Planning and Zoning Commission - Regular Meeting

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[Music] [Music] Good afternoon everybody. This is the planning and zoning commission of the city of Coral, Texas. It is October 7th, 2025, 5:34 p.m. We call this meeting to order.

Thank you. Item number two, establishment of Andrew Royos here. Ja here. Julie Dominguez here. Oswald Doresa here. Yolanda Rodriguez here. We have a firm with five commissioners present. Item number three, open forum. Alfredo, do we have anyone that would like to speak? Thank you, Mr. Yes, we do. Thank you, Mr. Ruen Borggo. Would you like to step to the podium? Mr. Whatever

and you do have three minutes to speak. Thank you, city council, engineers, city employees. Uh, I'm coming in cost of a city ordinance that was approved in November of last year, either November of last year or October of last year. And the city ordinance has not been good at this time. And the reason is that they keep on violating That city ordinance, the city ordinance is junk cars that are in trailers or 40 foot trailers or 20 foot trailers that are being set on the streets of Sooto. The streets of the new additions of the new additions I'm talking about the enorates and the states around it. If we don't get that taken care of, it's an accident that's going to happen. There's there's streets that are co-sizing with the main street. When you're getting out, you can't see who's coming in. You see to your left, you can't see there's junk cars piled up. There's going to be an accident where a kid is in his bike or anything, somebody's going to take him. Also, the city police are doing their best. There's a person that's been sight cited for about eight times to 10 times. If you know anybody that has junk cars and are doing that, let me tell you, that's a $4,000 or $5,000 operation per month. I mean, per week. They have about 15 or $20,000 a month. It comes a lot of money on that. So they can pay their

tickets. But the the the bad thing about it is they can sight them so much. The city police, Mr. Ro hasn't been doing a good job. Problem is that the citations keep on going. We need to sight him in the court system. We need to sight him and get out of the magistrate here in Sakoro because he's contracted out. I believe he's contracted out. We need to sign him in the county judge with Duhan. We need to get out appear and sign him in the county judge or make the magistrate get him cited more or do a restriction because he's conducting a business a business in a residential area. Not only him, there's a couple of people that are doing that and that's not that's not what you want. You're coming in with bulman estates. You're going to have people running running businesses on the on the residentials. I got a $325,000 home there and people pay their taxes there. But what's going on is that there's no restrictions. The city ordinance can do so much, but we need to do more. We need to really address the mayor and the city council. This is a beautiful area. The the states are beautiful, but they think that because they're in Soro, they think this is a lower valley where they can do whatever they want. That's why you have city ordinance. You guys approved it. I brought it up and I brought it up for months and months and months and they approved it. But when they give them the citation 10 times, he

pays the citation, but he needs to go to court. They need to send him to court. But there's a lot of that going on in the states. A lot of that. And I'm afraid that one of these days there's going to be a terrible accident where a kid is going to get or any pedestrian or even a vehicle coming out to the street. We have to come up seven feet before we can see the street to clear because the junk cars are there. So, thank you. That's what I'm advising you. You can please put it in the agenda. I'll be coming back just to to see what you guys are going to do. I do appreciate it.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. Item number four, consent agenda. want to speak. Yes. On item number three, open confirm. Yes, that would be all we have to um item number four, consent agenda. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion. I have a motion made by Osoresa, second by Julie Dominguez to approve. All those in favor of the motion? I

Any abstain? Motion carried. Regular agenda item five presentation and discussion on the harmony dissolating dissolating project in Soro, Texas. Miss Kimo. Thank you, Marian Luren Kimo, city planner. Uh good afternoon uh residents uh commissioners. Our first item on the regular agenda is a presentation by Quantum Way with Harmony Daltting to give you a presentation on his project and the opportunity for Sakoro to uh participate in this exciting endeavor. With that, I'll introduce you to Quantum Way of Harmony. Good evening everyone. Thank you for having me here. Uh my name is Quantum Way. Uh I'm the founder of Harmony Dulttting. Uh we are a desalination startup uh based in Boston and we've uh won some grant funds from the federal government to pilot innovative deselination technology. Uh that's what I'm here to talk to you all about today.

We're just pulling up some slides. Great. Thank you very much. So, what's the point of this project? Uh, this is an aerial view of the property at 232 South Navaris, uh, taken probably November of last year. Uh, I have Marty Loya here, representative of the property owner, Ralph Loya, is here. And as you can see, uh, currently this plot is basically empty. Uh, one of the reasons it's empty is there's not a consistent reliable supply of fresh water. But there is a well located on this property. Uh the well has saline

water and the points of our technology is to remove the salts uh make this water uh useful for irrigation. And basically uh what we plan to do here is to set up a deselination container uh remove the salt from that water about 4,000 gallons per day. Uh and this would allow uh the lawyers to grow wine grapes on the property. Uh this process would require the installation of a small brine pond uh in in that corner of the property right there. Uh I want to stress it's important to note that the reason we've been granted funds from the federal government is our technology is an improvement on the state-of-the-art. If you were to use a conventional desulting technology, the brine pond would be much bigger and the desulting container would produce much less fresh water. Uh but over the past several months uh we've met with the A1 subcommittee. Uh we've heard some of the concerns of some of the residents uh who I think are here today. Uh and I think primarily these concerns uh come down to pollution, noise, odor, and wealth depletion. Uh and and we hear these concerns. Uh we thank uh those who brought up these concerns for raising them. uh we had not addressed these concerns uh as diligently as we should have. Uh but we have we've revisited these concerns and I think uh we have um we have uh mitigation measures and the answers to each of these concerns. So I want to quickly uh walk you through those. First and foremost is pollution. Uh the design of this pond is governed by TCQ, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Uh it mandates that the pond uh is designed by a Texas

professional engineer. Uh and most importantly, that pond must include a plastic liner. And the point of this plastic liner is to ensure that none of that brine seeps uh below the water uh to uh get get at the water table. Uh the salts uh solid salts will accumulate at the bottom of the pond uh every several years or so. As the salts accumulate, they'll be scraped away and sent to the landfill. Uh in accordance with the TCU permit, uh this pond will be inspected weekly uh to make sure that there are no overflows or leaks. Uh so I think Texas has a good uh regulation to ensure that there's no pollution. Uh stemming from this brine. In regards to the noise, uh our engineers have looked uh we have a preliminary list of equipment. Uh and they've looked at the noise levels generated by that equipment. Uh here is a decibel level chart. Uh you can range from jet engine at 140 dB uh to uh normal conversation uh about 60 to 70 dB. We estimate that our sound levels will be right in this range. Basically, when it comes down to it, our loudest equipment, the pumps and motors will be placed inside of a steel container. Uh there will be sound insulating uh foam inside that container to absorb the noise. And basically that will take down the loudest equipment uh from 90 dB down to inside the container uh to a level of about 60 dB on the outside. This 60 decel level is about the level uh of noise that is generated by a mini split air conditioner. Uh we will have a mini split air conditioner which will be

generating noise outside the container. Uh but I think uh this is probably comparable uh to the noise that is generated uh by many air conditioners in the surrounding area. Furthermore, we will install sound level sensors uh for continuous monitoring uh to uh monitor how much noise our system is producing. In regards to odor, uh this is a this is a good concern. Uh we've taken a closer look at this. The brine that will be sitting in the pond is concentrated wellwater and we do have a water quality analysis that has been taken on that wellwater. Uh this is a sample from that analysis. This analysis is available on our public website which we've launched. Uh the URL will be included later in the presentation. Uh the most obvious uh potential source of odor is ammonia uh in the wellwater uh coming in at a level of 0.3 milligrams per liter. This is far below the odor detection threshold of ammonia 5 to 53 milligrams per liter. But we'll be going through as part of this odor detection plan all of the uh all of the constituents within the well wellwater uh identifying what are the odor detection limits and this will inform what our water recovery limits are to ensure that we don't concentrate uh these constituents to the point where they'll be detectable. Uh we'll also be including aation and chlorine dosing uh to kill potential uh bacteria which cause odors. Uh and we're also investigating similar to the noise level sensors, air quality monitoring sensors so that we can have an objective measure of this. Finally, well depletion. Uh this is you

know this is a very important concern. Uh this is something that uh we are learning more about. We certainly don't want to deplete this well. The whole point of the project is to produce a reliable source of fresh water for the property owner. We certainly don't want to run that well dry uh for the property owner or any of the neighbors. Uh so this is still an issue and we're investigating. We invite uh if anyone knows more about this than we do, we'd love to work with them to identify a sustainable uh well withdrawal rate. Uh but we plan to run specific capacity tests to help identify this rate. Uh our container will be solar powered. So, we'll be only running a portion of the day. Uh we feel there is a good chance uh we will not be running this well dry. Uh but in any case, uh we're committed to uh adjusting our operations uh to produce uh a stable uh and sustainable source of fresh water. As I mentioned before, we have launched a project website. Uh this website is live. Uh it's being continuously updated. It includes project information, contact information, frequently address frequently asked questions and a data dashboard. Uh we plan to update this continue updating this website uh as the project goes into operation. Uh there will be weekly uh inspections of the pond. All that will go on the website. There will be quarterly water analysis of the wastewater in accordance with DCQ. Uh that would go on the website as well. Uh and finally uh we understand deselination is something that is uh maybe unfamiliar to people here. Uh so uh tomorrow uh we will be holding an outreach event at the property uh from 3

to 6:30. Uh we have brought a small desalination unit uh which we plan to operate there. We also plan to produce uh brine samples. uh people can you know see for themselves uh if there is an odor uh associated with this brine. So invite uh you know anyone here uh who's concerned about this invite you to come and see here and smell it for yourself. Uh I'll be there to answer whatever questions you have about the deselination container and the evaporation pond. Um but we really do want to work with the community here uh and make sure that we're doing this project right. because uh we do believe this is a pilot this is a pilot project and we do see potential for a much larger project uh to help produce a sustainable agriculture supply uh for uh many many farmers here. So uh I think I've taken up enough time. My contact info is here. Um I'll be here tomorrow at the demonstration uh event and thank you for your time and attention. Thank you.

How large is the pond? Yeah, the pond as currently designed uh the preliminary drawings are on the website. I believe it's 08 acres is a surface area of that pond.

Correct. How about the public? How is that? You said this was a private program. Is this something that has been done in other parts or are we the first?

Deselination is a technology that is used that deselination as a technology has been used pretty widely. Uh when we refer to pilot uh we are piloting uh we based we have a slightly different form of deselination. So uh the equipment is not new but the way that we are using equipment is new. The way the process that we're using is new. So, uh, deselination is done all all around the state of Texas and the United States. Uh, but we're doing it just a little bit differently, which is why it's called a pilot. Okay. So, this is the first time.

Yeah. For for our for our company, this is the first time uh doing a solar powered deselination container. So oftent times deselination is powered off the grid. What is the success rate for you? Uh so since 2022 we're a very young company but we entered we've entered two uh field demonstrations. These were contests sponsored by the US government and then a competition sponsored by the Canadian government. and we won the grand prize in both of those competitions. So, I'd say pretty good.

Good question. In comparison to the other other ones uh that you guys have done before, um would you say that your yours is is better as far as like the decibb of the sound? Um everything with following the TCQ rules or whatnot. I know that you guys will be inspected by them or what not every monthly quarter you said.

So the I guess a couple questions there. One is in regards to our decibel levels compared to our previous pilots. Um I mean this pilot is larger than our than most of our previous pilots. So in that regard uh I'd say probably making a little more noise. Uh in in comparison to other deselination technologies we do use smaller pumps. Uh so this is our our process is more energy efficient. Uh so I would say we we do produce less noise compared to a conventional deselination technology. Uh in regards to the TCQ, TCQ isn't specifically looking at us, but TCQ has a general permit for disposal of waste water. Uh evaporation ponds are uh they're the most economical way of disposing of waste water. So they sort of have a general permit. Uh you know, you have to there are qualifications to be eligible for this permit. But so long as you uh are eligible uh then this is sort of a form permit that anyone in the state can use. Uh these quarterly inspections uh it's not TCU coming over to inspect the pond. The weekly inspections and the quarterly inspections are self uh are perfor will be performed by the property owner. Uh so weekly inspections and these will come with checklists uh which must be kept on record on site. Uh these weekly checklists we will upload to the project website. Uh and then TCU also mandates that we uh analyze the wastewater each quarter. Uh that's something that uh the property owner uh will collect and perform. Uh and these we will also upload to the project website. Uh uploading to the project website is going above and beyond TCQ requirements, but we feel you know we're collecting this data anyways. we're supposed to

keep it on site. Uh so in support of full transparency, uh we believe uploading it to the web is the way to go. Thank you. So I have another question. So what is

Yeah. ress isolated.

Yeah, that's a that's a very fair question. I will say uh this is the this project is the furthest we've gone in terms of building infrastructure. For instance, this is the first time uh we've gone through the permitting and design and hopefully the build process of building an evaporation pond. Uh our earlier pilots took place in test facilities uh so well away from uh well away from uh residential spots. The reason that we came here, uh, we were awarded this project from the Bureau of Reclamation and the original proposed site, uh, was a nonprofit farm in Lockheart, Texas, just south of Austin. Uh, that was a site uh, probably a bit more secluded. Um, it fell through for a couple reasons. Uh, I think the biggest reason is that property didn't actually have a well already dug. So, it was going to be very expensive to dig a well to access the salty water that they had underneath. Um when we found out that but that project was supported by the local groundwater conservation district, Palm Creek. Um when we found out that that site fell through, uh you know, we we still had these we still had these federal funds which were the we were the primary contractor of, you know, it was still our job to spend those funds and test this technology. Uh so my colleague Hey, uh you know, He was he's a business developer. He's working uh with our company to try and sell these systems. He basically went and cold called he looked up uh you know where in Texas is water the most expensive and he went and cold called uh various farms uh and eventually got in touch with Marty. Uh we hopped on a conversation with Marty uh learned about the water challenges

they were facing uh on their properties uh flew over uh the following week. Got to visit the site. Uh they have been really great partners. I think they're uh really forwardinking uh innovative. They've been very hospitable uh and you know they were willing to in some way take a risk on us a young company. uh somewhat new technology. Uh so that's the reason we're here. I think we clearly we've seen a need here. Uh and they're willing to host us. Yes. And definitely a need. Can you speak your name please?

Marty Loya. Uh definitely a need. We have the little farm there on Nevada and then we have another one Sakor Road and we have three water sources to grow our produce. Unfortunately, the well water is salty, so we can only use it for pecan trees and sometimes with our fruit trees, but we have to mix it up. We cannot use it for our fresh produce. The water that we get from irrigation, flood irrigation is very dirty, so we can't use that unless we mix it up as well, too. In order for us to produce produce using that irrigation water, we would have to test it for E. coli once a month. So we basically are using city water to grow our produce. So you can imagine how expensive that is.

Yes. If you go back to the aerial view, we can go back

start to finish. So right now, as you can see, where the rows are, that's where we're growing the produce. Uh in the back where there's nothing there are, we attended a uh meeting with some of the representatives from the state of Texas about how potential it could be for us to grow wine, not wine, grapes, grape. And that's what we're hoping that this will allow us to do that. How long do you anticipate that from start that you would be able to make this project?

Yeah, a pretty So, we're in the process of building the container at our location in Boston. Uh that probably most of that construction will take place in November, December, probably stretching into January. We anticipate shipping the container on site in February. It'll take probably a couple weeks to set up. Uh and then, you know, once we're set up and running, we'll be producing water immediately. So, uh current timeline would be February or March of next year.

And I want to make sure that the community understands that this isn't just for us. This is all farmers. All farmers are running into the same type of issue that they can't produce with their wellers and same problem with irrigation. Uh potentially you could use the same technology not just on farms in area where there's no water only a well available to the community. So potentially this could grow into other areas as well. We'll get more to it and then we'll open up for discussion as well. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Item number six, public hearing for the proposed amendment to the city of Sakuro's master plan and the reszoning of lot one and lot two, lot three, police subdivision replant E located at 1080 and 10808 Stacy Lane, Texas from R1 single family residential to R2 medium density residential to allow for a duplex on each property. Mor Royos. Good afternoon everybody. We will open public hearing at 604.

We have no speakers um that signed up, but if we may ask the public if they would like to speak on item six. Is anybody Okay, you can go ahead and come up. You can go ahead and come up and uh state your name, please. And then we'll give you um Okay. And this is just so everybody knows this is for the um item on Stacy. Yes. Yes. And then um we're going to give about three minutes each. Yes. We'll try and keep it to about a three three minute 3 to four minute minimum and whatnot.

Good evening commissioners uh planning and zoning committee and members of the community. First of all, we'd like to thank you for this opportunity to speak to you today. My name is L. Martinez and this is my sister Rosa Ortega. We own the property. I own the property at 10800 Stacy, the corner lot, and my sister owns the A 10808 Stacy. We're here to um we purchased those lots back in May of 2023, and uh we're asking here today to help uh to reszone those lots from an R1 to a from a single family to a duplex. Um our goal is to sit there and and really invest in this community. We want to build a duplex. She'll build a duplex on her side. I'll build one on my side. The intention is these duplexes would be uh it's um two units of course and they're about 1100 to,200 square feet each. Um the intention is we want to invest in the community. We want to build a quality rental homes with refrigerator air and stuff like that that we're looking at about three bedrooms, two bath. And um one of the things we did do a little bit differently was we went ahead and asked neighbors around the area that that are surrounding our our lots is if they were okay with that, what their opinion was and stuff like that. They actually signed off on a document that says that you know they were they were for it. So um just wanted to bring that to your attention. Go ahead and say so.

Well, these are for ours. These are not for sale or anything like that. This is actually going to be income because we're getting older and you know, it'd be nice to have a little bit of a little bit of an estate for retirement, especially for me because I retire next year, 66. Yes. But anyway, um thank you again. We respectfully ask for your approval to reszone these properties. uh we want to be very respectful of the neighbors that we have and the property that it is and the location it is and we want by that we want to be able to qu build something quality and that's why we're coming before you to you know to request your approval to humbly request your approval. Thank you. Thank you. I have a question. How big are your lots?

It's going to be two different lots, right? Yes. Uhuh. Mine is over 10,000 square feet. Um uh mine is 11,822 and my sister's is 10,7 about half an acre combined in between both. Yes, sir. Yes. And the duplex. So we're doing a total of two duplex. So four units total, three bed, two bath, uh 1,200 per site units. Yes, sir. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else from the audience that would like to come up for this item? So, we will close uh public hearing at 608. Thank you. Item number seven, considering take action on the approval of the proposed amendment to the city of Sakuros master plan and resoning of lot one and lot two block 3 poly subdivision replat E located at 1080 and 10808 Stacy Lane So Texas from R1 single family residential to R2 medium density residential to allow for a duplex on each property. Miss Kino.

Thank you Miriam. Thank you uh commissioner and uh commission members. Item number seven for your consideration is a resoning request for the properties located at 10800 and 10808 Stacy Drive. The representatives who you've already heard from are LS Martinez and Rosa Ortega. The lot sizes are 11,821 square feet and the second lot is 10,5 square The zoning is R1 single family residential and currently the land is vacant. The future land use map for the city of Sakoro recommends suburban residential for this property. In summary, the request is for approval of a reszoning of two properties from R1 to R2 to allow for a duplex on each property. The planning and zoning commission recommends approval of the request. These properties are located at the corner of Odin Drive and Stacy Drive. They are zoned R1 and surrounded by R1 single family residential zoning. The closest R2 is a little half a block behind the applicant property. They are also very close to a mixed use of commercial C2 and M2 in just heavy industrial along Palame. A little information uh for the pool subdivision which this uh these lots are within. The pool subdivision was recorded in May of 1983. It had uh 10 lots originally. Of those 109 are designated R1 residential,

one is R2 medium density residential, two are commercial C1 and 18 are C2. This uh subdivision also contains 18 vacant lots. The future land use map according to our 20 240 comprehensive map comprehensive plan designates the area as suburban residential. But these residential uh duplexes do are compatible to the join adjacent residential nature of the uh subdivision. The aerial shows the vacant lots and the surrounding residential properties. These are photographs taken from Stacy of the first lot at 10800 Stacy and then the 10808 Stacy Drive lot. This photograph was taken from the intersection of Stacy and Odin looking at both. As it is a zoning case, property owners within 200 ft of the property were notified of the request. Staff did not receive any notification to our office either in favor or in opposition to the request. Uh aside from the uh letter of support that was signed by eight individuals included in your packet toward the end of the presentation uh gathered by the applicants. These are the public notices that were distributed in English and Spanish. And these are the site plans for the two lots. Access will be on Stacy.

And this is the second site plan for 108. And the letter of support that the applicants received from their neighbors on on Stacy and In summary, the request is for approval of a resoning of two properties from R1 to R2 to allow for a click on each property. With that, SC staff can answer any questions. Um my response to that um my storage but that those lots have been there empty for quite a bit and um both lots fall under that uh criteria that we had talked about having 10,000 square feet at least for a duplex and um since there wasn't any opposing calls or whatot towards making a motion if anybody else has anything else I mean, nobody else has any questions.

So, I'd like to make a motion to approve.

I have a motion made by Andrew Royo, second by Yolanda Rodriguez to approve. All those in favor of the motion. I Any abstain? Motion carried. Item number eight, public hearing for the proposed amendment to the code of ordinance of the city of Sakoro, Texas, chapter 46, zoning article 4, district regulations to add the district regulations for the A1 agricultural zoning district. Mr. Aoyos, afternoon everybody. Uh, we will open public hearing at 6:14. Thank you. And

yes, so I think this is the one that we've been going back and forth with for the A1. Yes. Um changes or whatnot. So is there anybody in the audience that would like to make a public comment in regards to the agricultural reasoning or amendment? Yes. So we have a list and I'm going to go through it. I'm going to go through it. Um in the audience if you would like to speak just let let us know yes and come to the podum. If not then we will go to the next Ivon Perez. Adrian Perez

would you like to speak? No. Thank you. Margaret, would you like to speak? No. Thank you. Maria Lopez, I'm sorry. Yes. Maria Lopez, would you like to speak? Thank you. Hey, can I ask you a question? Um, I think the voters have been I think they've had meetings. You guys have had meetings about this or whatnot. So, Mr. um has has an idea or a comment, right?

Okay. So, if I may, and that's the reason why I jumped ahead, right? We've been going back and forth since June, July doing this men, this amendment to the reasonzoning of agricultural, right? I want to clarify to everybody that wants to come up and talk that it's not going to change anything of what you currently have. The thing was that there was so much confusion in between rural land to now trying to make the category the category official of A1 that everybody had the understanding that oh now it's going to change they're going to mess with their agricultural zoning. It's not going to mess with anybody. if anything is going to get grandfathered. But what they're doing is now they're clarifying from today forward. If anybody wants to make any change, any addition or anything like that to their land or a property wants to get reszoned into A1, these are going to be the new guidelines. Whatever is in blue. It has nothing to do with previous owners or anybody that's already considered A1. I've been in every meeting starting since June. Miss Kamito, I'm a farmer myself. I own a lot of agricultural uh uh That's why it was very important for me to be there. Most of the changes that have been there, I've even added uh not that I had it myself, right? But to the fact that if you own agricultural land, you're allowed to put an RV there because a lot of the workers need to water overnight, right? So during watering season, you need to have somebody there if you need to do a well per se with the grants that the government is coming in. So it's not anything negative. I kind of pretty much understand and that's why it was so important for me as well. I just want to clarify to everybody that it's nothing that's going to change with whatever it's already established. It's going to be from anything here moving forward that is going to change. Okay? So that way if anybody's going to come in be like, "Oh, why do we have to switch it? This is going to affect me yada yada." No, no, no. And then if it does affect you for the future, there is variances on how we can come about agree and try to work to benefit farmers. The last thing personally, me myself, standing here in front of you guys is the last

thing I want to do is get rid of agricultural land myself. Okay? So that is my interest. That's why I'm here. I just wanted to make that public. Go ahead. Yeah. Yeah. Still open. Just state your name, please. My name is Rodriguez and I have a quick question. So A1 is going to be changed, but if it gets sold as agricultural, does it stay as A1 or does it get on something else and then they have to to agriculture. It will the Sonia will continue the same

the property the property will sell as A1 they want to resone it or as for zoning they have this whole process that's only if they're going to reszone it everything will stay the same thank you yes ma'am

morning I'm glad you clarified that I know there's been a lot of confusion me as a farmer very import We did our A1 right now. There was a problem or issue that when we when the city went digital, it got lost. A1 very important that we get it back. Thank you. Thank you. Do we have anyone else?

Go ahead, sir. That's okay.

My name is Ruben Borgos and agriculture land some of the builders that are building around. I've been here before and they say, "Have you had any kind of rights or irrigation rights. Have you talked to the people around us? Some some developers haven't. They don't know that we still have the water rights and they're there in their property because they bought it. It was changed from agriculture to to residential. But nobody did advise us that it was going to be residential. So the water lines are in his property and our property. So he has to respect our irrigation rights. Of course the thing is that when they come up here they tell you we we talk to the neighbors and all this stuff but it really there's nothing It says there's a letter saying that I have water rights and they they have not talked to the neighbors. So I suggest that you do tell them I need something in writing that you talk to several neighbors or your neighbors around so you'll know that the water rights are respect because they're the ones that changing it to residential. We haven't changed it to resial. I'll I'll go ahead and add to your question. So no, that that is incorrect. The the way it works is this way. They buy developers buy land from farmers, right? Then the farmers turn it over to developers for to develop, right? And

then at that point they make agreements with water district. The the water rights are sold to lower I'm lower valley in this case per se here in the valley, right? They are the ones that pick up the water rights. they are sold at the time that you purchase a residential property. You no longer are entitled to those water rights. Now, if there's an easement running through your property, that has to be respected, but Lower Valley picks up that responsibility of maintaining those ditches, whether they run right next to your property, behind your property, or sometimes even through your property. At the time you go close at the title company, you will receive a survey. That survey will dictate if you have any easements. It does not mean that you own the water rights because those water rights have been way before sold at the time that that property was going to be developed. Anything in the city of Sakoro or lower valley under half an acre at the time of sale is no longer getting respected for water rights unless you address it before closing. And all that has to get addressed through water improvement district which is office right off of Alamea. So if you own less than half an acre, not because you're next to residential land, but at the time that property was developed, all those water rights have been

No, there are five acres. And and I will add also that in any property where there is any irrigation, whether it's a community canal or whether it's uh belongs to the W not, it it's almost impossible for them to skip that. It's part of the procedure of them as developers, right? It's got to go through the W almost impossible there.

Well, you Yes, you you can talk to the water improvement district. Yes, they will give you the answers that you need, but I I can guarantee you that nobody can come in and just take your water rights away. It's got to go through a certain process and it'll go through the W, lower value water district if they purchase the water rights or whatnot. But yeah, that is something that is recorded on your deeds actually. Okay. Okay. Thank you. So, Yes, sir. Do we have anyone else that would like to speak?

Oh, sorry. Go ahead. Go ahead and come up. Yeah. On this item that you'd like to speak. Oh. Okay. So, if if it's not on this item, then you have to wait for that next item. Yes. Yes. We have I can wait till I can wait till

Sorry. Item number five is just the presentation. Okay. Anyone that would like to speak I live over 10701 West right next to canal road that runs right next to my house and I'm trying to find out what I can do. I talked to the water department when I moved in there. I didn't feel the wall every year that wall got knocked off of its knocked off of it. If I didn't have any tree that were there to keep that wall up, I think that whole wall would fall over. I don't want Next thing you know, it caves in on my property and then they try to see me. I need to find out what I can do to to do something about it. They're blowing me off. I got to get a lawyer or what?

I would probably say maybe I get a hold of the city, right? Maybe. And the water department over there off Alamita right there in Clint. Yeah, that's the W. Correct. But but right. Yeah. Yeah. Because I've been trying to deal with this for over a year now. I mean, every my wall is like this. I've got pictures. It's fall. It's falling. You know, their tractors come the center of the canal down. Whose tractors?

There's there's off-road vehicles that go right by on that road. I mean, it's 10 ft. canal from my property with the road or whatever and it keeps it's already caved in some of the block wall. I don't have money. I want to fix it. I'm retired, you know. And another another thing I have a complaint about is I've told about it is where that coral scrap metal is road it is whatever they own that property. All right. the city of Coral, they say, "Well, it's a textile problem." Well, if it's textile problem, then their entrance to that property should be on horizon, not on because that road is real skinny right there. It's super skinny. I've had to stop, three, four times. I don't know how many other people had to stop there to wait for that big rig end to come out of that street right there. You know, plus all those divider things you guys put down there really really messed us up getting out of all the traffic now with all these houses built on North Verizon right there.

There's a lot of traffic, you know, they don't even have a turn lane to get into those. So, they're coming into traffic. some accidents right there. And I don't want to get rear ended because that street is tight right there to come in when I turn to go right down to my house in there. I got to stop. I can't either that or go down the street and then come in. I shouldn't have to do that. Those big rigs should be coming in their property, not on road, not on that residential road. It's skinny. You know what I'm saying? That is a good point. That is a good point on that one.

So if you if you'd like to you can like after the meeting we can meet with you or you can meet somebody from Yeah. I mean I just had to get a tire for my son's car at 5:00. My tire pressure came off. He had a big giant bolt that was from that scratch. mud in the road. There's trash.

You know, I know those guys have in this house because they were the mayor and they know

Thank you. Do we have anyone else that would like to speak? So, No sir. No, no, that has nothing to do with the text. Mr. Ro, if I may ask um the people that we have on phone if they would like to speak. Okay, one person. We have one person.

Go ahead. Um he was talking about and uh one thing we have a rock build between Caro and Warham the rock walls are slanted and uh some are 8 ft tall and uh the the canal runs from all the way almost I mean And since they built that canal, the canal started having five feet. So we can walk and take something because it's a long canal. Some part of it is 2 feet or one ft to the wall. Some parts you can see the bottom of the rock wall because with the rain and you know it takes and it's loose dirt because those have been built how long ago? Five years ago, six years ago. So all that dirt is moving And uh uh the rock is right back on my property and where it drains. I have a lot of problems because the gophers the water runs down to the drainage and he threw like two car lanes side to side down the rock wall and it went down to my canal. And uh we had asked for it to be paid because we have a lot of kids going back there partying. Uh they went to my broke the windows in my truck in a car. Cops couldn't do anything because I have no cameras and um putting up a fence. But that rock wall, we don't have no access in it because uh there's been a big problem on people the city water

owns half of it the canal to and I think to the rock wall. The weeds are so tall, so sometimes taller than the rock wall. Plus, they go in the canal because they're falling in. And the the water district doesn't clean the top of the canal. They just clean at the bottom and one ft up to the side. That's it. So, kids are partying there. There's uh some vandalism because we already had a lot of uh our animals attacked. dog come and kill my coloring chickens. They came and attacked my other dogs and all kinds of problems. But one thing about the rock wall, it's very very slanted and it is corroded at the bottom. So that means with the rain, it's loosening it to hold itself up. And uh and also it's a big fire hazard because if you go back and out there's a lot of dry.

So address. Excuse me. What address? I live in 11659 North Loop, but it's not on North Loop. It's in back of the housing, but me and my neighbor are considered North Loop. And uh the Rockwell is from Carro almost to war and and it it's you know there's a lot of kids. There's beer cans there. There's partying and uh it's not because the rock wall as I remember is leaning towards the canal. Let me I will let make a comment and I totally understand you guys and and I'm I'm fighting that fight with y'all.

I got duplexes built right behind my agricultural land and I have the same rough walls and all that. Now it is not an issue for the city of Sakoro that pertains to lower valley and it's a fight that you constantly have to be on it. Let me let me just clarify it. I think unfortunately right and I mean I hope it never happens an accident is going to have to happen before they do something right because with the water with the wash offs with the runoffs the weeds I mean you get kites with with tree trunk sites that are lifting up rock walls and and and whatnot but unfortunately those are rights that are for lower valley water district now every they they created those rock walls to leave the ement in the middle of the ditch but lower valley goes and cleans that ditch correct so that you guys can irrigate.

They clean the bottom part, but all the over from the top is going in. That is a fight that I constantly have. It's not it's not a solution. Unfortunately, it's not with the city. Now, can we talk to the board of Lower Valley? Yes. But I think we have to start as a community attending their board meetings to tell them to address that. Not here with the city because the city has no right over that. Okay. Well, the city has no right to that. But how about the contracts before all that was built and the housing that built the rock walls? Why don't they have any responsibility? Because they left that canal. They left that rock wall and and there sometimes there's not even two feet to walk at the side to irrigate

the it's a very long canal.

The the easements were dictated on the surveys. So the rock wall belongs to the homeowner. At the moment that the homeowner per the survey, he's the one to accept and sign off whether the rock walls are to his standards or not. So at the moment that those rock walls fall off, that's responsibility now of the owner of the property, which again, he's going to throw that ball to Lower Valley and it's something juggling. Your right as a resident where you're at is that you should not have any obstruction whatsoever of the water flow. That is it, right? You shouldn't be cleaning that ditch. You shouldn't be walking through that ditch. There shouldn't be no way. The only right you have to that water is that you should have no obstruction of water flowing to that ditch for you to receive water at your property. If there is a flow, that's if there is an obstruction flow, that's where they will tend to you immediately. I guarantee you that.

Pictures and emails to them will get it solved. Now, it not being clean or anything like that, that is a fight that I have to as much clean as I want to do it. Not only that, residents will throw their trash bags, will throw their stuff. You just have to call lower valley. They will go and clean it, but it doesn't mean that they're going to leave it the prettiest looking. Unfortunately, we have to go and attend their board meeting. Laurel has very limited staff and they don't clean that canal maybe twice a year during the water season. So,

it's a battle that we're all fighting really. I'm with you on it. And as a farmer, I tell you, I have about maybe 200 yards of residential ditch through before I get my water so I know exactly you're filling. It takes two hours for three hours for the water to get from the gate to get to Thank you. Anybody else? We're going to go ahead and ask the ones that on the phone. Oh, on the phone. If you want to go ahead and mute the ones we have on the phone. Everyone's unmuted.

Everyone's muted. Do we have anyone that would like to speak via phone? Uh, no ma'am, no comment. H, are you here? No ma'am. Thank you. Muted. There's no comment either. Unmuted. We'll close public hearing at 6:36. Like to make a motion. Close public hearing for item number eight. Correct. This is the closed public hearing number. We're on item. Correct. We're on item nine. We're barely going to start item nine.

Okay. I want to make a motion to listen to public hearing on item 10 before we consider and take action and and before we're asked to vote on item nine. Do I have a second? Second. All those in favor of the motion I

Any nays? Any obstain? Motion carried. So I'm just going to repeat the motion. I have a motion made by David Espa, second by Oz Loresa to move item number 10, public hearing. Um before discussing item number nine. For item number 10, if Mr. may open public hearing. We will open public hearing at 6:37. Can we take a vote?

Um, yes. For item number two,

can you can you um Okay, first of all, I'd like to state that I'm not against agriculture and I'm not against farmers. I'm for development of new technology and new innovations as far as getting water out of the ground and stuff like that. Um, I've spoken to 50 residents and I have a PDF file that I sent you distribute. Okay. And so I've got signatures and a petition here of 50 people that I've spoken to in the residential area. Every single one of them except for one was against this motion. The only one that wasn't for it was neither for or against it. Okay. I have some pretty significant people like the father of the mission sign that he's against it. He's number seven on that list. Elgo of the He's a historian in San Dieio and as of the mission trail, he's also against it. Paula in the school district against it. Okay. I've spoken to several neighbors and a lot of them can't come to office. Some of them are either elderly or the homes in some to some extent look abandoned near the mission. Okay. From what I understand, there is a There is grant money, $300,000 for this initiative. None none of this is in it for the residents. Okay? The only one that is going to benefit from this is the applicant. This is a good project, and I'm going to keep saying this, but it's not a good project there. It's a good project for somewhere that there is no residence and there is no mission.

