February 20, 2003

Seabrook City Council 

Seabrook City Council granted a conditional use permit Tuesday night to J. A. Billipps Company allowing for the development of six townhouses within a Marine Oriented Mixed Use zoning district.  The property is situated south, east and north of Clear Lake and west of Lakewood Yacht Club.

Billipps and colleague Mark Witte thanked the city council and told them that they had built numerous commercial properties in the area and sought the right opportunity to build high-quality homes on the water.  

The city council considered, but took no action on a resolution calling for a special election for three separate sales tax propositions on May 3, but a motion by Rick Sammons failed for lack of a second.

A proposed ballot initiative to change the Seabrook Charter to allow citizens to contract with the city and to bid competitively on city projects while serving on any city board or committee, other than the city council was pulled from the agenda.

A proposal to initiate new procedures to interview current board members and candidates for positions on city boards and commissions was pulled from the agenda.

A proposed agreement between the City of Seabrook and the NASA-Clear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau; and consideration of a response from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on the property located at 1018 Todville Road; which were tabled at the previous meeting, were left on the table.

The city council voted unanimously to waive parade permits for the Bay Area Little League and Second Chance Pets and a special events permit for Texas Rivers, Lakes, Bays and Bayous Trash Bash.

All other agenda items were approved.

Joe Watson, chairman of Seabrook Economic Development Foundation, addressed the council to express his dismay at the question posed by council to the foundation concerning SEDF members' stance on the development by the Port of Houston of the controversial Bayport container terminal.  

Watson pointed out that the foundation did not have the resources to concentrate on matters that potentially put citizens at odds with each other over such a complex issue.  He reminded them of Seabrook Economic Development Foundation's mission;   "Our goal at SEDF is positive, planned economic development for the benefit of the community." 

Mayor Pro Tem Pete Braccio presided over the meeting.  Mayor Robin Riley and Council Member Mike Laible were absent.