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October 24, 2003
From
Zoning to Possible Cults....Other Colleyville Council Action from
October 21
My
Perspective by Linda Baker
Hodges Automotive, 6521 Colleyville Boulevard, had applied for a zoning
change from AG to PUD-C on 4.307 acres, where Craig Hodges has operated
his business since 1986. While the commercial activities of the
automotive repair shop have been grandfathered into the City code,
(prior to the restrictive ordinances it now encompasses) some of the
Hodges' auxiliary trades require the zoning change. Growing Green,
LLC stores landscape equipment in the front west corner of the property,
and Craig and Janis Hodges would like to offer RV parking in
another corner, for approximately 8 vehicles owned by residents of
Colleyville.
In December of 2002, some residents living on McMakin and Baker Courts,
adjacent in the Ross Downs subdivision, complained about business
activities or practices on the Hodges leased property, and citations
were issued. Prior to that event, several members of that existing
Council had never even driven down the old Ross Downs Road. The
homeowners who complained declared that Hodges was not at the site when
they purchased their houses (untrue statements) with their tiny little
backyards abutting the Hodges fence. They complained about Hodges'
wooden privacy fence being in minor disrepair, but did not erect their
own on their own property either, nor contribute to the upkeep of the
Hodges' fence.
The Council agreed to table the zoning change for one more meeting,
since Dave Dudziak, of the Ross Downs HOA, and Councilman Rich Hendler
have been mediating some agreed conditions between the adjoining
residents and Hodges Automotive, and will have some very specific text
written into the final Ordinance agreement, if approved.
***
And just about the time you think it is safe to leave early from
mindnumbing Council meetings:
Janet Douglas, of 4600 Jim Mitchell Trail, East, waited patiently
until the end of the Council meeting, at the midnight hour, to speak at
Citizen Comments. (The nocturnal hours are why residents despair
addressing the Mayor and Council on non-agenda items.)
Finally Ms. Douglas' turn came and she stated she has been a Colleyville
resident since October, 1975. Recently, she had been cited for
burning a pile of fire ants and magnets in her yard; the fire was partly
to remedy a neighbor's covert criminal vandalism towards her, she said.
Ms. Douglas advised that the neighbor had contaminated the dirt in her
yard with toxic substances, and she has been sick and vomiting as a
result. Ms. Douglas stated she has spoken with Mayor Hocutt
regarding this and other incidents against her previously. Her
purpose in taking the podium was to warn Council that "cult
members" are moving onto her street, "practicing witchcraft,
and religious terrorism."
At the end of Ms. Douglas' statement, Mayor Hocutt perfunctorily advised
her that any issue brought up in Citizen Comments could not be commented
on by Council at that time.
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