We are totally against this experimental idea in this area. It is already established as a residential area and the property is residential at this point. This is a pilot experiment. How is this going to benefit any of the residents? Applicants are only after grant money. Residents are totally against experimenting in our neighborhood. Now last October a 40page analysis of the water was conducted on October 24th 24th. The study was conducted by ESSCO. Results from this analysis show no salt parameter. Okay. There is no NaCCl. There is salt ions such as sodium and chloride but there's no salt. Everybody knows that salt is NaCCl. You look at that 20 page report, there is no salt. Okay. I spoke to Joe Koncha. I spoke to Joe Hannis M. I can't pronounce his last name. He's an engineer from ESSO environmental. Okay. I looked at the TECQ website and no permits have been pulled for any of these tests, any of this environmental any of these environmental studies. This site is 340 ft away from the Soro mission. And as Rudy Cruz mentioned when I spoke to him, he said we need to stay away from disrupting the mission in every way. With regards to equipment and environmental pollution. Now it's subjective how much pollution there is and how much noise. For someone it may be a lot of noise, but for other people those deserts may be high. That is a subjective subject. Another issue is water tables. Okay. Once you start

drilling in for irrigating for grapes, for example, grapes take a lot of water. And the problem I have with it is there's been cases in Clint about 5 years ago where the water tables actually collapsed and structures were actually falling due to pulling water out of those veins. Okay. One of my other concerns is property values. Everybody knows that agricultural land is worth less than residential. This is going to affect the property values in the area. Brine smells terrible. I have web pages that I've researched and read about and there's nothing but bad things that come from Brian and from optimization. There was an article on Kox News on 92525 about aimization plant that is taking place here in El Paso and nothing but bad environmental impacts were discussed. Okay. So there's a lot of concerns. There's a lot of testing that needs to be done and the question Has anybody from this board or anybody from city planning done their due diligence to check to ensure that there's not going to be any other effects for the residents? Because having 50 signatures of people that don't want this is significant and I sent uh the city planning a copy so that they could upload it. But I have a copy here if anybody would like to see we have it. So, it is a good idea, but I don't think it's a good idea there for two reasons. It's a residential area and the mission is less than 320 ft away from it from the proposed area. So, it's a good idea, but they got to find somewhere else.

I think it's a good idea, but somewhere else. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Do we have anyone else that would like to in reference to this item.

Hi, I'm Tammy Muren. I'm at Marquez. So, I have been uh recently brought on board with this this resoning issue and I I listened to the presentation and uh Mr. Bettis did raise some of the concerns that I had as well. Um but other than everything that he did mention, I'm not going to rehash. I have similar concerns um and the effects on the wellwater. I mean, it was inconclusive on the presentation on what the effects were in the wellwater, how it's been depleted, what's going to be after effects. I mean, if this is a pilot project and like Mr. Bettis said, it's a great idea, but it is a residential area. It's too close to the church, it's too close to his property, my property, everybody else's property in that area. And what benefit is it to the community? Is everybody going to have access to that water? I mean, I'm just curious. Those were my concerns that I didn't get from the presentation. So, I wanted to raise my concerns. If you're going to reszone, these are issues that need to be addressed and I think it needs to be conclusive on what the effects are on the wellwater before it's done. Thank you.

Thank you.

If if I may a little bit and both, right, ma'am and Mr. This is this is where I'm at as a farmer again, right? So, if you all remember years ago, so used to And some even still live off of well water. A lot of people still live off of well water. It doesn't mean that there wasn't well water before. Now where do I stand as a farmer where where property is is residential? Yes, it's a pilot program. It's something you don't want there next to to to the residents. But where do I stand with the applicant? It's it's the fact that these are grants from the government. Every time as a city we continue rejecting these grants then they're no longer going to look at us. we no longer get chosen for the government to say, you know what, they're very pro city right now. What if how do we make it a win-win situation for residents? And we'll get to it once we we discuss the item, right? Where it comes to the residents and where it also comes to the applicant, like you said, what benefits do the residents have? Okay, maybe not a benefit, but what if we give them the benefit of the doubt that if it's something that we all encourage as a city to try to make our city grow so that we can have the government more at us for grants. But if it's something that doesn't work out, we can automatically terminate, right? We won't know if it works until we give it a try. We won't know if the government's going to give us any more until we give it a try. I can assure you though, once I peaked into USDA, I got a lot of help from USDA just for being Hispanic. That doesn't mean that being a small city, we're not going to get the help from the government. This is grants that the government is giving. Now, you ask me, why don't you put it in your house? If I get chosen, I'd put it in my house, but maybe I don't have the well that they have. Okay, I'll get right with you, Mr. P. Right now, will I put it in my house? If you tell me it's going to be a benefit because I'm going to have cleaner water, there's people, we got to

understand there's people living in their properties that still live off of wellwater because they have no city water, right? If this is going to clean the water and this is going to help any future farmers, why not give it a try? If that's only option we currently have but also protecting the residents that if this is chaotic because the city none of us know what we're going to get into but we can I mean I don't know if to use the right terminology but if we can terminate it within three months 6 months because it's something completely of what we didn't expect then why not give that assurance but at least we're not telling the government no no government don't look at us because we're so negative we're so close-minded we don't want to do it that's just where I'm at on trying to conserve agriculture land being pro it but also respecting the peace of the residents. Do you get me? That that that's my standpoint.

Excuse me. If you want to speak to the mic just so that everything gets recorded both of you. You were discussing the wellwater. It was inconclusive. They don't know how it's going to affect it. Is it going to deplete it? Like you said, people are living off of that wellwater. You know, people still utilize well water there. I have a well. I said, "How is it going to affect is it going to deplete it?" I mean, I think those questions need to be answered. I understand this is a great thing for the city. I mean, I think it's a great program, not necessarily for the city, but yes, somewhere else, you know,

but the well is currently active on that property. It's being used. It doesn't mean they're going to pump out more water than what already is being used. It just means they're going to clean the water that is being pumped out. I'd be totally for it with you if you say, "Oh, we're going to do a new drilling there. we're going to go way deeper than everybody else and this is a well in the residential area that is not non-existent. They're only tapping into something that is existent. Now, of course, I'm not saying I'm pro for it. I'm very confused when it comes to it and I've been hearing about it for past months. It's something that they're only getting that water that they're already pumping and filtering it out. Now, the brine is what I'm concerned on. That pond is what I'm concerned on. But that's where I want to give the advantage to the residents in speaking out and how are you guys protected. How can you guys come back and be like, "Hey, that stinks. We need that out. We need it canled because the usage of the water that water is already being pumped out and using it to be what to be irrigated already. They're already it's not like they're going to consume any more water. If anything, they might do drip system to conserve more water. Mhm.

So it's it's just filtering that water in regards to the system because I did do the research like Mr. said I I brine water all it reminds me of is oil field that's all you're going to have right stinky this and that but the pond he showed it's not going to be near as big that might be a little bit smaller right fencing great questions it's just it's something we have to look at the positive outcome of and all these are great questions and I myself as a commissioner up here want to make sure how are residents protected with it being a win-win situation both to the city to farmers to not leaving everybody to where the government says, "Hey, these people are very pro- new ideas. Let's continue sending money that way because I know for a fact that the USDA, they are looking at us right now, just especially because we're Hispanics and there's no new farmers that want to take on that." So, there's a lot of grants out there if you take the initiative to go ahead and do it.

Well, and like you said, there's a lot of grants out there. So, you know, another grant. I'm not familiar again like I'm new to this, but my concern was just on the presentation when it was inconclusive about how it affects the world water and how does it affect the wells around that? I don't know. It's not in the presentation. So, those are my concerns. I agree. Is it a detriment? Yes. Does it hurt the community in that sense? And that's what I'm worried about. And I I want to make sure everybody understands that if we can and and we have legal here on board, right? And if if we can put something in writing to where we can protect the residents and it's in writing. I'm all for it, but I also don't want the city not to be looked at for all these crimes. Understandable. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. P.

The only thing that the only thing I didn't mention was that the people in the whole area within 200 ft of that property and abroad do not want this. The grant money, it's wrong. money because we're going to take grant money because we need grant money or because of our careers. We're going to do this because it's going to look good on our resume. That is totally wrong. It's wrong to take the money just because we want the brand. There's other places to put these type of tests. Not there. Not near the mission. Not near the res. It's already a residential hole. It's not a good point. Good point. Thank you.

I just want to assure the community that we are basically our testing weekly and we have to report it to the Bureau of Reclamation. We're not going to be able to do this without address. It's a test. It doesn't have to be permanent. If it doesn't work out, at least give us a shot. Do we have anyone that would like to speak?

Hello. I'm so sorry. You State your name. Can Can you give us your name, sir? Can you state your name, please? I'm sorry.

Your name? two and a half acres for the two. My question is that I I don't understand why the land changed when you wanted to divide your land. prepare for things to do in the future with I have a problem there. I wanted to don't I don't know anything about

the landlock. Your question is what does landlock mean? Well, why well I'm not legal to divide the land or sell?

Well, I I think that's maybe a a question that's not under the what we're trying to do with the A1. Correct. Maybe we can we can bring that up. So you can divide your property as long as you follow the requirements per the code, right? So if you own two and a half acres and you say, you know what, I want to distribute them from my family and leave each family member half an acre and you pass the guidelines of the city, then you're able to do it. You would pass it here through city not be able to.

Yeah. Then that then we go back to it not being under the requirements, but it doesn't mean we can talk to to to uh I lost the word to planning and zoning. It doesn't mean we can't talk to planning and zoning and see how is it that we can help you out. Right? If you're landlocked then yes, unfortunately, right, everything is growing. Now, if there's other avenues on how you can come into your property because of emergency services or how is it that we can go about it to help you out, there's variances for that. But it doesn't mean that right now. You know what I'm saying? I think if I tell you I I will put the ar there 30 years I live there and I stay quiet that way better

I think it's on a case by case scenario I think we would have to look at your case maybe bring it up maybe during the week you can come stop by here and talk to planning and zoning and then go from there how we can help you there and the reason I as the question why I cannot divide two pieces my land for the future I'm not going to change anything I want to keep doing agriculture but why can't I set it up already I'm alive now my kids

I'm sure there's a that that that you we might uh again sit on and talk about it right with planning zoning because if it's like a from what I'm understanding you you want to split split into two or what not as long as you leave accessibility unit to both those lots and and then go from there right

an easement per se even if if you have to create an ement talk to engineers what now we all have to understand that the city is growing faster that we can keep up with it Everything is getting modernized. Same thing for the amendment. Before conx containers were not allowed when we had the meeting. Now you can actually create a tiny if I'm not mistaken right now you can actually create a tiny home off of a conics container. Right? Because that is the new norm. So maybe back in the day when you applied there was no outcome to it. Maybe if we revisit your file maybe there's help out there. We just have to bring it up and and go on a case by case scenario. But that is the reason why we're here. Now talking about the well water because I use the water to grow to grow. I mean that's been legal because of water.

Is that illegal? Legal. Oh that I I wouldn't know what to tell you. But if you go into your water well for years I mean and it's been there your your grandfather did. You have that water? Yeah. I grew the guy who also I've never heard that it's illegal to

so the that's the problem I have and the other problem like I said a lot of issues but I don't want to mention like I don't I I would recommend that you come come uh during the week to planning the zoning and start from there. Okay, I'll do that. Thank you, sir. Do we have anyone else that would like to speak?

