5177 Builders, Ltd. (dba Lovett Homes) has submitted an application and request to build a planned development called Alder Park at 5711 Bissonnet St.

The proposed subdivision would be built on a 1.68 acre parcel of property between Bissonnet Street and Whitehaven Street and would house 13 single families. The property is in an R-M.3 mixed use district.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved unanimously the request for the planned development during its June 8 meeting. The commission has recommended to council to approve the request.

Richard Warren of Lovett Homes gave a presentation on the proposed subdivision and said that they plan on building 13 custom built homes with a French, European flair.

Warren said they expect to sell the homes for $600,000 to $700,000.

The homes will be two-stories and there will be 8 feet between units, he said. They will also have a two-door garage with additional parking in the driveway and on the street.

Some of the homes abut to a commercial line, but Lovett Homes plans on putting up an 8 foot fence as a buffer as well as trees, Warren said.

Lovett Homes has plans to put in a new street called Alder Circle for the subdivision. The street will dead end with a turnaround for emergency and service vehicle access.

The proposed subdivision will also have on-site detention provided through two underground storage tanks on the west side of the development. Lovett Homes does not have any plans to build any structures on the surface area.

Wastewater and water utilities for the subdivision will be provided by the city of Houston.

Warren said the subdivision will have a homeowners association and will be managed by a third party property management company. He said Lovett Homes has done this with other properties and it has worked out well.

Bellaire residents have until July 29 to submit written comments to council.

Council will deliberate on the application for the proposed subdivision on Aug. 2 in the council chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave.

Jackson & Ryan Architects have submitted an application on behalf of Episcopal High School to change the size, shape and placement of the parking complex, academic center (academic building) and fine arts center.

Council needs to approve the amendment to the specific use permit in order for Episcopal High School to start their construction project.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved unanimously Episcopal High School’s amendment request on June 8. Their recommendation to council is to approve the request.

One of the proposed changes to Episcopal High School includes elongating the planned parking garage from a 6-story to a 4-story garage.

Currently, there is space for 512 cars to park at the high school and the changes would accommodate 724 cars.

Head of School Ned Smith told council that there aren’t enough parking spaces for the number of students and faculty.

“We have to be creative,” he said.

Smith said they don’t plan on seeing an increased enrollment so there shouldn’t be a need to make additional parking spaces in the future.

“We want to know and love each one of these kids individually,” he said.

With the changes to the parking garage, the fine arts building will need to be revised. The high school also plans to simplify the layout of the academic building.

Seven residents addressed council during the public hearing, urging them to approve the proposed changes to their specific use permit.

“I have welcomed Episcopal High School from its inception,” Lynn McBee, an Evergreen Street resident said. “Welcome again Episcopal High School.”

Bellaire residents have until July 29 at noon to turn in written comments to council.

Council will deliberate on the changes to the specific use permit on Aug. 2 in the council chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave.

Council, as well as city staff and city consultants will meet in the council chamber, 7008 S. Rice Ave., to discuss the proposed annual 2011 budget.

The budget fiscal year begins Oct. 1, 2010 and ends Sept. 30, 2011.

The public is welcome to attend the budget workshop session.

The Bellaire Fire Department is recommending to council to appoint Dr. Bhushan Kukkalli as medical director beginning Aug. 1 and expiring Jan. 31, 2011.

Bellaire Medical Emergency Service is an advanced life support ambulance service and they are required by Texas law to have a medical director.

Council may also vote to approve an ordinance to call a public hearing, regarding the 2011 proposed budget.

If approved, the public hearing would be held Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.

Tonight’s regular city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the council chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave.

5177 Builders, Ltd. (dba Lovett Homes) has submitted an application and request to build a planned development called Alder Park at 5711 Bissonnet St.

The proposed subdivision would be built on a 1.68 acre parcel of property between Bissonnet Street and Whitehaven Street and would house 13 single families.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved unanimously the request for the planned development during its June 8 meeting. The commission has recommended to council to approve the request.

The new residential subdivision would consist of:

1. A 1.68 acre currently undeveloped site abutting Alder Street between Whitehaven and Bissonnet and completely within the RM-3 (residential mixed use) district

2. A public street/right of way (ROW) will be constructed on the site by the developer at their cost and according to City of Bellaire street standards with four foot sidewalks on both sides of the street. The street is a dead end with a turnaround for emergency and service vehicle access

3. Thirteen residential lots averaging 3,600 sq. ft. with pier/beam single family structures

4. Site coverage, after the construction of the ROW, which is below the ordinance, required 55 percent

5. On-site detention provided through underground detention storage tanks on the west side of the development with no structures to be constructed on the surface of this area

6. A homeowners association that will be created (and managed by a 3^rd party property management company), which will maintain, among other things, the underground detention

7. Buffering provided by tree landscaping and eight foot fence constructed on the south side of the site as a visual barrier to the adjacent R-3 residential district. Commercial property abuts the west and north sides of the site, and the City of Houston abuts the east side as Alder Street

8. Wastewater and water utilities provided by the City of Houston. In this immediate area, Alder Street in this area is in the Houston city limits. The east side of Alder Street in this area is also is in the Houston city limits

The public will have the opportunity to address council regarding the proposed subdivision during the public hearing.

The public hearing will be held at 6:15 p.m. in the council chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave.

Jackson & Ryan Architects have submitted an application on behalf of Episcopal High School to change the size, shape and placement of the parking complex, academic center (academic building) and fine arts center.

Council needs to approve the amendment to the specific use permit in order for Episcopal High School to continue with their construction project.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved unanimously Episcopal High School’s amendment request on June 8. Their recommendation to council is to approve the request.

The application to amend the specific use permit for the high school includes these changes:

• Reduce the height of the planned parking structure from 6 levels to 4 levels (approximate 20 feet structure height reduction)

• Increase the footprint of the planned parking structure to accommodate for the reduction in structure height while at the same time providing for the same number of vehicles as originally approved under S-71

• Make minor modifications to two other previously approved S-71 building footprints to allow for the planned larger parking structure footprint

The public will have the opportunity to address council during the public hearing.

Council will have a discussion on the amendment to the specific use permit during a later meeting.

The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. in the council chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave.

The Parks and Recreation board has been working with Clark Condon Associates, Inc., Landscape Architects on a preliminary design plan for Paseo Park. Council did not take any action on the proposed design plan because the city does not have any money to fund the project.

The design plan that was presented to council would enhance the Bellaire streetscape and bring focus to the trolley car in Paseo Park.

The design plan would “finally highlight the trolley as a symbol for the city,” Parks and Recreation Chair Leslie Little said.

Sheila Condon of Clark Condon Associates said the Parks Board has discussed several ideas for the park. One of the biggest questions they had was whether or not to move the trolley. Condon said the plan they came up with would work where the trolley is currently.

The Parks Board and the Bellaire Historical Society formed a subcommittee to learn more about the trolley.

The Park Board recommends that the trolley be covered to protect it from the elements and have ornamental fencing around it.

Another aspect of the plan is to bring the walking paths in, away from traffic, to create a better sense of community, Condon said.

Council discussed whether or not they should approve the Parks Board’s recommendation for the design plan since funding is not available.

“We could approve it as is … but to be honest we don’t have the money,” Mayor Cindy Siegel said.

Siegel said in reality another council would be looking at budgeting for the project.

“For whatever its worth, its information we found with our investigation,” Little said.

Councilmember Mandy Nathan said she liked the design plan and thought it is a good concept, but said the money probably wouldn’t be available for a couple of years.

“I think this was a valuable exercise,” Nathan said. “We obviously don’t have a lot of money to implement to parks right now.”

Councilmember Phil Nauert said he likes what the Parks Board has done and that the trolley needs to be conserved.

“It needs to be more visible and secure,” he said. “It’s our mother love.”

Councilmember Andrew Friedberg said he was hesitant to take any kind of action during last night’s meeting.

“I’m grateful for the work you guys put in,” he said. “I would express huge skepticism about trying to move the trolley one inch.”

Council voted to accept the master plan into the city’s record.

The next city council meeting will be held in the council chambers on July 19.

Council will discuss changing the wording of specific use amendments to specific use permits at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.

Residents will have the opportunity to address council with their comments, during the public hearing.

Council may approve a preliminary design plan for Paseo Park during its 7 p.m. regular meeting.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory board voted unanimously to make a recommendation to council to update Paseo Park by refurbishing it and highlighting the Trolley.

In December 2009, council approved hiring Clark Condon of Clark Condon Associates, Inc., Landscape Architects, for the preliminary design of the park.

These are some of the highlights of the plan that was developed by Clark Condon:

• The west side of the plan has an “urban edge” with bollards next to the street, low seat wall to help camouflage the utility panels, pavers so that future utility is accessible

• Sweeping sidewalks from the corners lead citizens or visitors into the park and the Trolley

• Some of the pathways to the Trolley will have a rail road track feel through the use of pavers and other landscaping tools

• The Trolley is to be highlighted with festive string/cable lighting and a turntable design pattern at the base of the Trolley reminiscent of another time

• Ornamental fencing around the Trolley that continues to enhance the design plan and provide safety for the Trolley and citizens

• Special paving on street corners to help lead folks to the park that could be on a history walk tour

• Footprint is simple and uncluttered so that future elements can be added to the park including benches, historical signs, historical art work, colorful landscaping, other park lighting

The council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. tonight in the council chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave.

Council approved, four-to-three, entering into a contract agreement of $50,000 with Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville (PGAL) for design services for the city library.

Several improvements to the library have been recommended to bring the building up to code. Council is looking at renovating the building because the funds are not available for a rebuild.

Director of Facilities Management Karl Miler presented the suggested improvements to council.

The proposed renovations for the library will cost an estimated $833,082.

Friends of the library are proving $15,000 for a new circulation desk.

A grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide more than $57,000 for a new boiler and air handler.

Some of the upgrades include: replacing the outside deck, remodeling the vestibule to allow for better traffic flow, making the bathrooms handicap accessible and removing mold from parts of the building, among other things.

The city staff recommendation was for council to approve the contract agreement with PGAL for $50,000.

Councilmember James Avioli said $833,000 is a lot of money for a renovation project and said the costs are too high.

“It kind of seems like we’re trying to put a Band-Aid on things,” Councilmember Corbett Parker said.

Several of the council members wanted to know how much life they could get out of the building with the suggested improvements.

Jeff Gerber, president and CEO of PGAL, told council he didn’t know how much life they could get out of the building.  He said improvements would have to continue to be made to get more life out of the building.

Council members Will Hickman and Andrew Friedberg both wanted to table the item and discuss it in a workshop.

Mayor Cindy Siegel said the city made a commitment to the voters to remodel the library.

“We keep going over and over. I think we’re going to get to the same place,” Siegel said. “We have a library that continues to decay … continuing to delay it drives up the cost.”

Councilmember Phil Nauert agreed with the mayor.

“I would like a new building there, but we need to maintain what we got,” Nauert said. “Here we are, let’s get on with it.”

Friedberg said he did not feel comfortable voting for the contract agreement. He said council is ready to write a blank check as long as they don’t have to pay for a new building.

“A box of Band-Aids doesn’t cost $850,000,” Friedberg said.

Hickman, Avioli and Friedberg all voted to table the agenda item, but the vote failed.

“Is there a cheaper Band-Aid … and what would a new facility cost?” Hickman said.

Council approved four-to-three to enter into a contact agreement with PGAL for design services not to exceed $50,000.

PGAL’s schematic designs will be brought before council for approval in August. If approved, construction could start as early as September and would take about four months.

The library plans to stay open during the construction.

Four people were appointed to the Bellaire cultural arts commission for a two year term. The new members are: Kathy Biddle, Ed Dumont, Johnnie P. Frazier and Cassie C. Neumann.

Three people were appointed to the Bellaire L.I.F.E. advisory board. The new members are: Jerisue Garner, Patricia J. Layton and Pauline McRae.

Four people were appointed to the board of adjustment. The new members are: Nick Bacile, Patricia B. McGinty, Marc Steinberg and Dirk Stiggins.

Four people were appointed to the building and standards commission. The new members are: Todd Blitzer, Gayle Davies, Richard Franke and Kristin Schuster.

Three people were appointed to the parks and recreation advisory board. The new members are: Jeff Addicks, Kim Padgett and Alissa Leightman.

Four people were appointed to the planning and zoning commission. The new members are: Peter Boecher, Michael Doyle, Donna Rickenbacker and Paul Simmons.

Two people were appointed to the recycling committee and the third position was left blank. The new members are: Doug Christians and Dorene Delaloye.

Mayor Cindy Siegel and Councilmember Andrew Friedberg thanked all those who applied at the close of council’s Monday night meeting.

The library has a variety of needs to prolong the life of the building, including new restrooms, new guard rails and a new conference room, among other things. The estimated cost of the improvements, including architectural and engineering costs and furniture, fixtures and equipment, is about $780,582.

Funding for this project will come from the rebuild Bellaire bond program. Friends of the Bellaire Library will provide some funding as well as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Pierce Goodwin Alexander and Linville (PGAL) will do the renovations for the library. Council may approve an agreement with PGAL for the project to not exceed $50,000.

Council may also consider ordinances adopting new members to several city boards and commissions including: Bellaire cultural arts commission, Bellaire L.I.F.E. advisory board, board of adjustment, building and standards commission, parks and recreation advisory board, planning and zoning commission and the recycling committee.

The meeting with be held in the council chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave. at 7 p.m. on Monday.

The applicants who will be evaluated by council tonight are:

Doug Christians – parks and recreation advisory board (first choice), planning and zoning commission (second choice), board of adjustment (third choice), recycling committee (fourth choice)

Kim Padgett – parks and recreation advisory board

Alissa Leightman – parks and recreation advisory board

Susan Downs – L.I.F.E. advisory board

Dorene Delaloye – recycling committee

Mark Cummings – parks and recreation advisory board

John Cohen – buildings and standards commission

Nalini Vemuri – L.I.F.E. advisory board (first choice), parks and recreation advisory board (second choice)

Ed Dumont – cultural arts commission (first choice), planning and zoning commission (second choice)

Dirk Stiggins (out of town) – planning and zoning commission (first choice), board of adjustment (second choice)

Council will hold the interviews in the conference room on the first floor of city hall, 7008 S. Rice Ave., starting at 6 p.m.

Council will meet with city department heads and directors to discuss information about budget challenges for the 2011 fiscal year.

Other items for discussion include: prioritization issues related to council’s goals and objectives, new city board, commission and committee initiatives and citizen service expectations.

Residents are welcome to attend the pre-budget workshop.

The workshop starts at 6 p.m. in the CenterPoint Energy Community Center, located on the second floor of the Family Aquatic Center, 7001 Fifth St.

“Residential burglary is up … and residents need to be aware of that,” Satterwhite said.

The city had 36 reported residential burglaries in April compared to 19 reported burglaries last year.

“Burglary of motor vehicles continues to be an ever popular crime,” he said. People will remove valuables from cars even when they are being watched or seen.

Satterwhite told council that even though crime has been fluctuating month to month, it has remained steady and has been steady for the last 10 years.

June 1 marked the start of hurricane season and the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has forecasted a very active hurricane season, Satterwhite said.

He said many people have signed up to receive the city’s emergency notifications via email since the start of hurricane season. To sign up for the notifications click here.

The building and standards commission’s green building committee presented information about green building and sustainability to council last night.

The committee formed in 2008 to learn about green building technologies and how green building could apply to building in Bellaire.

The committee focused on IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) and ESP (Energy Star Program) and recommended that Bellaire adopt the 2009 IECC code in January 2010.

The committee recommended to council last night that the information on green building be available through the city’s website. They also recommend educating residents and encouraging them to participate in earth/recycling days.

The next city council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on June 21 in the council chambers.

The proposed public hearing would involve revision to the code of ordinances for planning and zoning.

Bellaire residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions about the revisions during the public hearing if council approves the ordinance.

The planning and zoning commission held a public hearing on May 11 regarding proposed changes to planning and zoning.

Some of the changes the commission discussed are: amending the phrase “specific use amendment” to “specific use permit” and modifying the public hearing process for the commission and council.

The council will hold a special session tonight at 6 p.m. to interview applicants for several boards, committees and commissions.

The applicants who will be evaluated by council tonight are:

Todd Blitzer – parks and recreation advisory board (first choice), building and standards commission (second choice) and board of adjustment (third choice)

Richard Franke – building and standards commission (first choice) and planning and zoning commission (second choice)

Robert Riquelmy – planning and zoning commission

Tina Cohen – parks and recreation advisory board

Council will meet tonight for a regular session at 7 p.m. in the council chambers, 7008 S. Rice Ave.

Cotton was acquitted on May 11 by a Harris County jury, who found him “not guilty” of aggravated assault in the shooting of Bellaire resident Robbie Tolan on the lawn of the Tolan family home on Dec. 31, 2008.

Robbie Tolan was shot after police mistakenly thought he was driving a stolen vehicle.

“It’s a no win for the Tolan’s. It’s a no win for the city government,” Dr. Johnnie Frazier, a Jessamine Street resident said. “The city’s reputation is tarnished.”

Frazier said that Robbie Tolan will have to live with a bullet in his liver forever and Cotton will have to live with the fact that he shot an unarmed man.

“Let us not be complacent and think this is over for the city of homes,” Frazier said. “It will never be over for the city of Bellaire because people will remember.”

Lynn McBee, an Evergreen Street resident, addressed the council, echoing Frazier’s comments.

“Think tasers,” McBee said. “They don’t kill.”

The council did not address either resident’s comments during their meeting. The council released a statement after the trial, but have not made any further comments since then.

“The city has always felt it appropriate to await a jury verdict on the criminal charge before speaking about what we have known since the incident occurred; that Sgt. Edwards’ stop and Sgt. Cotton’s response were appropriate police actions consistent with the law and police officer training,” the statement said.

To read the statement click here.

The fire department wants to charge fees for emergency services because they provide services to vehicles traveling through Bellaire, but most vehicles are not owned by Bellaire residents. The fire department provides fire suppression, emergency rescue and hazardous material cleanup, controlling inside and outside of city limits.

“It is in the best interest of the residents and property owners of the city that the Bellaire Fire Department recoup some of the costs incurred with providing emergency responses both inside and outside city limits of the city of Bellaire,” the approved ordinance said.

Since residents already pay property taxes, some of which goes to emergency response services, they would not have to pay for response service fees, as well as West University Place and Southside Place, Fire Chief Darryl Anderson said.

Bellaire has an automatic aid agreement with West U and Southside Place. They do not have an automatic aid agreement with Houston and don’t anticipate entering into an automatic aid agreement anytime soon.

Anderson said he anticipates about $80,000 in revenue for charging for emergency services.

Any person, other than Bellaire residents, West U and Southside Place residents, will have to pay for any emergency response services the fire department provides. The fire department will send a bill to the person who requires their services and they will have seven days to pay for the services, the ordinance said. Anyone who doesn’t pay the bill will be found guilty and will have to pay a fine.

