P&Z to present annexation zoning ideas
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Possible land uses for areas targeted for annexation will be presented to El Campo City Council Tuesday.

Currently five areas are under consideration for involuntary annexation including sites on and off Hwy. 71 North as well as U.S. 59 east and south of the current city limits.

The city's Planning & Zoning Commission is recommending commercial and industrial zones at major access points with residential groupings in interior sections and side streets

Land north of the city limits directly on Hwy. 71 should be largely commercial and industrial, commissioners voted Oct. 10, changing to residential as the tract approaches Sandy Corner Road.

The section, designated Area 1, is bounded by Sandy Corner Road to the west and Wilbur Road to the north while the eastern boundary would be 500 feet east of Hwy. 71 or the depth of the individual pieces of property.

Zoning recommendations are for industrial use east of Hwy. 71 with commercial uses bordering the roadway. Residential development would be anticipated in the Sandy Corner area.

Area 3 - the Sunset Terrace tract off FM 2765 just north of the new middle school site - should be residential as should Area 4 - a tract south of FM 2765 bounded north by FM 2765, east by Ellwood Street and south by Doris Street, they recommended.

In Area 5 - a 1,000-plus foot wide strip from along East Jackson Street running east to U.S. 59 to a quarter mile east of the first El Campo exit - commercial uses were recommended.

In Area 6 - an L-shaped tract both north and south of Jackson Street from South Meadow Lane toward the Rice Belt bridge - a blend of industrial and commercial was accepted by P&Z for presentation to Council.

El Campo City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in chambers, 315 E. Jackson. The meeting is open to the public with time specifically designated for citizen comments.

Other items before Council include:

• A request to authorize renovations at the city's wastewater treatment facility. A clarifier needs to be rebuilt, City Manager John Steelman said.

• A mayoral appointment is anticipated. Art Weiss is resigning from the El Campo Housing Authority. Keith Gibbons is expected to replace him.

• A request for a Wilson Road homeowner to connect to water and sewer lines is anticipated. Those outside the city limits have to pay double rates for all services.

• Coastal Securities contract as the city's financial advisor is up for renewal.