MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF LUFKIN, TEXAS,. HELD ON ~JUNE 1, 1961, ~AT
7:00 P .M., IN THE ANGELINA COUNTY DISTRICT COURT ROOM
On the 1st day of June, 1961, the City Planning Commission of the
City of Lufkin, Texas, convened in special meeting in theingelina
County District Court Room with following members thereof, to-wit:
Cecil W. Simpson
Walter Atwell
Henry Rogers
Harold Schmitzer
Lynn Durham
William D. Perkins
David Lawson
Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Member
City Manager
Secretary
City Attorney
City Engineer
being present,
W. F. Collins
Member
Carl Lively
Member
being absent, and the following visitors present:
1.
2.
Robert W. Hollin
Ernest P. Medford
Homer A. Hunter
Marion Clay
Andy Anderson
Bill Stockton
Arthur Temple, Jr.
Lawrence Palmore
R. B. Thompson
Carl Rode
Rufus Duncan
Milton Zeagler
R. B. Stroud
S. Harry Kerr
Ward Burke
Bayo Hopper
Everett Griffith, Jr.
Clyde Jordan
H. E. Rowin
Bob Bowman
J. A. Bryan
Sam Billy McMullen
Pitser Garrison
Glenn Causey
Louis Renfro
Meeting opened with ~rayer by Walter AtwelL
Meeting called to oraer at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Cecil W.
Simpson who welcomed all visitors and introduced Messrs. Hollin,
Hunter and Anderson. He advised this meeting was called for the
purpose of having an open hearing on proposed draft of new or~
dinance on Rules and Regulations for Land Subdivision which had
been prepared by Messrs. Hollin and Hunter. These Rules and
Regulations were the result of months of study by the City
Planning Commission in order to give the City of Lu±’kinan ordinance which it was felt would be beneficial for the development of future subdivisions.
Chairman stated that in order to expedite this hearing, would
like to go through it, section by section, and anyone desiring
to make any remarks should stand, identify himself, and then
proceed to give his views.
R. B. Thompson, developer, advised he had gone over this proposed ordinance thoroughly and did not agree with a number of
points brought out therein. Mr. Thompson stated he spoke for
a number of local people and they certainly did not desire to
see the ordinance cover property beyond two miles of the City
limits and did not feel the five mile limit included in the
ordinance shou~.dbe passed. He cited several items in proposed ordinance to which he objected, all of which will be included in written remarks to Chairman Cecil W. Simpson by
committee he agreed to head up.
Arthur Temple, Jr., felt that the ordinance wastoo vague in
its wording ma number of instances--particularly in the City’s
authority and jurisdiction over subdivisions outside the city
limits. Also was of the opinion it was inconceivable of increasing size of Lufkin to 5 miles which would be from 6 to
156 square miles. Mr. Hollin said this mile limitation was
under State Statute and reason was to save trouble and cost in
future on highway procurement and make for more orderly city
as it grows beyond its present limits. However, Mr. Temple
stated he was not trying to obstruct progress but felt that
the purpose of any controls should be spelled out for benefit
of future city administrations.
Ernest P. Medford felt that a committee of local citizens
should be appointed to study this proposed ordinance and make
their recommendations for any changes to the chairman.
Millard Zeagler felt that such Rules and Regulations would be
too stringent for all areas and that same should be written
to allow lower specifications in some sections of the City
than in other sections. This would give all people, regardless of income, an opportunity to buy lots and build homes.
Carl Rode advised he was speaking for the Chamber of Commerce
and this group was very hopeful that a workable ordinance could
be eventually passed that would be of value to the City for
years to come, but felt the suggestion of a committee to study
same and submit its recommendations for changes was a good idea.
Rufus Duncan felt the ordinance was too severe and would make
the cost of developing property in Lufkin prohibitive. He also
objected to definition of subdivision in ordinance. It says a
subdivision is the division of any lot, tract or parcel of land
into two or more lots or sites for building development or dedication of any land for public use. He felt a person should be
able to cut up small tracts and give to his children without
being required to comply with all the requirements for approval
of plat and improvements. It was his feeling also that it was
impractical to pay all costs for subdivisions on two or three~
lots.
R. B. Stroud and Glenn Causey called attention to regulations
covering utilities but, after discussion, were satisfied with
the present wording in the ordinance.
Clyde Jordan felt City should not have any controls anywhere
outside the city limits since the people in such areas had no
voice in city government by vote, etc.
3.
4.
Three following important points were brought out as a result
of the diàcussion:
a.
Definite decision should be made on how far ordinance
should cover outside city limits; that is, whether the
present two mile limit should remain or should be extended five miles.
b.
The City’s authority to govern subdivisions outside
the citylimits (spell out in detail this authority).
c.
Regulations should allow lower specifications on improvements in some sections of the City than in other
sections.
The Chairman asked R. B. Thompson, and he agreed, to head up
a committee of local interested citizens and ascertain their
views regarding this proposed ordinance, set these views down
in writing and submit to the City Planning Commission for
study.
Robert W. Hollin thanked the Chairman on behalf of himself
and Mr. Hunter for the opportunity of appearing before this
group of citizens and felt the discussion which brought
about suggested changes would be instrumental in eventually
getting an ordinance that would be satisfactory for the city
of Lufkin.
-
6.
There being no further business for consideration, the meeting adjourned.
Cecil W. Simpso,rI
Chairman
City Planning Commission
-
ATTEST:
Ly,An Durham Secretary
City Planning Commission
-