“Just because council approves this tonight doesn’t mean we’re going to go out and start charging fees,” City Manager Bernie Satterwhite said.

An itemized cost of fees will be brought to council for approval.

“Our Bellaire community is shocked and saddened to lose one of our own,” Councilmember Andrew Friedberg said.

Oyedeji was on his way home from an after-prom event at Dave and Buster’s on Sunday morning when his silver Toyota Avalon crossed over the median into northbound traffic in the 14100 block of S. Main and crashed head-on into a green Jeep Patriot, killing the driver, Gertha Augestin, a nurse at MD Anderson. Oyedeji was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Oyedeji was a star basketball player for Bellaire High School and had a scholarship to play ball for Texas A&M. He would have been 18 years old on Friday.

“This hit a lot of people really hard, including myself,” Councilmember Corbett Parker said. “He didn’t do drugs, he didn’t drink … he was a star human being.”

City council took a minute of silent prayer to remember Oyedeji and his family during their Monday night meeting. They also displayed some pictures of him.

“It’s a real tragedy,” said Mayor Cindy Siegel. Its heart wrenching to see parents go through something like this, she said.

A memorial fund has been set up in his name at Amegy Bank.

HISD’s Athletic Department is sponsoring a benefit basketball game to help raise money for the family of Tobi Oyedeji on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Delmar Field House, 2020 Mangum. Tickets are $5 at the door.

The seniors from Bellaire’s basketball team and the seniors from Yates basketball team will play an exhibition game to help raise money to help the family of Tobi Oyedeji pay for his funeral.

Parker said he would donate $1 for every point Bellaire scores at the benefit game.

Some of the items on their agenda include considering awarding a $6 million bond to a bidder for the Rebuild Bellaire Bond Program and approving final payments on contracts for traffic signs and the Weisinger water well.

The council will also consider a recommendation from the planning and zoning commission to make revisions to the zoning regulations for the Urban Village District.

The council may decide to appoint an alternate member to the board of adjustment at tonight’s meeting.

The meeting will be held in the council chambers of city hall, 7008 S. Rice Ave at 7 p.m.

Bellaire City Council approved a specific use permit for the expansion of the hospital. Council also approved to abandon the 60 ft. right-of-way of Chestnut Street, during their Monday night meeting.

Jacobo Varon, M.D., a plastic surgeon at First Street Surgical Center, was petitioning on behalf of the Lenox Hill Holdings Ltd., for the abandonment from the city for the right-of-way of Chestnut Street between Bissonnet and First Street and for a specific use permit to expand the hospital.

The city had the street appraised for $25 a foot. Council approved selling the right-of-way to Lenox Hill Holdings Ltd. for $18.75 a foot, a 25 percent discount. Council approved selling the right-of-way at the discounted price because Lenox Hill Holdings Ltd. was the only ones interested in purchasing it.

The city plans on moving the sewer line with two – 25 ft. easements on either side of the centerline on the Chestnut right-of-way. The city has to move the sewer line so if they have to dig, they won’t be digging on the Lenox Hill Holdings Ltd. property.

The expansion project will allow First Street Surgical Center to have 19 hospital beds. Currently, the hospital has only five beds.

First Street Surgical Center presented their plans to the council for the expansion project during a public hearing on April 26.

The plans for the expansion of the hospital include constructing an additional building, landscaping and putting in fountains on the property.

“It will beautify the city of Bellaire significantly,” Varon said during the April 26 public hearing.

First Street Surgical Center plans on demolishing part of the shopping center for their expansion, but have given the businesses the option to stay, move or close.

Varon said he has been in communication with the businesses and has kept them informed of the hospitals plans.

The cost of the expansion is $4.2 million.

First Street Surgical Center hopes to have the expansion completed by October and be operational and seeing patients by Dec. 31, 2010.