Okay. So, we will close public hearing at 659. Item nine, consider and take action on the approval of the proposed amendment to the code of ordinance of the city of Sakuro, Texas, chapter 46, zoning article 4, district regulations to add the district regulations for the A1 agricultural zoning district. Miss Kamito,

thank you. Item nine is an ordinance amendment for to chapter 46, the city of Sakoro's zoning chapter, article 4, district regulations. This is to add the regulations for A1 agricultural zoning district. Just in summary, this is an ordinance amendment to reestablish district regulations again for A1 agricultural. outcome of the 2040 uh Sakuro comprehensive plan was an interest in preserving historic and agricultural lands as they're uh tied very closely to the history and strengths of Saporo. While the city is in the process of undertaking a comprehensive uh rewrite of our development codes, it is uh important to take on ordinance changes as they uh as they emerge. One of the uh principal reasons for making this amendment change was to take advantage of the opportunity presented by this grant uh that and program and project that Miss uh Mr. Loya, Miss Loya were bringing with the Harmony DESLing um um folks. So in uh in our humble opinions, planning and zoning staff recommends approval of the amendment to chapter 46 article 4 district regulations. As a followup as well, we also would like to add that the steering committee that you all uh recommended that we uh form after our July meeting uh which was made up of representatives from the planning and zoning commission, Mr. Resa, Mr. Estrada, along with three residents who are farmers in the

community, uh, Mr. Garasco, uh, Mr. um, Mr. Perez and Mr. Sierra uh met I believe it was about three or four time three times uh discussed the issues uh raised questions and uh actually also met uh with miss uh with the folks from Harmony Dulttting uh to go to uh ask questions and get a a better understanding of what the ordinance was for and what the purpose was behind it. and their recommendations are also uh a product of this ordinance. Uh but I do want to say that I did not catch one of the changes that we discussed at that meeting and I'll get to it when we come to it in that in that segment of the ordinance. One of the things that was requested as a part of the committee meetings was a better understanding of what had happened and we uh Mr. Booto prepared this presentation and he included it uh in the presentation. These are uh these are changes that are uh helping us to reach one of the two of the goals behind our growth and development goals from the comprehensive plan. Goal three uh new development supports the historic assets and rural and agricultural character of Saporro. Uh goal four convention conservation subdivisions protect to open uh space and agricultural uh uh character of Saporro. A lot of land is being lost to uh development because farmers are having difficulty keeping up with the cost of agricultural um uh products and finding labor and finding useful uh sorry steady and reliable sources of water. Public notices were sent out again as a part of this uh these new amendments and

changes to the A1 agricultural zoning ordinance to all property owners who uh who uh were own A1 zoned property. These were sent out in English and Spanish. No new uh no new comments were received either in support or um against the zoning amendment changes. We include the original one ordinance uh one letter that we received uh opposing the A1 ordinance even though we didn't receive it again and we did receive several questions from the public regarding the letter and the amendments. One particular uh item of interest if you would like to add that is a recommendation that we include agurism as a permitted use in the A1 agricultural district. Uh the timeline was something that was recommen requested from the committee and it it takes us back to the beginning of the city's incorporation reinccorporation in April of of 1986 and the city's first zoning amendment zoning ordinance which was ordinance 76 creating the various districts that make up the city of Saporo. That was in May of 1989. A major amendment was made in November of 2002 minor amendment in 2008. Um after that there were only minor amendments and they were mainly to the supplemental district guidelines for all districts. The ones that did include A1 were regard were in uh regards to the keeping of large animals uh parking spaces. But in 2014, the city inadvertently left off the agricultural zoning design regulations from the ordinance and we are proposing to uh place it back in as item number four

under the section for district regulations and to address some of the concerns that were raised as a part of the public hearing and community meetings which I neglected to to mention earlier uh there were a lot of questions from the public. There was a lot of uneasiness and we did hold a separate community meeting that was very well attended here at uh council chambers and stressing just some of the concerns from uh uh some answering some of those concerns stressing that this is not an attempt from the city to reszone any property. Uh this is not an attempt from the city to remove the A1 agricultural district uh regulations. The A1 continues to exist in our zoning map. Uh property owners that are zoned A1 will not be affected. The ordinance amendment to add districtulations for A1 will apply to future resoning applications for A1. the uh existing A1 ordinance which was adopted in November 17th of 2008 would apply to existing uh A1 zoned property. This is a little a few slides are difficult to see but this was the ordinance that was in place before and then the ordinance uh that we are proposing now. Uh just some of the changes that were recommended by the committee were the uh reduction of the lot sizes from 2 acres to 1 acre. And that is on page 406 of the regulation of the uh district regulations. And then that we remove the distance requirements for the conditional use permit for the

deselinization because the A1 districts are so scattered across the city. It would be very difficult for any one segment to adhere to the distance regulations. We did want to say that through the conditional use permit, we could place a condition that a conditional use permit would be uh could be revoked with um with consideration again by the planning and zoning commission and city council if the residents felt unhappy or came across any disturbance by this uh this use in the zoning district. Uh with that, in summary, the request is for approval of a proposed amendment to the code of ordinances of the city of Sakuro uh chapter 46 zoning article 4 district regulations to add the district regulations for the A1 agricultural zoning district. And with that, staff can answer any questions. We're at a partial requirement of a minimum of

18. Oh, sorry. Currently, yes, two. Would it to move it to one? That was a recommendation from the committee. staff recommendation was to keep it at two and then I'm sorry what you're saying but can you repeat again it

so on page six item six under section 462 46292 conditional uses requires permit is a section that was added for the deselin desalination containers uh and associated evapor evaporation ponds. It says that no pond shall be located closer than 500 ft from a public water supply. Evaporation pond shall not be located closer to 100 ft from a private water well. Evaporation ponds must be located 15 uh ft from the nearest property line and more than a quarter mile from the nearest of any occupied residence or business structure, school, permanent structure containing a place of worship or public park unless and then these are the uh and I and I and two I were the uh provisions to allow them for the ability to do that. Uh that was placed after I believe the second meeting that you all had and meeting after meeting uh and discussing uh where this would then be uh applicable. Uh we the committee decided to uh forgo that and go with the option of any it being placed in any in agricultural zoning district through the conditional use uh conditional use permit process. Additionally with another condition that it is conditional. Should the residents have concerns with any aspect of the project either pollution, noise, smell, that they can raise that issue to this to this planning and zoning commission. We would then place it on the planning and zoning commission agenda again for consideration to take away the conditional use permit or keep it. give that recommendation to city council to

again either consider revoking it or keeping it. When when the conditional use permit is granted, how how long is that permit for? The current ordinance does not state that conditional use permits currently they don't expire.

They they don't expire unless the the person who has the conditional use permit ceases to have that property or if that property changes use Okay. And so I see on here allow the neighbors to come in and have it. Is there I would defer to I would defer to legal if that needs to be in the conditional use

for this item or if it just be on a casebyase basis when we hear zoning changes that would require this or it's only to to this item item six desalinization containers because if it needs to be here we can add it. I'm I'm going to double check real quick under the uh conditional permit section. Just give me a couple minutes here to check. Are there any other questions?

Okay. So, voting on this voting and then we're going to be voting on whe And both of these are recommendations that we will take to city council and it will be heard at their next city council meeting which would be October 16. Yes.

No. No. Not the distance which is what we had discussed and why that and it doesn't just impact this property it impacts future properties. Should this pilot project be a success? So if this pilot project is a success, we want to limit small farms because that is one of the advantages of this technology. We're we're El Paso County. We're not um we're not uh strangers to deselinization. For the longest time, we had the largest deselinization plant in uh inland desalinization plant in the world. This takes that technology to the to a small scale and allows everyday farmers, small acre, 2acre farmers to be able to use this technology and expand their farming capabilities but limiting it to a certain distance from another resident just because of how much development has happened already in the city of kind would be really limiting it to where there's no more out there far away anymore is a mix of agricultural single family suburban residential commercial large scale commercial large scale industrial devel And if I get jump back in here. So the there was a question on you know I guess what can be done if there's an issue with a conditional use permit. So um section 4651 says that um conditional use permits shall be reviewed by the planning and zoning commission whose recommendation will be submitted to city council for final action. But that's all it says. But, you know, it's a conditional use permit and any permit is subject to being reviewed. I mean, if it's not in compliance, a permit, you know, can be taken away if you're not in

compliance with it. Um, it's kind of broad the way it's written, but I mean, it can be either brought back to planning zoning if there's an issue with perma not being used. I think you can also be cited as well, u, you know, for for violating the ordinance as well. So there's you can also go through municipal court as well. Um but I think yeah both of those options are there. So if a any kind of conditional use permits not being used correctly um you know it's subject to being recalled back by the city. So I think pretty much

this is only to approve the not as well as written right now with the changes recommended by

staff and I know you address this during the committee So, one of the reasons we wanted to stress, one thing we wanted to stress in the A1 ordinance was preservation of the agricultural land. So, the smaller you make the land lots, uh, the less the more homes you're going to get on a single property, the more accessory units you're going to get on a on a single property. That was the rationale behind supporting um, two and feeling that two were was reasonable for a one agricultural zoning designation. That was staff's reason.

One was was more for the public, right? discuss and to support smaller farms. I'll comment I'll make a comment on my original question. Go ahead. Go ahead. So, We're going to vote on the amendment of the addition to the regulations, right? That doesn't mean that we can when we get an item brought up, let's say for another desalination plan for this one, that we can make an approval with recommendations for say how to protect the public, right, per item because it's not like they can go and put a desalination plant because they're going through here without the permit. So, at the moment that they come and pull the permit, it'll come through us. And that's when we can put the clauses per every specific section.

They're conditional. It's it would require a hearing like this with a conditional use permit. Even if it was already A1, if it was already A1, it would require a conditional use permit hearing before the planning and zoning commission and then city council and they would be taken on a case by case basis.

And you guys always have the uh the planning zoning commission has the authority to on any conditional use permit to add reasonable restrictions. The ordinances allow that. So yes, every time it comes back as said, um you can impose reasonable conditions. And then again to kind of clarify where we're at right now since we're on item nine and it's to prove or or not approve the A1 regulations and I think regardless of because there's that separate item right now pending on that that well uh or that dissalination issue. Regardless of that, you still need some rules on dissalination going forward in the future. So even without that item is otherwise there's no rules on it.

So we need something in there since the city knows it's coming which is why it's being addressed. But but even then with these rules it still has to come in front of plan and zoning. If there's an issue you have the chance to approve or disapprove a use permit. So that's that helps. Yeah. And again to grab why not an acre or two acres. Can you explain it again? Because I know we had said one acre but we're we're recommending two acres. We're recommending one you the commission. Correct. The I take that back. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. No.

Planning and zoning staff recommended two acres. That was what was in the previous A1 agricultural zoning district regulations. After meeting with the committee, understanding that the committee wanted to support smaller uh farming opportunities for smaller farmers, uh the committee recommended one acre. I would say that to as staff would say that two was a compromise. Despite would be more to preserve more open space. The smaller the lot, the more uh construction, the more uh the more um construction will happen on the property. So, you'll lose more of the open That was the only consideration that staff was presenting at the time that the committee met, but the ordinance currently states one acre.

No, it currently speaks two. Yeah, I'm looking at the one in the back and it says one. Yeah, the one we have on our say. Oh, which one are you looking at? Section 46. Yeah, in blue. Section 46 291. We have partial requirements to be a minimum of two acres in size. That's why I'm I'm looking at uh section 4693.

So in the purpose it says to a minimum of one acre per dwelling unit. So we'll correct that there at 46 290 on purpose. But on page uh six under section 46 293 area requirements we did change it to minimum lot area of 1 acre. Yeah, it's on page four of of six. Four of six. Sorry. section 46 293. Correct. And and then can you clarify the other section? What was that on on just to make sure we're getting it everywhere? Yeah.

46 to 90 under purpose. At the very end of the the statement, it says to a maximum of one dwelling unit per two acres and it should be one acre. Got it. Where else are you reading two acres? That was that it? No, we also have a minimum requ 291D for receipt where it says under the temporary housing for workers minimum. Okay. So, yeah, under permitted uses 46 46 291 it says partial requirements must be a minimum of 2 acres. Yeah, that should also be

one acre. And then which one did you say, sir? That one. That was one. That was one. Okay. Yeah, that one there. You said you said page six of six also. I said four. I misread it. It was four of six. Section 46 293. Item one. That one has minimum of 18. Yeah. Okay. So, so if we were to vote right now, we we just need to uh with these amendments with with the amendment of changing to one

and removing the uh location limitations. removing location. Limitations for six seats. Six. Item six under conditional requires permit. Item six desalinization continues.

Yeah, I didn't. Can we summarize that to just a section? Sure. Section 46 292. Section 46 29.

Number six on page four. They already uh are having to um meet all of the requirements TCQ permit and the guidance there for um assuring the health and safety of the water disposal capturing and contamination. I will I would like to make a motion to open up public hearing to only speak nothing to do with the desalination plans or anything only on anything in regards to the amendment for whatever we at because you were part of the committee Mr. If you would like to come up and speak, please I would like to make a motion.

Second. Okay. Do we have to close? Do we have to close the other one first though? No. Okay. No. So, let me go ahead and just read the motion. So I have a motion made by Oswald Loresa and second by Julie Dominguez to reopen public hearing only to speak about item nine. All those in favor of the motion. Any nays? Any abstain? Motion carried. Go ahead, Mr. P.

The only concern I have is it's conditional. It was a lot of just to get that petition that you have in front of you and if I'm going to have to be going back to residence and having to get everybody to come back into the office and sign and all this, it takes a lot of work to get the community involved. But what are we talking about? We're talking about the amendment. No, no, but the amendment is how the ordinance and the regulation is going to get established now. Like everybody in Sakoro is going to have to go off of this. So, the the conditional. When you mean conditional, what do you mean by that? The permit.

