Orange P&Z Approves Zone Change

Orange’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved a zone change for one of the city’s prime commercial properties, but not after asking a lot of questions. The questions also brought up confidentiality with developers and who should be able to know what is going on.

The zone change is for land along the new Interstate 10 frontage road that was the longtime site of Cody’s Restaurant on 16th Street. The zoning includes lots along 15th Street, which is now closed.

The city staff requested the zone change from Commercial Special to Mixed Use Zoning District. Some of the land in the area is zoned in the Interstate Development Corridor.

The Planning and Zoning Commission tabled the requested zone change last month after Chair Cullin Smith asked why the staff was making the request and why the commission could not learn what the land would be used for.

Smith, who is also a former council member, resigned from the Planning and Zoning Commission days after the meeting.

On Tuesday, City Planning Director Kelvin Knauf said the Mixed Use Zoning “may make it more enticing for developers” because it is flexible for uses.

Orange City Council members also attended the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. At-large Councilor Larry Spears said the zone change will allow elevated signs that can be seen from the new interstate overpasses.

One new overpass is completed and being used. It is higher than the original.

District 4 Councilor Annette Pernell asked about the additional city staff paper work that Cullin Smith had asked for in April.

City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre said the zoning rules say “should” and not “shall,” so the paperwork is a option not a requirement.

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Weldon Smith said if they had known about the signs allowed in the proposed zone, they would have approved it earlier.

Oubre said no one asked about the signs.

The question about the confidentiality agreement with the developer, Jeff Mallett of Houston, was discussed. Mallett had met with the city council and the board of directors for the City of Orange Economic Development Corporation. But the closed-door meeting was at least two years earlier.

Planning and Zoning commissioners Mary McKenna and George Mortimer had been in thosed closed meetings. At the time, McKenna was on the city council and Moritmer was the EDC board president.

However, three of the city council members in attendance Tuesday had not been on the council and did not know about possible businesses.

Commissioner Weldon Smith asked Oubre why the Planning and Zoning Commission could not know about the plans if they had to approve a zone change. He said the Texas Open Meetings law allows closed-door meetings on real estate.

Oubre said the legality of that would need to be researched.

Planning and Zoning Commissioner Jamie Wilson also asked about whether the zone change would allow clubs like ones in Beaumont that have exotic dancers.

City Economic Development Director Jay Trahan spoke about the need for confidentiality. He said developers need to keep deals secret until they are ready to be announced. If Orange broke confidentiality agreements, it would “completely destroy the reputation of this city.”

Oubre said “The bigger question is, are we ready to grow as a community?”

The Planning and Zoning Commission, with Commissioner MaQuettia Ledet presiding, approved the zone change. The commission then voted to make Weldon Smith, who is a captain with the Orange Police Department, as the new chair of the commission.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-