The Dublin City Council approved a rezoning request for another dense family subdivision during the regular meeting Monday, Oct. 7.
This request was presented with a public hearing on the 7.760 acre property (around S. Park and Trowbridge) with owner Jose Briseno outlining the project.
Briseno said the plan is to have 60-70 storage container homes on the property to benefit single people and small families needing affordable housing. The standard design for the two-bedroom homes is to have the living area above a shipping container with all the home’s utilities easily accessible and extra storage for the homeowner. A porch extends off the living area, offering covered parking next to the container.
Property lines are narrow (10 feet apart) but long and adhere to city ordinance. Plans also adhere to the 60 foot right of way.
The structures will be all metal for “better build” quality. Briseno also said that sewer is already in place and that he intends to call the division Dublin Heights. He thinks it will fill a need as the Housing Authority told him there’s a demand for small homes.
Plans are for homeowners to purchase the homes and lots which will have little grass as Briseno said many don’t want to deal with lawn maintenance. He is planning to skip lots with trees and have a large green area at the bottom of the current property line.
Councilmember Nancy Williams asked if all the homes will be two bedrooms and Briseno said he determined that to be a good number to satisfy many. He also added a goal is for homes to be furnished with his mother doing design on the inside.
Sammy Moore wondered if the plan’s parking will meet city code and was informed that it will have to be developed for city code since this will be a city subdivision, not a private community. Ben Pate, representing the Planning and Zoning Board reported they recommended 3-0 to allow the rezone from Manufactured Home District-1 to Dense Single Family but he has since thought of concerns such as whether the narrow plan will make it difficult for first responders. He also added he would like the city to revisit the concept of ‘dense single family’ zoning as he didn’t know if it was the best fit for Dublin.
The rezone was approved with Sammy Moore voting in opposition.
The council also voted to table a request from Jennifer and Richard Young of Dublin Renegades. The couple have actively competed in fast draw competitions and said the activities often bring in people to town to stay, shop and eat. The firearms used in the competition use shotgun primers to fire a wax cap at a much slower velocity than a regular bullet. Richard said they are safe and that his leg has even been grazed one with little scuffing. Jennifer added that they are about as loud as a cap gun.
They said they would like to put up two lanes with temporary ballistic netting to be replaced by steel for extra security, but that a competition they would like to host would be held elsewhere around Dublin since it could draw in a lot of competitors.
Police Chief Cameron Ray expressed some concern, saying the property is 800 feet from Gracie Street and worries about stray fire hitting those properties. He also wondered about the security checks of stopping someone loading actual ammunition in the pistols. Richard said people who bring live ammo are banned from the range and the system has someone on the line presenting the wax rounds for shooters to load.
Moore asked about how often they intended to host events and practice. They responded that expectations for practice events would be monthly or bi-monthly but would be dictated by demand.
Councilmembers unanimously approved two requests from Dublin EMS Director John Tadlock: declaring a 2015 Chevy ambulance as surplus to be auctioned at GovDeals. com (with proceeds used for purchase of a cylinder tank lift); and purchase of two cardiac monitors and trade-in of old units.
The council also tabled personnel discussion related to code enforcement after an extended closed session and set facilities tour for councilmembers for Nov. 16 and the next council meeting to Nov. 4 so as not to coincide with Veterans Day.
The meeting began with several public comments.
Cody Hobbs spoke as a former tenant of Joseph Borges, who is working on a manufactured home community on Harris behind the public works yard. Hobbs claims he treated him unfairly as a tenant. “This project of his is a pestilence and a problem Dublin doesn’t need,” Hobbs said.
Rod McNeal spoke on the need for changes in the Code Enforcement department. “In my opinion, the upkeep in our little community is going in the wrong direction and the person in charge is letting this happen,” McNeal said. He also said he was having difficulties getting documents he requested of all code enforcement and animal control matters over the past year as well as employee evaluations.
Phyllis Stewart was speaking on a request for a home smaller than 1,200 square foot, seeking to build a new tiny home of 600 feet on Grand Street and assured that it would look good, but needed something small for an elderly family member. City Manager Bobby Mendez reported he would get her a variance request form.