Yeah. In other words, it's going to be allowed to to take place, right? But then what's going to be allowed to take place? Yes. Okay. So, but that's fine. But everything's going to have to come in through here. But let's say it's not your neighbor, it's another community. If they're opposed to it, then they have to come in. You have to be getting the community involved. And it takes a lot of effort and a lot of work to be doing that. It takes a lot of time. I The list that you have there has been a couple of weeks. Okay. So, we have to have something.

We have to Exactly. Not only that, but we What if it was not on the dissalination? Somebody else comes and says, "Well, I don't want horses in in an acre." It's because this this type of activity needs to take place where there is no residence and there is no mission. There's several properties such as the one right in front of the dusty tap that is isolated. There's nobody there. There's no residents in the back. That type of They say that there's no farming land in Sakoro that doesn't have residential. There is a lot of farming land without res. But this is what we agreed on when we did the committee meetings to stipulate for the city. This is what the city was going to go off of. The only thing I'm against is that conditional part.

Yeah. But that'll be another item that then we'll open up for public hearing again and then hear out the whole committee. I just wanted to

Perfect. No, no, no. And that's understood. This is what's going to go for the whole city of Sorro. And unless we forgot something from the committee meeting, right now is the time to bring it up on this what we didn't already. Go ahead. talking about this amendment part, but when she was reviewing that, she went over one section on there with reference to, and of course going back, but she covered it at this point, with reference to 100 ft, the desation with 100 feet of a well.

I thought I heard her say something like that. It's 150 ft. I'm close to that. My well is close to that the evaporation shall not be located closer than 150 ft from the private water. So, in this Yes.

Okay. We didn't we didn't bring anything up because Okay. So then that'll be covered on the 10 item the the variance per [Music] But it hasn't been removed from the district regulations yet.

No,

I don't recall discussing that. I didn't recall. Now, if we accept it, we were to accept it the way written here the way it's written here first and foremost if not then maybe we can ask for that variance when we bring up the subject on the next item but at the moment that we are going over this then I don't even recall bringing that up right now that removing 150 ft from a private well

or the parameters of that pond while we're trying to approve this because if we remove it then we have to remove it for everybody Right. Um, but then we would have to redo all this because okay, why just remove that but then not this and why do this? Yes. And why not that? So yeah. What else? Okay. Your well is closed sir than 150 ft.

Okay. You are 150 ft from the ponding area where your well is from that property. And so, okay. So, I don't I don't remember discussing that 6B. I don't remember discussing that committee, but you're recommending or you're asking for it to be removed at this point. Yes. Why? Why is that?

We I will try again to remind you of the discussion as we were talking about again the location of the um different properties that might want to take advantage of a small scale deselinization project that they might not be able to meet this requirement for distance. So we didn't um we took we voted on on that item and because we felt that the but because you all felt that the conditional use permit was enough to address each on a case by case basis.

Okay. And so you're If we remove it, there won't be any minimum. There would be none. Yeah, there would not be any any distance requirements from a from a another residential property, from a private pond, from a public unless you wanted to keep any of those and keep I and I, which would give the applicant options if they should not comply with the distance requirement. Are you are you talking about removing six 6 A B and C or just 6 6 A B and C removing that? Yes.

Ma'am, is your property closer than a quarter mile to that pond?

And then under C, well then that removes

one and two. That removes that removes the whole field. Okay. So, I'm familiar with with wells. I don't I don't farm, but I have access to water wells. And so, right off the bat, having a pond with no minimum, right? If I'm a neighbor, I'm jumping up and down. I don't know the repercussions of next to my what is that? It's no different than having an outous do. we don't know what the repercussions are going to be and so there needs to be the minimum requirements and what is in here right now when I make the reference to the outouse traditionally

so that contaminated our water for a lot of years a lot of years so we've done away But same same idea. We don't know. This is long term. We don't know what's going to happen. And we understand that you know as a private land owner with a water well I don't want to but I understand that there needs to be some I now being from the committee right I don't remember this going to be removed and if it was we should removed it before, right? And make the adjustments. Not only that, but at the moment we we were to approve this, then make those variances for the next item and then vote on it, right? Because I also thought we were voting for this to get adopted and then go after that.

So, can we vote on it and make that? Uh, no. The only amendment you need to make is to the that the uh one acre changes are across the ordinance. So that would be the only the only change. Okay. And I think we also you said public hearing is still open. So we need to close public hearing. We will close public hearing at 7:36. Thank you. And then maybe to kind of help you guys on this if you're entertaining a motion to approve there was those I think the two changes on the two acres one

acres Okay. So, once the last word on there says unless it goes on to Roman, right? So, does that word unless just pertain to item C and then one and two go into effect or does cover all of item six because once the affected land owner goes to one and two then a b and c are can't be put into

yeah the the way I'm reading it so you know a stand a stands independently got to do a you got to do b then you got c and then unless applies to then Roman numerals one and two underneath but not to items A and B if that makes sense.

Okay. evaporation located occupied residents or business structures permanent structure containing a place of worship. If if item six was not in the we would have voted A1 into that I want to do this but I want to move forward right is there aside and then just for amend it later. Yeah, that's I mean that's your call as a commission is that you can you know you can move to approve however you want with whatever change that you want to the ordinance.

Okay. Well,

it will still also I mean it'll still go to city council as well and so they may have changes up and down back and forth as well. I personally believe that there if I am a resident in this community and I'm 150 ft away from that because my background is and I know about and I know about what they totally agree with that yes grant money we we should not turn it down and we shouldn't turn this one down but I think that that is why I was asking all these questions was because I think it's important that when we purchased our properties and we purchased a residential and all of a sudden we come in and we zone it and we have a lot of opposition for it then I think that we need to listen to the community as much as we are listen but I think that there has to be a line that is drawn to protect because like you said you would not want especially the neighbor across the street. I mean, I think it's important that these regulations here are important. No matter what, you know,

you have to have it written in there. We're going to do a desolation unit, not But somewhere else there has to be there has to be a regulation to control it and so and there is also right I mean I want to look forward rather than removing it. I'm not making the terminology unless you have one. So instead of it being either Roman instead of

and at that point I think forward with it. So, so that part right there like the 15 from a private water well and then someone comes in for a use permit like an item like that the 15 let's say they're 120 like a conditional varian a variance on the conditional use

yeah I mean they'll yeah they'll be asking for a variance from case by case and then they can get rid of consent from the neighbor say no no yeah I'm okay with them doing that here I have my fullyware here's my name Right. That would be something where it protects the res and you're getting it in writing from um so I think you're going to be in the next item. So we're going to go through item 11 from here. Correct. Right.

We already did item. I like the idea of

Okay. I'd like to make a motion to approve with the condition for the amendment of changing the requirement to be from 2 acres to 1 acre. Additional condition of number C in section 26-292 for all that section and the verb of letter C to change from or to and that both Open Okay. So, we're going to make a motion.

You want to recognize a speaker or you're saying you want to make or you want to redo the motion? Yeah. No, we want to open the you want to hold off on the motion. Okay.

So, the chairperson Yeah. I can recognize the speaker and call him up. Okay. So, I recognize uh I'm sorry I forgot your name, sir. You can go ahead and come up and state your name, right? So, we can recognize you and and and hear you out and then we will either change the verbiage or state quantum way again, founder of Harmony. I just want to provide some context for uh this language that appears in section six. Um, this language mirrors pretty closely what appears in the TC regulations. So, I think the TCU regulations are wellformed. Parts A and B are mandating specific distances from public and private wells. [Music] this last section, section C. Uh, I'll just say if you change uh that last word or to an and uh that would pretty much make this uh project u on the proposed site impossible. Uh we looked into I mean we looked into the evaporation pond very clearly. It's within a quarter mile of neighboring property. Uh we requested from the city for all neighboring properties within the quarter mile uh quickly numbered into over 300. Uh clause C1 requires unanimous consent from all those property owners. Uh you know I think the state includes that or because they recognize in some cases that first clause is owners. The second clause uh allows for the odor control plan. Uh If you were independent

of this project, any deselination project, if you were to require both sections one and two, uh you would be increasing the burden of deselination projects. Uh the state uh has specified one or the other. I think uh they're basically their reasoning is either you're close to neighboring residents or not. But that's just the perspective from ourselves as part the state is going to require all of this. So

let me ask you to clarify. Yes, you're talking about C Roman numeral one and two, right? No, all of section six A A B and C is all in the TCQ general. Uhhuh. And you're saying to change or to leave it as or rather than. I would I would either I would leave this language unmodified because any any project that comes in an evaporation pond is going to have to comply with Correct. But at the moment that we get an engineer report, Yeah.

then we're ruling out the neighbors. And I don't agree with that because then if they're doing something where the neighbor is more than a quarter mile away, then they don't have to worry about the neighbors. At this moment, you're only having to worry about this if you don't meet the minimum requirement of a quarter mile further away from a residential dwelling unless you get the engineer report and written consent from the neighbors. That's because you're too close. But if you're doing this on a 5acre parcel, then you don't have to worry about it. The neighbor is too far away from where you're going to be doing it. So I rather keep the or and I totally get where you're coming from, but I'm more concerned about the residents because of how close they're going to be. So that engineer report clarifying it and the neighbors giving them that peace of mind that they have that report and they have written consent to move forward with it would leave me a little bit more.

That's fair enough. That's fair enough because that would only be unless they don't meet C, right? So this will yeah but this I guess [Music] I'll say this basically kill any prospect of the small scale which is exactly what we're trying to

because So we would need to um say again the motion and then we could vote.

Say the mo the motion again and then we could vote. Okay. So, was saying that language, but then it only keep at that point either or since they would be on a they just have to get the engine rather than having to get the engine.

And so again, just uh to clarify when you all met and discussed the concerns, there were things that Mr. the planner entered into here and he took this language as it exactly what he was saying from the permit. So he's already getting that permit and already covered there. Um when we discussed uh taking it out um the proximity and limiting the ability to use this technology for small farmers. That's when we took it out. I inadvertently didn't take it out because that's not how I was expecting to see it. I was looking for it somewhere else. So that was an error on my part. Um but just to clarify, that was the the the chain of events. that led us here. So my apologies for the confusion um but uh you are again at your discretion to eliminate those items under six or change that but understanding as uh Mr. W said you're really making it very difficult pretty much impossible for something like that uh this project to to move forward again covered uh during our committee meetings as being this is conditional. You can take it on a case by case basis and this is a public hearing for the public comment and address both planning and zoning commission with their concerns. additional use permit. It's a process and it wouldn't even come here if it

didn't meet the requirements. Correct. But at that moment, if it means everything, if it means everything, then we get it. We don't have a reason why you have all the reasons to deny it. If the public comes to voice their concerns, you take it as a on a case by case basis. Again, it's a public hearing. You have an opportunity to listen to each case as they come.

Do I have a second? I have a second, but or something like I I I I need I need like a three minute break. I got to go to the Let me do the motion and then we could take a break as well. So I have a motion to go into executive by Oswalda, second by Andrew Royos. All those in favor to approve. I'm sorry. All those in favor of the motion.

I Any abstain? We're going into a break and then to executive [Music] [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Hey. [Music]

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Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. session 809 and we will continue with uh item number was it 11 nine item number nine we had believe we have a a motion Yes.

Hello. Okay. Yes, we did get a resident who suggested adding agurism as the permitted use in A1. if you would like to include it or if it makes more sense in C2 general commercial.

It's already permitted under C2 general commercial. Okay. I like I'd like to make a motion to approve with the amendment of reducing the minimum lot area from 2 acres to 1 acre. Keeping the verbiage as is and adding agri tourism to this regulation as permitted. I second. Okay. I have a motion to approve with amendment to reduce acreage from two acres to one acre keeping verb um be

verbbridge Minimum requirement of minimum requ minimum requirements. Okay. to approve with with amendments to reduce minimum land acreage requirement from two acres to one acre keeping um keeping the beverage I'm sorry verbage keeping verbage and adding a agree tourism to permitted uses

I have a second by Andrew Royos to approve all those in favor of the motion I Um any nays any abstain? Motion carried. Moving to item number 11. Consider and take action on the approval of the proposed amendment to the city of Sakuro's master plan and reszoning of track 4-B block 16 Surro grant located at 232 South Nearead Road Suro Texas from R1 single family residential to A1 agricultural and a conditional use permit to allow for a small scale water damination project. Miss Kito

I don't know. Yeah, that's a case. 30,000 about 30,000

is bigger than correct. Oh, you're saying Oh, you said Yeah. So 08 is not even Yeah. 808 is maybe the size about 400 feet. 500 feet. Uhuh. Huh. About the size of this room. Yeah. You had said eight. That's Wow. Yeah. That's half the property. That's what we were thinking. That's why we said it's adjacent to all the neighbors.

