicopters can land on their property. Dedicated heliports and designated landing spots called helistops would not require the permit.
Exceptions would include "(1) law enforcement and licensed air medical providers; (2) federal/state/local government authorization for helicopter landing and take-off on grounds owned or operated by such governmental entities; and (3) use authorized by the City Council, Mayor, City Manager, Chief of Police, Fire Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator, or their respective designees," according to briefing information.
City staff will also brief the Council regarding a request, which neighbors oppose, to rezone lots in the 2000 and 2100 blocks of South State Line Avenue.
The requested change is from Agriculture to Single Family 3, which would allow manufactured homes on the property.
A petition signed by more than a dozen residents of the neighborhood says the change would be potentially disruptive.
"We contend that the significant and intense jump from agriculture to SF-3 would bring high density growth, heavy traffic, noise, elimination of adjoining neighbors' privacy, and potential rise in crime, as opposed to a slower growth plan of nice SF-1 homes and plans of potential privacy fencing, maintained alley ways, widened roads.
"We contend this is just an end-run around the system to place as many structures and people on one block of property as possible, diminishing the value of land of other property owners, disrespecting the peace and dignity of the current neighbors. This magnitude of change will have the same or similar affect of multi-family housing," the petition states.
Because there is objection to the proposed rezoning, three quarters of the Council must vote for approval for it to take effect. A public hearing and vote are scheduled for the Council's next meeting, on Jan. 25.
The other rezoning matter concerns changing 2800 W. 15th St. from Multiple Family 1 to Planned Development-Neighborhood service to allow mixed uses there such a flea market, and retail and wholesale for new and used goods.
The meeting will be conducted using the Zoom online app and live streamed through the city's website, ci.texarkana.tx.us. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday.