HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Minutes 1997-06-05 Regularl I
Minutes of a Regular Meeting
of the
Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission
June 5, 1997
The Friendswood Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting Thursday, June 5, 1997 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Friendswood High School Auditorium, 702 Greenbriar, Friendswood, Texas. The following members were
present:
Finger -Chair
Burke
Clark
Mcveigh
Storey
Grace
Cress -abstained
Henry -Development Coordinator
Hodge -City Engineer
Brinkman -Secretary
Olson -City Attorney
Cox -City Manager
Byrd -Fire Marshal
Commissioner Cress has signed an affidavit and will abstain from any discussion, vote, or decision involving this
matter.
Chair Finger called the meeting to order to consider the following:
DOCKETED JOINT PUBLIC HEARING:
To receive comments, either oral or written regarding a request by Exxon Pipeline Company
for a Specific Use Permit for a 50 foot permanent pipeline easement and temporary
construction easement -initial use is new 16 inch ethane transmission pipeline.
Exxon representatives, George Persyn and Larry Harlan, reviewed Exxon's history in the petroleum industry and
the events preceding this specific request. The company (Exxon) has met with the Pipeline Safety Committee
and several homeowner associations to talk with the community. Exxon's original intention was to use a 30-year
old existing crude oil line to transport the ethane. Exxon removed and tested sections of the line and found it to
be structurally sound. However, to satisfy the concerns of the community, Exxon is proposing that a new
pipeline route be used and that the pipeline be constructed of new material consequently, Exxon has proposed a
16 inch pipe that they claimed will exceed state, federal and industry standards for both liquid and gas lines.
The walls of the pipe will be twice as thick and every weld will be inspected. The line will then be hydrostatically
tested with pressures that exceed the maximum pressure of ethane gas. The pipe will be buried 4 feet deep as
opposed to 3 feet required, and will be 20 feet below the stream beds. As an additional safety measure, there
will be cutoff valves on each end of the city monitored electronically, around the clock. The line runs from the
King Ranch area in south Texas to plants in Mount Belvieu and Baytown. Mr. Persyn said the 7 miles of pipeline
thru the City of Friendswood is the last segment needed to complete the line. Persyn contends the southern
route, as it is commonly called, is the safest because the area is less congested.
Al Allen, a real estate consultant representing Exxon, presented a residential sales analysis of 300 homes in the
city that have sold over a three year period. Some homes were located on pipelines; others were not. Allen
stated there was no apparent difference in assessed value of the homes, the sales price, or the number of days
the home remained on the market before the actual sale. His analysis relied on MLS listings.
Kerry Gilbert, a land planner, gave a slide presentation of Cinco Ranch where pipeline easements were used as
green belts, buffers and jogging/bike trails.
Exxon attorney, Reid Wilson, commented that the City of Friendswood granted specific use permits to Amoco
and Conoco in 197 4 and there are 26 pipelines under the city presently.
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Terry Byrd, Fire Marshal for the City of Friendswood, said that ethane is an odorless, colorless gas that is highly
flammable. Byrd described the subsequent and catastrophic events that might occur after a pipeline leak,
adding that the fire department is not equipped to handle this type of emergency.
John Fox, a real estate appraiser representing the city, said it was his professional opinion the pipeline would
affect property values; but he did not present analytical support for his position.
Dr. Robert Freilich, a planning and legal consultant for the city, questioned if Exxon had fulfilled the requirements
of the specific use permit as indicated in the city's zoning ordinance. He stated the pipeline would not bring jobs
to the city and would adversely affect the quality of life. Freilich suggested that Exxon should provide resources
for the city to purchase the fire equipment or facilities required to handle emergencies. He said the pipeline
would use land that could otherwise be developed for residential or commercial use that would provide tax
revenue for the city.
There were approximately 30 people who signed up to speak but only half chose to speak. Several spoke in
opposition to the pipeline location stating they had purposely sought land that was not located on a pipeline.
Safety was the primary concern; however, others cited a drop in their property value. The citizens said the
pipeline would impact more homes than Exxon had implied. They questioned why the pipeline easement had
been placed close to their homes in Mission Estates and San Joaquin rather than the undeveloped property
abutting their homes.
Others spoke in favor of the pipeline. Although the pipeline would not create jobs in the city, many residents
make a living in the petrochemical industry. A few expressed their frustration over the legal costs incurred by
the city, i.e., the taxpayer. Members of the Pipeline Safety Committee were disappointed that their
recommendations were not accepted by the city because they had worked with Exxon to make the pipeline as
safe as possible. Some contended a 200 feet easement would be more desirable but were otherwise satisfied
Exxon had met their demands.
With no further comment, the public hearing was closed. C!U�/
CLAUDIA L. BRINKMAN, SECRETARY