Not even One of an acre. Not even a tenth of an acre. Something like this. I think

no. How close we'll open up public here, but how close is the neighbors property? from the proposed there and the well no no neighbors the one we were no because with what we just approved for A1 we'll just have to ask now maybe not be able to approve this item but ask for variances at that point can you speak up louder to the mic of the quarter mile minimum. Okay. And when we're talking about well, it has to be a registered well that you look Not a residential correct for residential water. Hardly anybody has registered wells. That's a lot. Miss Loya, are yours wells registered by any chance? All of them? You only have two and they're both registered. Okay. What else? I'd just like to add that

in my line of work, I do a lot with TCQ and you guys are pretty pretty and you have to follow the guidelines or whatnot. Their funds are very very strict, very very high funds. So not voting on it right now or whatnot, but whenever I see It's already a hard thing on the applicant on rules that they have to follow. I mean, you can't break them because if you do break them, that final shut you down completely. Um, that's another reason why I like I like the idea for all the residents of course you know there's changed and something that they don't know. They don't uh know what's going to happen in the future, if it's going to affect their land or not. Again, I go back to the TCQ regulations and the rules that have to be followed. If I may, I'd like to open a public's hearing. I I see you guys are still here. I'm assuming it's for this specific item. Let me just tell you where I stand. This is very important to me and and we're here to to voice your guys' concerns, right? So, we're in the middle as a farmer, but I'm also here to voice res concerns. So, this is very important. The more feedback you can give us, the better. Whoever wants to come up and speak, right? Because we have to make a decision on this today. um knowing that we also just adopted the new amendment of the the the A1 and also keep in mind that this is still going to have to go to city council, right? So,

it doesn't mean that if we deny it today, it might get it might they might still approve it at city council or we might approve it and then they still might deny it at city council. So, just be on that. But the more feedback you can give us the better. So, I'd like to open a public hearing. Yes. We're going to open a public hearing. So, let let us just open it and then we'll I have a motion made by Oswalda to open public hearing. Second by Andrew Aoyos to approve. All those in favor of the motion. I any nays? Any abstain? Motion carried. Mr. Aoyos, may you please open public hearing?

Open public hearing at 8:33. The name Will you by any chance have staked out the diagram of where the pond will be? Will you have the diagram of where the conics will be? a sort of layout so they get a better feel for it and maybe run the well to get an idea of how much noise it's going to create.

Yeah, we can we can certainly have that laid out. Um, in fact, I mean, I think it's a good thing we're here at this hearing. Uh, one thing I mean, we've just discussed this, but potentially we can move this evaporation pond upwards so that it's not directly on the neighbor to the south's property and next to this cement plant uh on the east side and then surrounded by uh the property owners. So maybe this is a concession we can make uh get that brine pond a little further the furthest away from everybody else.

Yeah. Maybe drawing it out there tomorrow so that they don't see that it's as big as one picture. Okay. Thank you for that. Right under this about

Where is that? Can we zoom out? Can we zoom out there, please? And I'm sorry if you don't mind speaking into the mic, please. Do you have a Google map? Well, here's Marcus. This is the property applicant property and the residential that he is referring to. And the homes on Marquez, a home here on Marquez as well. And the purple is also a home. The M1. Yes.

The purple. The dark purple,

which is another concern with all the chemicals that come out of that plant into the ground. You're going to start pumping all that water up to use it for plants.

But the water it creeps down into the ground. Okay, that's a better picture there. Thank you. So the pond would be it is already adjacent to the to the cement plant, right? That's where the pond would go. So if we bring it up, it would only get closer. Okay. So, right there for say the middle closer to their building. Where does the neighbor that's woke up that has a well live at? Right on. She lives right there. Yes. That is not No. No. That's Rodriguez to the right. That one of those two houses.

Okay. So, if they move that pond further up, then at that point she might be within a quarter mile to the pond or not. and closer to the cement. Say adjacent to the back part, right?

Yeah. Getting away from their property more towards the top of the actual property of right there. And I think at this point we would have to cover all the other resour Yeah, we'll have to follow that. I just want to make it clear that the well is not will not do anything different than what it's doing right now. is bringing the water and then it goes to the desert. My name is Jose Castillo and uh listening very patiently in my head as you can see. Um I listen to the gentleman and I asked a couple questions outside. I spoke to Mrs. here. Uh this is the

first time they're going to try to do some kind of agricultural water. They've never done it before. a small company of two to 10 people, which I'm sure they're capable of doing it, but there's a lot of questions of how they're going to do it, what's going to happen to the property. For example, he said only 50% of the water is useful. 50 other% what waste.

If he were to do it, hang on. What he told me, I'm just repeating something he just stated that only % of the water is useful. What about the other 50% that's not useful? What do you do with that? And that's what the gentleman over here is trying to waste and the smell. What is that? How do you take that away? What are you going to do with it? And that's what he never mentioned so far. I've heard that twice. That's why I shake my head a lot because he said that. I'm just repeating. And I'm all forward trying to I invest in solar panels. Bad idea. I don't believe in solar panels. I put in two different types of my houses and they work but they don't work effectively for power. Okay. I mean that's just my opinion. Again the question is if you're only going to use 50% of the water and 50% waste. What do you do with the waste? It's going to build up somewhere. Um, and I'm I'm not respond to that. I'm just I'm just listening to what he said and I caught on to that. I shake my hands. The other thing is you have a ponding water in a plastic containment, right? have plastic to try not for the stuff to get out into the seage area which is the waste correct which is called the brine. What happens I know it's a small scale right now but then you start doing these small scales everywhere. What's going to happen? What if you were to do a larger scale? What's going to happen? So

right now based on just what he's telling me, we're only going to produce 50%. Which is good for the water for what she needs to do to do a great because he who drinks wine from the wine, if you're going to drink uh bad chemicals when you're drinking wine, obviously you're going to get sick. And obviously, she's trying to avoid that by using this this system, which hasn't been proven to work in effectively in agricultural yet. I'm I'm gonna say yet because I'm not not I might not be around for it to ever happen, but the gentleman here is younger enough that maybe he's going to have it not here, but maybe somewhere else. But think about that. That's just my thought. And he can address what I just finished talking about and hopefully you caught on to what he said. And I just made some interesting notes about production because of the what he was saying. You need solar. He thinks solar will help. I think solar may help but not a lot. Very simple. There's not enough power that solar will do for you. Unless you have an entire farm of solar panels. The question is how much solar panels is going to need to use to put on that farm to generate the qualities and use. And it's not bad. But again, 50% good water 50% What do you do with the bat? It's got to go somewhere. Has to stay there forever. It's going to smell. It has to. You're talking about some kind of a chemical coming out of the ground that we probably all drinking at one time or the other. But when you start putting it all together and it's accumulating

I just want to make that if I remember correctly the gentleman said no no no the question is for you for you for me and he's going to make a statement I'm just trying to make a clarification to where

right but I'm trying to make the clarification That gentleman back there was asked a question on with this new technology. How much percentage of this water would be good? I believe you said it was 90% correct and 10%. So to clarify the question was asked we're piloting an advanced technology. What is the difference between our advanced technology and what exists today? Existing technology would recover 50% fresh water. Meaning 50% goes to brine. Meaning if the lawyers tried to do conventional deselination on their property, you'd be looking at a halfacre pond, which would be too expensive. We wouldn't be considering it because it wouldn't make sense. So, it's because our advanced technology reduces the brine volume by five times. This is beginning to become an economically feasible proposition for small farmers, which is why we're even considering this in the first place. So, to clarify, 90% of your new system on the pil would be good water on average. Correct.

90% only 10% would be waste water. Correct. And The waste water, how often does that have to be cleaned out? Does it stay there forever? Evaporate clean out. Sure. How does that work?

So TCQ, the way this TCQ permit works, there's a sizing guide and it looks at net evaporation rates within different quadrants of Texas. And basically, you rate your pond. There's a whole tool. So we've sized our pond. We have an anticipated brine discharge rate. You plug this into a spreadsheet. You go month by month and they look at they have you look at the 25 year worst case. So over the past 25 years, the wetest January, the wetest February, wetest March, it could be all from different years, but you're looking at the 25 year worst case and you use that in order to size the pond to make sure that it's not going to overflow. There's always going to be plenty of evaporation to take care of the brine that you are sending in that your pond is rated for. The pond has a rated brine flow rate capacity. Uh so TCQ regulations essentially I think they do I mean this makes the pond I'd say even larger than it than we would like it to be because that's making it more expensive for us. But I understand from the regulation point of view they want absolutely no chance of overflow. So there should be no liquid overflow. Occasionally uh let's say every five years the solid salts will start to accumulate and that will take away from the liquid capacity. Uh so maybe every five years we would take the pond out of operation scrape out the salts to recover that capacity. Uh and then uh you can continue using the pond to its full capacity. Thank you.

Anybody else? Any more questions? Okay. Okay. We'll we'll keep this one to the last one already. Okay. Okay. So, another concern. We have a pond. It breaks for whatever reason. Where's all that water going to go? The adjacent to it and other adobe structures in the area. Where's all that water going to go? Who's going to take care of it? Have we done enough homework on that? Have we asked the right questions? The due diligence.

Let me ask you this. Because it is a pilot program. A pilot program. But you just heard five years. Correct. Correct. If you were to have the ability to say, "Hey, we will approve this." And every three months you guys as residents get the ability to send in your concerns, your your comment to where you guys come into public hearing or at city council and you guys have the ability to say, "It's not what we heard." I don't like that idea. It's something that would not even change your mind. No, because the reason the reason being is if you look at that list I gave you,

that took a lot of work to get that list out there to be having to come in each time and be having to get on the web and complain and maybe we don't like the the brine or the smell or or it's leaking water or for whatever reason. Do we really want to be calling and having you guys change it? The answer is no. My time's very limited, just like yours is. for somebody else's. So I'm totally against it. Same for you.

My name is Rebecca Drujillo and uh we are agriculture property owners here in Skoro and my question is around taxes and perhaps the answer comes from the central appraisal district. Uh moving forward and let's just say this becomes a huge success and small farmers uh or small agricultural owners that who who already have a home on the property and then now because there's this reclassification that we approved moving now what I presume would have been some kind of homestead tax now it's been reclassified for agriculture for the purpose of the project so does this forfeit the taxes for homestead and now because there is a home there does it all go to agricultural taxes Yeah, that would be something.

Yeah, central appraisal district you can have, I believe, up to three homestead three exemptions on your property. So, homestead exemption would be one. The agricultural would be another types of um there are other types of exemptions that someone could apply for because we know that agricultural taxes are much lower than homestead. So I'm just asking the question if that is going to be yeah and that's a central appraisal district question. Okay. Thank you. That's what I wanted to ask.

So we will we will go ahead and we're going to we're going to go ahead and close public hearing. Okay, Mr. Loya, Mr. has a question he'd like to ask you. That's our plan. So we attended East Texas members. I I apologize. Can you talk into the microphone, please?

Sorry. Sorry. Thank you.

Uh they're looking for all a lot of the farmers are looking for alternatives of what to do with their farmlands because it's expensive. It's very expensive to be a farmer. So, we went to this and um we talked about being what is called a vineyard. There's a term for it to where if you grow uh vineyards in the community, you can turn around and sell it to wineries. We're not going to get into the winery business. We just want to grow the crop and sell it to to wineries. That is a huge market for farmers right now. that benefits the farmers, especially if they're looking to replace what they're growing right now. And so, again, we're going to try it. We're going to try it. This whole area back in the 1800s or even before was a very area, a very big area for growing grapes. My father used to grow grapes as well, too. So, it's it's in there. It's in the soil. We feel like it could produce grapes. We're very small. We're not big farmers. So, whatever we produce, we can sell it to the wineries, but we're not there yet. I mean, we're going to give it a shot. We're going to try it. If it doesn't work out with the grapes, then we'll still keep on growing other products as well, too. But knowing that we can grow products that will grow without all the salt because we check with Texas A&M, uh, the only crops you can grow salt water is pomegranates and dates. Everything else is going to have problems. And to answer your question about the irrigation, our irrigation in our region is very dirty. We cannot use it by itself to grow products that you're going to sell to the community. We would have to test it

for E. coli. So, we're using city water right now. Do we live on the property? No. No. We live down the street at the other property, the other farm. So, our plan is if this works here, we would like to put one over there. But it, like I keep telling everybody, this is a pilot. This is a test. There's a lot of things that we have to do to get it going. There's a lot of things that we have to show to all the entities. All our data we have to show weekly to make sure that we're in compliance. I mean, it's going to be work. Be a lot of work. Each one of those residents have reached out to and almost all of them with the exception of one or two have signed that petition.

Yes. Plus there's more from people that are the the father from the mission is on there. O which is a historian well-known historian with the historic mission is on there and Paulera as I mentioned so it's not just the 200 ft I've actually gone past that and reached out to some of the other residents on Nevada ready so we're going to close public hearing at 856 Yeah. So, I am I'm ready to make a motion. Um I would like to make a motion to approve and again this is just because TCQ is is involved and again they have to follow these guidelines and these rules. They have to or else they'll be shut down. find and and you know it'll go downhill from there. So I I make a motion to approve.

Do I have a second? So there's there's

I have an idea. There's two things that we're voting on here, right? One is to the other one. Now, if I may, I would like to approve but deny the approval of the condition of these per and then they can retry it later on. Correct. And then and then after that because we would only be reszoning the property at that point to agricultural which it's already but we're denying the conditional use permit for the devil. That would be my motion. Okay.

Because the signatures of the res But are you okay with that?

That's a tough question. given the option right I would like to have the A1 in my best interest and the community and the farmers we would need both one thing I wanted to state that um we are looking at technology to advance farmers right we have have had three pilot projects from interns from UTIP to do projects on the farm on the other farm that has to do with technologies, drones, sensors and the reason for that is to address labor. Labor is very expensive just like water using city water is real expensive. So the sensors help us in the water. The drone helps us in the labor. We're looking at things and we're not just doing it for ourselves. We're doing it for the small farm in the community so that they can advance to and keep farming because there there is interest. We have people that come and ask us, hey, where can I find a piece of property where I can farm? And so the pilot project that we're talking about just adds to ways that keep these small farmers alive. That's the goal. Yeah. There's benefits for us because if we can use our well water, we don't have to be paying so much money for city water.

Okay. I will continue with my motion of approving the reszoning to A1 but denying the approval of the conditional use permit. That is okay with

that's the option we have. That that gives you another opportunity since it was amended to bring it in again city, but we got to come to a correct.

I want to address the signatures. Yes, you can go get 50. You can get a 100. You can have 200 signatures. But Do they have the facts in front of them? That is the problem. Nobody has the facts. Well, yeah, but there's a lot of questions in the air. And I can tell you as a resident, I would want to find my property. So, and it's a tough as a farmer, it's a very tough decision, believe me. But that's what we're here for. You know, it's a I'm all for it, but then I also care for the residents. But you have another shot.

And that's fair. That's fair. But what I'm trying to is if everyone had the facts, maybe there would have only been 10 signatures or 15 versus 50. That's my concern, right? That if we're basing on that and we have a presentation tomorrow and I've already been told that they're not going to show up. That's my concern. Do I have a second for the motion? All those in favor of the motion?

I any nays? Any obstain? Motion carried. Item number 12, consider and take action on the proposed approval of preliminary flat and final flat for the Sakuro logistic messa spur drain number one subdivision being a portion of Messa spur drain with block four and five so cororo grand soral Texas miss thank you number 12 request for approval of a preliminary plat and final plat for the sakoral logistics Mesa spur drain number one subdivision being a portion of Mesa spur drain with block four and five of the Sakoro grant here in Sakuro, Texas. The property is uh located uh former Mesa Spur Drain within the Sakoro Logistics uh distribution center. A portion of uh Mesa Spur drain block four and five Sakuro grant has been decommissioned by the El Paso Cotti County Water Improvement District. Number one, the property owner is Sakoral Logistics Land 2 LLC. Their representative, CA Group, uh, is present. Mr. Jorge Graeda is present to answer any questions. The property is 4.79 acres in size. It is currently zone unclassified as it is uh set to be heard by city council for approval based on your recommendation at a previous planning and zoning meeting. Uh the Sakoro 2040 future land use maps uh designates this area as I think I believe that's incorrect. It is uh designated as ICE uh industrial commercial. Uh planning and zoning staff recommends

approval of the preliminary and final plat for the Sakura Logistics Logistics Mesa for Drain number one subdivision. As previously mentioned, the property is located within the Sakura Logistics uh center. going the wrong way. Uh, it is zoned unclassified. At a previous meeting, the planning and zoning commission recommended approval for the reasonzoning. That case will be heard at the next city council meeting for uh for a final action. The aerial uh shows the location of the applicant property. And these are photographs taken of the applicant property from Sakuro just logistics lane uh on top and from Wakeo Tanks Boulevard on the bottom. This is the preliminary plat. And the final plat for Soral logistics for number one. Uh this is the survey of the property and we are missing the development schedule but the property will be developed and uh sold to assist in the development of the adjacent we win uh new commercial uh development which was

recently uh in the news of a large facility manufacturing. ing matured operation for data center equipment. And with that, staff can answer any questions as well as the representative, Mr. Graa, who is also in attendance today.

Further resoning to ICMUD. Make a motion to approve. I'll second. I have a motion made by Andrew Royo, second by Osaldesa to approve. All those in favor of the motion.

Any ns? Any abstain? Motion carried. Item number number 13, consider and take action on the proposed approval of a preliminary flat with a variance request from section 46-416 high restrictions to allow a maximum maximum building height of 50 ft instead of the 45 requirement for the Sakura Logistics Center unit 5 subdivision being a portion of track 4 and 8A all of 7A and a portion of Messa Spur drain all within block five and all of lot So Logistics Center unit 2 Soro Texas miss. Uh thank you Marian. Item number 13 is uh the approval of a preliminary plat and the uh vicinity of the previous uh application item. This is for uh the property owner Sakor Logistics Lands 2 LLC representative CA Group Soral Logistics Lands 2 LLC. The property is 32.19 acres in size and portion of it is zoned unclassified. Another portion is ICMUD. It is currently vacant and the future land use map for the city of Sakuro designates the area as industrial commercial mixed juice. Uh in summary, the request is for approval of a preliminary plat and variance request for the sakoral logistics center unit 5 subdivision. The variances for a uh the building height staff recommends approval of the preliminary plat and variance request for Sakura Logistics Center unit 5 uh unit 5 subdivision. This is a location map showing the location of the property.

within the Sakoro Logistics Center. Uh the zoning map shows the ICMUD zoning district in purple, the gray unclassified, the outlined red shows the portion of this subdivision uh request. The aerial map shows the vacant and the uh surrounding properties. The view of the property from Sakor Logistics Lane on top and the view from Noville tanks on the bottom. Uh the this is the preliminary plat again for Sakura Logistics Center unit 5. And with that staff can answer any questions. Mr.

How does it affect or how does it benefit going from 45 to 50 feet just out of curiosity or is that just something that is outdated and now all buildings are 50 ft or good afternoon chair members of the commission with CA group uh to answer that question is just to be comparable to the to the existing buildings that are already there but there's no benefit effect at all.

There is um I'm not I'm not too sure on the specifics. That's more on the on the architectural um and the tenants as far as you know distribution storage heights. Uh but that's very comparable to what they've already the market that's that's that's been at the actual site right now the product. I didn't I didn't know why it made a difference but yeah I'm assuming Yeah.

Thank you. Anybody has any questions? No. Like to make a motion to approve. I have a motion made by Andrew Royo, second by Julia Dominguez to approve. All those in favor of the motion? I Any abstain? Motion carried.

Thank you. Item number 14, consider and take action on the approval of of a replat for Asenda Zelva unit 2 subdivision replat G being a replat of lot 4 block 7 Asenda Zelva unit 2 subdivision located at three 301 via Rojo Drive Sakoro Texas miss thank you item number 14 is the request for approval of a replat for Hassienda dev unit 2 replat G subdivision This is a replat of block 4, block 7, Hienda delva. The property uh is located at 301 Bay Roco Drive and the property owner, Jose Esmeralda Hiron. Their representative, Luis J. Ernnandez, Innovative with Style and their representative is on the uh call if you should have any questions for for them. The property is 4874 acres. It is zoned R1 and currently residential. In summary, the request is for approval of a replac unit 2 reflex G and staff recommends approval of the replac. The property is located at the corner there on V Rojo Drive. It is surrounded by our single family residential development and currently the property has a single family home. These are views of the property from Bay Rojo Drive. Sorry, I I apologize. There are two homes. This plat simply uh separates the the lot into two for the two properties.

And with that, uh, staff can answer any questions. Again, the representative, uh, Mr. Hime is on the phone as well.

Probably separate ownership. I don't know the details of how the two homes ended up on the one lot.

If I may,

this is Hayo, professional engineer with Gekka LLC, representing the owner. So, the the property has been in the Giron family since 1997. Uh to be frank with you, I don't know at what point they ended up with two residences on the property. It's a halfacre lot. This is just kind of cleaning things up. It's a pretty straightforward lot split and uh just to end up with two quarter acre lots. The intent of the family is to maintain occupying the property. The daughter lives in one home and the uh original owner lives in the other. I'm sorry. I Yeah, I I believe you asked if it's metered separately.

I believe I believe electric is metered separately. Um I need to confirm with you, but I believe they only have one water meter at this point. If it's one lot, I think I don't I don't think the judges will give you would give you separate leaders.

And if you look at the across the I guess two houses behind or two properties behind across the street, they've already kind of done the same thing as well. It was another quarter lot half acre property and they at some point they split it into two quarter acres.

I have a motion made by Rodriguez, second by Julia Dominguez to approve. All those in favor of the motion I Any nays? Any of same? Motion carried. Item number four. Item number 14, planning and sooning commissioners report.

I don't have anything. I'd like to say thank you to David and to Mr. for meeting with all those um homeowners and stuff like that. I know you guys took up a lot of your time. So, thank you guys for doing that. Thank you. And no and to the other members of the committee, Mr. Gasco, Mr. um Perez, and then to Mr. SA, thank you very much for all the assistance. But that's he was just presenting his case and there's nothing in the ordinances that they have to be that they that's just the the his approach to to his petition was to build a case for it. Um okay. Anything else? Thank you. Item number 15, 15, planning and zoning department report. Miss Kimo, thank you. Marian, I just have one two updates on area projects. The traffic signals at North Loop and Bowman are still on pause, but at least we have a reason for why. There was some discrepancies in the plan sets that were provided to the um the contractor and they asked for a time suspension in order to review those. And they have the text has um shared that with us and and told us that there is no timeline currently for when our traffic signals

will start. But at least that was a response and a project on Sakuro Road for sidewalks and traffic improvements, safety improvements uh between Ben and Win Road. That should be starting at the end of October. That has already been awarded to Horizon Construction. And soon you will be seeing social media posts to make people aware of the uh traffic uh changes on Sakuro Road as we work through that project. It was a safety improvement project. So, there are going to be enhancements to street lights, um, traffic signs, an installation of a monitoring speed tracker so that folks can be aware of their speed as they uh, travel along Sakur Road. A raised uh um section on BN where it meets Sakor Road. Currently, uh, the wide opening on BN does cause a little confusion. And we look forward to seeing that develop

from sorry from Berlin to where wind road and that should begin at the end of end of October.

And then just a fun exciting event I believe that takes place October 24th from 5 to 10 p.m. in combination with uh various departments. Our city is opening up Rio Vista for Fright Forum and National Night Out. We encourage everyone to attend and bring their families for a great event with a lot of entertainment uh candy for the kids and an opportunity to meet with all of the different levels of law enforcement that keep our citizens safe. With that, I'll end my uh department report. Item number 16, consider and take action on the adjournment of this meeting. Do I have a motion?

Make a motion to adjurnn. I will second. I have a motion. Mayor Brian Royo, second by Oswaldo Resa to adjourn. All those in favor of the motion. I. Any nays? Any obstain? Motion. Motion carry. meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m. Thank you.